chapter 1: where do immortals come from?
grand xuan kingdom, xuanjing city, imperial advisor's mansion.
li fan was holding his wine cup, looking at the civil and military officials who had come to celebrate his birthday in the hall. even though he was now old, he could not help but feel smug in his heart.
it should be noted that today, nine out of ten court officials packed the imperial advisor's residence!
to think that li fan was just a poor scholar when he first came into this world.
over the past fifty years, he had gone from having nothing to being an immensely powerful official. his story would be enough to write a novel with millions of words.
when life is like this, what more could one ask for?
li fan stroked his beard and drank the wine in his cup.
"to the birthday of the imperial advisor!"
the crowd of officials present congratulated in unison.
li fan's pride swelled.
just then, a burst of discordant exclamations suddenly came from outside.
"quickly look! what is that!"
"streams of fire are falling from the sky; this is auspicious! quickly go tell the imperial master!"
"how come it seems to be flying towards our imperial master's residence?"
......
hearing the clamor outside the manor, li fan frowned.
the lobby, which was still somewhat lively, abruptly quieted down.
li fan got up and took the lead to walk out.
however, before he had the chance to scold his subordinates and express the dissatisfaction in his heart, he was captivated by the scenery in the sky.
far away in the sky, two silver-colored lights, one after the other, like meteors, were speeding towards the manor.̃øv€lß1n.
"this is..." li fan froze.
the two meteors arrived above xuanjing city in the blink of an eye and abruptly stopped.
at the same time, a voice like thunder descended from the sky and exploded in everyone's ears.
"dao xuanzi! do not overstep your bounds!"
......
the people present were horrified. a few people even called out, "immortal master!" and directly fell to the ground in obeisance.
and a word that had been suppressed in the depths of his memories and was almost on the verge of being forgotten was suddenly popping out of li fan's mind.
"cultivator... immortal cultivator!" li fan was stunned and muttered, "how is this possible..."
the two immortal cultivators in the sky obviously didn't care what the crowd of mortals below thought.
only another voice rang out, "kou hong! do you think i will let you go just because you escaped to this land of immortal extinction? hand over the technique you obtained that day, or i won't rest until you're dead!"
"ridiculous! it's because of the lack of a golden core technique that i've been trapped in the foundation stage for nearly a hundred years. i'm about to turn into withered bones; my end is approaching. however, i have now finally obtained a golden core technique. how could i possibly hand it over to others!" kou hong snorted coldly, his tone full of disdain.
"indeed!" dao xuanzi sighed, "a golden core technique with no other practitioners, an irreplaceable treasure. although many golden core techniques exist, innumerable cultivators are stuck at the foundation establishment stage!"
dao xuanzi's tone suddenly turned ferocious, "in that case, now that the gate to longevity is in front of me, how could i possibly let you off the hook, and how could i possibly not overstep my boundaries!"
kou hong laughed out loud, "it's just a single technique! it's ridiculous that despite how you and i have been brothers for a hundred years, we're now fighting to the death for a chance of survival!"
dao xuanzi laughed coldly and did not reply.
kou hong suddenly said, "i know i'm no match for you, and i'm sure i won't be able to escape today. but there are so many mortals here, and i don't know if you can withstand such a concentration of immortal-mortal miasma!"
dao xuanzi immediately changed color: "kou hong! what do you want to do?"
six prominent words lit up in the darkness, then quickly dispersed, turning into a curtain of light.
"charging complete."
"virtualize the current scene and return to the initial anchor point?"
small letters appeared one after another.
at the same time, images appeared one after another, spreading over the entire light screen rapidly.
it was the fifty years of li fan's life in this world.
li fan froze for a long time as he looked at himself in the various images.
[truth]
that was the name li fan gave to this rare treasure he carried with him.
it had only one function: transforming truth into falsehood and reality into emptiness!
the so-called transforming of the real into the imaginary meant transforming everything that li fan had experienced into a simulated illusory experience, causing li fan to return to the anchor point he had initially set up when he had just traveled to this world.
in fact, this timeline was li fan's second life.
although li fan had great aspirations in his first life, he could not achieve them because of his lack of talent. after failing to pass the imperial exams repeatedly, he finally quit studying to become a merchant after turning thirty. he ran a small business, became an ordinary rich man, married, had children, and lived a normal life. it was only when he was dying of old age that he finally awakened [truth].
this was li fan's second life, an unstoppable journey towards success.
it was a pity that it was ruined now.
after pondering momentarily, li fan did not choose to end this life immediately. before that, he still had a few things to do.
turning off the light screen and returning to reality, li fan steadied himself and dealt with the aftermath of xuanjing's heavy damage.
after gathering the people who had survived, li fan stabilized the people's hearts through his years of prestige.
even though li fan could not hear, he could still find a pen and paper. although communicating was a bit troublesome, it did not hinder li fan's orders from being conveyed.
first, li fan ordered his garrison battalion outside the city to come to xuanjing city as soon as possible to maintain order after the disaster. then, he sent orders to the neighboring towns to transfer food, provisions, and officials to xuanjing.
most of the buildings in xuanjing were destroyed, and after the garrison battalion took over xuanjing, li fan stayed in the barracks to preside over the aftermath.
li fan's decree constantly transported materials and talents from the neighboring cities towards xuanjing city.
after a month, the ruined xuanjing city had slightly recovered some of its lively atmosphere.
only after the grand xuan kingdom had finally recovered from the strike by the immortals did li fan begin to order the people to collect information about the two immortals that appeared that night.
this included where they came from, where they traveled to, and whether they had any other conversations.
unfortunately, after several months of investigation, nothing else was found besides knowing that the two immortals seemed to have appeared from the direction of the ruins abyss in the east.
li fan's hope of profiting from both immortals dying didn't seem to happen.
"shouldn't have expected such a thing." li fan sighed in his heart. "in that case, nothing is left for me in this world."
standing in the newly built imperial master's mansion, li fan again turned on [truth].
"virtualize the current scene and return to the initial anchor point?"
li fan no longer hesitated and chose yes.
on the light screen, countless lifelike images stood still simultaneously. subsequently, this life's glory and wealth shattered like an illusion, transforming into countless streaks of light that flew into li fan's mind.
scene after scene flashed before li fan's eyes like a flickering lantern. finally, the stage was fixed on the two immortal cultivators facing each other on top of the imperial advisor's mansion.
"dao xuanzi, kou hong." li fan softly recited the names of the two. "fifty years later, i will be waiting for you here in xuanjing city."
"riches and wealth are but meaningless pursuits to me." li fan's consciousness gradually became blurry, but his will remained stronger than ever.
"in the next life, i will capture immortals!"
the light in his mind gradually disappeared, and li fan slowly fell into a deep sleep.
chapter 2: aspiring to seek eternal life
in the darkness, a line of small glowing words appeared on the screen.
[after returning to the year of anchoring, you acted abnormally due to your ecstasy. this led to you almost being drowned by your aunt in holy water from the village witch.]
[when there was still half a year before the countryside examination, you studied hard at home from dawn to dusk. since you already knew the questions, you were full of confidence. although your aunt complained about you, she always supported you in your studies.]
[the village chief's brother coveted your family's ancestral fertile fields and secretly plotted to take them. your aunt attempted resistance but failed. you managed to solve this matter with a little trickery. your aunt looked at you in a different light from then on.]
[half a year later, you took the provincial examination. despite ranking below thirty others, you finally succeeded in becoming a scholar, honoring your ancestors.]
[after being anchored for 2 years, you traveled to xuanjing city to take part in the imperial examination. you were prepared for the test questions and naturally excelled. you performed admirably in the imperial examination and claimed the place of the second-class scholar.]
[you traveled around xuanjing city and finally achieved your goal by being assigned the post of the magistrate of wen county in jiangnan.]
[in the third year, you picked up your aunt at home and assumed the post of wen county magistrate. you began to secretly develop a network of trusted subordinates. in the same year, you led your men to discover precious mineral deposits in the deep mountains that you remembered from your previous life.]
[in the fourth year, you successfully made a batch of explosives and muskets. your musketry team was able to eliminate a nearby mountain bandit camp with little effort.]
[in the fifth year, there was a severe drought in jiangnan province, displacing many people. because of your earlier water conservation efforts, wen county was relatively unaffected. in the same year, a group of migrants gathered to rebel and prepared to attack the langya prince's residence. you provided crucial assistance and saved his family. the prince of langya was very grateful to you.]
[in the sixth year, you were promoted to the governor of jiangnan province. in the same year, you married the daughter of the minister of personnel.]
[in the seventh year, there was a locust plague in jiangnan province, and the grain harvest was in short supply. only those under your rule were minimally affected. in the same year, your wife gave birth to a son for you.]
[in the eighth year, your men succeeded in making flintlock pistols.]
[in the tenth year, lady langya gave birth to a son. you personally came to offer congratulations, and presented a well-prepared gift]
[in the fifteenth year, the emperor was struck by a sudden illness. before he died, he summoned the prince of langya to the capital and passed the throne to him. the prince of langya succeeded the throne and changed his name to emperor xuanjing.]
[in the sixteenth year, emperor xuanjing summoned you to the capital and promoted you to minister of war. in the same year, there were simultaneous rebellions of various sizes in various places. emperor xuanjing ordered you to lead the army to quell the rebellions.]
[in the eighteenth year, you traveled all over the world and swept away the rebels. after returning to the capital, emperor xuanjing revoked your military power and granted you the position of tutor of the crown prince.]
[in the twentieth year, the empress was suddenly caught in a witchcraft case. emperor xuanjing was furious and exiled her to the winter palace. when the crown prince privately sought your help, you decisively agreed. after a private investigation, you found evidence that consort xi fei framed the empress, proving the empress’s innocence. emperor xuanjing slaughtered consort xi fei and her family, but did not release the empress from the winter palace].
[in the twenty-first year, someone secretly accused you of treason and submitted evidence of your private mining and secret armed forces. you were anxious and wrote a letter of apology. emperor xuanjing dismissed you from the post of minister, but allowed you to still tutor the crown prince.]
[in the twenty-third year, emperor xuanjing was on a spring hunting trip and decided to go back to the langya royal residence in jiangnan province to have a look.]
[in the twenty-fourth year, emperor xuanjing visited jiangnan and ordered you to accompany him. you also visited a few mines which you had previously secretly exploited.]
[in the twenty-fifth year, emperor xuanjing went to jiangnan for the third time. this time, he did not bring you. three months later, you secretly received news that someone had denounced you for privately traveling to the winter palace to visit the empress. in the same year, emperor xuanjing was assassinated on his way back to the capital. when the news came back, the capital was shaken. the officials invited the empress out of the winter palace, and the crown prince succeeded to the throne with the name of emperor kangning.]
[in the twenty-sixth year, you were appointed as the imperial advisor and became the chief minister of the parliamentary court, achieving the highest position. the young emperor was highly dependent on you. taking this opportunity, you established your influence in the court.
[in the twenty-seventh year, your aunt passed away. you once again thought of seeking immortality, so you sent people to explore the traces of the existence of immortals in various places.]
[in the twenty-eighth year, the emperor came of age. but your power never stopped growing, and the court became your own.]
[in the thirtieth year, the world only acknowledged the imperial advisor and hardly knew the emperor.]
[in the thirty-first year, the empress dowager became pregnant and urgently called you to the palace to discuss. with great joy, you secretly took the empress dowager back to the imperial advisor’s residence to take care of her. in the same year, the empress dowager gave birth to a son for you.]
[in the thirty-third year, when you entered the court alone, you were surrounded by the guards secretly trained by emperor kangning. luckily, with the help of a special treasure, you managed to save your life. you were furious and wanted to kill the emperor and establish your rule. however, under the empress dowager's desperate plea and the persuasion of the ministers around you, you refrained from taking action. you purged all of the emperor's close ministers. after that, emperor kangning only held the name of emperor, losing all power.]
[in the thirty-eighth year, emperor kangning died in a state of depression. you made your eldest son the emperor and changed his name to emperor longchang.]
[in the fortieth year, the empress dowager died of illness. your desire for immortality grew more intense.]
[in the forty-fifth year, your wife died]
[in the forty-sixth year, your eldest son died of illness.]
physical age: 20/86
mental age: 166/1056↑
charging progress: 30%
"three lifetimes as a human, one hundred and sixty-six years. it turns out that i've already lived for so long. however, i remember the upper limit of mental age only being around nine hundred years in my previous life, but now it has increased to one thousand years. it seems that it will increase with my accumulation of experience, which reduces the anxiety in my heart."
just as the body's lifespan had a limit, a certain limit existed for the mental capacity to endure.
after carrying too many memories, a mental burden would form. once this burden became too heavy, it would completely crush a person's soul.
this was called the “wear and tear of time".
however, the upper limit of the mental age would increase as mental cognition increased.
for now, li fan did not need to worry about this.
"as long as i step onto the path of immortal cultivation, everything else is not a problem. now that i'm starting over, glory, wealth, and beauties are no longer my pursuits."
"i only want immortality!" the pain after the beloved relatives and friends around him in his previous life faded away one by one and the powerlessness and trepidation brought about by his own body's old age all made li fan's mind more determined at this moment.
"the goal of this life is to learn the secrets of cultivation from those two immortal cultivators. fifty years later, they will descend on xuanjing city. with enough planning and preparation, even if they are the so-called foundation stage powerhouses, i might have a chance of winning."
"perhaps what i can rely on, aside from gunpowder, is the immortal-mortal miasma they speak of."
"also, during these fifty years, i can't just wait. they came from the eastern ruins abyss, so perhaps i can send someone deep into the bottom of the ruins abyss first to search.”
......
the worst thing in life was having no purpose. in his previous life, li fan would often wake up in the middle of the night from the empress dowager's bed and feel an overwhelming sense of emptiness and meaninglessness.
in that life, he had stood at the very pinnacle of ordinary people.
he was the master of the emperor and held the world's army in his hands. nearly every minister in the court was a trusted aide of his.
he was able to abolish the emperor’s rule at any moment, and even the empress dowager was at his beck and call.
he couldn’t reach any higher.
in this next simulation, should he do the same?
in that case, what was the point of reincarnating from one life to the next?
power and pleasure always tasted the same after enough repetition.
perhaps, if there were no other variables, after a certain reincarnation, li fan would voluntarily give up and choose to end his life.
but!
the appearance of those two immortal cultivators allowed li fan to see a whole new set of possibilities!
allowing li fan to see a world of unfamiliar but tempting opportunities beckoning toward him.
it ignited a great ambition and goal within him.
he wanted to cultivate immortality!
he wanted to live forever!
no one could stop him!
li fan pushed open the door of the house and walked out with his head held high.
chapter 3: a mortal’s desire to capture immortals
time seemed to accelerate as li fan prepared for the 50th year during his third life.
li fan implemented his plan in a meticulous and step-by-step manner.
with the experience of two lifetimes, everything went smoothly.
he retook the imperial examinations.
this time, however, with the additional decades of experience in governance, the essays he wrote were naturally far superior to his previous life. whether it was the county, provincial, or imperial examination, he always ranked first, becoming renowned throughout the world!
subsequently, despite his youth, he was appointed as an official in wen county.
after being anchored for 3 years, he came to wen county once more.
this life, gaining control was much more efficient than the last. with his considerable reputation and thorough knowledge of local officials, he easily took control over wen county.
then, he began to promote and cultivate the trusted aides he had in his previous life and continuously strengthened his influence.
at the same time, he drafted designs of flintlock pistols and ordered craftsmen to produce them, while assisting them with all the difficulties in production he knew about. after that, he ordered people to go around and privately recruit skilled craftsmen, striving to develop more advanced weaponry.nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
the mountain mines were not forgotten either. li fan swept away all the mountain bandits near wen county and forced them into work in the mines. relying on the mine resources, he established many workshops in the deep mountains to mass produce iron weapons. at the same time, he organized trade caravans to travel around the world and accumulate funds.
after 4 years, li fan secretly searched and finally found the body double of emperor xuanjing. it was the existence of this double that led to the near failure of his assassination plan in his previous life. luckily, he had always been cautious, and with his many backup plans, he was able to avoid failing in his endeavors. li fan personally trained the double to flawlessness in half a year.
after 5 years, jiangnan suffered a severe drought. li fan ordered his subordinates to pose as refugees and attack the langya prince's residence. on the surface, li fan spearheaded the rescue attempt, but in secret, he commanded his people to kill the prince of langya and his family. at the same time, he revealed his trained double.
since then, li fan took control of the langya prince's estate.
the news of the killing of langya prince's family, with the sole survivor being the langya prince himself, shocked the whole country. the emperor was furious and sent troops to suppress the refugees. as a reward for his efforts, li fan was promoted to governor of jiangnan province.
li fan's power further expanded. however, after this, he became more cautious. instead of continuing to expand, he kept a low profile and developed technology.
in the 7th year, the locust plague came as predicted. li fan had prepared for it, and naturally, jiangnan province remained virtually unaffected. he also petitioned for the imperial court to open warehouses and release grain to assist the victims. the court agreed.
“they really were from the ruins abyss.” although he had suspected this for a long time, now that it had been personally confirmed by his subordinate, li fan was still a little excited in his heart. however, his many years of experience had long since tempered his self-control.
he asked indifferently, "can you find a way to get down to the bottom of the abyss?"
the immortal seeking official's breath stuttered, and then his face turned a little white. he quickly kowtowed and said, “subordinate is incompetent. we tried various methods, but as soon as we descended to a certain depth, we were cut to pieces by an astral wind. the astral wind is so powerful that even our toughest armor cannot resist it for a moment."
upon hearing this, li fan did not look disappointed.
after waving his hand and letting the immortal seeking official leave, li fan muttered to himself, "it seems that i still have to wait for you guys."
......
50th year, grand xuan kingdom, xuanjing.
xuanjing city, which used to be incomparably lively, was now silent and somewhat eerie.
the vast majority of the people of xuanjing had been forcibly relocated to the neighboring cities a month ago under the decree of the imperial advisor, who claimed that it was in order to avoid a calamity. this ridiculous excuse was met with heavy skepticism. however, the imperial advisor did not go too far and force those who didn’t want to move, only suggesting that they build underground shelters to hide. these warnings were mostly treated as jokes.
when li fan got the report, he did not bother. he had already done his best.
in the streets and alleys of xuanjing city, ambushes were waiting in place consisting of the special troops that he had carefully prepared over the years to use against the two immortals.
now that everything was ready, all that was needed were the protagonists!
at night, under the bright moon, the two immortal cultivators arrived as expected!
"dao xuanzi! don't you oppress people too much!"
kou hong's angry shouts spread throughout xuanjing city.
“ratatatatat...”
countless tongues of fire suddenly lit up, and tens of thousands of bullets poured forth like waterfalls, suddenly bombarding the two immortals in unison!
chapter 4: immortal spells and swords
the two immortal cultivators high in the sky were caught off guard and were hit directly in the face.
there was no scene of blood and flesh flying. around them, there were only concentric ripples in the air. an invisible force was blocking the tidal wave of bullets.
"huh, what kind of artifact is this?" facing the sudden siege of thousands of mortals, the two immortal cultivators were as calm as usual. kou hong's right hand reached out and pulled a soldier into the sky, seizing the gun in the soldier's hand to scrutinize it carefully while throwing the soldier out casually.
"quite interesting, using a delicate mechanical structure instead of a spell formation, and using the explosive power of a mortal object instead of spiritual power. it can actually erupt with the power of the early stage of qi refining...” kou hong understood the principle of the gun after only a glance.
he shook his head, "i didn't expect that after a few thousand years had passed, the mortals banished to the immortal extinction land would actually be able to research such a subtle object. unfortunately, it can only work in this land lacking the great dao. outside the land of immortal extinction, it's just a pile of useless copper and refined iron." after saying that, the gun in his hand instantly disappeared into thin air, as if he had casually put it away.
"as a mere mortal, how dare you make a move against us immortal cultivators. originally, i still had some guilt in my heart, but now it seems that it's you guys who are seeking death yourselves!"
kou hong stood tall and looked at the unknown number of densely packed mortal soldiers in the darkness, contempt flashing in his eyes.
his right hand quickly waved about in the empty space in front of him, drawing out intricate patterns.
countless sparks suddenly appeared from the darkness, like a prairie fire that had been condensed into huge fireballs.nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
"dao art: fire dragon's roar!”
as kou hong shouted in a cold voice, more crimson flames spread from the huge fire clusters, which served as the nodes, and they burned outwards in unison. in just a few moments, the flames were like flesh and blood, connecting the fire clusters in the sky.
a fearsome dragon composed of crimson flames appeared over xuanjing city.
the fiery dragon raised its head and let out a resounding roar as it stretched its body and then slammed downwards.
"boom!"
violent explosions rang out incessantly.
buildings in xuanjing city were like small toys, easily destroyed without the slightest resistance.
and as if the red flames had a mind of their own, they devoured and burned everything they could touch after landing on the ground.
in the blink of an eye, this xuanjing city turned into a blazing inferno!
however, kou hong, who had caused all of this, frowned, his face in disbelief.
because he realized that although the xuanjing city below looked miserable, the vast majority of the soldiers actually survived his strike!
one had to know that the fire dragon's roar that he had unleashed in a fit of rage was already his full strength.
the might of a foundation establishment great perfection cultivator was not something that mortals could resist!
even if those soldiers were well-trained and had taken out their protective gear and hid in the corners of the building for protection the moment they saw him casting the spell, they should have suffered many more casualties!
what's going on?
kou hong was shocked and skeptical, and in an instant, he seemed to have realized something. with a wave of his hand, kou hong examined one of the tiny metal objects that was previously fired at him but was easily resisted by his body-protecting aura.
"this is...” kou hong's face changed dramatically, and he then alertly swept his gaze towards the surroundings, the contempt in his gaze turning into scorn.
"these concealed weapons have been soaked with mortal blood, contaminated with immortal-mortal miasma..." dao xuanzi's voice also came over, his face ugly.
"we just arrived at this place and were ambushed. moreover, the other party has utilized the immortal-mortal miasma, so it's obvious that they came prepared. could it be that behind these mortals, there are immortal cultivators guiding them?" the duo glanced at each other, and several thoughts immediately flashed through their minds. "no matter what, this place is a trap, and we should not stay for long."
although dao xuanzi and kou hong were fighting to the death for the golden core technique, that was their private affair.
now that unexpected variables have arisen in the form of the ambush of thousands of mortals, with the hundred years of tacit understanding of the two, they both at the same time subconsciously chose to escape first.
perhaps discovering the duo's attempts, the gunfire that had stalled due to the fire dragon's roar resounded once again!
however, this deepened the suspicions in dao xuanzi and kou hong's hearts.
these mortals obviously had an agenda!
"go!" the two were about to flee when they heard a voice ring out from below.
"dao xuanzi! kou hong! if the two of you flee, the news that you have obtained a golden core technique will spread throughout the cultivation world!"
the voice came from all directions of xuanjing city, echoing continuously in this night with unending reverberations.
even though it was an ordinary tree branch, it could swallow a dragon!
this magnificent sight was like a brilliant firework, illuminating the sky for thousands of miles around.
all the beings who saw this scene, be they human or otherwise, had this passage naturally emerge in their minds.
"foundation establishment cultivator kou hong had two hundred and five years of mortal cultivation and achieved the dao foundation with the special item [gnarled dragon branch]. in the land of immortal extinction, he was surrounded by thousands of mortals and was injured by the immortal-mortal miasma."
“his cultivation was lost and his lifespan was reduced.”
“now, in death, his dao returns to the heavens!"
pain, righteousness, and the difficulty of self-reliance...
around xuanjing city, all the living beings who witnessed this vision were immersed in emotions such as these, unable to stop themselves.
the magnificent sight lasted for almost half an hour, and then finally dispersed gradually.
the soldiers finally came back to their senses and silently looked at the other dying immortal cultivator in the field.
"immortal master dao xuanzi, our imperial advisor has no intention of fighting you to the death. if you give up your resistance, our imperial advisor guarantees your safety...” the soldiers continued to shout as li fan commanded.
li fan was in the dark but he sighed in his heart, knowing that his attempt to capture immortals in this life was a failure.
he simply did not expect the immortal-mortal miasma to be so powerful in killing and wounding immortal cultivators.
as expected, dao xuanzi simply ignored the shouting.
he also looked up at the already dissipated vision with a nostalgic look in his eyes.
"gnarled dragon branch..."
after a long time, he brought his gaze back down and tried to straighten his hunched body.
scanning his surroundings, dao xuanzi tried to find out the puppeteer behind the curtains.
"i don't know who you are." he said to li fan. "i also don't know what exactly your purpose is."
"maybe this was for this golden core technique, and maybe this was for something else." dao xuanzi glanced at the storage ring in his hand and said calmly. "now that us brothers have been set up by you and are dead, there should be nothing more to say."
"but i am not convinced." dao xuanzi spoke coldly.
"to be able to follow us all the way and know our affairs like the back of your hand without being discovered, i'm sure your cultivation must not be low."
“despite such power, you don't dare to fight us head-on. to actually plot and scheme like this, hiding behind mortals, and even using the immortal-mortal miasma, an underhanded thing that all immortal cultivators disdain...”
dao xuanzi took a deep breath.
"my brother, kou hong, did not deserve this death!”
dao xuanzi slowly rose into the air, once again towering above, looking at the crowd that was instantly on guard, with no sadness or joy on his face.
"you have already seen my brother's foundation building wonder. now, i invite you all to take a look at mine."
"with the wonders of heaven and earth, i will build my foundation." dao xuanzi chanted loudly.
"my foundation is named dao xuan."
a massive, broken iron sword appeared in the sky above xuanjing city.
all living beings under the shadow of the giant sword felt their minds dull and slow like rusty machines.
"i have a sword, please witness it!"
the heavens and earth suddenly lit up, and everyone in xuanjing city seemed to fall into absolute stillness.
subsequently, like cracks appearing in glass, the entire xuanjing city shattered to pieces in an instant!
“[truth].”
the charging progress plummeted, and in the split second before his consciousness disappeared, li fan silently recited in his heart.
chapter 5: flatland ripples
[end of simulation]
...
li fan, who had regained his consciousness, was still immersed in the power of dao xuanzi's sword.
“that was a foundation establishment cultivator?" li fan's heart was filled with shock.
previously, kou hong's ability to destroy xuanjing city alone had already made li fan marvel, but dao xuanzi's final sword had made li fan deeply feel his own insignificance.
like a cricket facing a tsunami, from li fan's point of view, he was unable to even comprehend that sword, let alone grasp its entirety.
even if it was just a glimpse, it was enough for li fan to understand the gap between a mortal and a foundation establishment stage cultivator.
"without the immortal-mortal miasma, i'm afraid that even if i reincarnate for a hundred lifetimes and devise countless strategies, i still wouldn’t be able to pose a threat to them." li fan was secretly happy in his heart, but at the same time, he also felt deeply puzzled and alarmed.0v3l.bin.
"what is this immortal-mortal miasma? aren't immortal cultivators all mortals originally? how come the blood of mortals has such a terrifying restraining effect on immortal cultivators?" the hidden meaning behind this could not help but make li fan's mind wonder.
however, soon li fan suppressed his many thoughts.
"first, let’s summarize the gains and losses of this life."
watching the scenes that flashed across the light screen, li fan pondered in his heart.
"the ambush of dao xuanzi and kou hong was basically within my expectations. first, i used the blood-soaked bullets of the death row inmates to consume their strength, followed by using the golden core method to disrupt their hearts and minds, and then i used the blood rain to deal a finishing blow, capturing the two of them alive after they were weakened to the extreme..."
"what i didn't expect was that the immortal-mortal miasma's restraint on cultivators was so powerful that it directly led to kou hong's death."
"what was even more surprising was that i originally thought that the hundred-year-old brotherhood they spoke about was just a casual remark. i didn't realize that the relationship between the two was indeed extraordinary. when attacked, dao xuanzi took the initiative to speak out to remind kou hong, and when kou hong knew that it was difficult to escape death, he gave the technique to dao xuanzi on his own initiative."
“furthermore, when dao xuanzi saw kou hong die to the ambush, he gave up his chance of living and made a suicide attack to avenge kou hong. all of this shows that there is indeed an exceptional friendship between the two...”
"since this is the case, how could the two of them kill each other because of a golden core technique?” li fan's mind became more and more puzzled.
suddenly, he recalled the scene when he initially met the duo.
“a golden core technique with no other practitioners...” li fan was suddenly puzzled, "immortal laws can’t be practiced together?”
“with such close brothers fighting to the death over a single technique, what would the cultivation world look like?”
waiting ten years to control the country was too long, and he would always have to be cowering in a place like jiangnan. if he had ten more years to mobilize the power of the entire world, he would have a much greater chance of success at capturing the immortals.
thus, li fan decided to send a trusted confidant to sneak into the palace and secretly administer chronic poison to the emperor.
who would have thought that it was this decision that stirred up waves.
although li fan’s poisoning was not found, the emperor was young and strong, and the strange weakening of his body caused him to be increasingly suspicious.
he suspected that someone secretly harmed him. and the chief object of suspicion was none other than the one he trusted the most, prince langya.
this led to the emperor passing on the throne to the carefree prince runan instead of prince langya when he passed away in the 7th year.
the good news was that li fan's insider in the palace sent out the news in time, and li fan acted immediately after hearing the news.
on the one hand, he sent his men to assassinate prince runan; on the other hand, in the name of prince langya, he claimed that the courts had betrayed the emperor and ordered the assassination. under the banner of prince langya, li fan took his well-developed army to the capital, and before the people could react, he attacked, forcibly taking over the imperial court and declaring martial law.
such drastic means naturally had many consequences.
the first was that the ministers in the court were not convinced. the emperor's posthumous edict was to pass the throne to prince runan. was the ascension of prince langya not rebellion? the ministers could not openly rebel under li fan’s oppression. however, they were still able to do so secretly, passively resisting and harming bureaucratic processes. there were even some who secretly contacted feudal lords, trying to invite them to lead their troops into the capital “to set things right". li fan was not merciful, and after killing dozens, he managed to deter the rest. furthermore, there was also the help of the chief grand secretary in stabilizing his position.
however, these few months had already ignited upheaval throughout the land. feudal lords set up territories of their own, declared independence, and ignored the court’s orders.
thus, li fan could only send troops to eliminate them one by one.
although the firearms were powerful, they were limited in number. combined with the country’s vast lands, it took a considerable amount of effort.
between battle and politics, li fan was very busy.
it took until the 22nd year to completely resolve the internal and external problems.
due to this, he was a few years late in controlling the world than if he had patiently followed his previous lives.
“i still need to be cautious and patient." after everything settled down, li fan could only helplessly learn a lesson. "a slight difference could lead to drastic effects. if there are too many variables, my advantage of foresight will shrink greatly."
luckily, everything was just a slight ripple and did not affect the big picture.
after things gradually got back on track, the gears of time flew forward, and in the blink of an eye, year 35 arrived.
in this year, li fan left xuanjing city and traveled thousands of miles to personally visit the eastern ruins abyss.
chapter 6: sitting on a mountain and watching the immortals fight
tl note on term changes: abyss ruins > ruins abyss, immortal miasma > immortal-mortal miasma
*****
the ruins abyss, located in the easternmost part of the grand xuan country, were so deep that one could not see the bottom, and there was a thick fog shrouding it all year round. if one were to accidentally lose their footing and fall, they would certainly end up completely annihilated.
no one knew what lies beneath the ruins abyss. even the birds were absent, and it had been a forbidden area to humans for many years.
li fan, on the other hand, through his last simulation experience, knew that the dense fog above the ruins abyss would disperse once every fifteen years. today, he had come to the ruins abyss to witness it with his own eyes.
after all, if his guess was correct, the two cultivators, dao xuanzi and kou hong, likely arrived to this land of immortal extinction through the abyss ruins.
li fan stood silently, watching the endless abyss, patiently waiting.
after an unknown period of time, the thick white mist that emitted an ancient aura finally changed.
"whooosh..."
what seemed to be an ancient beast's roarcame faintly from below. only as the sound gradually became louder did the crowd realize that it was the sound of the wind!
the dense white mist was stirred, creating ripples upon ripples.
then, the wind became stronger and stronger, and a large amount of white mist was forcefully expelled from the ruins abyss like a reverse waterfall rushing straight into the sky.
such a gale lasted for half an hour before the heavy fog dispersed.
li fan's face was grave as he took out his telescope and looked towards the bottom of the ruins abyss.
at first, the bottom of the ruins abyss was pitch black, and nothing could be seen clearly.
gradually, a little bit of light appeared.
after a long time, the bottom of the ruins abyss shone brightly, and a mirage-like, upside-down scene was reflected in li fan's eyes.
according to the information, the scene that appeared at the bottom of the ruins abyss were different for each person.
however, the scene in front of li fan's eyes shook him to his core.
there was a dilapidated mountain gate with collapsed buildings everywhere. the ground and walls, full of cracks, were filled with marks left by sword strikes and magical attacks.
there were even a few areas that seemed to be drenched in blood, taking on a sinister dark red color.
the corpses and weapons scattered all over the place spoke of a catastrophe that had happened many years ago.
dao xuanzi was familiar with his brother's temper and knew that kou hong had lost his mind and wouldn't to listen to anything he had to say.
dao xuanzi vaguely felt that he was caught in some kind of trap.
the bizarre aura of this place even made him feel a sense of crisis.
it was not wise to fight with kou hong at this moment.
thus, he still patiently explained to kou hong, "you've known me for a hundred years; when have you ever seen me lie? this is indeed not..."
however, before he could finish his sentence, an old voice suddenly came from all directions, cutting his words short.
"immortal master dao xuanzi, how can you go back on your word? wasn't it agreed that as long as we assisted you in killing kou hong here and seizing his golden core technique, you would lead my clan out of this land of immortal extinction?" the voice was aggrieved and also carried a touch of indignation.
"golden core technique?!" kou hong and dao xuanzi's faces changed at the same time when they heard this.
"still saying it's not you? other than you and i, who else in this world knows about this matter?!" kou hong's hair stood on end, furious to the extreme.
"this person actually knows about the matter of the golden core technique..." dao xuanzi's heart completely sank.
the voice continued to speak from below: "consider that by using the immortal-mortal miasma for you, we have incurred widespread resentment. now that the world is seething with public discontent, if immortal master doesn't his word and fails to lead us out, i'm afraid that it won't be long before my clan will die without a burial place!"
being falsely accused, dao xuanzi only felt increasingly frustrated, and shouted, "shameless villain, shut up!"
he flew towards the source of the voice, trying to find the mastermind, but he only saw a strange rectangular object. it was the object from which that sound was emanating. and countless more of these objects were spread throughout the entire xuanjing city!
"to actually be so cautious..." dao xuanzi was helpless to the extreme.
"could it be that immortal master wishes to kill and silence us now?"
listening to the somewhat mocking words continue to come out from within, dao xuanzi clenched his teeth, crushing the object instantly.
in kou hong's eyes, it looked as if dao xuanzi was infuriated after being exposed and wanted to kill to cover up his secrets.
kou hong raised his voice and roared to the sky, ''dao xuanzi! you and i have known each other for a hundred years, but i seem to have completely misjudged you! even if you wanted to get the golden core technique, why do you need to use so many underhanded tactics? i'm not going to run any longer, so come and get it if you have the ability!"
"dao technique: fire dragon's roar!"
a furious fiery dragon surrounded kou hong and let out a heaven-shaking roar.
the fire dragon then looked angrily ahead and spat out a crimson blaze from its mouth which headed straight for dao xuanzi.
dao xuanzi sighed helplessly, and with a soft chant, a flying sword appeared out of thin air from behind him, transforming into a white light that met the red flames head-on.
chapter 7: blazing dragon swallows the sword
the crimson flames clashed with the white sword aura, creating violent explosions that reverberated through the air.
xuanjing city below was caught in the aftermath, engulfed in a sea of fire.
the battle between the two did not last long. kou hong's cultivation was originally inferior to dao xuanzi, and he was also weakened by the immortal-mortal miasma attack from before, so he quickly fell into a disadvantage.
dao xuanzi showed no mercy despite this, as his sword techniques pressured kou hong relentlessly.
just then, the old voice sounded once again.
"dao xuanzi is fickle and vindictive. if we let him win, there is no way for us to survive. soldiers, obey my order and help immortal master kou hong deal with dao xuanzi!"
kou hong was overjoyed when he heard this.
he hastily distanced himself away from dao xuanzi, watching as dao xuanzi was swarmed with bullets. triumphant, he shouted, "as the saying goes, you reap what you sow! i never expected that despite your veneer of righteousness, you would resort to betrayal and suffer a tragic backlash!"
dao xuanzi was already frustrated by the scheming of the hidden puppeteer, and when he heard kou hong's words, he was infuriated to the point of spitting blood.
"you stupid fool!" he couldn't stand it anymore and cursed at kou hong.̃øv€l-b!n.
"at last, your true colors are emerging!" kou hong did not show any weakness and counterattacked, "you've always prided yourself as being particularly clever, but look at you now. you've been forsaken by the very mortals you controlled and manipulated! your clever plan has backfired spectacularly!"
dao xuanzi heard this and was left speechless. unable to argue any longer, he simply ignored kou hong and instead launched deadly sword attacks, reaping the lives of the mortal soldiers who dared to attack him.
however, these mortals were like locusts, their numbers seemingly endless. no matter how many he slaughtered, more would swiftly take their place, putting tremendous pressure on dao xuanzi, especially since he also had to be wary of the immortal-mortal miasma. because of this, he could only use energy-consuming ranged attacks to avoid being infected.
as a result, the battlefield entered a strange stalemate.
at this critical moment, that old voice echoed again relentlessly.
"immortal master kou hong, my clan's soldiers are on the brink of being wiped out. after dao xuanzi kills all of us, will he spare you? if you don't make a move at this time, when will you?!" the voice conveyed a tone of anxiousness and fear.
kou hong was awakened by this voice and instantly came to his senses.
the heaven-devouring dragon shattered into crystalline fragments. despite its appearance, it was no match for the dao xuan sword!
the carefully prepared dao art proved to be fragile in the face of the giant sword shadow flying towards kou hong, but he neither panicked nor dodged away.
"dao art: dragon's rebirth!"
under kou hong's furious shout, the crystalline fragments that had scattered upon the previous defeat instantly ignited once more.
they then coalesced together, forming a brand new blazing dragon.
its flames burned brighter than ever before, and its prominent horns signified its proud heritage.
like a sharp sword, the newly formed dragon surged relentlessly towards dao xuanzi, accompanied by the sound of a dragon's roar!
dao xuanzi's eyes flashed with a trace of appreciation, but the dao xuan sword above him showed no sign of retreating.
in a life-and-death struggle, whoever was more decisive and ruthless would come out on top!
however, at this crucial juncture, the old voice sounded out once more, like a lingering specter.
"immortal master kou hong, we shall lend you our aid!"
before the voice even faded, long cannonballs with fiery trails bombarded dao xuanzi from all directions and erupted into a rain of blood!
"ah!" caught off guard, dao xuan zi let out a miserable scream as his imposing aura plummeted.
the shadow of the dao xuan sword also became dim, and the blazing dragon was able to take this opportunity to overcome the dao xuan sword, breaking through the distorted space and piercing through dao xuanzi's body!
on the other hand, the sword shadow wielded by dao xuanzi was at the end of its line, only forcing a few mouthfuls of blood out of kou hong before dissipating.
"i... i..." dao xuanzi coughed miserably, desiring but unable to express his final words.
in mere moments, swallowed by the heaven-devouring dragon, dao xuanzi's body turned into a pile of bones.
chapter 8: eternal separation of mortals and immortals
above the vast sky, a strange phenomenon formed.
a gigantic sword, forged through a thousand trials, had been abandoned in the shadows for millennia, forgotten by all.
as the years passed, its blade was no longer bright, its edge was no longer sharp, and it was covered in rust.
however, a wave of anger and unwillingness suddenly arose!
even as the corrosion of rust became more and more severe, the divinity and majesty of that huge sword likewise increased with each passing day!
"foundation establishment cultivator dao xuanzi cultivated the dao for two hundred and one years, achieving the foundation establishment through the extraordinary artifact [rust sword dao xuan]. in the land of immortal extinction, he fought to the death with others and eventually fell at the hands of foundation establishment cultivator kou hong."
"now, in death, his dao returns to the heavens!"
the brilliant scene illuminated the sky for thousands of miles like fireworks.
"dao xuanzi..." kou hong watched the magnificent scene and seemed completely stunned, unable to stop murmuring to himself.
all the soldiers present also looked up at the sky and froze.
"i am li fan, and i greet the immortal master."
right at this moment, an old man with white hair and a walking stick walked tremblingly to kou hong's side.
kou hong paid him no mind, but li fan was not in a hurry, patiently waiting while signaling the soldiers to stand by.
only after a long time, with the heavenly visage dispersing, did kou hong turn to look at li fan.
"are you the leader of the mortals here?" kou hong's tone was harsh, and it was obvious that he did not have a good impression of li fan. "that voice that rang out everywhere before was you, right?"
"they were petty tricks, and are not worth the immortal master's attention." li fan cupped his hands and avoided discussing the matter directly. instead, he bowed respectfully. "i beseech the immortal master to be merciful and save the lives of my clan's thousands of people."
"mercy...," kou hong sneered at the request. "in my battle with dao xuanzi, we both relied on our own abilities, and our life and death were determined by fate. you, a mere mortal, actually interfered in the battle between us cultivators."
he looked at li fan, his words dripping with killing intent, "although dao xuanzi and i fought to the death over the golden core technique, he was still my brother of more than a hundred years. now that you have killed him, shouldn't i avenge him by killing you?"
unaffected by kou hong's threat, li fan just laughed bitterly, "i'm just seeking a ray of hope! as i mentioned before, if immortal master loses, my clan will definitely be unable to escape death."
kou hong pondered for a moment before shaking his head, "if you want to leave the land of immortal extinction, you must break through the immortal extinction formation. a mere mortal body has no chance of breaking through. any attempts would be akin to seeking death. moreover, at your age, you already have one foot in the grave. why are you so obsessed with leaving this place? wouldn't it be nice to be a local ruler?"
kou hong had a disdainful look on his face.
"even though i wouldn't mind dying, i still wish to leave some hope for my descendants." li fan's persistence did not end, and he asked again, "if my descendants can cultivate to the foundation establishment realm like immortal master, would it be possible to leave this place?"
kou hong burst into laughter, "even ignoring the complete lack of spiritual energy in this place, making cultivation impossible, how could a mortal here, completely tainted in miasma, cultivate the immortal way?"
kou hong sneered, "i advise you to give up on such hopes. immortals and mortals have been eternally separated. even if you mortals wanted to cultivate, you'd have to reform your bodies and cleanse yourselves of immortal-mortal miasma in the outside world. otherwise, even if the path of immortality was right in front of you, you wouldn't be able to even touch it."
with each question, kou hong's denials grew stronger, and li fan seemed to finally give up.
"immortals and mortals are eternally separated... eternal separation..." li fan muttered in a daze, "so, there is really no way?"
"there really isn't." watching li fan's mood sink so far seemed to amuse kou hong.
"there really isn't." kou hong repeated again.
"as the immortal master said, immortals and mortals have been eternally separated." li fan let out a long sigh.
"indeed." kou hong nodded repeatedly.
as if he were defeated by this cruel fact, li fan excused himself and left, his expression dazed.
the moment he walked out of the bunker, the door slammed shut with a bang.
kou hong's face changed, an uneasy premonition welling up in his heart.
however, it was already too late.
rolls of mist containing the immortal-mortal miasma gushed out from every corner of the room.
"ahhh!"
kou hong let out a miserable scream before he was drowned in the dense fog.
outside the bunker, li fan's gaze turned deep as he slowly said, "since immortals and mortals cannot coexist."
"then how could i, a mere mortal, dare to fully believe what you say?"̃øv€l-b!n.
chapter 9: fate has unforeseen paths
li fan gazed at the confession on the table, feeling disheartened.
kou hong hadn't lied to him. he truly didn't know how to help mortals leave this isolated realm.
"the land of immortal extinction..." after five cycles of reincarnation and three hundred years of anticipation, all his hopes had turned into unachievable dreams.
with his hopes of immortality shattered, li fan seemed to have aged overnight both physically and psychologically.
"land of immortal extinction..." he once again recited the name in his mind, and endless unwillingness welled up in his heart.
"why did i have to be reborn in such a place? if i had been reborn in the cultivation realm outside, with the power of [truth], i would have had a genuine chance at immortality. but fate had to place me in this land of immortal extinction!"
the information in kou hong's confession once again crossed li fan's mind.
the so-called land immortal extinction, as the name suggests, is a place where immortals are extinct. thousands of years ago, the ancient immortal cultivation world suffered a great change.
at first, it was just a plague that swept through the mortal realm, and no cultivators paid it much heed.
however, after a cultivator was accidentally infected by this mysterious plague, things began to spiral out of control.
after infecting the immortal cultivator, the plague seemed to have been inexplicably strengthened, becoming able to spread amongst cultivators.
the medium of transmission was none other than the spiritual energy that cultivators relied on for their cultivation.
through the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the plague quickly spread throughout the entire cultivation world. cultivators infected with the plague would regress in their cultivation, while the less fortunate would lose their cultivation overnight and become no different from mortals. within only a few days, they would die and return to heaven.
with the deaths of a large number of cultivators, a wave of despair began to spread among the cultivator community.
in desperation, some cultivators vented their anger on the source of it all, the mortals.
thus, a mass slaughter began.
facing the towering cultivators, the mortals had little power to resist and could only be slaughtered.
but it wasn't long before this slaughtering was forcibly terminated, not out of a guilty conscience, but because of the horrific discovery that the plague didn't dissipate with the deaths of the mortals. instead, the plague was released into the world, infecting the currents of spiritual energy that pervaded heaven and earth.
for a while, the concentration of the plague within the cultivation world skyrocketed.
this led to the fall of even more cultivators.0v3l.bin.
what's more, as a mortal, his lifespan was limited. even if he could constantly simulate reincarnation, it would only be repeated within his lifespan.
this year, he was already seventy years old, and the upper limit of his physical lifespan was eighty-six.
the possibility of meeting another cultivator within those sixteen years was basically zero.
since this was the case, how could li fan not feel despair?
though he had glimpsed the path to cultivating immortality, in the end, it proved hopelessly distant.
could it be that he could only repeat the life of a mortal over and over?
li fan was truly unwilling.
the road to immortality was right before him, seemingly within his reach, yet it was impossible to take the first step.
thinking about everything he had experienced in his several lifetimes, his nearly three hundred years of bitter anticipation, li fan wasn't resigned to giving up the path to immortality.
was there really no way?
suddenly, like a bolt of lightning cutting through fog, li fan thought of something he had overlooked.
how had a large number of mortals migrated thousands of years ago?
although the land of immortal extinction and the cultivation world were adjacent, they were separate realms.
surely these mortals didn't come here on foot, right?
there had to be some means of transportation, right?
perhaps those means were still around today?
if he could find those means, could he use them to travel to the cultivation world?
even if it was just a slim, almost negligible possibility, it sparked a glimmer of hope for li fan.
his excitement surged, and he immediately headed to the prison cell where kou hong was being held.
he wanted to consult kou hong on the feasibility of his idea.
chapter 10: unique paths to immortality
"how did the mortals during the great migration plan come to the land of immortal extinction?" perhaps he had never thought about this before, as kou hong directly froze after hearing li fan ask this.
"thousands of years have passed since the era of the great plague, and we're not sure what exactly happened during that time. regarding the various things that happened back then, i've only heard rumors." kou hong shook his head after thinking for a moment.
"what, you still haven't given up?" kou hong looked at li fan and couldn't help but mock, "even if you get out, what could you do? still wanting to cultivate immortality at the age of seventy..."
he was halfway through his sentence, but when he saw li fan's icy cold eyes watching him as several trained soldiers stood beside them, he couldn't help but shiver and snapped his mouth shut.
kou hong had long been released from his prison by li fan.
after being trapped in the secret room and baptized by the immortal-mortal miasma by li fan, his cultivation had regressed drastically, falling directly to the early stage of qi refining.
unable to use any of his dao techniques, he was now just a slightly stronger mortal.
after being captured, he had originally cursed and raged, but after a few rounds of severe torture, kou hong became obedient.
"it turns out that high and mighty cultivators, after losing their cultivation, are no different from us mortals. in fact, they have even less backbone than us," a soldier on the side said mockingly.
"yeah, this one didn't even last an hour under us." another soldier chimed in.
kou hong was very frank: "better to be alive than dead. besides, in the cultivation realm, death is common. although you are just a mortal, your skills and determination are not bad. i can't complain about you ambushing us, as you proved superior!"
"don't you hate me?" li fan was a little curious.
"hate? of course i do!" kou hong aggressively drank a mouthful of the wine li fan had prepared for him, "but what can i do about it? now that you are the knife and i am the meat on the chopping board, how could i threaten you? wouldn't that be a death wish?"̃øv€l-b!n.
"you are quite open-minded!" li fan smiled.
"if my guess is correct, back then, cultivators should have used a magic artifact similar to a flying boat or shuttle to migrate the mortals. in ancient times, when the cultivation world was flourishing with numerous sects and schools, this kind of transportation-type artifact was very popular. unfortunately, later on, the world underwent tremendous changes, and cultivators became wary of each other. they started to act alone, and these flying boats and shuttles became rare sights." kou hong slowly responded.
"are you referring to the catastrophe caused by the mysterious immortal-mortal miasma?" li fan asked.
"although the immortal-mortal miasma was bizarre, it couldn't shake the foundations of the cultivation world. in fact, the reason why the immortal-mortal miasma was able to run rampant was because the vast majority of the cultivators in heaven and earth had already fallen victim to a great calamity. the strength of the cultivation world plummeted, which is why it was unable to effectively deal with the immortal-mortal miasma." kou hong shook his head, his complexion somewhat grave.
"a great calamity?" li fan suddenly recalled the scene of the crumbling mountain gate that he had seen in the depths of the abyss ruins previously, and he could not help but feel his heart trembling, "could it be that immortality techniques cannot be practiced together?"
kou hong glanced at li fan in surprise, unsure of how he came up with the idea.
"indeed, practitioners of the same technique cannot coexist!" kou hong let out a long sigh.
"in the ancient times, there was no such restriction. at that time, a countless number of great cultivation sects opened their doors to the world, recruiting disciples and teaching them their techniques. cultivators had masters to guide them, and when they encountered difficulties in their cultivation, they could ask for advice at any time. they could also spar and learn from their fellow disciples who practiced the same techniques. back then, the entire cultivation world flourished vibrantly!" kou hong said, unable to hide his longing.
"unfortunately, the heavens and earth changed drastically! immortal cultivators suddenly realized one day the efficiency of their cultivation was greatly reduced. while cultivating, they would know in their minds how many people in the entire cultivation world were practicing the same techniques as them. they discovered to their horror that the more people that practiced the same technique simultaneously, the lower the cultivation efficiency would be for everyone." kou hong spoke slowly in a dark voice, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.
"in the beginning, everyone maintained restraint, trying to find a solution to the problem. however, in the following decades, countless cultivators were stuck in place, unable to advance their cultivation. eventually, they reached their limits and could no longer hide the killing intent within their hearts."
"a catastrophe that swept through the entire cultivation world began. anyone who practiced the same technique became an obstacle to all the others! former masters and disciples, senior brothers and junior sisters, all became mortal enemies in an instant! even if someone's heart was not willing to kill, how could they be sure all other parties thought the same? who could guarantee that the other party would not eventually ambush them? all cultivators were plunged into endless suspicion, and the only people they could trust were themselves!"
"at that time, all sects became hell overnight. those scattered cultivators hiding in deep mountains and secret realms trying to take refuge were not spared either, because cultivators who practiced the same technique would also sense each other's location!"
"massacre, endless massacre. i don't know how long it lasted before it gradually subsided. by then, the once thriving cultivation realm had become incredibly desolate, with all the sects ceasing to exist, leaving behind only solitary cultivators." kou hong narrated this ancient calamity in the cultivation world with great detail.
li fan listened intently, his emotions rising and falling as more questions formed in his heart.
since immortal practitioners of the same technique could not coexist, how did cultivators practice now? what did the cultivation world look like today?
chapter 11: labor tirelessly in the pursuit of immortality
"in today's world, a mortal who wants to cultivate immortality has no more than a few options." kou hong patiently explained.
"one is to join the ten thousand immortals alliance. the ten thousand immortals alliance is a loose alliance formed by many cultivators where one can earn contribution points by taking on and completing quests or trading with others. with the contribution points, one can then exchange for cultivation techniques and resources from the alliance."
"second is the five elders association. the five elders association is an organization created by five top-tier powerhouses, and it wields significant influence. as long as one has the qualifications to cultivate, one can voluntarily join and choose a cultivation technique. the price is that one needs to sign a soul contract and serve the five elders association for a certain amount of time."
"the third is to choose to join the local forces around the world. although these forces can't be compared to the previous two, the local forces tend to be more cohesive and generally don't involve dangerous missions, which is more suitable for those with laid-back dispositions. as for certain other chaotic organizations, they are not very reliable, so let's not mention them." kou hong slowly explained the general situation of today's cultivation world.
li fan frowned at his words and was a bit puzzled, "from your description, why does it seem like cultivation techniques are not that scarce in the cultivation world?"
kou hong snorted coldly, "that's because the techniques obtained through these organizations are all incomplete."
"incomplete?" li fan stared blankly, then suddenly realized. "if you want to obtain a higher level-technique, you have to continue to sell your life for them?"
"not bad!" kou hong replied bitterly. "all techniques have been crippled by major factions in recent years, and cultivating them to the peak of foundation establishment is the limit. if you want to break through to the next realm, you have to switch to a higher level technique every further realm you reach."
"switching techniques? if one has to replace their cultivation technique and cultivate from the beginning every realm breakthrough, wouldn't that mean that all the previous efforts were in vain?" li fan was shocked.
"that won't be the case." kou hong shook his head. "ordinary cultivators must cultivate the tai shang primordial scripture. it is rumored that this sutra was the highest scripture of the tai shang sect and served as the foundation of their sect. after the great catastrophe, the tai shang sect was annihilated, leaving behind only fragments of the tai shang primordial true scripture in the world. this scripture isn't a cultivation technique, it's instead more like a secret art. it allows the person practicing it to freely convert their spiritual energy without significant loss, and be able to quickly catch up to the original realm after dispersing his or her original technique and switching to a new one."
"there is actually such a miraculous method," li fan marveled. "but the appearance of this remnant was quite timely. only this way would the countless cultivators become able to accept constantly changing cultivation techniques."
li fan laughed coldly, "in my opinion, this 'tai shang primordial scripture' has likely been preserved as far more than just remnants. i'm afraid it's just that the person behind the scenes is only willing to release this part to control the cycle of changing techniques."
kou hong sighed longingly, "who doesn't understand this logic? but what can be done? true techniques are hard to come by, and although being exploited is regrettable, at least there is a visible goal and means to achieve it. i'm not willing to be controlled by others for the rest of my life, but i'm not willing to risk my life. those who despise control and are willing to risk their life to search for opportunities in the various secret realms and ancient sects are only a minority."
li fan nodded, gaining a rough understanding of the situation of the cultivation world today. it was completely different from the carefree, single-minded pursuit of immortality he had imagined. instead, it had become slightly similar to his previous world.
"of course." li fan nodded his head.
"good... if this is the case, i will do my best to help you." kou hong gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind.
although he had been deceived by li fan several times and did not know how trustworthy li fan's promises were, he was just like li fan. as long as there was even a sliver of hope, he was unwilling to give up.
to be trapped here for decades and die of old age was definitely not what he, kou hong, desired!
...
next, with the help of kou hong, li fan collected history books and classics of the world, trying to find clues about the great migration plan from ancient records.
at the same time, li fan also used the army to excavate ancient tombs, trying to find some clues from them. although it led to a lot of public grievances and hundreds of officials writing letters to admonish him day after day, they were all forcibly suppressed by him.
unfortunately, too much time had passed since the great migration plan, and his remaining lifespan in this world was too short.
sixteen years later, in the 66th year, li fan's end was approaching, but he still had nothing to show for it.
ordering that kou hong should be released, li fan came alone to the underground chamber of the imperial advisor's mansion.
with a movement of his divine mind, li fan took out all the items in his storage ring and laid them out in order.
first, li fan focused on the jade slip that emitted a faint golden glow.
it was the nascent soul technique that caused kou hong and dao xuanzi to turn against each other!
*****
tl note: tai shang sect = supreme sect/mount tai sect or something like that. i'll stick with pinyin though and just share the translations in a note, unless people overwhelmingly prefer the westernized form.
chapter 12: second anchor point emerges
"jade cosmos thousand variations sutra, nascent soul technique, current number of cultivators: 0."
li fan picked up the jade slip and a message naturally appeared in his mind.
"nascent soul realm, huh..." li fan's heart was filled with longing, but it was a pity that right now, he was still just a mortal without a hint of divine sense. although he could use the storage ring, he could not do anything with this nascent soul technique, and could only look on with bated breath, unable to learn its content.
owning a treasure but being unable to access it, li fan could only look at it greedily for a few more moments before finally putting it down with reluctance.
li fan then looked at a rusty iron sword beside it.
it was none other than dao xuanzi's foundation establishment treasure, [rust sword dao xuan].
according to kou hong, if a qi refining cultivator wanted to break through, he needed to use a treasure of heaven and earth as the basis to establish their foundation.
these treasures were unique, and only those with destiny could find them.
furthermore, once a cultivator establishes their foundation through the treasure, the treasure will become inextricably tied to the cultivator.
if the cultivator falls, then the natural treasure will fall with them, losing their extraordinary properties and becoming an ordinary object.
li fan stroked the unusual iron sword in front of him with his hand, but his attention was focused on the information that suddenly emerged from [truth].
"charging item found: rust sword dao xuan (remnant)."
"consume to recharge?"
li fan pondered for a moment and chose yes.
the rusty sword in his hand silently disappeared, and with that, a line of small words appeared in li fan's mind.
"current anchor recharging progress: 1%"
"current number of anchor points: 1"
li fan's heart stirred; according to the feedback from [truth], when the anchor charging progress reached 100%, a second anchor point will be opened.
in the future, everything will be virtualized, and when choosing to return, one could choose to restart from any one of the anchor points.
"if the second anchor point can really be opened, it would be incredibly convenient," li fan thought, looking forward to it.
for example, he kept repeating his reincarnation in these lifetimes in an attempt to get the cultivation method from kou hong and dao xuanzi. the previous fifty years had been a repetitive ordeal for him. moreover, uncontrollable variables sometimes arose.
if he could start his reincarnation directly from the time he became the imperial advisor and took control of the world, then each attempt would be much more efficient.
thinking further, he was only a mortal, and each reincarnation would last only fifty years. although it was long, li fan was able to accept it. however, once he embarked on the path of cultivation, where progress could take hundreds or thousands of years, starting over would be devastating. the thought made concerns rise in his heart.
items such as the storage ring, nascent soul technique, spiritual stones, spiritual weapons, and so on appeared in li fan's mind in turn.
li fan naturally chose the nascent soul technique.
what surprised him was that after he chose the cultivation technique, he could take it out and put it back into [truth] at any time. moreover, the technique was already bound to himself, in a sense.
this technique already completely belonged to him, and even if he did not choose to bring it back in the next life simulation, it would still exist in [truth], ready to be brought out at any time.
"with this, many more plans have become available..." li fan took out the golden jade slip and played with it in his hands while pondering over his course of action in this lifetime.
"thousands of years have passed since the great migration era, and the relevant clues have long been buried deep underground. mass excavation of ancient tombs is too sensational, and despite the strong control i had over the court in the previous life, this matter sparked significant opposition. with such little preparation, such a matter would undoubtedly be difficult to sustain."
"however, if i start laying out the groundwork from the beginning and spend twenty years, it may not be impossible to transform the mindsets of people in the world..."
name: li fan
cultivation realm: mortal
physical age: 20/86
mental age: 282/1109↑
recharge progress: 0%
anchoring charge progress: 1%
current number of anchor points: 1
bound items: jade cosmos thousand variations sutra
...
as time passed, li fan's sixth life began.
everything progressed according to the established trajectory, but under li fan's discreet influence, many subtle changes occurred in the world.
after three years, rumors that immortals were descending into the world spread out one after another all over the grand xuan kingdom.
in the fifth year, the school of ancient wisdom suddenly emerged. this school brought with it several volumes of ancient texts, which were so extraordinarily rare that they shook the entire world.
the names of the ancient scrolls were: "yi jing", "dao de jing", "nan hua", "lunyu", and "daxue. [1]
*****
[1] famous literature from china. you might recognize lunyu (the analects) as one of the core writings of confucianism and dao de jing as foundational to daoism.
chapter 13: shaping the world
xuanjing city, scholarship abode.
a group of scholars gathered together to examine the volumes of ancient books that had recently caused the world to tremble.
ever since the ancient books appeared in the world a few days ago, the city's bookstores have been printing additional copies without stopping. even so, the demand for the published books exceeded the supply. these scholars also managed to obtain a few volumes today with great difficulty, so they invited a group of friends to come here to enjoy it together.
"supreme benevolence is like water, benefiting all things without hesitation. wonderful, wonderful!"
"dao begets one, one begets two, two begets three, and three begets all things. in just a few words, it instantly feels infinitely profound; this scripture is truly extraordinary!"
"in my opinion, these three thousand words are worth more than all the literature i've read before!"
"i feel the same way!"
"no, no, no, in my opinion, the subtlety of that volume of 'yi jing' is even higher than that of dao de jing. although the words are obscure and cryptic, they are so well-written that they seem to contain the supreme principles of heaven and earth."
"precisely, 'the way of heaven is to benefit others, and the gentleman is unceasing in his self-improvement!' it speaks to the heart of my generation!"
the scholars were discussing enthusiastically, looking mesmerized.
at this moment, one of them suddenly sighed, "i never expected that such an exquisite text has been buried thousands of years underground without anyone knowing about it. every time i think about it, it pains me deeply!"
these words also caused the crowd to echo in agreement.
"yes, our late master loved reading the most during his lifetime. if he had been able to read these few volumes of scriptures, i wonder how delighted he would have been."
"it is unfortunate that all the world's past scholars couldn't read these scriptures!"
"however, these scriptures were written by previous generations, lost due to war, and preserved in ancient tombs as fragments, right? as i read the 'nan hua' and the lunyu, i noticed that none of the people and events in them are recorded in the history books." among the crowd, a voice abruptly interjected.
the crowd was quiet for a moment, but then they came to a firm conclusion.
"it must be so. there is absolutely no possibility of forgery of such texts by modern people. existing history books only detail nearly three thousand years of history. before three thousand years ago, there were basically no detailed records. i think these classics are the product of that time."
"i heard that the school of ancient wisdom claimed that in ancient times, there were hundreds of competing schools of thought, and the classics that were born were as numerous as the stars in the sky. these few volumes of scriptures that we are reading today are but an insignificant part of them."
this statement immediately caused a gasp of surprise in the restaurant.nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
"there is actually such a thing!"
"the thought that there are still so many classic texts buried deep underground, unknown to the world, makes me incomparably heartbroken and unable to sleep at night!"
"i wonder what the rest of the classics are like."
...
in the sixth year, the emperor was suddenly stricken with a serious illness and was bedridden. all the doctors were at their wits' end. at this time, the school of ancient wisdom brought forth a pill, claiming that this elixir was found in an ancient tomb and was suspected to be left by an immortal, with the power to revive the dead.
the emperor did not pay attention at first, but with his body slowly withering away, he reluctantly took it as a last resort.
surprisingly, the pill worked wonders, and the emperor returned to full health after only a few days.
the court was shocked, and the ministers discussed.
the emperor even sent out an edict to summon the leader of the school of ancient wisdom into the palace and ask about the immortal. for a few days, he did not go to court.
since then, the emperor wholeheartedly believed in the existence of immortals. he secretly authorized his army to cooperate with the school of ancient wisdom to look for traces of immortals in the ancient tombs.
in the ninth year, the school of ancient wisdom held an exhibition in the city of xuanjing, inviting the ministers of the imperial court and the princes and nobles of the capital to watch.
although these people were very rich and knowledgeable, after seeing the rare treasures in the exhibition, they were all stunned, and could not extricate themselves from the wonders.
after this, the school of ancient wisdom even loosened its restrictions so that ordinary people could enter the exhibition as long as they purchased a ticket.
xuanjing city was suddenly in an uproar.
countless people lined up, wanting to enter the exhibition to get a glimpse of the treasures. the number of people was so large that it caused the roads in the capital to be blocked. fortunately, the emperor issued an order to have the garrison battalion hold formation to maintain order, and only then was the excitement gradually suppressed.
the spectacle lasted for more than half a month.
after this, instead of closing, the exhibition began to tour around, visiting each part of the grand xuan kingdom.
in the eleventh year, jiangnan prefecture uncovered a vicious grave-robbing case and captured a grave-robbing group of hundreds of people.
this group had gone on a rampage, excavating ancient tombs in the deep mountains and causing incalculable damage.
according to the law, all of them should be sentenced to death.
however, the number of people involved in the case was so large that the governor of jianghuai prefecture did not dare to make the decision on his own, and sent a letter over eight hundred miles to xuanjing city, to ask the emperor to make a decision.
some ministers were outraged and wrote a letter asking for the death penalty.
however, surprisingly, the vast majority of court officials remained silent at this time.
the emperor also ignored all the memorials that were sent and did not take a position.
it was only after a month that the emperor's decree arrived.
instead of capital punishment, they were only sentenced to slavery and were to be brought to the capital.
few ministers in the court wrote a letter of opposition.
li fan looked at the edict and smiled slightly, knowing that the situation had already been decided.
chapter 14: light emerging from the darkness
after thirteen years, ancient texts such as the "shangshu", "shi", and "li" [1] emerged, and scholars across the world yearned for that lost history more and more.
in the fifteenth year, the emperor became seriously ill. in a desperate attempt to renew his life, he sent more than 100,000 troops to excavate ancient tombs and look for traces of the elixir of immortality.
although some ministers gave many criticisms, the court did not submit a large-scale petition against it.
unfortunately, the elixir remained elusive. even though hundreds of tombs were excavated, no trace of it could be found.
at the end of the year, the emperor died with regret. before he died, he passed on his throne to the prince of langya.
at this point, li fan finally regained control of the world.
under the influence of li fan, the trend of exploring ancient tombs continued to grow.
after seventeen years, a mountain hunter stumbled upon an ancient tomb, pleasing the imperial advisor and receiving a noble title as a reward. since then, the people of the world have become even more enthusiastic and obsessed with exploring ancient tombs. no matter how remote the mountains and forests were, one could see groups of tomb explorers.
time flowed, and we arrived at the twenty-third year.
li fan stood in the imperial advisor's mansion, reviewing the summary of clues obtained from official and private tomb explorers over the past few years.
before this, there were only three thousand years of historical records in this world, totaling twenty-three dynasties.
with the excavation of ancient tombs, the previously lost history was also gradually filled in.
before these twenty-three dynasties, there were sixteen more dynasties, dating back to about six or seven thousand years ago.
the earliest one that could be found was named the qi dynasty.
"six or seven thousand years, it almost matches the great migration era," li fan thought to himself.
with that, he ordered his men to focus on excavating the ancient tombs of the qi dynasty.
he even offered a reward to the world, claiming that anyone who could find the ancient tombs of the qi dynasty would be granted a noble title.
as soon as the news came out, people all over the world rushed to share the news.
countless young people embarked on the road of tomb exploration.
no matter how obscure history was, it couldn't withstand such enthusiastic excavation by people from all over the world.
after twenty-five years, the tomb of the first emperor of the qi dynasty, yi xing, was finally found.
upon hearing the news, li fan led his trusted advisors to the scene in person and blocked off the perimeter.
in the past ten years or so, the techniques for excavating ancient tombs in the grand xuan kingdom had developed by leaps and bounds, leading to a set of extremely effective plans for opening tombs.
even though the tomb of the first emperor of this realm was huge in scale and had countless mechanisms, with the efforts of all the people from the tomb exploration battalion, a passageway leading to the main chamber was chiseled through in just over a month.
after all obstacles were removed, li fan entered the interior of the tomb while surrounded by a crowd.
"this yi xing should have been entrusted by the cultivators of the tai yan sect to take charge of the great migration to this realm. i wonder if i can find the flying boat that was used for the migration."
the search in the main chamber was fruitless, so li fan ordered the tomb exploring battalion to excavate the perimeter, trying to find clues from the surrounding accompanying tombs.
a few days later, a piece of bad news came that made li fan both furious and helpless.
it turned out that the people of the tomb explorer battalion had found a record of the "flying boat" in the list of burial items in one of the surrounding burial chambers. unfortunately, this burial chamber was actually stolen from earlier.
and based on the traces of destruction, the theft was also a thousand years ago.
"it's like this again and again! every time i see hope, it ends up escaping my grasp!"
li fan seethed with fury.
the people around him remained silent.
it was only after a long time that li fan calmed down his mind.
he still ordered the tomb explorer battalion to excavate ancient tombs and look for traces of the immortal boat, but he returned to xuanjing city, lacking much hope.
after another ten years, the time came to the thirty-fifth year, but things took a turn for the better.
this day, li fan received an urgent report.
"discovered a tomb of the immortals?" li fan was a bit stunned, then rejoiced and inquired carefully.
it turned out that over the years, although li fan was a bit disillusioned, the people's enthusiasm for exploring ancient tombs had not declined at all. countless ancient tombs were dug over the grand xuan kingdom.
and as those large ancient tombs were dug up, people turned their attention to those small ancient tombs that were previously ignored.
a few days ago, a group of young men were digging an inconspicuous tomb when they were suddenly injured by an inexplicable force, resulting in heavy casualties.
those who survived immediately reported the matter to the officials.
it should be known that in the decades that grand xuan had been exploring ancient tombs, although there had been casualties, most of them were caused by traps. it was the first time that someone had encountered such a mysterious incident before they even opened the tomb.
the tomb exploring battalion didn't dare to slack off and sent people to investigate immediately.
although many experienced veterans and heavily armed soldiers joined hands, they could not break into this small tomb.
shocked, the people hurriedly reported the matter to li fan.
li fan rushed to the scene after hearing the news, and after utilizing the immortal-mortal miasma, he finally destroyed the unknown power surrounding the tomb.
upon entering the tomb, amongst the array of burial objects, a small wooden boat was found.
*****
[1] more famous chinese literature.
chapter 15: foundation establishment remains
this tiny wooden boat was none other than the flying boat that li fan had been longing for.
through a message that the tomb owner had carved on the wall of the tomb before he died, li fan finally understood the whole story.
it turned out that the tomb owner's name was qian hong, and he was a foundation establishment stage cultivator. more than three thousand years ago, he was hunted down by his enemies, and in desperation, he hid in this immortal extinction land.
he wanted to hide for a while and then leave, but he didn't know that there was no spiritual qi in the land of immortal extinction, and he was a poor cultivator who had few spirit stones on his body. it didn't take long for him to run out of spirit stones. without the means to replenish his spiritual energy, his cultivation deteriorated.
after failing to break through the immortal extinction formation and becoming seriously injured, qian hong knew that he was trapped.
however, this person was also a resilient person and did not give up.
he guessed that when mortals were banished to this place a thousand years ago, they might have left one or two flying boats.
so he made many inquiries, and after spending several decades, he finally found yi xing's tomb.
there was indeed a flying boat present in the tomb, but what made him despair was that the core formation array inside the flying boat had been damaged, and because he was not good at the art of formations, he could not repair it.
moreover, even if the flying boat was repaired, without spirit stones, he would not be able to provide it with enough power with his cultivation at that time.
at this point, qian hong finally gave up on this immortal extinction land. after that, he went incognito and lived an ordinary life as a mortal.
before he died, he carved his life onto the wall of his tomb, hoping that in the future generations, if any cultivator broke into his tomb, they would bring his bones back to the cultivation realm. the few things he left in the tomb would be considered his payment in advance.
the first was the source of the power that guarded qian hong's grave and caused the deaths of dozens of tomb robbers previously, and the reason why qian hong was convinced that anyone who could break in must be a cultivator.
the mystical artifact: stone tablet of prohibition.
it was a half-broken stone tablet, on which the word "stop" was vaguely visible.
li fan touched the stele, and there was no response from [truth], disappointing him. previously, in order to break into the cemetery, he had used a large amount of immortal-mortal miasma, and because of this, the monument was corrupted by the miasma and had already turned into an ordinary stone.
however, li fan didn't care too much, since he knew where qian hong's tomb was and could come back for it in his next life.
the second thing left by qian hong was two jade slips. the jade slips contained the techniques that he had painstakingly exchanged from the ten thousand immortals alliance.
"minor heart resolve, qi refining stage technique, current number of cultivators: 1."
"record of clouds of water, foundation establishment stage technique, current number of cultivators: 1."
picking up the jade slip and receiving the information coming from it, li fan's heart jumped violently, thinking that qian hong was not dead and that this place was a trap set by him.
"is a mere golden core technique worth the two of you fighting to the death?!"
kou hong and dao xuanzi simultaneously changed expressions and looked downwards.
"who are you? how presumptuous!"
"arrogant!"
the two both spoke, but their expressions were on guard at the same time.
"the two of you might as well come down for a moment!"
they saw a silver-haired elder shouting loudly from the imperial advisor's mansion below.
kou hong and dao xuanzi exchanged glances, and while staying on guard, landed in the imperial advisor's mansion.
"haha, please!" the silver-haired elder seemed to be very happy as he led the two of them to the lobby and sat down.
after ordering his subordinates to prepare wine and food to entertain them, he said with some emotion, "back then, when my ancestor was on his deathbed, he had said that in the future, there might be two people who would come from the abyss ruins and fly to the capital, and that would be the opportunity for my clan to escape this place."
"for thousands of years, the people of my clan have been both believing and doubting it. now, i have finally found confirmation!" the old man laughed out loud and drank from the wine cup in front of him.
kou hong and dao xuanzi, on the other hand, looked at each other in disbelief.
"i don't know what the elder's name is?" kou hong asked, his tone much more polite.
"li fan," he replied with a smile.
"according to your words, your ancestor had foreseen that the two of us would come here thousands of years ago? what did he mean by 'the opportunity to escape this place'?" dao xuanzi frowned and sized up li fan.
li fan seemed to be a bit unhappy at his words, "what? you two don't believe me?"
kou hong laughed and shook his head, "this matter is too mysterious. the two of us have traveled the cultivation world for a hundred years, and we have never heard of any deduction technique that can predict thousands of years into the future."
dao xuanzi followed suit and shook his head.
li fan straightened up, looked disdainfully with his head held high, and asked, "i wonder if the two of you have ever heard of the tai yan sect?"
kou hong and dao xuanzi looked at each other with some shock, "could it be that this was the sect that was famous for its art of deduction in ancient times?"
li fan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded his head lightly, "my ancestor was a member of the tai yan sect."
chapter 16: grasping immortals within one’s palm
li fan's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed into the distance with a nostalgic expression.
"in the beginning, when my ancestor entered the tai yan sect, he did not like to cultivate and was instead obsessed with the art of deduction and calculation. originally, this wouldn't have been a problem, but who would have thought that the world would go through great turmoil, and mortals had to be migrated.
with my ancestor's qi refinement cultivation, he would not be forced to migrate. however, my ancestor's worldly affairs were not yet settled, and seeing the panic spreading among his family, he took responsibility for the migration of mortals. after that, he stayed here with my family."
li fan spoke eloquently with great emotion.
kou hong and dao xuanzi both nodded slowly, finding that li fan's words seemed to align with the legends they had heard before.
kou hong even wondered, "the tai yan sect still existed during the great migration era? i heard earlier that all the ancient sects were destroyed in the previous upheaval of the world."
li fan was first stunned, then shook his head, "it's just a rumor. although after the great catastrophe, immortal laws couldn't be practiced together, the tai yan sect had as many techniques as there were stars. distributing one technique to each person was not a difficult task. at first, the sect suffered a small loss, but it was far from being destroyed."
li fan's words were filled with pride, especially with the claim that "the tai yan sect had as many techniques as there were stars." his words left kou hong and dao xuanzi in awe.
immediately after, li fan suddenly asked: "judging from your words, it seems that the tai yan sect has not been active for a long time in the main world?"
dao xuanzi shook his head, "not only the tai yan sect, but even the tai shang sect, da dao sect, the heavenly sword sect, and all the rest of these ancient sects are nowhere to be found today."
li fan smiled and said to himself, "the path of immortality is truly difficult. as my ancestor said, the sects have chosen to hide from the world to avoid calamity..."
dao xuanzi and kou hong glanced at each other and privately transmitted their voices, "i had my doubts about the extinction of the ancient sects previously. on further thought, it is increasingly suspicious. with how deep the foundations of the ancient sects were, how could they disappear in a matter of moments?"
"it's no wonder that they would choose to stay hidden. if the news that these sects still existed were to spread out, even if they were strong, i'm afraid that numerous challengers would arrive."
...
the two of them exchanged several sentences in a matter of moments, and then dao xuan zi questioned, "i wonder what you stopped the two of us for?"
li fan sighed, "this place hasn't had any cultivators set foot in it for thousands of years. when i saw you two today, i knew that you were the people my ancestor predicted before he died and that the opportunity for my clan to escape had come. when i saw you were going to fight to the death over a golden core technique, i hastened to speak out to dissuade you."
dao xuanzi said frankly, "i apologize for the misunderstanding. however, you may not know that cultivation techniques are hard to come by in the outside world, and it is common to fight over one."
li fan laughed, "one must always be cautious. for mortals like us, we can only act in such a way in order to guard the family's greatest treasure."
dao xuanzi managed a strained smile but refused to take a step forward. instead, he retreated a half step.
li fan did not say anything and walked into the secret room. from a box, he took out a jade slip.
he didn't leave the secret room and only held it up so that dao xuanzi could see it.
this jade slip was none other than the jade cosmos thousand variations sutra that he had obtained from kou hong in his previous life!
that's right, li fan was gambling.
according to kou hong's description in his previous life, dao xuanzi had never seen the true form of this technique.
li fan used it as bait, hoping that both dao xuanzi and kou hong would help him repair the tai yan boat. and if his gamble was incorrect...
several suicide soldiers had long been arranged within the imperial advisor's mansion. even if they were defeated, li fan just had to change his approach in the next life!
li fan smiled in his heart when he realized that dao xuanzi had been completely captivated by the golden jade slip in his hand.
"the jade cosmos thousand variations sutra... a nascent soul technique... it's actually a nascent soul technique..." dao xuanzi's breathing became heavy, and a dangerous look even flashed in his eyes.
however, li fan's smiling appearance and the faint sense of crisis coming from the immortal-mortal miasma made dao xuanzi instantly sober up.
"well? is what my ancestor said true?" li fan asked with a smile. "earlier, in front of your brother kou hong, i only said that my ancestor had passed down a golden core technique to prevent any malicious intentions."
"your cautiousness is admirable." dao xuanzi looked deeply impressed.
he then added in excitement, "don't worry, fellow daoist, kou hong is proficient in the art of refining. i will definitely persuade him to do his best to help you repair the tai yan boat."
li fan laughed, "in that case, i will count on you. after this is accomplished, i will definitely hand over this technique to you."
with the prospect of longevity in sight, dao xuanzi couldn't wait to enlist kou hong and start working right away.
watching reluctantly as li fan stored the nascent soul technique and closed the secret room, dao xuanzi couldn't wait to find kou hong immediately.
chapter 17: everything is ready
"in that case, li fan's words are true, and he really does have a golden core technique?"
in the imperial advisor's mansion, kou hong and dao xuanzi transmitted their voices to each other.
"that's right, i saw it with my own eyes." dao xuanzi nodded.
"can we take it by force? he's only a mortal...," kou hong's face turned ferocious.
dao xuanzi hastened to dissuade him, "although this li fan is only a mortal, he belongs to the tai yan sect. you have also seen that terrifying prophecy technique he used before. if we forcefully rob him, we can't guarantee that he will have any more tricks up his sleeve."
"we're just helping him repair a tai yan boat, it's not like it's a difficult task. why bother with any more complications?" of course, dao xuanzi was mainly afraid that if they robbed li fan by force, li fan would be forced to reveal that the cultivation technique was actually a nascent soul technique.
only after dao xuanzi's discouragement did kou hong extinguish the idea of theft.
the two of them secretly discussed the distribution of benefits for a while before finally agreeing to help repair the tai yan boat.
on the second day, the two of them saw the tai yan boat that li fan was talking about.
kou hong was delighted at the sight of it and hurriedly took it over for a closer look.
"a true tai yan sect artifact. the skillful craftsmanship and the intricate formations are far beyond what i have learned!" the more kou hong looked at it, the more he rejoiced, "if i can restore it, my path of artifact refinement will surely improve!"
"in that case, i'll leave you two to it. feel free to mention whatever needs you have, and i will definitely fulfill them." li fan said solemnly.
"you may go; don't disturb me." kou hong waved his hand, already immersed in studying the tai yan boat.
...
time was of little consequence to cultivators.
despite its seemingly small size, it took kou hong nearly a year to repair the tai yan boat.
on this day, after hearing that the tai yan boat had been repaired, li fan hurriedly found the two of them.
after taking the tai yan boat from kou hong, he was overjoyed.
kou hong said with some pride, "the core power array, size-shifting array, and purification array of the tai yan boat have been completely repaired, and only the defense and attack arrays had to be simplistically repaired due to material limitations. it'll have no issues breaking through immortal extinction formation, but it'd be difficult to defend against an attack from cultivators."
li fan did not care about this, "no matter. as long as we escape the immortal extinction formation and return to the cultivation world, my ancestor's token will guide us to the tai yan sect."
kou hong's eyes flickered for a moment before he enthusiastically introduced li fan to the operation methods of the tai yan boat.
"this tai yan boat is powered by spiritual qi and needs to be maneuvered with divine sense. there are three sizes which can be changed on demand."
li fan was a bit regretful, "there are still a number of matters that my clan has settled yet, so i cannot leave with fellow daoists!"
kou hong, on the other hand, said enthusiastically, "there is no harm. if you, fellow daoist, escape, you can come to ling tian city in the cong yun mountain range to look for us."
with that, kou hong handed over a map to li fan.
"this is a map of the area near the exit of the immortal extinction formation that i drew from memory at the request of fellow daoist. there are no blank jade slips here, so i had to use pen and paper."
li fan gratefully received the map and thanked him again.
after that, the three of them exchanged pleasantries, and kou hong and dao xuanzi finally turned into two streams of light and left.
after dismissing the crowd, li fan came to the underground chamber alone.
placing the map and the tai yan boat together, li fan's heart was suddenly flooded with innumerable emotions.
six lifetimes of reincarnation, more than three hundred years of painstaking planning, had finally come to fruition at this moment.
these two items were the key to escaping this immortal extinction land and journeying towards immortality!
......
ruins abyss.
kou hong and dao xuanzi stood in the air, looking back in the direction of xuanjing city.
"previously, when i broke into this immortal extinction land, i thought that even if i didn't die on this trip, i would be seriously injured. i didn't expect to encounter this opportunity hidden by misfortune." dao xuanzi said quietly as he sensed the nascent soul technique in his storage ring.
kou hong also nodded his head in agreement and then expressed some regret, "that li fan's heart is not bad, he has strong willpower. it's a pity that the end of his lifespan is near, and even if he can return to the cultivation realm, he will only have a few years left to live."
"immortality is an unmatched goal. weren't you and i fighting against each other precisely over the hope for immortality?" dao xuanzi said indifferently.
"speaking of which, what exactly is the golden core technique that li fan handed over to you?" kou hong was suddenly a little curious.
dao xuanzi didn't answer. instead, he smiled and said, "it can't be the same technique as the one in your hands, right? don't worry, after i go back to my seclusion and break through to the golden core stage, i will definitely not forget the three things i promised to help you with."
kou hong then also stopped asking more questions, and was a bit excited, "after i break through as well, with the two of us brothers together, who in the cong yun mountain range will be our opponent?"
"the formation mist has yet to dissipate, but i wonder if brother would still dare to break through?" dao xuanzi watched the fog above the ruins abyss before suddenly flying into it.
obviously, he couldn't wait to return to the cultivation realm and cultivate the new technique.
"why wouldn't i dare?" kou hong let out a loud laugh, then also followed suit and dove in headfirst.
chapter 18: diving into the abyss
li fan didn't care about how kou hong and dao xuanzi would react when they returned to the cultivation world and realized that they were actually practicing the same technique.
at this moment, he had already taken care of everything in the mortal realm and had piloted the tai yan boat to the ruins abyss.
according to common sense, one should wait until the white mist dispersal day every fifteen years before exploring the ruins abyss.
however, li fan was already 71 years old, and he would have to wait another 14 years until the next clearing of the white mist.
by that time, he would be 85 years old and would be at the end of his life. it would be hard for him to even walk at that point, not to mention piloting the tai yan boat.
it would therefore be better to explore the immortal extinction formation earlier.
anyway, there was nothing left for him in this life, and he could start the next life at any time.
maneuvering the tai yan boat, li fan slowly descended towards the bottom of the ruins abyss.
without any divine sense to probe the path ahead, he could only use his sight to navigate.
the thick fog shrouded everything, creating an extremely surreal sensation.
the surroundings were also extremely silent, and only the sound of his own breathing could be heard.
with his attention highly focused, he continued to fly downwards.
suddenly, as if he had collided with something, the body of the tai yan boat began to shake violently.
li fan instantly tensed up.
it was as if a huge invisible force was pressing down against him, and a metallic grinding sound came from outside the tai yan boat.̃øv€l-b!n.
fortunately, the defense formation was activated in time, and a faint golden curtain of light enveloped the tai yan boat.
the body of the boat gradually became smooth, and that somewhat creepy noise also disappeared.
however, the constantly distorting protective light screen indicated the horrifying pressure coming from the outside world.
"after the astral wind layer would be the illusory light layer." li fan recalled kou hong's introduction to this immortal extinction formation.
the immortal extinction formation was mainly designed to prevent banished mortals from returning to the cultivation realm.
the astral wind layer was strewn with strong winds.
the wind blades could easily tear apart a mortal's body, and even foundation stage cultivators had to protect themselves with their spiritual energy and deal with it carefully.
below the astral wind layer was the illusory light layer.
iridescent lights flowed like satin at this layer of the abyss.
when mortals saw it, they would fall into endless illusions.
under the illusory light layer was the inversion layer.
a little speechless about his previous encounters in the illusion realm, li fan stabilized his mind and continued on.
his brain suddenly felt dizzy, and li fan knew that he had come to the inversion layer at that moment.
surrounded by endless white mist, the tai yan boat was like a drop of water in the ocean, with no way to distinguish directions.
originally, he thought that his journey of exploring the formation in this lifetime would end here, but li fan was pleasantly surprised to find that a guidance system appeared in the tai yan boat, telling him where to go.
li fan followed the guidance of the tai yan boat, and it didn't take long for him to leave the inversion layer.
next, having tasted the ease of the guidance system, li fan did not deliberately maneuver at all, and only provided the power for the tai yan boat to fly through this immortal extinction formation on its own.
flowing fire, arcane ice, thunderstorm layer...
these places seemed vicious and dangerous, but the tai yan boat's unhurried flight always managed to narrowly avoid one destructive crisis after another.
with little danger along the way, li fan arrived at the last layer, the void of darkness, very smoothly.
"of course, this tai yan boat was specialized in migrating mortals a thousand years ago. the great migration era lasted for hundreds of years, and this flying boat surely wouldn't have made only one trip. judging from how broken it is, perhaps the migration work didn't stop for a hundred years. it must be that the cultivator in charge of this matter felt that it was a laborious thing to personally maneuver every time, so he left an automation system inside this tai yan boat, allowing it to automatically pass through the immortal extinction array... "li fan suddenly realized why his trip had gone so smoothly.
the tai yan boat quietly moved forward through the total darkness.
thinking of the cultivation world that he had been looking forward to for hundreds of years, li fan couldn't help but be excited, despite his usually composed demeanor.
suddenly, in the incomparably silent darkness, an inexplicably strange and distant cry rang out.
this odd sound spread throughout the entire layer of darkness in an instant, echoing continuously through it.
li fan's heartbeat instantly stopped, as if he had encountered a formidable enemy, and the blood in his body instantly became ice-cold.
the eerie cries were getting closer and closer, and in the blink of an eye, they surrounded the tiny tai yan boat, coming from all directions.
suddenly, the sounds disappeared.
it became silent again.
the surroundings were still pitch black, but the darkness was different from before.
li fan felt a chill run down his spine.
he knew that the tai yan boat had been swallowed by some kind of existence.
"boom!"
the tai yan boat's protective light shield shattered in an instant, and the tai yan boat's body began to disintegrate.
the charging progress began to plummet in this instant.
looking deeply into the darkness of the outside world one last time, li fan silently chanted.
"[truth]!"
chapter 19: the abyss wants to devour
【end of simulation】
...
li fan regained consciousness.
he stared intently at the scene of the tai yan boat shattering on the screen, a thick fear lingering in his heart, refusing to dissipate.
"what exactly was that?" li fan was puzzled.
when kou hong and dao xuanzi traversed the immortal extinction formation earlier, they did not encounter this entity in the dark layer. why was his experience different?
could it be that his luck was simply bad?
li fan didn't think so.
the dark layer of this immortal extinction formation was vast. the small tai yan boat was like a drop in the ocean within it.
yet this unknown entity found him with such precision...
"most likely, it's a method targeting mortals."
"it seems safer to wait until the mist clears and light shines at the bottom of the abyss before exploring."
"although the last attempt failed, the gains from the previous life were indeed beyond expectations..."
li fan pondered to himself, then decided to preserve the "tai yan boat".
name: li fan
realm: mortal
physiological age: 20/86
mental age: 333/1113↑
progress in qi condensation: 0%
progress in anchoring qi: 1%
current anchor points: 1
bound items: "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra", tai yan boat
...
looking at the increasingly limited upper limit of his mental age, li fan also felt a sense of pressure.
fortunately, the realm of cultivation was within reach. as long as he left this place, the sky was the limit!
in this anticipation, li fan's seventh life began.
before [truth] had recharged, li fan was determined not to take any risky actions.
so, he still planned to live through the first twenty years according to the script he had experienced several times.
in the 3rd year, li fan returned to wen county, jiangnan.
in the 4th year, he secretly arrived at qian hong's tomb with his trusted subordinates.
after a long while, the dense fog recondensed.
at the bottom of the abyss, a faint, angry roar could be heard.
...
fifteen years later, in the twentieth year.
[truth] finally completed its charge.
with newfound confidence, li fan returned to the ruins abyss.
recalling the scene from years ago, even though much time had passed, li fan still felt a lingering fear.
"it seems my guess was correct. that creature in the dark layer truly harbors great malice towards mortals. perhaps its mission is to devour any mortals approaching this place."
although it was dangerous, li fan was not one to give up on the path to immortality.
without hesitation, li fan piloted the tai yan boat and smoothly arrived at the thunderstorm layer.
he didn't descend further; instead, he stopped just above the dark layer, patiently waiting.
"woo..."
the strong winds began to blow.
the raging thunderstorms, affected by this unknown strong wind, began to subside and gradually weaken.
they slowly faded away into speckles of light.
li fan didn't look at this wonder; instead, he sought to find the lurking monster in the darkness while making use of this precious and brief light.
unfortunately, he found nothing!
seeing the light about to fade, li fan gritted his teeth, no longer hesitating. he drove the tai yan boat at full throttle and rushed towards the bottom of the ruins abyss.
the strange cry sounded again, and in an instant, it was right beside him.
at this moment, li fan completely changed the direction of the tai yan boat's charge.
after drawing a beautiful curve, the tai yan boat, which was originally charging straight down, now moved at a speed several times faster, continuously flying upwards!
upwards, and upwards!
the tai yan boat was at full power, and amidst a roar of fury, it soared back into the thunderstorm layer!
utilizing the last wisp of disappearing light, li fan, now positioned high above, finally saw the true appearance of the creature lurking in the darkness.
it was an enormous whale beyond description in words. even from this far away, li fan couldn't fully see its whole form.
even just its open huge mouth filled li fan's entire field of vision.
the whale, frustrated at its prey returning to the thunderstorm layer, roared angrily but could only return to the darkness layer.
after a few roars to vent its dissatisfaction, it reluctantly closed its mouth and disappeared into the darkness.
*****
tl note: trying out a new engine for the next few chapters, let me know what you guys think. notice any difference? better? worse?
chapter 20: unintentional success
li fan piloted the tai yan boat and returned to the top of the ruins abyss.
"what on earth is that...," li fan's face turned somewhat dark.
although he had used some tricks to see the true form of the creature, he had no idea how to escape its sight and successfully traverse the dark layer.
"that whale is so huge, and the tai yan boat is so small. every time i pass by, it always manages to find me like a cat finding a mouse..." thinking about this, li fan was a bit frustrated.
"i can only try other methods. fortunately, i still have plenty of attempts left." li fan sighed in resignation.
...
fifteen years later, in the thirty-fifth year.
li fan had infiltrated the thunderstorm layer.
during these fifteen years, he had attempted to forcefully break through the dark layer several times.
however, in these attempts, the whale found him significantly quicker. considering the tai yan boat's flight speed, he was unable to escape. he could only return in a sorry state after struggling to evade the whale each time.
"on the day the white mist disperses, the whale seems to be delayed by something and takes a while to notice me. with this extra bit of time, perhaps i can fly to the bottom of the ruins abyss."
this time, li fan decided to take a gamble, speeding through the dark layer before the whale could react.
the strong wind picked up.
the tai yan boat was at full throttle, bursting at an astonishing speed.
the illusory scenery grew closer and closer. he was about to arrive, but the terrifying roar of the whale resounded once again.
and it was approaching swiftly.
"only about a quarter of the distance left, not enough time." li fan made a judgment.
he squinted, and a fierce determination was ignited within him.
he decided not to fly to the bottom of the ruins abyss this time. instead, he turned around and charged fiercely toward the direction from where the whale's roar came.
unfortunately, being fierce didn't help.
without a collision, li fan only felt darkness all around, knowing he had been swallowed by the whale again.
"not again!"
li fan roared angrily.
...
[end of simulation]
li fan sighed in frustration.
taking a long time to calm his emotions, this time li fan chose to accelerate the charging progress.
name: li fan
realm: mortal
physical age: 20/86 mental age: 368/1116 mental age had reached its limit and would not increase further.
"fortunately, i still have 748 years to spare." li fan could only console himself this way.
in the end, he would have to rely on himself, wouldn't he?
handing the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra" to dao xuanzi, after sending the two away, li fan chose to end this life.
...
name: li fan
realm: mortal
physical age: 20/86 mental age: 418/1116
ninth life!
in this life, li fan once again opened qian hong's tomb, wanting to absorb the stone tablet of prohibition for charging.
unfortunately, [truth] didn't react at all.
although he felt disappointed, li fan was already mentally prepared.
thus, the charging progress for [truth]'s anchored charge remained at 51%.
in the twentieth, thirty-fifth, and fiftieth years, li fan tried various methods but couldn't rush through the dark layer under the whale's watchful eyes.
in the sixty-fifth year, li fan was already eighty-five years old, nearing the end of his life.
this time, he didn't choose to end early because he didn't know how many attempts he would need to break through this obstacle.
having one more try was always better.
unfortunately, he was already too old this time, and his thinking had become slow, and his reactions sluggish.
unable to match wits with the whale anymore, li fan didn't force it. he completely gave up controlling the tai yan boat and let it sway towards the bottom of the ruins abyss from the beginning.
the nebula layer, illusion layer, inversion layer, flowing fire layer, arcane ice layer, thunderstorm layer, dark layer...
li fan fell asleep in a daze. when he woke up, he was shocked to find that the tai yan boat was almost reaching the bottom of the abyss!
"what's going on? why didn't the void ripper whale appear this time?" li fan was completely baffled, but it didn't stop him from accelerating and speeding towards the faint lights appearing below.
but as li fan accelerated, the roar of the whale suddenly appeared!
"why did it suddenly notice me again at this moment?" li fan frowned deeply.
then, as if a lightning bolt illuminated the night sky, li fan suddenly understood.
"so that's why! the void ripper whale tracks me based on my acceleration! as long as i maintain a constant speed, i can safely pass through this immortal extinction formation! "
realizing this crucial point, li fan couldn't help but laugh heartily.
at this point, the last shackle to leave this immortal extinction formation was completely unlocked!
amidst li fan's laughter and the whale's roar, the tai yan boat broke through the crack between the two realms and was about to return to the cultivation world.
the surroundings became blurry as if crossing the distance of several worlds in an instant, suffering from tremendous pressure, li fan suddenly groaned, blood flowing from his nose and eyes.
but he didn't care.
looking back at the place he came from, because it was too far away and the perspective was infinitely high, li fan saw a scene that he would never forget in his lifetime:
hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of void ripper whales. they formed groups and ceaselessly opened up patches of pitch-black space in the void.
and the place where li fan came from, the immortal extinction formation, was getting farther and farther away as he headed closer to the cultivation world.
chapter 21: the cultivation realm
"this is the cultivation realm..."
after breaking through the immortal extinction formation, the tai yan boat appeared within a continuous mountain range.
below was a deep abyss emitting a breath similar to the ruins abyss, seemingly bottomless.
the mountains rose and fell, shrouded in clouds and mist, presenting a magnificent sight.
on the tallest mountain range, a vast and enormous city stood towering.
li fan wanted to laugh heartily, but he couldn't help but cough, continuously spitting out blood.
he was already too old.
originally, he was already at the edge of life and death, and the pressure brought about by traversing the immortal extinction formation completely destroyed his vitality.
however, being able to glimpse the cultivation realm before dying, this life was not lived in vain!
"[truth]!"
...
[the simulation ends.]
after the darkness, li fan's consciousness gradually recovered.
recalling his efforts in his previous life, when he tried various methods to successfully pass the immortal extinction formation, only to accidentally discover the way to break it.
li fan couldn't help but feel the unpredictability of life.
what he couldn't forget was the scene where he looked back at the group of void ripper whales.
"how much did the cultivators of that era hate ordinary people? they not only banished them all and sealed them with the immortal extinction formation but also arranged so many void ripper whales..."
"no wonder the dark layer is so vast, larger than all the previous layers combined. it seems that over the thousands of years, it has been opened up by these void ripper whales."
"the distance is getting farther and farther. in the future, the land of immortal extinction might completely detach from the cultivation realm..."
various thoughts surged in li fan's mind, but he suppressed them one by one.
replacing them was an uncontrollable joy.
after nine reincarnations, nearly five hundred years, he finally touched the threshold of cultivation.
it could be foreseen that the road ahead will be even more difficult.
but li fan's desire for immortality remained unchanged, unwavering through countless lifetimes!
...
back in the present, facing the choices after this simulation, li fan was unusually hesitant.
as expected, the strengthened stone tablet of prohibition was remarkable. even when using the immortal-mortal miasma, it took considerable effort to reduce its power.
wearing armor, li fan entered qian hong's tomb and looked at the stone tablet of prohibition.
its appearance had not changed much on the outside; it just seemed slightly less damaged.
[truth] still couldn't absorb it, indicating that it was only a quantitative change and had not reached a qualitative one.
li fan squinted and ordered his men to move the stone tablet out of the tomb.
when the strengthened stone tablet of prohibition was removed from the tomb, the destructive force surrounding it suddenly disappeared.
with this, li fan's experiment ended.
he stored this enhanced stone tablet of prohibition in the tai yan boat to be used as his asset for the journey to the cultivation realm in the future.
in the twentieth year, [truth] was about to finish charging.
li fan mercilessly executed a group of corrupt officials and landlords, confiscating the wealth accumulated by their families for generations.
because after going to the cultivation realm, he would still have to deal with mortals, so it was necessary to prepare wealth in advance.
in addition to money, food was essential.
however, food was the foundation of the country, and li fan was asking for too much at once.
officials and even merchants in the capital heard about this and seized the opportunity to raise grain prices, attempting to make a fortune.
li fan didn't hesitate; during the morning court, he controlled the tai yan boat at its largest size and hung it in the sky above the imperial palace.
the huge tai yan boat floated over the capital like a dark cloud.
countless citizens, upon seeing this, knelt down and kowtowed. the civil and military officials, witnessing such supernatural means from li fan, changed their expressions and showed enthusiasm, even actively helping li fan prepare food.
with the active assistance of the officials, combined with the elimination of a group of corrupt merchants, the tai yan boat was finally filled to the brim.
with everything prepared for millennia, li fan had no more concerns in the mortal world.
he steered the tai yan boat and once again arrived above the ruins abyss.
freeing his mind and allowing the tai yan boat to drift automatically at a constant speed.
although it only took a few hours in total, to li fan, it felt longer than the hundreds of years he had experienced before.
after a long wait, li fan finally traversed the immortal extinction formation and arrived in the cultivation realm!
getting used to the tearing sensation brought by crossing two realms, li fan looked excitedly outside the tai yan boat.
however, after seeing the surrounding scenery clearly, li fan became somewhat dumbfounded.
*****
tl note: thoughts on the new translation style?
chapter 22: fellow escapees
tl note: decided to stick with the new style, reception was mixed but i think most would prefer faster translation over better stylization.
*****
in contrast to the continuous mountain ranges seen in the previous life, li fan found himself currently situated over a vast, endless expanse of ocean.
"what's going on? why is this place different from before?" li fan was somewhat stunned.
he took out a map he had drawn based on memory from his pocket and attempted to find the location of the ocean on it.
but after a thorough comparison, he couldn't find it at all.
"never mind, i'll just take one step at a time." not knowing where the mistake occurred, li fan put away the map and sighed. "fortunately, i have the tai yan boat for transportation. otherwise, i might have been stranded here. i just don't know if i can find a place where people reside before the spirit stones in the tai yan boat run out."
he wasn't one to blame himself. li fan quickly sprang into action.
choosing a direction, he piloted the tai yan boat while searching for traces of a city in the surroundings.
the ocean was truly boundless. li fan flew for seven days and nights, yet saw no signs of human activity.
fortunately, the tai yan boat was well-stocked with food, so he didn't have to worry about survival.
after more than ten days passed, the speed of the tai yan boat began to slow down, indicating that its energy was nearly depleted.
at this desperate moment, li fan finally spotted a faint silhouette of a ship on the ocean's surface.
li fan was overjoyed and slowly lowered the tai yan boat's altitude to approach.
however, as he got closer, he was rendered speechless.
it was indeed a ship, but it was a ship that was on the verge of sinking.
it seemed to have suffered some kind of attack, with a large hole in the hull, and two-thirds of it submerged in water.
around the ship, dozens of people struggled in the water, who were obviously the ship's crew.
most of them were not skilled swimmers and were barely clinging to pieces of wreckage, preventing themselves from sinking.
li fan was hesitant about releasing the tai yan boat to save them, but then he heard one of the survivors, a man, struggling to shout, "don't be afraid, i've sent a signal to the immortal master! he will come to rescue us soon! everyone, hold on a little longer!"
hearing this, li fan was moved.
he stored the tai yan boat and jumped into the sea, quietly swimming towards these people.
silently blending into the crowd, li fan pretended to be struggling for survival, gasping for breath and barely keeping himself afloat.
after a while, a streak of light flew over from a distance and stopped above the group.nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
some seemed to have not recovered from the previous disaster, sitting on the deck trembling, curling up as if silently weeping.
the ship fell into an eerie silence.
this lasted for most of the day until it was dark. finally, in the distance, a faint shimmer of light became visible.
it was an island that appeared quite prosperous. though it was still some distance away, faint sounds of human activity could be heard.
docked at the island's pier were hundreds of large ships, a magnificent sight.
however, the ship li fan was on did not head towards the main dock but circled around the island, arriving at a less populated area at the back.
quietly, the ship entered a natural cave.
after maneuvering through the narrow cave for a while, it finally came to a stop.
once the ship was anchored, several robust men in black attire came up to assist.
however, they seemed to completely ignore the immortal master, merely using weapons to drive the people off the ship.
not a word was spoken.
they escorted the people to a spacious hall. a black-clad man finally spoke.
"you will rest here tonight. food has already been prepared in the hall, help yourselves. tomorrow, someone will take you to arrange your identities. also, no unnecessary noise." he glanced around threateningly before turning and leaving.
the hall fell into silence.
after a long while, the immortal master's silencing spell wore off. subsequently, the people in the hall began to discuss in groups.
"this time, our luck was really bad. we were actually attacked by sea monsters. there were nearly a hundred of us when we set out, but now, less than half remain."
"what's the use of seeking the dao and cultivating as immortals? sigh, i don't know what my father was thinking, insisting on sending me to this vast world for cultivation. if you ask me, cultivating immortality isn't as enjoyable as listening to music."
"that's right. back home, at least i was the son of the southern king. i could enjoy all kinds of wealth and splendor. what's good about this place..."
he was interrupted halfway, only the sound of sobbing remained, as his quick-witted companion quickly covered his mouth.
at this point, su changyu, the man who had spoken earlier, said, "at this juncture, what's the point of saying these things? didn't every family spend a great price to send you here? instead of complaining, why not be patient and cultivate from now on? if you can truly become a cultivator, not only is there hope for a long life, but there's also a chance to return to our hometown and bring our family members out."
hiding in the shadows, li fan listened to the people's conversation, and he vaguely understood their identities.
these people were probably like him, ordinary mortals banished to a land of immortal extinction.
however, it seemed that in the places they were in, the existence of the cultivation realm was not a secret.
moreover, they had even developed a mature "smuggling" route?
li fan stroked his chin and fell into thought.
chapter 23: registering on liuli island
while li fan was lost in thought, a slightly chubby young man approached him not far away.
the young man patted li fan's shoulder, somewhat familiar: "brother, you seem unfamiliar. may i ask what position you hold in the great li? or are you a wealthy merchant from another region?"
li fan swatted the young man's hand off his shoulder and looked at him coldly, saying nothing.
the chubby youth felt like he was being stared at by a venomous snake and shivered.
though he felt a bit embarrassed for being scared by just a gaze, the chubby youth was quite perceptive. li fan seemed ordinary, but there was an aura of authority about him, and it was obvious he had been in a high position for many years.
he's no ordinary person! the chubby youth quickly reached this conclusion and wisely left.
others saw this and understood that li fan wasn't very approachable. from then on, nobody tried to strike up a conversation with him.
in the flickering light, the voices of the crowd gradually faded and everyone fell asleep.
a quiet night passed.
on the second day, before dawn, everyone was awakened.
a middle-aged man with a long beard, dressed in a green robe and hands behind his back, walked up to the crowd.
"i will take you to register in a moment. after obtaining the registration, you will officially become a member of liuli island," the middle-aged man said coldly, surveying the surroundings.
upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, the crowd showed excitement.
"remember, don't speak what you shouldn't. otherwise, i can't guarantee your safety," the man squinted his eyes, adding.
the crowd understood that what they were doing was clandestine, and they all nodded.
then, following the middle-aged man's orders, li fan and the others changed into shabby clothes.
later, they were taught a unified script.
"you are all residents of the western great gorge island. due to a natural disaster, the island was destroyed, so you fled here. if anyone asks, this is what you say."
everyone agreed.
"come, drip a drop of your blood on this." steward zhao wrote li fan's name with a pen dipped in blood on a rectangular object that seemed like jade but was not actually jade. he then handed it over.
li fan pricked his finger, letting the blood drip.
afterward, as if imbued with life, the blood seeped into the two characters "li fan."
"keep this spirit symbol well; it will be your identity proof from now on. whenever you need to receive work, distribute food, or go through inspections on the island, you must show this spirit symbol. do not lose it," steward zhao emphasized, more friendly towards li fan compared to the others, and gave additional instructions.
this drew the attention of sun zhang and the others.
li fan didn't say many words of gratitude, and after nodding, he put away the spirit symbol and walked to the side.
the distribution of registrations was efficient, and soon, everyone had obtained their liuli island household registration.
the crowd was excited.
after leaving that place, they didn't return to the previous cave but were led by sun zhang to the courtyard of a house.
"now that you have obtained your household registration, shall we sign the contract?" sun zhang said to su changyu and the others.
su changyu took out a thin piece of paper from his pocket carefully and then pricked his finger to write his name with blood, solemnly and respectfully.
after signing, the paper self-ignited without fire, turning into a wisp of green smoke, drifting away, and no one knew where it went.
"after the three contracts, only one more remains. when we settle down completely, i will sign the final contract according to the agreement," su changyu said calmly.
"humph, it's troublesome dealing with you exile refugees. if not for the sake of the immortal master, our heavenly treasure house wouldn't engage in such a loss-making business," sun zhang snorted, somewhat dissatisfied.
however, he didn't say much afterward but proceeded to explain the things they needed to pay attention to on the island.
"all residents of liuli island can obtain a residence using their household registration spirit symbol. although it is in a remote area at the northernmost periphery of the island, at least you will have a place to shelter from the wind and rain. apart from that, for the first year after registering, you can receive a certain amount of free rations every month. of course, if you are used to delicacies and can't tolerate this welfare food, you can spend your own money to dine on the island."
...
after saying a lot, sun zhang's mouth was dry, and he paused for a rest. suddenly, he heard su changyu ask, "i am wondering, how can we cultivate?"
this was exactly what li fan was concerned about. he pricked up his ears and listened carefully.
chapter 24: purge miasma to refine qi
sun zhang glanced at su changyu and patiently explained, "for ordinary people to cultivate, they need to cleanse the miasma within their bodies. the concentration of miasma in the bodies of those of you who have returned from exile is far higher than usual. so, without purging the miasma, it's impossible to cultivate."
su changyu furrowed his brows and said, "we are well aware of this. but how can we remove this miasma?"
"there are several methods to remove the miasma," replied sun zhang. "the first is using the pure body spirit pool on the island. soaking in the pool for a day and a night can completely remove the miasma from the body. unfortunately, the materials needed to open the spirit pool are astonishingly high. although we are wealthy on liuli island, we can only open it once every three years. the last time it was opened was a year ago, so it'll be almost two years until the next opening."
"moreover, the quota to enter the spirit pool is limited, and the competition is fierce. as outsiders without a foundation, it's unlikely for you to outcompete the island's residents," sun zhang shook his head.
"what about the other methods?" su changyu continued.
"the second method is to practice the 'cleansing heart mantra,' along with specific medicines and diet. over time, this can change your physique and gradually eliminate the miasma. although it takes a long time, often five to six years of effort, it's stable and doesn't require any special costs. the 'mysterious yellow cleansing heart mantra' and the corresponding elixirs can be purchased at the island's pharmacies."
"five to six years..." su changyu murmured softly, then persisted, "are there any other methods?"
"the third method is to become an experimental subject," sun zhang said. at this point, his face turned somewhat unpleasant, seeming to struggle to suppress his fear. but he continued to answer su changyu.̃øv€l-b!n.
"experimental subject?" su changyu was somewhat bewildered.
"that's right. some immortals are very interested in the miasma within us mortals. every year, they select volunteers from the mortal population on the island to serve as experimental subjects. using special methods, they continuously extract the miasma from the research subjects. in a matter of a few months, the miasma within the experimental subjects can be completely extracted."
seemingly recalling something, sun zhang's face turned a little pale. "however, this process is extremely painful. it's akin to being on the edge of survival, unable to live and unable to die. most people can't endure until the moment when all the miasma is completely extracted and end up going insane."
"i don't recommend you to use this method. it's truly unbearable for an ordinary person."
it was unknown whether su changyu paid heed to sun zhang's advice. he remained silent for a moment and asked, "are there any other methods?"
sun zhang shook his head. "it's said that the direct descendants of those immortals can reshape their bodies using celestial treasures, not only eliminating concerns about miasma but also improving their cultivation aptitude. however, this method is beyond our imagination. even our liuli island can't grant this privilege."
"that's all i know. if you truly want to cultivate, think about it carefully in the days to come."
after speaking, sun zhang noticed su changyu looking somewhat distraught and couldn't help but console, "i know you've all been through a lot to return from exile, and you all have a heart inclined towards cultivation. who wasn't like that in the beginning?"
"unfortunately, cultivation is truly difficult. even if you manage to purge all the miasma from your body, very few can sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and even fewer can draw it into their bodies. why bother? being an ordinary person is not a bad thing."
sun zhang seemed to be consoling su changyu and perhaps himself as well.
"with the invisible nourishment of heaven and earth's spiritual energy, even if you can't cultivate, you can live longer than in the land of immortal extinction. it's not in vain that your family paid a great price to send you here."
"who is it?" li fan was instantly on guard.
"it's me," the voice was somewhat deep and sounded familiar.
li fan remained calm, took out a sharp dagger from the tai yan boat, and hid it in his sleeve.
he opened the door slightly and saw the person clearly.
it was the fat man who had tried to strike up a conversation with him before.
li fan made a decisive choice and closed the door.
"wait..." the fat man quickly blocked it and whispered, "you're not one of us from the land of immortal extinction, right?"
"what?" li fan was puzzled.
the fat man took the opportunity to slip in.
he observed li fan with malicious intent and said, "what kind of person are you? what's your purpose for sneaking into liuli island?"
"how do you know i'm not from the land of immortal extinction?" li fan asked back.
the fat man looked disdainful. "when i fell into the water, i vaguely saw your suspicious figure. at first, i thought it was an illusion. after seeing your performance last night, i became more and more suspicious. so, i kept an eye on you. seeing you urgently look for a residence, i secretly followed you to test the waters."
"indeed, as soon as i tried you, you revealed yourself," the fat man said proudly.
"from the looks of it, you're quite shrewd and attentive," li fan nodded.
"of course, besides me, those fools wouldn't notice a stranger had entered," the fat man boasted.
"in that case, apart from you, no one else noticed this, right?" li fan asked.
"of course not! how can those idiots be compared to me..." the fat man's words were abruptly cut off.
because a sharp dagger had pierced his chest.
watching the fat man falling to the ground, li fan's face remained expressionless.
chapter 25: wealth moves the heart
term change: heavenly treasure house > heavenly treasure pavilion
*****
dragging the fat man's corpse into the tai yan boat and cleaning up the bloodstains on the ground, li fan then casually returned to his room, acting like nothing had happened.
"truly ignorant," li fan commented.
the fat man clearly hadn't figured out the situation. relying on a bit of cleverness, he thought he could threaten li fan, maybe trying to obtain some benefits from him.
but did he ever question whether li fan had actually infiltrated liuli island? this group of exiles, weren't they the same, obtaining their status by posing as disaster victims?
once they acquired the household registration of liuli island, they truly considered themselves native inhabitants.
li fan saw this clearly. previously, the immortal who concealed his face and came to pick them up, as well as the heavenly treasure pavilion where sun zhang was, were very cautious in their actions, afraid of being discovered.
obviously, their identities as mortals from the land of immortal extinction were not something they wanted others to know about.
because of this, this fat man, who had no understanding of the situation, came to threaten li fan, and li fan killed him without hesitation.
he didn't believe that the heavenly treasure pavilion and the group of exiles would make a big fuss about this.
furthermore, even if they investigated that the fat man had visited li fan before disappearing, now that they couldn't find the body, as long as li fan insisted he hadn't seen him, they couldn't do anything to him.
after all, if the matter escalated, it would not benefit either party.
and if li fan hesitated and didn't take action, leaving the fat man alive, it might actually lead to various troubles.
so, li fan decisively chose to nip any potential threats in the bud.
...
as li fan predicted, a few days passed, and besides su changyu asking about it once, the mysterious disappearance of the fat man didn't attract any attention from anyone else.
this incident was just a small episode in li fan's island life, quickly pushed to the back of his mind.
during these days, li fan inquired about various affairs on the island while planning how to use the treasures in the tai yan boat in a reasonable manner.
gradually, li fan gained a general understanding of the liuli island he was currently on.
this sea area was called the cong yun sea.
the cong yun sea was vast and scattered with tens of thousands of islands of various sizes.
liuli island was located in the central-southern part of the cong yun sea and was of medium size.
the island was named after the delicious and tender liu li fish [1] abundant in the surrounding waters.
the existence of the tai yan boat must never be exposed.
too many people on the island wanted to join the fishing fleet. after inquiring casually, li fan learned the key information.
among the three trusted subordinates of the island master, zhao, in charge of personnel matters, qian, in charge of financial matters, and zhou, in charge of public security, most of the fishing fleet quotas were in qian's hands.
zhao and zhou had always wanted to intervene, but the quotas were firmly controlled by qian, and they only controlled one or two fishing fleets.
where there were people, there was conflict.
li fan remembered zhao's reaction when he saw him on the day of registration. he thought maybe he could meet this zhao.
however, zhao wasn't someone li fan could easily meet now.
li fan decided to follow sun zhang's approach with the heavenly treasure pavilion.
after inquiring about the location, li fan arrived at the door of the heavenly treasure pavilion, wanting to meet sun zhang.
however, he was turned away.
"go away, our senior sun has a distinguished status. do you think you can just see him whenever you want? hurry off!" several big, intimidating men at the door looked at li fan malevolently, as if they were ready to act.
seeing this, li fan had no choice but to leave for now.
he found it somewhat strange. the heavenly treasure pavilion was a place of business after all. how could they just turn people away without seeing them?
moreover, these big men made decisions without seeking approval, as if they already knew who li fan was.
"it must be that they received orders and intentionally avoided me," li fan concluded. he guessed that something had happened on the exile's side that made sun zhang turn hostile and not recognize them.
after some inquiries, li fan finally learned what had transpired.
it turned out that su changyu, in order to quickly get rid of the miasma in his body, chose to become an experimental subject for the immortals.
before leaving, su changyu signed his name on the final contract.
now, the three contracts were completed, and the final contract had completely dissipated.
there was no longer any connection between the exile group and the heavenly treasure pavilion.
"no wonder they suddenly turned hostile and deliberately avoided us. i just didn't expect su changyu to be so determined," li fan sighed.
"ah, we tried to advise him, telling him not to be in such a hurry. but he wouldn't listen!" the person who spoke was also familiar to li fan—it was xiao heng, who had claimed to be the son of the southern king in the heavenly treasure pavilion cave.
xiao heng seemed to have a very good relationship with su changyu and was extremely dejected at the moment. "if it weren't for his terminally ill sister, brother su wouldn't have fought so desperately."
hearing this, li fan was lost in thought.
chapter 26: skillful persuasion
although sun zhang chose to avoid seeing him, li fan wouldn't give up so easily.
judging from the day he couldn't help but console su changyu, this person was at least not treacherous. the reason for his cold attitude was probably to avoid too much involvement with mortals from the immortal extinction land.
compared to ignorant people, li fan preferred dealing with the knowledgeable.
so li fan came back to the heavenly treasure pavilion.
"why are you back again? are you looking for trouble?" the black-clad man at the door looked at li fan warily and said menacingly.
li fan smiled slightly, "i'm here to do business with your heavenly treasure pavilion. you won't even talk and just want to drive people away. is this how you treat guests at the heavenly treasure pavilion?"
li fan intentionally raised his voice, drawing the attention of the people around him.
"you..." the big man was instantly enraged and was about to attack, but was stopped by the person beside him.
after consulting for a while, the big man reluctantly led li fan inside.
arriving at a guest room, a maidservant brought in a cup of tea.
li fan tasted it unhurriedly. as the tea went down, he felt a warm stream flowing from his stomach throughout his body.
in just a moment, li fan felt as warm as if he had basked in the sun for half the day in winter, even feeling a bit feverish.
"good tea!" li fan couldn't help but praise.
"great yuyan dragon tea, which grows around the underwater volcanoes near great yuyan island. there are only a few of them. now, with the destruction of great yuyan island, great yuyan dragon tea has temporarily become a rare item," a person with a smile on his face walked in and said slowly. it was sun zhang.
"my thanks to you, senior sun," li fan replied without reservation and finished the remaining tea.
when li fan put down the teacup, sun zhang narrowed his eyes and asked slowly, "the matter of transportation is over, and there should be no more entanglement between us. why have you sought me out again?"
sun zhang's tone was not friendly, and there was a hidden killing intent in his eyes. it seemed that if li fan's answer didn't satisfy him, he would take action and kill.
li fan didn't care about sun zhang's aggressive questions and replied with a smile, "elder sun, you misunderstood. i really came to discuss business."
"business? with you?" sun zhang was initially surprised, then sneered while looking at li fan.
li fan remained unfazed and silent.
seeing li fan so assured, sun zhang gradually became serious, "what business?"
"i wonder if the heavenly treasure pavilion is interested in the slots for the sea expedition fleets," li fan said slowly.
the woman's laughter grew fainter.
"haha..."
in the end, she laughed dryly and returned to normal.
"but seeking immortality at your age? that's funny," she said with a smile, tapping her chest, seeming a bit relieved.
"but if i seek longevity, i will not regret it even if i die." li fan said indifferently.
the woman in yellow did not say anything for a long time.
"good, i shall accept this matter." in the end, she clapped her hands and said. "i will send someone to inform you when a date has been set."
"in that case, it is so agreed. i live in the seventh house of the sixth row outside the city, so you may go there to look for me." li fan arched his hand and turned to leave.
only the woman in yellow and sun zhang remained in the room.
after a long silence, sun zhang couldn't help but say, "manager, that pure body spirit pool quota..."
"although the quota for the pure body spirit pool is highly contested on the island every year, it's not as if our heavenly treasure pavilion doesn't have the strength to fight for it. what's more, if he can really secure a fleet of ships to go out to sea, it will only take five years or so for the profits brought in by the fleet to be enough to cover a quota. this matter is a steady investment." the woman in yellow was unperturbed.
"rather..." she frowned her eyebrows, looking in the direction li fan had left and muttered to herself.
"what?" sun zhang couldn't help but ask.
"that person's eyes were a little frightening..." the yellow-clothed woman patted her chest, seemingly a little shaken.
sun zhang was stunned for a moment.
...
on the way back, li fan stopped at a pharmacy and bought the "clear heart mantra" and the corresponding medicinal ingredients.
even if everything went smoothly, it would still take two years for the net body spirit pool to open.
such a long time couldn't be wasted.
why not cultivate the "clear heart mantra" first and see its effects? maybe li fan had exceptional talents and could eliminate the miasma in his body in less than two years?
in the following days, li fan stayed at home practicing, waiting to meet with steward zhao.
little did he know, that before he could meet steward zhao, li fan heard some shocking news.
su changyu was dead.
chapter 27: the wise recognize talents
su changyu didn't make it in the end.
in just seven or eight days, su changyu couldn't hold on any longer and passed away.
when his body was brought back, li fan went to take a look.
only a twisted mass of flesh remained, no longer resembling a person, looking rather horrifying.
occasionally, the flesh would twitch inexplicably, sending shivers down one's spine.
these people who arrived on liuli island were newcomers, struggling even to gather enough money to buy a plot of land for burial.
originally, they planned for a sea burial, but li fan couldn't bear to see it and used some money to arrange a proper burial for su changyu.
everyone was very saddened.
among them, xiao heng cried the most miserably.
li fan didn't have any particular feelings, just a sense of sorrow.
after nearly three hundred years of reincarnation in the mortal world, li fan had a set of skills for judging people.
in his view, su changyu behaved decently and had a rather firm determination. although he couldn't be considered an exceptional talent, he was definitely not an ordinary person.
among the people who came to liuli island, he thought su changyu was the most likely to make a name for himself.
this person couldn't even pass the prerequisite of cultivation, the dispelling of miasma, and silently passed away.
the path of immortality was difficult!
li fan sighed even more.
during the process of practicing the "cleansing heart mantra" in the following days, li fan's perception of this deepened.
as it turned out, li fan was not talented.
"on the day you joined, the attitude of steward zhao seemed slightly different from others. but what did you see?" he asked.
"i can only see a general idea, not everything. i only saw that you will be very wealthy and have shed much blood. clearly, you are not an ordinary person. that's why i treated you more politely," steward zhao explained with a smile. "the will of heaven is unpredictable. who knows how many rich and noble people like you end up stranded on our liuli island? some people only lurk for a few years and then rise again; some just fade into the crowd and eventually rot away."
li fan listened and thought of something, "so when we joined that day, did steward zhao realize that what heavenly treasure pavilion's sun zhang said was untrue?"
"so what if it's true or false? sometimes being too honest may not be a good thing. my duty is only to ensure that there are no traitorous individuals on the island. it doesn't matter where you come from, as long as you keep to yourself, i won't treat you badly," steward zhao said dismissively. "there is an immortal cultivator on the island, so we don't fear any trouble."
"moreover, gathering the disaster victims was also the command of the immortal master. if sun zhang can lead so many 'disaster victims' to our liuli island, why would i make things difficult for him?" steward zhao explained.
li fan listened and gained a rough understanding of steward zhao's approach.
so the topic of the two returned to the fleet of ships going out to sea.
"since steward zhao can see that what i have said is true, can you consider the matter of the quota?" li fan asked.
steward zhao tapped his finger on the table a few times before saying, "you're a newcomer with no roots, so if i were to risk handing over the fleet to you, it would definitely cause a lot of dissatisfaction."
"how about this, the next time you go out to sea, you can follow along. if you really manage to salvage treasure every time you go out to sea, then it won't take more than a few times for the crew to be convinced of you. at that time, you can then take over the fleet in name."
"even, if your harvest is large enough, it's not impossible for me to persuade the island master to distribute a quota from steward qian over to you."
"steward zhao is considerate." li fan had no objection.
so, the conversation between the two of them proceeded smoothly.
the details of their conversation were unknown to the heavenly treasure pavilion, but when they heard that li fan had convinced steward zhao and obtained a spot for the next sea expedition, they were shocked.
"could it be that the man didn't lie, and he really has the confidence to command a fleet?" in the heavenly treasure pavilion, the manager muttered, her eyes flickering.
"i wonder what he relies on?" sun zhang was also very puzzled. no matter how he looked at li fan, he was an ordinary middle-aged man.
"send the land deed of the vacant small courtyard on the eastern street of the city to him," the manager suddenly said.
"ah?" sun zhang did not react for a moment.
chapter 28: tempest ravages the sky
"manager, this doesn't seem good," sun zhang lamented, feeling a pang of sorrow. "we acquired that yard with a hefty sum, intending to bribe steward zhao. we can't just give it away so easily to this lad, can we?"
"if we are to give it to him, we should wait until he helps us seize the fleet."
the woman in yellow garments replied, "do what you're told. if we wait too long, i'm afraid the gift will be much bigger than a courtyard."
muttering to himself privately, sun zhang ultimately dared not defy the orders of his superior and obediently sent the land deed to li fan's hands.
li fan didn't refuse. there was no need to move anything either. he moved into the eastern street courtyard that very day.
compared to the slums outside the city, the surroundings of this yard were significantly better. at the alley's entrance, official personnel from liuli mansion maintained order and security. the small courtyard was also more spacious than the previous residence, comprising a main house with three rooms and two wings on each side. although not overly large, it was sufficient for li fan's single occupancy.
turning down several maidservants sent by the heavenly treasure pavilion, li fan settled down in the courtyard and patiently awaited the fleet's next departure.
he initially thought it wouldn't take long, but an unforeseen event postponed the departure indefinitely.
a calamity approached—a tempest!
li fan had heard numerous discussions about storms on liuli island during conversations among its residents, but he hadn't paid much attention. he thought it would be similar to typhoons or hurricanes he had encountered before crossing over, just a larger storm.
however, when the tempest actually arrived, li fan realized he was sorely mistaken!
on that day, while li fan was practicing the "cleansing heart mantra" as usual in his home, he suddenly heard booming sounds outside.
the strange and shrill sound dominated the island's sky, quickly spreading across the entire liuli island.
"quick, get back home! the tempest is coming!"
"may the immortal master protect us, protect us!"
"mother, where are you? come home quickly!"
...
chaos erupted on the island, with panicked and fearful cries filling the air. li fan was momentarily puzzled.
suddenly, he saw a blue curtain of light in the sky above liuli island.
the light screen resembled an inverted giant bowl, spanning the entire island and covering everything within.
"the island protection formation has been activated. no need to panic! stay at home and don't go out!" a clear female voice accompanied the appearance of the light screen, spreading across the island.
"may the immortal master be merciful!"
listening to the chorus of voices around him, li fan looked up and carefully observed the island protection formation.
the blue light flickered, isolating the island from the outside.
on the light screen, obscure characters, unfamiliar to li fan, occasionally appeared, looking extraordinarily mysterious.
as the world spun around him, li fan quickly lost balance and fell to the ground.
it seemed like being continuously struck by something, the earth trembled violently.
looking up, li fan saw a sight that almost took his breath away.
a wall of water, of indeterminable height, occupied his entire field of vision. under the assault of the roaring winds, it descended towards liuli island with a force that could shatter anything.
the monstrous wave was about to fall, burying everything beneath it.
li fan couldn't help but raise his hands instinctively to shield himself.
"boom!"
the wave crashed against the blue light screen.
the light screen distorted for a moment as if it was going to shatter.
however, after a burst of blue light, the light screen returned to normal.
like rocks by the seashore, standing firm amidst the huge waves.
unable to engulf liuli island, the furious sea seemed to be infuriated.
wave after wave relentlessly assaulted, a tempest of the last days.
li fan, lost in this chaotic scene, felt as if an era had passed.
when the tempest finally subsided after what seemed like an eternity, survivors on the island knelt down, weeping in gratitude.
li fan, under the incessant discussions of the islanders, received even more astonishing news.
this tempest experienced by liuli island was considered relatively small in scale.
fifteen years ago, the tempest's might was several times stronger than this one.
at that time, the island protection formation almost couldn't hold, forcing it to shrink its protective range.
thus, after the tempest, the areas not protected by the formation were ravaged.
the island's size was reduced to a third of its original size.
in the following decade and a half after the tempest, liuli island gathered survivors and slowly began to recover.
"a tempest... so this is what a tempest is."
li fan was profoundly moved.
the power of nature was truly terrifying!
chapter 29: setting sail
in the days following the recent storm, all residents of liuli island received instructions to inspect the protective barrier for any damage. the method of inspection was quite simple: liuli mansion provided a spiritual talisman to each household. they were instructed to hang the talisman in their homes for a couple of days and watch for any red light emissions.
for more remote and secluded areas on the island, dedicated individuals were assigned to ensure the barrier's integrity.
under the will of the immortal master, and for the sake of their own safety, all activities on the island were temporarily suspended to prioritize the maintenance of the protective barrier.
in the past, the immortal master oversaw the maintenance of the barrier, but this time, the immortal master had to return to the ten thousand immortals island to obtain more spirit stones, as they had been nearly depleted.
li fan also received a spiritual talisman and hung it in his home. by carefully sensing it, he could faintly perceive an invisible ripple emanating from it. after expanding outward for a certain distance, it seemed to encounter some obstacle, causing it to return. as it returned, the talisman emitted a blue light for a moment before going dim.
a few breaths later, the blue light went out.
the fluctuations continued to be generated again.
the cycle began again and again.
"if there is no red light emitted, that must mean this node of the protective formation is fine." li fan recalled the other party's instructions in his mind when he was handed out the spirit talismans.
"this protective barrier is so vast yet incredibly intricate. it's hard to imagine how it was constructed."
"ten thousand immortals island is said to be the gathering place for the majority of cultivators in this cong yun sea region. it's shrouded in mystery, and even steward zhao knows little about it."
"all i know is that once the common people on the island cleanse themselves of impurities and cultivate their inner energy, an immortal master will descend and take them to ten thousand immortals island."
"it seems like that's my goal in this world."
but there were steps to be taken, and the first was to secure a spot in the expeditionary fleet, which would provide the opportunity to enter the pure body spirit pool and purify his body.
li fan had waited for hundreds of years; a little more patience wouldn't hurt.
time passed quietly amidst the anxious prayers of the island's residents.
five days later, the long-awaited news arrived.
the protective barrier remained intact.
with the return of the immortal master, who had brought sufficient spirit stones, the island's residents finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. life on liuli island gradually returned to normal.
"i don't know what got into the island master's head to make us undergo this assessment. if our fleet has the lowest harvest this time, we'll be marked as unqualified and lose the right to set sail in the future! what are we going to do?"
"ugh, it's all because of that storm. i heard that coral island in the south was flattened because of a damaged protective barrier. and now, we have to pay the tribute that coral island owed."
"what a mess! how are we going to survive in the future?"
"i heard it's only temporary. we just need to make up for the previous debts."
the sailors lamented, and the atmosphere on the ship became gloomy.
"look at you all moping around! why not think about the positive side? there are rewards for the top performers, you know? the share of the harvest has been increased from thirty percent to fifty percent!"
"fifty percent? do you realize what that means? if we make a big catch, we won't have to set sail for the rest of our lives!"
just as the sailors were discussing, a dark-skinned man walked over and scolded them.
"captain, do you have a plan?" the sailors asked eagerly. they were clearly familiar with this man and trusted his leadership.
"don't worry, this time, we have someone capable on board this time. i guarantee we'll return with a full haul," the captain said proudly, pointing at li fan, who stood behind him.
"him?"
"he looks so clean. has he ever been out to sea before?"
the sailors looked at li fan and shook their heads in disbelief.
"are you all blind? don't you recognize talent? this person was specially invited by steward zhao. he's going to take over our ship soon! be more respectful!" the captain scolded them angrily as if he were truly upset.
hearing the captain's words, the crew on the cangyuan erupted into discussion and skepticism, with many of them showing disbelief.
"this young man?"
"is he capable?"
"he looks inexperienced."
however, the dark-skinned captain, with a satisfied smile on his face, turned to li fan. it seemed his scheme had succeeded.
chapter 30: treasures of the deep sea
"haobo, you've been the captain of the cangyuan for almost ten years. how can you just agree like that?"
"you saved my life, haobo. if you want to leave, i, liu san, will be the first to object!"
"exactly!"
"why not throw him into the sea to feed the fish once we're out at sea? it's perfectly normal for someone to die at sea!"
the crew on the ship was stirred up, and li fan seemed to have become a public enemy.
the man used his hands to pacify the crew, saying, "calm down, everyone! although i, zhang haobo, know everyone holds me in great esteem, the cangyuan is steward zhao's property, and we are all just working for him. now that steward zhao says he wants a change, what can i do?"
saying this only made things worse; zhang haobo's words further infuriated the crew.
their eyes turned red, glaring at li fan with murderous intent.
li fan sneered inwardly.
he could see through the tactics used by this man named zhang haobo; they were far too feeble to escape his notice.
praising li fan on the surface was to incite distrust among the crew towards li fan.
speaking for li fan on the surface was to stir up dissatisfaction among the crew.
expressing his powerlessness on the surface was to encourage the crew to unite against li fan.
hypocrisy at its finest.
these were just petty political maneuvers.
li fan, with a fearless face, walked in front of the crew, standing tall and loudly declaring, "if you all don't trust me, do you not trust steward zhao's judgment? moreover, we are about to set sail this time, just watch my methods! i will definitely not disappoint everyone."
li fan's voice was loud, drowning out the clamor of the crowd.
the crew, seeing li fan's extraordinary momentum, were momentarily suppressed and no one stepped forward to argue.
li fan didn't give them a chance. after bidding farewell, he took the lead and entered the cabin alone.
leaving behind the crew with wide eyes and a sullen-faced zhang haobo.
the group whispered among themselves.
"could that kid really have some skills?"
"perhaps... it's possible. steward zhao's eyes are extraordinary; he rarely makes a wrong judgment."
"he doesn't seem like an ordinary person."nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
...
"what, you believe that every time we go out to sea, you can lead us to find treasure? i don't believe it!"
"you're obviously just using connections to snatch the position of captain of our fleet! do they think i'm ignorant?"
"since he's already said it, i want to see how he'll end up!"
zhang haobo was secretly resentful, looking at his subordinates who were taken in by li fan's words, feeling even more frustrated.
"sail! head out to sea!"
"i want a small boat!"
li fan didn't answer him, but turned his head and said in a deep voice, "i've sensed treasures!"
"what..." zhang haobo was a bit confused at first.
"what!" but he quickly reacted and exclaimed, "are you not kidding!"
"quick, prepare a boat for me. i've seen treasures shining in the deep sea, waiting for me to salvage," li fan said solemnly.
zhang haobo was hesitating, but then li fan said, "the opportunity is fleeting. the brilliance of the treasures is dimming. i'm about to lose its position."
zhang haobo immediately woke up.
"hurry! prepare the boat!"
the cangyuan was equipped with several small boats, generally used to explore narrow passages or venture into unknown and dangerous sea areas.
and when the small boat was ready and lowered, li fan sailed away alone.
it was only when the small boats were put down and li fan was driving away alone that zhang haobo suddenly came to his senses.
he didn't know how he could have believed li fan's words just now.
sensing treasure buried under the deep sea?
how could that be possible?
he was about to say something when he heard li fan shouting from afar.
"don't follow me, wait for my signal!"
"why?" zhang haobo couldn't help but shout and ask.
"you are too noisy! it's easy to interrupt my detection!" li fan responded.
the corner of zhang haobo's mouth twitched, but recalling the scene just now when li fan glared at him, he seemed to think that perhaps the other party had not told a lie.
time passed, and two hours had passed since li fan left in his boat alone.
"maybe he ran away alone?" a crew member asked anxiously as he looked in the direction li fan was leaving, unable to help himself.
"what nonsense are you talking about? the sea is vast, and he didn't bring any provisions. where could he possibly go!" zhang haobo scolded the crew member and was about to say more when he saw a red signal in the sky from a distance.
"quick! move the ship there!" zhang haobo immediately ordered.
the cangyuan activated its power and quickly arrived at the location of the signal.
there, li fan stood on the small boat, looking exhausted.
"the treasures are right here!" he said to everyone.
zhang haobo and his men looked at each other, unsure if it was true or not.
a while later, zhang haobo gritted his teeth and said, "get into the water! release the nets!"
amidst the doubt of everyone, one crate, two crates...
a total of sixteen crates of gold, silver, and jewels were slowly hoisted up.
chapter 31: returning to liuli island
under the clear moonlight, all the crew members on the cangyuan ship had red eyes and were panting heavily.̃øv€l-b!n.
until now, they all seemed as if they were in a dream.
sixteen large boxes filled with gold and silver treasures were quietly placed on the deck.
some were still not at ease and pinched themselves. feeling the pain, they stared at the treasures on the ground, unwilling to shift their gaze for a moment.
li fan didn't actually brag! he really returned with a full load!
however, the extent of this "full load" far exceeded everyone's imagination!
various jade ornaments, gold and silver, jewels, and other treasures filled the boxes, dazzling everyone.
they had spent half of their lives making a living by fishing at sea. even in the most beautiful dreams, they had never seen such a surreal scene.
as for zhang haobo, his mind was completely blank.
"it's actually true. that guy can really find treasures sunken at the bottom of the sea! such ability, such ability..."
having lived on liuli island for over twenty years, zhang haobo naturally knew that aside from the immortals, there were some ordinary people in the world who possessed incredible abilities. for example, communicating with the birds in the sky, foreseeing disasters in advance, being able to breathe underwater for extended periods, or seeing through lies, in the case of steward zhao.
however, these extraordinary individuals were few in number. they were either entrusted with important tasks on various islands or were taken as servants by the immortals and brought to the island of ten thousand immortals.
they were truly rare to come by.
unexpectedly, this li fan was also one of these extraordinary individuals!
suddenly, zhang haobo thought that li fan had recently moved to liuli island. could it be that he had been forced to move here because his original island was destroyed by a disaster? it made sense. he was a newcomer, so no wonder steward zhao regarded him highly, even though he was just a new resident!
everything made sense!
at this moment, zhang haobo regretted deeply.
"zhang haobo, oh zhang haobo, you had a rare opportunity to encounter a benefactor. not only did you fail to seize it, but you even mistakenly thought that the other party came to steal your little ship fleet!"
the more zhang haobo thought about it, the more regretful he felt. he wished he could just slap himself.
"no, i must apologize quickly! immediately, right away! such extraordinary individuals are honored guests wherever they go. if he gains power and bears a grudge against my actions from a few days ago..."
zhang haobo gave himself a shake and was about to go to li fan's room to apologize.
...
after obtaining the treasure, the cangyuan no longer fished. they immediately turned the bow and headed back to liuli island.
after all, the harvest this time was so significant that the crew wouldn't feel at ease until they safely returned to the island.
full throttle was engaged, and in just two days, liuli island was in sight.
"after returning, let's not dock immediately. liu san, quietly get into the water and then go to inform steward zhao at his residence. let him personally send someone to count," zhang haobo instructed the crew solemnly.
if there were no surprises, they should have the most significant share of the harvest in this expedition.
according to the rules, they were entitled to fifty percent!
when it came to an outsider counting, who could guarantee there wouldn't be any withholding or intentional omissions?
losing even a little would be deeply distressing for them.
they couldn't trust anyone who wasn't part of their crew.
the crew nodded one after another, watching the routine counting ship approaching the island, immediately becoming alert.
"zhang haobo, what do you mean? not letting us on the ship?"
it seemed that there was some conflict between the other party and zhang haobo, and there was a hint of anger in their words.
however, zhang haobo didn't pay any attention.
seeing zhang haobo's lack of response, the other person became more mocking, "judging by your ship's draft, i'm afraid you're returning empty-handed this time. it seems your tenure as a captain is coming to an end. if you really can't make it, come to my ship. i guarantee i won't let you starve!"
the crew of the cangyuan, hearing their leader being insulted, became furious and was about to retort.
but zhang haobo stopped them.
regardless of what the other side said afterward, zhang haobo acted as if he hadn't heard, waiting for steward zhao's representative to arrive.
"it seems that zhang haobo's ability to hold onto the position of the cangyuan ship's captain is not without reason. he's not as pitiful as i imagined, but his background and experiences have limited him," li fan nodded to himself after witnessing this scene.
the commotion on the dock attracted quite a few onlookers, and people were pointing and discussing the cangyuan ship.
fortunately, the standoff between the two sides didn't last long. soon, steward zhao personally arrived with his men.
chapter 32: treasure seer physique
as the sixteen boxes of riches were unloaded in full view of everyone at the pier, the entire dock was abuzz.
you see, the last time a fleet had such a huge harvest was... no, it was just a few months ago!
when did salvaging treasure from the depths of the sea become so easy?
or perhaps, had the waters near liuli island become so rich that treasures were abundant everywhere? the people on the island were deeply skeptical.
soon, the excitement intensified.
who wouldn't want to become rich overnight?
countless excited individuals rushed back home to share what they had witnessed at the pier.
they too wanted to set sail; they too wanted to salvage the treasures from the sea floor! thus, the news of the enormous treasure gained by the cangyuan sailed like wildfire and quickly spread across the entire liuli island.
heavenly treasure pavilion.
the woman in yellow was meticulously appraising a new batch of items when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps.
"innkeeper, innkeeper!"
sun zhang burst in without a greeting.
"what's going on?" the woman in yellow was somewhat puzzled.
"treasure... more than a dozen boxes... cangyuan..." sun zhang gasped, his words disjointed.
the woman in yellow was unimpressed. "it's just a dozen or so boxes of treasures. is it necessary to make such a fuss? to digest these things on the island, they'll have to go through our heavenly treasure pavilion's channels..."
while the woman was speaking, her expression suddenly changed. "wait, did you say cangyuan? the ship that uncle named li fan is staying on?"
sun zhang nodded repeatedly.
the woman in yellow was stunned for a while before she regained her senses. "no wonder that guy was so confident in convincing steward zhao. he was absolutely certain that he could find treasure as long as he set sail..."
"that's right, that's right. this ability of his is just like our heavenly treasure pavilion's manager!" sun zhang said with envy and admiration, "luckily, you, the manager, had the foresight and gave him a small courtyard before. you've established a relationship with him. when he returns from this sea voyage, he will surely become famous. if we want to win him over again, it will probably cost us a lot."
the woman in yellow interrupted sun zhang and instructed, "go arrange it immediately, see when you can arrange a meal with him. also, send someone to deliver the land deed to him."
sun zhang was taken aback, but this time he didn't say anything and hurriedly went downstairs to handle it.
after spending some more time with steward zhao, li fan took his leave.
as soon as he returned to the courtyard, sun zhang arrived, apparently waiting for a long time.
"is your manager inviting me to dinner?"
it was indeed a coincidence.
li fan was just thinking of meeting her again, so he readily agreed.
as for the land deed that sun zhang brought, li fan didn't accept it.
he planned to meet the woman in yellow again in the evening.
as night fell, the lights began to glow.
li fan arrived at the heavenly treasure pavilion.
there was only one person in the room.
however, she had changed into a purple robe and was not wearing a veil anymore.
"allow me to formally introduce myself. i am the manager of the heavenly treasure pavilion on liuli island, yin yuzhen."
"li fan."
yin yuzhen chuckled. "you are indeed straightforward."
"i'm just a mere mortal, there's really nothing worth mentioning," li fan said frankly.
"is the treasure seer physique also insignificant in your eyes?" yin yuzhen looked at li fan with a wry smile.
"oh? i don't know about the treasure seer physique," li fan said calmly, though he was intrigued.
"you mean the treasure seer physique isn't worth mentioning to you?" yin yuzhen furrowed her brows, gritting her teeth.
but when she saw that li fan really seemed to not know, she reluctantly explained the matter of the treasure seer physique to him.
"in that case, your sister also possesses a treasure seer physique?" li fan squinted his eyes.
"how old is she this year? what does she look like? where was she twenty years ago? and where is she now?"l--b1n.
chapter 33: two talented sisters
li fan asked several seemingly inexplicable questions, leaving yin yuzhen a bit bewildered, not understanding why he was asking these.
suddenly, she seemed to think of a possibility, her face turning somewhat pale as she stared at li fan. "could it be that you are the long-lost father of us sisters?"
but soon, she denied it herself. "no, your appearance is nothing like ours."
"it's just curiosity," li fan said indifferently, not paying attention to the strange thinking of this young girl.
"i understand, curious about someone of the same kind, it's human nature," yin yuzhen said, nodding repeatedly as if she understood.
li fan couldn't be bothered to explain further.
yin yuzhen sighed and said slowly, "we were originally from the northern night island. our parents passed away due to disaster when we were young, leaving only my sister and me to rely on each other. in my memory, my sister and i could only beg for a living every day, barely managing to get by."
"but at some point, my sister began to always find valuable things in different places."
"our lives gradually improved day by day, and later, my sister single-handedly established the heavenly treasure pavilion," yin yuzhen recalled.
"unfortunately, i haven't seen my sister for several years," she said, full of nostalgia.
"oh? where did she go?" li fan furrowed his brow.
"three years ago, my sister caught the eye of a passing immortal and was taken away. at first, she would send messages to let us know she was safe. but later, we never heard from her again," yin yuzhen said, holding her chin in her hands, looking pitiful.
"taken away by an immortal? could it be that she was taken to cultivate immortality?" li fan couldn't help asking.
"that's what i hope for. in the letters my sister sent back before, she used a secret code that only the two of us understood, telling me that her current situation was very dangerous. if she doesn't contact us in the future, it means she might have met with misfortune. she asked me not to look for her anymore," yin yuzhen sighed, her eyes showing a hint of sadness.
li fan couldn't help but ask after hearing this, "can it be that it's her special physique, the treasure seer physique, that has attracted trouble?"
"this is also something i can't figure out. although the treasure seer physique is indeed very powerful, being able to sense treasures within a certain range of oneself, this ability is also limited."
"my sister is only a mortal and can sense only things that are of some value to mortals. these treasures, in the eyes of those immortals, are essentially equivalent to broken copper and iron."
"that's right." yin yuzhen had a triumphant expression on her face, knowing that li fan had taken the bait. "in the last letter from my sister, a pill named the body cleansing pill was sent. according to what my sister mentioned in the letter, by taking this pill, the probability of successfully removing the miasma from the body will greatly increase. if combined with the pure body spirit pool, even at your age, there's a high chance of success."
"with such a miraculous pill, why haven't you taken it until now?" li fan couldn't help asking.
"not everyone is as determined as you to cultivate immortality. my wish is to do good business and protect the heavenly treasure pavilion left behind by my sister," yin yuzhen replied.
"everyone has their own aspirations," li fan nodded slowly.
"so, do you agree?" yin yuzhen looked at li fan with hopeful eyes.
"allow me to consider this. i will give you an answer in three days," li fan contemplated for a moment, not agreeing immediately.
"alright, i'll wait for your message," yin yuzhen said, somewhat disappointed, but still nodded.
"farewell!"
...
"i hope i didn't make a mistake this time."
yin yuzhen watched li fan's retreating figure, her expression becoming serious, murmuring softly.
when dealing with li fan, yin yuzhen had been playing the role of a "junior" and a "young girl."
her intuition told her that li fan didn't dislike her acting this way.
moreover, interacting with li fan in the capacity of a junior would make things easier to succeed.
yin yuzhen wasn't like her sister, possessing the ability to sense treasures innately.
however, she had her own unique traits.
apart from her sister, yin yuzhen was the only one who knew that she could vaguely sense the good or bad outcomes of events since childhood.
it was precisely relying on her sister's treasure-sensing physique and her own ability to anticipate fortune and avoid calamity that the two sisters were able to grow up smoothly and prosper.
chapter 34: the cleansing heart mantra's effect
li fan inquired discreetly and confirmed that yin yuzhen was not lying about the body cleansing pill.
so, three days later, he met yin yuzhen again and agreed to her request.
both parties agreed that before the pure body spirit pool opened, li fan would help the heavenly treasure pavilion collect a certain amount of treasures every once in a while.
when the pool was opened, yin yuzhen would give the body cleansing pill to li fan.
of course, to show sincerity, yin yuzhen brought out the land deed.
since they had an agreement, li fan didn't hesitate and accepted it.
thus, li fan moved again.
the property was located in the central part of liuli island, surrounded by a bustling and lively environment.
however, with its unique architectural structure and embellishments of vegetation, it was completely isolated from the noisy surroundings.
though in a bustling place, it felt as if it were deep in the mountains.
the area of the building was several times larger than li fan's previous small courtyard. the artificial hills, lakes, flowers, plants, and trees inside needed care.
li fan declined the maids sent by the heavenly treasure pavilion and hired a few servants from the island to clean every three days.
yin yuzhen was quite helpless about li fan's caution.
fortunately, li fan didn't overlook the agreed-upon matters.
over a year, li fan joined three official sea expeditions of liuli island, each time bringing back several boxes of treasures, astonishing the whole island and winning a fleet quota for the heavenly treasure pavilion.
afterward, every time the heavenly treasure pavilion's fleet set sail, li fan would go with them.
over the year, heavenly treasure pavilion's earnings were overflowing, almost equal to the total profits of the previous five years.
in the eyes of everyone in heavenly treasure pavilion, elder li not only had great abilities, being able to find treasures on each expedition, but was also meticulous and decisive in his thinking.
during one of the sea expeditions by the heavenly treasure pavilion, a few crew members were tempted by the valuable items brought up from the sea. they planned to unite and kill for the treasures.
unexpectedly, elder li had already sensed the abnormality and struck preemptively before they could act, executing them all.
the corpses were thrown into the sea, and their heads were strung together to deter others.
privately, people said that perhaps those crew members were just boasting recklessly after drinking, and they might not have had the courage to commit murder and theft.
but just because there was this slight possibility, elder li didn't hesitate to kill them all.
physical age: 42/95↑
mental age: 505/1210↑
virtualization charging progress: 115%
anchor charging progress: 51%
current anchor count: 1
bound items: "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra," tai yan boat, "stone tablet of prohibition" (damaged)...
time passed quietly as li fan immersed himself in his practice.
soon, there was only one year left until the opening of the pure spirit spirit pool.
on liuli island, the list of needed supplies for this event was also announced.
at this moment, li fan was studying this list with the people from heavenly treasure pavilion.
"everything else on this list is fine, but what is this starry sea quicksand?" li fan frowned and asked after reading it once.
having worked for heavenly treasure pavilion for a year, li fan had gained some insights, at least regarding the conventional ores and rare materials circulating in the cong yun sea.
not only was sun zhang at a loss, but even yin yuzhen, the manager of the heavenly treasure pavilion, fell silent.
"the materials needed this time are all very common, except for this starry sea quicksand that i've never heard of. it seems that the key to competing for the slot this time lies in this starry sea quicksand," sun zhang said.
"i've done business for over ten years and have never heard of this thing," yin yuzhen tapped the table lightly with her fingers. "looks like we need to ask the people from the wanhua chamber of commerce about it."
"these people are very greedy. it's probably going to cost us a lot," sun zhang sighed.
"i am determined to get the pure body spirit pool slot," li fan said firmly.
the wanhua chamber of commerce wasn't a local business in the cong yun sea but instead came from a distant continent.
it was said that the trading company was supported by immortals, allowing them to easily cross endless seas and come to this remote cong yun sea for business.
yin yuzhen established a connection with the wanhua chamber of commerce over a decade ago, and the two sides have engaged in trade over the years.
it was through the wanhua chamber of commerce that the heavenly treasure pavilion could quickly digest the large number of treasures found by li fan and convert them into profits.
"we still have a year of preparation time. the wanhua chamber of commerce's trading ship should pass through the cong yun sea in three months. at that time, i can contact them," yin yuzhen said.
"we can't solely rely on the wanhua chamber of commerce. in the past year, liuli island has gathered many disaster refugees from other islands. these refugees are from various places in the cong yun sea, and there might be someone who knows about this starry sea quicksand among them. we can inquire with them. other forces on the island are also looking for this starry sea quicksand, so we also need to monitor them closely. if they find anything, we can take action accordingly," li fan decided.
chapter 35: fruits are all preordained
with the announcement of the materials needed for the pure body spirit pool, the surface of liuli island appeared calm, but there were already hidden undercurrents.
even ordinary people who didn't care about this matter knew that the major powers on the island were now searching for something called "starry sea quicksand."
after inquiring covertly without results, li fan unexpectedly received an unexpected guest one day.
it was xiao heng, the person li fan had encountered when he first came to the cultivation world.
"please have a seat," li fan said as he poured him a cup of tea.
xiao heng observed li fan's current residence, his eyes filled with envy and nostalgia.
"i wonder what business you have with me, young brother?" li fan had a good impression of xiao heng and asked kindly.
xiao heng first looked around cautiously, then leaned in and said softly, "i heard that brother li has also been looking for starry sea quicksand lately?"
li fan's eyes narrowed, "indeed. i am already of an advanced age and want to cultivate, and my only reliance is the pure body spirit pool. why, do you know about this item?"
xiao heng swallowed nervously and nodded, "yes, when the immortal master descended to the land of immortal extinction, he promised that as long as the necessary materials were collected, a group of people could go to the cultivation world. among them was starry sea quicksand."
li fan was momentarily stunned. afterward, he expressed his confusion, "is that so? why don't i have any recollection of this? i asked those people from before, and they all claimed ignorance. hence, my inquiry."
xiao heng looked a bit embarrassed upon hearing this, "at that time, when it was publicly announced, several items were already omitted from the list and allocated to the major families as reserved slots. my family was tasked with collecting the starry sea quicksand."
li fan nodded thoughtfully.
"go on, what conditions do you have?" li fan got straight to the point.
seeing li fan being so direct, xiao heng felt a bit awkward, blushing slightly, and explained, "back when you paid for changyu's burial, it was a favor to me. i shouldn't ask for this, but life here on liuli island is too difficult. i don't have the same abilities as brother li. i still live in a poor area on the outskirts and have to do hard labor to sustain my daily life..."
xiao heng rambled on, but li fan lightly chuckled and interrupted him.
"he shouldn't be lying," li fan affirmed.
"but we shouldn't take his word for it," li fan suddenly changed the subject. "didn't you say that the caravan of the wanhua chamber of commerce will be passing by liuli island soon? when the time comes, you might inquire about it from them."
"that's a good idea," yin yuzhen agreed. "it would be even better if we could save some money."
"anyway, we still need to secretly purchase meteoric iron that meets the requirements. not many people know about this item now, but it might change soon. in addition, when making the purchase, we need to mix it with other things to divert attention and confuse observers. at the same time, we can have someone spread fake news about starry sea quicksand in the market to muddy the waters."
li fan thought for a moment and then patiently gave instructions.
to ensure the allocation of the pure body spirit pool spot, li fan needed to plan carefully.
"li fan, you are really something. i only knew that you had a treasure seer physique before, but i didn't expect you to have such skills," yin yuzhen said, her eyes filled with curiosity, seeing li fan's well-organized arrangements.
"what did you do before?" yin yuzhen couldn't help but ask.
"i was just a minor advisor," li fan replied casually.
yin yuzhen scoffed disbelievingly.
"alright, i'll leave this matter to you to handle. i need to go cultivate. unless there's a special situation, don't disturb me. oh, and handle the matter i promised xiao heng as well," li fan concluded and then left the heavenly treasure pavilion.
"auspicious again? how could it be auspicious again?" yin yuzhen felt dazed, watching the direction li fan left. her eyes were full of puzzlement.
since meeting li fan, every time she entrusted a task to him, her intuition showed signs of great luck.
this made yin yuzhen almost believe that her ability to seek good fortune and avoid calamity had failed.
after all, before encountering li fan, she had never experienced any good omens.
on the contrary, when she wanted to swallow the body cleansing pill and embark on the path of cultivation, she felt extreme dread, as if death was certain on the road ahead. it was a clear omen of great calamity.
chapter 36: fortuitous find
yin yuzhen's intuition told her that as long as she helped li fan, there would be boundless benefits in the future.
although she didn't know what kind of achievements this old man would have in the future, yin yuzhen chose to trust her instincts and do everything she could to assist li fan.
so, under yin yuzhen's direction, the heavenly treasure pavilion began to operate at full capacity.
while collecting meteoric iron, they also purchased a large number of completely unrelated items to divert attention.
other forces within liuli island noticed the unusual activities of the heavenly treasure pavilion and sent people to investigate secretly.
however, due to yin yuzhen's early preparation, they couldn't find out anything.
instead, following li fan's plan, the heavenly treasure pavilion released a lot of false information about the starry sea quicksand. the other forces were skeptical of its authenticity and chose to observe.
however, some of them, with the idea of "buy first and sell later, even if it's fake, we can sell it again," purchased a large number of things related to the rumor. consequently, the rest couldn't sit still and joined the purchasing frenzy.
for a while, prices soared on liuli island, and chaos ensued.
...
li fan, the initiator of all this, remained quietly in his home, focusing on his cultivation.
three months later, yin yuzhen finally managed to contact the wanhua chamber of commerce.
early in the morning, yin yuzhen and li fan left liuli island on a small boat owned by the heavenly treasure pavilion, heading north for several tens of miles to the agreed sea area.
the boat was loaded with goods for this trade, packed to the brim.
it wasn't until midday that the wanhua chamber of commerce finally arrived.
a dot in the sky rapidly enlarged, and as it got closer, li fan realized that it was an airship!
a flag fluttered on the airship, bearing a large word: "wanhua."
the airship seemed to be half the size of the tai yan boat in its second form, about fifty meters long.
the airship soon came over their heads and gently landed on the water.
"manager yin, long time no see!" after stabilizing, hearty laughter came from the airship.
yin yuzhen was looking at li fan, hoping to see surprise on his face.
but to her disappointment, li fan didn't show any surprise upon seeing the airship of the wanhua chamber of commerce, as if he had long been accustomed to such sights.
yin yuzhen felt a bit disappointed and more curious about li fan.
he gently touched them and then turned the meteorite over to inspect it repeatedly.
seeing this scene, li fan knew that wu xingzou was no ordinary person.
these meteorites weighed at least fifty catties each, but in his hands, they seemed like toys.
after a while, wu xingzou reluctantly put the meteorites down.
"manager yin, you're really lucky this time. you actually managed to collect starry sea quicksand, such a valuable item."
li fan and yin yuzhen looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief.
they could now confirm that what xiao heng said was correct.
this time, the heavenly treasure pavilion seized the initiative and acquired a good amount of starry sea quicksand in advance.
they should be able to secure the quota for the pure body spirit pool.
after that, there were no more valuable items. wu xingzou was very satisfied with the goods provided by the heavenly treasure pavilion this time.
and because they wouldn't see each other for a long time in the future, he specially invited li fan and yin yuzhen to be guests on the wanhua chamber of commerce's airship.
after a hearty meal, wu xingzou led the two to the warehouse of the airship.
"these are all collected by me from various islands in the cong yun sea. some are invaluable, and some i am not sure of their use. i just bought them because they looked strange. if you are interested, you can choose a few from them." wu xingzou, who was drinking happily, said somewhat proudly, facing the dazzling array of treasures.
yin yuzhen was excited. she had the ability to sense good fortune and avoid disaster, so wouldn't she be like a mouse in a rice barrel here?
li fan was initially not interested, but seeing yin yuzhen's eager expression, he couldn't refuse. he accompanied her in strolling around inside.
"you have only the time of an incense stick!" wu xingzou seemed to be very interested in this kind of game and said loudly to the two.
yin yuzhen ignored him and was excitedly shuttling through the warehouse.
inside were thousands of treasures, and even though she could sense good fortune and roughly distinguish their value, she was still dazzled for a moment.
li fan, on the other hand, was bored and picked up and looked at one item after another aimlessly.
he had been through nine reincarnations and three hundred years of ups and downs. what kind of mundane treasures had he not seen?
as long as it wasn't related to cultivation, he didn't care.
thinking like this, as his hand touched one of the items, his body suddenly froze.
because a notification from [truth] instantly popped up.
"detected chargeable item. consume to recharge?"
chapter 37: canghai pearl
li fan calmly examined the item in his hand.
at first glance, it seemed like an ordinary azure glass ball, but upon closer inspection, one could see the ever-changing light within the sphere, as if a vast blue sea was gestating within.
"heavenly treasure[1]: canghai pearl (initial stage)."
"out of the canghai sea comes life."
li fan was utterly astonished. he hadn't expected to encounter a heavenly treasure here!
and it was still in the process of gestation, not yet fully formed.
suppressing his excitement, li fan placed the canghai pearl back in its original spot.
he pretended to be nonchalant, examining the other items around.
he didn't even cast a glance at the canghai pearl until wu xingzou announced that the time was up.
yin yuzhen felt both disappointed and excited as she walked out, clutching a few items.
"you're not picking anything? wu xingzou is being so generous. it's a rare chance; you won't find another shop like this once we leave." yin yuzhen noticed that li fan's hands were empty and couldn't help but comment.
wu xingzou chimed in, "the manager is right. it's not proper to leave empty-handed after entering a treasure trove. it seems like you don't think much of me."
li fan thought to himself, "it's a good thing you both mentioned it; otherwise, i would've had to bring it up."
"in that case, i won't be impolite." he walked over to the vicinity of the canghai pearl, picked a jade statue almost at random, a statue resembling an ancient tree, and casually picked up the canghai pearl along with it.
"i'll take these two." li fan said in a somewhat casual manner.
wu xingzou praised, "elder has a good eye. this jade statue in the form of an ancient tree was found on a remote island in the farthest north of the cong yun sea."
"this jade statue has been worshipped by a primitive tribe on the island for thousands of years and possesses an air of mystery. ordinary people, if they place it at home, can achieve a calming and fortifying effect for their mind and body."
wu xingzou highly praised the jade tree statue, glancing at the canghai pearl just once and then never mentioning it again.
"my thanks for your generosity." li fan cupped his hands and said happily.
"and what about this?" li fan played with the canghai pearl and asked.
"oh, this one. i acquired this from a fisherman on flowing cloud island," wu xingzou recalled after a moment. "there's nothing particularly special about it; i just found it intriguing, so i took it."
"flowing cloud island..." li fan firmly etched the name in his mind.
then he quickly changed the topic, "manager, what did you choose?"
wu xingzou's gaze shifted to yin yuzhen.
seeing that yin yuzhen had chosen a painting, a pair of jade bracelets, and a gemstone, he enthusiastically introduced these items to them.
after all, the item was already in his hands; he wasn't worried about it running away.
it took a long time for li fan to calm down from the surprise of obtaining a heavenly treasure.
after settling down, li fan immersed himself in the cultivation of the "cleansing heart mantra."
a few days later, li fan was awakened by an urgent knocking on his door.
it wasn't even dawn yet; who could be coming to disturb him at this hour?
cautious, li fan took out a dagger, concealed it in his sleeve, and went to open the door.
"who is it?"
"brother li, it's me."
xiao heng's voice came from outside.
what is this kid looking for me for at this hour? could it be that he didn't receive the residence i prepared for him?
li fan felt a hint of doubt, but he still opened the door and let xiao heng in.
panic and anxiety were written all over xiao heng's face.
"sit down and speak."
the two of them entered the room, and xiao heng anxiously said, "brother li, something big has happened! it's about the fact that we were smuggled from the land of immortal extinction; the news has leaked!"
"who leaked the news?" li fan was somewhat surprised and asked.
"we don't know. but everyone on the island now knows that we're not natives of the immortal realm, and instead came here through the heavenly treasure pavilion. it is said that the immortal master is extremely furious and wants to catch us all and kill us. some of us were extremely frightened and fled on boats in the dead of night. the rest of us don't know what to do."
"they all say that brother li must have a way, so they asked me to come and ask you quickly." xiao heng explained anxiously.
li fan listened and pondered for a moment, then chuckled lightly, "don't worry, this matter is not a big deal."
xiao heng was stunned, "brother li, why do you say that?"
li fan sneered, "do you think the government would announce in advance when they're going to capture thieves? if they really wanted to kill you, you would have been dead long ago. would they let you know the news, and then allow you to escape and discuss countermeasures openly?"
"brother li, are you saying this was intentionally leaked to scare us?" xiao heng realized, too.
"but why would they do this?" he asked with a puzzled expression.
"in my opinion, this matter probably isn't directed at us." li fan suddenly stood up. "their target is likely the heavenly treasure pavilion."
*****
[1] i might have used a few different terms for "heavenly treasure", but i'll stick with this one from now. a more accurate translation would be "heaven and earth wonder," but that's quite wordy and doesn't make as much sense in english. essentially, they're just naturally formed treasures, and when a cultivator uses one to build their foundation, they'll become "foundation treasures," like kou hong's dragon branch or dao xuanzi's sword.
chapter 38: entering the pure body spirit pool
after placating xiao heng, li fan hurriedly went to the heavenly treasure pavilion.
yin yuzhen was a bit surprised by li fan's sudden arrival.
after listening to li fan's reason for coming over, yin yuzhen explained the ins and outs of the matter with a resentful expression.
it turned out that after several months of inquiries, the various forces on liuli island finally figured out that the starry sea quicksand liuli island was actually meteorite iron from the sky.
but when they wanted to collect the meteorite iron, they found that the starry sea quicksand in the area of liuli island had already been plundered by the heavenly treasure pavilion.
and the previous chaos in the market on liuli island was caused by the heavenly treasure pavilion's manipulations.
"heavenly treasure pavilion is making a fool of everyone!" in shame and anger, they went to the immortal master of liuli island to seek an explanation.
naturally, yin yuzhen eloquently defended herself, stating that her actions were justified business competition.
the master of liuli island also believed that although yin yuzhen's approach was a bit excessive, the competition for the quota of the pure body spirit pool was based on individual abilities. as long as they could collect the materials needed by the immortals in the end, even if the means were slightly out of line, it was acceptable.
so the island master did not punish the heavenly treasure pavilion but instead reprimanded those who caused trouble.
how could these people willingly accept this?
so a few days later, there were rumors on the island that the heavenly treasure pavilion was secretly involved in smuggling businesses for mortals.
and as the rumors spread, it seemed like the heavenly treasure pavilion would be questioned and wiped out by the immortals tomorrow.
"so, how serious is this matter? will the immortals really blame us?" li fan, after understanding the whole story, couldn't help but ask.
"this is the tricky part of this matter," yin yuzhen frowned, "if the punishment is unknown, then the threat is immeasurable. smuggling mortals was never explicitly prohibited. but this matter is somewhat taboo and should not see the light."
"moreover, more than a decade ago, a certain immortal happened to witness the act of smuggling, and in his anger, he killed all the mortals present."
"since then, everyone has tacitly engaged in this smuggling business secretly."
li fan listened and furrowed his brows slightly, "so you mean, this matter can be big or small. how it is handled depends on the mood of the immortals?"
"that's right. if the immortals don't take it too seriously, then there's no problem. if the immortals are in a bad mood, then..." yin yuzhen didn't finish her words, but her face turned a little pale.
li fan fell into silence.
he thought of the scene when he first met kou hong and dao xuanzi.
thus, after paying the price of dozens of meteorites, the heavenly treasure pavilion successfully extricated itself from this chaotic vortex.
almost on the same day, the rumors about smuggling on the island disappeared without a trace.
and the other forces, in order to obtain those dozens of meteorites, began to openly and secretly vie with each other, no longer paying attention to the heavenly treasure pavilion.
time flew, and the day when the pure body spirit pool would open was approaching.
after the tally of the materials provided by each family, the quotas for this pure body spirit pool were finally determined.
there were a total of thirteen quotas for this entry into the pool, and the heavenly treasure pavilion had secured one.
with the major issues settled, li fan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
he only awaited the opening of the spirit pool, where he would be able to remove the miasma from his body and officially step onto the path of cultivation! this day, he had been waiting for far too long.
so, even with li fan's calm demeanor, he was starting to feel a bit excited.
name: li fan
realm: mortal
physical age: 42/99
mental age: 505/1299↑
virtualization charging progress: 121%
anchor charging progress: 51%
current anchor points: 1
bound items: "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra," tai yan boat, stone tablet of prohibition (damaged) li fan looked at the interface provided by [truth]. after two years of cultivation, his physical age's limit had reached 99 years, with no sign of further increase.
as for the limit of his mental age, due to his continuous cultivation of the cleansing heart mantra, it was still slowly increasing.
he wondered what changes would occur after the baptism of the pure body spirit pool?
li fan was looking forward to it.
the day of the pure body spirit pool opening finally arrived. on this day, guided by a servant, li fan ingested the body cleansing pill given to him by yin yuzhen and entered the central array of liuli island.
chapter 39: the first lesson of cultivation
the thirteen individuals entering the central array, apart from li fan, were teenagers of around thirteen years old.
they had been given instructions and didn't dare to speak lightly, their eyes filled with excitement and curiosity as they observed their surroundings.
the instant they entered the array, the environment they found themselves in was completely different from liuli island.
it was as if they had gone from a bustling city to the depths of the mountains. lush trees surrounded them, and the air was filled with the sounds of birds and insects.
in the distance, peaks and ranges intertwined, creating a picturesque landscape.
a light breeze passed by, causing rustling sounds that echoed like waves.
li fan and the others were standing at the foot of the mountain at this moment.
looking up, the mountaintop was hidden in thick clouds and mist, completely obscured from view.
the group ascended ancient stone steps, climbing upwards for two hours without stopping.
these teenagers all had impressive constitutions; despite climbing for so long, they didn't even seem to breathe heavily.
as for li fan, due to his not-so-young age and lack of recent exercise, he was drenched in sweat and could barely keep up with the group.
another hour passed, and they finally reached the mountain top.
the mountaintop was only a small clearing, and the group dispersed, already feeling a bit crowded.
this peak was the highest point among the group of mountains, and looking around, all they could see was a vast sea of clouds.
the wind roared, and the sea of clouds churned, occasionally revealing island-like mountaintops.
all these teenagers were born and raised above the ocean, and they had never witnessed such a spectacular sight.
at this moment, they were all staring in awe, lost in their thoughts.
for li fan, this view was ordinary. he squinted and looked at the sun in the sky.
they had already been inside the array for most of the day, but the position of the sun hadn't changed at all.
it seemed to be some kind of illusion.
"how's this scenery?" suddenly, a voice rang out beside the group.
the teenagers were startled at first, but then they immediately reacted.
"we've seen the immortal master!" they greeted respectfully, bowing.
looking at the bewildered and dazed group of youths, immortal master he zhenghao sighed.
"no matter what happens in the future, give your best today. i've said what needs to be said; now, go!"
"immortal master, may i ask where the pure body spirit pool is located?" although some of the youths didn't fully understand the meaning behind immortal master he zhenghao's words, they could at least comprehend that they were going to enter the pure body spirit pool.
after all, they were still young at heart, so they eagerly asked.
"it's right there!" immortal master he zhenghao said calmly.
following his direction, they saw that the location immortal master he zhenghao was pointing to was not on the mountaintop but at the edge of a cliff thousands of feet high!
"immortal master, are you joking?" one of the youths couldn't help but exclaim.
he zhenghao's expression changed, and with a cold snort, he seemed to make no movement, but the head of that youth suddenly flew high, and his body fell to the ground.
blood splattered, staining everyone nearby.
this sudden scene stunned all the young people.
some were scared and wanted to scream, but they covered their mouths tightly, only trembling and pale.
some were so frightened that their bodies went limp, falling to the ground.
some immediately knelt down and kowtowed to he zhenghao, apologizing.
"i'll give you another lesson: in the future, when stepping onto the path of cultivation, having a broad perspective is crucial. know who you can offend and who you cannot, what words you can say, and what words you cannot. be careful and considerate. don't wait until you die to blame me for not warning you today." he zhenghao, no longer the amiable old man, looked coldly at the group of youths.
li fan watched this drama unfold, observing the varying reactions of the young people. he knew that this lesson from immortal master he zhenghao would undoubtedly leave a deep impression on them.
not to mention these young people, even li fan, after listening to he zhenghao's words, felt like he had gained some insights.
he deeply saluted the immortal master, sincerely saying, "thank you for the lesson."
then he turned and walked towards the edge of the mountain.
in front of the thousand-foot cliff, without any hesitation or pause, li fan, with an unchanged expression, took a step forward.
but instead of falling, the sea of clouds in front seemed to be conscious, rolling and gathering under li fan's feet, steadily holding him up.
as he took another step and stabilized himself, li fan was carried by the rolling white clouds, flying towards the depths of the sea of clouds.
he zhenghao watched li fan's figure and couldn't help muttering, "excellent temperament, but unfortunately, too old!"
"what a pity!"
chapter 40: unexpected gains
the group of youths watched as li fan soared into the clouds and suddenly realized, understanding that immortal master he's words contained no deception or exaggeration. they felt a sense of shame.
"the first ones to enter the pure body spirit pool will get more spirit fluid. hurry, all of you, go!" immortal master he's expression softened, addressing the group of young men.
so the youths rushed towards the sea of clouds.
...
surrounded by dense clouds, li fan felt disoriented.
the white clouds around him continued to gather, becoming denser.
in an instant, they condensed into white spirit fluid, enveloping li fan.
in the midst of the spirit fluid, li fan not only didn't feel suffocated but also experienced incredible warmth and comfort.
it felt like being a fetus in the womb, and li fan's mind gradually relaxed completely.
a warm and gentle breath flowed through every inch of his skin, entering through the pores and entering li fan's body.
his entire body and soul seemed to be soaked in warm water, almost making li fan moan in comfort.
but soon, warmth turned into heat.
heat turned into scorching heat.
the scorching heat turned into a blazing fire.
unexpectedly, li fan let out a howl.
in that instant, he lost control of his body.
he felt a scorching magma-like flow rampage within and destroy his body, tearing and piercing through every nerve.
this kind of pain was beyond what a human could endure. li fan instinctively wanted to summon [truth], but he managed to endure it.
"three hundred years of hard pursuit, isn't it for this moment?"
"no matter what, i will never give up."
"i want to cultivate, i want longevity!"
in the midst of excruciating pain, li fan's consciousness shattered, but a strong determination supported him, preventing him from collapsing.
the hot stream circulated within his body endlessly, seemingly without end.
with each cycle, the level of destruction and pain deepened.
eventually, this agony reached a point where words could not describe.
the pain was like knives, chopping li fan's soul into pieces and then chopping those pieces again, incessantly and endlessly.
even with li fan's strong will, he gradually lost the power to resist in the face of this level of pain.
slowly, li fan's consciousness began to drift.
his consciousness began to dissipate.
if he couldn't sense li fan's stable vital signs within the formation, he would have rushed in.
currently, there was no way to interrupt the purification formation, so he had to continue waiting.
...
another three days passed.
he zhenghao's expression became somewhat unsightly. he didn't know what kind of monster he had encountered, to endure this long in the pure body spirit pool formation.
worse still, the materials sustaining the formation were running low.
if the materials were insufficient, the formation would be forcibly terminated, which could lead to unforeseen consequences, possibly undoing all the progress made.
normally, even if the formation was interrupted at this stage, it would only be li fan's misfortune, and it wouldn't be related to he zhenghao.
but thinking of li fan's horrifyingly steadfast determination, he zhenghao's expression fluctuated.
"never mind, let it be. consider this a gamble on this man's extraordinary future!"
after saying this, he zhenghao used his hand to perform a technique. items flew out of his storage ring and disappeared into the depths of the sea of clouds.
"thank goodness i've been quietly reserving some of these materials each time..." he zhenghao looked at his now almost half-empty storage ring with a hint of regret.
...
two more days passed, and the roiling sea of clouds gradually calmed.
the white clouds frolicked and escorted li fan back to the mountaintop.
he scanned the situation and confirmed that the miasma was completely gone from li fan's body. he zhenghao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"congratulations, young friend! from now on, the fetters are gone, and longevity is within reach!" he zhenghao warmly exclaimed.
feeling his body in a state he had never experienced before, li fan was still adjusting to his new physique.
at this moment, witnessing he zhenghao's sudden change in attitude, li fan felt puzzled.
although he had removed the immortal-mortal miasma from his body, he was still just an ordinary person who hadn't formally cultivated. he was ultimately just an ordinary mortal.
why was he zhenghao being so kind to him?
li fan looked at he zhenghao with a puzzled expression.
he zhenghao understood and told li fan about how he had spent eleven days in the pure body spirit pool, which was much longer than he knew.
"what? i stayed inside for so long?" li fan was truly surprised.
"yes, young friend, you didn't know, but the materials for this formation were about to run out. i even spent my own resources to add more for you..." he zhenghao boasted to take credit for himself.
at this moment, li fan was deeply shaken.
not because of he zhenghao's "selfless dedication," but because he found an additional cultivation technique on the panel of [truth].
it wasn't the "cleansing heart mantra" he had been practicing all along.
it was the "venerable refining heart mantra."
chapter 41: sitting on the mountain and reaping the harvest
after purging the miasma from his body, there was a significant change in li fan's attributes.
name: li fannôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
realm: mortal
physical age: 42/120↑
mental age: 505/2053↑
virtualization charging progress: 121%
anchor charging progress: 51%
current anchor points: 1
bound items: jade cosmos thousand variations sutra, tai yan boat, stone tablet of prohibition (damaged)
the upper limit of his physical age had surpassed one hundred and was still on the rise.
what surprised li fan even more was that the upper limit of his mental age had nearly doubled, reaching over two thousand years!
this effect couldn't be solely attributed to the pure body spirit pool. could it be because of this inexplicable venerable heart refinement mantra?
li fan was puzzled as to why the cleansing heart mantra had transformed into the venerable heart refinement mantra.
during his time in the pure body spirit pool, he had almost lost consciousness due to the unbearable pain, making it unclear what had transpired afterwards.
however, it wasn't the time to examine this in detail. li fan stabilized his mind and respectfully said to he zhenghao, "i shall never forget the immortal master's kindness. i will surely repay it in the future."
he zhenghao was waiting for these words from li fan, and his tone became even more amiable. "young friend, there's no need for such words. cultivation in the immortal path is arduous, and i'm only doing my best to help."
he took out a book and handed it to li fan. "after purging the miasma, the next step is to sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and guide it into your body. if you can condense the first trace of spiritual energy within your body, it signifies the entry into the qi condensation stage. at that point, you can officially be called a cultivator. this book, five spiritual sensing techniques, summarizes the experiences of past practitioners in sensing spiritual energy. study it carefully."
he then handed a square-shaped talisman to li fan with great solemnity. "this is a purification talisman. before guiding the spiritual energy into your body, you should carry it with you."
seeing li fan put away these two items, he zhenghao explained, "although you've purged the miasma from your body, it's not a one-time fix. you're still living in the secular world and need to interact with ordinary people every day. over time, it's inevitable that you'll be contaminated by the miasma again. this purification talisman can help you resist miasma intrusion, but it can only be effective for about five years."
"but with your talent, breaking through to the qi condensation stage within five years shouldn't be difficult," he zhenghao said with a smile.
"after breaking through to the qi condensation stage, you can come to the island to find me. by then, i'll take you to the residence of our ten thousand immortals alliance in the cong yun sea, the ten thousand immortals island. after arriving on the island, you can choose the appropriate technique and continue your cultivation."
he zhenghao informed li fan of the precautions during the process of guiding energy into the body in detail.
li fan rejoiced in his heart.
after guiding the energy into his body, the next step was to become a qi condensation cultivator.
li fan couldn't wait to start cultivating day and night.
but before that, he needed to examine the inexplicable venerable heart refinement mantra.
after searching his mind, there was no new way to operate it.
so, li fan began to practice according to the cultivation method of the venerable heart refinement mantra.
as soon as he initiated it, li fan noticed the difference between the venerable heart refinement mantra and the cleansing mantra.
previously, while practicing the heart cleansing mantra, it often took nearly half an hour to gradually calm down and rid the mind of all other distractions.
but once the venerable heart refinement mantra was cultivated, in just a moment, li fan felt his heart becoming clear.
it was as if a huge millstone appeared in his mind, constantly absorbing and crushing distractions, turning them into nourishment to enhance his spiritual sense.
practicing the heart cleansing mantra for three years, aside from the slight manifestations on his status panel, li fan had not noticed any other benefits.
however, practicing the venerable heart refinement mantra, li fan could clearly feel that his spirit was strengthening every moment.
although the increase was very small, it was indeed growing!
li fan was inexplicably delighted, followed by numerous doubts.
why did this "cleansing heart mantra," a technique commonly used to remove miasma, turn into this extraordinary "venerable heart refinement mantra" for himself in the cultivation world? was this venerable heart refinement mantra considered a cultivation technique?
with his current understanding of the cultivation world, li fan couldn't find an answer.
but li fan had a faint feeling that there must be a great secret hidden within.
he secretly vowed to investigate it in the future when the opportunity arose.
...
just a step away from entering the realm of cultivators and having unexpectedly obtained the miraculous technique "venerable heart refinement mantra," li fan couldn't help feeling a bit elated.
however, not long after, he received a letter.
the message in the letter shattered his sense of self-satisfaction.
xiao heng had successfully guided the energy into his body and had already gone to the ten thousand immortals island!
chapter 42: immortals and mortals can not coexist
term change: five spiritual sensing techniques > five spirit qi sensing method
*****
"i have no interest in cultivating to become an immortal."
the expression xiao heng had when he said these words was still vivid in li fan's memory.
how much time had passed since then? how did xiao heng manage to successfully expel the miasma from his body and directly break through to the foundation building stage?
li fan was filled with shock and confusion.
li fan read the letter sent by xiao heng repeatedly, then went out to inquire about the situation before reluctantly accepting this reality.
it turned out that although li fan had reassured him that the rumors of smuggling to the island were aimed at the heavenly treasure tower, xiao heng remained uneasy and sleepless after returning home.
every time he closed his eyes, he seemed to see the terrifying scene of immortals descending from the sky and slaughtering every one of the refugees on the island.
xiao heng was like this for several days.
in deep pain, xiao heng finally made up his mind.
to be able to sleep soundly and to become a cultivator, not having to live in fear every day, he seriously began to practice the cleansing heart mantra.
unexpectedly, when xiao heng focused, his progress was indeed astonishing.
with the help of medicines, it took less than a month for him to completely expel the miasma from his body.
afterwards, he felt the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth intimately wandering around him as if it were alive.
he was deeply captivated by this sight and immersed himself in it.
feeling as if he had a good night's sleep, he succeeded in guiding the energy into his body.
at first, he was a bit uncertain whether he had truly become the legendary cultivator.
but when he tried to get intimate with a maid at home, he suddenly felt a palpitation and instinctively slapped her to death. after this incident, xiao heng finally confirmed that he had indeed become a cultivator.
immortals and mortals must be separated.
although he had already become a qi condensation cultivator, xiao heng was at a loss about what to do next.
so, he went to meet the guardian immortal of liuli island.
unfortunately, at that time, he zhenghao was busy presiding over the pure body spirit pool and couldn't break away.
xiao heng could only go back home and wait patiently.
after li fan left the spirit pool and he zhenghao finally had some free time, xiao heng finally met him.
upon hearing xiao heng's experience, he zhenghao carefully investigated and confirmed that xiao heng was not lying.
he was first overjoyed, then repeatedly slapped his thigh, appearing regretful.
after a while, he cheered up and was eager to take xiao heng to ten thousand immortals island.
xiao heng asked if he could bid farewell to his friends, and he zhenghao naturally agreed.
afterwards, xiao heng said his farewells to the people leaving the realm, and then left.
as for li fan, xiao heng originally intended to come.
however, the population of the mortal world was vast, and those with spiritual roots were still a minority.
for the majority, becoming a cultivator was an elusive dream.
how unfair was this?
fortunately, in ancient times, there was an immortal master who taught a new dao!
"five spirit qi sensing" recorded that in those times, the immortal master generously taught the path of immortality to countless hopeless ordinary people.
the immortal master once said: "if i desire to ascend to immortality, why should i beseech the heavens? if the heavens do not grant it, i will take it for myself!"
a mortal seeking longevity didn't need to achieve harmony with heavens and earth, but instead plunder them!
so, the immortal master set out the clear principles and explained his path to everyone.
it was also the path followed in the current cultivation world.
the path to immortality was as follows:
absorb the spiritual energy of the heavens and the earth to condense qi;
consume a heavenly treasure to establish the foundation;
capture a law of the heavens and the earth to refine the golden core;
seize a subworld of the heavens and the earth to form the nascent soul;
extract the marrow of the heavens and the earth to transform the soul;
slaughter the soul of the heavens and earth to integrate the dao;
sacrifice the heavens and earth to achieve immortality!
...
with a thud, the "five spirit qi sensing" fell to the ground.
trembling, li fan picked it up, unable to hide his awe.
the cultivation method in this world was completely different from what he had anticipated.
in fact...
it was somewhat astonishing.
no wonder, since he encountered cultivators in this world, he had always felt something strange.
it seemed like the heavenly laws of this world held great malevolence towards cultivators.
whether it was the rule that different cultivation techniques couldn't be cultivated simultaneously, the strange phenomenon of a cultivator's body illuminating the sky for thousands of miles like a broadcast after death, or the peculiar immortal-mortal miasma within a mortal's body that posed significant harm to cultivators.
all these hinted at this fact.
now, at this moment, after li fan had come into contact with the cultivation world, the mystery was finally unraveled.
"defy the heavens and the earth to achieve eternal life!" li fan murmured slowly, exhaling a long breath.
*****
tl note: the mtl i read initially was pretty bad at translating realm names and the mtl sources i'm editing now are conflicting with each other, so i'm still not entirely sure of my translations of the higher cultivation realms. tentatively, they'll be qi condensation, foundation establishment, golden core, nascent soul, soul transformation, dao integration, and immortal god (particularly unsure on this one), but this is subject to change.
chapter 43: condensing the roots of heaven and earth
tl note: for some reason my mtl made a serious mistranslation earlier. xiao heng is in qi condensation, and not foundation establishment. the previous chapter has been edited to correct this.
*****
the description of the dao of immortality in five spirit qi sensing made li fan increasingly horrified as he read on.
before the golden core stage, it was relatively normal: absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, consuming a natural heavenly treasure, and capturing a law of heaven and earth.
however, after reaching the nascent soul stage, the style gradually became more insane.
seizing a subworld of heaven and earth, extracting the marrow of heaven and earth, slaughtering the soul of heaven and earth...
and even, ultimately, sacrificing the heavens and earth.
just reading these words would make one's heart pound with fear.
the heavens gave birth to all living beings.
practitioners cultivating in this way are essentially opposing and rebelling against the heavens, defying the natural order.
what does this represent? don't these practitioners know?
however, this method of cultivation advances too quickly.
the book records that since the immortal ancestor taught the new dao, a large number of ordinary people who were originally unable to cultivate became formidable in just a few decades.
cultivators at various stages, such as the golden core, nascent soul, and soul transformation, emerged one after another like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
during that time, the cultivation world was truly flourishing, with golden cores everywhere and nascent souls as common as dogs.
and those who originally adhered to the ancient methods of cultivation, watching their own cultivation being easily surpassed by ordinary people, how many could remain true to themselves and not attempt the immortal ancestor's method?
as a result, the traditional way of cultivation gradually declined, and the new method gradually replaced it.
after the popularization of the new method, the prosperity of the cultivation world reached its peak.
unfortunately, heaven's principles are clear, and prosperity will eventually decline.
countless cultivators, like wolves and tigers, greedily plundered the resources of heaven and earth without restraint.
even the increasingly frequent heavenly tribulations could not suppress the ever-growing number of cultivators.
so, one day, the counterattack of the heavens arrived.
the heavens and the earth underwent tremendous changes, and a great calamity descended.
since then, different methods of cultivation cannot be practiced together! the flourishing and developing cultivation world seemed to have suffered a heavy blow.
in order to have a chance of survival, cultivators plunged into endless mutual slaughter.
for a long time, the cultivation world seemed to be declining and decaying.
it took thousands of years for things to gradually stabilize.
nowadays, cultivators have become accustomed to the malice of the heavens and the earth.
they have summarized their experiences and lessons. after the great calamity, on the barren wasteland of the cultivation realm, they established a new order of cultivation.
however, when li fan made little progress for a long time, he stopped sending anyone.
in the heavenly treasure pavilion, because of li fan and xiao heng, despite the absence of wanhua chamber of commerce's backing, the business around the surrounding islands improved.
no one wanted to offend a business that possibly had the background of an immortal master, so they tried to avoid conflicts with the heavenly treasure pavilion as much as possible.
thus, over the three years, the heavenly treasure pavilion expanded its market extensively and flourished.
yin yuzhen's confidence soared, and she eagerly planned to return to night island to regain control of the heavenly treasure pavilion headquarters.
...
li fan only occasionally paid attention to external matters.
most of his energy was focused on cultivating the roots of heaven and earth.
unfortunately, this matter couldn't be rushed.
li fan estimated that barring any unforeseen circumstances, it would take him about two more years to succeed.
he had been cooped up at home for a very long time. one day, li fan, feeling restless, decided to go out.
without alarming anyone, he changed into different clothes, put on a hat, and came to the marketplace of liuli island.
compared to three years ago, it seemed like nothing had changed here.
the sounds of bargaining, calls to attract customers, and playful banter filled the air.
here, li fan felt the long-lost "humanity."
various thoughts in his mind, like dry saplings, were nourished and sprouted abundantly.
for just this moment, the progress of the roots of heaven and earth was greater than spending three days in solitary meditation at home.
li fan suddenly realized.
for ordinary cultivators, seclusion and meditation were necessary because most people were lacking in the fuel needed for the five spirits.
li fan's situation was special; the venerable heart refinement mantra constantly operated in his mind, and these stray thoughts turned into strong nourishment for his spirit.
however, the five spirit qi sensing method was obviously not as advanced as the venerable heart refinement mantra and couldn't plunder much. it could only pick up the leftovers.
li fan couldn't change this situation at the moment. if he wanted to accelerate the formation of the roots of heaven and earth, he needed to increase the daily stray thoughts that were born in his mind.
daily seclusion wouldn't work. he needed to be in the world.
having realized this, li fan couldn't help but feel a sense of joy.
it seemed that he might not need two years; he might step into the qi condensation stage earlier.
...
"senior li?" at this moment, a somewhat familiar voice came from behind.
li fan turned his head, looked at the person's face, paused for a moment, and then remembered who it was.
it was unexpectedly zhang haobo, the captain of the cangyuan ship, with whom he had a chance encounter before, on liuli island.
chapter 44: advancing to the qi condensation stage
zhang haobo looked at li fan with a mix of reverence and joy.
he had heard that elder li had already purged himself of the miasma and would soon become an immortal, revered in the eyes of many.
at this moment, he was both respectful and fearful.
"so it's you." li fan had a relatively good impression of this person and smiled, "it's been several years since we last met. how have you been lately?"
zhang haobo did not dare to be disrespectful and honestly replied, "thanks to elder li's blessings, the fleet has been doing quite well in recent years. especially when elder li goes to sea, you always bring back a lot of treasures, which has attracted many young people to join the fleet."
"our treatment and status on the island have also risen. many people envy us."
speaking halfway, zhang haobo paused, hesitated, and then continued.
"but... the brothers on the cangyuan have recently been discussing leaving liuli island. i also have this idea."
"oh?" li fan was a little surprised. "where do you want to go?"
"to be honest with elder li, we haven't decided yet," zhang haobo said somewhat anxiously.
li fan became interested, "since things are going well, why suddenly have the thought of leaving?"
zhang haobo scratched his head, "speaking of it, it's just... a vague sense of unease."
"unease? tell me more about it." li fan ordered.
zhang haobo was silent for a moment as if organizing his thoughts.
after a while, he looked around, then whispered, "to be honest, we brothers have encountered strange things on the sea recently."
"like what?"
"in recent voyages, almost every time we cast our nets, we would catch thousands of pounds of fish, full to the brim. nine out of ten times are like this, and there are all kinds of fish."
"isn't this a good thing?"
"indeed it's a good thing, but i've been fishing in the sea for more than ten years, and i've never seen anything like this before," zhang haobo's eyes flickered with a hint of doubt and fear.
"it's like all the fish in the entire seabed are fleeing, gathering together."
"is there more?" li fan pondered for a moment and asked.
"we brothers have lived around liuli island since we were young and are very familiar with the reefs around the island. but recently, we found that there are more exposed rocks around the island," zhang haobo said solemnly.
"you mean... the sea level is dropping?" li fan instantly understood.
...
this short episode soon passed, and li fan continued to immerse himself in cultivation.
time passed.
another year went by.
half a year ago, zhang haobo ultimately chose to leave the cong yun sea with some of the brothers from the cangyuan. this matter caused a stir on the island, and people began to worry.
however, it had been calm for the past half year, with no signs of any major disaster. so, people began to treat this matter as a joke.
yin yuzhen had finally accumulated enough power and returned to night island in high spirits. after some twists and turns, she managed to regain the position of the chief executive officer of the heavenly treasure pavilion.
with night island stabilized, there were many miscellaneous matters to deal with. to prevent any mischief, yin yuzhen could not return for a while. she would send someone to report good news to li fan.
he zhenghao didn't send anyone to visit again. in his view, it took li fan nearly four years to draw qi into his body, and his potential had clearly been exhausted. it wasn't worth his effort to pay much attention.
xiao heng would occasionally send letters to inquire about li fan's situation. it was said that xiao heng progressed rapidly and had now reached the middle qi condensation stage.
...
amidst the bustling world, li fan watched as a bystander.
he patiently continued to cultivate.
one day, li fan had a realization.
having accumulated enough five elements fuel, the roots of heaven and earth were finally going to take shape!
a phantom appeared in li fan's dantian. in an instant, li fan felt a subtle yet incredibly close connection between himself and the heavens and earth.
it was like a waterwheel drawing water from the river, irrigating the parched farmland.
tiny streams of heavenly and earthly spiritual energy flowed into li fan's dantian through the roots of heaven and earth, quickly spreading throughout his body.
in the seventh year after he entered the cultivation world, li fan finally entered the qi condensation stage.
*****
tl note:
by request, i've opened a patreon here; for $5, you can read 15 chapters ahead.
as i've opened a patreon, i'll also be holding myself to a schedule of 7 chapters a week. i have already been trying to follow this, and it's actually been rather easy since i've quite enjoyed this reread, which has been why i've been posting chapters at a pretty quick rate - however, i'll strictly ensure i don't fall below this rate from now on (and i'll still probably post faster anyways). i think it'll actually get easier, since i'm looking forward to the chapters ahead - these first few arcs have all just been somewhat slow setup, and the novel really gets going when li fan begins to use the information he's learned and starts to become the scheming mastermind manipulating everything behind the scenes we're all waiting for him to be. hope you guys will follow me until then, and thanks very much for all the support so far!
chapter 45: qi condensation stage
upon entering the qi condensation stage, li fan felt the earth-shaking changes in his body.
the spiritual energy surged and circulated within him, silently improving li fan's slightly aging body.
the subtle wrinkles on his face disappeared, and his skin became smooth once again.
long-lost vitality emerged within li fan as if he had returned to his youth, brimming with boundless energy.
he was rejuvenated, and his physique was greatly strengthened.
most importantly, li fan could now manipulate the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth.
he controlled the spiritual energy, transforming it into various shapes.
however, for now, he could only manipulate the spiritual energy based on instinct. to use the spiritual energy more efficiently, he would need corresponding techniques.
after some experimentation, li fan dispersed the spiritual energy in his hand and focused on the interface of [truth].
name: li fan
realm: qi condensation initial stage
physical age: 47/199
mental age: 510/2169↑
after breaking through to the qi condensation stage, li fan's maximum lifespan reached the limit of 199 years.
the five spirit qi sensing method mentioned that although the lifespan of cultivators far exceeded that of ordinary people, it was significantly suppressed compared to ancient times.
the maximum lifespan of a qi condensation stage cultivator was no more than 200 years.
even foundation establishment stage cultivators could only live for another 100 years at most before nearing the end of their lives.
only by achieving the golden core stage and glimpsing the laws of heaven and earth could their lifespan dramatically increase, reaching around 500-600 years.
in contrast to physical age, there was little increase in mental age.
there was almost no significant change.
after all, li fan had already greatly increased his mental age through cultivating the venerable heart refinement mantra previously, so he was not particularly surprised.
next, li fan took out the jade cosmos thousand variations sutra from the tai yan boat.
he had obtained this nascent soul stage technique from kou hong a long time ago but had been unable to examine it due to a lack of spiritual awareness.
however, he had been keeping it in mind all this time.
now that he had finally entered the qi condensation stage, li fan was eager to know its contents.
"'jade cosmos thousand variations sutra', a nascent soul stage technique. current number of practitioners: 0."
he picked up the jade slip, and the instructions for the technique naturally appeared in his mind.
li fan knew that this was also a change that occurred with the advent of the heavenly tribulation which banned multiple practitioners of the same cultivation technique.
sensing the jade slip with his spiritual awareness, countless words and images surged into li fan's mind like a tide.
after a moment of contemplation, li fan decided not to rush into choosing his main cultivation technique.
he could go to the ten thousand immortals island first to see the specific situation of the current cultivation world and then make a decision.
so, li fan came to the central formation on liuli island, intending to visit he zhenghao.
as soon as he arrived at the formation, he noticed that several servants had been waiting for him for a long time.
guided by the servants, li fan met he zhenghao again.
at this moment, he was not on the previous towering mountain but instead on a very ordinary small mountain.
in the midst of the surrounding mountains, it was inconspicuous.
he zhenghao was currently sitting in a small pavilion at the top of the mountain.
"i just noticed some unusual spiritual energy fluctuations on the island and knew that you had made a breakthrough," he zhenghao said, looking at li fan with a pleased expression. "although it took a bit long, you finally broke through."
"i have to thank senior for guiding me," li fan said politely.
"it was just a small favor." feeling the slight increase in his cultivation within his body, he zhenghao smiled and said, "you came to see me to go to the ten thousand immortals island, right?"
"exactly. i have no worldly concerns, so i can set off at any time," li fan nodded.
"good, in that case, follow me."
he zhenghao appeared in front of li fan with a flash and grabbed his shoulder.
"don't struggle."
he zhenghao's voice came into li fan's ears, and li fan released the protective aura that had spontaneously formed around him.
led by he zhenghao, li fan rose into the air and flew towards the sky.
the speed was extremely fast, and in the blink of an eye, he passed through the sea of clouds and arrived above the mountains.
"lead!"
he zhenghao formed a seal with one hand and pointed towards the continuous mountains below.
after a moment, countless peaks in the field shot out white light, converging in front of he zhenghao to form a huge ball of light.
"open!"
he zhenghao pointed upwards.
the ball of light accelerated sharply, following the direction pointed by he zhenghao, shooting straight up.
in an instant, a beam of light that pierced through heaven and earth was formed.
it slammed into the sun above.
the surface of the sun distorted for a moment, then split into two halves.
in the middle, a portal was formed.
"let's go!"
chapter 46: tianxuan mirror
"hum..."
the roaring sound echoed constantly in his ears, and the scene in front of him was constantly spinning, making it hard to see clearly.
after a while, li fan finally recovered from this unusual sensation.
"the first time using a teleportation array is always like this. you'll get used to it," he zhenghao explained casually.
li fan nodded in silence, observing the surroundings.
the current location seemed to be a large square.
at the forefront of the square stood a giant statue.
it depicted an old man with a tall crown and a long beard.
below the statue, the square was filled with large and small stone statues of all shapes and sizes.
without exception, all tens of thousands of stone statues in the square were looking up at the old man.
and the teleportation array that li fan came out of was in front of one of these stone statues.
"this is the transmission square. it was built to commemorate the preaching of the immortal ancestor. each of our ten thousand immortals alliance's residences has such a square," he zhenghao explained.
thinking of the scene described in five spirit qi sensing technique, where the immortal ancestor preached and connected with all living beings, li fan stared at the statue of the old man for a long time, silently nodding.
"flight is not prohibited on ten thousand immortals island, but remember not to exceed the height of the immortal ancestor statue. otherwise, you will be attacked by the ten thousand immortals formation. even if you are in the nascent soul realm, you may die in an instant," he zhenghao said solemnly, cautioning li fan.
li fan's heart trembled, and he remembered it instantly.
"although flying is not prohibited on the island, i advise you not to fly randomly when there's no need. all the cultivators in the entire cong yun sea gather here, and among them are those in the golden core and nascent soul realms. if you fly over their heads and provoke them, you might be remembered by them."
"in that case, when you leave ten thousand immortals island, they might kill you on a whim. there won't be a chance for you to reason with them."
he zhenghao led li fan and, as they walked, quietly explained the precautions on ten thousand immortals island.
as it concerned life and death, li fan remembered each one carefully.
after a short walk, the two of them passed through a corridor naturally formed by intertwined vines and arrived at a secluded forest full of greenery.
in the clearing of the forest, there was a huge and ancient mirror placed.
occasionally, cultivators hurried through the mirror, heading who knows where.
there were also cultivators coming out of the mirror, leaving directly.
"this mirror is our ten thousand immortals alliance's tianxuan mirror [1]."
"it is said that before the immortal ancestor preached, this tianxuan mirror was just an ordinary mirror. later, after the immortal ancestor preached, this mirror reflected the immortal ancestor's law and unexpectedly gave birth to its own consciousness. it then began to cultivate like a regular cultivator and gradually evolved into its current state."
"most things for us cultivators in ten thousand immortals alliance are handled by this tianxuan mirror. it is said that this treasure bears grudges. be careful not to speak carelessly." he zhenghao cautioned li fan in a low voice.
after a moment of silence, the tianxuan mirror continued, "those who have joined the ten thousand immortals alliance cannot join the five elders association, and vice versa."
"if violated, they will be jointly pursued and killed by both parties."
now it was li fan's turn to be silent.
"i haven't agreed to join your ten thousand immortals alliance, have i?"
"once you enter the tianxuan mirror and your consciousness is recorded, you are considered to have voluntarily joined the ten thousand immortals alliance."
"can i leave the ten thousand immortals alliance, not join the five elders association, and choose to be an independent cultivator?" li fan asked again.
the tianxuan mirror fell silent again.
after a while, it responded, "yes. but if you choose to leave, everything you have obtained in the ten thousand immortals alliance will be forcibly reclaimed. please decide carefully."
"can gold and silver be exchanged for contribution points?"
"yes, you can. please refer to the exchange list for specific exchange rules."
...
li fan asked the tianxuan mirror one question after another, tirelessly.
after a long time, he finally stopped.
"i don't have any more questions for now."
"alright, cultivator. if you have new doubts, feel free to call me at any time. you can also check it yourself through your consciousness."
the space became quiet again.
and with li fan's manipulation of his consciousness, this space transformed from the dark void into an ancient room.
the decorations and items inside were almost identical to those in the imperial advisor's residence.
li fan touched the decorations and items in the room with his hands, almost unable to perceive any difference.
"tianxuan mirror, it really is an extraordinary treasure," li fan silently said in his heart.
through the previous questioning, he gained a rough understanding of the ten thousand immortals alliance.
opening the martial arts exchange menu with his consciousness, li fan saw that even the simplest martial arts for the qi condensation stage required a thousand contribution points.
then, he opened the task list and filtered out the tasks available for the qi condensation initial stage. the rewards for these tasks were all five or ten points.
"it really is difficult to cultivate immortality." an inexplicable emotion arose in li fan's heart.
"you have a new image transmission, please check it in a timely manner." just at this moment, the voice of the tianxuan mirror sounded again.
*****
[1] tianxuan mirror translates roughly to heaven abyss mirror/heaven profound mirror or something like that.
chapter 47: tianxuan mirror enlightenment
li fan was a bit surprised. he had just arrived on this ten thousand immortals island not long ago, and someone was already sending him a video transmission? after opening it, a somewhat familiar figure appeared.
it was xiao heng.
at this moment, he looked almost like a different person compared to four or five years ago.
wearing a white robe, his long hair flowing, he exuded a sense of detachment.
"brother li, you're finally here," xiao heng said with a smile.
"when i was on the liuli island before, i was greatly indebted to your care. i've always been unable to repay it. i left abruptly when i broke through to the qi condensation stage that day, and i felt even more guilty."
"upon arriving on this ten thousand immortals island, i learned that it's difficult to find cultivation techniques in the current cultivation world. especially for new members who have just joined the ten thousand immortals alliance, it often takes one or two years to accumulate enough contributions to exchange for qi condensation stage cultivation techniques."
"that was the case for me back then. fortunately, as your strength grows, the ways to gain contribution points will also increase, and the situation will gradually improve."
"since i started cultivating, i've had many adventures. a year ago, i just broke through to the late qi condensation stage, and now i've encountered a bottleneck again. i intend to go to the central region of the cong yun sea, where the remnants of the cloud water heavenly palace lie, to find heavenly treasures and achieve foundation establishment. these treasures are hard to find. if i go, it may be several years before i can return."
"before leaving, i left a water-attributed cultivation technique for you. ten thousand immortals island is located in the cong yun sea, where the water element is the strongest. cultivating water-attributed techniques here is the easiest, and their power is quite impressive. brother li, remember to cultivate diligently, and it's best not to rashly leave the island before reaching the middle qi condensation stage."
"when i return, we must have a good drink together!"
...
xiao heng's figure gradually disappeared, leaving behind a jade slip.
"minor yan water technique, a qi condensation stage cultivation technique, current number of practitioners: 0."
li fan checked and saw that the minor yan water technique given by xiao heng only had the part up to the middle qi condensation stage and was not complete.
even so, the tianxuan mirror still required 800 contribution points to exchange for it.
"this kid..." li fan felt a warmth in his heart.
when it came down to it, li fan hadn't done much for xiao heng.
back then, he just buried su changyu and helped him find a slightly better place to stay on liuli island.
he also provided the correct information about the starry sea quicksand to li fan.
but xiao heng had always kept this small favor in his heart, even though his realm of cultivation had far surpassed li fan's now.
looking at it this way, xiao heng's character was indeed quite good.
taking advantage of the remaining free stay time in the tianxuan mirror, li fan began to practice the minor yan water technique.
he already knew the benefits of cultivating in the tianxuan mirror.
by spending contribution points, he could activate the auxiliary cultivation mode in the tianxuan mirror.
in this mode, the density of spiritual energy in the tianxuan mirror would increase several times compared to the outside world, almost comparable to top-tier sanctuaries. moreover, it could be converted into an endless amount of the corresponding attribute of spiritual energy needed by the cultivator, allowing the cultivator to practice without worrying about insufficient spiritual energy.
furthermore, the tianxuan mirror would grant the cultivators who practiced inside the mirror an enlightenment state. in this state, their comprehension ability would greatly increase, making it easier for them to practice cultivation techniques.
spending 10 contribution points, li fan exchanged for a day of auxiliary cultivation.
with a large influx of spiritual energy, li fan started practicing according to the minor yan water technique.
soon, he felt the enhancement of his cultivation speed brought about by the tianxuan mirror.
the spiritual energy seemed to be compressed and accelerated, spontaneously converging into li fan's body.
the cryptic and profound sentences in the minor yan water technique became clear to him at first sight, and he instantly knew how to practice it.
the spiritual energy followed the initial path of the cultivation technique and seemed as if it had been circulating smoothly countless times before, incredibly smooth.
this "super cultivation state" almost made li fan feel as if he was a natural genius.
practicing had become a kind of enjoyment.
li fan immersed himself in it and couldn't extricate himself.
a day passed quickly.
when the time was up, li fan suddenly retreated from that incredibly smooth cultivation state.
when he started practicing again, he deeply felt the difference.
the speed of cultivation under the auxiliary cultivation mode was more than thirty times faster than when he practiced on his own!
this profound difference made li fan almost unable to resist exchanging for another day.
but looking at the remaining 10 contribution points, li fan forced himself to endure it.
"such a treasure, it should belong to me."
greed suddenly surged in li fan's heart.
chapter 48: extinct liuli fish
unfortunately, li fan could only think about it for now.
the tianxuan mirror was the treasure of the ten thousand immortals alliance, its foundation. it was not something a small qi condensation cultivator like li fan could covet.
better to accept missions and earn contribution points more realistically.
suppressing the greed in his heart, li fan clicked on the contribution points mission list.
he filtered out the missions for the early qi condensation stage that had little danger.
at a glance, these were all odd jobs and errands, with most of the rewards being just one or two contribution points.
moreover, they often disappeared after a moment, obviously being taken by others.
after removing the condition of low danger, many new missions appeared.
these tasks often required visiting various islands in the cong yun sea to accomplish something. but because the tasks dealt with mortals, there was no need for combat, and the danger was not too high.
the rewards for these tasks were around five to ten points.
and using the teleportation array of the ten thousand immortals island also required contribution points, one point per use.
after deducting the two points needed for a round trip, not much of the reward from a mission was left.
earning enough contribution points to stay in the tianxuan mirror and occasionally cultivate was not an easy task.
although it became easier to earn contribution points as one's strength increased, the contribution points required to activate the auxiliary cultivation mode also increased as the cultivation level rose.
in this way, one had to work hard to earn contribution points.
furthermore, exchanging for cultivation methods also required a large number of contribution points...
li fan suddenly understood why the tianxuan mirror had opened up this auxiliary cultivation feature.
for cultivators who had experienced this kind of super cultivation mode, it was hard to refuse in the future.
moreover, under the premise of spending the same amount of time, opening the auxiliary cultivation mode after accumulating contribution points would be faster in overall cultivation progress than practicing alone.
cultivation methods, resources, auxiliary cultivation...
the ten thousand immortals alliance indeed had a tight grip on cultivators.
thinking about this, li fan looked for tasks that suited him while considering how to earn contribution points.
earning contribution points was secondary; li fan's main purpose was to find an opportunity to go out and take out the tai yan boat hidden in the [truth].
there were still many gold and silver treasures in the tai yan boat, as well as a heavenly treasure: the stone tablet of prohibition.
it was estimated that he could exchange for a lot of contribution points.
after deducting one contribution point, li fan activated the teleportation array.
this time, the dizziness was indeed much weaker, and soon li fan recovered.
"i wonder who this friend is..." the voice of he zhenghao faintly came.
"huh? why is it you?" he zhenghao looked a bit puzzled when he saw the person clearly.
li fan immediately recounted the task he had taken and the matter of coming to get liuli beads.
"liuli beads, i'll have someone take you to get them," he zhenghao said, nodding without much concern. "you're adapting quite quickly, going out to do tasks in such a hurry."
"ah, life forces me to," li fan said, pretending to be a bit helpless.
he zhenghao immediately had a knowing look.
following the servant to liuli mansion, li fan met the finance manager in charge.
the finance manager respectfully fell to the ground, and it wasn't known if he recognized li fan.
after all, li fan had previously been in charge of a fleet on liuli island, and he had crossed paths with the finance manager.
however, even if he recognized li fan, the finance manager probably would pretend not to.
in any case, in their eyes, a cultivator was a high and mighty existence.
after receiving the order, the finance manager quickly took out all the liuli beads stored on the island.
"reporting to the immortal master, there are currently only twenty-three liuli beads left on the island. this is all we have been able to collect recently on liuli island. if the immortal master still needs them, it may take about a year or so." the finance manager said somewhat anxiously.
"oh? what happened?" li fan asked.
"i dare not deceive the immortal master. according to the feedback from the island's fishing fleet, it seems that due to overfishing, the encountered groups of liuli fish have become fewer and fewer. it may take some time for them to recover naturally before they can be caught again." the finance manager said.
li fan nodded upon hearing this.
however, in his mind, zhang haobo's words suddenly emerged.
"i understand this matter." li fan put the liuli beads into the storage ring and didn't return immediately. instead, he first went to his home.
entering the house, li fan waited for a while, released his divine sense to ensure that he zhenghao was not secretly watching, and then released the tai yan boat.
then he quickly transferred the gold and silver as well as the stone tablet of prohibition inside the tai yan boat.
after doing all this, li fan returned to the guardian array.
just as he was about to return directly to the ten thousand immortals island, li fan heard a voice behind him.
"young friend, please wait!"
li fan's hair stood on end, and he turned around, looking at he zhenghao with a vigilant gaze.
chapter 49: a rare opportunity
he zhenghao was puzzled and didn't understand why li fan had such a reaction.
fortunately, he zhenghao didn't dwell on it and looked at li fan with a smiling face, saying, "there's no need to be nervous. i just wanted to ask if my young friend is interested in guarding an island?"
"of course, not this liuli island, but the taian island to the west of liuli island."
"the guardian of taian island has a good relationship with me. currently, he is facing a bottleneck in his cultivation and wants to go out to seek opportunities."
"however, due to his responsibilities, he can't leave on his own. so he asked me if i knew anyone suitable to recommend."
"it's a coincidence that i met you."
he zhenghao explained.
"to guard an island, at least foundation establishment cultivation is needed, right? i've just entered the qi condensation stage. can i really take up this guardian position?" li fan asked, somewhat surprised.
in the cong yun sea archipelago, as long as there's a certain valuable specialty product nearby, there will be cultivators guarding it.
the guardianship can range from ten to a hundred years.
because one has to stay on the island all the time and cannot easily leave, the restrictions are significant, so the rewards are substantial.
depending on the size and scale of the island, the annual contribution points one can receive range from a few hundred to over a thousand.
therefore, the job of guarding an island is indeed quite attractive, and it's impossible to do it without certain connections.
moreover, the guardianship of those rich islands is even more so. often, they are arranged in advance long before the previous guardian leaves.
"it's not a formal guardian position. it's just that my friend has issued a targeted commission for you to temporarily take over the guardian role for him on taian island. moreover, taian island is not a large island, and with the guardian array, a qi condensation cultivator is sufficient to take care of it for a while. you don't have to worry, young friend."
"and as the referrer, i will naturally receive a certain reward," he zhenghao explained warmly to li fan.
"during the temporary guardianship, how long can i leave at most?" li fan asked again.
"the guardian array generally operates every five days. if you have to leave for something, it's best to return within five days. it's not advisable to leave more than three times within a year."
thinking li fan was worried about delaying his cultivation, he zhenghao added, "after receiving your contribution points each year, you can exchange for five days of assisted cultivation time in the tianxuan mirror. these five days often can be equivalent to half a year of ordinary hard cultivation."
li fan knew this was a good thing and agreed immediately.
"but i still have to wait until i return to the ten thousand immortals island and complete the task," li fan said.
"naturally. young friend, you go first. when things are ready on taian island in a few days, i'll go to the island to find you."
afterward, li fan bid farewell to he zhenghao and returned to ten thousand immortals island.
he didn't need to go to the pharmacy; he just needed to hand over the liuli beads in the tianxuan mirror.
after a while, the pharmacy received the twenty-three liuli beads.
because the quality of these liuli beads varied, li fan received a reward of 21 contribution points.
since the tianxuan mirror said so, li fan felt relieved.
afterward, he thought for a moment and searched for information about the liuli pill.
the liuli pill was an auxiliary pill, commonly used from qi condensation to foundation establishment stage cultivation.
after consumption, one's mind would be as clear as a crystal, pure and transparent.
it could produce effects similar to "enlightenment," increasing the comprehension of techniques and the speed of cultivation.
furthermore, the effects could stack with the tianxuan mirror's assisted cultivation.
the majority of the cultivators in the ten thousand immortals league were constantly traveling outside, accumulating contribution points, and cultivating time was precious.
thus, the liuli pill, which could enhance cultivation efficiency, became even more precious.
the liuli pill was very popular among qi condensation and foundation establishment cultivators, and its price fluctuated between five and six contribution points per pill.
li fan checked and found that the current price was six points per pill.
"the near-extinction of liuli fish for unknown reasons will definitely drive up the price of liuli pills." li fan thought to himself. therefore, he spent 2100 contribution points and purchased 350 liuli pills from the tianxuan mirror all at once.
afterward, he reported to the tianxuan mirror about the near-disappearance of the liuli fish population on liuli island.
the tianxuan mirror fell silent, emitting slight fluctuations.
after a while, li fan received a reward of 1 contribution point.
this was the tianxuan mirror confirming the authenticity of the information.
yes, providing information to the tianxuan mirror could also earn contribution points.
the higher the value of the information, the more rewards one could receive.
logically speaking, the value of the information li fan provided should be more than just 1 contribution point.
perhaps the tianxuan mirror viewed li fan's hoarding behavior as somewhat unfavorable, so it only gave him 1 point as a reward.
li fan didn't mind.
his purpose had been achieved with this operation.
first, he confirmed that the tianxuan mirror was unaware of what happened after he left ten thousand immortals island. in other words, as long as he left ten thousand immortals island, he didn't need to worry about the tianxuan mirror's prying.
second, he confirmed that the tianxuan mirror indeed had its own will. this was evident from only giving him 1 contribution point, showing its displeasure with li fan's behavior.
third, naturally, it was to seize this opportunity to make a good profit.
the market's response was quite swift.
the price of liuli pills suddenly skyrocketed in a short time, surging from 6 points per pill to 9 points per pill.
chapter 50: taian fruits
the prices of items sold in the tianxuan mirror are not fixed.
the prices are regulated by the tianxuan mirror and are directly related to the number of people buying the items.
for example, at this moment, the news of the depletion of liuli beads and the temporary halt in liuli pill production immediately triggered a frenzy of purchases among some individuals.
some genuinely needed the liuli pill to accelerate their cultivation, but many, like li fan, wanted to hoard and make a significant profit.
as a result, the price of liuli pills surged from 6 points to 9 points in a short period.
this sudden change in price also caught the attention of those who were unaware.
after some inquiries, they found out about the imminent extinction of liuli beads.
these individuals hastily joined the buying frenzy as well.
the price of liuli pills continued to rise.
temporarily reaching an astonishing price of 12 points per pill.
li fan thought it was enough and chose to sell all the liuli pills he had on hand.
naturally, he sold them directly to the tianxuan mirror.
due to the high demand, the tianxuan mirror's purchase price was not as low as when it bought the stone tablet of prohibition, almost halving the price.
instead, it was at a "high" price of 10 points per pill.
li fan wasn't greedy and readily sold all 350 liuli pills he held.
he received 3,500 contribution points, adding to the previous 129 points, bringing li fan's total contribution points to an impressive 3,629 points!
after li fan made his move, the market's fervor gradually cooled down.
the price of 12 points per pill obviously exceeded the true value of liuli pills.
after all, the effectiveness of liuli pills was not irreplaceable. there were many other pills with similar functions. the reason liuli pills were popular was their low price.
the sudden surge in the price of liuli pills was just due to people in the market being stimulated by the sudden news, temporarily losing their rationality.
when everyone calmed down, the price of liuli pills returned to a relatively reasonable and stable rate.
8 points contribution per pill.
while a concealment talisman hid one's cultivation level, the false authority talisman was used to disguise oneself as a cultivator of a higher realm.
he zhenghao gave li fan this false authority talisman to make him appear as a foundation establishment cultivator!
indeed, the claim that a qi condensation cultivator was adequate to guard an island was just a ploy to deceive li fan.
he zhenghao had planned all along to have li fan masquerade as a foundation establishment cultivator and take on the commission to guard taian island, thereby earning the price difference!
it was worth noting that the cost of hiring a foundation establishment cultivator and a qi condensation cultivator was vastly different in terms of contribution points.
he zhenghao didn't notice li fan's expression and cheerfully introduced the guardian of taian island, zhou qingang, to li fan.
li fan couldn't expose he zhenghao's plan, so he could only smile and greet zhou qingang reluctantly.
this person must not be closely associated with! li fan glanced at he zhenghao, who had a smiling face and silently criticized.
zhou qingang looked at li fan and seemed quite satisfied.
immediately, he directly issued a specific commission to he zhenghao.
after accepting the commission, he zhenghao turned to li fan and issued a commission to him.
"during zhou qingang's search for opportunities, substitute for him in guarding taian island. reward: 800 contribution points per year."
fortunately, he zhenghao didn't skimp too much on the reward. at this point, li fan had no choice but to accept this task.
zhou qingang handed a jade token to he zhenghao, then left in a hurry to seek his own breakthrough opportunities.
seeing this, he zhenghao breathed a sigh of relief and handed the token to li fan, saying solemnly, "this is the guardian token of taian island. with this, you can control the island's protective array. please take good care of it and don't lose it."
li fan accepted the token, and then the two of them used a teleportation array to arrive at taian island.
taian island was not as grand as liuli island, with its thousands of peaks. taian island looked more like a bustling city.
what set it apart was that the residents of the city were all fruits with human faces.
these fruits lived and worked in this formation-defended city, just like real people.
they would live out their entire lives.
"this is the specialty of taian island, the taian fruits," he zhenghao explained to li fan as they strolled through the city, pointing to the bustling "crowd."
"when these fruit-like people die, it means the taian fruits have ripened. consuming a ripe taian fruit can add five years to the lifespan of a cultivator in the foundation establishment stage or below."
"it only has an effect the first time a person consumes it," he zhenghao regretfully added.
chapter 51: fruit harvesting
"the stipulated annual amount of taian fruits to be submitted is thirty pieces. any extras can be kept for yourself, consider it a perk for serving as a guardian."
"on average, you can save about two taian fruits per year. in the tianxuan mirror, the price of taian fruits generally ranges from 90 to 100 contribution points."
"so all in all, the compensation for acting as the guardian is indeed not low," he zhenghao explained to li fan with a chuckle.
li fan nodded. although he zhenghao used some tricks, what he said was not untrue.
on ten thousand immortals island, earning a thousand contribution points per year at the qi condensation stage was definitely quite rare.
he zhenghao enjoyed the benefits while li fan got a little share of the pie.
"i appreciate your help, senior," li fan said, clasping his hands in gratitude.
"no need to be so formal. you were born on the island i'm guarding, and it's only right that i guide you. as long as you advance in your cultivation in the future, my efforts won't be in vain..." he zhenghao was speaking when suddenly he stopped.
he made a soft exclamation and looked at li fan with a slightly surprised tone, "you've advanced to the mid qi condensation stage?"
li fan was startled; he hadn't expected that even with a hidden qi talisman, the other party could still tell.
he nodded and openly admitted, "yes. i have a close relationship with xiao heng. before he left, he left behind a water attribute technique for me. the technique suits me well, and my progress in cultivation has been rapid. i just broke through a few days ago."
"hehe, you're quite cautious. if it weren't for my unique technique, i might not have noticed. you used a hidden qi talisman?" he zhenghao asked.
li fan nodded.
"it's understandable. caution is never a bad thing, especially in the cultivation world where there are many with ill intentions..." he zhenghao was speaking when he suddenly noticed that li fan was giving him a peculiar look. he quickly laughed it off and changed the topic, "i didn't expect you to have such a good relationship with xiao heng, and he even left a technique for you."l--b1n.
"xiao heng is indeed a rare talent, practicing for only a few years, and he's about to reach foundation establishment. his future is limitless!" obviously, he zhenghao had been paying attention to xiao heng, and at this moment, he spoke with a mix of emotion and envy.
"reaching the golden core stage and even the nascent soul stage in the future is not impossible. your close relationship with him is truly a blessing," he zhenghao continued, sounding increasingly enthusiastic.
"it's a fortunate encounter to meet a senior like you as well," li fan praised casually.
he zhenghao heard this and burst into hearty laughter, quite pleased.
at this moment, he paused, turned to look in a certain direction in the city, and said, "coincidentally, a taian fruit has ripened now. i'll demonstrate to you, young friend, how to pick a taian fruit."
li fan nodded and followed he zhenghao to a house.
indeed, the effect of the fragrance seemed to accumulate. with li fan's indecision, the fragrance became increasingly intense.
under the influence of the fragrance, a sense of hunger welled up from deep within.
so, after a while, li fan hesitated no more and swallowed the taian fruit in one go.
the hunger instantly disappeared. even though it was just a small fruit, li fan belched as if he had just finished a large meal.
li fan checked his [truth] panel and saw that the upper limit of his physical age had increased by 5 years.
smacking his lips, li fan reminisced about the taste of the taian fruit. "this miraculous item that increases one's lifespan, it's truly extraordinary. it just looks a bit strange, resembling a person and making one nervous."
he zhenghao responded with a smile, "the taian fruit is indeed derived from humans, hence the resemblance."
li fan's expression froze.
suppressing the churning sensation in his stomach, li fan asked in horror, "are all the taian fruits in this city real people?"
he zhenghao wasn't too concerned about li fan's reaction.
however, considering li fan had only recently entered the cultivation world, he could understand, so he continued to explain, "strictly speaking, taian fruit is a type of fruit, not a human being."
li fan breathed a sigh of relief at hearing this but still had reservations, "what do you mean by derived from humans?"
"this goes back to the origin of the taian fruit," he zhenghao said, leading li fan back to the city above as he spoke.
"five hundred years ago, taian island was just a very ordinary island. the surrounding area had no valuable special products, and the island had only a few thousand ordinary people living there."
"such small islands are numerous in the cong yun sea."
"but one day, everything suddenly changed."
"first, the ordinary people on the surrounding islands noticed that they hadn't seen any residents of taian island for a long time. occasionally, merchants from the island used to come and go, but they hadn't seen them for over a year."
"driven by curiosity, some people sailed to taian island to find out what was going on."
"but unexpectedly, several waves of people who went there never returned."
"realizing something was wrong, the people quickly reported this to the guardian of the island at the time."
"at that time, the guardian was already a golden core cultivator. even so, upon seeing what had happened on taian island, he fell into deep fear."
chapter 52: guarding taian island
"the ordinary people on the island had all disappeared. the city where they once gathered had now become a forest of lush trees, resembling a primitive forest."
"on the branches of those trees hang numerous taian fruits."
"when a gentle breeze passes by, the fruit's human faces reveal an eerie smile."
as he zhenghao narrated, li fan felt as if he could see countless human faces smiling at him.
thinking about how he had just eaten one of these fruits, li fan involuntarily felt a shiver down his spine.
he zhenghao continued speaking.
"the golden core guardian, after recovering from his shock, went down to investigate the city."
"there wasn't a single ordinary person left on the entire island; they had all turned into smiling fruit. however, the golden core guardian couldn't figure out why this bizarre event had occurred. so, he had no choice but to report it."
"the ten thousand immortals alliance sent someone to investigate, but no one knows what the specific results were. however, all the trees in the city were later cut down, and the city was restored to its original appearance. the human-faced fruits acted as if nothing had happened, continuing to live in the city in the same way."
"generation after generation, they've reproduced until now. the ten thousand immortals alliance has also constructed a great formation here, and dedicated individuals guard and harvest the fruits."
upon hearing this, li fan couldn't help but say, "in this case, aren't these taian fruits essentially human?"
he zhenghao shook his head, saying, "how can they be human? they have no consciousness of their own and act solely on instinct. at most, they retain some remnants of human desires."
li fan pondered for a moment and ultimately didn't argue.
this matter was too extraordinary, and he didn't know how to categorize these taian fruits.
however, once the effect of prolonging one's life was discovered by cultivators, these details became unimportant.
not to mention these taian fruits, even if they were genuine ordinary humans, if consuming them extended one's lifespan, they couldn't escape the fate of being consumed.
li fan fell into contemplation.
he zhenghao also seemed to recall something and fell into silence.
after a long while, the two of them finally snapped back to reality.
next, he zhenghao briefed li fan on some matters to pay attention to regarding guarding the island.
li fan remembered them all.
"the great formation covers the entire island, and each operation of the formation extracts a trace of spiritual energy from the ordinary people within it."
"the amount extracted is very small and won't have any significant impact on ordinary people. however, when these traces of spiritual energy gather and accumulate, the quantity becomes considerable."
li fan didn't know the specific strength of the tianxuan mirror.
however, judging by common sense, it should be at least not below a soul transformation stage cultivator.
the might of a soul transformation cultivator was far beyond what li fan could speculate at present.
so, even if he was dissatisfied, he could only accept the reality for the time being.
after finishing these books, li fan started attempting to read about alchemy, artifact forging, formations, and related topics.
compared to the previous section on spells, these contents were much more complicated.
it was a vast and complex field, and li fan didn't know where to start.
just reading through the basics of alchemy in 'introduction to alchemy,' which included the harvesting of various herbs and their effects as well as identification and analysis, took li fan a full ten days.
not to mention what came after: choosing and controlling the alchemical fire, furnace control, and alchemy practice. li fan estimated it would be impossible for him to fully read through all this in less than a year.
knowing that learning these skills often required being guided by a master, after some hesitation, li fan finally chose to temporarily give up.
so, he temporarily set aside distracting thoughts and started practicing 'jade cosmos thousand variations sutra.'
this ancient technique from the tianji sect was truly obscure and difficult to comprehend. it was entirely different from the 'minor yan water technique' that li fan had practiced before, not belonging to the same system at all.
even with the assistance of liuli pills to enhance his comprehension, li fan still spent nearly half a year just to barely grasp the basics.
the hardship made li fan contemplate going to the tianxuan mirror and practicing 'jade cosmos thousand variations sutra' in the super-assisted cultivation mode.
but in the end, he suppressed this thought.
ultimately, li fan couldn't let go of his concerns about the ten thousand immortals alliance.
judging from their way of doing things, the ten thousand immortals alliance was clearly not a benevolent group.
if he aroused the interest of the tianxuan mirror and exposed the nascent soul technique, it wouldn't be much of an issue. but if the existence of [truth] was exposed, that would be a genuine disaster.
so, li fan chose to cultivate slowly, despite his numerous frustrations.
and so, a year passed.
li fan returned to ten thousand immortals island and received the reward for acting as the temporary guardian, 800 contribution points. he then exchanged these points for the later stages of 'minor yan water technique.'
after practicing for five days in the assisted cultivation mode of the tianxuan mirror, he reluctantly returned to taian island.
five days of rapid cultivation made li fan faintly feel that he was not far from the later stages of qi condensation.
chapter 53: disaster for cultivators
on taian island, within the protective array.
"a bottleneck? heavenly tribulation?" li fan browsed through the purchased "miscellaneous records of cultivation," his brows slightly furrowed.
since returning from ten thousand immortals island a few days ago, he hadn't stopped his cultivation for a moment. he had initially thought of seizing the opportunity to break through to the later stages of qi condensation.
but even though he had clearly felt that he was close to a breakthrough, no matter how hard li fan cultivated, he always felt like he was just a tiny bit short. it was as if this tiny difference was an insurmountable chasm.
after perusing the "miscellaneous records of cultivation," li fan finally confirmed that he had encountered a bottleneck.
during ancient times, there were mentions of cultivation bottlenecks. these were points in the cultivation process where progress seemed to halt.
in today's cultivation world, these bottlenecks had an even greater impact on cultivators. starting from the middle stages of qi condensation, every cultivator would inevitably encounter bottlenecks when advancing through various stages.
breaking through these bottlenecks was not only about hard work. it required finding an opportunity that resonated with one's current cultivation, allowing them to break through successfully.
these opportunities could be as simple as seeing a painting, drinking tea, sudden enlightenment, or flashes of insight during life-and-death struggles. it could also be something someone casually mentioned or the careful guidance of a senior.
in essence, these opportunities were unpredictable and could only be perceived through fate.
these bottlenecks significantly slowed down a cultivator's progress, as if a heavenly disaster had descended to obstruct their cultivation path. for this reason, cultivators referred to it as a heavenly tribulation.
now, this heavenly tribulation had descended upon li fan.
his plan to break through quickly had fallen apart due to this obstacle.
sitting in the protective array for several days, li fan hadn't sensed any opportunities to break through.
knowing that he couldn't rush this process, he didn't feel anxious. he temporarily set aside the cultivation of the minor yan water technique and started practicing jade cosmos thousand variations sutra.
jade cosmos thousand variations sutra consisted of five layers, corresponding to the five major realms of ancient times: innate, qi condensation, foundation building, core formation, and nascent soul.
the innate realm was a unique existence in some ancient sects' cultivation methods during ancient times. it focused on cleansing the impurities acquired after birth to return to a state of innate purity. according to these sects, starting cultivation from the innate realm would make it easier to comprehend the heavenly dao, allowing for faster and higher cultivation progress.
however, with the advent of new cultivation methods that emphasized expedited cultivation, few people practiced the innate realm.
despite this, the foundation of the jade cosmos thousand variations sutra was in the innate realm.
time passed unnoticed during his practice.
one day, a golden mist of spiritual energy, entirely different from the water element, suddenly appeared in li fan's dantian.
li fan opened his eyes abruptly, revealing a look of delight.
"i've finally mastered the second layer of jade cosmos thousand variations sutra! li fan breathed a sigh of relief.
stretching his somewhat stiff body, he looked at the time, feeling somewhat dazed.
he hadn't expected that this seclusion would last a full year.
however, in li fan's perception, it felt like he had only slept for a short while.
nonetheless, hard work always bore fruit.
li fan's eyes lit up as he gathered the golden spiritual energy in his eyes, activating the "discern variations" ability.
"let me see what the so-called heaven and earthly auras are like." li fan was excited to test his newfound power.
he looked towards taian island.
what he saw, however, sent shivers down his spine.
a dense, black aura, like a thick layer of dark clouds, shrouded the entire taian island.
the oppressive death aura made the island look like the underworld, even in broad daylight.
li fan dispelled the technique, and then used it again.
after several repeated attempts, li fan could only confirm that he wasn't seeing things.
"how could this be?" li fan was filled with disbelief.
suddenly, he seemed to remember something and quickly cast the discern variations technique to examine himself.
in the reflection, the accumulation of death aura on his head was hundreds of times denser than that on the island's ordinary people!
chapter 54: the scheme of heaven and earth
"what's going on?"
in shock, li fan's discern variations technique shattered.
his mind was in chaos, a whirlwind of thoughts.
after a while, li fan slowly regained his composure.
"could there be something wrong with this jade cosmos thousand variations sutra?"
his immediate reaction was that there might be an issue with this cultivation technique.
the so-called "discerning variations" might no longer be applicable in the changed world of cultivation after the earth-shattering events of the past.
after all, li fan was currently within the island defense array of taian island.
taian island was located in the central area of the cong yun sea, within the sphere of influence of the ten thousand immortals alliance.
it had been safe and peaceful before, so how could disaster suddenly loom upon closing the gate?
however, sensing the dense death energy around him, li fan couldn't convince himself that it was that simple.
the unease in his heart grew stronger.
making a quick decision, regardless of whether it was true or false, he decided to head to ten thousand immortals island to avoid any potential disaster.
so, he immediately tried to activate the teleportation array to go to ten thousand immortals island.
but what made him frown was that the teleportation array didn't respond!
li fan's face darkened.
he took out the communication charm that he zhenghao had given him, attempting to contact he zhenghao.
after channeling spiritual energy, there was still no response!
the situation was becoming clear. something indeed strange had happened.
staying on taian island would be a dead end. he couldn't just sit and wait for disaster to strike!
li fan summoned the tai yan boat, took out "atlas of the cong yun sea," and prepared to personally navigate the flying boat.
the original spirit stones powering the tai yan boat were almost depleted, but fortunately, li fan acquired many spirit stones during his extravagant shopping spree.
li fan estimated that it would take about two to three months to fly from taian island to ten thousand immortals island.
the spirit stones would definitely be enough.
at this point, li fan no longer cared about the task of guarding the island. he directly steered the flying boat, preparing to leave.
just as the tai yan boat was about to fly out of the island defense array, li fan suddenly sensed an endless murderous intent from the outside.
like countless sharp swords, it pervaded the heavens and the earth.
seeing that they also hadn't had enough to eat, li fan suppressed his killing intent.
amidst the tearful pleas of these people, li fan finally understood what had happened during the year of his seclusion.
the drought began half a year ago.
initially, it hadn't rained for many days, but people didn't pay much attention.
it was only when two months passed without a drop of rain that the people on the island began to panic.
the island had a source of fresh water, but with the passing days and no rain, it had gradually dried up.
initially, they could sustain themselves by catching fish near the island, but as the weather became hotter, they could no longer catch fish around the island. moreover, after the fleets that went to the distant seas to fish never returned, taian island plunged into famine.
in just a month, a third of the island's population had died, and no one knew how many tragedies had occurred.
the remaining survivors were struggling to survive.
if li fan had come out of seclusion a bit later, he was afraid that he wouldn't even find a few living people.
with things at this point, li fan couldn't stand idly by.
when he left the land of immortal extinction, besides a few cabins filled with gold and silver treasures, the rest of the tai yan boat was filled with grain.
originally, it was just a precaution due to his cautious habit of exploring the unknown world.
he didn't expect that it would come in handy almost ten years later.
the tai yan boat had a purification array, so the food wouldn't spoil.
li fan immediately enlarged the tai yan boat and ordered the ordinary people on the island to move some of the food out for emergency use.
seeing that the immortal master had brought life-saving food, everyone on the island knelt down in excitement, continuously knocking their heads.
li fan didn't pay attention to them and allowed them to rejoice.
the food inside the tai yan boat would last the people on the island for a few months if they ate sparingly.
the main thing was to solve the issue of fresh water.
with water, they could survive.
li fan went to the main freshwater source on the island, a medium-sized lake in the center of the island.
the lake had long been guarded by dedicated personnel to prevent ordinary people from approaching.
due to the long period without rain, the lake had significantly shrunk, leaving only about a tenth of its original size, and it was about to dry up completely.
"when constructing the island defense array, i never expected to encounter a water shortage like this..."
holding the taian island guard order, li fan shook his head helplessly.
"it seems that i need to create a purification array to cleanse seawater."
chapter 55: overcoming death to obtain life
half a month later, a rudimentary seawater purification array was completed.
with sufficient drinking water and food once again, the surviving residents of taian island bowed in gratitude, thanking the immortal master for saving their lives.
however, li fan was not as elated as they were; instead, he felt somewhat worried.
after personally constructing an array, li fan had barely stepped onto the path of array techniques.
it was then that he realized the island defense array of taian island was deteriorating at an abnormal speed.
generally, island defense arrays could operate for over a hundred years.
however, at the current rate of deterioration, in another two to three years, the array would completely lose its effectiveness.
after careful investigation and consulting "theory on formations," li fan found the cause of the array's damage.
the spiritual energy in the heavens and earth had become extremely turbulent and fierce.
this fierce spiritual energy seemed to possess its own will. when absorbed by the island defense array, it gradually eroded the critical nodes of the array.
the island defense array now resembled a machine with crucial components slowly rusting away. each operation reduced its lifespan.
while li fan identified the problem, he had no effective way to salvage the situation.
the island defense array was too complex, with over ten thousand critical nodes, each typically composed of dozens of micro-arrays.
when it was originally constructed, it was a collaboration of numerous nascent soul stage array masters from the ten thousand immortals alliance.
given the complexity of the issue, li fan, a beginner in array techniques, couldn't hope to solve it.
moreover, the main issue lay in the spiritual energy absorbed by the array.
even if he temporarily repaired the array, as long as the ferocious nature of the spiritual energy outside remained unchanged, it would merely be a short-term fix.
"staying on taian island is a death sentence. i need to find a way to leave this place."
"but the outside world is engulfed in an unknown calamity, and the ferocious spiritual energy makes venturing out a perilous path."
caught between a rock and a hard place, it seemed like he was in an impossible situation.
"so, this is a heavenly tribulation..." li fan stared at the sky outside the island defense array, feeling like a flying insect trapped in a spider's web, unable to move and struggling on the brink of death.
yet, li fan didn't choose to use [truth] immediately.ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
using [truth] would waste over a decade of charging time. moreover, without understanding what had truly happened, he would likely face death once again the next time.
even if he fled far away from the cong yun sea, could he guarantee that he wouldn't encounter new crises?
the malevolence of the heavenly dao in this world was pervasive and omnipresent.
li fan didn't believe that merely changing his location would guarantee safety.
as the technique operated, the water-attribute spiritual energy obtained from practicing the "minor yan water technique" slowly dissipated like melting snow, transforming into pure energy and settling in li fan's dantian.
in just half a day, the "minor yan water technique" had been completely dissipated.
yet, li fan didn't feel any discomfort.
"this 'tai shang primordial scripture' is indeed extraordinary." li fan sighed and flew to the edge of the island defense array.
"indeed, this method is effective!"
sensing the sudden weakening of the pervasive killing intent in the outside world, li fan felt a sense of joy.
"unfortunately, the 'jade cosmos thousand variations sutra' is still practiced through the dao of plundering heaven. although, due to the intent of the technique, the malevolence of the heavens and the earth has decreased significantly compared to before, it has not completely dissipated."
realizing that even after leaving, there would still be a threat to his life, li fan made up his mind and chose to continue dissipating his cultivation.
soon, another surge of pure energy filled his dantian.
the two energies were originally derived from different cultivation techniques, but now they could harmoniously merge without conflict.
"according to the description in the 'tai shang primordial scripture,' these pure energies obtained from dissipating cultivation can last in the dantian for about a hundred years." li fan's realm at this moment had reverted to that of a mortal.
however, he wasn't particularly worried.
"as long as i return to ten thousand immortals island, i can quickly re-cultivate to my original state."
at that moment, li fan no longer hesitated. he steered the tai yan boat and slowly flew out of the island defense array.
the violent and scorching spiritual energy swept through, tinting the distant sky in shades of orange-red.
but li fan was now a mere mortal, and this rampant spiritual energy merely roared past without launching an attack.
li fan breathed a sigh of relief, set his direction, increased the speed of the tai yan boat to the maximum, and flew toward ten thousand immortals island.
on the way, li fan passed by many islands.
all the mortals on these islands had perished, devoid of any signs of life.
li fan was secretly alarmed.
his traveling speed became even faster.
three months later.
li fan arrived at the location where ten thousand immortals island used to be.
he opened the map and compared it four or five times, yet he still couldn't believe his eyes.
the once vast ten thousand immortals island had completely disappeared.
there was only a giant, empty black hole stretched across the ocean.
chapter 56: compassion for mortals
the surrounding seawater continuously poured towards the black hole but evaporated into water vapor when it reached the edge of the black hole.
due to the extremely high temperature around the black hole, the air was distorted.
covered by the rising mist around, it formed a strange sight of alternating black and white.
li fan piloted the tai yan boat and, while hovering in the air, watched this scene. suddenly, he was shrouded in endless fear.
ten thousand immortals island... had been obliterated?
scenes from the past on ten thousand immortals island flashed quickly in his mind.
the square where countless cultivators passed by the towering statues, the grand buildings at the center of the island rumored to house nascent soul realm powerhouses...
all gone like this? not even a speck of dust left.
what kind of power could achieve all this? the malevolence of the heavens?
li fan didn't know.
in the face of this highly impactful scene, li fan's mind was in chaos.
cultivation, seeking immortality.
li fan's lifelong goal now seemed so laughable.
in the face of this sudden disaster, cultivators were now no different from ordinary people, like ants.
once the fear settled in the heart, it was impossible to restrain.
"escape! escape from this cursed place!"
li fan's eyes turned red. he drove the tai yan boat and desperately fled towards the western part of the cong yun sea.
he wanted to escape to the land, far away from this hellish sea area.
and so, li fan flew for an unknown duration in a state of mental chaos.
"boom!"
the tai yan boat seemed to collide with something and was forced to a stop.
fortunately, there was a protective array, preventing immediate destruction of the boat and harm to its occupant.
with the intense impact, li fan suffered some minor injuries but gradually calmed down.
he looked out of the tai yan boat.
but there was nothing.
in the distance, there was a continuous coastline, not far from the mainland.
li fan manipulated the tai yan boat, attempting to fly forward.
"boom!"
something was blocking li fan.
li fan tried to move in other directions, but it was the same.
an invisible barrier separated the cong yun sea from the nearby mainland.
no entry, no exit.
li fan was dumbfounded.
he suddenly thought of a phrase.
"a frog in a well."
after a long time, li fan laughed.
he looked up at the sky.
there was still no sign of rain from the sky.
the sea level began to drop, and the sea gradually moved away from the islands.
even with the seawater desalination array, the islanders on taian island found it increasingly difficult to obtain water.
each time, they had to walk a very long distance to find water.
they didn't know why such a disaster had befallen them, but they feared that the cong yun sea would eventually completely dry up.
so every family began to worship the wooden statue of li fan, praying day and night.
li fan could only helplessly watch.
in the face of such a drastic change in the world, he couldn't contend with it.
the only good news was that in these three years, perhaps because most of the cultivators in the cong yun sea had died, the killing intent towards cultivators in the heavens and earth slowly dissipated.
during this time, li fan took the opportunity to cultivate back to the middle qi condensation stage.
"when the day comes that you all stop worshipping me, i'll return to the anchor point." being prayed to day and night by a group of mortals was indeed a peculiar experience.
he activated his "discern variations" technique and observed the increasingly dense death qi above the heads of the mortals. he made up his mind in secret.
"wait, why is there a faint white light hidden within this black death qi?"
li fan was stunned.
since his cultivation had recovered, li fan had been examining the aura of taian island daily.
this time, for some reason, he discovered a thread of vitality he had failed to detect before.
where was this vitality coming from?
li fan activated the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra" to its limit and realized that the vitality of the people on taian island was actually resonating with him!
perplexed, he further confirmed.
the source of this vitality was indeed him.
but it wasn't li fan himself; it was an item on his body.
an item he had almost forgotten.
heavenly treasure: canghai pearl.
as it hadn't fully formed yet, li fan had kept the canghai pearl in a corner of the tai yan boat.
it was only today, under the reflection of spiritual energy, that li fan remembered it.
unlike when he first saw it over a dozen years ago, at this moment, it had turned completely blue, exuding a rich mist of water vapor.
it was as if a vast ocean was incubating within it.
"from the abyss comes the sea, from the sea comes life."
li fan looked at the canghai pearl in his hand, suddenly recalling something. he raised the tai yan boat and flew up to an altitude of ten thousand meters, looking down.
beneath, the cong yun sea, due to the prolonged drought, revealed vast stretches of exposed seabed.
one after another, the underwater mountain ranges gradually revealed their true appearance.
and the original islands of the cong yun sea were actually the peaks of these mountains.
in his mind, kou hong's enthusiastic face suddenly flashed.
he had said to li fan, "no worries. if daoist friend manages to get out, you can find me at lingtian city in the cong yun mountains."
li fan smiled.
cong yun sea.
cong yun mountains.
they turned out to be the same place.
chapter 57: unexpected opportunity
in the previous life, when li fan's life was about to end, he broke through the seal of the immortal extinction array by a fortunate coincidence and came to the world of cultivation for the first time.
at that time, what he saw were continuous mountain ranges and a towering city suspended in the air.
but in this life, after li fan arrived in the world of cultivation, he found himself above a vast ocean.
before this, li fan hadn't thought much about it, assuming that something had gone wrong during the transmission.
it wasn't until today when li fan saw the depleted cong yun sea and witnessed the birth of the mystical object, the canghai pearl, that he finally understood.
there was no mishap; he had indeed arrived at the same place after passing through the immortal extinction array. the only difference was the timing of his arrival in the world of cultivation.
in his previous life, when li fan arrived in the world of cultivation, he was already 85 years old, which corresponded to 65 years after the anchor point.
in this life, li fan entered the world of cultivation at the age of 40, after reaching 100% progress for the recharge of [truth].
only 20 years after the anchor point.
a 45-year gap, encountering the ocean in one life and mountains in another.
it's no wonder li fan didn't think along these lines.
without experiencing it personally, even if someone had warned him in advance about such a vast change in the world, he still would have doubted.
so li fan smiled.
first, he laughed at himself for still being unable to completely rid himself of a mortal mindset.
if he could link the various anomalies that zhang haobo had warned him about with the differences he had observed twice, he might have been able to foresee this massive change in the world in advance.
second, he was relieved because he finally saw the hope for the end of this calamity.
in the 50th year after the anchor point, kou hong and dao xuanzi broke into the land of immortal extinction. at that time, they claimed to be from lingtian city in the cong yun mountains.
presumably, before that, this drought disaster had already passed.
the dried-up oceans would transform into thriving mountains.
now, 34 years have passed, not far from the end.
the most agonizing wait is a hopeless one. however, knowing the final result, this seemingly endless calamity no longer seemed so frightening.
li fan calmed down and returned to taian island.
seeing the anxious and numb mortals who prayed incessantly day and night, li fan transmitted his voice across the entire island, telling them that this calamity would eventually pass.
following the instructions of the immortal master, the residents on the island were overjoyed and once again ignited the hope for survival.
li fan, on the other hand, went into seclusion and took out the canghai pearl.
"is the ray of hope in this?"
li fan observed this azure mystical object.
his divine sense poured into it, but it was like a stone sinking into the ocean, disappearing in an instant.
"it seems that i'll need to put in some effort to use it," li fan thought as he saw this.
realm: qi condensation - middle stage
physical age: 89/199
mental age: 517/2280↑
in just that instant, li fan's physiological age jumped from 54 to 89.
it was as if he had crossed 35 years in the blink of an eye.
"no wonder that even in the ancient tianji sect, there are very few practitioners of this technique. just interacting with the consciousness of a certain ocean rapidly consumes one's lifespan."
"if it weren't for the rapid consumption of my lifespan and the body's automatic warning, i would have been assimilated by the consciousness of the canghai pearl in such a bewildering manner. at that point, it wouldn't be easy to activate [truth]."
li fan realized what had just happened and was somewhat alarmed.
"no, this is definitely not the method used to control a heavenly treasure."
li fan knew he must have misunderstood the method.
a human time scale was not even on the same level as that of the heavens, the earth, mountains, and oceans.
even those powerful cultivators who could live for several thousand years were still far from comparable.
touching it with human consciousness would only result in being assimilated.
so how exactly could one manipulate heavenly treasures?
li fan held the canghai pearl, his face changing in expression.
...
days went by, and li fan still hadn't figured out how to use the canghai pearl.
the weather became hotter and hotter, seemingly preparing for the final purification of the cong yun sea.
the ordinary people on the island gradually lost the strength to even pray.
li fan knew that if this continued, these ordinary people might not survive until the end of this calamity.
dying before dawn was despairing.
li fan couldn't help but become a little anxious and had many mixed thoughts.
to calm his mind, he involuntarily activated the long-unused "venerable heart refinement mantra."
ever since becoming a qi condensation cultivator, most of his energy has been used to cultivate the "minor yan water technique" and "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra."
the "venerable heart refinement mantra" had not been deliberately practiced for a long time.
because it didn't significantly help with the essence of cultivation, and even if he didn't practice it actively, it would run slowly on its own.
so li fan put it aside.
now, as the "venerable heart refinement mantra" circulated, all the negative emotions in li fan's heart—unease, fear, impatience—slowly disappeared and became nourishment for strengthening his dao heart.
his mind became calm again, and suddenly, li fan felt something.
the opportunity for his breakthrough was also embedded in the canghai pearl.
chapter 58: understanding the aura of heaven and earth
li fan had been trapped in the qi condensation stage for several years, unable to make any progress.
after cultivating both of his techniques to the qi condensation stage, he still couldn't find the key to his own destiny.
at this moment, as li fan looked at the canghai pearl, he suddenly sensed an opportunity to break through from the depths of his consciousness.
that was, as before, to perceive and understand the canghai pearl.
li fan was naturally aware of how dangerous this was; it was essentially tantamount to walking towards death.ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
in "miscellaneous records of cultivation," there were many records of cultivators sensing their own destiny.
although there were certain risks, opportunities also coexisted with them.
why didn't he sense it before, but it suddenly appeared now?
li fan instantly understood.
"venerable heart refinement mantra."
perhaps operating the "venerable heart refinement mantra" could help li fan resist the assimilation of the canghai pearl's will.
a decision was made.
li fan held the canghai pearl with both hands, and slightly lowered it to his dantian.
cross-legged, "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra" and "venerable heart refinement mantra" operated simultaneously.
initially, it was a bit uncomfortable for li fan to multitask.
but since the venerable heart refinement mantra didn't involve the operation of spiritual energy, only tempering the mind, there was no conflict between the two techniques.
after hundreds of attempts, li fan gradually mastered the method of running both techniques at the same time.
his mind felt a bit absent as if he had turned into the vast sea, watching the changes in the world from that perspective.
sunrises and sunsets, the rotation of stars, clouds drifting and rain dissipating.
all of this accelerated thousands of times, quickly flashing before li fan's eyes.
with a single thought, it felt like he had passed through hundreds of years.
a sense of ancient, ancient, and desolate aura gradually permeated li fan's consciousness.
he began to get used to seeing the world from the perspective of the ocean.
he began to gradually forget that he was a human.
at this moment, a cool breath suddenly surged.
it was like a clear spring in the mountains, slowly washing away the mottled marks of time.
li fan gradually regained his consciousness.
"it really worked."
confirming his speculation, li fan was neither sad nor happy.
although the venerable heart refinement mantra could reduce the assimilation of the canghai's will to some extent, compared to the canghai's will, he was still too insignificant.
the consumption of lifespan remained many times that of normal cultivation, and emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow, and joy were infinitely diluted.
li fan's excitement began to grow.
this was the true way to find the dao!
he transformed into the canghai and silently observed this world, feeling the various spiritual energy flows circulating between heaven and earth, feeling the will of the heavens and earth.
one year, two years...
the passage of time was no longer important to li fan.
the more he gazed at the sky, the more insights he gained.
his previous notions were overturned one by one.
he thought that the pervasive killing intent in the cong yun sea had gradually disappeared.
but now he realized that the killing intent of heaven and earth had never diminished and still existed.
the wild killing intent he sensed before was not from the will of the heavenly dao itself.
the killing intent of the heavens and earth would not be detected by ordinary cultivators.
it wasn't violent, angry, or filled with emotions.
it was just a pure will, a pure rule.
it was the impartiality of the heavens and earth, treating all living beings as mere ants.
in its eyes, mortals, cultivators, and the cong yun sea...
there was no difference.
cultivators plundered the heavens and earth, and the heavenly will generated killing intent.
however, the heavenly will would not directly intervene, because cultivators themselves were also part of the heavenly way.
instead, corresponding rules would be set in response.
for example, cultivation techniques couldn't be cultivated simultaneously.
and more...
what li fan saw at this moment.
in the sky above the cong yun sea, a transparent crimson figure looked down coldly.
in their hand, a small flame was constantly flickering.
roasting the cong yun sea.
sensing li fan's gaze, the crimson figure turned its head, locking eyes with li fan.
the seawater in the canghai pearl boiled in an instant.
fortunately, it only took a glance and then retracted its gaze.
li fan's consciousness was preserved.
because of this glance, li fan also understood its identity.
the heavenly spirit: crimson flame!
chapter 59: transformation of the cong yun sea
upon seeing the crimson figure, numerous pieces of information suddenly appeared in li fan's mind.
a heavenly spirit is the embodiment of a certain law of the world.
when a specific condition is met, a heavenly spirit will come into being and appear in a certain area.l--b1n.
if the heavens emit killing intent and set a plan to eliminate cultivators...
then the heavenly spirit is the executor of that plan.
they don't have their own thoughts and only act according to predetermined instincts.
they are the very embodiment of the law itself, slaughtering cultivators like slaughtering chickens and sheep.
their mission is to eradicate those cultivators who defy the heavens and the earth.
for cultivators, the heavenly spirit is extremely dangerous.
once targeted, it basically means a certain death situation.
but at the same time...
as the incarnation of the heavenly dao's laws, the heavenly spirit also represents a tremendous opportunity for cultivators.
one could sacrifice a heavenly spirit to merge with the dao.
once a cultivator was able to sacrifice a heavenly spirit, regardless of their previous cultivation level, they could immediately achieve the dao integration realm.
it is the cultivator's natural enemy, but at the same time, it holds an unparalleled allure for them.
at this moment, witnessing the crimson heavenly spirit, an inexhaustible greed welled up from the depths of li fan's heart.
"kill it! killing it will allow me to comprehend the dao, and i'll ascend immediately!"
it was as if a person starving to death encountered a sumptuous delicacy, or as if a traveler who had been walking in the desert for days encountered clear lake water.
this greed whispered like a demon, constantly speaking in li fan's ears.
driving and tempting him to rush towards the crimson figure in the sky.
while li fan eased the intense sensation coming from the canghai pearl, he madly operated the venerable heart refinement mantra to dispel the surging greed in his heart.
he knew that he could currently observe the heavenly spirit, crimson flame, only by using the canghai pearl.
in the eyes of the crimson flame, li fan was merely the unformed consciousness of the canghai pearl. therefore, even if the crimson flame noticed li fan's gaze, it only took note and then no longer paid attention.
however, if li fan were to lose his reason and attack the crimson flame, revealing the identity of a cultivator, he would undoubtedly be mercilessly killed by it.
reason and desire tore at li fan's soul.
the two extreme thoughts were almost tearing his consciousness in half.
li fan could only barely maintain the operation of the venerable heart refinement mantra and preserve his dao heart.
he didn't know how long had passed until the storm caused by greed gradually subsided.
li fan was still trembling, not daring to probe further.
to glimpse at heavenly secrets and still maintain a clear consciousness was already a great fortune.
he lost the ability to think for himself and could only silently observe this world through the perspective of the canghai pearl.
in the second year after the disappearance of the crimson flame, several cultivators dressed in blue daoist robes arrived at the cong yun sea.
after various spells were cast, rain finally fell from the sky after a long absence.
more cultivators arrived thereafter.
blue light blossomed on the dried seabed.
vegetation, representing the breath of life, appeared on the land.
a gentle breeze passed by, and trees sprouted from the ground.
in just a year, the once scorched land had once again become vibrant.
the scene of the crimson flame boiling the sea, which had happened not long ago, seemed to have gently dispersed like a nightmare.
the cong yun sea had also completed its transformation into the cong yun mountain range.
a city, standing tall in the sky, began to be built above the cong yun mountain range.
once completed, it attracted more and more cultivators from all directions.
the cong yun mountain range became even more lively.
occasionally, some cultivators would come out of curiosity, visiting the only surviving island in the calamity, attempting to find opportunities.
but through li fan's instinctive concealment, they found nothing.
after 48 years, a foundation establishment cultivator returned to the cong yun sea.
he arrived at the former liuli island, now the liuli mountain range, with a sorrowful expression.
li fan's consciousness scanned over, seeing this scene, and also felt a wave of emotion.
this person, li fan knew him.
he was zhang haobo, who had decided to migrate from the cong yun sea due to his inner unease.
twenty-plus years had passed, and through various unknown circumstances, this man had actually become a foundation establishment cultivator.
scenes from this life flashed rapidly in li fan's mind. his consciousness was about to dissipate.
before completely disappearing, li fan's consciousness returned to his own body.
over a dozen years of understanding the aura of the heavens and the earth allowed the bottleneck hindering li fan's breakthrough to suddenly dissipate.
the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged, and li fan's cultivation instantly broke through to the later stage of qi condensation.
a slight smile appeared on li fan's face but quickly froze.
his body rapidly aged, and with a gust of wind, he turned into dust, dispersing into the heavens and the earth.
only a set of white bones remained, lying there quietly.
[truth]!
before dissipating, li fan called out in his heart.
chapter 60: review and scheming
[the simulation ends.]
[you can choose one of the following to keep:
an item you possessed during this simulation. your cultivation realm during this simulation. the simulated memories of a person closely related to you in this simulation. these memories will be inherited by that person. abandon the above choices and accelerate the recharge progress.]
slowly regaining consciousness, li fan felt the youthful body of twenty years old and looked around at the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings. it took a long time for him to come back to his senses.
in his previous life, despite only experiencing 48 years, li fan felt it was longer than the sum of his nine previous lives. apart from the splendid and complex experiences in the cultivation world, the crucial reason was the assimilation he experienced with the will of the canghai pearl.
of course, his first foray into the cultivation world yielded significant gains.
li fan looked at the first option: the choice of an item.
the storage ring he purchased from the heavenly mirror and various scriptures needed no mention. the extraordinary items like the stone tablet of prohibition and the canghai pearl were what caught his eye.
li fan's mind focused on the canghai pearl, realizing that choosing the canghai pearl would grant him the mostly formed canghai pearl that he had in his previous life, just before his lifespan was about to end.
having been in sync with the consciousness of the canghai pearl for over a decade, li fan was well aware of its formidable power.
although tempted, li fan resolutely chose the second option to retain his own cultivation realm.
after all, cultivation was fundamental. a mere mortal holding heavenly treasures was a path to disaster.
moreover, li fan knew that the canghai pearl was still at flowing cloud island. he could go get it when the time was right.
as li fan made his decision, two familiar auras appeared in his dantian out of nowhere.
at the same time, li fan's expression changed.
he suddenly realized that, at this moment, he was just a mortal.
his body was still filled with the essence of immortals and mortals. if this sudden influx of aura conflicted with it, it could be extremely detrimental.
fortunately, what li fan worried about did not happen.
an inexplicable fluctuation descended upon him. after a moment, the aura in his dantian surged like a river, sweeping across li fan's entire body, remodeling his physique and elevating his cultivation realm.
qi condensation initial stage, qi condensation middle stage, qi condensation late stage!
in just a breath, he had achieved the realm that he had painstakingly reached in his previous life.
li fan's breath gradually stabilized.
however, he wore a look of inexplicable shock on his face.
not because he had achieved qi condensation late stage in the blink of an eye, but because of the inexplicable fluctuation that had descended!
"it was instead the inconspicuous xiao heng by his side who possessed exceptional talent. in just a few years, he was close to forming his foundation."
"he and he zhenghao both believed he would surely achieve foundation establishment within his lifetime. but who would have thought..."
"the world had long set a murderous trap. all the beings in the cong yun sea, whether successful or not, be it cultivators or mortals, were destined to face death sooner or later."
"only the ordinary fisherman zhang haobo, after escaping, had a different encounter, becoming a foundation establishment cultivator."
"there is nothing more unpredictable than this."
li fan recalled his previous life and was filled with many emotions.
then, a hint of doubt arose in his mind.
"just like what i told xiao heng before, if the government wants to hunt down bandits, they wouldn't let the bandits know in advance. the heavens and the earth and the cultivators here are just like the government and the bandits."
"so, when the heavens released the killing intent to exterminate cultivators, naturally the cultivators couldn't perceive it. this is also why, when i asked the tianxuan mirror if there were disasters, it answered there weren't any. the disaster was just obscured by heavenly machinations."
"but how did the wanhua chamber of commerce detect it early and order all their subordinates to evacuate the cong yun sea?"
"and why didn't they warn the ten thousand immortals alliance and instead watched countless beings lose their lives?"
"there must be something fishy going on. if i get the chance in this life, i'll definitely figure it out."
after careful consideration for a long time, li fan made plans for this life.
"the cultivation world is extremely dangerous. it's better not to step into it rashly until the virtualization is completed."
"now that i'm cultivating the venerable heart refinement mantra, the charging speed has greatly increased. it won't take me twenty years like before to complete the charging. within ten years, i should be able to reach 100%."
"in this way, the time i arrive in the cultivation world should be several decades earlier than the previous life."
"i remember that during these decades, something major seemed to have happened in the cong yun sea. it's a good opportunity to plan ahead."
"after the cong yun sea dried up in his previous life, i saw the hidden treasures on various islands. now, they are all ripe for the picking. if i get the chance, i'll collect them all."
"the venerable heart refinement mantra has repeatedly helped me break through bottlenecks in my previous life. this technique is truly extraordinary, and there seems to be a hidden secret behind it. i need to cultivate it well and not slack off."
"as for the boiling of the ocean, whether i choose to escape alone or reveal it to the public..."
"i can only adapt to the situation when the time comes..."
...
in his previous life, li fan plunged into the unfamiliar world of cultivation. he only managed to cultivate to late stage qi condensation, enduring for forty-eight years before meeting his end.
but in this life, with foresight and perception, li fan believed he would go much further.
chapter 61: formless killing intent
grand xuan kingdom, mount xie li.
the mountain rose thousands of meters high, shaped like a split blade, piercing the sky.
on the steep mountain path halfway up the mountain, two teenagers were walking one after the other.
in front was a slender young man, wearing a straw hat, with a determined face.
following him was a younger-looking but burly teenager, with thick eyebrows and an honest expression.
at this moment, the burly teenager wiped the sweat off his forehead and sat down with a sigh, "erlang, let's take a break. we've been walking for most of the day, and i really can't walk anymore."
the frail teenager turned around and handed him a water bottle, saying, "wild beasts occasionally appear in these mountains. it's not safe to rest here. i know there's a hidden cave not far ahead. if you're really tired, we can rest there."
the burly teenager took the water bottle, took a few gulps, and after a deep breath, he curiously asked, "erlang, are there really immortals in these mountains?"
"definitely, i've seen it with my own eyes," erlang said confidently, looking up at the mountaintop hidden in the clouds.
the burly teenager, however, seemed skeptical, "since five years ago, you've been obsessed with this and constantly sneaking into this xie li. i don't know how many times you've run back and forth, but i haven't seen you find a real immortal. in my opinion, you should give up on this idea. seeking immortality and enlightenment is too elusive. in my opinion, you should focus on martial arts like me..."
the burly teenager was interrupted by erlang, who furrowed his brow, "wang xuanba, why are you being as nagging as my mother? if you keep saying these useless words, you can go down the mountain by yourself!"
the burly teenager awkwardly touched the back of his head and wisely kept silent.
the two continued to climb towards the mountaintop along the path.
not long after they walked, a chilly wind suddenly blew through the mountains.
wang xuanba's ears twitched, and his face changed. he took a step forward, grabbing erlang and gesturing for silence.
"there's something up ahead..." his eyes narrowed slightly, about to speak up to warn, but he froze instantly.
a drop of cold sweat fell from his forehead.
on the mountain path ahead, accompanied by rustling sounds, a giant white python was slithering down the mountainside.
the white python had a massive body, with only a section of its head exposed, which was easily seven to eight meters long.
the rest of its body was concealed among the grass and trees of the mountain, and they had no idea how long it might be.
the white python had a face as thick as a washbasin, and its huge crimson eyes emitted a chilling red light.
it released thin trails of poison and raised its head as it moved along the mountain wall, heading towards the cliff below.
seeing this terrifying creature, wang xuanba and erlang were both terrified, unable to move, not even daring to breathe.
the massive body of the white python dragged on the ground for a long time before slowly disappearing from the sight of the two.
phew...
wang xuanba heaved a sigh of relief and was about to speak, but he heard another rapid noise.
the enormous snake head suddenly reappeared from below the cliff, staring intently at the two!
wang xuanba and erlang were petrified once again.
hiss...
the white python swayed its head and moved slowly, approaching the two.
its massive mouth opened, carrying a wave of foul odor.
shrouded by the shadow of the white python, it seemed like their heads were about to be swallowed in a single gulp. wang xuanba couldn't bear it any longer.
he let out a loud roar, his muscles bulging all over, and his entire body expanded in an instant.
he flipped and jumped up, raising his fist and smashing it towards the white python's head below.
"ding!"
the impact sounded like metal clashing!
at this moment, erlang also moved.
with a step, the rocks beneath his feet turned to powder, and his figure became blurred. in the blink of an eye, he appeared behind the white python.
forming a fist, he fiercely punched the back of the white python's head repeatedly.
"ding! ding! ding!..."
the collision sounds echoed in their ears.
however, their attacks didn't even manage to break the white python's skin!
the white python roared, and its body twisted, hitting wang xuanba.
"bang!"
wang xuanba was sent flying and crashed into the mountain wall, sending rocks flying.
the python didn't pursue wang xuanba but instead turned its head and, with its mouth wide open, bit towards erlang.
erlang couldn't dodge in time and could only extend both hands, firmly holding the python's mouth shut.
the white python let out a strange roar, suddenly exerting force.
erlang's body almost disappeared into the white python's huge mouth, but he let out a muffled groan and managed to hold on.
after holding the stalemate for quite some time, the white python, unable to swallow the small human, became furious.
it continuously swung its body, constantly slamming erlang against the mountain path and the mountain itself, trying to shake him off.
the immortal was right in front of him, but the mortal couldn't see him.
"this kid is not bad; his physique seems to be somewhat special, and his determination to seek the dao is quite firm," li fan looked at erlang with a hint of approval in his eyes.
"unfortunately, i have not gained a firm foothold myself, so how can i teach you?" li fan shook his head with a smile.
"it's better to wait and give you a chance in the future!"
he lightly pointed towards erlang.
sun erlang suddenly felt confused, and then looked around in a daze, and finally carried the unconscious wang xuanba and left.
watching the two leave mount xie li, li fan then looked at the crime scene where the white python was devoured, feeling a bit pleased.
"all the effort i've put into studying for these nine years isn't in vain. this formless killing intent is indeed extraordinary."
in this life, since he had already reached late stage qi condensation, in order to avoid the influence of the immortal-mortal miasma, he simply came to hide in mount xie li.
while waiting for [truth], he practiced diligently.
due to the absence of spiritual energy in this desolate place, most of his time was spent comprehending the heavenly aura that he had observed and felt in his previous life.
night and day for nine years, with great effort and persistence, he finally comprehended a formless killing intent.
once this formless killing intent was applied, it could disguise itself as the killing intent of the heavens to a certain extent and in a certain range.
there were various forms of killing intent in the heavens, each leading to different calamities.
when locked onto by this formless killing intent, one would fall into calamities without li fan having to personally take action.
just like the white python just now, when locked onto by li fan's formless killing intent, it became the target of heavenly calamities within the range of mount xie li.
the heavens and the earth nurture all things, and the will of the heavens and the earth governs the vast majority of beings in the world.
countless animals thus formed endless killing intent towards this white python as well.
this killing intent would only disappear when the white python died completely.
using a false heavenly mandate—this is the formidable aspect of the formless killing intent.
not only is its power remarkable and its methods treacherous, but the concealment of the formless killing intent is also extremely high.
the formless killing intent itself is like the killing intent of the heavens and the earth, akin to a pure will and rule.
ordinary cultivators are fundamentally unable to perceive it.
having so many advantages, it is truly an essential product for killing.
no wonder li fan is so satisfied.
of course, the initial test subject for the formless killing intent was an ordinary beast in the mountains, so the momentum was quite grand.
as for the specific effects on cultivators of the same or even higher cultivation level as li fan, it would have to be personally tried by li fan in the future to know.
after the experiment with the divine ability, li fan returned to the thatched hut in seclusion at the peak of mount xie li.
after a simple tidy-up, li fan checked the progress of the recharging of [truth].
it was already at 99%.
"it's time to set foot in the cultivation world again."
at this moment, li fan summoned the tai yan boat and flew to xuanjing city.
with the power of an immortal, just like in his previous life, he looted a large amount of treasures and food.
after filling the tai yan boat, li fan arrived outside qian hong's tomb.
now, with his cultivation, the restriction of the stone tablet of prohibition could no longer harm him.
entering qian hong's tomb, li fan took out the bound stone tablet of prohibition from [truth].
the two stone tablet of prohibitions merged into each other, forming a brand new stone tablet of prohibition.
it didn't look as old as before, with just a few cracks on the stone body.
but in terms of quality, it seemed to still be lacking that tiny bit.
li fan didn't mind.
after experiencing the immense power of the canghai pearl, he was already a bit indifferent towards this stone tablet of prohibition.
anyway, it would be sold to the tianxuan mirror in exchange for contribution points.
bringing the two martial arts manuals from qian hong's tomb and the damaged tai yan boat along with him, li fan was about to leave on his own boat.
after flying a certain distance, he returned again, collected qian hong's remains, and prepared to take them back to the cultivation world to fulfill his dying wish.
at this moment, li fan was no longer obstructed, smoothly passed through the immortal extinction formation, and returned to the cultivation world.
seeing the azure ocean of clouds once again, li fan couldn't help but feel a sense of being in a different world.
he took out qian hong's remains, turned them into ashes, and scattered them in the sea.
above the sky, a strange phenomenon occurred.
petals fell from the branches, drifting with the wind endlessly.
"foundation establishment cultivator qian hong, practiced the dao for two hundred and sixty-five years, achieving foundation establishment with the extraordinary object, 'drifting plum.'"
"wandering outside for three thousand six hundred and seventy years, now his soul returns to his homeland, and his dao returns to heaven!"
the strange phenomenon lasted only for the time it took for half a joss stick to burn, then disappeared without a trace.
chapter 62: pursued without reason
after the vision disappeared, li fan keenly sensed that something inexplicable had changed within himself.
however, upon closer inspection, he couldn't quite figure out what this change was.
but it probably wasn't a bad thing.
li fan decided to temporarily put it aside and just keep this matter in mind.
after determining his current location, li fan noticed that it was slightly off from where he appeared in the immortal cultivation world in his previous life.
but the difference wasn't significant.
the closest place from here was liuli island, so li fan decided to go there first.
after all, in his previous life, he spent a long time on liuli island and was quite familiar with it.
he zhenghao, though a bit greedy, was relatively reliable in his actions.
compared to others, li fan preferred to interact with acquaintances and minimize uncertainties.
after choosing the direction, li fan didn't manipulate the tai yan boat much, but instead used a wind-controlling technique to fly towards liuli island.
the role li fan wanted to play now was that of a loose cultivator in the cong yun sea, who, by a stroke of luck, had cultivated to the later stage of qi condensation.
he wanted to break through to the foundation establishment stage but couldn't find a way, so he wanted to join the ten thousand immortals alliance.
in the current cultivation world, life for loose cultivators could be described as extremely difficult.
unlike members of the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association who had fixed channels to obtain techniques, loose cultivators often had to risk their lives exploring various ancient sect ruins to find a technique.
not only did they have to face the dangers and traps within the ruins, but they also had to be careful of fellow cultivators who were also eyeing them.
one misstep could lead to a fatal end.
despite all this, these loose cultivators were still unwilling to join the two major organizations; they simply didn't want to be bound by others and work for them.
for loose cultivators, freedom was above all.
different choices were just a matter of differing perspectives, and it was hard to say what was better or worse.
therefore, the tai yan boat was a bit ostentatious for a loose cultivator's identity.
to avoid unnecessary trouble and suspicion, li fan chose to fly on his own using wind control.
it was a bit slower, but li fan was in no hurry, and it was a good opportunity to adapt.
during his time in the grand xuan kingdom, li fan had a vague sense that his affinity for spiritual energy had inexplicably increased in this life.
but because there was no spiritual energy in the land of immortal extinction, he couldn't verify it.
when he arrived in the cultivation world and sensed and absorbed the surrounding spiritual energy, li fan finally confirmed that his premonition was correct.
if in the previous life, he forcibly absorbed spiritual energy through the root of heaven and earth like a water pump...
then in this life, with just a thought, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth would enter his dantian cooperatively, without the need for coercion.
although it still couldn't compare to the intimacy with spiritual energy that xiao heng mentioned, it was much better than before.
this wind kept swirling on the path of the opponent's advance, quickly forming into a tornado.
the tornado carried a faint green light and resembled a huge dragon, roaring towards the opponent.
caught off guard, the person was hit squarely by the tornado.
seizing this opportunity, li fan accelerated his escape.
soon, a deafening roar came from behind.
it seemed that the opponent managed to escape the tornado and was flying towards li fan's direction even faster.
the killing intent intensified.
just as the person was about to approach li fan, a giant shark leaped high from beneath the sea surface and devoured him in one bite.
the shark then fell back into the sea, splashing high water sprays.
"bang!"
a burst of flames erupted from the sea.
the shark was burnt to ashes, and the person appeared somewhat disheveled as he flew out of the sea, looking somewhat frustrated.
sensing li fan's whereabouts again, he accelerated his pursuit.
but every time he got close to li fan, he encountered unexpected situations.
so, the two of them chased each other all the way. although he was much faster than li fan, he couldn't catch up with him.
finally, liuli island was in sight.
the person cautiously looked around for a moment, and seeing that there seemed to be no more unexpected events, he breathed a sigh of relief, his expression serious, and was about to use his techniques to kill li fan.
in the sky, under the clear daylight, a sudden thunderbolt struck down.
directly hitting him.
if it weren't for a light that lit up on his body at a critical moment, offsetting most of the damage from the thunderbolt, he probably would have lost his life.
even so, the person was charred all over and hardly resembled a human.
seeing this, li fan quickly flew towards the central guardian array on liuli island.
the person hesitated in mid-air for a moment before recovering.
startled and angry, he shouted loudly, "he zhenghao, come out and help me kill this little thief!"
from liuli island came the familiar voice of he zhenghao: "protector wan? how did you end up in this state?"
...
li fan, who was flying towards liuli island, heard the conversation between the two and immediately stopped.
surrounded by the two, with no way to escape, li fan cursed inwardly.
then he silently recited in his mind.
[truth]!
chapter 63: return to liuli island
[the simulation ends.]
...
as li fan regained consciousness, he was still somewhat speechless. the previous life was the shortest one he had experienced.
it was forcibly ended after just nine years.
originally, he had ambitious plans and various strategies.
unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the cultivation world, he was inexplicably targeted and hunted down.
what was even more absurd was that the pursuer was a member of the ten thousand immortals alliance.
he didn't know the identity of the other party, yet he still wanted to seek refuge with he zhenghao on liuli island.
as a result, he ended up being surrounded by two foundation establishment cultivators.
the opponent came from a thousand miles away with a clear target: to kill li fan.
li fan didn't believe that the other party would reveal the reason for hunting him down if he asked.
and facing two foundation establishment cultivators, he had no chance of survival.
so he decisively chose to start over.ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
...
why would a member of the ten thousand immortals alliance hunt him down?
and shortly after he had just entered the cultivation world?
li fan furrowed his brows, deep in thought and perplexed.
without resolving this issue, all his future plans would just be empty talk.
the cong yun sea was currently under the control of the ten thousand immortals alliance, and they could clearly lock onto his position through some means.
where did things go wrong?
could it be because he brought back qian hong's remains to the cultivation world? or perhaps...
li fan carefully examined and eliminated each item he possessed.
in the end, he pinpointed the target.
"minor yan water technique."
li fan thought it over and found that this cultivation technique had the highest suspicion.
after all, he currently had no connection whatsoever with the ten thousand immortals alliance.
only this cultivation technique was inherited from the ten thousand immortals alliance in his previous life.
li fan narrowed his eyes and pondered for a while, and he already had an answer in his heart.
"the 'minor yan water technique' and all other cultivation techniques must be under constant surveillance by the ten thousand immortals alliance. if they suddenly discover that a certain technique has not been exchanged and the number of cultivators practicing it has increased by one, they will know that the technique has been leaked."
"no matter how it is leaked, the ten thousand immortals alliance will definitely reclaim the technique. as for the method of reclamation, it's simply to kill."
...
beneath the deep sea, the liuli fish that were originally crowded around the leader, diligently offering food, suddenly froze.
the golden liuli fish was a little dissatisfied, about to teach its little brothers a lesson, but suddenly realized that the school of liuli fish around it had become somewhat abnormal.
their eyes were glowing red, all staring at the giant golden liuli fish.
the golden liuli fish felt something was wrong and wanted to escape.
but it was too late.
countless liuli fish went mad, surrounding it.
the figure of the golden liuli fish disappeared within the school of fish.
streams of golden blood slowly floated to the surface.
...
li fan held a glass bead the size of a pigeon's egg in his hand, observing carefully.
"unfortunately, it's not a rare heavenly treasure."
"but just carrying it has effects similar to swallowing a liuli pill. it's still quite extraordinary."
li fan, satisfied, put it away and continued to fly towards liuli island.
as he approached liuli island, li fan stopped in mid-air and released his spiritual energy.
in just a moment, a voice came from afar, "which fellow daoist is coming to my liuli island?"
along with the voice, the figure of he zhenghao appeared.
although he zhenghao had a foundation establishment cultivation level, in the face of a qi condensation stage cultivator who came uninvited, he did not act arrogantly, addressing him as a fellow daoist.
"i have met fellow daoist he!" li fan cupped his hands.
"i am li fan, a wandering cultivator from the cong yun sea. reaching the qi condensation stage was already extremely difficult, and i know i have no hope of reaching foundation establishment as a wandering cultivator."
"so, i wish to join the ten thousand immortals alliance and seek a foundation establishment technique."
li fan paused and continued, "i have long heard of fellow daoist's sense of justice, generosity, and kindness, so i came to pay my respects."
"i hope fellow daoist can recommend me. once successful, i will surely return this favor!"
he zhenghao was a bit stunned when he heard that li fan wanted to join the ten thousand immortals alliance.
he never expected that one day he would encounter such a stroke of luck.
when li fan mentioned repayment in the future, he zhenghao was even more delighted, "oh, fellow daoist, you're too kind. we cultivators all know that cultivation is not easy, and if we can help, we will. rest assured, your matter of joining the ten thousand immortals alliance, i will take care of it!"
li fan smiled slightly, "fellow daoist's reputation as a generous benefactor is indeed well-deserved, i admire you."
he zhenghao was about to explain that he didn't have a reputation as a generous benefactor, but he thought about it and felt that this description was quite appropriate.
if it could spread, it would greatly benefit his cultivation in seclusion. so he didn't deny it.
the two of them smiled at each other.
chapter 64: rejoining the ten thousand immortals alliance
li fan stood by, observing liuli island on the 9th year after the anchor point.the roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.
at this moment, liuli island was far from the prosperity li fan had seen in his previous life.
the population was less than a third of what it would be ten years later, lacking much vitality.
traces of the devastation caused by the hurricane could still be faintly seen at the edge of the island, and the faces of mortals rarely showed smiles.
liuli island had not yet recovered its vitality from the massive hurricane five years ago.
"if the charging speed of [truth] could be further increased, there might be a chance to witness it," li fan contemplated inwardly.
when he was still a mortal, he heard about the power of the hurricane, which could cut away two-thirds of liuli island. li fan deeply felt the terror of the power of nature.
however, li fan later witnessed scenes like the boiling of the sea and its transformation into mountains within a dozen years.
in comparison, this hurricane didn't seem as significant.
...
li fan was currently waiting for he zhenghao to return from ten thousand immortals island.
according to he zhenghao, cultivators with a cultivation level of foundation establishment or above would be autonomously attacked by the ten thousand immortals array if they went to liuli island without permission.
so he zhenghao went ahead to arrange the passage permit for li fan.
however, he didn't make li fan wait for long.
soon, he zhenghao returned.
"thank you for keeping your promise!" he handed a jade token with a "万" [1] character engraved on it to li fan.
"fellow daoist, leave your own aura on this passage token," he zhenghao said.
li fan took the token and infused it with spiritual energy.
on the "万" character of the token, a light flashed and then disappeared.
seeing this, he zhenghao nodded, "that should be enough."
then, he reminded, "after you officially join our ten thousand immortals alliance, remember to return this passage token. it must not be lost. otherwise, you'll have to compensate with the corresponding contribution points."
he zhenghao seemed to recall a very unpleasant event and twitched his face, saying, "such a small token actually costs a hundred contribution points, it's really..."
he stopped halfway when he saw li fan looking at him with interest.
"fellow daoist, forgive me if you find it amusing!" he zhenghao coughed lightly, and his expression returned to normal.
he immediately took out a communication token shaped like a mountain peak and handed it to li fan, saying, "you've just arrived, and you'll encounter many problems. feel free to ask me if you have any questions. i will tell you everything i know."
"if you run into any trouble that you can't solve, you can also ask for my assistance. although my cultivation is only at mid-foundation establishment stage, i have quite a wide network. in the ten thousand immortals alliance, i have some influence."
li fan nodded gratefully.
after he zhenghao gave a few more instructions and left with an excited expression, li fan regained his composure.
"the treatment this time is much better than the last life," li fan said, storing he zhenghao's communication token.
"in the cultivation world, most cultivators are solitary. someone like he zhenghao is indeed quite rare. besides, it's just that my cultivation talent is a bit better. he might be a bit too enthusiastic," li fan thought for a moment but couldn't find a clear reason.
he had a vague feeling that it might be related to the cultivation technique he zhenghao was practicing. however, he could sense that he zhenghao had no ill intentions, so he didn't dwell on it.
"divine sense fluctuations recorded."
"created an independent space."
"cultivator li fan, welcome to join the ten thousand immortals alliance. as a benefit, you will be given 100 contribution points for free. you can use contribution points to exchange for spiritual stones, cultivation techniques, magical treasures, and more."
...
the tianxuan mirror began to explain relevant matters.
although he was already very familiar with it, li fan still listened carefully while comparing the situation with his previous life.
li fan found that after advancing to the late stage of qi condensation, the contribution points required to activate the auxiliary cultivation mode increased from 10 points per day to 30 points per day.
"the higher the realm, the more resources needed. this is reasonable. it seems that i'll have to gather a large number of contribution points first."
accumulating contribution points slowly by doing tasks wasn't something li fan was interested in.
in fact, he had a plan on how to earn a large number of contribution points quickly.
spending 10 contribution points, he purchased a slightly larger storage ring. afterward, li fan used the teleportation array to go outside for a trip.
in a deserted place, he stored all the gold, silver, and treasures he had scavenged from the tai yan boat into the storage ring.
then he quickly returned and requested the exchange.
"a batch of gold and silver: can be converted to 863 contribution points."
"heavenly treasure: 'stone tablet of prohibition'. quality: flawed. can be converted to 1968 contribution points."
after a moment, the notification from the tianxuan mirror popped up.
*****
[1] "万" means thousand, as in ten thousand immortals alliance.
chapter 65: one hundred thousand contribution points
in the previous life, li fan spent a significant portion of the treasures he had scavenged by salvaging and whitewashing to obtain a spot in the pure body spirit pool of liuli island.
in the end, he was left with only 235 contribution points.
in this life, with a total value of 863 contribution points, li fan understood why some cultivators sneakily helped ordinary people smuggle into the cultivation world.
li fan had only raided a few corrupt officials and rich families and already earned over 800 contribution points.
it was reasonable to assume that those cultivators could easily earn over a thousand points in one outing.
it is important to note that a cultivation technique costs just over a thousand points.
if done once every decade, it could be considered a substantial income.
"wealth moves hearts..."
li fan sighed and took out the golden liuli pearl he obtained from the giant liuli fish.
"golden liuli pearl can be converted to 850 contribution points."
after some thought, li fan realized that this giant liuli pearl was a weakened version of the liuli pill. its effects were slightly inferior, but it didn't deplete upon use.
considering its potential usefulness in future cultivation, li fan chose not to exchange it and instead kept it.
looking at his total of 2,831 contribution points, li fan shook his head.
it was still not enough; it was too little!
after all, heavenly treasures cost over two thousand points.
li fan realized when he was chased by the guards of the ten thousand immortals alliance, that although he had the cultivation level of late qi condensation, his actual combat strength was quite low.
his primary cultivation technique, "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra," lacked effective means of offense.
apart from the formless killing intent he comprehended, he had no other means to defend himself.
while the formless killing intent was formidable, it had a fatal flaw: it often required some time to take effect.
it was more suitable for sneak attacks rather than facing an opponent head-on.
in a battle or under siege, li fan could only choose to run.
moreover, he only knew the most basic flight technique, so he likely couldn't outrun others.
unable to win in a fight and unable to escape—tragedy was inevitable.
therefore, li fan wanted all the combat techniques, escape arts, defensive techniques, artifacts, formations, and elixirs available in the tianxuan mirror.
as many as possible!
however, this amount of contribution points was simply insufficient.
reward: one hundred thousand contribution points.
just two simple lines, with no other explanation.
but that number of one hundred thousand contribution points made all the cultivators who saw it tremble in excitement.
that was a hundred thousand contribution points!
many cultivators in the ten thousand immortals alliance might not accumulate this much in their entire lifetime.
with these hundred thousand contribution points, reaching the golden core stage would be a breeze!
countless cultivators looked at these two lines repeatedly, daydreaming about the glorious scenes after completing the task.
unfortunately, the bounty task had been hanging there for over a decade, never reaching completion.
even the nature of "cloud water map" was unknown to anyone.
and the task issuer was also extremely mysterious, never showing up or making any statements.
it seemed to signal that if you knew, you knew; if you didn't, speaking wouldn't help.
in the cong yun sea, at present, nobody knows where the "cloud water map" was.
except for li fan.
"the 'cloud water map' is in the cloud water heavenly palace," li fan kept repeating in his mind.
this "cloud water map" worth a whopping one hundred thousand contribution points was in the cloud water heavenly palace.
the cloud water heavenly palace, or rather the ruins of the cloud water heavenly palace, was the place mentioned by xiao heng in the letter, where he went to search for heavenly treasures.
the reason why nobody knew this secret yet was simply because the cloud water heavenly palace had not yet manifested in this world.
in the previous life, li fan became interested in the cloud water heavenly palace only because of xiao heng's message.
then, he recorded this upcoming event in his mind.
the ruins of the cloud water heavenly palace would emerge.
it was said to be the most powerful sect within the cong yun sea in ancient times.
when the great calamity of heaven and earth arrived, the disciples of the cloud water heavenly palace fought each other, and only one in a thousand individuals survived.
the surviving individuals decided to activate a protective array to hide from the world.
since then, the cloud water heavenly palace has been concealed by the array and hidden in the central sea area of the cong yun sea.
it was only the eleventh year after his anchor point that the array was broken, and the hidden cloud water heavenly palace reappeared in the world.
however, the cloud water heavenly palace that chose to hide from the world had also not escaped the fate of destruction.
when the cultivators of the cong yun sea entered, they discovered that the cloud water heavenly palace had long turned into a ruin filled with bizarre scenes.
chapter 66: descent of anomalies
at that time, the first group to enter the ruins of the cloud water heavenly palace consisted of over a hundred cultivators, most of whom were in the foundation establishment and qi condensation stages.
they thought it was just an ordinary ruin, but to their surprise, the cloud water heavenly palace was filled with anomalies. under this unexpected turn of events, the casualties were severe.
in the end, less than one-tenth of them managed to survive.
among them was a person named sikong yi.
this person only had a cultivation level of late qi condensation stage and seemed quite ordinary.
everyone thought he had merely survived by luck.
no one expected that it was this inconspicuous sikong yi who, upon returning to the ten thousand immortals island, submitted the "cloud water map" and received the reward of a whopping one hundred thousand contribution points.
after receiving the reward, sikong yi used a long-distance teleportation array and disappeared from sight of everyone in the cong yun sea.
since then, sikong yi never appeared again.
"search for information related to 'anomalies' and 'sect ruins'," li fan recalled memories from his previous life and spoke to the tianxuan mirror.
in an instant, hundreds and thousands of pieces of information emerged.
however, the majority of them displayed only the initial few sentences. to obtain complete information, one had to spend a certain amount of contribution points.
li fan didn't hesitate and immediately spent 100 contribution points to purchase the most popular guide, "survival guide for sect ruins."
the author of this guide was named qi yuanzhou, a wandering cultivator.
he had been exploring various ruins for many years and had reached the golden core stage before joining the ten thousand immortals alliance.
being able to consistently survive perilous sect ruins, qi yuanzhou naturally had exceptional qualities.
the "survival guide for sect ruins" he wrote was highly praised and regarded as a must-read by many cultivators.
the ruins of the cloud water heavenly palace were treacherous and dangerous. although li fan had prior knowledge, he didn't dare to be careless.
he carefully read the guide.
in ancient times, when the great calamity arrived, countless sects were destroyed, leaving only remnants and ruins.
some of these ruins had already been explored countless times by cultivators over the years, and they were left clean, devoid of anything valuable.
others remained unexplored due to the extreme danger and vastness of the ruins. even now, many cultivators venture in annually, seeking either techniques or breakthrough opportunities.
then, there were those sects that had remained hidden from the world, shielded by arrays and subworlds. these were untouched virgin lands and were considered treasure troves. once revealed, they would undoubtedly attract nearby cultivators.
the experiences outlined in the "survival guide for sect ruins" were tailored for these latter two categories.
the guide mentioned that in today's cultivation world, all valuable and worthy-to-explore sects could be divided into two main types.
one was those without anomalies.
in an instant, more than half of the cultivators present died.
the remaining cultivators were also frightened, thinking that there might be restrictions on the techniques or magical treasures.
fearing to disturb the treasure scattered all over the ground, they fled the cave.
after the news spread, some cultivators who didn't believe in superstitions came to test the anomaly.
after holding the treasures for a while without triggering any restrictions, they also revealed disdainful or joyful smiles.
immediately after, their bodies were dismembered, and their heads fell to the ground.
only a naturally poker-faced cultivator survived the catastrophe.
however, even he was frightened by this terrifying scene and hastily grabbed a magical treasure and fled.
the news of another group perishing shocked all the covetous cultivators nearby.
the naturally poker-faced cultivator who survived and obtained the cave's treasures drew everyone's attention.
however, no matter how they questioned him, the poker-faced cultivator claimed not to know how he survived.
later, a clever young man, after pondering for a long time, revealed the anomaly.
in this cave, it was forbidden to smile.
regardless of the reason, if one smiled, their head would be severed.
although this incident sounded absurd, after the clever young man calmly walked into the cave and took out a technique with a calm and unharmed face, all the cultivators believed it.
so, they followed suit and took out all the treasures from the cave.
...
the incident in senior hongzhi's cave was the most typical and simplest form of the anomalies, containing only one rule.
in reality, the anomalies within those sect ruins often comprised multiple compounded rules.
these anomalies were incredibly dangerous. without understanding their rules, a slight mistake could lead to death.
however, once the rules of the anomalies were understood, the risk posed by the anomalies became almost negligible.
based on his personal experiences of surviving multiple times from the anomalies, qi yuanzhou summarized dozens of pieces of advice.
first: maintain calmness at all times.
under the anomalies, unbelievable events could happen.
second: don't act recklessly.
in the absence of understanding the rules of the anomalies, the faster you acted, the faster you died.
chapter 67: netherworld spirit illusion technique
third: if you want to explore the anomaly, gather as many people as possible.
the most effective way to understand the anomaly's rules is to sacrifice lives.
just pray that you won't be the first to die!
...
li fan carefully read through the "survival guide for sect ruins" and felt his 100 contribution points were well spent.
with these experiences, he would have more confidence when exploring the cloud water palace two years later.
in his previous life, after sikong yi found the "cloud water map" from the cloud water palace and gained 100,000 contribution points, the news spread and ignited the enthusiasm of the cultivators in the cong yun sea for exploring the cloud water palace.
even though the "cloud water map" had been taken, the cloud water palace was so vast, and there were definitely more treasures inside than just the "cloud water map," right?
with this thought in mind, the cultivators of the cong yun sea surged towards the cloud water palace, regardless of life and death.
even solitary cultivators from distant continents were drawn here.
their thoughts were indeed correct.
in his previous life, until the 27th year, the cloud water palace had still not been completely explored.
from time to time, news would spread about cultivators obtaining treasures from it, making others envy them.
and precisely because so many people kept exploring, most of the anomalies inside the cloud water palace were no longer a secret.
li fan had heard of some of these things in his previous life.
however...
regarding how sikong yi had obtained the "cloud water map" back then, there were various speculations, but no conclusion had been reached.
therefore, the best way for li fan to plan for the "cloud water map" in this life was to secretly follow sikong yi and snatch it when he was about to succeed.
there were two years before the cloud water palace opened, so he could first investigate sikong yi secretly and learn about his enemy.
at the same time, he needed to improve his strength as much as possible.
li fan set his sights on a group of qi condensation stage killing techniques within the tianxuan mirror.
the price of killing techniques was much higher than that of ordinary techniques.
the "minor yan water technique" he had previously cultivated only cost 1,200 contribution points.ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
while the price of killing techniques was generally around 1,500 points.
li fan quickly browsed through the technique introductions, selecting the techniques suitable for him.
"flowing water sword technique," "minor planetary wind sword," "red flowing star"...
suddenly, li fan's eyes stopped at a technique.
in the blink of an eye, li fan's contribution points were reduced to 1321.
contribution points came quickly, but they also left quickly! originally, he wanted to purchase another escape technique, but he was a bit short, so he could only consider it later.
the most pressing matter was to cultivate the "netherworld spirit illusion technique" to the late qi condensation stage.
activating the auxiliary cultivation mode of the tianxuan mirror and placing the golden liuli pearl by his side, li fan began his cultivation.
his mind was as clear as a mirror, and the profound technique's words, double-enhanced, seemed as simple and understandable as an elementary school textbook to li fan.
the pure cultivation base from the "minor yan water technique" in his dantian dissolved into pure energies, propelling the "netherworld spirit illusion technique" to progress at an astonishing rate.
in less than a day, the "netherworld spirit illusion technique" was cultivated to the mid-qi condensation stage.
in the mid-qi condensation stage, he could visualize the "illusionary spirit" in his mind.
although it was an illusionary spirit, it couldn't be created out of thin air.
it had to be based on things that truly existed in the cultivation world.
his thoughts flowed slowly, and past events reappeared one by one before his eyes.
li fan felt as if he had returned to the moment when he witnessed the crimson flame burning the sea in his previous life.
a faint shadow gradually formed in li fan's sea of consciousness.
even though it was an unformed shadow, li fan suddenly felt a sharp rise in his body's temperature.
sweat poured down from his body like raindrops.
frowning, li fan forcefully activated the venerable heart refinement mantra, suppressing the scorching sensation.
he continued visualizing the figure of the crimson flame.
as the illusionary spirit of the crimson flame gradually took shape, the temperature of li fan's body rose.
if before it felt like being in a desert under the scorching sun, then at this moment, it felt like being placed under a blazing fire.
as li fan continued to visualize, the scorching sensation became more and more terrifying.
finally, when the temperature reached its limit, the clothes on li fan's body spontaneously ignited.
"poof!"
he couldn't maintain the visualization state anymore, and the phantom in his sea of consciousness instantly dissipated.
li fan spat out a mouthful of blood in shock.
the blood seemed to have an extremely high temperature, evaporating into a white mist before it could touch the ground.
li fan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, not disheartened.
he purchased a healing pill from the tianxuan mirror and restored himself for a moment before continuing his visualization.
chapter 68: illusory spirit resembling azure flames
as li fan's body temperature increased, the image of the chih yan in his sea of consciousness became clear once again.
however...
even though li fan pushed the xuanhuang heart refining mantra to its limits, he ignored the faint taste of scorching emanating from his body.
at the moment when the chih yan's illusory spirit was about to take shape, for some unknown reason, li fan withdrew from the visualization state.
"could it be because it's too hot, exceeding the body's endurance limit?"
li fan contemplated this and began searching in the heavenly profound mirror for medicines that could resist heat.
spending 10 contribution points, he purchased an ice heart pill.
after consuming it, li fan attempted once again.
this time, as the fiery sensation brought about by visualizing the chih yan appeared, a cold breath emerged from his dantian at the same time.
this cold breath circulated throughout his body, suppressing the heat.
without the need to distract himself to suppress bodily discomfort, li fan focused all his energy on condensing the illusory spirit resembling the chih yan.
however...
it didn't work!
the illusory spirit shattered just before it was about to take form.
it seemed like something deliberately obstructed within the depths, making it impossible for the illusory spirit to take form.
after several attempts, the effect of the ice heart pill began to fade.
li fan stopped.
"the soul of heaven and earth is indeed extraordinary; even condensing an illusory spirit based on it is impossible..."
"there must be some unknown rules or restrictions within this."
li fan pondered for a moment and began searching for information about the soul of heaven and earth in the heavenly profound mirror.
as expected, the heavenly profound mirror informed him that his permissions were insufficient to view it.
for a moment, li fan's idea of condensing the illusory spirit resembling the chih yan fell into a dilemma.
however, he didn't intend to give up.
the greater the restrictions, the greater the harvest once successful.
the might of the soul of heaven and earth was clear; even obtaining a thousandth of it would be extraordinary.
however, he needed to carefully consider how to proceed.
thus, li fan maintained his auxiliary cultivation, in a state of enlightenment, quietly closing his eyes to contemplate.
one day, two days, three days...
time passed day by day, and his contribution points gradually burned away.
li fan had a premonition. in this state, even if his body were destroyed, and he faced death in the next moment, he wouldn't feel any fear.
it was a state of absolute calm and rationality.
it was in this state that li fan silently watched as his body was completely encased in ice.
it was like being in absolute zero, plunged into absolute silence.
at the same time, in li fan's sea of consciousness, the illusory spirit of blue flames finally took shape.
the temperature didn't rise, but vitality rapidly emerged on li fan.
it was as if the absolute coldness could no longer affect him.
li fan's consciousness moved, and the blue flames in his sea of consciousness flickered. the extreme coldness on his body quickly disappeared.
in the blink of an eye, li fan returned to his original appearance, and he emerged from that state of absolute rationality.
the extreme coldness seemed like an illusion, leaving no trace.
"so, this is the power of blue flames?"
in his sea of consciousness, the young blue flames illusory spirit fell into a deep sleep.
but li fan knew that he could awaken it at any time and recreate that state he had just experienced.
"encountering four different situations when visualizing flames of different colors should correspond to the condition of the soul of heaven and earth."
after some contemplation, li fan made his own conjecture.
the soul of heaven and earth was the embodiment of the laws of heaven, and in this realm, practitioners could also refine the soul of heaven and earth to achieve the dao unity realm.
so, in the previous visualization process, those illusory spirits that could form but lacked any power should represent a lack of this particular type of soul of heaven and earth.
as for those that couldn't take form, like the red flames, they should still belong to the system of heaven and earth's laws. although li fan could invoke their power, he couldn't possess them. for those like the black flames, they should have already been refined by dao unity cultivators and were no longer within the system of this realm's laws.
then, what did this blue flame represent?
"the law of what is yet to be born?"
"in other words, in the near future, in some part of the cultivation world, the true soul of heaven and earth, the blue flame, will descend?" li fan fell into deep thought.
after a long time, li fan took a deep breath and buried his various speculations about the soul of heaven and earth deep in his mind.
regardless, although he hadn't condensed the illusory spirit of red flames, he accidentally visualized the illusory spirit of blue flames.
the two attributes were completely opposite, but the power of the blue flames seemed to be no less than that of the red flames.
feeling delighted, li fan began to practice the "illusory spirit of darkness" again.
he attempted to nurture and strengthen the illusory spirit of blue flames, aiming to use it for psychic attacks.
time slowly passed as he practiced.
not long after, li fan suddenly stopped the auxiliary cultivation mode.
it turned out that due to the prolonged practice, his contribution points were now just a little over a hundred.
chapter 69: it’s actually you
tl note: i had mistakenly published a draft for the previous chapter 68, and it has now been fixed with the final edited version.
*****
before entering seclusion, li fan had set a minimum contribution point threshold of 100. if it dropped below this number, the auxiliary cultivation mode would forcibly terminate.
it felt like he had just woken up from a beautiful dream, abruptly disturbed. li fan felt a momentary annoyance, but he quickly suppressed that emotion.
"these contribution points are depleting too quickly."the roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.
the days when he had over three thousand contribution points seemed like they had just passed yesterday, yet in the blink of an eye, they were gone.
"the opening of the cloud water heavenly palace is still about two years away. before that, i need to figure out how to earn more contribution points and strengthen my power."
he once again browsed through the task page of the tianxuan mirror.
li fan chose to ignore the official tasks posted by the ten thousand immortals alliance. even in the late qi condensation stage, the official tasks he could undertake were still all low-yield and low-risk missions.
for instance, assisting alchemists, craftsmen, or talisman makers, or helping to maintain and inspect arrays scattered throughout the cloud sea.
although these tasks were safe, they earned contribution points too slowly. if li fan had an interest in learning alchemy, craftsmanship, or talisman making, they might have been considered.
but for now, the most important thing was to obtain the "cloud water map."
unfortunately, li fan's luck seemed to be lacking this time. he couldn't find any suitable tasks even after searching for a long time.
after thinking for a moment, li fan took out the communication talisman given to him by he zhenghao and sent him a message.
"may i ask, fellow daoist he, if there are any fast ways to earn contribution points? i've been searching the tianxuan mirror for a long time, and most of the tasks only offer a few dozen points. i need thirty points of contribution every day just for my cultivation. at this rate, when will i be able to exchange for a foundation establishment cultivation method?"
li fan complained in his message.
after sending the message, he placed the communication talisman aside and continued his cultivation.
even though he didn't have the assistance of the tianxuan mirror, his cultivation speed had improved somewhat.
after three days had passed, he zhenghao finally replied.
"hahaha, that's how it is in our ten thousand immortals alliance. newly joined cultivators often need several years of hard work to exchange for a cultivation method. it's the same for everyone."
he zhenghao already knew what li fan wanted to ask and spoke even more proudly, "that's because i personally constructed liuli island's array, so naturally, it's different from arrays on other islands."
li fan was astonished, "i didn't expect you, fellow daoist, to be proficient in formations."
but he was also somewhat puzzled, "is it possible for a foundation establishment cultivator like you to build such a vast mountain star formation?"
he zhenghao coughed and said seriously, "naturally, there were others assisting on the side. however, the arrangement of the formation was mainly done by me."
"i won't hide it from you; the foundation establishment treasure i possess is the mountain and river vein formation diagrams. hence, i have a talent for formations that ordinary cultivators can't compare to. if we talk about formations without considering cultivation level, even a typical nascent soul stage formation master might not surpass me." he zhenghao spoke confidently.
"i see..." li fan nodded and then asked, "i wonder what exactly you invited me for, fellow daoist? why is it so secretive and elaborate?"
he zhenghao grinned and said, "it's not a big deal; i'm just being a bit cautious."
"do you know that many years ago, mortals in the cultivation world were once collectively banished to various small worlds?"
li fan narrowed his eyes, "i've heard a bit about it."
he zhenghao continued, "in these small worlds, there are many valuable things that can be exchanged for a lot of contribution points. but gathering them by yourself is quite time-consuming and laborious, and is not worth the effort."
"however, often those influential ordinary people in these small worlds scheme to return to the cultivation world. so..."
li fan already understood what he zhenghao was planning, "so?"
"we can make it a condition for those ordinary people to help us collect resources. coincidentally, i know of a small world called dali, which is quite vast and has several precious treasures. there are even quite a lot of starry sea quicksand."
"starry sea quicksand is a common material for arranging formations, and often, a pound of it costs between two to three contribution points..."
he zhenghao explained non-stop, but he noticed li fan's eyes looking at him becoming stranger and couldn't help feeling a bit awkward.
he then said, "don't look at me like that, i know what you're thinking."
"as cultivators, how could we lower ourselves to do such things, right?"
"but fellow daoist, you don't know that even if you don't do these things, others will."
"a small world, every dozen years, can yield over two thousand contribution points. if you have several worlds like this, doesn't it mean you can get over two thousand contribution points for free every year?"
"you see, after i explained it like this, you find it quite reasonable, don't you?"
chapter 70: seeking a nascent soul technique
as he listened to he zhenghao's lengthy explanation, li fan gradually saw the resemblance between he zhenghao's figure and the cultivator who had saved the group when he first entered the cultivation world in his previous life.
"so you were the one responsible for the smuggling! no wonder heavenly treasure pavilion has been engaging in the illicit passage of mortals right under your nose, and nothing has happened. even in the last life, the rumors of heavenly treasure pavilion smuggling mortals were widely known across the island, and it didn't bring any trouble."
thinking carefully, it made sense.
given he zhenghao's greedy personality, how could he possibly let go of such a lucrative opportunity?
li fan was somewhat speechless but quickly accepted the reality.
"so, what do you mean, fellow daoist?"
seeing that li fan didn't object, he zhenghao became very pleased. "this matter is simple. you just need to run an errand for me to the land of immortal extinction and bring back the materials that i had the people from the land of immortal extinction collect ten years ago."
"after selling these materials, we split the contribution points earned equally."
"i need to guard liuli island and can't leave. originally, i was planning to cooperate with someone else, but since you messaged me, i decided to contact you."
after some consideration, this matter indeed carried little risk.
over a thousand contribution points in thirty days, which far exceeded the tasks one could usually take.
"i wonder how long it will take for a round trip? this must be clarified in advance. i don't want to miss the opening of the cloud water celestial palace."
"don't worry, it will take at most twenty to thirty days, and it won't delay your cultivation, fellow daoist," he zhenghao assured.
"alright, i'll accept this."
he zhenghao smiled in satisfaction and handed a small wooden boat to li fan. "after obtaining the materials, just give this to the mortals in the land of immortal extinction. don't worry about anything else."
li fan took a look at it: the wooden boat resembled the tai yan boat but was far less exquisite.
"it's just an ordinary wooden boat with a few inscribed formations, not a magical tool. however, it's enough to help those mortals pass through the immortal extinction formation and come here," he zhenghao explained.
"of course, the strength of the formation on the boat only supports one crossing. after arriving in the cultivation world, the formation on the wooden boat will deplete its energy and dissipate on its own."
"this is to prevent those mortals from replicating it."
"to be honest, i have set my eyes on a nascent soul cultivation technique. this technique is highly compatible with my foundation treasure. if i could cultivate that technique, i am sure i could achieve the golden core stage within a hundred years, and even reaching the nascent soul realm would be almost certain," he zhenghao's eyes flashed with desire.
"unfortunately, a genuine nascent soul technique is extremely rare and precious. even if i've saved up for a long time, i'm still far from the required contribution points."
"so, i can only save as much as i can in my daily life," he sighed. "even so, i don't know when i'll be able to exchange for it."
"i also don't know if the cultivation technique i've been longing for will be exchanged by someone else before that."
he zhenghao sighed.
then, he remembered something and said to li fan, "by the way, you're already in the later stage of qi condensation. when selecting a foundation establishment cultivation technique, if possible, remember to choose one that is compatible with your foundation treasure. this way, not only will you find it easier to cultivate in the future, but there will also be many other benefits. due to the limitations of the tianxuan mirror, i can't tell you too much. just remember this, and you won't go wrong."
"a compatible foundation treasure and cultivation technique..." li fan nodded slowly upon hearing this.
he zhenghao then sighed, "actually, the cultivation technique i'm currently practicing is also extraordinary. i obtained it by accident when exploring an unnamed cave in my youth. it contains various incredible methods."
"however, the difficulty of cultivating it is a bit too high. it takes decades or even hundreds of years to advance a small realm."
"foundation establishment is already so difficult. if i forcefully continue practicing this technique at the golden core stage, i will likely exhaust my lifespan before my breakthrough, and i'll perish before achieving success."
"switching to another cultivation technique is also quite difficult." he zhenghao finished speaking and then fell into deep silence.
li fan listened and respectfully clasped his hands before heading towards the land of immortal extinction.
he zhenghao watched li fan's departing figure and sighed once again.
there was actually one thing he hadn't mentioned.
while it's true that assisting junior cultivators from the sidelines could yield benefits, cultivating the dao was just too difficult.
over the years, he cast his nets everywhere, nurturing young cultivators.
however, the vast majority mysteriously died not long after, without reaching even the foundation establishment stage.
encountering someone like li fan, a young genius who had already reached the later stage of qi condensation, was already a great stroke of luck.
after all, in this world, how many geniuses would he be able to meet?
chapter 71: the mortals of dali
after leaving liuli island, li fan followed the guidance provided by he zhenghao and flew west for two days, arriving at an area of the sea filled with reefs and whirlpools.
activating the concealing form talisman, li fan dove into the sea and found the entrance to the mortal realm in the depths of the sea within a ruin.
an inconspicuous well.
diving into the well, li fan sensed a familiar aura, similar to the ruins abyss he had encountered before.
continuing down the passage within the well, after an unknown amount of time, li fan suddenly felt dizzy.
when he regained consciousness, he was surrounded by darkness, with no trace of seawater, already in an endless dark space.
"it seems that the immortal extinction formation blocking the various small worlds is the same." li fan looked out into this space and pondered.
a colony composed of tens of thousands of void ripper whales hid in the darkness, diligently creating space and pushing the mortal realm away from the world of cultivation.
just like the ruins abyss he was in previously.
the void ripper whales were extremely sensitive to the aura of mortals but completely indifferent to cultivators.
however, li fan still chose to cautiously avoid the void ripper whales and arrived at the thunderstorm layer.
at this point, he recalled he zhenghao's instructions again.
"the immortal extinction formation isolates the mortal realm from the world of cultivation. even foundation establishment cultivators should be cautious when trying to forcefully break through it. however, as long as you follow the method i mentioned to break the array, you won't trigger the array's attacks..."
li fan operated his spiritual energy according to he zhenghao's instructions and flew into the thunderstorm layer.
after staying in place for a while, the violent thunder continuously struck around li fan, but none of it hit him.
"it indeed works. in this way, even without the tai yan boat, i can pass through this immortal extinction formation. the ordinary wooden boat given to the mortal realm inhabitants uses formations to stabilize these fluctuations, thus avoiding the attacks of the immortal extinction formation."
"the tai yan boat passes through the immortal extinction formation by having formations resist the attacks. what he zhenghao did was essentially like cracking the defense system of the array and creating a hidden entrance for himself."
"looking at it this way, he wasn't boasting. indeed, he has exceptional knowledge in the field of formations."
having verified the information, li fan chose not to manually cross this time.
he immediately released the tai yan boat, deftly passed through the immortal extinction formation, and headed towards dali.
...
dali and the grand xuan kingdom were both mundane worlds, and the general scenery was similar.
however, in the center of this world, there was a volcano towering thousands of meters high.
handing the wooden boat inscribed with formations to the emperor of dali, li fan looked at the pleased expression on his face and suddenly asked, "i wonder if the southern king is present today?"
the emperor was taken aback. immortal masters in the past would usually take the materials and fly away directly. he didn't know why the southern king was suddenly asked about today.
not daring to be negligent, the emperor answered anxiously, "reporting to the immortal, my younger brother is stationed in the southern border year-round and is not in the capital."
"however, his son, xiao heng, is here." afraid of angering the immortal, the emperor hurriedly added.
li fan nodded, knowing that xiao heng had been left in the capital as a kind of hostage. he wasn't surprised, "where is he now? take me to see him!"
the emperor had no idea where the southern king's hostage usually resided and couldn't answer. he was momentarily stunned and began to sweat anxiously.
luckily, a eunuch by his side quickly reminded him in a low voice, "your majesty, young master xiao heng is likely being fostered in master su's residence."
"su family's residence..." li fan's heart moved upon hearing this.
the emperor heaved a sigh of relief, and quickly arranged for someone to lead the way.
not long after, li fan met xiao heng at the su family's residence.
at this moment, he was just a seven or eight-year-old child, and being suddenly surrounded by so many strangers, his little face was nervous.
comparing the small figure with the image of xiao heng in his memory, li fan chuckled.
"i perceive extraordinary talent in this child; he will certainly not be an ordinary person in the future." he suddenly spoke.
the people present had different expressions upon hearing this and looked at xiao heng, who still looked confused and didn't know what was happening.
then, li fan lightly pointed at xiao heng's forehead.
he transmitted the "cleansing heart mantra" along with the instructions for the corresponding medicine to him.
"i will personally take him away when i come back in ten years." glancing at everyone, li fan said calmly.
for a moment, those who had mischievous thoughts in their minds were all covered in cold sweat, trembling in fear.
the emperor of dali naturally understood the implication in li fan's words and quickly promised, "immortal, please rest assured. i will take good care of him."
li fan nodded in satisfaction.
currently, his footing in the cultivation world was not yet stable, and in two years, he would explore the cloud water celestial palace, so his future was uncertain.
he could only transmit the "cleansing heart mantra" to xiao heng for now, wait for him to mature, and then bring him into the cultivation world.
with the matters regarding the mortal realm settled, li fan prepared to leave.
but suddenly, he heard a young and tender voice from the crowd, "please, immortal master, save my sister!"
chapter 72: immortal’s restoration
the sudden voice made all the important figures from dali present quiet.
even the emperor of dali turned pale.
you must know, in the eyes of an immortal, they were basically no different from ants.
what was the fate of ants making a request? twenty years ago, the skies of dali's capital were filled with blood, which was the best answer.
they all lowered their heads, sweating profusely, sneaking glances at li fan.
but that voice, seemingly unafraid of death, repeated loudly, "please, immortal, save my sister!"the roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.
li fan looked in the direction from which the voice came. it was su changyu, who was around a dozen years old.
only then did a middle-aged man react and hurriedly step forward, pressing him to kneel on the ground.
"what nonsense are you talking about, yu'er!" the middle-aged man, equally on his knees, anxiously knelt down and kowtowed to li fan while holding su changyu.
while kowtowing, he said, "my child is ignorant, please forgive him, immortal!"
li fan fell into silence.
this situation made all the important figures of dali panic. under the leadership of the emperor, they all knelt down as well.
xiao heng also kowtowed, carefully saying, "immortal, please save my sister, su xiaomei."
after a while, li fan slowly spoke, "very well, take me to see. but this won't set a precedent."
everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.
in fact, li fan had planned to take a look at su changyu's terminally ill sister. however, he couldn't easily agree on the surface.
so, he made a gesture earlier.
after a while, li fan saw su's little sister, su xiaomei, in an underground room.
the temperature in the basement was very low, and many officials who had followed couldn't help but shiver.
a baby who looked like it was born not too long ago was lying quietly on a jade bed.
next to the jade bed were many ice blocks.
su xiaomei's body seemed extremely hot, so the maidservant had to constantly crush the ice blocks and apply them to her to cool her down.
seeing this unusual scene, li fan narrowed his eyes.
he walked forward, and his spiritual sense swept over su xiaomei. his expression froze.
"you all should retreat first!"
he commanded in a cold voice.
the crowd of powerful nobles then exited the basement.
li fan and su xiaomei were left alone.
li fan placed his hand on su xiaomei's body and separated a very thin sliver of aura, ferrying it into her body.
if they could overcome each calamity, they would naturally become stronger through these trials.
but if they couldn't, they would naturally die with their extraordinary powers.
this was the limit imposed by the heavens on such individuals, a test.
for those possessing innate supernatural abilities, their cultivation speed might not necessarily be very fast.
however, in battles, they often became invincible at the same level.
in fact, many of the powerful individuals with innate supernatural abilities could easily kill cultivators of the same level, as if killing chickens, and even had the power to fight across a major realm.
such individuals were notorious and had outstanding records in the cultivation world.
both types of constitutions were extremely rare, one in a million.
but what li fan saw?
these two kinds of constitutions actually appeared in a single infant!
there was no trace of the immortal-mortal miasma in her body; she was undoubtedly a naturally gifted immortal physique.
although he didn't know why the naturally gifted immortal physique, which could only be born when two cultivators reproduced, would appear in this small world filled with mortals.
but li fan was certain he hadn't seen it wrong.
and the power constantly burning inside su xiaomei's body should be her innate supernatural ability.
li fan speculated that her ability was related to the emotion "anger."
with raging anger in her heart, her own strength would multiply.
until the anger completely burned herself and her enemies into ashes.
the constant fiery state su xiaomei was in at the moment was probably caused by the uncontrollable release of her innate supernatural ability.
"naturally gifted immortal physique, innate supernatural ability. no wonder she faces such a deadly calamity from birth."
"with the constant burning of her own life force due to the anger burning inside her, even if she hides in an ice cellar all day, su xiaomei would still never survive to adulthood."
"no wonder, in the last life, su changyu was so anxious. he didn't hesitate to use himself as a test subject for the immortal-mortal miasma, just to become a cultivator as soon as possible."
"in his eyes, perhaps becoming a legendary immortal could save his sister."
"unfortunately..."
li fan looked at su changyu, and the illusionary blue flame spirit in his sea of consciousness suddenly woke up from its slumber.
"if it weren't for encountering me, even if a golden core cultivator came, they wouldn't be able to save her."
a faint blue figure appeared in front of li fan.
it seemed like a thin mist, slowly approaching su xiaomei's tiny body.
he reached out and gently touched su xiaomei's head.
the heat on the baby's body gradually dissipated.
her tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and su xiaomei slowly turned over.
chapter 73: investment
the azure flame illusionary spirit left a trace of power in su xiaomei's body to help suppress the anger within her.
then it returned to li fan's consciousness.
in just this short amount of time, li fan was already feeling weary.
the "netherworld spirit illusion technique" hadn't been cultivated to the later stage of qi condensation, and the newly born illusion spirit was still a bit weak.
moreover, he had to concentrate and carefully control the intensity of the illusion spirit's output, so as not to cause harm to su xiaomei's young body.
for li fan, it wasn't an easy task.
fortunately, all was well.
this time, he managed to keep her safe for the next ten years.
if li fan could leave the cloud water celestial palace unharmed in this world and obtain the "cloud water map," he would come to find her in advance.
if anything happened to li fan, she could still go to the cultivation world with su changyu and the others after ten years.
after recovering his strength, li fan walked out of the underground chamber.
the officials of dali were still waiting outside.
after informing them that su xiaomei had been cured, li fan let them disperse.
he only left su xiaomei's father, su xueshi, and inquired about su xiaomei's condition.
su xueshi's face turned red, and after hesitating for a while, he stuttered and explained the whole story.
as it turned out, su xiaomei was not su xueshi's daughter but instead the daughter of his younger sister, su yujing.
su yujing was much younger than su xueshi. she was only sixteen when she became pregnant with su xiaomei.
at that time, her inexplicable pregnancy caused a huge stir in the su family.
because she was not married at that time!
pregnancy before marriage was an undeniable scandal. what made lord su even more angry was that su yujing refused to disclose who the child's father was.
she insisted that she had absolutely done nothing improper and claimed that she had suddenly felt tired while playing in the garden one day and took a short nap.
upon waking up, she soon noticed something strange in her body.
but how could a young girl waiting to be married bring up such a matter to others?
it was only until her belly grew day by day that she finally couldn't hide it anymore.
the su family naturally didn't believe this absurd explanation.
and up until now, the concealing form talisman he had activated earlier was still effective.
"as long as one does not fight with others, a concealing form talisman can last this long. it's truly cost-effective. once i return to the island, i should buy some as backups," li fan thought.
inside the mountain star formation, li fan handed over the storage ring to he zhenghao.
he zhenghao seemed a bit absent-minded, just glancing at it casually before storing the storage ring away.
his attention was focused on an ancient mirror in front of him.
judging by its appearance, it seemed somewhat similar to the tianxuan mirror.
following he zhenghao's gaze, li fan looked at the mirror and saw a line of small characters.
"spirit mist grass: current price is fifteen contribution points per plant."
the number fifteen kept changing, sometimes becoming sixteen and then quickly shifting to fourteen.
"it's going up! go up!" he zhenghao stared at the mirror as if enchanted, repeatedly uttering these words.
"fellow daoist, what are you doing?" li fan asked curiously.
"ah, my friend, you don't know," he zhenghao didn't take his gaze off, sighed, and said dejectedly, "a few days ago, shortly after you left, i received reliable information. due to an attack by sea creatures, the island where spirit mist grass is cultivated was mostly destroyed."
"as i mentioned before, spirit mist grass is the main raw material for making concealing form talismans and is already extremely scarce. now that a significant portion has been destroyed, the price is bound to skyrocket."
"at the time this news came, i thought i'd seize this opportunity to make a fortune. so, i spent a lot in the tianxuan mirror and hoarded a large amount of spirit mist grass."
this operation sounded somewhat familiar to li fan, who observed he zhenghao and asked with some confusion, "but isn't that a good thing? why does fellow daoist seem so dispirited?"
"ah, it is a good thing, but i was happy too early," he zhenghao didn't look away from the mirror, sighing and saying, "at first, the price of spirit mist grass went up a bit, from twenty points per plant to twenty-five points per plant. but who would have thought that before i could sell the spirit mist grass i had, its price suddenly plummeted."
"it went all the way from twenty-five points to thirteen points, almost halving!" he zhenghao was in great pain.
"fortunately, the price has rebounded somewhat recently, back to around fifteen points."
...
listening to he zhenghao's words, li fan couldn't help but say, "then why doesn't fellow daoist take this opportunity to sell the spirit mist grass you have on hand? at the very least, you can recoup some of your investment."
he zhenghao hurriedly shook his head, "that won't do. i've invested almost a hundred years' worth of savings into it. at the very least, i need to wait for the price to rise again before i can sell..."
he was halfway through his words when he suddenly exclaimed, "why is it falling again? thirteen? twelve? ten? eight?..."
"it's still falling?!"
in the blink of an eye, the price of spirit mist grass collapsed from fifteen points per plant to six points per plant before finally stabilizing with great difficulty.
"it should... go back up, right?"
after remaining silent for a long time and seeing he zhenghao disoriented and bewildered, li fan could only console him in this way.
chapter 74: a moment of leisure
in ten thousand immortals island, the unusual fluctuation in the price of spirit mist grass had already caused quite a stir.
upon a little inquiry, li fan understood the truth behind the matter.
as expected, someone set up a scheme and ruthlessly reaped profits from cultivators like he zhenghao who wanted to take advantage of the situation.
the news of the island where spirit mist grass was cultivated being destroyed was indeed true. after the news was confirmed, many people hurried to enter, hoping to make a fortune.
however, what they didn't know was that the ten thousand immortals alliance had recently discovered a subworld that had been sealed for a thousand years.
it was said to be rich in wood-element spiritual energy and filled with various rare spirit plants.
spirit mist grass was abundant there.
one step could crush several plants.
previously, only the high-ranking members of the ten thousand immortals alliance knew about this.
it wasn't until people in the market shed blood and tears over spirit mist grass that the news was suddenly released.
no wonder the price of spirit mist grass plummeted suddenly later.
"it seems like there's no hope for he zhenghao to recover his investment," li fan said with a smile and regret.
"however, this senior's methods are not very ethical."
li fan checked the transaction records in the tianxuan mirror.
greenwood rebirth nascent lord.
this person was the one who first raised the price of spirit mist grass. later, during the tug-of-war between buyers and sellers, he dealt the final blow, smashing the price of spirit mist grass.
it was obvious that he was an insider who had known about the news in advance.
li fan muttered to himself.
however, with nascent soul-level involvement, those who suffered losses probably didn't have the courage to confront him.
they could only accept their losses.
li fan even speculated maliciously that the island where spirit mist grass was cultivated might have been secretly destroyed by this nascent soul.
"the market is truly treacherous," li fan shook his head.
just as li fan was gloating, news came from he zhenghao.
"friend, i have sold all the goods acquired for this trip to lijie. i've received a total of 2342 contribution points. according to our previous agreement, we each get half."
having seen many such people, jiao xiuyuan didn't pay much attention.
"what do you want? formation talismans, artifact pills, we have everything, and discounts for large quantities!" he lazily greeted.
"how much for a concealing form talisman?" the other party asked.
jiao xiuyuan's eyes lit up, and he became energetic.
"10 contribution points per talisman. how many do you want? if you want more than ten, i'll give you a 20% discount. if you want more than a hundred, i'll give you a 50% discount!"
li fan smiled, "i don't need that many. five or six will suffice."
after a pause, li fan continued, "and your price isn't right. before coming here, i bought one in the tianxuan mirror. a concealing form talisman that can shield golden core cultivators' scrutiny is now priced at only 20 points. why are you selling these subpar ones at such a high price?"
jiao xiuyuan's face twitched at the words and quickly changed his tune, "8 points per talisman, i can't go any lower. you have to understand that making talismans also has its own costs!"
"alright, give me six," li fan didn't haggle any further.
afraid that li fan might change his mind, jiao xiuyuan quickly took out six concealing form talismans.
"how would you like to trade?"
the tianxuan mirror didn't support anonymous transactions. if they directly exchanged contribution points, their identities would be exposed.
however, li fan had already prepared before coming.
"spirit stones." he took out five medium-grade spirit stones from his storage ring and handed them over.
standard spirit stones were manufactured jointly by the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association. they had different grades and were equivalent to the official currency of the cultivation world, with a unique anti-counterfeiting prohibition.
the exchange ratio between top-grade, high-grade, medium-grade, and low-grade spirit stones was 10:1.
within the ten thousand immortals alliance, one low-grade spirit stone could be exchanged for one contribution point in the tianxuan mirror.
the five medium-grade spirit stones li fan handed over were equivalent to 50 contribution points.
"don't bother making change for me."
li fan put away the concealing form talisman and casually asked, "do you accept business related to investigating cultivators?"
jiao xiuyuan immediately became cautious upon hearing this.
he examined li fan and after much deliberation, he gritted his teeth and said, "yes, why wouldn't i? i'm already losing money in my business. if i don't take on some private jobs, i won't be able to survive!"
"what's the name and cultivation level?" jiao xiuyuan asked in a hushed tone.
"sikong yi, middle stage qi condensation."
chapter 75: encountering the dragonwhale
as soon as jiao xiuyuan heard that the target was only at the mid qi condensation stage, he immediately relaxed.
he eagerly said, "rest assured, it's just a minor cultivator at the qi condensation stage. i guarantee to thoroughly investigate his life for you. about the price..."
li fan smiled, "just a minor cultivator at the qi condensation stage, i believe it shouldn't be too expensive."
jiao xiuyuan wished to slap himself, reluctantly saying, "in this line of work, there's always some risk. how about this price?"
he showed a gesture of eight with his hand.
"forty contribution points, not a point more," li fan shook his head.
"oh, you're really haggling hard! how about 60 points? or else, it will be another loss-making deal!" jiao xiuyuan exclaimed in distress.
li fan turned to leave.
"wait, wait!" jiao xiuyuan hurriedly stopped li fan.
"fifty points, that's the lowest i can go," he said with a pained expression.ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
li fan stopped then.
"first, give me ten contribution points as a deposit," jiao xiuyuan said, handing a communication talisman to li fan. "once there are results, i will notify you through this talisman."
li fan accepted the talisman and handed over a middle-grade spirit stone to jiao xiuyuan.
not in a hurry to leave, li fan began to inspect other items being sold in the room.
seeing a potential big client, jiao xiuyuan became even more enthusiastic.
"what else would you like?"
"do you have any cultivation techniques for sale? preferably escape techniques, or something similar to the effect of a concealing form talisman?" li fan asked.
jiao xiuyuan's expression froze.
"heh, are you playing a joke on me? how about you look at other items? how about this illusion array diagram? it's definitely a top-tier item. once activated, it can trap a qi condensation stage cultivator for a day."
"this frost sword isn't bad either, suitable for ambushes..."
"oh, please don't go!"
...
exiting thousand-mile hall, li fan returned to the tianxuan mirror.
he planned to cultivate the "netherworld spirit illusion technique" to the late stages of qi condensation first.
once the azure flame illusionary spirit completely stabilized, he could release it for combat.
with the auxiliary cultivation mode activated, li fan once again entered seclusion.
a dark brown, ferocious-looking sea monster with irregular protrusions on its forehead that seemed like a mix between a dragon and a fish, emerged suddenly from the shadows of the sea floor.
its huge mouth opened and swallowed a dozen or so flame sharks along with the crimsonback whale in one gulp!
its body swayed, and the giant monster swam in a circle before swimming towards a certain direction.
li fan, who had barely avoided the giant monster, hadn't reacted yet and watched helplessly as his prey was stolen right before his eyes.
could he endure this?
rage surged within li fan.
but soon, the venerable heart refinement mantra circulated, calming him down a bit.
wait a minute, could this giant monster be the same one that destroyed the island where the spirit mist grass was planted?
it seemed to dawn on him, and li fan was stunned.
before accepting the task of hunting crimsonback whales, li fan had seen another reward task.
because this task was somewhat related to li fan, he carefully examined it.
it turned out that the group of people who had previously hyped up the spirit mist grass had almost all suffered heavy losses, some losing their entire fortunes.
frustration and resentment surged within them, making it impossible for them to concentrate on cultivation.
however, they didn't dare to provoke greenwood rebirth true immortal and the ten thousand immortals league. thus, they could only vent their anger on the mysterious beast that had destroyed the island where the spirit mist grass was planted.
according to witnesses, the attacker was a dragonwhale. it was roughly at the qi condensation stage.
the island's guardian was also a qi condensation cultivator.
however, the dragonwhale was massive, and the guardian's attacks were like tickles, having no effect at all.
the dragonwhale completely ignored the guardian, broke through the island's protective array, and rampaged on the island, consuming most of the spirit mist grass.
after this, the golden core cultivators from the ten thousand immortals league arrived late.
the dragonwhale, after being struck by a blow from a golden core cultivator, surprisingly didn't die. it was heavily injured and fled back into the deep sea.
the cong yun sea was vast, and despite their efforts, these people couldn't find the dragonwhale even after searching for more than ten days.
helpless, each of them contributed the little they had left and jointly issued a reward task.
those who killed the dragonwhale would receive two thousand contribution points.
because this dragonwhale was beyond the qi condensation cultivators' capabilities, li fan, a mere qi condensation cultivator, naturally didn't take this task before.
but...
the situation was different now!
chapter 76: dragonwhale’s execution
the dragonwhale, worth 2000 contribution points, unexpectedly appeared in front of li fan and seized the reward for his mission.
how could li fan endure this? a foundation establishment cultivator might not be able to deal with the dragonwhale, but li fan might not be unable to kill it!
li fan narrowed his eyes, and the formless killing intent firmly locked onto the dragonwhale.
the whispers in his ears and the hallucinatory scenes reappeared.
however, this time, the side effects were considerably lesser compared to when he locked onto the ten thousand immortals alliance guardian previously.
li fan quickly recovered, watching the dragonwhale's disappearing figure ahead, and hurriedly followed.
the monstrous dragonwhale was completely unaware that it had been targeted by killing intent.
at this moment, it was hunting in the deep sea.
the pulsation from the bulge on top of its head told it that it was getting close.
as long as it continued hunting like this, before long, a radical transformation would occur within its body.
it could then finally shed this ugly form and assume the sacred appearance in its mind.
the dragonwhale roamed the deep sea, leisurely strolling as if it were in its own garden.
not long after, it found prey in front of it again, one of its kind.
another dragonwhale.
this one was a female.
attracted by the powerful masculine aura, the female dragonwhale swam over, trying to please.
however, the monstrous dragonwhale, looking at this supposedly "beautiful" existence among its kin, felt a sense of nausea and disgust.
this was its own kind?
truly absurd.
a dangerous light flickered in the monstrous dragonwhale's eyes.l--b1n.
as the female dragonwhale approached, it opened its massive mouth and ruthlessly swallowed her whole.
what a pitiful creature!
quietly digesting the flesh and blood in its stomach, the monstrous dragonwhale couldn't help but recall its past.
once upon a time, it wandered aimlessly in the depths of the sea like this poor creature.
living on instincts: eating, mating, surviving.
but one day, everything suddenly changed.
as if awakening from a long nightmare, it began to awaken its consciousness.
it had a purpose.
it wanted to become powerful, as strong as those creatures that flew above the sea surface all day.
in its mind, it found a plethora of knowledge seemingly out of thin air.
it knew which things it could consume to grow the fastest.
its instincts also became more accurate.
in certain places on the sea floor, whenever it approached, it felt an incredible danger.
it was never-ending.
wherever it went, it encountered enemies launching attacks against it.
even those clearly not its match would charge at it as if they had gone mad, coming to their deaths.
at first, it thought of teaching these pests a lesson, but soon, it could only flee in a panic.
because there were too many of these pests, and it hadn't rested in a long time, becoming increasingly exhausted.
the dragonwhale sensed that something was amiss.
but it didn't know where the problem lay.
the pursuit and attacks from other underwater creatures seemed never-ending.
the dragonwhale's consciousness started to blur.
until the moment before death, it vaguely saw a phantom, glowing with blue light, appearing before it.
then, its consciousness was completely frozen.
...
the azure flame illusionary spirit dealt the final blow to this monstrous dragonwhale, and li fan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
the lock of the formless killing intent dissipated, and the surrounding seabed creatures, who had been eyeing him intently, hesitated and stopped approaching.
the time it took to hunt the dragonwhale far exceeded li fan's expectations.
this monstrous beast was just too powerful.
recalling the great battles he witnessed between various fierce sea creatures along the way, li fan was still amazed.
fortunately, no matter how strong it was, it couldn't withstand endless consumption.
it took more than twenty days in total for li fan to finally exhaust and kill this monstrous dragonwhale.
this showed how tenacious its vitality was.
"an ordinary foundation establishment cultivator would have no chance against such a beast."
"formless killing intent is truly worthy of being comprehended from the killing intent of heaven and earth, it's indeed formidable."
having effortlessly hunted the monstrous dragonwhale and obtained 2000 contribution points, li fan couldn't help but feel a bit delighted.
"the dragonwhale is too large, and i can't fit it into the storage ring. i can only cut off a few pieces with obvious characteristics and value..."
li fan looked at the dragonwhale's corpse in front of him, contemplating to himself.
after some hard work, li fan dismembered the dragonwhale.
just as he was about to leave, something suddenly came to mind.
"i heard that the stomachs of these dragonwhales often contain things that are hard to digest. over the years, they aggregate into a mass. it can be used as rare alchemy material, also worth quite a few contribution points."
following the principle of not missing opportunities, li fan started searching in the monstrous dragonwhale's stomach.
"the stomach of this dragonwhale is indeed diverse, with all sorts of things..."
"huh, what's this..."
li fan picked up a round, half-digested bead-like object, and it felt strangely familiar.
soon, he realized.
"isn't this a liuli pearl..."
chapter 77: stalking shadow technique
li fan found many undigested liuli pearls inside the stomach of the dragonwhale.
it should be the remnants of a liuli fish school that the dragonwhale had swallowed.
"it seems that since i killed that giant liuli fish, the situation of the liuli fish school has become precarious," li fan pondered to himself.
in addition to the liuli pearls, there were also half a piece of coral, a shining fish bone, and various other miscellaneous items.
li fan didn't care whether he recognized them or not; he packed them all.
finally, after rechecking to ensure that he didn't miss anything, li fan quietly left.
there was no conversation along the way, and he safely returned to ten thousand immortals alliance.
after submitting the dragonwhale's carcass, li fan exchanged everything he had gathered from its stomach for contribution points.
a total of 320 points.
afterward, through an appraisal, the ten thousand immortals alliance confirmed that the dragonwhale carcass li fan turned in was indeed the one that had attacked the island before.
thus, he received the task reward of 2000 points.
adding the previous remaining 450 points, li fan now had a total of 2770 contribution points that he could use.
"with so many contribution points, i should be able to choose a satisfactory technique."
currently, li fan lacked a method to conceal his own aura to track others.
these kinds of techniques were quite rare, but for just the qi condensation stage, 2770 contribution points were more than enough.
li fan began his selection in the tianxuan mirror.
at this moment, in ten thousand immortals alliance, the task to hunt the dragonwhale, which had once left many foundation establishment stage cultivators helpless, was actually completed by a qi condensation cultivator.ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
this unusual occurrence immediately caught the attention of many people.
the group of people who had initially jointly issued the task were especially puzzled.
"late-qi condensation, li fan? who is this person? wasn't it said that the dragonwhale could resist attacks from golden core cultivators? how did li fan manage to kill it?"
"could it be that this person is hiding his cultivation base?"
"is this fellow daoist a newcomer to our ten thousand immortals alliance? how could he hide his cultivation base in front of the tianxuan mirror? impossible!"
"indeed, this person undoubtedly possesses the strength of the late qi condensation stage. i have confirmed with someone; he was recommended by he zhenghao to join ten thousand immortals alliance not long ago."
"oh? so how did this person achieve it?"
"could it be that this person possesses some extraordinary treasures?"
once locked onto the opponent, he could closely follow them like their shadow, making it difficult for the opponent to get rid of him.
it could even hide like a shadow in the darkness, making it impossible for the opponent to detect.
such a miraculous effect naturally came at a price.
1800 contribution points.
li fan didn't hesitate and directly bought it.
just as li fan was preparing to enter seclusion for cultivation, he suddenly received a communication talisman message from he zhenghao.
"fellow daoist li fan! i didn't expect that the cultivator who killed the dragonwhale was really you! i thought it was another cultivator with the same name, same surname, and same realm as you!"
"someone asked me about your situation, and only then did i confirm that it was indeed you who killed that dragonwhale!"
he zhenghao seemed unusually excited.
"alright, alright. you've finally vented for me! you have no idea, these days, every time i close my eyes, all i see is the image of the spirit mist grass prices plummeting."
...
li fan fell silent for a moment, then replied, "it's just good luck. when doing the mission, i happened to come across that dragonwhale fighting other giants, and so i got lucky."
shortly after the message was sent, he zhenghao immediately replied.
"luck is also a part of strength, my fellow daoist. your talent and luck are extraordinary; your future is bound to be promising!"
before li fan could decide on a reply, he zhenghao sent another message.
"can i ask you for a favor?"
"oh? what's the matter?"
"well, i want to ask my fellow daoist to temporarily act as the guardian on liuli island for me. what do you think?"
"guard temporarily?" li fan was a bit curious.
he zhenghao hurriedly explained.
"previously, because of the incident with the spirit mist grass, i lost most of my savings from these years. i'm getting farther and farther away from the nascent soul technique i want to exchange for. i'm not reconciled."
"coincidentally, a few fellow daoists recently discovered an ancient cave, and they invited me to explore it together. according to them, this cave should have been sealed before the great calamity, and there are bound to be many rare treasures inside, and even the existence of techniques is not impossible."
"if i can make some gains, it can also compensate for my losses. so, i've decided to take a chance."
li fan thought for a moment and didn't immediately reply. instead, he asked, "i wonder how long you need me to oversee temporarily?"
he zhenghao quickly replied, "i won't take long. at least one or two years, at most three or four years."
chapter 78: the opening of the cloud water heavenly palace
"sorry. i'm indeed helpless in this matter. i have a premonition that a breakthrough is imminent, and i need to go out to seek opportunities within the next two years. i can't guard liuli island for an extended period," li fan replied.
the cloud water heavenly palace would open in a little over a year. li fan was determined not to miss the opportunity to enter early just for a small amount of contribution points obtained guarding duty.
he straightforwardly declined he zhenghao's request.
"i see. i'll have to find someone else then. i wish you success in reaching foundation establishment soon!" he zhenghao regretfully responded.
no more messages were exchanged through the communication talisman.
li fan didn't pay much attention and, instead, spent contribution points to activate the auxiliary cultivation mode.
he began cultivating "stalking shadow technique."
after all, it was an auxiliary technique, and cultivating "stalking shadow technique" was much simpler compared to the other two techniques.
with the double boosts from the augmented cultivation and the golden liuli pearl, in less than ten days, li fan had cultivated it to the later stage of the qi condensation.
at the moment, li fan was testing the effects of the "stalking shadow technique."
with 100 contribution points, he simulated a hunt for a foundation establishment cultivator in the tianxuan mirror.
the surrounding space transformed into continuous mountain ranges.
in the mountains, a figure was swiftly flying away into the distance.
that was the target set for the hunt.
as li fan watched the figure getting farther away, he activated the technique, and his figure suddenly darkened.
it was as if he was covered with a dark veil, making him hard to detect amidst the ubiquitous shadows.
as the target was about to disappear from sight, li fan accelerated abruptly, catching up in a burst of speed.
compared to the simple wind-controlling flight he had learned before, li fan's speed had greatly increased.
there seemed to be a subtle connection with the locked target, boosting li fan's speed to a certain extent.
it was as if li fan had truly become the target's shadow, making it impossible for the target to shake him off.
he could continuously leap and navigate through the shadows on the ground.
in no time at all, li fan caught up with the figure ahead.
the surroundings blurred for a moment, and the illusion of mountains, rivers, and the cultivator vanished simultaneously.
once again, it returned to a pitch-black space.
the hunt concluded, and li fan was quite satisfied with the "stalking shadow technique."
its effect of concealing one's aura was outstanding, especially when combined with the concealing form talisman. it would make it even more difficult for others to detect him.
although sikong yi seemed a bit mysterious, his cultivation should be in the late stage of qi condensation. li fan had made ample preparations and had a well-devised plan. the heist of the "cloud water map" should not pose significant problems.
now that everything was in place, he awaited the intelligence from jiao xiuyuan and the official opening of the cloud water heavenly palace.
sikong yi and baili chen seemed to have an extremely good relationship, always staying together whenever they went out, inseparable.
moreover, the two of them seemed to have a certain kind of combined attack technique.
during battles, they cooperated seamlessly, their minds connected, resembling one person.
these two individuals usually stayed on ten thousand immortals alliance island and rarely ventured out except to complete tasks and accumulate contribution points.
however, during jiao xiuyuan's investigation, the two of them had mysteriously disappeared once.
after leaving ten thousand immortals alliance island, they disappeared, and it was unknown where they had gone.
"who is this baili chen, and why do i have no impression of him?" li fan carefully recollected but couldn't find any information about baili chen in his memory.
"it seems this person might have perished in the ruins of the cloud water heavenly palace."
"however, i didn't expect to have to deal with another cultivator. my current preparations seem insufficient."
"fortunately, there's still plenty of time."
thoughts surged in his mind, and li fan began to plan again.
...
one year later.
in the eleventh year in the central region of the congyun sea.
the thunderstorm that had been brewing in the sky for several months roared continuously.
the thick vortex cloud layer had turned black and was slowly rotating, continuously gathering power.
the clouds seemed like thick walls guarding the center of the vortex.
there, blue lights were constantly flickering.
with each flicker, some inexplicable changes seemed to occur in this central sea area.
this abnormality naturally attracted countless cultivators.
there were even rumors that an ancient sect's ruin was about to manifest in this location.
so, in these past few months, the gathering of cultivators has become more and more prominent.
li fan, naturally, was among them.
his gaze swept over the crowd and discreetly paused on sikong yi and baili chen.
then, he spotted jiao xiuyuan in the crowd.
jiao xiuyuan was staring at the vortex cloud layer in the sky, looking quite excited.
"he probably thinks he's stumbled upon an opportunity and can gain some profits."
"little does he know, he's just digging his own grave."
a cold glint flashed in li fan's eyes.
chapter 79: chief of the teaching hall
as the vortex cloud continued to rotate, it seemed to generate an inexplicable attraction.
all the clouds in the entire cong yun sea's sky were slowly absorbed and merged into it.
the scale grew increasingly vast, occupying the entire field of vision. just looking up gave one a suffocating sensation.
the frequency of the blue flashes at the center of the vortex also accelerated.
finally, when everything reached a critical point.
in the center of the vortex, the blue light erupted suddenly.
after forming a ring, it spread outward continuously from the center of the vortex.
the speed at which the ring expanded was extremely fast.
when people first saw it, it was still inside the vortex cloud layer.
in the blink of an eye, it swept across all the cultivators present.
without time for their faces to show a shocked expression, those who were swept by the blue light disappeared like illusions.
the blue light continued to spread outward.
if one could overlook the phenomena from ten thousand meters in the sky, they would see that this blue light ring spread from the central sea area to the entire cong yun sea in an extremely short time.
it reached the end of the sea area and stopped.
then...
it suddenly contracted.
with a speed several times faster than the expansion, it collapsed back to its original point.
the blue light instantly became extremely bright.the roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.
the thunderstorm in the vortex cloud layer stopped.
the thick cumulus clouds, which were thousands of kilometers thick and tens of thousands of miles long, seemed to be squeezed and kneaded by an invisible giant hand.
at the same time, in the cong yun sea.
countless blue dots separated from the sea surface from various places, floating and gathering.
swiftly moving towards the clouds above.
gradually, the thick cumulus clouds, in their constant silent movement, formed a continuous building-like structure.
then, the blue dots attracted misty water vapor floating up from below.
the cloud layer gradually turned azure and transparent.
this anomaly lasted for a quarter of an hour.
finally, a massive heavenly palace, gathering the clouds and water, translucent and blue all over, appeared above the cong yun sea.
the cloud water heavenly palace, sealed for thousands of years, reappeared in the world!
...
"the second point..."
qin tang continued to explain.
the cultivators below seemed quiet on the surface but were already communicating with each other through their divine senses.
"does anyone know what's going on?"
"this is strange! the cloud water heavenly palace seems to be a sect ruin shrouded in anomalies."
"is qin tang a real person?"
"definitely not a living person! haven't you seen that he has no aura at all?"
"don't panic, the anomaly has its own rules. as long as we follow what qin tang says, there shouldn't be any immediate danger."
li fan subtly glanced towards sikong yi and baili chen.
these two individuals remained composed as if they had already known they would encounter an anomaly.
or perhaps, even if it was an anomaly, these two were completely prepared for it?
li fan then looked at qin tang.
based on his memories of the exploration of the cloud water heavenly palace from his previous life, qin tang was the first checkpoint to enter the cloud water heavenly palace.
he wasn't a living person but an entity similar to an anomaly.
whatever he said was the rule of this anomaly.
if you wanted to stay alive, you had to abide by it.
and only by passing his tests could you obtain the qualification to explore various parts of the cloud water heavenly palace.
...
qin tang finally finished speaking.
he clapped his hands, "it's getting late today. let me take you to rest. early tomorrow, we will officially begin the tests."
"follow me."
saying this, he turned and walked towards the outside of the square.
the vast majority of the cultivators, including sikong yi and baili chen, obediently followed behind qin tang in white.
li fan also followed closely.
only a very small number of people exchanged glances and did not follow the crowd.
instead, they rushed in the opposite direction, attempting to leave.
qin tang seemed to be unaware of these people's actions, showing no reaction.
these people were about to escape, and their flying speed increased.
they failed to notice that as they moved further away from qin tang, more and more blue light emerged from their bodies.
finally, after flying a distance.
all these people turned into dried corpses, falling heavily to the ground.
chapter 80: remember to sleep early
the cultivators following behind qin tang noticed the scene in the distance and were all shocked.
"what a bunch of fools. i already said we encountered an anomaly, yet they attempted to escape. they truly don't know how to spell 'death.'"
"i know one of them, a foundation establishment cultivator named sun kairong. his dao techniques were quite impressive, i never expected him to die so quietly."
"strange, when they died, why didn't we see any declaration by the heavens and earth?"
"friend, is this the first time you've heard of an anomaly? under the shroud of anomaly, its own rules are established. most common knowledge is invalid. so, we must be careful."
"thank you for the advice."
...
as they walked, they communicated through their divine senses, their expressions varying.
not long after, qin tang led everyone to a tall building.
in the center was a straight corridor.
on either side of the corridor were small rooms.
inside each room, there were no other decorations.
there were only five wooden beds placed simply.
"alright! rest here for the night! gather in the square early tomorrow morning!" qin tang turned around and said to everyone.
after speaking, he shook his head and left.
"oh right, remember to sleep early!"
after his figure disappeared, qin tang's voice faintly echoed again.
seeing the anomaly vanish, the cultivators in the square finally breathed a sigh of relief.
most of them were familiar with each other, so they found rooms together.
sikong yi and baili chen naturally stayed in the same room.
li fan didn't force himself to go over and just chose another room relatively close to theirs.
there were already two people inside the room.
these two were also acquainted, currently communicating with each other using their divine senses.
li fan didn't greet them.
he lay directly on the bed, circulating the venerable heart refinement mantra, calming his mind and dissipating distractions.ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
before long, he fell into a deep sleep.
the two people still conversing noticed this and were momentarily stunned.
then, they realized what was going on. their faces suddenly turned pale, as if struck by a sudden horror.
so, they hastily stopped communicating and forced themselves to enter sleep.
however, not everyone could keenly perceive what was about to happen.
there were still many people exchanging what they had seen and heard today with their companions and expressing their excitement for the possible treasures in this brand-new cloud water heavenly palace ruins.
their expressions were full of excitement, making it difficult to fall asleep.
time passed bit by bit.
it was unknown how long had passed.
suddenly, all the lights in this tall building went out.
in the darkness, qin tang's voice echoed softly.
"oh dear, these newcomers aren't very obedient, are they?"
it was another scene of bloodshed and carnage.
early the next morning, when li fan woke up.
what he saw was corpses covering the ground inside the building.
jiao xiuyuan, as li fan expected, hadn't been able to pass this test.
headless, lying silently there.
li fan naturally wouldn't have any pity for him.
without delay, li fan headed straight to yesterday's square.
with the lesson from yesterday, the cultivators didn't wander around randomly and gathered obediently on the square.
the crowd was sparse, and the surviving cultivators were less than two-thirds of yesterday.
the trial hadn't officially started, and there were already so many casualties.
the survivors were pessimistic about what they would face next, their faces gloomy.
li fan knew that this was just the beginning.
in the end, less than one-tenth of the first batch of cultivators who entered the cloud water heavenly palace could make it out alive.
in the crowd, li fan also saw the figures of sikong yi and baili chen.
he just swept his gaze over them, not dwelling for long.
quietly waiting for qin tang to arrive.
not long after, qin tang appeared in front of everyone again.
he held a gourd flask and was chugging it as he walked.
"good wine! such good wine!"
qin tang shouted joyfully while looking at the surviving cultivators on the square.
"alright, it looks like everyone is here."
"then, let's officially begin the first trial."
his eyes narrowed, as if reminiscing about something.
"my master once said that in the pursuit of immortality and enlightenment, three things are crucial."
"natural talent, character, and luck."
"my master believed that among these three, natural talent is the most important."
"but i think differently."
"i believe that among the three, character is the most important."
"so, i've arranged three trials, all related to character."
qin tang spoke slowly, leading everyone to a tower.
the tower had three floors.
the first floor where everyone was situated had hundreds of bookshelves.
each bookshelf was filled with books.
everyone looked carefully.
"flight of the clouds," "flying thunder," "wood rejuvenation technique"...
each book was indeed a cultivation technique.
the breathing of everyone suddenly became rapid.
chapter 81: the trial of focus
in the hearts of all the cultivators, a single thought emerged simultaneously.
"this is a windfall."
just by looking at this first level, the number of cultivation techniques exceeded tens of thousands! taking some of them out at random would be equivalent to years of hard work.
a wave of desire surged in the hearts of the cultivators.
although these cultivators were already very envious of the techniques on the bookshelves, they were still restrained by qin tang's previous display of power and didn't dare to act recklessly.
however, it seemed that qin tang was unaware of the abnormality among the cultivators.
he looked at the rows of bookshelves, a look of nostalgia in his eyes, and slowly said, "the path of the heart lies in focus, courage, and perseverance."
"this first trial is to test your level of focus."
"there are 36,541 techniques here. for the next period, stay here and transcribe these techniques. you have three months."
"after three months, i will assess you based on the quantity and quality of the techniques you transcribed."
upon hearing qin tang's words, all the cultivators present showed wild excitement.
so many techniques were actually made available for them to transcribe?
as long as they could remember a few techniques, even if they gained nothing else later, this adventure would still be worth it.
ignoring the reactions of the cultivators present, qin tang casually pointed, and hundreds of sets of tables and chairs floated up in the attic.
on the tables were brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
"alright, you may begin. i hope you don't disappoint me," qin tang said and took out a wine gourd from somewhere, drinking from it again.
then he leaned against the wall, motionless, seemingly falling asleep.
seeing qin tang giving the order, these cultivators couldn't hold back.
they rushed to the bookshelves, picked up the techniques, and checked them out.
after a while, the attic erupted into a commotion.
"what is this? how is this possible?"
"'golden flame intense fire technique,' a fire attribute technique. you can cultivate it all the way to the nascent soul stage?"
"this book, and this one too, they're all nascent soul level techniques?"
"haha, it's a windfall, a complete windfall this time!"
...
watching the cultivators, seemingly insane, li fan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
he randomly picked up a technique, chose a table, and began transcribing.
he didn't bother to delve into the contents of the technique; he just patiently copied it word by word.
because he knew, these techniques were all illusory!
as qin tang had mentioned earlier, this trial was about focus.
since they started transcribing techniques, stopping for any reason would mean a disruption in that "focus."
li fan was single-minded, immersed in transcribing the techniques.
all physical and mental fatigue was forcibly suppressed.
he didn't know how much time had passed.
"oh, i had such a good sleep!" qin tang's voice suddenly echoed in li fan's ear.
he stretched lazily, and the pen and paper in front of li fan disappeared.
"the time is up, let me see how you've performed."
"tsk tsk tsk, it's really worse than the previous years." qin tang squinted as if inspecting something and shook his head repeatedly.
"oh, wait a moment..."
"this is interesting."
as if he had discovered something, he glanced towards li fan, a hint of a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
but qin tang didn't say anything more; he quickly withdrew his gaze.
"the first trial is now over. rest for a day, and on the day after tomorrow, we'll begin the second trial."
he clapped his hands, and li fan felt a sudden shift in his surroundings.
in the blink of an eye, he was back in the tall building where he had slept earlier.
qin tang's figure didn't appear this time.
the cultivators finally relaxed.
they were excited, sharing their thoughts with each other.
"this was a real stroke of luck. i transcribed while memorizing, and i recorded a total of fifteen techniques. most of them are golden core techniques, and a few are nascent soul techniques."
"i recorded quite a few as well."
"what's the use of recording so many? it only matters if we survive."
"that's not entirely true. with my abilities, if everything goes as expected, i'll probably stop at foundation establishment in this lifetime. now, i have the rare opportunity to glimpse into the mysteries of nascent soul techniques. even if i die tomorrow, i'll have no regrets!"
"friend, you speak to my heart."
"some people are just stubborn and won't listen to good advice. hmph!"
...
apart from the arguments, some cultivators began eyeing the belongings of those who had perished.
unfortunately, after some investigation, they all wore disappointed expressions.
li fan even heard someone nearby sneering, "don't bother. i checked that night. after being killed by qin tang, all the storage rings, magical items, and the like on their bodies disappeared, not a trace left."
li fan shook his head upon hearing this, preparing to go back and rest. but then, almost by accident, he saw a corpse.
chapter 82: trial of courage
it was indeed the corpse of jiao xiuyuan.
after three months had passed, it gradually revealed something unusual.
unlike normal flesh and blood, it looked more like withered wood, presenting a yellowish color.
li fan kicked it, and the sound was exactly like kicking on wood.
at this moment, a voice came from behind li fan.
"this is just a puppet, not the real body. it's jiao xiuyuan's usual method. fellow daoist, there's no need to be surprised," said the voice.
li fan turned around and saw that the speaker was also a qi condensation stage cultivator.
he immediately cupped his hands, "thank you for the guidance. is the fellow daoist also a member of the ten thousand immortals alliance?"
the person nodded, "yes, i am chen an. i've been a member of the ten thousand immortals alliance for over thirty years."the roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.
"i'm li fan. from what the fellow daoist said, it seems you are quite familiar with jiao xiuyuan?"
chen an smiled, "familiar is not the right word. but, you know some things after living here for so long."
"take jiao xiuyuan, for example. he opened a grocery store called thousand mile hall on the island, selling everything. it is said he has official connections with the ten thousand immortals alliance, and occasionally he can sell some good stuff."
"in addition, he often does some intelligence business. however, this guy never takes risks himself; he always uses puppets to pave the way."
li fan nodded after hearing this, "greedy for money and afraid of death, i see."
chen an laughed heartily, "fellow daoist summarized it perfectly! 'greedy for money and afraid of death' describes jiao xiuyuan very accurately!"
after the laughter, chen an suddenly said, "when we were transcribing the techniques in the book pavilion before, i saw others transcribing for a while and then taking a break when tired. they would transcribe again after recharging. only you, fellow daoist, didn't rest for three months. i truly admire that!"
"but i wonder, fellow daoist, what's the profound meaning behind your actions? if we only consider the speed of transcription, after all, when you stopped due to physical and mental exhaustion later on, you were certainly slower than those who took frequent breaks."
"i don't know if you can enlighten me on this," chen an asked respectfully.
li fan contemplated for a moment before speaking, "i dare not claim a profound meaning; it's just a gut feeling."
"regarding what qin tang said about the first trial being about 'focus,' to be focused means having undivided attention. not being disturbed by any external factors can be called true focus. is physical and mental fatigue also an external factor? if you stop because of it, doesn't that mean you're no longer 'focused'?"
"it's just a humble opinion; you can take it as you wish," li fan humbly said.
chen an seemed lost in thought upon hearing this.
li fan didn't say anything further and returned to the room to rest.
the next day, qin tang did not appear again.
no one dared to run around, and they just patiently waited inside the building.
on the third day, early in the morning, qin tang appeared in front of everyone while staggering and drinking wine.
"good wine, good wine!"
after burping, he squinted at the group of cultivators.
"today, we start the second trial!"
"this time, i will test your courage!"
li fan walked step by step, questioning his own heart.
even after hundreds of years of reincarnation, he had never experienced anything like this.
temporarily putting aside all external matters, he contemplated while walking.
this journey across the ice was like the path of immortality.
the road ahead was boundless, and the endpoint was not visible.
halfway through, looking around, he couldn't be certain if he had lost his direction.
from start to finish, he was alone, with nothing to rely on.
time passed, and it seemed like he would walk like this forever.
endlessly.
...
even so, could you still firmly hold on to your faith and never lose the courage to move forward?
even though you knew that this trial would eventually end.
but li fan had wavered in his heart as well.
because this journey across the sea seemed to last forever.
a year, two years...
decades passed.
li fan's hair turned gray, his body hunched over, and he still didn't stop his steps.
until his body became too old and he could no longer walk.
he collapsed weakly on the surface of the sea.
his vision became blurry, and before losing consciousness, li fan seemed to see it.
on the coast not far ahead, qin tang, dressed in white, stood there in solitude.
he raised his wine gourd towards li fan and took a sip, smiling.
...
opening his eyes, li fan found that he and the other cultivators were still in that building.
however, a long time had passed compared to the memories, and many people looked dazed.
after a long time, they regained their clarity.
"crossing the nine nether river is easy, but crossing the sea within one's heart is difficult."
"the second trial of courage has ended."
"two days from now, early in the morning, we will proceed to the final trial."
after saying this, qin tang, with his ever-present wine gourd, shook his head and left.
chapter 83: trial of eternity
"crossing the sea within one's heart is difficult."
upon hearing qin tang's words, some of the cultivators present seemed lost in thought, as if they had grasped something. others seemed indifferent, paying no attention.
and so, the second day quickly passed.
early on the third day, qin tang, as usual, appeared before the eyes of everyone.
however, this time, he didn't drink. he appeared sober, much more spirited than before.
"today is the final trial," qin tang assessed the cultivators present with a serious expression.
"on the path of cultivation, you will always encounter countless challenges and temptations. will you be able to persevere and stay true to your initial intentions?"
"let me wait and see."
in qin tang's words, everyone felt a sudden darkness before losing consciousness.
...
in a small village amidst the mountains and fields, li fan lay on the roof, watching the setting sun. he had a feeling that he had forgotten something.
growing up in this mountain village, he led a simple and happy life, working with the sunrise and resting with the sunset every day.
it was a plain and fulfilling life. if he continued like this, it didn't seem bad at all.
but there was a vague restlessness in his heart, a feeling that he shouldn't end his life so ordinarily.
"fan, fan, where are you? come home for dinner!"
li fan remained unmoved by his mother's call.
he looked up at the sky, at the birds soaring freely, at the sun and moon, ancient and steadfast, not subject to human will, lost in thought.
he spent the whole night like this until dawn was approaching. suddenly, it seemed like he had a realization.
in a swift motion, he jumped down from the house.
he rushed into the house and loudly said to his still-sleeping mother, "mother, cancel the marriage arrangement with the girl next door."
"i'm not getting married. i want to cultivate immortality!"
his mother was alarmed by the abrupt statement, thinking her child had gone mad, and hurriedly got up to hold li fan's hand. "what immortal are you talking about? there's no such thing as immortality! wake up, my child!"
li fan pulled away from his mother's grip, his youthful face full of determination. "i don't know where the immortals are, but i will definitely find them."
with that said, he, in the midst of his mother's tears, packed his belongings and strode out of the door.
six months later, while exploring in the mountains, li fan tragically fell into a tiger's mouth and lost his life.
...
in front of the dilapidated taoist temple, amidst the flickering fire and the cries of the people, li fan felt lost.
"senior brother, master is dead. what should we do after we leave ascending clouds sect?" a timid voice asked by his side.
li fan was about to speak when he heard angry voices from all around.
"what else can we do? of course, everyone should divide the things in the temple and leave the mountain!"
"we thought there was a real immortal on the mountain, that's why everyone endured hardships to come up. who would have thought this old taoist was an out-and-out fraud!"
"yeah, can a real immortal suddenly fall ill and die like this?"
as everyone got more and more agitated, li fan didn't know how to explain, so he let them plunder and empty the ascending clouds sect.
after a while, only li fan remained alone on the mountain.
he collected his master's ashes and buried them. li fan thought about the look in his master's eyes before he passed away.
unwillingness, regret, sorrow, hope...
was his master a fraud?
was the "ascending to the clouds" scripture he imparted just a fabrication?
li fan felt that perhaps it wasn't what everyone thought.
perhaps, immortals truly existed.
in the end, li fan still didn't leave the mountain.
he spent the latter half of his life alone in the taoist temple, watching the clouds change and the days pass.
he spent his days comprehending the "ascending to the clouds" scripture.
he was over fifty years old, but he couldn't make any progress.
he passed away with regrets.
...
in the imperial palace.
li fan looked at the wooden plaques on the golden plate in front of him, filled with names, and a trace of impatience appeared in his eyes.
"take them away. tonight, i still want to cultivate."
"your majesty, you haven't visited the palace concubines in three months..."
"hmm?" a flash of fierceness passed through li fan's eyes.
"...i will comply with your majesty's orders."
watching the eunuch supervisor leave in fear, li fan snorted.
"the position of emperor is truly tedious." a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
his purpose was to scour the resources of the entire country for his cultivation.
externally, he still appeared to be an ordinary human, but in reality, he had already stepped into the realm of golden core.
worldly matters were so boring!
with this in mind, three months later, during the morning court, li fan vanished into thin air in front of the civil and military officials.
for the next 216 years, while exploring an ancient subworld mansion, li fan unfortunately fell victim to an assassination plot.
he died, vanishing from the world of cultivation.
.....
at the lingyun sect.
"why is this tribulation cloud taking so long to condense and descend?"
"the might of this heavenly tribulation seems stronger than when the sect master ascended back then, right?"
"of course, in terms of strength alone, junior martial brother can be considered the strongest in our sect in a thousand years!"
li fan looked at the increasing might of the tribulation cloud above the lingyun peak and felt a surge of confidence.
after three hundred years of cultivation, what fear did he have of a mere heavenly tribulation?
a beam of sword light shot up into the sky from the lingyun peak.
the other half of the cultivators who weren't attacked, including li fan, chose to move away from the battlefield to avoid being affected.
li fan retreated to a safe place and observed the situation in the field.
the blue mirror images were extremely fierce in their attacks, tireless and immune to harm.
ordinary cultivators were no match for them. in no time, many cultivators met their end under their own mirror images.
as more cultivators died, those left struggling wouldn't last much longer.
cornered, they began to curse qin tang.
"snap out of it! why are you still accepting disciples? cloud water heavenly palace has been destroyed for countless years!"
"what nonsense master and senior brother! under the great calamity, they're all going to kill each other!"
...
"kill each other?" qin tang shook his head repeatedly at these words.
"in cloud water heavenly palace, we are united. we respect and love each other. even if we must sacrifice ourselves for our fellow disciples, there wouldn't be much hesitation."
"how could we possibly kill each other?"
as qin tang spoke, his voice suddenly lowered.
"the great calamity, the great calamity..."
he frowned, as if recalling something.
"the great calamity..."
he repeated in a low voice continuously, and the sky over the square suddenly darkened.
the blue phantom figures attacking the group of cultivators also underwent a transformation.
thick darkness continuously surged from within the phantoms. in an instant, the phantoms turned into a terrifying ink-black color.
the ink-black mirror images were much more ferocious than the previous blue phantoms. in the blink of an eye, most of the struggling cultivators were killed.
only a few remained, barely hanging on.
qin tang, however, hadn't recovered from his trance. he was still murmuring.
the ground in the square began to shake violently, and the sky was pressed down by heavy clouds.
lightning and thunder incessantly roared.
the cultivators who hadn't been attacked by the mirror images and were watching from the sidelines suddenly felt something amiss.
but facing qin tang, who was already entranced, no one dared to act rashly.
for a moment, everyone didn't know what to do.
at this moment, li fan slowly walked to qin tang's side.
he carried a wine gourd and patted qin tang's shoulder, offering it to him.
with a faint smile, li fan said to qin tang, "senior qin, have a drink."
"don't worry, there's really no great calamity at all."
qin tang turned around, sniffed the air, and instinctively took the wine gourd and drank from it.
then, he looked at li fan with some confusion. "no great calamity?"
li fan nodded confidently and repeated, "exactly, there is no great calamity."
qin tang's eyes gradually brightened, repeating murmurs of "no great calamity, no great calamity, no great calamity..."
"hahaha, you're right! there's really no great calamity!"
after a long time, qin tang burst into laughter and finally returned to normal.
the anomaly in the square also disappeared, and everything returned to normalcy.
seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and expressed grateful looks towards li fan.
however, li fan suddenly had a thought.
he sensed that there were two faint killing intents locked onto him.
although these killing intents were extremely weak, li fan was very sensitive to them and wouldn't make a mistake.
and the owners of these two killing intents were none other than sikong yi and baili chen!
li fan pretended not to notice and secretly locked onto the two through the formless killing intent.
but he didn't take action.
the brief episode quickly passed, and the battle between the cultivators and the blue mirror images came to an end.
in the end, only two fortunate cultivators survived.
qin tang looked at the surviving cultivators with a gentle expression. "the trial is over, you may go."
the cultivators were puzzled and were about to speak, but they saw each other's figures gradually fading and disappearing from the square.
soon, only li fan was left in the square.
qin tang looked at li fan, a complex expression flickering in his eyes.
"why aren't you leaving?" qin tang asked.
li fan smiled calmly. "senior brother, you owe me a good bottle of wine."
seemingly surprised by li fan's response, qin tang was momentarily taken aback, and then burst into laughter.
"exactly, i owe you a good bottle of wine!"
his expression suddenly changed, and he looked at li fan seriously.
extending his right hand, he lightly tapped li fan's forehead with his index finger.
"this 'cloud water illusory dream art' is a technique i created, painstakingly integrating all my lifelong learning. i hope you won't let it go to waste!"
after a while, qin tang retracted his finger.
li fan's figure also slowly disappeared.
in front of him was a towering gate with four characters engraved on it: "cloud water heavenly palace."
below the gate stood a broken statue.
the statue was in a terrible state, covered in wounds.
it appeared to have been pierced through the heart, revealing a huge hollow.
through the blurry face of the statue, qin tang's appearance could still be vaguely seen.
li fan silently watched the statue for a moment, then took out a wine gourd from his storage ring.
he placed it gently in front of the statue.
then, activating the stalking shadow technique, he swiftly headed towards the direction where the formless killing intent had locked onto.
chapter 84: demon refining gu daoist
the remains of the cloud water heavenly palace were incredibly vast. even in his previous life, after over a decade of continuous exploration by cultivators from the cong yun sea, the complete layout had not been fully revealed.
not to mention the current situation, where the entire cloud water heavenly palace was shrouded in dense mist.
the cultivators who awakened from the stone statue of qin tang soon split into several different factions.
some felt that the interior of the cloud water heavenly palace was extremely perilous. to survive under qin tang's subordinates was already a great stroke of luck. if they continued to explore, they would undoubtedly face certain death.
on the other hand, some believed that with just a stone statue at the entrance of this palace, they had already gained such an opportunity. what kind of great fortune might await inside the rumored alchemy rooms, teaching halls, and treasure vaults?
once greed arose, it rapidly expanded in their hearts and could no longer be suppressed.
thus, these people, as if possessed, disappeared one after another into the mist.
so, when li fan caught up from behind, he found that he had lost the trace of all the cultivators. if it weren't for the fact that the killing intent had already locked onto sikong yi and the others in advance, he would likely have lost them.
however, strangely, sikong yi and baili chen seemed to be very familiar with the layout of the cloud water heavenly palace.
they could always find a way through the seemingly impassable mist. their objectives were clear, constantly bypassing buildings shrouded in mist, moving deeper inside.
was this the reason why sikong yi managed to obtain the "cloud water map" in the previous life? after all, li fan had knowledge of the simulated experiences from his previous life, so he could understand the various secrets within the cloud water heavenly palace.
but how did sikong yi know all this?
li fan's interest was suddenly piqued.
at the same time, he became increasingly vigilant. these two individuals obviously had significant secrets!
he concealed his presence even more, closely trailing behind them.
suddenly, the actions of the two came to a halt.
they stopped in their tracks, and sikong yi and bai lichen separated, each heading in an opposite direction.
"splitting up? have they discovered me?" li fan squinted, hesitated for a moment, and then followed the direction in which sikong yi had left.
entering deeper into the mist, he arrived at a tower-like structure.
sikong yi suddenly stopped at the base of the tower, turned back toward the direction where li fan was, and showed a provocative smile.
then he promptly entered the tower.
"quite interesting. are you trying to kill me using the peril of the cloud water heavenly palace?" li fan looked at the eerie tower in front of him, shrouded in white mist, and the memories from his previous life involuntarily surged in his mind.
the demon refining tower, one of the most dangerous areas in the cloud water heavenly palace.
in the first ten years of the cloud water heavenly palace's opening, no cultivator had ever returned alive from the demon refining tower. it was once regarded as a forbidden zone within the cloud water heavenly palace by cultivators from the cong yun sea.
in the previous life, it was finally cracked only after anchoring it for 21 years. a master alchemist risked his life to enter and eventually deciphered its bizarre rules.
"if this is your plan, i'm afraid i'll disappoint you," li fan sneered and also entered the demon refining tower.
upon entering, he felt gusts of cold wind, accompanied by a foul and putrid smell that assaulted him.
the bottom of the tower consisted of prison cells.
however, it seemed that much time had passed, and the prison cells were now filled only with peculiar and monstrous skeletal remains.
li fan continued upwards, and the second floor was similar.
he reached the top of the tower.
in the distance, he could hear a murmuring voice.
"all the senior brothers and sisters are fighting at the front line, and i can't help much."
"i must refine more pills so that i can enhance their strength as much as possible."
"for every extra pill i refine, the possibility of senior brothers and sisters surviving increases."
"but the monsters and demons inside this demon refining tower are all dead, and without the alchemy materials, what should i do?"
a disheveled man wearing a loose blue robe was lamenting and seemed at a loss.
beside him, suspended in mid-air, were three figures bound by invisible ropes.
one of them was sikong yi.
the other two were cultivators who had entered the cloud water heavenly palace together this time, but for some reason had ended up here.
these two had pale faces, and their lips were moving, but no sound came out.
li fan hadn't made any moves yet, and he suddenly felt as if his hands and feet were bound by ropes, unable to move.
he was then drawn into the air and fixed in place, just like the other three.
having anticipated this encounter, li fan remained unfazed.
it was at this moment that he clearly heard the self-talk of the man.
"oh my, it's time to refine the pills!" at this moment, the man in the blue robe suddenly woke up from his murmuring.
"refining pills, refining pills..." the man reached into his loose, wide robe and moved around. in no time, he took out two black pills.
"the pills are ready, just don't know how effective they'll be this time." the man scratched his head, seemingly troubled.
then, he slapped his thigh, "right, i just captured a few bugs. it's perfect to use them for the experiment!"
saying this, he looked towards li fan and the others, who were suspended in the air, his gaze constantly shifting, "which bug should i choose?"
seeing that the man had fixed his gaze on them, a strange chill ran through them.
they all became still, not daring to move, and held their breath, maintaining silence.
"let's choose this one," said the man in the blue robe after looking at them for a while, and he reached out to grab one.
seeing this, the person couldn't maintain their calm anymore.
"it seems that the secrets these two hold are even bigger than i imagined."
"however, once i lock onto them, these secrets will no longer be secrets."
in li fan's senses, sikong yi and baili chen continued to advance towards the cloud water heavenly palace.
"there's the lock-on with the formless killing intent; i'm not afraid they'll escape. i just need to extricate myself from this demon refining tower as soon as possible."
however, the actions of the man in the blue robe followed their own patterns, and li fan couldn't control them. all he could do was wait patiently.
soon, the third round of drug testing arrived.
this time, li fan still wasn't chosen. this left him somewhat bemused, not knowing whether it was lucky or unlucky.
the man in the blue robe took out two pink pills and fed them to the human-faced insect.
with a bang, the insect exploded into pink smoke.
in the smoke, painful faces kept appearing.
as the pink mist drifted, the faces contorted and twisted, appearing even more grotesque and terrifying.
li fan, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but shiver with goosebumps.
in the end, it was the man in the blue robe who, muttering to himself, inhaled the smoke, finally ending this eternal agony.
the man in the blue robe fell into mumbling again.
the fourth round of drug testing finally arrived.
at this point, only li fan remained inside the demon refining tower.
the man in the blue robe was about to pick li fan for the test, but li fan suddenly spoke up.
"junior brother, i heard you don't have enough alchemy materials."
the gu daoist [1], upon hearing this, instinctively stopped his reaching hand and nodded, somewhat guilty. "yes, i don't have enough alchemy materials. i haven't been able to produce new pills for a long time."
he said with a hint of remorse, "i can't make good pills, and my progress in cultivation has been slow. i've been a burden to everyone."
the gu daoist's words faltered, and he looked at li fan for a while, realizing what he was wearing. he became a bit flustered. "oh, it's senior brother! i thought it was just another insect!"
"senior brother, i'm really sorry! i'll release you right away."
with the gu daoist's words, li fan felt the restraints loosen, regaining control of his body.
the gu daoist held his head, lowering it as if unable to face this senior brother.
he said in self-blame, "i messed up again. every time it's like this. i can't make good pills, and my cultivation progress has been slow. i've been a burden to everyone."
li fan approached and held the gu daoist's shoulder, saying gently, "don't say that, junior brother. the pills you make have great effects, and everyone likes them."
upon hearing this, the gu daoist suddenly lifted his head, eyes filled with joy. "really, senior brother? everyone likes the pills i make?"
"why, don't you believe your senior brother?" li fan put on a stern face.
the gu daoist hurriedly shook his head. "i believe everything senior brother says."
then he dejectedly said, "but i don't have any more alchemy materials. i can't make the pills everyone likes."
li fan patted the gu daoist's head and said softly, "it's okay, i'm still here."
"turn me into a pill, and everyone will have pills to eat again."
"senior brother, you..." the gu daoist seemed shocked by li fan's words, staring at him wide-eyed.
li fan sighed deeply and continued, "although i joined the sect early, my talent isn't enough, and my cultivation has always been low. senior brothers and senior sisters are fighting on the front lines, and i can't help much."
"every time i think about this, my heart aches, hating my own incompetence."
"so, turn me into a pill. that way, i can still help a little."
li fan grabbed the gu daoist's hand, excitedly saying.
the gu daoist stared at li fan, seemingly deeply moved.
"so, senior brother is just like me."
"but senior brother is much greater than me. he'd rather sacrifice himself to help the senior brothers and sisters on the front lines."
"and me, i just keep avoiding my problems. hiding in this tower."
the gu daoist twisted his hair in distress.
"no, i can't just watch senior brother sacrifice himself."
he seemed to suddenly realize something, and excitedly said to li fan, "senior brother, i can refine pills for you! as long as you eat the pills i refine, your strength will definitely not be low, and you can help on the front lines!"
the gu daoist seemed to have found a goal to strive for. "pill refining, i want to refine pills!"
he reached into his wide robe and started fumbling.
not long after, he took out two golden pills.
"senior brother, here are the pills for you."
the gu daoist held them in his hands, his face beaming with a smile, offering the pills to li fan.
li fan didn't accept the pills but instead untied the gu daoist's robe.
under the wide robe, only an empty skeleton remained.
on the skeleton, there were only a few traces of barely visible flesh and blood.
the gu daoist used his own flesh and blood to refine pills.
*****
tl note: gu = chinese poisonous insect refining
chapter 85: all things are like insects
watching this horrifying scene before him, li fan was moved.
this is indeed an anomaly!
caught between life and death, between clarity and confusion, bound by obsessions, one can only follow established rules and repeat the eternal cycle.
unable to break free.
qin tang was like this, and so was this gu daoist.
seeing that li fan didn't respond, the gu daoist held up two golden pills and waved them in front of him. "senior brother, pills."the roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.
he looked at li fan with hope.
however, li fan shook his head regretfully. "my aptitude is too poor. even if i eat this pill, my cultivation won't increase much. so, i definitely can't take this pill. i'll leave it for the senior brothers with better aptitude; it'll be more useful for them."
the gu daoist was a bit disappointed and was about to persuade him.
li fan continued, "however, i would like to ask junior brother for a favor. i don't know if junior brother is willing to agree."
the gu daoist became happy again. "of course, i agree. senior brother, what's your request, just tell me."
"i want to learn from junior brother the method of capturing insects," li fan said slowly.
anomalies have their own rules.
if you don't follow the rules of the anomaly, you will surely die under the anomaly.
but if you understand the rules, you can not only stay unharmed in the anomaly but also gain various benefits from it.
like the previous statue in the qin tang's trial.
in qin tang's trial, if you performed well in all three tests, you could ask qin tang for help before leaving, using good wine.
qin tang would then help based on the specific performance in the tests, either by enhancing one's cultivation or by imparting a technique.
in the case of this gu daoist, if you chose to swallow the golden pills, you could obtain the gu daoist's alchemy technique.
however...
this alchemy technique is not a normal alchemy practice. it's the way of insect pills.
not only are the materials for alchemy mostly from various bizarre flying insects, but the resulting pills also resemble flying insects.
what's more deadly is that the more insect pills you refine, the more you will gradually become like the gu daoist.
becoming an inhuman, ghostly existence.
so li fan did not choose the golden pills as a reward but chose something else, which was completely comparable to the way of insect pills.
when the gu daoist heard li fan's words, he touched the back of his head somewhat embarrassedly. "senior brother, my insect binding technique is just something i play with usually. why do you want to learn this..."
li fan explained seriously, "our senior brothers are fighting on the front lines, and annoying insects may harass them. although my strength is weak and i can't personally fight, if i learn your art of capturing insects, i can help the senior brothers by dealing with these annoying insects from the sidelines."
"...without alchemy materials, what should i do..."
...
exiting the demon refining tower, li fan sensed the location of sikong yi and baili chen.
they were very close to the central core area of cloud water heavenly palace: the taiyi hall.
information about the taiyi hall instantly appeared in li fan's mind.
the taiyi hall is said to be the place where cloud water heavenly palace receives distinguished guests and holds sect discussions.
there was no particular risk, but the situation was quite unique.
looking at sikong yi and baili chen, it seemed that they had stopped for some reason, moving slowly toward the central area.
li fan instantly had a clear idea.
he sneered and hurried towards the direction where the two were.
in front of the taiyi hall, countless broken swords were inserted into the ground.
the sword blades crisscrossed, forming a forest of swords blocking the way to the taiyi hall.
sikong yi and baili chen were standing on the sword handles, walking towards the taiyi hall.
with each step forward, a virtual shadow corresponding to the broken sword under their feet would appear above them.
then it pierced through their hearts.
no blood spattered. after piercing, the virtual shadow would disappear.
it wouldn't cause actual harm, and would only bring pain.
the intense pain made them tremble uncontrollably, and sweat poured down their foreheads like raindrops.
after a long time, they finally eased from this indescribable pain.
the two took a deep breath and continued to step on the sword handles, moving forward.
another sword shadow pierced through.
this was the reason why the speed of their progress was so slow.
although it was extremely painful, there was no retreat in their eyes.
what they had worked so hard for was right in front of them, within reach.
how could they possibly give up now?
with firm determination, they gritted their teeth and continued to move forward.
at this moment, they sensed someone approaching from behind.
looking back, they were shocked and couldn't help but exclaim, "it's you?! how is this possible?"
chapter 86: the revelation of the cloud water map
two voices sounded simultaneously, echoing in front of the taiyi hall.
"impossible! how could you possibly come out alive from that cursed place?" the two exclaimed in unison, their faces full of disbelief.
in front of the forest of swords, li fan stood with his hands crossed, looking at the pale-faced sikong yi and baili chen, sneering without a word.
he just stepped onto the sword hilts, like he was about to chase after them.
the phantom sword pierced through, and an excruciating pain followed.
li fan almost couldn't control his body and nearly fell down.
falling from the sword hilt wouldn't lead to death, but it would just teleport him back to the outer periphery of the sword forest, starting anew.
of course, if someone couldn't accept it and tried to fly over the top of the sword forest...
then they would truly experience what it felt like to have a thousand swords pierce through their hearts.
this was the trial in front of the taiyi hall, the trial of the sword forest.
as opposed to the other parts of the cloud water celestial palace, as long as you didn't act recklessly, there was no fatal danger here.
at most, it was experiencing the feeling of being pierced through the heart by sword after sword.
in the previous life, many cultivators endured the intense pain and passed through the sword forest, entering the interior of the taiyi hall.
however...
the hall was empty, completely devoid of anything!
"could it be that the treasures in the taiyi hall were taken by sikong yi in the first place?"
"the opportunity in this taiyi hall is the 'cloud water map'?"
although li fan could use the insect binding technique to capture these two now, he couldn't guarantee that he would be able to force them to reveal how they obtained the "cloud water map."
li fan knew there were methods of soul searching in the ancient cultivation world that forcibly read a cultivator's memories.
unfortunately, li fan didn't know how to perform them yet.
so, to be on the safe side, he had to wait for these two to take out the "cloud water map."
li fan contemplated, and the azure flame illusionary spirit emerged in his mind.
his body temperature gradually dropped, and li fan felt himself becoming extremely calm and rational.
nothing could disturb his state of mind.
stepping forward, he stood on the sword hilt.
although he could still feel the pain, li fan wasn't afraid.
he took several steps forward in a row. to avoid scaring sikong yi and baili chen too much, he stopped and pretended to rest.
sikong yi and baili chen, seeing that li fan was still alive, were greatly shocked.̃øv€lß1n.
at this moment, seeing li fan getting closer and closer, they couldn't help but become anxious.
at that moment, they became ruthless, clenched their teeth, and took a few violent steps towards the front.
four sharp swords were added to their body at the same time, and the pain brought about was not as simple as simply adding up the pain of each sword.
in the previous life, there was no rumor at all about this patriarch taiyi.
li fan didn't dare to act recklessly for a moment and just observed from a distance.
baili chen was extremely excited to see the true appearance of the patriarch.
he knelt down and kept kowtowing.
"your name is baili chen? are you a direct disciple of my cloud water celestial palace?"
an old voice rang out.
the turtle-snake monster slightly lowered its head, as if wanting to see baili chen's appearance clearly.
"reporting to patriarch taiyi, disciple is from the whisking cloud lineage," baili chen replied with a trembling voice.
"whisking cloud, huh..." the old voice seemed to be lost in memories.
"yes, you indeed carry the whisking cloud lineage's aura."
"so, that kid still has descendants alive?" the turtle-snake monster vaguely felt that something was wrong.
but he was already too old.
so old that even simple thoughts became a problem.
the pain from the countless broken swords on his body was like a malicious curse, constantly affecting his thinking.
after a moment of fruitless contemplation, he slowly spoke, "so, why did you wake me up?"
baili chen seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, suppressing his excited expression, and quickly said, "disciple wishes to ask patriarch for the 'cloud water map.'"
"the 'cloud water map'? what is that? let me think..."
after a moment.
"oh. so, it's this, not something significant."
the turtle-snake monster's tone carried a hint of nostalgia. "back then, hanhai mentioned that this thing can only be given to the cloud water celestial palace disciples."
"since you're a descendant of whisking cloud..."
saying this, the turtle-snake monster hesitated for a moment.
then he slowly said, "in that case, i suppose it's fine to give it to you."
baili chen's face revealed an ecstatic look, and he couldn't stop kowtowing. "thank you, patriarch! thank you, patriarch!"
just as the turtle-snake monster was about to hand over the 'cloud water map' to baili chen, a voice suddenly rang out.
"hold on!"
baili chen and the turtle-snake monster looked towards the direction of the voice.
they saw li fan swiftly approaching, stepping through the sword hilts.
swords continuously passed through his body, but the pain seemed to have no effect on him.
li fan took three steps and glided through the sword forest, then descended gracefully.
sighing in relief, li fan cupped his hands towards the turtle-snake monster. "disciple li fan, also a direct disciple of the cloud water celestial palace. i also wish to ask patriarch for the 'cloud water map!'"
as he spoke, he began to activate the "cloud water illusory dream art."
chapter 87: treasure obtained
seeing the treasure within reach but obstructed by unexpected complications infuriated baili chen.
he looked at li fan and couldn't help but shout angrily, "where did this imposter come from! the disciples of the cloud water heavenly palace have long been exterminated..."
mid-sentence, baili chen realized the inappropriateness of his words and stopped abruptly.
"divine ancestor, this person definitely cannot be an authentic disciple!" he gritted his teeth and said to the turtle-snake creature.
however, the turtle-snake creature paid no attention to his words, carefully discerning the aura operating within li fan.
"hmm... cloud water illusory dream art. it's unexpected that junior qin also has a successor."
"good, good."
seeming highly excited, the massive form of the turtle-snake creature trembled slightly, and its ferocious visage relaxed a bit.
"indeed, my cultivation technique is the direct transmission from senior brother qin. naturally, i can be considered a disciple of the cloud water heavenly palace," li fan nodded and said with an unchanged expression.
they hadn't expected that what li fan said was actually true, causing baili chen's expression to darken instantly.
both he and sikong yi stared fixedly at li fan, their eyes brimming with murderous intent.
feeling the rapidly swelling killing intent emanating from them, li fan merely smiled slightly in response.
"hmm, you are both direct disciples, and this young man is also a direct disciple. you both want this 'cloud water map'..."
"it's truly a headache..."
the turtle-snake creature seemed a bit confused, its gaze shifting back and forth between li fan and baili chen.
after a while, its slow-thinking mind finally came up with a solution.
"since that's the case, according to the rules of the sect, why don't you two compete against each other?"
"whoever wins, i will give this 'cloud water map' to them."
the turtle-snake creature seemed quite satisfied with its own solution.
it shook its body and moved its stiff body.
several broken swords fell from its body, drifting towards the edge of the sword forest below in a very unusual trajectory, increasing the size of the sword forest.
"cloud water heavenly palace disciples should respect and love each other. the two of you, be careful not to go too far during your sparring."
the turtle-snake creature cautioned in its old, hoarse voice.
then, numerous broken swords flew out from its body.
they fell into the ground around li fan and sikong yi, leaving only a blank area in the middle, forming a natural arena.
"hmm. you may begin!"
the turtle-snake creature said in a muffled voice.
li fan chuckled, "divine ancestor, rest assured, i will definitely spare baili chen's life."
baili chen remained silent, his murderous intent reaching its peak.
their auras, cultivation bases, and even the lock-on from li fan through the 'formless killing intent' all exchanged in an instant.
li fan's expression changed, but he heard baili chen shout, "my skills are inferior to you, i admit defeat! i'll let senior brother have the 'cloud water map'! please, divine ancestor taiyi, escort me out of the cloud water heavenly palace!"
"hmm... what is this..."
the turtle-snake creature was curious about the scene unfolding before its eyes, but was interrupted by baili chen's shout.
"you want to leave here?"
"yes, leaving is good. leaving is good..."
in the turtle-snake creature's lament, a blue light shrouded baili chen.
his figure twisted for a moment, and he glared hatefully at li fan, then disappeared without a trace.
as for sikong yi, who was bound by li fan, he instantly lost vitality.
under li fan's gaze, he slowly turned into ashes.
just like what happened in the demon refining tower a while ago.
in li fan's senses, outside the cloud water heavenly palace, sikong yi once again appeared next to baili chen.
the two were doing their utmost to escape from this place.
"humph, you want to escape? not so easy!"
under the lock-on of the formless killing intent, unless they were too far away, no matter what they did, they couldn't escape from li fan's grasp.
not in a hurry to chase them, li fan instead inquired the turtle-snake creature before him.
"divine ancestor taiyi, i wonder which technique baili chen cultivated? to transform between different living beings is indeed quite amazing."
"hmm... it looks somewhat familiar, seems like i heard of it somewhere."
after a while, he lamented, "i'm getting old, my memory isn't so good. i can't recall."
"well, while i still remember, i'll give you the 'cloud water map'."
the black snake entwined around patriarch taiyi's head opened its mouth.
a miniaturized version of the cloud water heavenly palace, emitting colorful light, slowly flew to li fan.
li fan held it in his hand, sensing the information appearing in his mind, he couldn't help but be somewhat astonished.
just this?
is this really worth a hundred thousand contribution points?
this 'cloud water map' was indeed what it seemed like, just a miniature model of the cloud water heavenly palace.
every detail was faithfully reproduced, including all the sizes and structures within the cloud water heavenly palace.
moreover, within it preserved a trace of spiritual consciousness left behind by the disciples of the cloud water heavenly palace from that era.
fixed in a special way, they became miniaturized figures, moving about in this miniature cloud water heavenly palace.
chapter 88: executing sikong yi
li fan's divine sense wandered through this colorful model, making it feel as if he were personally touring the ancient cloud water heavenly palace.
but...
apart from this, it seemed like the "cloud water map" had no other special purpose.
"this 'cloud water map,' perhaps it would be more fitting to call it the 'cloud water model.'"
"or perhaps, does it hide some other secrets inside? otherwise, why would someone offer a reward of one hundred thousand contribution points?"
li fan suddenly had many doubts.
however, this wasn't the time to delve deeply into them.
he stored the colorful model in his storage ring and then politely bowed to the turtle-snake creature. "divine ancestor taiyi, please escort me out of here. i still have to find my junior brother baili chen."after a moment, taiyi's aged voice sounded, "yes, leaving is good. leaving is good..."
it was the same reaction as when he sent baili chen away earlier.
a blue light enveloped li fan, and then his figure disappeared.
in front of taiyi's palace, silence reigned once again for a long time.
after some unknown duration, a strange noise shattered the tranquility.
"zzz..."
"zzz..."
"zzz..."
it was like the sound of a sword constantly grinding against a whetstone, and also like a giant serpent shedding its old skin.
each time this sound occurred, countless sword shadows appeared from the void and impaled the turtle-snake creature.
"boom!"
the taiyi hall suddenly sank, and the turtle-snake creature's limbs were forcibly retracted.
the two black serpents on its head and tail let out painful howls as they writhed and returned to the taiyi hall.
"pain..."
"pain..."
taiyi's aged and mad voice thundered across the entire cloud water heavenly palace.
buildings shrouded in white mist seemed to respond with various horrifying sounds, continuously echoing.
the virtual sword shadows intensified like a torrential rain.
"roar!"
finally, the figure of the turtle-snake creature vanished.
only an empty taiyi hall remained, along with the increasingly vast sword forest, silently witnessing taiyi's eternal suffering.
in the cong yun sea.
li fan's vision blurred, and he felt like he had returned to the azure ocean.
however, he had already left the central area of the cloud water heavenly palace ruins.
sensing the positions of sikong yi and baili chen, li fan activated the stalking shadow technique, following closely behind them.
"who exactly are you?!" sikong yi saw that each of li fan's moves was highly targeted, making it clear that he had been planning this all along.
now he couldn't help but be baffled.
li fan didn't reply. instead, he used his insect binding technique to control baili chen.
ignoring sikong yi's curses, li fan activated the formation, burning sikong yi.
"ahh!"
amidst the cries of agony, sikong yi turned into ashes.
however...
there was no peculiar phenomenon in the sky above.
following this, just as li fan had anticipated, the scene unfolded.
a faint phantom slowly appeared beside baili chen. after the phantom wriggled for a while, it gradually took on a solid form.
sikong yi had been resurrected!
li fan squinted his eyes and once again activated the formation.
the wails continued.
sikong yi died once more.
after this resurrection, his cultivation fell from the late qi condensation stage to the mid qi condensation stage.
li fan seemed to understand something.
purple flames leaped, and sikong yi faced another round of death.
sikong yi went from cursing to begging for mercy, and then to tearfully pleading in agony.
but li fan was unmoved.
sikong yi was enigmatic and had extraordinary means of self-preservation. stealing the "cloud water map," worth one hundred thousand contribution points, from him had already made him a mortal enemy.
even if li fan couldn't force his secrets out of him, there was no way he would let him go.
the blue wood purple fire formation was activated repeatedly.
soon, sikong yi's cultivation had dropped to the early qi condensation stage.
desperation showed on his face.
he collapsed, begging li fan to spare him.
in order to save his own life, he chose to reveal his secrets to li fan.
li fan listened silently, his expression still.
finally, purple flames shimmered.
after dying three times in a row, sikong yi could no longer resurrect.
as for baili chen, after sikong yi's final death, he turned into dust and completely disappeared from this world.
at the place where sikong yi vanished, a black token hovered silently in the air.
li fan picked up the token, and a piece of information immediately appeared in his mind.
"the bearer of this token shall rule the sun stealing sect."
chapter 89: the sun stealing sect
the fall of a qi condensation stage cultivator, compared to a foundation establishment stage cultivator, was much less spectacular. there were no magnificent displays of the foundational treasure, only two streaks of crimson clouds that suddenly appeared in the sky.
"qi condensation stage cultivator, sikong yi, cultivated for thirty-five years, slain by qi condensation stage cultivator li fan in the cong yun sea region..."
"qi condensation stage cultivator baili chen, cultivated for three years, slain by qi condensation stage cultivator li fan in the cong yun sea region..."
"now they have perished, returning to the heavens!"
under the fiery clouds, li fan stood quietly, fiddling with the sun stealing token in his hand.
after a long while, he suppressed the greed rising within him.
"a remarkable treasure, but... it's not for me."
the sun stealing token was the supreme treasure of the sun stealing sect.the roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.
the sun stealing sect was a secretive sect that had existed since ancient times. unlike other sects that founded schools and accepted many disciples, the sun stealing sect had no fixed base and often had only one disciple per generation.
as a result, when the great calamity befell the world, other sects experienced a bloodbath, but it had little impact on the sun stealing sect.
the reason the sun stealing sect survived for thousands of years with only one disciple in each generation, maintaining their heritage, was largely due to their unique cultivation technique.
sun stealing technique: this technique allowed the creation of a special clone using one's blood and some specific materials. unlike regular clone techniques, this clone possessed its unique appearance, aura, soul, cultivation level, and realm, as well as its own luck and fate.
this clone could be treated as a completely separate person.
furthermore, when creating a clone, if bones from deceased cultivators or the blood of a living one were added, it could strip away some of the target's innate talents, luck, and more, grafting them onto the clone.
however, this alone did not demonstrate the full power of the sun stealing sect.
the sun stealing technique, when combined with the sun stealing token in li fan's hand, was the complete form.
his divine sense transformed into a giant hand, seizing these two lingering souls and delving into their remaining memories.
after a long time, li fan finally understood why the millennia-old sun stealing sect had fallen into such a desperate state.
the origins of the situation stemmed from sikong yi's master, sikong bo.
over the centuries, the sun stealing sect had traversed numerous dangerous situations without harm, which had made them increasingly arrogant. however, sikong bo had taken this audacity to an extreme.
on a distant continent, when sikong bo, who had broken through to the foundation establishment stage, was dissatisfied with a clone he had previously refined, he decided to gather materials for a new one.
during this time, he encountered a child of five or six in a remote mountain village.
this child had a natural affinity for cultivation. not only was their strength boundless, but their cultivation speed was astonishing. at such a young age, they had perfected qi condensation and were ready to advance to the foundation establishment stage.
this piqued sikong bo's interest. after discreetly observing the child for a while, he realized that the child's luck was extraordinary. every time the child ventured into the deep mountains to hunt, they returned with various rare treasures from the earth and heavens.
if he could strip away the child's luck, the clone he would create would undoubtedly be remarkable.
therefore, sikong bo attempted to steal the child's essence during the night when the child was asleep.
however, this child had long been selected by a nascent soul stage powerhouse who was approaching the end of their lifespan. this senior had been searching for a host for their next incarnation.
ordinarily, the process of taking over another's body would somewhat damage the target's foundation. but the nascent soul stage cultivator, who had given up on advancing further, didn't want to jeopardize their chances for further progress by allowing this to happen.
so, they chose an extreme method: turning themselves into a heavenly treasure, waiting for the child to reach the foundation establishment stage, and then perfectly merging with them.
yes, according to sikong bo's residual memories, humans could be refined into heavenly treasures. or rather, a significant portion of the many heavenly treasures appearing in the world were transformed from fallen cultivators.
after a cultivator's death, their dao underwent a transformation over countless years in the natural world. based on their characteristics, temperament, and the nature of the techniques they had practiced in life, they would gradually form various heavenly treasures that would reappear in the world.
in life, they could not practice the same techniques as others, and after death, they still had a role to play. this was the world's way of showing its regard for cultivators.
chapter 90: everything has a cause
li fan had seen quite a few heavenly treasures in the past.
besides the cong yun sea's canghai pearl, there was kou hong's gnarled dragon branch and dao xuanzi's rust sword dao xuan. now, it seemed that these were mostly formed by the deceased cultivators of the past.
the gnarled dragon branch focused on absorbing and devouring; rust sword dao xuan had a will that was unbending and could decelerate rusting.
from them, one could vaguely see the shadow of the cultivators.
suddenly learning the secrets of heavenly treasures, li fan was somewhat shocked. but considering the grand scenes he had witnessed during the incineration of the sea, he quickly calmed down.
in li fan's eyes, the conflict between the heavens and the cultivators had clearly escalated to an extreme.
in the intensifying conflict, any bizarre occurrences were possible.
li fan then continued to examine the memories of sikong bo.
the nascent soul expert had already turned himself into a foundation treasure and possessed the child as his host.
he mostly remained in slumber and only awakened when guiding the child in cultivation or when the child faced life-threatening situations.
thus, he didn't detect sikong bo's secret observation or malicious intentions.
only until that night when sikong bo tried to steal the child's essence blood did he wake up.
the nascent soul expert immediately flew into a rage. the child was his hope to reach soul transformation or even dao integration, and he would not tolerate anyone coveting the child.
he revealed his true form on the spot, turning into a green willow tree, intending to kill sikong bo.
one was a nascent soul cultivator transformed into a heavenly treasure, suffering a significant decrease in strength. the other, while only at the foundation establishment stage, possessed various methods due to a millennia-old esoteric sect inheritance.
for a time, the two fought neck and neck.
they used all their means, engaged in a true battle, and neither was willing to retreat.
after a prolonged fight, both of them suffered heavy injuries and began to consider withdrawal.
he received the sun stealing sect's inheritance, but his benevolent master left almost nothing to him before his death.
cultivating as an unaffiliated cultivator was indeed tough. even gathering the materials to create a clone was difficult. so, he explored on his own until he reached the qi condensation stage, and he made the decisive choice to join the ten thousand immortals alliance.
after breaking through to the middle stage of qi condensation, he began to collect materials and crafted his own clone.
in a fortunate coincidence, he found a corpse while exploring the seabed. sikong yi had a vague sense that this corpse was extraordinary, possibly belonging to a powerful cultivator in their previous life. thus, he used this corpse as material to create his own clone, who was known as baili chen.
when the clone was successfully crafted, fuzzy images appeared in his mind. it turned out that this corpse had once been a disciple of the ancient cloud water heavenly palace. when the great calamity arrived, he was seriously injured and fled from the cloud water heavenly palace but couldn't last long and eventually lost his life at sea. thousands of years later, sikong yi turned him into a clone.
through this clone, sikong yi not only obtained a cultivation technique called the "sea fixing sword technique" but also learned some secrets about the cloud water heavenly palace from the past. unfortunately, they were just fragments, and he couldn't gain a complete understanding. besides, the cloud water heavenly palace had long been hidden by a grand formation and was not visible to the world. sikong yi wanted to explore it, but it was impossible.
later, he found that the highly rewarded "cloud water map" was located within the cloud water heavenly palace. he was overjoyed, knowing that his opportunity had come. he kept a close eye on the changes in the central area of the cong yun sea, waiting for the cloud water heavenly palace to open.
however, he didn't expect to encounter li fan.
sikong yi didn't even know until his death that he had been killed. how had his killer noticed him? he had learned from his master's lesson and acted very cautiously.
feeling the strong unwillingness in sikong yi's remaining soul, li fan maintained his calm expression. he summoned the azure flame illusionary spirit and completely obliterated the two remaining souls.
"if it weren't for me, sikong yi would probably have successfully obtained the 'cloud water map,' exchanged it for one hundred thousand contribution points, and then used the long-distance teleportation array to leave the cong yun sea before anyone else could react."
"no, something is wrong." thinking back to what had happened in his previous life, li fan shook his head inwardly.
"in my previous life, many people saw sikong yi leaving alone through the teleportation array. however, no one noticed baili chen..."
"perhaps, this should be sikong yi's mirroring of a golden cicada shedding its shell. in the end, he probably never left the cong yun sea."
"there's no need to deceive the tianxuan mirror. just disappearing from the sight of those who covet the one hundred thousand contribution points will be enough..."
"a good method. perhaps i can do it this time. after all, the temptation of one hundred thousand contribution points is simply too great."
li fan put away the sun stealing token and flew towards a nearby island.
he wanted to pay a visit to the ten thousand immortals island. this trip to the cloud water heavenly palace had yielded an immense harvest, even a bit overwhelming. he needed to spend some time digesting it.
chapter 91: creating a clone
after returning to the ten thousand immortals island via the teleportation array, li fan found out that the news about the reappearance of the cloud water heavenly palace in the mortal world had already spread.
"quick look! mysterious sect revives after thousands of years," "gentle senior brother attempts misdeeds at night...," "top-secret information, only 10 contribution points, no deception."
at first, it was the information sold by jiao xiuyuan, related only to the first trial of the qin hall. however, since it was first-hand information, it still fetched a high price of 30 contribution points per copy.
jiao xiuyuan made a considerable profit from this.
however, as survivors returned from the cloud water heavenly palace, information about this mysterious sect's remnants gradually became richer, and the prices fell accordingly.
of course, the information available on the market was currently limited to the information about the qin tang statue and several other anomalies around it.
there was still a lack of information about the deeper areas of the cloud water heavenly palace, such as the demon refining tower and the taiyi hall.
li fan shook his head and returned to the tianxuan mirror to assess his gains from this journey.
the "cloud water illusory dream art" taught by qin tang, the "insect binding technique" from the gu daoist, and the "cloud water map."
there was also the "sea fixing sword technique" and the "sun stealing technique" received from sikong yi, as well as the "sun stealing token."
li fan had already cultivated the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra," the "netherworld spirit illusion technique," and the "stalking shadow technique."
with his multiple techniques, he needed to make choices about which technique to specialize in.
the insect binding technique was an innate technique, so it didn't require cultivation.
the "cloud water illusory dream art" had endless uses. it was incredibly valuable for li fan's future plans, so he had to cultivate it.
the "sun stealing technique" could be cultivated, but...
li fan's divine sense swept across the sun stealing token inside his storage ring.
the method for creating a clone might be worth a try.
as for the technique that sikong yue had developed later, which transformed one's essence into the sun stealing token, it didn't need to be cultivated. in li fan's eyes, this self-preservation method was far from perfect. as long as he could trap the main body and the clone, followed by continuous extermination, the so-called resurrection was just a joke.
in this world, for self-preservation, what could be stronger than his [truth]?
why chase after trivial gains and ignore the big picture?
moreover...
as he looked at the somewhat eerie, lifelike token, li fan had a faint premonition.
with the boost from the enlightenment mode, li fan spent three days to cultivate it to the middle qi condensation stage.
however, his contribution points were now down to a meager 35 points.
in any case, the "sun stealing technique" allowed him to create a clone at the middle qi condensation stage, so he decided to halt his cultivation.
bringing the materials with him, li fan left the ten thousand immortals island through the teleportation array and arrived in the western cong yun sea, specifically on lingyun island.
the location where the heaven crystal spirit sand could be found wasn't far from lingyun island.
he greeted the guardian of lingyun island, activated a concealing form talisman, and flew toward the location.
after several days, he stopped in an area of the sea filled with whirlpools of various sizes and then dove beneath the sea.
the seawater here was relatively shallow, only about three to four hundred meters deep, and he soon reached the seabed.
the seabed was littered with collapsed architectural remnants, indicating that it was the site of some ancient ruins. the scale of the ruins was quite large, and it was still possible to imagine its former prosperity. however, it had sunk to the bottom of the sea for some unknown reason.
such ruins were scattered throughout the cong yun sea, and li fan didn't find them unusual.
after all, when li fan had just arrived in the cong yun sea, he had heard about the great windstorm disaster that had struck and caused hundreds of islands to sink.
arriving next to an oblique stone column, li fan slipped through the gaps in the stone.
inside, it appeared as though a pitch-black cave, with hundreds of luminescent jellyfish drifting about.
they looked like moving stars.
the cave's floor was covered with a layer of shimmering sand.
in the center of the cave, a giant rock had been hollowed out, serving as the jellyfish's habitat.
the glowing sand on the floor was naturally the heaven crystal spirit sand.
li fan collected the heaven crystal spirit sand from the ground and then gazed at the giant rock in the center, marveling at the wonder of creation.
this place was also discovered by sikong yi by chance.
the central boulder was originally an ordinary heavenly spirit ore.
but after being consumed and digested by these unknown jellyfish, it had transformed into a precious material, the heaven crystal spirit sand.
it was truly incredible.
to put it in perspective, even a foundation establishment alchemist would have to spend quite a bit of time to refine heaven crystal spirit sand.
chapter 92: li fan and fan lin
after obtaining the heaven crystal spirit sand, li fan left the cave and returned to the sea surface. with all the necessary materials collected, he was now ready to start creating his clone. however, this was something he couldn't do under the watchful eyes of the ten thousand immortals alliance.
li fan thought for a moment and continued flying westward. on a deserted island in that direction, there was a subworld that sikong yi had once opened. he had concealed it using the techniques of the sun stealing sect, making it difficult for ordinary cultivators to detect. this was where sikong yi had created his own clone.
so, li fan decided to head for that subworld.
after flying for another two days, he was nearing the deserted island. however, he faintly sensed that someone was present on the island. he immediately became alert, concealed his presence, and stealthily approached.
"strange, it should be on this island."
a somewhat familiar voice echoed from a distance.
li fan focused his vision and saw a figure that looked furtive. it was none other than jiao xiuyuan. he was scratching his head with his left hand while holding a square-shaped object in his right hand.
the object resembled a compass, but it had more intricate patterns and symbols on it. a red light emitted from it and spread into the surroundings, soon returning with a "beep" sound.
"it's impossible; i should be in the right place. but why isn't this spirit discernment disk working?"
jiao xiuyuan seemed puzzled.
"what are you looking for..." just then, li fan's voice abruptly sounded.
jiao xiuyuan was startled, and the spirit discernment plate almost slipped from his hand.
"is that you, senior sikong?" he turned around and looked at the figure that had suddenly appeared, concealed by a concealing form talisman, making it impossible to discern his appearance. he asked tentatively.
"did you send someone to secretly follow us before to sneak into my subworld while i was away?" li fan asked coldly, his tone unfriendly.
jiao xiuyuan chuckled, "misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding."
his eyes darted around, and he quickly asked, "i wonder where senior baili is?"
li fan didn't reply. instead, he took out the blue wood purple fire formation and enveloped jiao xiuyuan.
the purple flames flashed, and amid jiao xiuyuan's miserable screams, he turned into ash.
the air carried a scent akin to charred wood.
"as expected, just a puppet."
li fan wasn't surprised. he looked at the deserted island below and activated the sun stealing technique.
he faintly sensed the existence of a hidden subworld in the island's jungle.
he flew toward it and stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary coconut tree.
gently touching it, he felt a gravitational force.
releasing his resistance, he was drawn into the tree.
the so-called subworld was actually quite simple. it could barely accommodate two people without feeling crowded.
an extra body and a whole new perspective.
it felt somewhat peculiar.
controlling the clone, making it move, sit, stand... it took a while for li fan to adapt.
he retrieved clothes from his storage ring and dressed the clone. he bowed to the original, "greetings, fellow daoist!"
the original li fan smiled, "from now on, you shall be called fan lin!"
"very well!"
fan lin, the clone, had a slightly lower cultivation level than the original. he was only at the qi condensation intermediate stage and hadn't cultivated any techniques; he was a blank slate.
now that the clone had been successfully created, the next step was to integrate him into the ten thousand immortals alliance.
there was no need for the original li fan to introduce him.
fan lin carried the storage ring containing the "cloud water map" and flew to the vicinity of lingyun island. the original li fan followed quietly, prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
thankfully, nothing unexpected occurred.
fan lin successfully met with the guardian of lingyun island and requested to join the ten thousand immortals alliance.
his request was readily accepted.
after completing the familiar procedures, fan lin arrived on ten thousand immortals island and entered his own tianxuan mirror space.
the original li fan also returned to ten thousand immortals island, but they didn't meet in person.
fan lin then took out the "cloud water map" and chose to complete the mission worth 100,000 contribution points.
at the same time, the original li fan concentrated his mental power and sensed the situation on fan lin's side.
the tianxuan mirror remained silent for a much longer time than usual.
for a while, there was no response.
li fan thought something might have gone wrong.
finally, the tianxuan mirror's voice spoke again.
"unable to verify the authenticity of the 'cloud water map.' please wait."
...
"the mission issuer requests to visit your space. do you accept?"
fan lin was taken aback, then chose to accept.
a moment later, a white-haired old man with a benevolent expression appeared before fan lin. there was no trace of a cultivator's aura about him; he appeared just like an ordinary mortal.
chapter 93: the heavenly doctor’s immortal sutra
the elderly man with white hair seemed somewhat familiar, yet fan lin couldn't recall where he had seen him before. he appeared gentle and friendly, just like a kindly grandfather, radiating a positive impression.
of course, fan lin didn't believe that this person was an ordinary mortal. it was undoubtedly his cultivation level that was beyond what fan lin could perceive at the moment. so fan lin became even more cautious.
he paid his respects, "greetings, senior."
the white-haired man responded with a warm smile, "no need to be so formal; i'm just an old man who hasn't died yet."
after a pause, he asked kindly, "you want to hand over the 'cloud water map'?"
li fan nodded and then handed over the model.
the white-haired man accepted the miniature cloud water heavenly palace, carefully examining it. his eyes filled with boundless nostalgia.
"that's right, this is it."
"han hai, taiyi, fu yun..."
"it's been a long time."
seemingly lost in memories, the old man's gaze became somewhat cloudy.
hearing the words of the old man, fan lin's heart skipped a beat. he stood quietly to the side, not daring to move.
from the old man's words, it seemed that he was of the same generation as that turtle-snake taiyi. the destruction of the cloud water heavenly palace happened many years ago. how could this guy have survived all this time? after all, following the great calamity, cultivators were generally targeted by the malicious will of the heavens and the earth, and they couldn't live as long as the ancient cultivators. living for a thousand years was already very difficult. what kind of cultivation level was needed to live this long? soul transformation? dao integration? fan lin didn't dare to speculate but became even more cautious.
in a world where different schools of cultivation couldn't coexist, someone who had managed to survive from the time of the great calamity until now was a big shot. if anyone thought they'd be as "kind" as they appeared, they were being too naive.
the white-haired man, seeing fan lin somewhat nervous, chuckled.
"how is the scene in the cloud water heavenly palace today?" he asked.
fan lin then gave a detailed description of the situation, mentioning how qin tang had turned into a statue, the gu daoist who refined elixirs using his own body, and taiyi, whose body was stabbed with broken swords.
fan lin couldn't afford to neglect the request from the white-haired man, especially when he had already received the reward in advance. so, fan lin visited the cloud water heavenly palace once again.
he had expected that, upon entering the cloud water heavenly palace, his clone would relive qin tang's dream-like test. however, after the figurine emitted a burst of white light from his storage ring, fan lin found himself standing right in front of the cloud water heavenly palace's gate.
the figurine left his storage ring and flew into the sky, slowly dissolving like ice melting.
"is the task considered completed like this? it seems too simple and smooth," fan lin mumbled to himself.
after waiting for a while, nothing unusual happened within the cloud water heavenly palace.
"i wonder what this figurine is for."
fan lin couldn't discern any mysteries in it, so he decided to leave. safely back inside the tianxuan mirror, fan lin stared at his balance of 100,000 contribution points, lost in thought.
originally, fan lin had planned to have his clone acquire the necessary cultivation techniques and treasures and then give them to his main body, much like the way xiao heng had exchanged the "minor yan water technique" in his previous life. however, after encountering the white-haired man, fan lin dispelled this idea.
at present, it seemed best to avoid any connection between the clone and the main body. this white-haired man gave fan lin a strong sense of danger. as the clone had already fallen under his gaze, if the main body and the clone had direct contact, there was a risk that the connection between them would be discovered.
even with the mystical sun stealing technique, in this dangerous world of cultivation, people could be refined into heavenly treasures. so, no matter how cautious he was, it wasn't excessive.
as for whether these 100,000 contribution points would go to waste in the hands of the clone and couldn't be spent, there was no need to worry about that. after all, the most valuable thing in this world was various types of knowledge, including cultivation techniques!
while the clone browsed through various knowledge, the main body would be also learning. so, these 100,000 contribution points would be effectively spent by the clone in the same way they would be spent by the main body.
with a focused mind, fan lin started by searching for information about the "ancient war."
during his time in the cloud water heavenly palace, he was greatly interested in the constant references made by qin tang and the gu daoist cultivator about a war that appeared to be quite tragic, causing them to remember it even after becoming anomalies.
quickly, fan lin found some fragmentary information. unfortunately, all the related records were vague and incomplete, with the rest being lost to history.
what could be confirmed was that there was indeed such a great war. this war seemed to have lasted for a long time, starting even before the immortal ancestor's preaching. it had continued until the arrival of the great calamity.
fan lin next searched for information about heavenly treasures.̃øv€lß1n.
chapter 94: zhang haobo’s rebirth
"treatise on heavenly treasures."
cost: 2000 contribution points.
without even blinking, fan lin made the purchase.
he carefully began to peruse the contents.
heavenly treasures were key to a cultivator's foundation. they could be categorized into three main types: celestial treasures, earthly treasures, and human treasures.
celestial treasures were mysterious and elusive, closely aligned with the heavens, and were rarely encountered. the book only gave one example: the foundation of the ten thousand immortals alliance.
yanfa jue [1].
the specific owner of this foundation treasure remained unknown. its special effect allowed the spontaneous generation of new techniques day and night.
when fan lin read this, he stopped and thought, "previously, i heard from kou hong that the cultivation techniques that cultivators use nowadays were all newly created techniques. i assumed that there must be some genius who was capable of inventing so many diverse techniques."
"but it's not a result of human innovation; it's reliant on this heavenly treasure."
fan lin pondered this revelation and continued reading.
earthly treasures were rare as well, but they were less elusive than celestial treasures. they often appeared alongside extraordinary natural phenomena. the book gave some examples.
the disappearance of the cangwu province's four rivers and twenty-eight mountains left behind a seemingly bottomless abyss and led to the creation of the cangwu landscape map earthly treasure.
the continent's water system, which originally flowed from west to east into the sea, suddenly reversed one year, with all waters converging at penglai mountain, which persisted for three months, leading to the emergence of the world water mother.
fan lin found this information engrossing and thought, "does that mean the canghai pearl is also an earthly wonder?" it was still more than a decade before the emergence of the canghai pearl, and it appeared to be near flowing cloud island. he couldn't afford to forget about this matter.
next, there was the category of human treasures. the majority of heavenly treasures in the world belonged to this category. they often formed over several thousand years from the remains of fallen cultivators and could be classified into three grades based on their quality: upper, middle, and lower grades. the higher the quality, the more powerful a cultivator could become by using them.
fan lin couldn't help but think of the gnarled dragon branch and the rust sword dao xuan. he wondered what grade these two wonders were. based on their displayed power, they were at least of medium grade.
as fan lin's clone delved deep into the secrets of the cultivation world, the main body, li fan, was quietly traversing the teleportation array to reach liuli island. he didn't encounter he zhenghao but instead met a stranger guarding the island's large formation. he suspected that he zhenghao was still exploring the cave and hadn't returned yet.
fan lin didn't think too much about it and merely nodded to the guardian. he then exited the formation, concealed his presence, and silently arrived at captain zhang haobo's home.
seeing zhang haobo fast asleep, fan lin smiled faintly.
nineteen years remained until the burning of the sea.
with the clone now complete, some preparations could be made in advance. fan lin activated the cloud water illusory dream art.
zhang haobo abruptly awoke from a terrifying nightmare, drenched in cold sweat. he was panting heavily, and the fear in his heart had yet to subside.
after a while, he finally regained his senses, gazing around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
where was he... liuli island?
could it be that everything was just a terrible nightmare?
but when had he ever had such vivid dreams?
in the dream, he had once gone fishing at sea and pulled up a corpse, along with a book. even after being submerged in seawater for a long time, the text on the pages remained clear.
it took zhang haobo a long time to calm down.
he made an effort to recall his previous life's experiences.
unfortunately, perhaps because the terrifying crimson figure had overwhelmed his entire consciousness, he only had a vague impression of major events from his past life.
however...
it was enough.
he turned to look at his sleeping wife. his gaze became firm.
the tragedy would occur in a little over ten years.
if he prepared in advance and made arrangements, he could undoubtedly kill that crimson figure.
first and foremost, he had to break through to the early qi condensation stage.
then, he would join the ten thousand immortals alliance.
the matter of rebirth was too strange to be revealed to others.
he also needed to find a way to make the ten thousand immortals alliance believe that the crimson figure would truly appear.
zhang haobo recovered the mindset of the late stage qi condensation cultivator from his previous life. his mind was constantly calculating.
...
li fan watched as zhang haobo's expression continued to change and, seeing that he didn't immediately try to escape, he nodded in secret.
zhang haobo's belief in his rebirth was naturally the result of li fan's cloud water illusory dream art.
using his real future experiences as a blueprint, li fan constructed an illusion to deceive an ordinary person, which was already more than sufficient.
unfortunately, li fan's current level of cultivation was still shallow, and even though he had experienced events from the future, he couldn't know everything.
so, the illusion he created still had some flaws.
in order to increase the credibility of the illusion, li fan even brought out the "sea fixing sword technique," which had been truncated to the foundation establishment stage.
the purpose was to have zhang haobo, in his stead, drive the ten thousand immortals alliance to confront the crimson flame.
li fan wanted to know how the various cultivators on ten thousand immortals island would react if they knew in advance about the arrival of the heavenly spirit.
of course, to prevent zhang haobo from being frightened by the crimson flame's power and choosing to escape immediately, li fan implanted some psychological suggestions into his mind, making him feel a sense of responsibility to prevent the tragedy from happening for the sake of his family and comrades.
at the same time, he made modifications to the crimson flame's strength, making it appear less invincible and more susceptible to defeat.
now, it seemed like the effect was quite good.
in the future, li fan planned to periodically return to strengthen the illusion using the cloud water illusory dream art.
with these thoughts in mind, li fan employed formless killing intent to secretly lock onto zhang haobo to prevent him from slipping away unnoticed.
*****
[1] yanfa jue translates roughly to technique derivation jade.
chapter 95: life and death interlocking
the reason why li fan chose zhang haobo as the "reborn" to provoke the ten thousand immortals league to fight against crimson flame was, of course, because this person's fate was extraordinary.
in the previous life, as a mortal, he could vaguely sense the crisis of the burning sea and fled far away before the disaster arrived.
not only that, it seemed that he had another fate on a distant continent.
in just over twenty years, he transformed from a mortal into a foundation establishment powerhouse.
in this life, with the techniques provided by li fan, it was likely that he could grow even faster.
only in this way would he qualify to participate in the great event of resisting the crimson flame's burning of the sea.
the seed has been sown, and now one must wait for it to grow into a towering tree.
of course, during its growth, it would inevitably need some trimming and pruning.
li fan looked at zhang haobo, who had experienced a drastic change of mind and then fallen into a deep sleep, took off into the air, and prepared to return to the island of ten thousand immortals.
under the cover of the night, most of the residents of liuli island had already fallen into deep sleep, and the island was dark.
only one residence was still brightly lit, but the courtyard was hung with white mourning banners.0v3l.bin.
li fan had been to that residence before; it was the home of steward zhao, the steward in charge of the island's finances.
so li fan's spiritual sense scanned it briefly.
his figure suddenly stopped and hung in mid-air, and a look of surprise flashed in li fan's eyes.
he landed in the courtyard of steward zhao's residence and walked into the spiritual hall.
steward zhao was dressed in mourning, kneeling in front of a memorial tablet.
li fan looked at the characters on the memorial tablet, lost in thought.
"the memorial tablet of the late immortal master he zhenghao."
he zhenghao...
is he dead?
li fan wasn't particularly shocked, just extremely puzzled.
it is said that a person cannot truly witness the event twice.
however, with the [truth], li fan could witness the same event countless times. his slight movements might cause ripples in the river, but he couldn't change the river's course.
he zhenghao's death was unexpected.
"how did fellow daoist he die?" li fan couldn't help but ask.
steward zhao was suddenly taken aback but immediately turned around and answered respectfully, "it is said that immortal master he encountered traps while exploring an ancient cave and tragically perished."
"it has been fifty-six days so far."
the cause of this series of subsequent events was just because li fan killed a giant liuli fish.
the death of the leader of the liuli fish meant that the liuli fish group could not resist other creatures' predation.
as a result, an exotic beast, the dragonwhale, gained sentience after devouring a large number of liuli beads.
this sentient dragonwhale, by chance, destroyed all the spirit mist grass on an island.
the destruction of the spirit mist grass, further manipulated by someone, led to countless people's fortunes being ruined.
the ultimate result was the premature deaths of several foundation establishment cultivators.
these events were like interlocking shackles.
at first, they were just lightly locking together, but one link led to another, tightening more and more.
until finally, once the fatal chain was formed, it was difficult to break free.
"so, even foundation establishment cultivators are so simple to kill. this is the correct way to use the killing intent of the heavens and earth."
"the 'formless killing intent' still seems a bit crude."
li fan couldn't help but be overwhelmed with excitement and contemplation.
in the tianxuan mirror, lin fan, who was immersed in various secrets, suddenly changed his expression.
he quickly activated the auxiliary cultivation mode, and with the enlightenment enhancement, he began to comprehend.
"to kill someone, it is far from necessary to do it personally. with the [truth]'s foresight and premonition, i can easily kill someone, just like i did with he zhenghao. through manipulation, i can kill across time and space."
"hundreds of thousands of miles away, several years in the past, i can take someone's life."
in other words, the butterfly effect: the flapping of a butterfly's wings could cause a series of events that lead to a hurricane on the other side of the world.
if it weren't for he zhenghao's unexpected death, li fan might have had to wait a long time before comprehending this butterfly effect.
"fellow daoist he, it's good that you died!"
thinking of this, li fan sincerely lit a stick of incense in front of he zhenghao's memorial tablet.
"rest now. in the next life, i will not treat you unfairly."
li fan silently said.
after standing for a moment and waiting for the incense to burn out, li fan turned to leave.
just then, steward zhao suddenly spoke.
"immortal master, please wait!"
*****
tl note: and so it begins...
chapter 96: the opportunity of the ten thousand immortals pavilion
li fan turned his head and looked at steward zhao.
steward zhao, facing a legendary immortal, couldn't help but be a bit nervous. he carefully chose his words and asked, "esteemed immortal, it seems like you had a good relationship with immortal he?"
li fan was about to respond but suddenly remembered something. he contemplated for a moment and then said, "fellow daoist he and i have known each other for more than forty years, and he has shown me great care. i was away for a while, and i had no knowledge of his passing. seeing fellow daoist he's memorial tablet today was truly a great shock."
"i can only offer a joss stick..."
saying this, li fan shook his head and sighed.
steward zhao also sighed and said, "since i learned of immortal he's passing and set up this memorial hall, it's been twenty-six days. you are the first and only one to come and pay your respects to him."
"many immortals on the island have arrived in the past few days, either to search for his possessions or to compete for the position of guarding liuli island."
"now, with the new guardian immortal already in office, it's difficult for me to keep my current position."
"i have been unable to fulfill fellow daoist he's last wish all this time, and i feel guilty."
"fortunately, i met you today."
steward zhao looked relieved.
"fellow daoist he's last wish?" li fan asked, puzzled.
"yes, immortal he entrusted me with an item before he passed away. he instructed me that if he encountered misfortune in the future, i should hand this item over to the first fellow daoist who came to offer their respects."
"how could he entrust an item to you, a mortal?" li fan was surprised by steward zhao's answer.
"i won't hide it from you, immortal. in my earlier years, i once saved immortal he's life by a stroke of luck. originally, immortal he wanted to take me on as his disciple, but i was afraid of the difficulties of cultivation, so i asked for a job instead."
"over these years, i have been serving immortal he, and i gained his trust." steward zhao said, half proud and half sorrowful.
it seemed like there was such an incident.
li fan nodded.
"moreover, it's very secure to leave it with me. after all, who would think that a mortal would be entrusted with an immortal's belongings? the immortals who have been coming and going these days have never even looked at me..." steward zhao explained but realized that he might have said too much and stopped abruptly.
he quickly turned and took out a small square box from under he zhenghao's memorial tablet.
this small box seemed to have the effect of isolating divine consciousness. even when li fan stood right in front of it, he couldn't detect it.
"the item in this box is immortal he's possession. i don't know what it's used for." steward zhao handed the box over, his voice anxious.
li fan opened the box and found a charm with numerous characters that looked like a "ten thousand."
it seemed somewhat familiar.
after some searching, li fan finally understood the purpose of the entry charm. besides being used as an entry certificate to ten thousand immortals island, it also served as an item storage and retrieval voucher.
the items weren't stored in the tianxuan mirror but in a place called the "ten thousand immortals pavilion."
usually, what was stored there wasn't anything precious. it was often the inheritance left by cultivators for their mortal relatives to prevent any accidents.
only after the cultivator's death could their mortal relatives use the charm to withdraw the inheritance.
so, the ten thousand immortals pavilion was not on liuli island but on the remote island of youlan, cong yun sea.
with the purpose of the charm clarified, li fan didn't delay. he made a trip to youlan island and finally retrieved he zhenghao's possession.
it was a jade slip.
li fan initially thought it was some kind of cultivation technique. it wasn't until he read through the content of the jade slip that he understood.
the jade slip contained an unfinished work by he zhenghao.
"interpretation of the hundred veins formation diagram."
the book detailed he zhenghao's special insights into formations over the years and some innovative ideas.
along with this book, there was a message from he zhenghao.
he said that his whole life, he only loved formations. after years of painstaking effort and many setbacks, he had barely completed most of the "interpretation of the hundred veins formation diagram."
this time's expedition to the cave was supposed to be relatively low-risk. however, it's better to be safe than sorry. if he met an accident and died, it wouldn't be a big deal. what worried him was that his life's work, the "interpretation of the hundred veins formation diagram," would be buried and lost forever.
so, he made arrangements, hoping that the fellow cultivator who received the charm could hand over the "interpretation of the hundred veins formation diagram" to any of the formation masters on ten thousand immortals island, with the hope of completing it.
in the end, he zhenghao couldn't help but vent his frustration.
he talked about the various benefits of his "mountain meditation technique."
but unfortunately, it was just too difficult to practice.
if not for this, he wouldn't have had to risk his life in that ancient cave to change his cultivation technique.
...
"mountain meditation technique? fellow daoist he, you've truly presented me with a challenge."
after putting away the jade slip, li fan's eyes shone with an inexplicable gleam.
*****
tl note: patreon readers wanted a higher tier so while i'm building a stockpile for that, you guys get consistent 2 chapters per day :)
chapter 97: mechanical death
"sitting idly on a mountain and reaping the benefits, i never expected such a technique still exists in this world."
"unfortunately, he just mentioned it briefly and didn't leave the technique behind."
"i wonder if fellow daoist he's remains can still be found..."
"the 'mountain meditation technique' is just too suitable for me. it can fully leverage the advantages of [truth]'s precognition and anticipation."
he didn't know about the 'mountain meditation technique' before, but now that he knew its profound aspects, he was determined to master it, and no one could stop him!
he zhenghao had passed away and apparently hadn't passed on the technique. but it didn't matter. li fan had the 'sun stealing technique,' which could strip he zhenghao's memories using soul puppets. maybe he could recreate the 'mountain meditation technique.'
if luck wasn't on his side and he failed, he could plan for the next life. thinking about it, li fan became interested in the ancient cave where he zhenghao had perished.
he zhenghao, along with five foundation establishment stage cultivators, had all perished, with only one golden core stage cultivator narrowly surviving.
this shocking news had stirred quite a commotion on liuli island. rumors were flying everywhere.
after some inquiry, li fan gradually understood the whole story.
this cave was located inside an underwater volcano. it had remained hidden until recently when the volcano suddenly erupted. passing cultivators noticed the hidden cave, so he zhenghao's group decided to explore it.
one golden core stage and five foundation establishment stage cultivators. it wasn't a weak lineup by any means. according to the information they obtained, the cave belonged to a golden core cultivator from ancient times named tian yang.
according to common sense, exploring a golden core cultivator's cave should not have been too difficult. even if they couldn't carry everything away, they should have been able to leave safely, even if they encountered danger.
but as they ventured deeper into the cave and triggered a restriction, they found that tian yang was a skilled practitioner of a long-lost mechanical art from ancient times.
a dozen or so mechanical puppets were instantly activated, surrounding the group.
only a cultivator named zheng xiaoyun, who was in the golden core stage, managed to escape despite severe injuries.
the other five foundation establishment stage cultivators all met gruesome ends at the hands of the mechanical puppets.
because three of the deceased foundation establishment stage cultivators were island guardians of cong yun sea islands, the official authorities of the ten thousand immortals league even sent a nascent soul expert to investigate whether there was any intentional foul play involved.0v3l.bin.
the conclusion was that it was indeed an accident.
the death of the five foundation establishment stage cultivators didn't dampen the enthusiasm for exploring the cave. on the contrary, it ignited even more passion among cultivators.
for most cultivators, 500 contribution points might take half a year or more to accumulate, but for li fan, who had knowledge of many secrets in the cong yun sea, it was just one task.
three years had passed since he last completed the blue blood coral task. doing one or two tasks at this time wouldn't attract too much attention.
so, li fan began browsing the task list.
soon, he picked a 2,000-point reward bounty mission.
accepting the task, he replied.
"in the southwest sea area of the cong yun sea, below the gonghai island, there is a sea creature matching the description you're looking for."
"equivalent to late qi condensation stage, but they move in groups, making them challenging to deal with."
"note that this cave has two layers. you need to explore it carefully to find the entrance to the second layer."
"the sea creatures are in the second layer."
...
he still only provided information.
after half a day, the other party confirmed the accuracy of the information.
quite generously, they awarded li fan with 1,000 contribution points.
with the contribution points in hand, li fan immediately issued a 500-point contribution task in the tianxuan mirror.
in the task description, he mentioned his close friendship with he zhenghao over almost forty years, describing their bond as inseparable. he expressed his reluctance to leave his remains exposed outside and therefore offered a reward to bring back he zhenghao's remains for a proper burial.
he originally thought it would take some time for someone to accept the task.
however, to his surprise, it was picked up quickly.
the person who accepted the task was a member of the exploration team currently assembling. he was a foundation establishment stage cultivator.
the person sent a message asking li fan if he wanted to join them.
"with a nascent soul expert leading the team, you're sure to return safely," they reassured li fan.
chapter 98: discerning one’s fate through two lifetimes
the other person also mentioned that they inquired because it's quite rare to find someone so emotionally attached in the current cultivation world.
li fan looked at the person's name.
song weiyu, who seemed to be a female cultivator.
should he go or not? the golden core expert's abode had the assurance of safety due to the nascent soul powerhouse leading the team.
however, li fan thought about it and decided to politely decline.
he only sought he zhenghao's remains, and if song weiyu's mission was successful, she would surely bring them back. there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
if there were any significant opportunities in that abode, li fan could inquire about them and explore them in the next lifetime.
song weiyu didn't respond further after li fan's rejection.
with everything settled, li fan began practicing the "cloud water illusory dream art."
he was very focused on zhang haobo, his pawn.
to ensure he didn't deviate from the path of growth li fan had set for him, he needed to periodically use illusory dreams on him.
it was easy during his mortal phase. however, influencing his thoughts once he reached the qi condensation stage and especially after breaking through to the foundation establishment stage would be much more challenging.
therefore, li fan needed to advance the "cloud water illusory dream art" to the second level.
the "cloud water illusory dream art" was a unique cultivation technique with seven levels, unrelated to cultivation realms like foundation establishment or qi condensation. instead, it depended on the strength of one's spiritual consciousness and the precision of constructing illusions.
the higher the level of this technique one practiced, the stronger the influence of their illusions.
in theory, even an ordinary mortal could, with sufficiently strong spiritual power, submerge a golden core or even nascent soul stage cultivator in illusions. however, the cultivator's realm usually determined the strength of their spiritual consciousness, so this situation was almost nonexistent.
...
three months later.
liuli island.
on board the cangyuan ship.
zhang haobo stood at the bow, facing the sea breeze, gazing at the ocean.
he furrowed his brows as if searching for something.
suddenly, he spotted a familiar-looking reef in the distance.
his spirit was rejuvenated, and he immediately leaped into the sea, leaving the surrounding crew astonished.
zhang haobo navigated through the dim underwater environment and soon reached the seabed. if an ordinary mortal had ventured this deep underwater, they would have succumbed to the immense pressure and perished.
"when fate changes, it naturally flows differently, with small changes compounding upon each other..."
li fan murmured softly, his eyes growing brighter.
being able to personally witness the before-and-after changes in someone's fate was a great opportunity for li fan.
if it weren't for the [truth], which allowed him to compare and verify the destinies of two lifetimes, he wouldn't have been able to know the fate of himself or others.
just as in his previous life, only by turning into the canghai sea could he peek into the killing intent of the heavens.
only by spanning two lifetimes could one understand the changes in fate.
with this realization, li fan couldn't help but let out a deep chuckle.
"perhaps you will really bring me some surprises."
"i am genuinely looking forward to your performance, zhang haobo."
...
in a cheerful mood, li fan leisurely flew back to liuli island.
three months had passed, but his avatar, fan lin, remained in a state of epiphany over the butterfly effect.
the state of enlightenment was still ongoing.
contribution points were being spent like flowing water, and he had used almost 2,000 points so far.
fortunately, his avatar had a reserve of 100,000 contribution points, so it could endure this level of expenditure.
"i wonder what kind of divine power my avatar will comprehend when it emerges from this epiphany?"
li fan contemplated these possibilities as he arrived within the protective array of liuli island.
he intended to use the teleportation formation to return to ten thousand immortals island. however, he noticed that yuwen xing, the new guardian immortal of liuli island, had a grave expression, filled with worry.
"daoist yuwen, what has happened?" li fan politely inquired.
yuwen xing appeared to be deep in thought, and for a moment, he didn't respond.
"daoist yuwen?" li fan had to repeat his question.
finally, yuwen xing snapped back to attention and looked at li fan with a sigh.
"something bad has happened."
"the expedition team led by true lord gouxuan that went to explore the ancient abode... they're all dead."
"even true lord gouxuan himself didn't manage to escape."
chapter 99: you’re stronger, so am i
li fan was surprised and asked, "how could this happen? wasn't it just a golden core cultivator's cave? how did even a nascent soul master fall?"
yuwen xing shook his head and said, "the exact situation is unclear right now. they have temporarily sealed the entrance to that cave to prevent any unsuspecting individuals from entering and meeting their demise."
he continued, "in the entire ten thousand immortals island, there are only about ten nascent soul cultivators. so the sudden loss of one is indeed significant."
"let alone the four golden core and thirteen foundation establishment cultivators who perished in two consecutive exploration attempts."
"now, the island is not in a very peaceful state. with so many cultivators lost, their positions on the island are now vacant. various factions have started maneuvering behind the scenes to vie for these opportunities."
"even the ten thousand immortals alliance has reopened its investigation into zheng xiaoyun. this time, it's being conducted by the hall of heavenly secrets's elder gongsun. we don't know if they will find anything substantial."
"it's a tumultuous time."
after listening to yuwen xing's concerns, li fan realized that there was an additional reason behind his worries. it turned out that yuwen xing had relied on the now-deceased true lord gouxuan as his backer.
thanks to this connection, he managed to defeat numerous competitors and became the guardian of liuli island. however, with his protector falling, yuwen xing seemed anxious about his own position.
li fan thought to himself, "if even a nascent soul cultivator has fallen, it seems that the cultivation cave is extremely dangerous. it might be a while before i can retrieve the remains of fellow daoist he."
however, a few days later, there appeared to be a turning point in the situation. the ten thousand immortals alliance's investigation results were released, which concluded that a cultivator named zheng xiaoyun, who was in the golden core stage, was not responsible for the deaths of the explorers.
the reason for the second exploration team's complete annihilation was attributed to the peculiar nature of the mechanisms and puppets within the cave of tian yang:
these mechanisms and puppets had the unique characteristic of becoming stronger when faced with stronger opponents. during the first exploration led by zheng xiaoyun, these puppets only exhibited the combat strength of golden core cultivators, which allowed zheng xiaoyun to survive.
the idea of acquiring over a dozen puppets, each at least equivalent to the nascent soul stage, would be too enticing for the ten thousand immortals alliance to pass up. why would they foolishly disclose this information to the public?
the only explanation was that there must be other peculiar aspects to these puppets within the cave that the ten thousand immortals alliance couldn't predict.
li fan had also heard of elder gongsun, the hall of heavenly secrets's elder. he had investigated the situation when li fan had completed the bounty regarding the dragonwhale.
elder gongsun had only determined the immediate cause of death: the whale had been surrounded by several deep-sea behemoths and had exhausted its life.
however, he hadn't uncovered the root cause: li fan's activation of the formless killing intent.
therefore, li fan believed that elder gongsun could indeed predict events and determine causality, but his abilities were like a blind person touching an elephant, only grasping part of the truth.
this understanding wasn't exclusive to li fan; many others shared this viewpoint.
at first, when they were excited and hot-headed, they quickly organized into a group. in total, there were over thirty of them, and they were determined to explore the cave of tian yang once again.
li fan, on the other hand, simply reposted the bounty for fellow daoist he's remains and patiently waited to see how it would all unfold.
ten days later, the exploration team returned in disarray. most of the thirty-plus people escaped from the cave.
as they tearfully recounted their experiences, the onlookers learned what had happened inside the cave.
the seventeen puppets inside were incredibly powerful! they were constructed from some unknown material, making them incredibly durable. no spell seemed to affect them, leaving no marks or damage whatsoever.
not even a scratch could be left.
chapter 100: zhang haobo tests his sword
this is only natural. although these puppet mechanisms have reduced their combat power to the qi condensation stage, their physical strength alone is capable of withstanding attacks from nascent soul stage cultivators. how can a group of qi condensation cultivators hope to harm them?
after a series of pitiful attacks from the thirty-plus qi condensation cultivators, the seventeen puppets remained unfazed. they were impervious to any damage.
in return, the puppets' offensive capabilities, limited to the qi condensation stage, didn't appear as menacing. after a grueling battle, the third exploration team, although battered, managed to preserve most of their lives.
finally, everyone began to understand that this cave of tian yang was far beyond the reach of their group of low-level qi condensation cultivators. the seventeen high-defense puppet mechanisms were like formidable gatekeepers, keeping all intruders at bay.̃øv€lß1n.
li fan pondered, wondering how things had turned out for this cave in the past. since he joined the ten thousand immortals alliance, he had never heard anyone discuss the matter. it seemed the cave had disappeared long ago.
"perhaps, in the end, a powerful expert will intervene to resolve this matter," li fan speculated.
with the storm raised by the cave gradually calming down, cultivators began to deliberately forget about this treasure that they could see but not possess. some with ulterior motives attempted to secretly rally others, hoping to assemble hundreds of qi condensation cultivators for another exploration. the plan was to use a large group to engage the seventeen puppets while the others ventured deep into the mansion to seek opportunities.
but no one paid attention to their proposals. everyone was a qi condensation cultivator, and they were unwilling to take the risks and potentially sacrifice their lives for someone else's gain. thus, the number of cultivators with the cave in their minds gradually dwindled, and the ten thousand immortals alliance seemed to forget the matter entirely.
the cong yun sea became calm once more, and li fan, who seldom had time to focus on his cultivation, finally settled down to practice in peace. time passed, and half a year later, the 13th year had arrived.
on this day, li fan was examining the results of his half-year intensive cultivation. he compared the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra" with the "sun stealing technique" and practiced them together. both techniques had advanced to the later stages of the qi condensation realm, and he could sense the existence of bottlenecks. once he broke through these bottlenecks, he would be able to use a heavenly treasure to establish his foundation and become a foundation establishment cultivator.
as for the "cloud water illusory dream art," it had progressed slowly after reaching the third layer, and he had to temporarily halt his practice. this third layer was already capable of affecting nascent soul stage cultivators, with the specific effects determined by the difference in spiritual strength between li fan and the opponent.
however, the "stalking shadow technique" and the "netherworld spirit illusion technique" didn't receive much attention over this period.
"maybe having so many techniques to practice isn't such a good thing. perhaps i should consider merging and simplifying them... of course, with my current level of insight into these techniques, i can't achieve that," li fan pondered.
this kind of combat was clearly extremely taxing on his mental power. after a short time, three puppets broke through the sword blockade and approached zhang haobo.
out of the seven protective swords, zhang haobo instantly divided three to face the incoming puppets while retreating.
in the blink of an eye, within the fury and frustration of the puppets, zhang haobo left the cave.
after a while, yuwen xing's triumphant voice came through.
"what do you think?"
"are these seventeen puppets from the cave of tian yang? fighting alone against seventeen puppets, although he only lasted for a short time, it's still quite impressive. who is this person?" li fan pretended not to know.
"hehe, this person is called zhang haobo. just over a year ago, he was just an ordinary mortal."
"a few months ago, he advanced to the qi condensation stage, and i introduced him to our ten thousand immortals alliance."
"after hearing about the cave of tian yang, he went there alone."
"at first, i didn't know what he was doing, but later, i found out."
"he went there to practice against those seventeen puppet mechanisms!"
"in the beginning, it's said he could only last a few breaths. then, as time passed, he could endure longer against the puppets."
"the video i sent you was from over half a month ago. i wonder what the situation is like now."
chapter 101: dragon’s roar under the sea
after telling the story, yuwen xing couldn't help but sigh, "this person not only possesses an extraordinary natural talent in cultivation, which is rare in the world, but he also has remarkable willpower and courage, which are equally scarce."
"those seventeen powerful puppets are formidable, and most cultivators would avoid them at all costs. yet zhang haobo takes a different approach and uses them as sparring partners."
"tsk, tsk, tsk, if this person doesn't meet an unfortunate end, he's destined for greatness!"
li fan agreed, "what you say, fellow daoist yuwen, is absolutely true!"
after a long pause, there was no further message from the other side. it seemed that yuwen xing had gone to inform others about this matter.
"a cultivator can typically form the twenty-four sea fixing swords only after entering foundation establishment, but zhang haobo, who recently entered the qi condensation stage, managed to form them already."
"is he particularly suited to this technique? or is there some other reason? interesting..."
in a burst of curiosity, li fan immediately set out to investigate the situation at the tian yang cave.
the tian yang cave was located beneath the sea in a dormant underwater volcano in the western part of the cong yun sea. since its emergence due to a volcanic eruption, the surrounding underwater volcanic activity has increased.
on his way, li fan occasionally spotted groups of qi condensation stage cultivators who were excited and couldn't stop talking about zhang haobo, who was currently engaged in a sword trial. they mentioned that zhang haobo was now able to endure the onslaught of the seventeen puppet mechanisms for almost the duration of a joss stick burning.
many people used the opportunity when zhang haobo attracted the puppets' attention to sneak into the mansion and seek opportunities. however, one joss stick's time was too short for them to discover anything, and they would be killed by the enraged puppets before they could react. but there were reports that zhang haobo had made significant progress through these repeated trials. perhaps he would soon advance to the mid-qi condensation stage, and at that point, his strength would allow him to restrain the puppets for a longer period. this would enable others to explore the mansion while he held the puppets at bay.
zhang haobo didn't seem to mind this behavior, and he didn't express any dissatisfaction. he continued his repetitive cycle of resting, sword trials, and resting.
therefore, more and more cultivators began harboring various schemes.
of course, some came purely to witness the remarkable feat of zhang haobo fighting seventeen puppets on his own.
before long, li fan arrived in the area where the tian yang cave was located. due to the active underground fires, the water temperature here was noticeably higher than in other areas. the sea's surface was scattered with dead fish, even though it had been cleaned up once.
the onslaught of water sword attacks resembled a rushing waterfall, non-stop and relentless. zhang haobo, using his strength alone, was actually suppressing the seventeen puppets!
outside the mansion, the cultivators who witnessed this scene were left speechless, their hearts filled with amazement.
"is zhang haobo really only in the mid-qi condensation stage? what cultivation technique is he practicing? he's incredibly strong!"
"i heard he's been cultivating for just over a year? he's a true genius!"
"fellow daoists, let's go. i see that these puppets can't lift their heads now. it's the perfect opportunity for us to explore the mansion!"
in the crowd, someone suddenly spoke up, inciting others.
the idea sounded reasonable, and many began to feel eager.
however, at that moment, a burly man shook his head and said, "i think not. zhang haobo's move is truly terrifying, but it must consume a lot of spiritual energy and is difficult to sustain. i'm afraid this time, he won't last as long as the previous attempt."
the crowd fell into deep thought and eventually nodded in agreement.
li fan, on the other hand, kept his eyes on zhang haobo in the water curtain.
the move that zhang haobo had just used was known to li fan. it was a deadly technique from the "sea fixing sword technique."
"dragon's roar."
this technique involved the swords moving like dragons, attacking freely and expansively with a wide range and a fast attack frequency, making it a powerful offensive move.
it required an extremely strong consumption of spiritual energy and was typically only usable by those in the foundation establishment stage. even the previous cultivator, baili chen, who was also in the mid-qi condensation stage and practiced the complete version of the "sea fixing sword technique," couldn't perform this move.
what puzzled li fan was that although zhang haobo had extraordinary talent, he was still only in the mid-qi condensation stage. the "dragon's roar" was not something that could be sustained for long. yet, looking at zhang haobo now, he seemed completely confident and unconcerned about running out of spiritual energy. why was that?
chapter 102: tian yang’s roar
just as li fan was feeling puzzled, he suddenly sensed something and his expression changed as he looked around.
in the deep sea, tiny specks of blue light were converging from all directions.
heading towards the tian yang cave.
li fan reached out and intercepted one of the blue light points, examining it in his hand.̃øv€l-b!n.
"pure water elemental spiritual energy..."
in an instant, li fan realized what was happening.
he made the most accurate decision.
he activated the "stalking shadow technique" technique in an instant. his figure became like a phantom, rushing into the volcano.
the others were still astonished by the increasing number of blue light points.
"a water spirit body! zhang haobo is actually a water spirit body!"
someone finally reacted and exclaimed.
"i understand now. a water spirit body is naturally attuned to elemental spiritual energy. as long as he's within this vast sea, he doesn't need to worry about running out of spiritual energy. even if he consumes it quickly, the abundant water elemental spiritual energy in the surroundings can replenish it rapidly!"
"does that mean..."
"darn, someone beat us to it!"
"friends, hurry!"
the knowledgeable qi condensation cultivators, like li fan, rushed into the volcano to seek opportunities.
but li fan, who had moved ahead of them, had already crossed the magma inside the volcano and reached the tian yang cave.
passing through the battling puppets and zhang haobo, li fan scanned the area with his divine sense, trying to find any traces of he zhenghao's remains.
however...
this place had witnessed several intense battles and was now in ruins.
the full power of the seventeen nascent soul puppets was truly terrifying.
the solid floor of the cave had been eroded as if it had been cut by a strange force. there were no complete bodies to be found, not to mention any storage rings.
only some fragments of the ground remained.
li fan's heart skipped a beat as he saw the approaching cultivators. he couldn't afford to be too picky, so he decided to collect all these fragments in a hurry.
then he charged deeper into the cave, attempting to find anything valuable.
just at that moment, he suddenly heard a voice in the cave, a voice that sounded ancient and mechanical.
"tian..."
li fan's figure hesitated as a sense of unease washed over him.
he looked towards the source of the voice and saw one of the puppets. these dark-red mechanical puppets, which had been suppressed by zhang haobo's "dragon's roar" all this time, seemed to be undergoing some kind of transformation.
anger had built up within them.
like a dormant volcano erupting all of a sudden.
cracks began to appear on the puppets' bodies, revealing a slightly eerie blackness within.
their strength...
seemed unfathomable.
zhang haobo's heart shuddered as he allowed this mysterious individual to lead him through the magma, out of the volcano, and back to the seabed.
"man..."
as the puppet fragments completed their reformation, a black giant hand, full of cracks, appeared in front of everyone.
a dazzling dark red light flowed through the cracks in the giant hand.
a mechanical and angry roar emanated from the giant hand.
"tian, yang's, soul..."
"not, weaker, than, man..."
in the midst of a roar reminiscent of an ancient ferocious beast, the giant hand's five fingers clenched into a fist and struck forward.
seeing this, li fan, who was escaping at high speed with zhang haobo, changed his expression and increased his speed.
a thunderous explosion resounded from the volcano.
amidst the intense blast, thick smoke billowed into the sky.
in an instant, it erupted from the sea floor to the sea surface.
and then, into the sky.
after a moment of silence, an even more violent rumbling echoed from the seabed.
rolling black clouds appeared from the depths of the sea, exploding and spreading in all directions.
like a rampaging herd, they surged forward.
with each explosion, the range of the black clouds doubled.
from the smoke columns that pierced the heavens and earth, crimson streaks shot in all directions.
li fan ran all the way and finally brought zhang haobo to a safe area.
looking back at the raging inferno, he couldn't help but shudder.
however, it seemed that all of this was just the beginning.
the heavens and earth trembled, and the entire cong yun sea seemed to shake.
like beacons being lit one after another, one underwater volcano after another erupted, starting from the tian yang cave!
in this world-annihilating scene, the roar of the puppets could overpower the eruption of the underwater volcanoes.
"tian, yang's, soul!"
...
"not, weaker, than, man!"
...
a puppet that had been buried in the earth's veins for thousands of years, constantly absorbing the energy of the earth's core, and tempering itself.
it tore apart the numerous mountains under the sea and stood up in the cong yun sea.
defying the heavens, it roared with pride!
chapter 103: the battle of soul transformation
the black clouds from the underwater volcanic eruption reached the sky, and countless red-hot stones streaked through the sky, splashing in all directions.
as the tian yang puppet stood firm in the sea, it turned slightly, and its eyes emitted a sinister red light.
it headed in the direction of ten thousand immortals island, taking giant strides.
"boom!"
with each step, it caused massive waves to rise a hundred meters high.
despite appearing slow, it was incredibly fast, rapidly closing in on ten thousand immortals island.
along the way, the tsunamis generated by its movements destroyed countless islands.
suddenly, the tian yang puppet's colossal body came to a halt.
the sky had abruptly darkened.
the tian yang puppet gazed up, and above it, a massive mountain hung suspended in the air, several times larger than itself.
the mountain's bulk nearly occupied its entire field of vision, with glimpses of flora and fauna on its surface.
"fellow daoist, please stop!" a cold, slightly murderous voice echoed through the sky.
the mountain descended, pressing down toward the tian yang puppet.
the tian yang puppet's face displayed defiance, and it roared angrily. its arms reached out.
they collided with the descending mountain.
a shockwave erupted from their point of impact.
li fan and zhang haobo, who were watching from a distance, were swept up by this shockwave, their bodies nearly uncontrollable like leaves in the wind.
both of them had astonished expressions on their faces.
shortly afterward, a series of explosions were heard.
"boom!"
"boom!"
"boom!"
...
li fan and zhang haobo focused on the descending mountain, where the tian yang puppet's waist began to bend under the pressure. its feet were directly embedded in the seabed, producing a continuous booming sound of impact.
"tian..."
the red light on the puppet's body grew more intense, brighter than the midday sun.
"yang..."
the tian yang puppet looked up at the mountain it was supporting, its eyes filled with madness and unwillingness.
creaking sounds continued as its hunched body gradually straightened.
the massive mountain was slowly lifted into the air.
"hmph!"
above the tian yang puppet, the illusory mountain peaks became more substantial.
as if provoked by the words "with the foundation of a golden core," the tian yang puppet, not willing to be outdone, roared again and confronted the illusory mountain peaks.
"if you want to fight, let's change the location."
at this moment, a lazy female voice rang out.
the world suddenly darkened.
li fan and zhang haobo looked up, only to realize that the sun had disappeared from the sky.
it was as though a large hole had been torn in the sky, revealing a starry night.
the starlight fell lightly, landing on the tian yang puppet.
"roar!"
the puppet could only let out an angry roar before its massive form vanished.
"good! let's change the location and fight properly!"
the illusory mountain peaks also disappeared.
the ruptured sky gradually closed, and the stars began to vanish one by one.
the sun shone brightly, and the world remained serene and peaceful.
only the nearly shattered fragments of the cong yun sea in the vicinity bore witness to the earth-shattering battle that had just occurred.
"the two figures that appeared just now should be the soul transformation stage cultivators staged on the ten thousand immortals island."
"their demeanor is truly awe-inspiring. it's something to aspire to."
li fan saw a soul transformation expert in action for the first time, and he couldn't help but feel his heart pounding with excitement.
when he came back to his senses and looked at zhang haobo, the latter was also lost in thought. his face displayed a long-lasting sense of amazement.
"it seems that the illusory realm created by the cloud water illusory dream art cannot compare to a firsthand experience. otherwise, after witnessing the burning ocean, one wouldn't be so intimidated by the soul transformation battle," li fan pondered.
he released the insect binding technique and asked, "how are you feeling, fellow daoist zhang?"
startled, zhang haobo awakened from his daze.
he instantly activated the spiritual energy within him, and the twenty-four sea fixing swords appeared around him in an instant.
"hmm?" li fan tilted his head, looking at him.
realizing what he had done, zhang haobo's aura stagnated, and he retracted his blue water sword.
with a somewhat embarrassed smile, he scratched his head and bowed respectfully to li fan. he said seriously, "thank you, fellow daoist, for saving my life."
li fan chuckled and waved his hand, "it's a trivial matter. fellow daoist zhang, with your mid qi condensation stage cultivation, you were able to confront seventeen puppets on your own."
"the way you controlled water swords to suppress all the puppets was truly impressive!"
zhang haobo hastily shook his head, "i can't compare to your divine abilities."
then, he looked up at the sky with a somewhat melancholic expression, "originally, in just a little over a year, i rose from an ordinary mortal to the mid qi condensation stage. i was a bit self-satisfied. but today, after seeing true experts in action, i realized..."
"in their eyes, someone in the qi condensation stage is no different from an ant."
li fan comforted him, "fellow daoist zhang, there's no need to be disheartened. with your talent, given time, you may well become one of these experts.
chapter 104: forgotten catastrophes
zhang haobo forced a bitter smile and was about to say something when he suddenly stopped.
after a moment, he spoke again, "i don't know your name yet? i dare not forget the favor you've done today. i'll repay it in the future!"
li fan smiled and did not answer. he just clasped his hands and said, "we'll meet again if fate allows."
his figure turned into a thin line and quickly disappeared from view.
in the blink of an eye, he had vanished from zhang haobo's sight.
zhang haobo squinted, "such incredible speed. that unknown technique is truly formidable if it can render me powerless. so mysterious, i wonder about the person's identity."
after a while, he sighed and thought, "it's a pity that no matter how many secrets they have, it won't make much difference."
zhang haobo tilted his head and looked up to the sky, "heaven and earth have declared killing intent. the numerous beings in the cong yun sea, regardless of cultivation level or wealth, have long been destined for death."0v3l.bin.
"that red-colored figure that burned the sea......
"a nascent soul cultivator is already so powerful, is it really possible to defeat him?"
zhang haobo was in a daze.
however, after some time, his gaze gradually became more resolute. "no matter what, i will do my best to stop it."
his resolve became solid once again, and he glanced at the ruins one last time before taking off.
not long after zhang haobo left, li fan's hidden figure reappeared.
"it seems that he hasn't lost his fighting spirit. i was overly cautious," li fan nodded to himself.
after some consideration, he carefully returned to the original location of the tian yang cave.
he wanted to see if any treasures had survived the recent battle. however, after searching for a while, all he found was the flowing lava and nothing else.
he couldn't help but sigh in disappointment, "it's a shame. i wonder if i can reproduce the 'mountain meditation technique' from the fragments."
his thoughts were mixed as he returned to ten thousand immortals island.
the location of the tian yang cave had experienced a massive battle that day, and the news had obviously spread. many cultivators were discussing the matter, but nobody knew what had really happened or how the towering puppet had appeared.
various opinions were expressed, but no one had the full story.
li fan was certainly not going to share the details of the battle.
however, while passing by the cultivators and engaging in casual conversations, he suddenly had a thought.
li fan immediately returned to the tianxuan mirror and searched for keywords.
historical calamities, catastrophes, killing intent of the heavens and earth.
the results sent shivers down li fan's spine.
none.
none.
none.
none.
no matter how li fan searched, the tianxuan mirror displayed no results.
after a while, li fan calmed down and took out a communication talisman, asking yuwen xing.
the response sent a chill down li fan's spine.
yuwen xing first denied any knowledge of previous catastrophes. then, after repeated questions from li fan, he vaguely recalled that something might have happened, but he couldn't remember clearly.
he didn't think it was very important and had already forgotten about it.
li fan also asked several other older cultivators.
they were puzzled as to why li fan was asking such questions, but their answers were all similar to yuwen xing's.
it seemed like something had happened, but they couldn't remember.
li fan fell silent.
couldn't remember?
since when did foundation establishment cultivators become so forgetful?
li fan remembered his first encounter with a wind calamity when he arrived on liuli island. even the ordinary people on the island would tell him about the scene of a more massive wind calamity that occurred over a decade ago.
weren't cultivators supposed to have better memory than ordinary people?
remembering disasters should make people more vigilant and help them survive future calamities more easily.
this was the proper reasoning.
but in the world now, this reasoning seems to have been forgotten.
chapter 105: paradise in heaven and earth
"against the reasoning of heaven and earth..."
li fan began to speak slowly but only muttered the second half in his heart.
"to attain immortality!"
since entering the world of cultivation, li fan had witnessed nascent soul cultivators move mountains, and he had seen the dao integration realm crimson flame burn the sea. however, none of these could compare to this moment, where he glimpsed the awe-inspiring existence of the immortal ancestor within various signs that defied common sense.
invisible and unnoticeable, this influence had an impact that was far more potent than mere destruction.
"i have only been unaffected by this power because the burning of the sea i remember belonged to a calamity that occurred in the future."
"thus, i was able to perceive the influence of the immortal ancestor between the past and the present."
after a while, li fan slowly dispelled the fear that had suddenly come over him, caused by the realization that he was constantly living under the shadow of this great entity.
in the world of cultivation, golden core stage cultivators were generally called lords, nascent soul stage cultivators were true lords, soul transformation stage cultivators were true monarchs, and those of the dao integration realm were immortal sages.
the highest-level experts, such as the immortal ancestor, were referred to as the immortal venerables.
the immortal venerables in the world were mostly elusive figures. specific details like their names were generally unknown to ordinary cultivators.
"it seems that under the influence of the immortal ancestor, all the cultivators in the world will gradually forget the disasters they once experienced. or, not just disasters, it seems that any collective memory that would bring pain is under his influence."
"it seems that this world of cultivation is a paradise..."
li fan pondered slowly, and at the same time, he began to realize.
in this world, where the heavens and earth harbored so much malice toward cultivators and where the conflicts between immortals were so sharp, he had encountered cultivators like kou hong, dao xuanzi, he zhenghao, and yuwen xing, who almost completely ignored the malice of the heavens and earth.
there were hardly any of the bitter or hateful types that would seek to destroy the heavens.
they all intentionally or unintentionally overlooked the malicious intent of the heavens and earth.
at most, they lamented the difficulty of the dao of immortality and were even cheerful...
it was highly probable that this was the work of that immortal ancestor.
was it for the sake of allowing cultivators throughout the world to cultivate better?
or did it serve some other purpose?
li fan had always been inclined to assume the worst possible motives of others.
...
longevity was what li fan relentlessly pursued, the ultimate goal.
but at this moment, he was still far from his objective.
he had to stay grounded, steadily practicing step by step.
after recovering from the shock brought by the immortal ancestor's influence, li fan began to search for information on the ancient body transformation dao.
it was the li fan's clone who had been in seclusion for a long time, finally emerging.
with two pieces of good news in a row, everything seemed to be going well. it made li fan feel like the heavens and the earth were on his side.
after calming down, li fan carefully pondered the abilities that the clone had comprehended this time.
all things in the world were interconnected.
linked in a chain from life to death, controlled by the butterfly effect.
what li fan had comprehended, the "life and death chain," could be described as an upgraded version of the "formless killing intent."
by selecting a predetermined individual as the target of "death", he could backtrack through countless connections and sense the weakest and most fatal "life" chain.
by severing this vital connection, he could subtly drive the predetermined target towards death, unnoticed by either gods or ghosts.
the "formless killing intent" required the target to be locked onto.
the target's strength could not surpass li fan too much, or else he would suffer a backlash.
and there was also the risk of being detected by the target.
in contrast, the "life and death chain" was different. it only required knowledge of the target's existence.
it could almost ignore the difference in cultivation realms between them.
with sufficient information, even in the qi condensation stage, li fan could eliminate a nascent soul stage cultivator.
take the case of the tian yang cave as an example.
if li fan wanted to assassinate a nascent soul true lord, he wouldn't have to take action himself. he would only need to trigger the "life and death chain" retrace back through all possibilities of connections between him and the tian yang cave.
from there, he would find the most suitable path.
he would subtly influence the nascent soul true lord to have the idea of exploring the tian yang cave.
as a result, the true lord would perish within the cave.
while the "life and death chain" was powerful, it also had certain conditions for activation.
it was necessary to determine the "death" chain in advance.
this meant that li fan needed to determine how the target would die before he could backtrack.
moreover, this "method of death" had to be effective.
for example, if li fan decided that the nascent soul true lord would accidentally lose control of his spiritual energy and fall from the sky during flight, leading to his death.
indeed, such an outcome was possible.
however, the complexity of the required reverse derivation to bring about this result was beyond li fan's current capabilities.
as a result, the "life and death chain" could not be activated.
chapter 106: li fan’s sudden enlightenment
however, if it is set reasonably, say, the nascent soul true lord was on a flight and encountered an enemy on the way. after a fierce battle, he was defeated and died.
in this way, after activating the life and death chain, it would be possible to trace the conditions under which these two enemies met. although it might take a long time for calculations, it would eventually succeed.
in summary, the more abundant the information, especially about the "death" link, the easier it would be to activate the life and death chain. and li fan was fortunate enough to fully utilize the advantage of foresight through [truth].
therefore, transcending the qi condensation stage to kill nascent soul true lords would become a feasible task. for example, li fan could lure a targeted nascent soul true lord into the cong yun sea during the burning of the sea. by harnessing the power of the crimson flame, he could assassinate the nascent soul true lord.
"identify the cause and effect, and kill without a trace." li fan couldn't help but exclaim, "what a fantastic ability."
what surprised li fan even more was that, besides the "life and death chain," his doppelganger had also experienced another revelation, the "heavenly sight, earthly hearing" technique, which incorporated various insights li fan had about qi and destiny, elevating the life and death chain to a whole new level.
the fate of all things was under the watchful eye of heaven and earth. by observing the intertwining of qi fluctuations and fate, one could perceive them from the perspective of heaven and earth.
in simpler terms, while the previous formless killing intent could only vaguely lock onto the target's position, now, after comprehending the "vision of heaven and earth," one could observe the target through the perspective of heaven and earth.
after figuring out the function of the vision of heaven and earth, li fan was really overjoyed this time.
even with his state of mind, he could not help but be secretly excited.
the surprises came one after another, even causing li fan to be a bit terrified. he experimented with the "vision of heaven and earth" technique. his mind settled down, sensing the formless killing intent that was locked onto zhang haobo.
a picture appeared in li fan's mind.
on top of the blue waves, zhang haobo stood in the void.
twenty-four increasingly blue water swords were flying around him, forming some sort of arcane formation.
like the stars of the circumference, they were constantly moving.
water dragons were born in the water sword formation as it transformed.0v3l.bin.
zhang haobo pointed towards the sea in front of him, and the water dragons in the formation then flew out, dancing wildly in the sky.
[truth], "mountain meditation technique," "vision of heaven and earth."
"no matter how high their innate talent is, they are always under my gaze. their lifetime of understanding belongs to me."
li fan gradually calmed his emotions and sat back down, speaking softly, "even though there are many heroes in the world, they must all end up under my command."
heroes were like carp swimming across a river, emerging year after year. li fan's path was to select the most outstanding among them. gathering the best of the talented individuals and using them as pawns, he would derive extraordinary techniques from them.
he would gather the strengths of thousands and innovate further, forging his unique path. "the path is now established; the next step is to see how to arrange it."
li fan stated his path. at the same time, his doppelganger, fan lin, felt elated. another wave of insight was transmitted, but it wasn't about a divine ability; it was information perceived during the enlightenment.
through this enlightenment, fan lin understood that the previous cultivation world that existed before the great calamity had placed immense importance on enlightenment. ancient cultivation emphasized comprehending the ways of the heavens. some mortals could have sudden insights, advancing from qi condensation to foundation establishment in a single day, reaching golden core in three days, and forming the nascent soul in five days. there were even cases of people meditating for a hundred years, having a sudden revelation, and ascending to immortality in one step.
however, such individuals were exceedingly rare, with only a handful throughout the history of cultivation. most people would use enlightenment to improve slightly within a lower realm or gain insight into certain divine abilities.
nowadays, very few can achieve enlightenment.
"peering into the laws of heaven and earth, seizing the essence of heaven and earth, and extracting the marrow of heaven and earth... if heaven doesn't give it to me, i'll take it myself."
"the dao of enlightenment, the dao of plundering heaven... but what is my dao..." li fan muttered.
...
after comprehending these two divine abilities, li fan spent half a month consolidating his insights within the tianxuan mirror. afterward, he decided to set off in search of an opportunity to breakthrough the bottleneck.
after comparing the location in his mind with the cong yun sea's map, he realized that the place he had to go to this time was a peculiar island called yin yin island. the island earned its strange name because it was devoid of ordinary people. instead, it was inhabited solely by a cultivator known as master yin yin.
master yin yin's cultivation level was not high; he was only at the foundation establishment stage. however, he wasn't very interested in cultivation and preferred to study various eccentric things. among the objects of his research, the most famous was the "immortal-mortal miasma."
the experiment which involved extracting the immortal-mortal miasma from su changyu's body and led to his death was his work. due to this, many cultivators didn't hold him in high regard and preferred not to associate with him. so, he moved to a remote small island, where he could enjoy the peace and quiet.
how could the opportunity for his breakthrough be related to this person? li fan was somewhat curious and immediately set out for yin yin island.
chapter 107: six-headed monstrosity
yin yin island is located in the northeastern corner of the cong yun sea. it took li fan over twenty days to arrive in the vicinity.
the island is not large and lacks any significant vegetation. there's a square building standing on the island.
from a distance, you can faintly hear the cries of human suffering carried by the sea breeze.
"master yin yin, are you here?" li fan shouted loudly.
his voice spread across the entire island but received no response.
li fan patiently asked again, but all that echoed back was the mournful sea wind.
he asked one more time, still without a reply.
after pondering for a while, li fan felt that he was indeed in the right place for his opportunity.
with caution, he descended to the square building on the island.
the building appeared to be constructed from a dark blue stone-like material, and apart from a large entrance, it had no other doors or windows. the interior of the building was shrouded in darkness, so dark that it seemed to devour both light and divine perception. it was impossible to discern what was inside.
only the intermittent cries emanated from within.̃øv€l-b!n.
the place seemed eerie, and li fan had to be on high alert as he advanced.
just as he was about to enter, he heard hurried footsteps approaching.
a small creature, like a little dog, sprinted out from inside the building, heading straight for li fan.
thinking it was some kind of magical beast attack, li fan was about to strike it down. however, when his divine perception scanned it, he realized it was just an ordinary creature.
not wanting to harm a pet from the owner of the house he was visiting, li fan extended his hand, picked it up by the neck, and set it aside.
the creature was taken by surprise, whimpering in fear and trembling.
with a thud, the item it had been carrying in its mouth dropped to the ground.
examining the small creature closely, li fan couldn't help but shiver. it resembled a dog but had hands like those of a human. on the belly of the dog's body, five or six eye-like objects were moving about, blinking and gazing fixedly at li fan.
"what in the world is this?" suppressing the urge to throw it away, li fan placed the creature behind him and proceeded cautiously into the darkness.
after a moment, when his eyes adjusted to the darkness, li fan observed an unexpected scene. contrary to his imagination of a horrifying and eerie place, the interior was quite clean. the ground was spotless, with no signs of blood.
awoken by the dog's barking, the figure, master yin yin, turned abruptly.
gazing at li fan, he suddenly realized, "oh, there's a guest!"
"oh, there's a guest!"
...
two voices, one after the other, echoed within the figure as if reverberating within, and then they were projected outward.
li fan's eyelid twitched.
he released the dog and greeted with a bow, "greetings, fellow daoist!"
once the small dog touched the ground, it rushed to yin yin's feet, eagerly seeking affection.
yin yin tidied his messy hair and seemed somewhat embarrassed, "i was deeply engrossed in my thoughts and didn't hear the calls of fellow daoist. please forgive me!"
the two voices, oddly one after another, sounded as yin yin addressed li fan warmly, "this isn't a suitable place for conversation. please, this way, fellow cultivator."
saying so, yin yin opened a door beside them, revealing an entrance to another room.
the small dog barked happily and followed suit.
leading the way ahead, yin yin suddenly recalled something and turned back to say to li fan, "by the way, my name isn't yin yin."
"my name is yin."
"my name is yin."
...
but two voices, one after another, resounded again, sounding just like yin yin.
"so that's how it is," li fan suddenly realized.
perhaps when the cong yun sea cultivators referred to him as yin yin, it wasn't without a hint of mockery.
"greetings, fellow daoist yin!" li fan greeted again.
recognizing that his name had been called correctly, master yin was extremely pleased.
chapter 108: a single rib
beyond the small door, there were many exhibits.
master yin yin enthusiastically introduced them to li fan, “this is a bone from the vedic fish. this species went extinct three thousand five hundred years ago. it took quite an effort to collect this bone. it is said that the vedic fish was exceptionally intelligent and could mimic human speech. eating its flesh allowed people to understand the language of fish. who knows if that’s true.”
they continued to a gigantic serpent that was lifelike, winding and stretching for over a kilometer.
master yin yin excitedly said, “this is a cong yun sea serpent. normally, they hide in the deep sea, burying themselves in the soil. i had to run across a large part of the cong yun sea to catch one this long! preparing it as a specimen was no small feat.”
then, master yin yin spoke mysteriously, “based on my research, these sea serpents are not the true body. they harbor a mysterious parasitic creature inside them, a minuscule parasite that is extremely hard to detect, even by foundation establishment stage mental power. however, it’s this tiny parasite that controls the gigantic sea serpent! it’s truly unimaginable!”
...
as they moved forward, the wide array of exhibits widened li fan’s horizons.
both of them stopped in front of two human skeletons placed side by side.
master yin yin pointed to the two skeletons and asked with a hint of pride, “fellow daoist, do you notice anything different about these two human skeletons?”0v3l.bin.
“different?” li fan swept his mental power over them and, at first glance, they seemed like ordinary human remains.
both skeletons were of men, only varying in size.
but to ask if there was any essential difference...
li fan gazed at them for a while, then shook his head, saying, “i apologize, but i cannot see any differences.”
master yin yin chuckled, “don’t worry, i bet no other could perceive the differences between these two skeletons within the cong yun sea except for me.”
pointing at the two skeletons, master yin yin moved closer to li fan, speaking in an extremely hushed tone, “these two individuals are not of the same kind of people.”
“not of the same kind?” li fan was taken aback. “what do you mean?”
master yin yin gestured with his hands for a while, brooding, as if he couldn’t find suitable words to describe the situation.
after a long while of contemplation, master yin yin suddenly clenched his fist, his face filled with confusion, “it’s just a feeling, you know? clearly, they’re both humans, but these two humans lived in different eras and regions. perhaps they look almost identical, and both were dug out from the depths of the cong yun sea by me, but there’s a profoundly unique boundary that distinguishes these two sets of remains...”
master yin yin’s words were cryptic, and he couldn’t explain further.
nor did he dwell on it, continuing forward.
“later, an immortal cultivator, for no apparent reason, got infected, and it began spreading among us cultivators.”
li fan looked at the bone in master yin yin’s hand, “are you saying...”
“yes, this rib bone belonged to the unfortunate first cultivator who got infected by the immortal-mortal miasma.”
master yin yin smiled foolishly and fondly caressed the rib bone.
however, he saw that li fan remained unexcited. he couldn’t help but feel surprised.
“how are you so unfazed by such a treasure? don’t you understand its importance?”
li fan shook his head repeatedly.
“it’s a pity fellow daoist cannot see its value.”
“the spread of immortal-mortal miasma was one of the greatest events in history. its effects on our world are only second to the great calamity itself.”
“how could a mere plague from common people infect immortal cultivators?”
“if we could understand the source of this anomaly, maybe we could eliminate the immortal-mortal miasma at its root!”
“by then, i would be a prominent figure who will be remembered throughout the entire world of immortal cultivation!”
master yin yin was momentarily lost in his own fantasies.
after a while, seeing li fan’s continued indifference, he sighed deeply, as if lamenting li fan’s ignorance.
“you might not know that each bone of this su... su something. what was his name? either way, each of his bones is invaluable, with countless cultivators competing to obtain them.”
“i’m extremely lucky to have been able to seize this rib bone.”
“of course, the most treasure one is his complete skull, stored in the headquarters of the ten thousand immortals alliance.”
master yin yin indulged in his fantasies, and his mouth nearly watered.
li fan couldn’t understand this strange fascination and could only shake his head repeatedly.
at this moment, master yin yin suddenly reacted, “wait. i still don’t know the purpose of your sudden visit. what brings you here?”
chapter 109: all transform into heavenly treasures
after returning to the depths of the building and finding a place to sit, li fan explained his purpose to master yin.
"oh? you want to know how to break through to the foundation establishment stage?" master yin suddenly became excited, and he began to explain energetically. "you've asked the right person! i dare say, no one understands foundation establishment better than i do!"
"please, tell me more," li fan replied with a smile, not disputing master yin's claim.
at that moment, the human-hand dog walked over on its hind legs, carrying two cups, which it placed on the table. the cups contained a dark, viscous liquid, and it was unknown what was inside.
the human-hand dog then crouched down, continuously circling around master yin to seek praise.
"please, have some tea!" master yin said to li fan while taking a sip. "this is a valuable brew, cultivated from a spiritual bacterial colony. when consumed, it multiples rapidly and enters symbiosis with the body, which can accelerate the circulation of spiritual energy in your body and enhance the power of your spiritual energy. it has many benefits."
li fan scanned the cup with his divine sense and saw countless tiny microorganisms inside, each with unique appearances.
he chose not to drink it and remained still.
seeing li fan's reluctance to drink, master yin felt somewhat disappointed.
without insisting, he continued the conversation, asking, "do you know exactly what establishing the foundation means?"
li fan replied, "the so-called foundation establishment stage is exactly what the name implies. after a qi condensation cultivator reaches perfection, they need to establish their own foundation to continue their cultivation. otherwise, even if their cultivation continues to increase, it's like building a hundred-foot tall building on top of sand. a gentle shake, and it will collapse."
when discussing academic matters, master yin appeared quite serious. he nodded and said, "that's right. before the great calamity, there were some qi condensation cultivators who took a different path and chose not to establish their foundations. they focused solely on refining their qi."
"they claimed that there was no limit to refining qi, and that this path could eventually reach dao integration. however, they couldn't progress beyond the ninety-ninth layer of qi condensation. in the end, a golden core cultivator couldn't stand the sight and casually killed them."
"perhaps their path was indeed feasible, but qi condensation cultivators have weak bodies and can't withstand such powerful forces. second, even with more layers of qi condensation, it only results in physical strength. when it comes to fighting against foundation establishment or even higher level cultivators, they face many disadvantages."
master yin took a sip of tea and continued, "ancient cultivators followed the principle of learning from nature, observing the laws and rules of the heavens and the earth and comprehending the principles of the heavenly dao."
"then, by combining their personal insights and self-pondering, they formed the foundation of their future cultivation by making crude imitations."
"however, everyone's aptitude varies, and their comprehension abilities differ. the speed and compatibility with which they establish their foundations also vary greatly."
"some individuals can experience a moment of enlightenment and immediately establish their foundations. but for the vast majority, it takes decades or even centuries of white hair and deep learning with no progress."
"cultivation is undoubtedly difficult to achieve."
master yin's tone was intense, clearly dissatisfied with this immortal ancestor who passed down the new way of cultivation.
"going your own path and then making all living beings follow that same path. how incredible." li fan mused, deeply moved.
he thought of the giant statue of an elderly man wearing a tall crown on the island of the ten thousand immortals.
majestic and overlooking all living beings.
"could it be that the ten thousand immortals alliance was founded by the immortal ancestor? but if this immortal ancestor is still alive, how could he have allowed the crimson flame to destroy the ten thousand immortals island a few years later?" li fan was filled with doubt.
master yin didn't pay attention to li fan and continued, "the key issue now is that since foundation establishment requires foundation treasures..."
"then what are the heavenly treasures, exactly?"
"you've read 'treatise on heavenly treasures.' you know that when cultivators fall, they are transformed by the heavens and the earth into heavenly treasures."
"doesn't that mean that when cultivators are alive, they can also be seen as heavenly treasures that haven't been fully transformed yet?"
master yin spoke faster and faster, as if he wanted to share all the years of research that no one had paid attention to.
"the heavens and the earth are like a crucible, and the finished product is the formed heavenly treasures. but everything in the heavens and the earth can be seen as unformed heavenly treasures!"
"heavenly treasures are aggregations of rules, and aren't humans the same? the human body is so intricate, containing endless mysteries. why can't it be seen as a heavenly treasure?"
"do you also know that some cultivators will refine ordinary people with extraordinary abilities into heavenly treasures to use them as their foundation? in this way, the abilities of those ordinary people become their own."
"i am also a human, so am i a heavenly treasure?"
seeing master yin's increasingly absurd statements, li fan couldn't help but ask, "is this your speculation, or..."
master yin grinned and said, "it used to be a speculation, but now..."
"i've confirmed it."
with that, his entire body split along the center line, and another face of master yin emerged from within.
"ten years ago, i used myself as a heavenly treasure to establish my foundation!"
both faces, inside and outside, spoke in unison.
chapter 110: building the foundation with myself
no wonder master yin had two voices when he spoke, one normally and another echoing. it turned out that he had another "him" inside his body!
this eerie scene left li fan astonished. fortunately, master yin seemed to realize that his original appearance was somewhat terrifying. after only displaying it briefly, he closed his body again and returned to his original form.
he continued, "i used myself as an experiment to confirm my hypothesis. anything existing in the world can be seen as unformed 'heavenly treasures.'"
"i call this process 'heavenly transformation'."
"however, if you want to establish your foundation with unformed 'heavenly treasures,' you need to complete the uncompleted 'heavenly transformation' process yourself."
"this is extremely difficult. once you fail, it might lead to instant death. even if you barely survive, your body will undergo various bizarre changes."
"just like my current appearance." master yin grinned.
li fan couldn't help but ask, "didn't you say you successfully built your foundation?"
"i did succeed, but not completely. i still didn't fully understand myself, which caused me to fail at the final moment of establishing the foundation," master yin regretfully replied.
"if i had a few more chances... no, just one more chance would suffice. i'm certain i could achieve a perfect 'self foundation'."
"self foundation?" li fan's curiosity was piqued. "what if you succeeded in establishing the foundation with yourself?"
master yin's eyes lit up, "that's equivalent to harnessing the power of the heaven and earth's furnace to reshape your body. and this body would be the most perfect constitution one could imagine."
"the most suitable heavenly treasure is the best foundation treasure. nowadays, when cultivators establish their foundations, they often need to find heavenly treasures that are compatible with themselves to maximize the objects' power."
"but, no matter the level of heavenly treasures, not even the legendary 'celestial treasure,' they all pale in comparison to 'self foundation.'"
"think about it. what's better suited to you than yourself?"
"your foundation perfectly aligns with yourself, and all cultivation and techniques become second nature."
seeing master yin getting more and more excited, li fan couldn't help but interrupt. "are these just your speculations?"
master yin hesitated, then shook his head, "although i only completed half of the 'self foundation' process, i can clearly feel that i've improved in various aspects compared to before. this includes my aptitude in cultivation, understanding of techniques, affinity with spiritual energy, and even the agility of my thoughts."
"it's beyond comparison to before!"
li fan wanted to know more and asked, "so, how high is the success rate for 'self foundation'?"
in the four cages, the people who had turned into blood and flesh were removed with a creaking sound.
a new batch of test subjects appeared in the cages.
the agonizing wails began once more.
master yin was already accustomed to this, his face showing no sign of strangeness.
he stared intently at the rectangular transparent cage, holding the white rib in his hand tightly.
in a tone that almost sounded pathological, he whispered, "rest assured, i will avenge you. i will find the person who created the immortal-mortal miasma and avenge you..."
...
"i must find you, i must find you..."
master yin's murmurs echoed once more in this eerie building.
...
ten thousand immortals island.
back in the heavenly profound mirror, li fan began searching for "self foundation."
it was not considered a well-kept secret at all.
all cultivators treated it as a joke and never believed it.
because anyone who believed in this would end up dead when trying to establish their foundation.
"self foundation..." li fan naturally wouldn't fully believe the words of master yin. but at least there was one statement that seemed reasonable: "everything in the world can be seen as unformed heavenly treasures."
li fan believed that this statement should have no issues.
then naturally, he had to question the nature of his reincarnations.
is [truth] truly a heavenly treasure from heaven and earth?
could he use [truth] to establish his foundation?
chapter 112: blue wind
tl note: chapter 111 was a short author note about them publishing officially and thanking their readers, which is why it was skipped.
*****
what exactly is [truth]? since awakening to [truth], this question has been deeply buried in li fan's heart.
was it an ability that awakened within himself as he traversed into this world, or was it a rare treasure hidden within his body?
at certain moments, li fan couldn't help but feel a sense of fear. what if, one day, he suddenly lost [truth]? or in a moment that required turning reality into an illusion, what if [truth] malfunctioned?
when he first read "treatise on heavenly treasures," li fan had also doubted whether [truth] was a type of heavenly treasure from heaven and earth. could he use it to build his foundation?
now, after hearing master yin's words, li fan was somewhat convinced that he could indeed use [truth] to build his foundation.
however...
not now.
as his final trump card, li fan couldn't rashly attempt it without a certain degree of certainty.
if building the foundation using [truth] was considered a problem to solve, li fan currently didn't even have the qualification to participate in the discussion. after all, he hadn't fully grasped what building the foundation entailed.
thankfully, in this era, most problems could be solved with money.
fan lin started searching for knowledge related to building the foundation.
"the fundamentals of foundation establishment," "heaven, earth, and humanity," and "records of a hundred individual foundations"... one by one, relevant works were exchanged and read.
li fan gradually gained a general understanding of foundation establishment.
use the "devouring technique" to ingest heavenly treasure into the dantian.
the roots of heaven and earth would take root there.̃øv€lß1n.
using heavenly treasures as the soil and nurturing them, absorbing the contained laws, and eventually cultivating the fruit called the foundation treasure.
heavenly treasures were divided into three categories: celestial treasures, earthly treasures, and human treasures.
among them, building the foundation with human treasures was the easiest. human treasures were usually the remnants of fallen cultivators and contained the cultivators' understandings of the laws from their lifetime. in the process of building the foundation, it was akin to having a constant teacher guiding and instructing.
on the other hand, earthly and celestial treasures were closer to the laws of the great dao. with no reference from other cultivators, it took more time and effort to comprehend the various rules within the heavenly treasures and convert them into one's own foundation treasure.
"what was that..."
when li fan looked again, he couldn't see it anymore.
the brief glimpse of that astonishing sight seemed like a mere illusion.
"blue..."
with the power of vision of heaven and earth, li fan didn't believe he was mistaken.
he suddenly recalled the continuous wind disasters that had raged through the cong yun sea for years. he had previously searched for information about the wind disasters in the tianxuan mirror, but it appeared that these wind disasters had little to no impact on cultivators. there were no records of them.
now, he understood that this was likely manipulated.
li fan recalled that in his previous life, shortly before he arrived at cong yun sea, a massive wind disaster had occurred. over a hundred islands were destroyed. over the following years, the scale and frequency of the wind disasters gradually diminished until the advent of the crimson flame.
"there might be some hidden secrets in this. it's just not the right time to investigate..." li fan noted it in his mind.
he shifted his attention back to zhang haobo, who was still in the midst of enlightenment.
li fan couldn't discern anything, and the torrential storm seemed endless, with no sign of stopping.
so, he had to keep a fraction of his attention on zhang haobo's situation.
most of his attention returned to the tianxuan mirror.
"it's obviously not effective to focus on a single person. i need to cast a wider net. i haven't tried it yet, and the formless killing intent can at most lock onto a few individuals."
"hmm, i should find some cultivators who are about to build their foundations to conduct experiments."
when it came to gathering information, li fan thought of jiao xiuyuan. although he was greedy and fearful, his information was usually reliable. li fan had been a regular customer of his for some time.
hiding his presence and taking a familiar route, li fan arrived outside thousand mile hall.
before he could enter, he heard jiao xiuyuan's voice from a distance, "i've obtained all your stuff, so when are you coming to pick them up? i've reminded you several times, haven't i?"
"don't give me those ridiculous excuses that you can't come. i think you just don't want them!"
"hello? hello!"
"damn it!"
when li fan entered the room, he saw jiao xiuyuan's frustrated expression as he slammed a small cauldron onto the table.
chapter 113: the medicine king sect from ancient times
"fellow daoist jiao, have you taken on another losing business?" li fan teased.
upon seeing a guest, jiao xiuyuan immediately changed his angry expression to a smile. however, when he heard li fan's taunt, his face darkened.
he replied sheepishly, "fellow daoist, you're mistaken. jiao never engages in losing deals."
then, he muttered through gritted teeth, "this brat dared to play me. he thinks i'm an easy target..."
li fan seemed to have heard jiao xiuyuan say this more than once, so he just smiled without saying anything.
li fan looked at the small cauldron on the table and asked, "fellow daoist jiao, what is this small cauldron?"
jiao xiuyuan's eyes lit up, and he immediately gave an enthusiastic introduction, "this small cauldron is quite extraordinary. i obtained it with great difficulty from the remnants of a ruined sect."
li fan became interested and asked, "oh? what is the use of this small cauldron? objects that have survived from ancient times are usually not ordinary."
"do you know the famous medicine king sect?" jiao xiuyuan asked mysteriously.
"i've never heard of it," li fan shook his head.
jiao xiuyuan's smile froze for a moment, but he was a professional and quickly provided an explanation to li fan.
"the medicine king sect was one of the renowned sects from ancient times, known for their expertise in alchemy and herbal cultivation."
"it is said that after the immortal ancestor passed down his teachings but before the impending great calamity, the medicine king sect's patriarch, liu ruchen, had a premonition that a great change was coming to the world."
"as a result, liu ruchen led the entire medicine king sect, using his own medicine king cauldron as their vessel, to break through the void and leave this world."
li fan heard this story for the first time and inquired, "break through the void? where did they go?"
jiao xiuyuan shrugged and said, "it's a story from thousands of years ago. who can really know for sure? they might have gone to the peripheral independent worlds, or they might have reached an entirely new world. in any case, that's not the key."
"the key is this cauldron!"
li fan nodded slightly, while his secondary self, fan lin, began searching for the keyword "world."
relevant information quickly appeared, indicating that long ago, cultivators had already established their basic worldview. the current world of cultivation was not the only existing world. apart from this world, there were many other attached small worlds and miniature independent realms.
the collapse of order wasn't an instantaneous event. the ancient world of cultivation might have been more resilient than he had imagined. moreover, the time scale of cultivators, compared to ordinary people, was much larger.
during ancient times, cultivators had long lifespans. for them, ten or twenty years might have been nothing more than a single period of seclusion.
real fear, despair, and bloodshed might have erupted only when their cultivation reached a point where they could no longer advance, and their lifespans were running out.
in the beginning, some semblance of order might have been maintained, but as the immortal-mortal miasma broke out...
li fan narrowed his eyes.
of course, these were just speculations based on various known clues. the truth might still have some hidden aspects, but overall, it probably didn't differ too much from li fan's conjecture.
...
while li fan was lost in thought, jiao xiuyuan noticed that he hadn't received a response after explaining all that.
so, he held up the small cauldron in front of li fan's eyes.
"fellow daoist, what do you think? do you want this medicine king cauldron?"
li fan immediately snapped out of his reverie, his expression unchanged. "what exactly is the use of this small cauldron, fellow daoist jiao? please explain it again. i was thinking about something else just now."
jiao xiuyuan, somewhat helpless, repeated his introduction. "this small medicine king cauldron was used by the disciples of the medicine king sect to cultivate various spirit plants and herbs."
"it contains its own space, which continuously generates wood-attribute spiritual energy, accelerating the growth of herbs."
li fan frowned upon hearing this. "with such a treasure, why didn't that person want it just now?"
jiao xiuyuan gave an awkward smile and didn't lie. he truthfully explained, "fellow daoist, you might not know, but they have already put the first batch of spiritual plants and herbs cultivated in the newly discovered wood-attribute spiritual energy subworld of the ten thousand immortals alliance on the market."
"the quantity is enormous, so..."
jiao xiuyuan shrugged helplessly.
"the prices have plummeted."
*****
[1] tl note: i believe the cleansing heart mantra includes the pinyin for xuanhuang in its chinese name, which is why li fan makes this connection. i'm not entirely sure though - if anybody here speaks chinese, here's the name: 玄黄清心咒.
chapter 114: rain and wind enlightenment
"with the large-scale, bulk supply of these spirit plants and herbs, the market prices for them have been dropping continuously. there are even rumors that there are two more similar-sized spirit energy subworlds near that wood-element spirit energy subworld," jiao xiuyuan shook his head, sighing.
"just think about it. after working hard to cultivate these spirit plants and herbs for more than half a year, you excitedly harvest them, thinking they'll sell at a good price. but when you get to the market, you find they've all dropped to dirt cheap prices, and you can't even recover your production costs."
"who can endure this situation?"
"in times like these, who is willing to grow their own? it's better to buy in the market!"
li fan nodded, saying, "i see now. so, this little medicine king cauldron is useless to me."
"don't buy, don't buy!" li fan replied impatiently.
jiao xiuyuan continued to persuade, "please reconsider, friend. while it's true that the prices for spirit plants and herbs have dropped now, what about the future? will they go up again? no one knows for sure!"
"treasures like the little medicine king cauldron are rare to come by! you'd regret it if you miss it!"
"even if you don't cultivate herbs, you can grow some flowers and plants as decoration!"
jiao xiuyuan made full use of his eloquence to convince him.
"well, since you put it that way." li fan seemed to be swaying.
jiao xiuyuan continued to push, "i see, my friend, you must be a long-time customer of thousand mile hall. today, i'll sell this to you at a big loss. buy one, get one free!"
saying that, he took out another small cauldron, and with a thud, placed it on the table.
li fan looked at the nearly identical two cauldrons, raising an eyebrow in doubt. "fellow daoist, are you trying to deceive me? is this little medicine king cauldron truly something you excavated from the medicine king sect's ruins?"
jiao xiuyuan was anxious. he did not lie; he explained, "this is guaranteed authentic! our thousand mile hall's business spans across the world of cultivation, and we would never tarnish our reputation."
"look, there's still dirt on it!"
jiao xiuyuan patted both cauldrons, making bits of soil fall off.
"500 contribution points, buy one, get one free! fellow daoist, you're absolutely not losing out in this deal!"
seeing jiao xiuyuan's heartfelt guarantee, li fan contemplated for a moment and then shook his head, saying, "never mind, i don't have many contribution points with me to begin with. i have other matters to attend to this time, and i don't have spare money to buy this little medicine king cauldron."
jiao xiuyuan continued to persuade, "don't hurry. think about it again. even though the prices of spirit plants and herbs have dropped now, who knows if they'll rise again in the future? this little medicine king cauldron is a treasure. once it's gone, you won't find another one!"
seeing jiao xiuyuan patting his chest in assurance, li fan pondered for a moment, but still shook his head, "forget it, i don't have many contribution points on me in the first place. this time, i have other things to do. there's no money left over to buy this little medicine king cauldron!"
"don't, tell me what's going on! i'll help you out. at least you are my old customer, don't you think so?" seeing that li fan had changed his attention, jiao xiuyuan was anxious again.
only then did li fan explain his intentions.
"if you're looking for a place with a high concentration of foundation establishment stage cultivators, then if you buy these two little medicine king cauldrons, i'll give you the information as a free gift!"
bringing another sudden downpour.
fierce winds stirred up raging waves that continuously surged, showing signs of growing intensity.
rain rode on the wind, and the wind amplified the rain's power.
in this cycle, they continually reinforced each other, as if it would never end.
it seemed that a new storm was about to form in the sky.
but suddenly, the clouds dissipated.
the wind ceased abruptly.
the strange phenomenon vanished without a trace.
zhang haobo laughed loudly, and then he slumped back as if losing his strength.
he fell from the sky into the sea, creating large splashes of water.
he sank into the depths of the sea, his presence entirely disappearing.
...
"wind and rain combined..." watching and listening to everything through vision of heaven and earth, li fan couldn't help but admire.
even though this magical technique couldn't be fully displayed due to zhang haobo's exhaustion, li fan could glimpse the formidable power it would have when perfected.
"i hope you can bring me more surprises in the future."
returning his focus to his main body, li fan continued on his way to the destination.
three days later.
the island where the foundation establishment grandmaster was located was now clearly visible.
there appeared to be only one courtyard-like structure on the island.
li fan reduced his flight speed and slowly descended in front of the small courtyard.
the main gate was wide open, and a listless young man was leaning against it.
he glanced at li fan and lazily said, "when the grandmaster makes a move, he guarantees that you'll achieve foundation establishment, with no deception."
"you need to bring your own heavenly treasures."
"the price is 2,000 contribution points or the equivalent in spiritual stones."
chapter 115: foundation establishment grandmaster
"i am li fan. may i know your name?" li fan asked politely.
the young man suddenly perked up when he heard this. "what a coincidence, fellow clan member. i'm li chenfeng."
"by the way, there's an entrance fee of 1800 contribution points when you enter," li chenfeng whispered.
"thank you, brother li! however, i haven't found the right heavenly treasure yet. i came here just to see the style of the foundation establishment grandmaster and make plans," li fan explained.
"oh, that's fine. there are many people like you every year. the master won't mind if you just observe," li chenfeng replied nonchalantly. "just make sure to stay quiet and not disturb."
li fan nodded and walked along the path into the courtyard. from a distance, he heard a voice saying, "calm your mind and concentrate diligently..."
"do you know why i chose this remote location for our academy? it's because for thousands of miles in all directions, only seawater exists here."
"the great dao's laws are relatively pure here. if you were to break through on ten thousand immortals island, you would inevitably be subject to various disturbances, affecting the speed of your foundation building."
...
li fan approached the courtyard and saw five qi condensation cultivators sitting cross-legged on the open ground. they exuded a mysterious aura, as if they were about to break through and successfully build their foundations.
li fan's heart moved, and he immediately started using the formless killing intent to lock onto his targets. one, two, three...
by the time he reached the fourth one, li fan was already feeling somewhat strained. "including zhang haobo, the current limit seems to be five people," he calculated in his mind.
"under my guidance, two hundred and sixty-five cultivators have successfully built their foundations. most of them took less time than expected. you all..."
the foundation establishment grandmaster, who looked dignified, was in the middle of sharing his experience. however, he suddenly stopped.
he looked up with a hint of confusion, gazing at the sky for a while but couldn't sense anything unusual.
li fan's heart stirred because this time, the breakthrough was genuine. through his vision of heaven and earth, he could see that a sorrowful sea lotus was faintly condensing in the cultivator's dantian.
li fan immediately stopped diverting his attention and focused on comprehending the changes in the cultivator's body. after the sea lotus completely formed, the cultivator's aura suddenly erupted.
this time, it was a true foundation establishment cultivator. the person opened their eyes, their face filled with joy. "master, thank you!" their words were concise, but their gratitude was clearly expressed.
"go now, don't disturb their subsequent breakthroughs." the person nodded and left in excitement.
"maybe they aren't entirely fraudsters," li fan mused. he pretended to take his leave and secretly remained around the island, observing the remaining three people.
over the next few days, two more people successfully broke through. the last person, however, took more than half a month to barely achieve the breakthrough. they sighed and left in a hurry.
"it doesn't matter if it's real or fake. what's important is to make the cultivators who achieve a breakthrough believe it's real. with enough confidence, they can accelerate their comprehension and achieve an early breakthrough."
"moreover, some breakthroughs are real. even if there are one or two individuals who don't get the expected results, when seeing others succeed, they might think it's a personal problem."
"going a step further, even if they realize this is a scam, this foundation establishment grandmaster is a cultivator at the late foundation establishment stage. they wouldn't want to openly admit they were deceived. if that happens, the more than two hundred cultivators who successfully built their foundations on this island earlier would undoubtedly come to trouble him."
"in that case, it might be swallow blood and bear it."
"how interesting, how interesting. this foundation establishment grandmaster is truly a clever person." after understanding the intricacies, li fan couldn't help but marvel.
one person might only pay 2,000 contribution points, which didn't seem like much. however, when 265 cultivators were added together, it amounted to half a million contribution points in total!
li fan couldn't help but have some dangerous thoughts. "i wonder when this foundation establishment grandmaster opened for business."
in the following period, li fan continued to lurk around the island. using the formless killing intent to lock onto the cultivators who came in search of foundation building opportunities, he increased his comprehension with their breakthroughs.
in less than three months, li fan observed the breakthrough process of more than forty qi condensation cultivators. his level of understanding of establishing the foundation gradually deepened.
and just at that moment, he received a reminder from zhang haobo's side. it seemed that zhang haobo had successfully reached the late qi condensation stage and was now searching for his own heavenly treasure.
chapter 116: mortal technique thieves
the howling gales roared, raising monstrous waves. a feeble glowing barrier protected the island, trembling under the relentless pounding of gigantic waves.
the spiritual energy in the world ran rampant like a frenzied beast racing and colliding.
endless winds seemed to appear from nowhere, raging between the sky and the ocean.
this was a scene of a common wind disaster in the cong yun sea.
in the midst of the hurricane, zhang haobo was like a piece of driftwood, constantly rising and falling. there was no spiritual energy around him. however, through the eyes of li fan, he could faintly perceive a unique rhythm of spiritual energy emerging from zhang haobo's body.
it appeared as if he was mimicking the omnipresent "wind" in the world.̃øv€l-b!n.
zhang haobo's mind settled, and he closed his eyes to contemplate. it was only when the storm gradually subsided that he opened his eyes.
after a brief sense, he floated towards a specific direction. there was still no spiritual energy fluctuation, but his speed was incredibly fast.
he really seemed like a gentle breeze brushing through the world.
"this technique is quite impressive," li fan nodded slightly.
"however, he seems to be contemplating something again. wasn't he looking for heavenly treasures to build his foundation?" li fan sensed that zhang haobo was heading toward another brewing storm.
zhang haobo was chasing the wind.
"interesting..."
it seemed that he had no intention of building his foundation anytime soon. therefore, most of li fan's attention returned to the matter of the foundation establishment grandmaster.
more than ten days had passed since the last group of qi condensation cultivators successfully built their foundations and left. according to past experience, there would typically be one or two new arrivals every seven to eight days. however, this time, no one had shown up after more than ten days.
it was abnormal.
so, the three individuals on the island began to get uneasy. they gathered every day to discuss something.
li fan, who was secretly observing, activated his "formless killing intent" to lock onto a young man named li chenfeng. he wanted to figure out what they were planning.
one day, the three of them gathered in secret once again.
li fan listened attentively from his vantage point, having a clear view of their discussions in the room.
the foundation establishment grandmaster's expression turned serious, "li is right."
xiao spoke in a low voice, "as long as we can bring back the 'sea swallowing eternal life technique,' all the sacrifices will be worth it."
li chenfeng sighed, "i don't know how many new void ripper whales have been cultivated over the years. when the empress calculated it, she found that only a group of a hundred thousand void ripper whales would be able to counteract the attraction of the cultivation world to our homeland. thirty years ago, when i left my hometown, the group had a size of only around seventy thousand."
"thirty years, thirty thousand..."
"difficult!" li chenfeng shook his head.
the foundation establishment grandmaster comforted him, "the number of void ripper whales is insufficient, but we can slowly cultivate more in the future. as long as we bring back the dao integration technique, we can help the empress subdue those opposing forces."
"by then, with the full force of the empire, we can certainly lead the empire away from this realm within ten years."
"once we have established a lineage with the 'sea swallowing eternal life technique,' we can break free from the restrictions of immortal techniques not being able to be practiced together."
"in the future, more and more cultivators will emerge from the empire."
"the empire's future is very bright!"
the foundation establishment grandmaster's words filled li chenfeng and the man surnamed xiao with a vision of a hopeful future.
after a while, the three clasped their hands together tightly.
"for the empire, for the empress!"
a fanatical expression appeared on all three of their faces as they spoke in unison.
...
"the empire, stealing cultivation techniques, leaving the cultivation world..." li fan watched this scene from afar and had a strange look in his eyes.
"it seems that those small worlds and sanctuaries that the mortals migrated to in the past aren't all like the grand xuan, completely devoid of spiritual energy."
"or perhaps, that was indeed the case in the beginning. it's just that, over thousands of years, some changes have occurred."
"the ability to cultivate and control a group of a hundred thousand void ripper whales..."
"this so-called empire is undoubtedly powerful. i wonder what methods they are using."
chapter 117: devouring white mist barrier
on the next day, li chenfeng and his two companions quietly left the island.
in the perception of the formless killing intent, they continued northward, getting farther and farther away.
the perception became increasingly blurry, and li fan canceled the lock on li chenfeng.
"is there still another four or five decades left?"
"if there's a chance in the future, we can visit their empire."
however, in this lifetime, li fan needed to first advance his cultivation to the foundation establishment stage.
upon returning to the ten thousand immortals island, li fan first secluded himself to cultivate for some time, digesting his insights from observing the foundation establishment process.
after emerging from seclusion, he checked the "geographical map of the cong yun sea area" that his clone fan lin had obtained.
he had considered exchanging the entire map of the xuanhuang realm at once, but the tianxuan mirror displayed that he lacked the necessary authority to view it.
therefore, he could only settle for a more limited exchange, starting with the geographical area around the cong yun sea.
as the map materialized in his mind, li fan discovered that the seemingly boundless cong yun sea was, in fact, an inland sea. it was as if someone had forcibly carved a gap into the mainland, nearly encircling the cong yun sea.
only in the southeast, through a relatively narrow sea area, was it connected to the endless ocean.
to the north of the cong yun sea was yongliang province, where li chenfeng and his group had fled.
to the west and south, from top to bottom, were jiushan province, shilin province, and yuandao province, all of which belonged to the ten thousand immortals alliance's territory.
yongliang province to the north was under the control of the five elders association.
"it's been almost 14 years, and it's time to plan an escape."
"after obtaining the canghai pearl, we should leave the cong yun sea as soon as possible. my clone can stay here to observe the situation."
"as for where to go..."
li fan thoroughly reviewed the information about the various provinces.
yongliang province, bordering jiushan province, was not very peaceful.
shilin province and yuandao province were relatively similar.
however, yuandao province was adjacent to the boundless ocean and had abundant water-based spiritual energy. considering the need to use the canghai pearl for foundation establishment in the future, it made more sense to head to yuandao province.
li fan also noticed that in the xuanhuang realm, the boundaries between provinces were not artificially designated by humans.̃øv€l-b!n.
the separation between provinces was naturally created by something called the "white mist barrier." both mortals and cultivators could pass through it. however, the cost of crossing the white mist barrier was one's lifespan.
the longer the time spent crossing it, the more lifespan was consumed.
he floated in the air, gazing up at something.
he remained as still as a stone statue.
this had been going on for quite some time.
however, gradually, an unusual aura began to emanate from zhang haobo.
li fan immediately refocused his attention on zhang haobo.
suddenly, zhang haobo's clothes rustled without any wind, and he started to rise upward as if pushed by an invisible force from below.
he ascended slowly at first, then accelerated, becoming a streak of light shooting up into the sky.
his speed increased, and he soared toward the sky.
however, when he reached a certain height, he abruptly stopped.
then he began to hover continuously in this space as if searching for something.
but...
he couldn't enter.
zhang haobo's face remained calm, and he turned into a gentle breeze, continually blowing through this area.
one day, two days, three days...
as time passed, it seemed he still hadn't found anything.
but li fan noticed that zhang haobo's range of activity was steadily decreasing.
when the final area was determined, zhang haobo let out a loud shout, accelerated suddenly, turned into a green light, and forcefully collided with the void.
a nearly imperceptible blue light also shone at the right time on his body.
zhang haobo's figure suddenly disappeared from the world.
and li fan's perspective was also taken into a strange space.
a translucent green figure stood there with closed eyes.
in their hands, they held a cage composed of green light.
a jet-black sword handle exuded a sinister aura, relentlessly striking the cage, attempting to break free.
"bang, bang, bang!"
occasionally, strands of green light were released from the cage during its impact, floating down and landing in various places in the cong yun sea.
transforming into wind disasters.
chapter 118: sword wind enlightenment
"this is..."
"the heavenly spirit, green wind?"
li fan's mind was greatly shaken.
this green figure was so similar to the crimson flame from the previous lifetime! the only difference was the distinct convergence of the principles of wind on this being.
even through his vision of heaven and earth, the allure of the heavenly spirit was overwhelmingly strong, instantly affecting li fan's mental state.
from a distance of thousands of miles, li fan's observation perspective became distorted. it shifted from zhang haobo, the primary subject of observation, to the green figure known as green wind.
inside the tianxuan mirror, within li fan's sea of consciousness, the azure flame illusionary spirit suddenly awakened.
it opened its eyes and gazed in the direction where green wind was located.
in an instant, the temperature of the azure flame illusionary spirit dropped, as if it had been doused with icy water. the insatiable desire that had expanded countless times within li fan gradually subsided.
his mind turned extremely cold and rational, allowing li fan to silently observe the strange scene once again.
after staring at green wind for a long time, li fan shifted his gaze to the black sword handle.
the ominous aura that shot up into the sky almost materialized into a substantial layer of twisted black substance, covering the surface of the sword handle.
beneath the handle, you could faintly see a short, broken sword blade.
this black sword handle resembled a living creature as it violently slammed against the green cage.
it occasionally emitted horrifying roars, causing the chaotic green light to tremble.
but no matter how it struggled, it couldn't break free from the green cage.
in this seemingly empty cage, li fan faintly sensed the continuous surge of a terrifying green current.
the speed of the current's movement was too fast, beyond the limits of what li fan could perceive at that moment.
so, at first glance, it appeared peaceful inside the cage.
but judging from the occasional green light that fell into various places in the cong yun sea, the power of the storm surging within the cage was beyond imagination.
the green wind was like a blade, continuously slashing at the sword handle, constantly breaking and destroying the black ominous substance.
this mysterious sword handle, for some unknown reason, was exceptionally fierce.
but under green wind's prolonged imprisonment and erosion, it gradually became more and more broken.
"who could have imagined that the wind disasters raging through the cong yun sea were actually the unintentional side effects of the struggle between the heavenly spirit and a sword handle?"
"the power of dao integration is indeed terrifying."
"in the last life, the major wind disaster never appeared again. perhaps it's because this sword handle was completely destroyed? or..."
for cultivators, a few years of seclusion was considered normal.
after an unknown amount of time, li fan was abruptly awakened by the brilliant blue light bursting forth from zhang haobo's body.
after a brief flicker, zhang haobo suddenly left the mysterious space where green wind and the sword handle were located.
like a shooting star, he fell straight into the deep sea.
the energy swirling around him, li fan was very familiar with.
it was a sign that zhang haobo was about to break through from the qi condensation stage to the foundation establishment stage.
"hmm?" li fan found it a bit strange because the heavenly treasure that zhang haobo was using to imitate the process of foundation establishment differed from what he had anticipated.
a clear and crisp sound of a sword rang out.
it was like the first cry of a newborn baby, or the first rays of the morning sun.
the chaotic and uncomprehending willpower began to grow continuously from the moment it was born.
the sound of the sword's roar became clearer and more exhilarating.
"clang!"
the sword sound reached its sharpest point and suddenly disappeared.
at the same time, within zhang haobo's dantian, a vague and ever-changing sword shadow suddenly appeared.
under the dark sea, the seawater around zhang haobo was instantly repelled, leaving a circular area without water.
the sword shadow, like a mischievous and vibrant child, stretched lazily.
then it surprisingly flew out of zhang haobo's dantian, hovering and rotating in the empty area around him.
li fan could see clearly that this sword shadow had no physical form. it resembled the azure flame illusionary spirit in many ways, being a purely conscious existence.
"this is... sword intent?" li fan was somewhat shocked.
he hadn't expected that in such a short time, zhang haobo would comprehend the sword intent by observing the sword handle.
it's worth noting that although li fan had gained some insight into it, he was far from reaching such an exaggerated level.
li fan couldn't help but sigh; the difference in people's talents was indeed substantial.
however, li fan was also somewhat surprised because zhang haobo was using this sword intent as a heavenly treasure to establish his foundation.
it proved the correctness of master yin's theory that "everything in the world can be seen as unformed heavenly treasures."
if sword intent could be used, then [truth] could naturally be used as well.
moreover, the process where zhang haobo established his foundation using sword intent provided li fan with plenty of inspiration.
however, establishing a foundation using [truth] was much more challenging than using sword intent to establish one. to achieve this goal, li fan still had a long way to go.
chapter 119: the five element subworlds
zhang haobo opened his eyes, and the wandering sword intent swiftly returned to his dantian.
as the sharpness in his eyes slowly faded away, he appeared unremarkable and harmless.
li fan, observing zhang haobo's changes, couldn't help but marvel.
to achieve such a level of concealing one's presence and returning to a state of simplicity and innocence during the foundation establishment stage was truly remarkable.
indeed, zhang haobo possessed exceptional talent.
after spending a while underwater to familiarize himself with the newly reached foundation establishment stage, zhang haobo promptly flew to the ocean's surface.
without a moment's rest, he began practicing the "sea fixing sword technique."
one after another, the blue water swords appeared and danced in the air.
under zhang haobo's control, the blue swords crisscrossed the sky, and water dragons soared.
li fan, who was covertly observing, noticed something.
with the unknown sword intent he comprehended to establish his foundation, zhang haobo's sea fixing sword technique showed some noticeable changes.
if the previous sea fixing sword technique was grand and dignified, the present version, infused with a mysterious sword intent, harbored hidden madness and ruthlessness within its mighty sword techniques.
moreover, li fan had a faint feeling.
zhang haobo was still holding back.
an overwhelming malevolent aura remained concealed.
once this malevolent aura that originated from the black sword hilt erupted, the power of the sea fixing sword technique would likely increase several times instantly.
zhang haobo tirelessly practiced the sea fixing sword technique on the uninhabited sea surface without any rest.
day and night, wind and rain were of no concern.
the countless dots of blue light converged from all directions in the ocean, and within his home ground of the cong yun sea, zhang haobo had no worries about depleting his spiritual energy. he could practice without restraint.
in this manner, although his cultivation stage remained at the early foundation establishment level, his actual combat power was rapidly improving.
the most visible aspect of his progress was the number of divine sea swords he could manifest. these past few days, they had increased from thirty-six to seventy-two, and now to one hundred and eight!
in just over a month since entering the foundation establishment stage, zhang haobo, who had recently arrived in this stage, had perfected the "sea fixing sword technique."
while external factors were at play, there was no denying that zhang haobo's talent was genuinely astonishing.
with one hundred and eight divine sea swords simultaneously released, the sky was filled with the roars of water dragons.
in li fan's eyes, this level of power surpassed that of kou hong and dao xuanzi, both of whom were in the late foundation establishment stage.
but afterward, li fan visited cultivators like yuwen xing, continuously inquiring and piecing together the clues. he recorded these events one by one.
although he was sure that he would slowly forget these events in the near future, it didn't matter.
because in the next life, li fan would remember these events once again.
li fan studied the records in his hands, and a few of them piqued his interest.
in the 14th year, shortly after he and zhang haobo entered their enlightenment, something significant seemed to have occurred in the northwestern region of the cong yun sea, near the border between yongliang prefecture and jiushan prefecture.
the local specialty, the "gold flying fish," had its price skyrocket by fifty times in a short period.
it only lasted for seven days before quickly falling back.
however, all the surviving buyers couldn't recall why they had bought these "glistening gold flying fish" or what had happened at that time.
this was the first event.
the second interesting event took place in the 15th year.
a fiery meteor lit up the sky and streaked across the night.
it was unclear where it had fallen.
all the cultivators who saw this meteor couldn't help but feel a sense of fear, sorrow, and other emotions.
there had been attempts to find the crash site of the meteor, but it seemed that no one could locate it.
the third event had occurred not long ago.
the rumors mentioned by jiao xiuyuan were confirmed: near the wood-element spirit energy subworld, there were indeed two other subworlds nearby.
but, the reality was more exaggerated than the rumors.
there weren't just two subworlds hidden there; there were four.
these five subworlds belonged to the gold, wood, water, fire, and earth elements, and they were subtly connected as if they formed a single entity.
the discovery of these five element subworlds was truly astonishing.
it even attracted the covetousness of the five elders association.
the two sides engaged in a battle near the subworlds, and in the end, the ten thousand immortals alliance repelled the five elders association at the cost of a soul transformation cultivator.
later on, in order to prevent further disputes and to protect the five element subworlds, the ten thousand immortals alliance paid a great price to move the entire subworld to a location near the tianyu prefecture.
...
li fan firmly stored this information in his mind. these were all important channels for gaining benefits in the next life.
chapter 120: li fan’s desire to create techniques
in these past few years, the clone hasn't been idle. it has been voraciously browsing through various hidden knowledge of the cultivation world, rapidly depleting its contribution points. now, there are only a little over 73,000 points left.
the current knowledge reserve should be sufficient for most situations.
therefore, li fan decided to take a break for now. in the upcoming period, he plans to focus his energy on studying techniques. as he is about to break through to the foundation establishment stage, it's time to upgrade some of his existing techniques.
the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra" can be practiced all the way up to the nascent soul stage, so there's no immediate need to change it. the same goes for the "cloud water illusory dream art."
however, the sun stealing technique, according to its records, could be practiced up to the dao integration stage in ancient times. but over the many years, the sun stealing sect seemed to decline, and there were no reports of practitioners reaching such high levels. in the past two thousand years, there was only a single record of a soul transformation cultivator. most could only progress to the nascent soul stage. thinking about the sun stealing token still lying in his storage ring, li fan had a strong premonition.
after reaching the foundation establishment stage, he decided to seize an opportunity to give it a try.
the "stalking shadow technique" is just a relatively common body movement technique. it could be replaced at any time with a foundation establishment stage technique.
after observing zhang haobo's sword intent which was as gentle as a breeze, li fan gained insights. perhaps he could combine the essence of that sword intent with the "stalking shadow technique" to create a completely new technique.
the "netherworld spirit illusion technique" was particularly important to li fan. the azure flame illusionary spirit had various mystical effects, especially its ability to resist the desires brought about by the world's soul.
so, li fan searched in the tianxuan mirror to find foundation establishment stage techniques that could nurture illusory spirits. he found several, and there was even one called the "unholy netherworld spirit illusion technique." this was an upgraded version of the "netherworld spirit illusion technique." but li fan didn't rush to exchange it.
after observing how zhang haobo condensed sword intent, li fan believed he could try to integrate this insight with the "netherworld spirit illusion technique" to create a new technique.
yes, li fan was going to try to be a pathweaver.
li fan knew that creating new techniques was extremely difficult, but he didn't have a quantitative understanding of just how difficult it was. he figured that the best way to understand was to try it himself.̃øv€lß1n.
he had his secondary body, boosted by the tianxuan mirror's enlightenment mode and the golden liuli pearl, which increased his insight efficiency by a factor of twenty-seven.
the contribution points remaining on his secondary body would support continuous closed-door cultivation for ten years.
"fellow daoist li fan, how have you been lately?"
"since the day we parted at the cloud water heavenly palace, it has been over five years. your outstanding performance in solving the qin tang anomaly is still vivid in my memory, unforgettable."
"recently, something unusual has happened in the cong yun sea, which you might find interesting."
...
after listening to chen an's transmission, li fan understood why chen an had suddenly contacted him.
recently, in the cong yun sea, an extraordinary event had occurred. a massive, constantly shifting white mist suddenly appeared in the cong yun sea. a curious cultivator who flew into the white mist found a colossal, mountain-like blue bull pulling a two-wheeled cart, walking on the sea.
on the cart was a dilapidated thatched cottage. outside the cottage stood two strange creatures. one of them had no mouth and had a terrifying appearance, while the other was robust and strong, carrying a wooden staff.
from inside the cottage, a faint, melodious sound of someone reading aloud could be heard. this bizarre sight naturally drew the curiosity of the cultivator. this individual was quite bold.
convinced that there must be a chance to gain some fortune in this, he flew to the front of the thatched cottage to investigate. however, he was blocked by the two doorkeepers.
politely, he greeted them and attempted to enter the cottage. however, there was no response, and instead, he was struck with a chaotic beating from the wooden staff, expelling him from the range of the blue bull's cart.
when he tried to approach again, he found that no matter what he did, he couldn't fly close to the thatched cottage.
so, he had no choice but to give up. he returned and informed his best friend about this event. they were also intrigued.
they came together and visited the blue bull's cart the next day. surprisingly, the cultivator found that he could once again approach the thatched cottage. so, the two of them cautiously approached and were struck by the wooden staff again, forcing them out.
however, they didn't get discouraged. on the third day, they tried once more, and the result remained the same.
but they were not disheartened. in fact, they were somewhat delighted because, since there was no danger to life, they could simply invite more people.
they would definitely find a way to enter the thatched cottage.
chapter 121: wooden staff overpowers immortals
the mysterious ox-drawn carriage was evidently another stroke of fortune.
they were also unwilling to share it with strangers for no reason.
so next, they only called upon their own friends to explore the secrets here.
chen an was one of them.
but though there were now more explorers, the result remained the same.
all were beaten out by the wooden staff.
things continued this way for half a month, still at an impasse.
clearly, this group was not clever enough.
and inevitably, the moving white mist drew the attention of other cultivators outside.
every day new cultivators discovered the secrets within and entered.
however, upon learning of the circumstances here, they also chose to keep it secret.
but they could not prevent the growing crowds outside the ox cart.
clearly, if this continued, sooner or later the matter would become common knowledge among all in the cong yun sea.
but by then, even if there really was some opportunity here, it would no longer be their turn.
so they decided to seek outside help.
clever outside help.
and li fan, who had left a deep impression on chen an at cloud water heavenly palace, naturally became one of the candidates for outside help.
"if fellow daoist is interested, come to the vicinity of yutang island in cong yun sea, and in time someone will lead you here."
"an ox cart, interesting." in his previous life, li fan had not heard of this matter.
but since he was free and had nothing to do, and there seemed no danger to life over there, there was no harm in going to take a look.
li fan made some preparations and then traveled through the teleportation array to yutang island.
upon seeing li fan, the guardian of the island's eyes lit up.
"you must be fellow daoist li fan. i am zhou ningchang, a good friend of chen an's. please come with me." without any delay, he directly led li fan flying towards the location of the ox cart.
as they flew, zhou ningchang briefed li fan on the latest developments.
"fellow daoist li fan, chen an has probably already told you the general situation. this ox treads on water without stopping for a moment. although its pace is not fast, it keeps moving forward."
zhou ningchang's expression was a bit distressed: "the route forward of this ox is a straight line. based on our guesses, it seems to be heading straight for cloud water heavenly palace in the center of cong yun sea."
"at the ox's current speed, it will enter cloud water heavenly palace in at most another month. that ghostly place is filled with anomalies. it's hard to say what changes might occur once the ox enters. so we'd best find a way in before that."
"otherwise, even if we're reluctant, we'll have to give up." zhou ningchang said.
"foundation establishment late stage." zhou ningchang replied.
"there's also a golden core mid stage cultivator here, but like those in qi condensation, he doesn't have any ability to resist under that staff."
"as for higher, we didn't dare invite any." he added.
"treated the same regardless of level." li fan narrowed his eyes. this trait reminded him of anomalies.
"could this also be an anomaly?" li fan couldn't help voicing this doubt.
"if so, why doesn't this anomaly injure people?" puzzled, li fan decided to try for himself.
silently he flew close and landed in front of the straw hut, slowly striding forward.
the mouthless freak ignored him, but the one with the staff became angry as li fan approached.
li fan frowned and retreated.
the staff wielder's expression gradually returned to normal.
li fan considered, then continued forward. this time his pace was even slower, but the freak didn't want to play this game of testing boundaries with li fan.
the staff flew from his hand, fiercely striking li fan's body.
it felt like being viciously kicked in the stomach. overwhelming force blasted out, sending li fan flying uncontrollably.
li fan sucked in a breath of cold air.
it really hurt!
seeing li fan's attempt fail, the others were not too concerned and continued discussing in small groups how to try again tomorrow.
li fan on the other hand was recalling the scene, constantly pondering.
the next day, everyone began trying again.
one by one they were sent flying in succession.
it was somewhat comical.
when li fan's turn came, it was the same, no exception.
the third day.
the result remained unchanged.
......
time passed day after day. seeing they were getting closer and closer to cloud water heavenly palace, everyone seemed to be slowly losing patience.
each day fewer and fewer people went to try.
watching as all methods were exhausted to no avail against the cultivators, li fan vaguely had a guess.
so the next day when it came, li fan loudly said to everyone: "would some fellow daoist in the early qi condensation stage like to try advancing after dissolving their cultivation?"
chapter 122: a bamboo slip to transcend
upon hearing li fan's words, the group of cultivators first collectively froze, and then there was an uproar, with varying reactions.
some wore expressions of disdain and mockingly said, "where did this qi condensation junior come from, spouting nonsense here?"
"yeah, you're telling people to dissipate their cultivation. why don't you do it yourself?"
others appeared curious, asking, "does our fellow daoist mean that the creature with the staff only targets cultivators and not ordinary people?"
"although it sounds a bit unbelievable, there's a possibility. the situation here is somewhat similar to the anomalies in the sect's ruins."
this idea resonated with many of the cultivators.
"considering that the blue ox pulling the cart is about to enter the cloud water heavenly palace, time is running out for us. we should indeed give it a try."
"but that staff is extremely powerful. it's possible that our cultivation is the only reason we're able to survive its blows. if we dissipate our cultivation and become ordinary people, we might be killed with a single strike."
"ah, our fellow daoist here has a point."
people discussed and hesitated, and for a moment, no one dared to step forward to try.
however, a red-haired cultivator seemed to grow impatient. he shouted loudly and glared at the others, saying, "what's there to be so hesitant about? it's just dissipating your cultivation! with the 'tai shang primordial scripture,' we can quickly regain our cultivation. i'll do it!"
with that, he flew down and landed in front of the thatched cottage. then, he operated the 'tai shang primordial scripture,' and in just a moment, his entire cultivation was completely dissipated, turning him into an ordinary person.
li fan's mind was alert, and he locked onto him with the formless killing intent.
the red-haired cultivator, who had been somewhat carefree earlier, was now feeling nervous, facing the massive and fierce creature as an ordinary person. he swallowed hard and took slow steps forward.
all eyes in the area were focused on him at this moment, and it became silent all around.
slowly approaching the thatched cottage, the creature without a mouth still seemed oblivious to him. the creature with the staff, on the other hand, stared at him for a long time, and the staff in its hand lifted several times but never struck down.̃øv€lß1n.
and so, the red-haired man reached the door of the thatched cottage without incident.
the faint sound of reading inside the cottage suddenly stopped.
the door of the cottage boomed open, and a somewhat elderly voice came from within, saying, "come in!"
the red-haired man's face lit up with joy, and he walked into the cottage with wide steps.
the door closed behind him, and the two guardian deities continued to watch from the outside.
"that's right, liu zhi was at the early qi condensation stage before. after just one night, he's now at the mid qi condensation stage!"
"the qi condensation stage cultivator even advanced to the late qi condensation stage!"
"the late qi condensation stage cultivator didn't seem to advance, but their spiritual energy has solidified quite a bit, which should still be beneficial."
amidst the astonishment of the crowd, their gazes towards the thatched cottage had completely changed. it had forcibly elevated the cultivators who entered by one minor realm without discrimination. this could save them a considerable amount of resources and time. the higher the cultivation, the more valuable it was.
in their impatience, the cultivators awakened the six individuals and inquired about what had occurred inside the thatched cottage yesterday. the six individuals had consistent stories, but their accounts left the others bewildered.
"so, you spent a whole day inside just reading?"
"the teacher was a bamboo slip floating in the air?"
"you don't remember what you read?"
it was indeed quite peculiar, but it appeared that they were not lying.
given the opportunity, the hesitating qi condensation cultivators all dissipated their cultivation and entered the cottage.
chen an was about to go inside when he looked back at li fan, who hadn't moved. he was somewhat puzzled and inquired, "fellow daoist li, is there anything unusual inside?"
li fan shook his head and replied, "there should be no issues. however, i'm already at the late qi condensation stage, so the opportunity inside doesn't hold much significance for me. you can go in by yourself; there's no need to worry about me. i'll continue to observe for a while."
chen an hesitated for a moment and then clasped his hands to li fan before entering the thatched cottage.
as for the foundation building cultivators, they still hadn't acted.
zhou ningchang explained the reason to li fan. cultivators with a cultivation level of foundation building or higher, even if they dissipated their cultivation using the 'tai shang primordial scripture,' their dao foundation remained intact and in a state between real and illusory, not affected by the cultivation dissipation. they were unsure whether they would be considered ordinary people and were therefore hesitant.
after waiting for a long time, a foundation building cultivator couldn't resist the temptation any longer and was the first to try. they successfully entered the cottage after dissipating their cultivation.
as a result, numerous foundation building cultivators followed suit, entering the cottage with great joy.
even the only golden core cultivator in the crowd couldn't resist the allure.
as for the six cultivators who had entered the cottage yesterday and wanted to replicate their previous experience to further advance by one minor realm, they were hit by the bamboo staff and thrown out instantly.
they decided to leave and bring their friends and family to the area before the blue ox pulling the cart entered the cloud water heavenly palace.
soon, outside the thatched cottage, only li fan remained.
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chapter 123: return to the cloud water heavenly palace
with waves of people entering, the sound of reading inside the house became louder. li fan strained his ears and could faintly make out a few sentences.
"heavenly laws are strict, honor the rules and regulations."
"...i have learned the law today, and spread it to all living beings."
"heavenly laws must not be violated."
"heavenly laws..." li fan recalled his past experiences but couldn't find any related information. he wondered about the connection between this place and the cloud water heavenly palace.
the reason li fan chose not to enter was twofold. first, as he had mentioned before, the opportunity here was not particularly useful for him at his late qi condensation stage. second, he still had some concerns.
he couldn't believe that such an enigmatic place would be completely devoid of danger and would simply grant benefits to those who entered.
he intended to let these people try it first. if it was indeed as beneficial as it appeared, he could come back in the next lifetime. li fan planned for a hundred lives in the future, not for the present life. the concept of missing an opportunity didn't exist for him.
as the sound of reading filled the air, another day passed. on the second day, when all the cultivators woke up from the ground, they had all advanced by one minor realm without exception. they were overjoyed, as one night had equaled the effort of many years of cultivation.
following the previous six individuals, they contacted their friends and brought them to this place.
gradually, more people learned about this opportunity, and they came and went with joyful expressions. li fan continued to observe silently.
before the blue ox cart reached its destination, li fan made a rough estimate. there were about two nascent soul cultivators, six golden core cultivators, nineteen foundation establishment cultivators, and numerous qi condensation cultivators who had entered the thatched cottage.
even the liveliest gatherings must eventually come to an end.
one month later, the cloud water heavenly palace, suspended in the sky, loomed in the distance. the blue ox cart had finally reached its destination.
li fan and other cultivators chose to stay far away from the cart, observing from a distance.
"moo!"
the blue ox let out a cry and, with its hooves in the air, ascended from the sea level into the sky. it pulled the two-wheeled cart, advancing slowly.
it then crashed headlong towards the azure, transparent cloud water heavenly palace.
the lights intersected and rose to a blinding intensity.
without any sound, the ox cart quietly disappeared into the sea of clouds.
the cultivators present all let out sighs of regret.
there were a dozen or so cultivators, perhaps they were bold, perhaps because they had once broken into the cloud water heavenly palace before.
driven by curiosity, they also followed and flew in.
li fan used his formless killing intent and locked onto one of them.
following him, the perspective changed to the long-lost cloud water heavenly palace.
in front of the towering gate, the blue ox shrunk to its normal size.
as it passed the statue of qin tang, the cart suddenly stopped.
...
the cries were relentless, filled with despair and hatred, making li fan, who was outside the cloud water heavenly palace, shudder involuntarily.
the cries of despair resonated throughout the entire cloud water heavenly palace, causing the massive structure to shake and tremble incessantly.
the white mist that had previously shrouded every building in the palace began to roll like boiling water. it was as if all the tormented entities within it wanted to break free.
in the high sky of the cloud water heavenly palace, the master's colossal figure stood in front. a small white jade statue suddenly appeared. with his appearance, all the anomalies within the cloud water heavenly palace broke out completely.
the angry and desperate roars were like surging river waters, unceasing.
cracks appeared on the ground, and the entire cloud water heavenly palace was on the verge of collapse amidst this turmoil.
high in the sky of cloud water heavenly palace, in front of the master's huge body.
a small white jade statue suddenly appeared.
and with his appearance, the bizarre beings within the cloud water heavenly palace all completely rioted.
angry and despairing cries were as endless as a river.
a crack appeared from the ground, and the entire cloud water heavenly palace was about to be torn apart in this strange movement.
the white jade statue emitted a faint light and instantly transformed into a human-sized figure. he had a kind and gentle face with silver-white hair.
it was the mysterious old man that li fan had encountered before, who had a brief encounter with his clone, fan lin.
ignoring the thunderous roars that sounded like turbulent waves from below, the heavenly doctor smiled slightly and said, "everyone."
"it's been a while."
the master's towering figure trembled all over. his face was filled with hatred, and he clenched his teeth, wanting to say something. but in the end, the only word that came out of his mouth was, "die!"
the sky seemed to grow dark as if an endless killing intent was gathering.
fine lines appeared on the heavenly doctor's body, but he simply patted himself, and those lines vanished in an instant as if they had never appeared.
the heavenly doctor smiled as he looked at the master and said, "why so angry for a little fight?"
his smile suddenly disappeared, and his expression turned extremely cold.
"getting angry is a disease."
"it's a disease..."
"and diseases need to be treated."
outside the cloud water heavenly palace, li fan's expression changed dramatically. he immediately activated all the defensive talismans on his body, accelerated to the maximum speed, and fled backward.
a shockwave erupted from the cloud water heavenly palace, sweeping through the entire cong yun sea in an instant. then, its remaining force continued to spread towards the surrounding regions.
for a moment, the entire cultivation world sensed the events occurring in the cong yun sea, and it seemed that several colossal consciousnesses communicated with each other.
subsequently, silence descended upon them all.
chapter 124: gambling on fish
under the impact of the shockwave, li fan felt like a withered leaf blown uncontrollably by the fierce wind and was blasted hundreds of miles away before he could barely steady himself.
fortunately, this shockwave was just for show and didn't have any real destructive power.
it was as if the power was restrained, only stirring up a huge wave that spread throughout the cong yun sea, without causing any other damage.
it felt like all thunder but little lightning.
but li fan didn't dare to take it lightly at all. this kind of ultimate control over power was even more indicative of the other's terrifying strength.
the lock-on of the formless killing intent had disappeared, and obviously, the unlucky cultivator had unfortunately died in the fight between the two masters.
but li fan was undeterred, and on the contrary, he flew back towards the direction of cloud water heavenly palace.
soon, he could see cloud water heavenly palace again.
only now, the huge blue transparent building was stained with a layer of black.
above, dark thick clouds gathered and thunder rumbled continuously.
a huge whirlpool appeared above cloud water heavenly palace, seemingly wanting to swallow this recently unsealed building again.
the entire sky shook and trembled, the continuous buildings tilted, slowly collapsing towards the center of the whirlpool.
there seemed to be unwilling, angry howls coming out of cloud water heavenly palace.
but they could not change the reality of its slow disappearance.
after a while, this sect that had only reappeared in this world for a little over five years disappeared again from this land.
soon after, the dark thunderclouds also gradually dispersed.
the sky and the sea quickly regained the calm scene of light clouds and gentle breeze.
"cloud water heavenly palace is sealed again? this didn't happen in my previous life."
"is it because of the statue of the heavenly doctor that i delivered?"
in that instant, many thoughts flashed through li fan's mind.̃øv€lß1n.
"so in my previous life, sikong yi privately kept the small carving and didn't deliver it to cloud water heavenly palace?"
"he dared to do that? unafraid of death by virtue of the sun stealing token?"
"no, there's another possibility. the heavenly doctor didn't give the white statue to sikong yi."
"but he gave it to my clone fan lin..."
"if that's really the case, did he notice something?"
the bizarre wailing scene in cloud water heavenly palace appeared in his mind again, and li fan was also full of doubts.
"what exactly did the heavenly doctor do that caused such resentment against him from the entirety of the cloud water heavenly palace..."
a few years ago, a passing cultivator happened to see this wondrous spectacle and was struck by inspiration.
he refined all the other fish in the lake into spiritual energy and fed it to the fish that leaped the highest.
that fish thus underwent metamorphosis, becoming as strong as a demonic beast, and returned to the sea.
ever since then, more and more fish gathered in the lake on this lonely island.
later, this cultivator had a dispute with a friend over the ownership of a treasure.
he remembered this place again and proposed that the two of them each choose a fish from the lake as their representative.
see whose fish leaped higher when the lake water erupted, and the treasure would belong to that person.
his friend thought it was interesting, so he agreed.
this move by the two attracted a few other interested cultivators, who also placed bets and joined in.
they also set up formations around the island to prevent powerful sea beasts from accidentally entering.
they would observe and select their preferred fish within 27 days. in the 3 days before the lake erupted, they had to finalize their choice, no further changes allowed.
the winner takes all, whoever's selected fish leaped the highest would obtain all the other cultivators' bets.
and if one was fortunate enough to select the fish that leaped the highest among all, it would be considered a jackpot, with double the winnings.
one had to rely entirely on one's spiritual sense to subtly observe and select the representative fish, and couldn't enhance it with spiritual energy. once cheating was discovered, the other cultivators would jointly execute them.
after the end of the game, all the other fish will be refined into spiritual energy to feed the "fish king".
...
in the end, the cultivator's selected fish only ranked second, and he painfully lost the treasure.
but this person was not heartbroken, believing that he had just misjudged, and had found the trick to it.
so they agreed to come here again next month to have a final showdown.
the other cultivators all loudly agreed.
and so, this "fish gambling" gradually attracted more and more cultivators to participate.
later when there were more people, the rules were slightly adjusted.
a prize pool was added.
half of each bet went to the reward for the current round, and the other half went to the prize pool.
first place had the biggest prize, and second to tenth places were minor prizes.
the jackpot was split in half, with the first place taking half and the minor places splitting the other half evenly.
and if someone guessed the fish king, they would take all the rewards.
at the end of each year, the accumulated prize pool would be emptied out all at once, producing a super grand prize.
chapter 125: heaven defying luck?
ever since this fish gambling started, it has become the most popular activity for cultivators in the cong yun sea.
especially during the final round of fish gambling at the end of each year, the number of participating cultivators was so great that the solitary island was almost filled to capacity.
everyone was hoping to strike it rich overnight.
during the fish gambling at the end of the 16th year, li fan also went to join in the lively atmosphere.
he discovered that there was some skill to this fish gambling; it wasn't as simple as just relying on luck.
one must know that the fish in this island's lake came from all over the cong yun sea.
for those who could traverse thousands of miles to get here, each one's strength was considerable.
during the 27-day observation period, these fish had to ensure their survival within the lake, while also accumulating power and making preparations for the final leap into the sky.
and on the final day when the lake erupted, the position of each fish within the lake also largely determined the eventual leaping height.
hundreds of thousands of fish were intertwined in this lake, struggling against each other.
that one lucky fish not only had to defeat its competitors but in the end also had to rely on fortune, hoping that the erupting waters were strongest in its area in order to become the final winner.
how difficult!
li fan's divine sense flowed among the hundreds of thousands of fish for a long time but didn't find one particularly suitable.
in the end, he could only randomly choose a fish that looked rather strong before the deadline.
as a result, this fish actually couldn't survive the remaining three days. before the lake erupted, it was swallowed by two other fish teaming up.
li fan shook his head, resigned to his bad luck.
the final result came out: the fish that leaped above all others turned out to be a sickly-looking inconspicuous white pomfret.
this fish had barely managed to survive in the lake before, but unexpectedly it was the one who had the last laugh.
the cultivators used the recorded images to discover that this white pomfret had heaven defying luck.
when the lake erupted, it just happened to be at the point with the strongest current.
after accumulating power all this time, with many factors compounding, it was able to shoot into the sky and take first place.
no one could have predicted it, and they could only regretfully watch this white pomfret.
li fan locked onto it with formless killing intent, carefully memorizing its appearance in his mind.
"i wonder if this same fish will be the final winner again in the next life?" li fan randomly thought.
after fish gambling ended, some were happy and some were worried.
but what needed to be done still had to be done.
"perhaps there is nothing new in this world..."
li fan realized.
time continued to slowly tick by.
in the 17th year, zhang haobo's cultivation had broken through to mid foundation establishment.
li fan observed for a while and discovered he no longer endlessly practiced the sea fixing sword technique.
instead, he once again embarked to follow after the winds.
only now, different from before, wherever zhang haobo arrived at the scene of a wind calamity, he would dance with his sword along the wind.
the 108 sea fixing swords combined into a giant blue sword.
zhang haobo, facing the howling frenzied winds, slashed against them.
the roaring wind calamity seemed to weaken under his endless sword slices.
but this trend was very weak. if not for li fan's vision of heaven and earth revealing the minute shifts in the flow of spiritual energy between heaven and earth, it would be hard to notice.
yet zhang haobo appeared unconcerned by failure or humiliation.
unwilling to give up, he continued to pursue one wind calamity after another.
honing his sword intent in the winds.
"looks like his next breakthrough is not far off." li fan did not feel the slightest envy towards his rapid progress.
from the moment he obtained [truth] and entered the cultivation world, li fan was clear that speed of cultivation was completely unimportant to him.
accumulating steadily over life after life, building an extremely solid foundation, that was what he should do.
and after seeing the white pomfret get eaten after winning, he became even more firm in this understanding.
only by cultivating through hundreds of lifetimes was there a sliver of a chance to break out of this dead end.
...
li fan's days on ten thousand immortals island continued as peaceful as always.
in the middle of the 17th year, li fan accumulated over eight thousand contribution points and bought two low grade human treasures.
he went out for a trip and then sacrificed them to unlock the second anchor point of [truth].
he didn't immediately set the anchor. li fan planned to see how the third anchor point was unlocked before deciding.
however, not long after this, li fan's peaceful life was disrupted.
he received a summons from the hall of heavenly secrets of the ten thousand immortals alliance, requiring him to assist in an investigation. it involved the mysterious deaths of two nascent soul cultivators, six golden core cultivators, nineteen foundation establishment cultivators, and numerous qi condensation cultivators.
chapter 126: seven-colored immortal-felling formation
the hall of heavenly secrets is located in the central core area of ten thousand immortals island. a message instructed him to go to the entrance of the area, and someone would guide him.
li fan was curious about this mysterious death incident, so he wasted no time and headed straight to the central core area.
soon, the imposing buildings in the central area of ten thousand immortals island came into view.
a prominent seven-colored barrier and a surrounding moat separated the core area from the central cave residence district.
li fan stood on a small bridge, waiting for the reception.
he keenly sensed that since he stepped onto the bridge, the colorful floating light above had locked onto him.
fearless, li fan lifted his head and carefully observed the seven-colored radiance.
it seemed to be part of the ten thousand immortals island's guardian formation but stood independently, possessing formidable power.
"i wonder what kind of formation this is," li fan pondered.
before long, a foundation establishment cultivator in a black and yellow robe hurriedly arrived.
he glanced at li fan, confirmed his identity, and then simply instructed him to follow closely and not wander.
then, he walked inside.
the lock on by the seven-colored radiance dissipated, and li fan calmly followed behind.
as he walked, he observed his surroundings.
all the cultivators here wore black and yellow robes, just like the guide. their faces were serious, and they seemed extremely busy.
"this must be the so-called internal branch," li fan thought.
council chamber, medicine hall, talisman hall, martial hall...
passing by various buildings, he finally arrived at the entrance of the hall of heavenly secrets.
compared to other places, this area seemed much quieter.
occasionally, he encountered one or two cultivators whose cultivation levels were unclear, sitting with closed eyes and seemingly calculating something.
the guide led li fan to a room and quietly left.
the room was filled with fragrance, and a cultivator with his back to li fan was looking up at a massive map of the cong yun sea.
li fan focused his gaze and on the map, countless markings covered it densely.
there were blue winds, red forks, black dots...
moreover, these markings moved and changed on the map as if they were living creatures.
"what is this..." li fan's mind was slightly moved, and he carefully observed the map.
unexpectedly, after just a few glances, he felt a dizzying sensation. he quickly shifted his gaze, not daring to look again.
so, li fan stood in the room for quite a while. the cultivator turned around.
he just smiled and said, "you are quite fortunate."
turning his head to look at the images of the cultivators who died mysteriously, he sighed, "when heaven wants you dead, you have to die."
after a while, he said to li fan, "you can go back. i know this has nothing to do with you, but as the sole survivor of the incident, you still need to go through the necessary procedures. that's why i summoned you here for some inquiries."
li fan nodded and took another glance at the map on the wall before leaving quietly.
faintly, as if he could hear a faint sigh from the room, "one more case."
li fan's steps paused briefly but then returned to normal.
coming out of the hall of heavenly secrets, li fan's doubts surged.
"one more case? what does that mean?"
"does it refer to the bizarre deaths or the heaven and earth's killing intent?"
"with the invisible influence of the heavens, how did he remember?"
li fan recalled the countless markings on that map.
"perhaps, although specific events cannot be remembered, observing the effects brought about by events can indirectly confirm that the events did indeed happen."
"for example, when numerous ten thousand immortals alliance cultivators suddenly died at the same moment..."
while walking, li fan contemplated.
his thoughts were interrupted by a noisy crowd ahead.
these people all wore black and yellow robes, looked relatively young, and seemed inexperienced in the ways of the world.
their cultivations were only in the foundation establishment early stage, indicating that they had just begun their cultivation journey.
they looked up at the flowing seven-colored brilliance in the sky, pointing and talking excitedly.
the leader was relatively older, with a long beard.
he said, "this is the core area equipped with the seven-colored immortal-felling formation found at every ten thousand immortals alliance territory. it's a modified ancient formation and is extremely powerful. even an ordinary nascent soul cultivator who inadvertently fell into the formation would immediately perish."
"so powerful!"
"master gong, master gong, i wonder how long we have to learn before we can set up such a formidable formation!"
master gong chuckled, "you youngsters have just learned to walk and already want to fly."
"well, let me think."
"generally speaking, when you break through to the foundation establishment stage, you can try setting up the island protection formation."
"in the golden core stage, you can barely participate in maintaining the ten thousand immortals guardian formation."
"as for this seven-colored immortal-felling formation here..."
master gong smiled but didn't answer.
chapter 127: fate from the past
"master gong, with your proficiency in the dao of formations, setting up the seven-colored immortal-felling formation should be easy for you."
"no need to say, master gong is one of the top formation masters in the cong yun sea."
"that's right. didn't you see master gong personally involved in maintaining the formations every year?"
the group of young cultivators chattered, creating a commotion.
master gong, on the side, had a pleased expression, stroking his beard and smiling.
"a formation master." li fan saw this scene and felt a stir in his heart.
he almost forgot someone's dying request.
immediately, he adjusted his expression and asked from a distance, "senior, are you master gong?"
the bearded cultivator was slightly startled, turned his head, and looked at li fan.
there was some surprise in his eyes, but it flashed by, well concealed.
he smiled and said, "i am gong boyu. may i know the name of the junior?"
li fan was excited, "i'm li fan. master gong, it's really hard to find you. i've been wanting to meet you for a long time!"
gong boyu felt a bit awkward but patiently asked, "why is junior looking for me?"
li fan sighed, his face full of emotion, "it's a request from someone!"
"my friend, he zhenghao, left behind a scroll called 'interpretation of the hundred veins formation diagram.'"
as li fan was speaking, he was abruptly interrupted by gong boyu's intense emotions.
"what, you're a friend of daoist he? he left a formation work in your possession?" gong boyu's expression was strange, seeming a bit incredulous and a bit delighted.
he flickered and appeared next to li fan.
li fan felt his shoulder being grabbed for an instant, and then the scenery in front of him changed.
when he reacted, he had already arrived in front of a diagonally standing cubic building.
this cubic building seemed to be entirely made of some kind of metal, emitting a cold and bright light in the sunlight.
"follow me." gong boyu said to li fan, then walked into the building.
li fan followed, entering it.
as soon as he stepped inside, the surroundings darkened. the seemingly large building on the outside turned out to be a cramped space inside.
just as li fan found it strange, he suddenly felt a tremor under his feet, and the square space he was in seemed to be moving.
after that, the walls and floor became transparent. li fan realized that the space inside seemed to have been cut into numerous independent small squares.
walking out of this uniquely designed building, li fan looked up again.
"there are still a dozen years, i hope you can complete it in time."
returning to the tianxuan mirror, li fan took out the jade slip given by gong boyu and couldn't help but smile.
compared to various entry-level formation books on the market, the teaching content in this jade slip was progressive and thorough.
moreover, it was clear and detailed.
from basic theory to practical formation setup, it was like receiving personal guidance.
in his previous life on tai'an island, li fan had also tried to set up a seawater purification formation.
but even for such a rudimentary formation, li fan had spent almost half a month.
the dao of formations was truly vast and complex.
with this jade slip, however, things would be much easier.
in the ancient cultivation world, this could be considered at least half of a true inheritance.
after all, the content in this jade slip couldn't be bought with contribution points.
"good, good, good! daoist he, you're still helping me even after death!"
li fan's spirit was lifted, and he exclaimed his joy.
he then immersed himself in the study, as if hungry for knowledge.
lost in the mysteries of formations, he didn't notice the passage of time.
after an unknown period, he was awakened by a faint spiritual perception in his heart.
after checking the time, it was already the 18th year.
"studying formations takes more time than cultivation." li fan couldn't help but marvel.
in his perception, it seemed that only a few days had passed.
"however, why did i suddenly wake up?"
li fan furrowed his brows, recalling past events one by one.
...
"three years ago, my sister was noticed by a passing immortal, who took her away. at first, she would send us messages through others, assuring us of her safety. but later, we never heard from her again."
so that's the reason!
li fan suddenly understood.
chapter 128: cutting through the wind disaster with a sword
"a treasure seer physique? indeed, it is quite an extraordinary physique. but..."
li fan furrowed his brows and said, "i have [truth] in hand, which is more formidable than this treasure seer physique by more than a hundred times."
"moreover, in my previous life, i only had a transaction with yin yuzhen. we don't owe each other anything, and our fate has come to an end."
"how could it come to the point of my spiritual perception reminding me?"
you should know that in li fan's many years of cultivation, there were only a few instances of such a spontaneous feeling from the depths of his heart. this kind of sudden inspiration for cultivators was either a crisis warning or related to some kind of opportunity.
it was mysterious, yet one had no choice but to believe.
after contemplating for a while, li fan seemed to have an insight, "could it be related to the cultivator who took away yin yueting?"
"it's somewhat interesting. i might as well go and meet him."
li fan checked his current contribution points.
the promised 20,000 contribution points from gong boyu had already been credited. adding up the contribution points accumulated from previous tasks, he had a total of 23,510 points.
so, li fan used the tianxuan mirror to purchase two human treasures, one of low grade and one of medium grade.
it cost a total of 8,200 contribution points.
after leaving ten thousand immortals island, he arrived at a deserted area.
first, he took out the low-grade human treasure and touched it with his hand.
"discover chargeable item: resentful bamboo."
"do you want to consume it to charge?"
li fan chose yes.
the resentful bamboo disappeared in his hand, and the advancement of [truth] appeared in due course.
"current anchor charging progress: 10%."
"current anchor points: 1."
"current available anchor points: 1."
next, li fan took out another medium-grade human treasure: gloomy staff.
after charging, the progress reached 20%.
the 8,200 contribution points disappeared in the blink of an eye, and li fan was left with empty hands, silently pondering.
"for the second anchor's charging, the first and second times were the damaged stone tablet of prohibition, increasing the progress by 25% each."
"the third and fourth times used two complete low-grade human treasures, increasing the progress by 30% each."
"but when unlocking the third anchor, it only increased the progress by 10%. moreover, it seems that there is no difference for [truth] between low-grade and medium-grade human treasures. i wonder if the heavenly and earthly human treasures would increase the charging progress more."
"in the future, it will definitely become more challenging to add anchor points. once an anchor is set, it cannot be changed."
after that, li fan secluded himself near the heavenly treasure pavilion, waiting for the arrival of that cultivator.
the gradually settling spiritual perception also confirmed li fan's speculation.
of course, li fan wasn't just wasting time; he was diligently studying the introductory formation techniques gifted by gong boyu.
days passed one by one.
li fan had been waiting for almost a month, and that cultivator still hadn't appeared.
however, li fan was not in a hurry.
one day, li fan suddenly felt something.
the formless killing intent was activated, and his perspective instantly switched to zhang haobo.
after a year, the face of this "son of heaven" had become more resolute.
his eyes seemed to hide an abyss, making it difficult for people to fathom.
zhang haobo hovered in mid-air, and brilliant blue lights like stars converged from all directions, accompanied by strands of blue radiance.
all were absorbed by him.
in an instant, the intensity of his aura increased by nearly half, and zhang haobo stepped into the late foundation building stage.
"in just six short years, he has leaped from an ordinary person to the late foundation building stage. when destiny and talent mutually complement each other, it's truly incredible."
"obviously, this is far from his limit."
after breaking through, zhang haobo showed no intention of resting at all.
he moved through the air towards a nearby site of a minor wind disaster.
fierce winds raged, creating towering waves with deafening roars.
zhang haobo roared into the sky and 108 sea fixing swords merged into one, transforming into a blue light as he swung the sword.
the wind stalled.
endless water attribute spiritual energy surged from the ocean below, rapidly replenishing zhang haobo's consumption.
in an instant, another blue brilliance met the roaring storm as he slashed once more.
the wind stalled again.
zhang haobo continued to wield the giant blue sword against the raging winds and the vast sea, continuously resisting the wind disaster.
the blue light never ceased, while the force of the wind gradually slowed.
finally, this small-scale wind disaster that was supposed to last another three or four days was prematurely terminated.
the blue brilliance suddenly shattered, turning into countless tiny raindrops, dissolving into the heavens and earth.
zhang haobo had cut through the wind disaster with a sword.
chapter 129: second young master zhao’s purchase
having dispelled a wind disaster, zhang haobo's face showed no emotional fluctuations. he raised his head, glanced at the sky, and continued flying towards the next location of a wind disaster.
...
"from chasing the wind to cutting through the wind. what's your next move?"
"there's not much time left for you, hehe."
li fan chuckled and shifted his focus.
he resumed studying the introductory formation techniques in the jade slip.
after another month, li fan's expression changed, and he put away the jade slip.
the cultivator he had been waiting for finally appeared.
in li fan's perception, this mid qi condensation stage cultivator showed no intention of hiding his aura. he swaggered towards the heavenly treasure pavilion.
the formless killing intent immediately locked onto him, and li fan's insect binding technique was ready to be unleashed. however, when he was about to subdue the cultivator, a hint of surprise flashed across li fan's face.
surprisingly, the cultivator showed no interest in finding yin yueting. instead, he walked into the heavenly treasure pavilion, shouting excitedly.
"has the new stock for this month arrived? show it to me quickly!"
seeing him, the young clerk from the heavenly treasure pavilion warmly greeted him, "oh, second young master zhao is here! come, come, this way! we've received quite a few rare treasures in these past months, especially set aside for you!"
overjoyed, second young master zhao hurriedly followed the clerk into the treasure storage of the heavenly treasure pavilion.
pointing to several items displayed separately on the shelves, the young clerk said, "according to your instructions, we've collected all the items with these special patterns for you."
second young master zhao walked up quickly, picked up a small tripod from the shelf, and carefully examined it.
"not bad, not bad." after a moment, he nodded in satisfaction.
then, he lifted a slightly cracked celadon vase into the air for closer inspection.
"the pattern does match the style of that place."
second young master zhao was quite pleased.
he went through each item on the shelf, praising them endlessly, "you guys at heavenly treasure pavilion are efficient. in just a few months, you've collected so many treasures for me!"
"unlike other shops, they're all worthless!"
"especially that so-called wanhua chamber of commerce. they boast loudly but can't find a few useful items in a year."
second young master zhao cursed vehemently.
then, he patted the young clerk on the shoulder with a smile, "pack up these things for me, and deliver them to the old place."
the clerk, grinning, nodded incessantly.
the middle of the rock pillar seemed to be completely hollowed out, creating several small rooms.
second young master zhao landed the flying boat on the top of the pillar and tirelessly moved the items inside one room.
li fan observed that not only this room but several others were neatly arranged with similar items.
the patterns on them were identical to the ones second young master zhao had bought this time.
clearly, he had been collecting these things for a long time.
after appreciating them with great pleasure, second young master zhao reluctantly lifted the flying boat and returned to night island.
as he left, the rock pillar slowly descended, shrinking back into the sea.
two days later, outside the heavenly treasure pavilion.
second young master zhao, behaving stealthily, stared at yin yueting who was selecting treasures. his mouth nearly watered.
"so, this is the legendary treasure seer physique..."
"with this little girl's help, it will be much easier for me to collect the cultural relics from that place."
his eyes were full of greed as he muttered to himself.
"where is that place?"
a voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
startled, second young master zhao, about to make a move, was horrified to find that he had been instantly restrained, unable to move!
"let's go, let's have a good chat at your home."
a figure with a completely concealed aura suddenly appeared behind him.
then, second young master zhao felt like he was being picked up like a chick and flew into the sky.
heading rapidly towards a familiar location.
second young master zhao's heart gradually turned cold because the mysterious person didn't lie.
he actually knew the location of his base!
thinking about the treasures he had collected over the years being taken over, second young master zhao felt a pain in his heart, almost unable to breathe.
it was more uncomfortable than his own death.
the mysterious person flew at an extremely fast speed. in just over a day, they arrived at second young master zhao's base.
"what, not inviting me in for a chat?"
the control over his body was suddenly restored, and second young master zhao heard the other party's indifferent words.
chapter 130: illusions play with hearts
second young master zhao shivered and instinctively thought about resisting.
but considering the unfathomable strength of the other party, he chose to surrender.
feeling the cold gaze scanning him, second young master zhao put on a mournful face and said, "alright, senior!"
then, he performed a technique.
the rock pillar rumbled and rose from the sea, and second young master zhao, hanging his head, said dispiritedly, "senior, please!"
after saying that, he walked into the rock pillar through the central staircase embedded within.
li fan swept his divine sense around.
after studying the jade slip for over a year, he was no longer ignorant of formations.
inside the rock pillar, there were only a few simple water and dust-cleansing formations, with no traces of attack formations.
however, li fan did not lower his guard and activated a protective talisman, following second young master zhao inside.̃øv€lß1n.
it was clear that li fan was overly cautious.
the rock pillar could be described as quite rudimentary.
most of it was storage rooms for the collected items.
leading li fan, second young master zhao came to a relatively spacious room.
in the middle was a large table with what seemed to be a miniature model of the cong yun sea.
"senior, please sit."
stammering, second young master zhao said with difficulty.
li fan calmly sat down, looking at second young master zhao's pale face, and said, "should i ask one question at a time, or will you honestly confess?"
second young master zhao opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but could only force out a smile uglier than crying. "senior, i don't know what i need to confess!"
li fan snorted coldly, and the insect binding technique was activated again.
second young master zhao was immediately restrained.
controlling the azure flame illusionary spirit, a visible cold air spread from the ground, like an icy blue snake, slowly crawling onto second young master zhao.
in an instant, second young master zhao's lower body was frozen into blue ice crystals.
"i wonder, with your cultivation, can your body recover after being shattered into ice shards?" li fan said with some curiosity.
fear flashed in second young master zhao's eyes, but soon, he forcibly suppressed it.
he never wanted to experience that again!
"now, do you know what you should confess?" a nightmare-like voice sounded beside his ear, making second young master zhao tremble all over. he felt that the other party's tricks of manipulating the human heart were truly terrifying!
"i'll talk, i'll talk!" he shivered and said repeatedly, fearing that li fan would actually destroy his entire collection.
the two returned one after the other, with li fan sitting and second young master zhao obediently standing on the side.
second young master zhao opened his mouth, wanting to speak but hesitating.
after a long time, second young master zhao nervously began, "junior zhao erbao, a local cultivator from the cong yun sea. sixty-eight years old this year..."
li fan's face darkened, and he quickly interrupted, "who asked you to confess this? i'm asking you, what's the use of the things you've collected? where is the place you mentioned?"
"why don't you use a storage ring for transportation and insist on using a flying boat to move things personally?"
with each question, zhao erbao's body trembled.
after li fan finished asking, zhao erbao, with a bitter face, said, "senior is truly formidable; nothing can be hidden from you."
he paused, seeming to organize his words.
after a moment, he hesitated and said, "the reason why this junior has spent a lifetime collecting these antiques is that, when i was still just a mortal, i discovered a secret."
"a secret?" li fan looked at zhao erbao with interest, waiting for him to continue.
zhao erbao nodded. "the zhao family, generation after generation, has been in the antique business. influenced since childhood, i've always been interested in these relics salvaged from the deep sea."
"perhaps due to natural talent, i can easily distinguish between genuine antiques and imitations."
"so, the family gradually entrusted me with all the identification work. i could also come into contact with numerous relics every day."
"therefore, i gradually discovered a secret hidden in the dust of history."
"the cong yun sea seems to have once harbored a lost civilization."
zhao erbao's expression became serious, and his eyes narrowed as if he were recalling something.
"this civilization has an extremely distinctive style, markedly different from other eras in the cong yun sea."
"all the relics stored in this base belong to this civilization."
li fan nodded slowly. "what's special about this civilization? although these items have some age, they seem to be just ordinary things. they shouldn't be of much use to you, a qi condensation cultivator."
"these items themselves are indeed not very valuable. the real treasures lie in what they carry," zhao erbao said.
"do you know, senior, that the bottom of the cong yun sea is littered with ruins of buildings?"
turning the conversation abruptly, zhao erbao suddenly asked.
chapter 131: resonance of ancient relics
"ruins? i'm naturally aware of them," li fan replied. he was a frequent visitor to the cong yun sea.
regarding the ruins scattered throughout the cong yun sea, he was familiar with them as well.
"are you implying that these ruins belong to the lost civilization you mentioned?" li fan asked.
zhao erbao shook his head. "no, no, no. these ruins are all local to the cong yun sea..."
"that's not right either." zhao erbao scratched his head, gesturing in a circle. "in the past, the cong yun sea was not a sea."
li fan was slightly startled.
zhao erbao continued, "this place was originally a piece of land. but one day..."
"it was suddenly submerged by seawater."
"the ruins at the bottom of the cong yun sea belong to the civilizations that originally existed on the surface."
"submerged by seawater..." scenes he had witnessed in the depths of the sea flashed through li fan's mind.
the exit from the grand xuan was a deep abyss at the bottom of the sea.
refining a clone and searching for heavenly crystal spirit sand also took place in a large-scale underwater ruin.
...
he had witnessed these underwater ruins scattered everywhere many times, coupled with having seen the cong yun sea dry up.
since this place could change from a sea to a mountain range, was it possible that this sea had once been something else as well?
in theory, he should have easily raised such a question.
however...
there was something disturbing his thoughts.
causing him to intentionally or unintentionally ignore this point.
he even actively sought other reasons for the formation of underwater relics, such as considering them as islands destroyed by natural disasters.
now looking back, these underwater relics, so continuous and widespread, didn't resemble the aftermath of sunken islands at all.
"this manipulative method is quite similar to that of the heavens. however, it's slightly weaker. once one wakes up, they won't be affected anymore."
"above dao integration, below an immortal venerable..."
in an instant, several thoughts flashed through li fan's mind.
meanwhile, zhao erbao continued to speak.
"all the relics i've collected belong to another completely different civilization."
"it's like they fell from the sky, suddenly appearing."
"like..."
"these objects carried along with it were inevitably tainted with a trace of dao resonance."
"buried deep under the sea, even after thousands of years, this resonance still lingers on them."
"just one item, the resonance is faint and imperceptible."
"but as the collected quantity increases, the residual resonances resonate with each other, becoming more pronounced."
"if it reaches a certain quantity, it might be possible to recreate the complete resonance."
"witnessing the brilliance of that palm."
hearing this, li fan's lingering spiritual awareness finally dissipated.
"so, this is where my opportunity lies."
"sea covering palm..."
zhao erbao, seeing that li fan hadn't responded for a long time, cautiously continued, "the reason why i, a junior, didn't use storage rings to transfer these relics is because these residual resonances are extremely fragile."
"if they were stored and then taken out, it's likely that the lingering resonances would be destroyed."
"so i had to do it personally."
li fan nodded slightly, acknowledging this explanation.
"let's go. take me to see the resonance of the sea covering palm!"
zhao erbao dared not refuse. leading li fan, they descended the stairs along the pillar and arrived at the largest storage room.
inside, there were hundreds of artifacts with different styles.
there were porcelain bottles, porcelain bowls, bronze small cauldrons, and even ordinary household items like iron pots and shovels.
li fan closed his eyes to comprehend.
in this storage room, there was indeed a peculiar rhythm slowly flowing.
however, it was still very weak, making it difficult to discern any profound mysteries.
"how many more items are needed to strengthen this strand of resonance to a perceptible level?" li fan asked.
zhao erbao hesitated, "it's hard to say. at the very least, the quantity needs to be several times more than what i've currently collected."
"these relics are scattered all over the seabed. it's extremely challenging to collect them with individual efforts."
"but..." he paused, looked at li fan, and said, "if that treasure seer physique girl helps, it will certainly be much easier."
li fan smiled inexplicably.
"then you need to hurry. there's not much time left for you."
he pointed his finger, touching zhao erbao's forehead.
"from now on, you'll work for me."
chapter 132: author’s note
tl note: i don't usually translate author notes, as it's usually just the author thanking his fans, but i thought you guys might be a little more interested in this one. the translation will be a little rough, but i won't count it in the rate of releases.
*****
after publishing for 66 days and writing over 270,000 words, the official launch is finally here.
i want to express my gratitude to everyone for their continuous support throughout this journey.
let's talk about a few issues encountered during the creative process.
some readers questioned the feasibility of ancient people discovering gunpowder and advancing technology too rapidly, as well as the reason why firearms couldn't be used in the cultivation world.
i didn't anticipate readers being concerned about these aspects. in my impression, over a decade ago, there were many novels about transmigrating and rapidly advancing technology. no one found them unreasonable, and i simply omitted certain processes.
as for why firearms couldn't be used in the cultivation world, this is a common question in every cultivation novel. why? because i am writing a cultivation novel. i set it up this way, and if high-tech weapons could be used in the cultivation world, it would turn into a completely different story.
there were many similar small issues, perhaps because i didn't think it through, and i didn't expect readers to be so discerning.
however, overall, these were not major problems.
what truly had a fatal impact on the structure of this book was the process from li fan's first arrival in the cultivation world to the discovery of the cong yun sea' transformation, which was too short and rushed.
my original outline was as follows:
li fan went through hardships to reach liuli island, joined a fleet, engaged in a struggle of wits with zhang haobo, and, using the treasure hidden in the sea in advance, seized the position of the captain. later, he cleansed himself in the spirit pool, arrived at ten thousand immortals island after several years, completed tasks, accumulated enough contributions, and exchanged for a water attribute cultivation technique.
i thought that from then on, the path of cultivation would be smooth, but it turned out that after only a few years, the spiritual aura of water in the world became increasingly scarce.
the cultivation speed slowed down, and the entire cong yun sea was sealed, preventing entry and exit. panic spread among cultivators, and killings gradually began.
li fan had to escape ten thousand immortals island and hide on a remote island.
later, as the seawater dried up, revealing the seabed, li fan suddenly realized and understood the reason for the difference between what he saw in the two lifetimes.
...
originally, i intended to write at least over a hundred chapters, similar to the first volume of lord of the mysteries [1], providing enough setup before revealing the reversal.
but i had to change my focus midway.
because when the book reached a hundred thousand words, it only had a little over a hundred collections [2]. trying to test the waters didn't work.
if i continued with the original outline, it would be a dead end.
so i had to accelerate the pace and completed the reveal in forty-something chapters.
i will work hard to improve myself, and i hope for your encouragement.
my job is decent, so i won't play the sympathy card.
most of my writing relies on interest.
being a part-timer and a novice, it's already quite difficult to write over 4,000 characters every day for more than four hours.
maybe in the future, as my brain speed increases, my typing efficiency will improve.
as the saying goes, "the writing carries the dao." on the first day of cultivation in he zhenghao's first lesson, there was a passage:
"some peaks, seemingly towering, have already exhausted their fate and cannot advance further in their lifetime. some now are just small mounds, but who knows if, after several years, they will grow into a pillar supporting the sky?"
"just like this mountain at your feet, inconspicuous back then, but after dozens of years, it can already overlook all the other mountains."
"of course, more are like the countless peaks under this cong yun sea, which can only serve as a foil, silently looking up at the peaks above the cong yun sea."
"if mountains are like this, what about people?"
this sentence is also for myself.
at that time, the collections of this book hadn't even reached a hundred. meanwhile, other books from the same period had already reached several thousand.
i could only encourage myself like this.
now, with everyone's support, the achievements of this book are already better than most books from the same period.
once again, thank you all.
thanks to everyone who has been voting and rewarding.
also, thanks to the editor, dusty, for the continuous help.
it will be on the shelves at twelve o'clock tomorrow, with a possible delay of a few minutes.
first, three consecutive chapters will be released, and a couple more chapters will be added later in the evening.
if you think this book is well-written, please consider giving it a subscription.
see you all tomorrow!
*****
[1] lord of the mysteries is another very popular webnovel. i highly, highly recommend if you haven't read it yet.
[2] i think collections are like favorites or something like that on qidian?
chapter 133: the wind shepherd haobo
zhao erbao felt a coolness in his forehead, as if a chilling force drilled into his brain like a living thing, then lurked into his body, disappearing.
feeling the chill, he heard the other party say, "don't worry, it's just some ice spiritual energy. it will automatically dissipate in a few days. no need to worry."
zhao erbao wanted to cry but had no tears. who would believe that? it must be some terrifying restriction!
thinking of his previous experience in the illusion, he shivered and quickly expressed, "senior, rest assured, from now on, i will do whatever you say! absolutely no disobedience!"
li fan smiled but didn't answer.
he didn't lie; the force he just sent into zhao erbao's body was indeed only ice spiritual energy created by the azure flame illusionary spirit. it didn't have any specific effect, just meant to frighten.
threats from others' words are far less terrifying than one's own suspicions.
of course, he couldn't completely rely on scaring zhao erbao; necessary countermeasures were still needed. the formless killing intent had already secretly locked onto him, so there was no need to worry about him running away.
after the stick, the carrot was also necessary.
li fan said to zhao erbao, "i don't need you to do anything else. just continue to collect the relics of that unknown civilization with all your effort, as before. every now and then, i will ask about your progress. when the dao resonance successfully condenses, you can also comprehend it together with me." as he spoke, li fan handed over a one-way communication talisman.
hearing this, zhao erbao was overjoyed and quickly accepted the talisman, expressing his loyalty again.
"let's go meet that treasure seer physique girl." li fan said coldly.
it took more than a day, and the two returned to night island.
it was already night, and in the heavenly treasure pavilion, the two sisters were chatting in their room.
li fan, accompanied by zhao erbao, suddenly appeared in front of them.
a faint killing intent was revealed, locking them in place.
he said indifferently, "both of you, are you willing to work for me?"
the sudden appearance of the figure startled the two sisters, who were about to scream, but found that they couldn't make a sound.
they immediately understood the identity of the two figures before them.
legendary immortals.
yin yueting's face instantly turned extremely pale, but she knew she had no choice.
just as she was about to answer, she felt her younger sister secretly kick her right leg. she immediately relaxed and blurted out, "immortal master, we are willing to serve the immortals."
li fan shook his head inwardly, knowing that the little girl had misunderstood.
he signaled zhao erbao to explain.
zhao erbao put on the airs of an immortal and explained the whole story.
the collection of dao resonance relics, under the joint supervision of zhao erbao and yin yueting, proceeded in an orderly manner.
time passed swiftly.
in the blink of an eye, it was the 19th year.
during this time, there were no major events in the cong yun sea.
however, there was an extraordinary event that caught the attention of many cultivators and became a topic of discussion during their leisure time.
the protagonist of the event was none other than zhang haobo.
when li fan took a break from seclusion, he learned about the incident through discussions among cultivators.
"zhang haobo is quite remarkable now. he runs to wherever there is a wind disaster. under his sword light, those wind disasters often dissipate before they can fully form."
"yeah, it's said that the ordinary mortals suffering from wind disasters in the cong yun sea are now starting to set up altars and burn incense for him."
"zhang haobo? i seem to have some impression of him. wasn't he the one who tested his sword with more than a dozen puppets in a cave before?"
"now that you mention it, i remember. but back then, he was only in the qi condensation stage. how did he become so powerful in just a few years?"
"yes, he is now in the foundation establishment late stage. that wind slashing sword art is also amazingly powerful. ordinary qi condensation cultivators in his hands probably won't last a few rounds."
"i just went through closed-door meditation for a while, and he's already in the foundation establishment late stage? how?"
"he's a genius, hard to measure with common sense. i think he's currently testing his sword against the wind disasters."
"you're all talking about old news. the latest news is that he's no longer using the wind slashing sword art."
"oh? what is he doing now?"
"if i tell you, you might not believe it. now, he's shepherding the wind!"
"shepherding the wind? what does that mean?"
the cultivators looked at each other in confusion, full of incomprehension.
"hehe, you guys are all familiar with shepherding, right?"
"no... this can't be possible?"
the cultivators exclaimed.
"shepherding the wind?" li fan's eyes flashed slightly.
"zhang haobo, what is he up to?"
the vision of heaven and earth technique was activated, and the perspective immediately switched.
chapter 134: returning to dali after ten years
in the vast sea, the fierce wind howled, creating towering waves.
dark clouds hung low, accompanied by a raging storm.
this was a moderately-sized wind disaster.
from the perspective of the heavens and the earth, li fan clearly saw that this wind disaster was slowly moving in a certain direction.
and zhang haobo was calmly following behind the wind disaster.
occasionally, he would release a blue light, as if a diligent gardener, pruning the direction in which the wind disaster advanced.̃øv€lß1n.
although the energy contained in this storm far surpassed zhang haobo, a foundation establishment cultivator, he controlled the wind disaster like a child herding, guiding it to move in the direction he envisioned.
li fan faintly sensed that in the distance, another wind disaster was brewing.
"interesting," li fan observed patiently.
and so, more than ten days later, the two massive storms manipulated by zhang haobo collided.
in an instant, a hint of green brilliance erupted in his eyes. a giant blue sword, composed of 108 sea fixing swords, once again emerged, spanning the sky between the ocean and the heavens.
compared to what li fan had seen before, the blue glow on this giant sword was even more profound.
the blue light unfolded, like flying scissors, rapidly trimming the two colliding storms.
slowly, the two wind disasters blended into each other as they collided with each other.
in the end, they merged into one.
a completely new wind disaster was born.
although this newborn wind disaster, due to the loss of some energy, was slightly less powerful than the previous two combined, it surpassed either of them individually.
zhang haobo looked at the newly born storm, resembling a work of art, with a satisfied expression on his face.
looking into the distance, he selected a direction and once again drove the wind disaster, setting off.
...
li fan noticed that by merging these two wind disasters, zhang haobo's cultivation had also gained a slight improvement.
he was herding the wind, but he was also cultivating through this process.
"it seems like he's planning something big," li fan vaguely guessed zhang haobo's intentions.
now, the deadline for the burning sea was approaching.
and zhang haobo was still in the foundation establishment stage.
without a cultivation method for the golden core stage, promotion was impossible.
a petite figure continuously shuttled among these beasts.
her speed was extremely fast, leaving behind phantom images in the air.
with bare hands, she continuously struck these steel beasts, producing loud "bang" sounds.
beside the martial arts plaza, su changyu and xiao heng stood still, watching.
su changyu's face showed a faint smile.
xiao heng, on the other hand, sighed and spoke in a frightened manner, "changyu, how can you still smile? haven't you noticed that xiaomei is becoming more and more terrifying? look at the marks she's leaving on these steel beasts. if she accidentally slaps me like that, i might be directly slapped to death!"
"i think these steel beasts won't last a few days!"
su changyu frowned slightly at first but then relaxed, saying, "you know xiaomei has a special physique. she's naturally gifted with divine strength and a hot temper. in the past few years, it was still manageable because there were methods left by the immortal master, and xiaomei was barely able to control her emotions."
"but now, the methods left by the immortal master are gradually losing their effect, and xiaomei's self-control is getting worse."
"if she doesn't vent like this every day, i'm afraid she might unintentionally kill many people."
"however, she is still my sister. although she is indifferent to the rest of the family, she treats you quite well. i don't know what you are afraid of."
xiao heng immediately became anxious, "you call this treating me well? aren't you aware..."
before he could finish his words, he heard a thunderous roar in the center of the martial arts plaza, "xiao heng, you're talking behind my back again?"
the sound hadn't faded when su xiaomei's figure flickered. in the blink of an eye, she appeared in front of xiao heng, causing a gust of wind that made xiao heng's hair fly.
his eyelids twitched, and he quickly shouted, "xiaomei, i dare not speak ill of you. i was just praising your great strength!"
su xiaomei looked at xiao heng suspiciously, snorted, and didn't pursue the matter further.
"brother!" she looked at su changyu, her face showing a smile.
su changyu looked at su xiaomei affectionately. taking out a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped away the sweat from her forehead.
"it seems like you're living quite well."
at this moment, a cold voice suddenly sounded beside the three.
seeing this sudden figure, su changyu and xiao heng's faces changed, immediately thinking of something. their faces showed both surprise and joy.
just as they were about to speak, su xiaomei shouted, "who are you, daring to play tricks in front of me!"
while speaking, she swung her fists, attacking li fan.
"xiaomei, stop!" su changyu and xiao heng couldn't help but exclaim.
before they could finish speaking, they saw su xiaomei, who could even break steel, now seemingly restrained by an invisible net.
she was suspended in the air, unable to move.
chapter 135: an old friend
"xiaomei is young; i hope immortal master will spare her life!" su changyu reacted quickly, quickly kowtowing to li fan in apology.
xiao heng also immediately realized, "please, immortal master, spare xiaomei's life."
li fan didn't answer; he just looked with interest at su xiaomei, who was caught by the insect binding technique.
helpless and unable to move, su xiaomei's small face turned bright red.
then, a force surged from her body. li fan sensed that, in an instant, su xiaomei's strength doubled.
"innate talent?" li fan's eyes flashed with interest, but he didn't release the restraint.
he wanted to see where su xiaomei's limits were.
feeling the opponent's gaze wandering around her, su xiaomei was unable to resist.
su xiaomei, who had never suffered such humiliation from childhood to adulthood, felt an endless rage in her heart.
a touch of crimson appeared in her eyes, like burning flames flickering.
her body became scorching hot, and the temperature of the surrounding air rose accordingly.
su xiaomei's strength doubled again.
however, it was useless!
the anger still lingered in her heart.
the redness in her eyes gradually spread throughout her body, dyeing her black hair with a strange red color.
a faint wisp of white smoke emanated from various parts of her body.
su xiaomei's strength doubled again!
xiao heng, seeing this scene, was so anxious that tears almost came out, repeatedly kowtowing.
su changyu remained calm, but the bloodstains on his forehead revealed his true feelings at the moment.
"is the strength now eight times the original? innate talent, indeed unreasonably strong." li fan nodded to himself.
although li fan felt that su xiaomei's strength could continue to expand, it would cause hidden injuries to her body.
li fan was just testing, there was no need to go this far.
so, the azure flame illusionary spirit appeared in his sea of consciousness. li fan reached out his right hand, gently pressing on su xiaomei's head.
a chilling force was infused into her.
su xiaomei's body temperature gradually dropped, and the red color in her pupils gradually disappeared.
her fierce expression also gradually calmed down.
the insect binding technique lost its effect, and su xiaomei fell from the sky.
every bit helps.
with a decision in mind, he manipulated the spiritual energy in his body and struck the bell under the four watchtowers.
suddenly, the sound of the bell spread throughout the dali capital, causing quite a stir.
li fan, with su xiaomei and the others, came to the square where they had been before, waiting for the arrival of the emperor of dali.
after a small half-day, the emperor and his officials all came before li fan.
they looked at su xiaomei and the others behind li fan with various expressions.
but none dared to be negligent; they all knelt down.
"we greet immortal master!"
li fan directly said, "for this transaction, i will personally transport the people you have selected. have you prepared your supplies?"
although the emperor of dali was hesitant, the identity of the immortal master in front of him was undoubtedly genuine.
so, he nodded repeatedly.
li fan went to the imperial treasury, received the supplies, and turned back, instructing, "tomorrow morning, i'll still be waiting for you here in the square. don't be late."
the emperor of dali agreed and quickly left to let his subjects make preparations.
the next morning, many people gathered in the square.
most of them were young faces, and among them, li fan recognized some.
it was the group of people he met when he first entered the cultivation world in his previous life.
after releasing the tai yan boat and placing it on the square, li fan spoke to these people, "the cultivation world may not be as beautiful as you imagine - it is full of dangers."
"going there, you might face a fate worse than death."
"i'll give you one last chance. if you don't want to go, you can choose to give up. i will take care of your families; you won't be put in a difficult situation."
li fan finished speaking and coldly watched how they would choose.
these young people didn't expect this twist. they looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
at this moment, a sharp voice rang out on the square, "please rest assured, immortal master. although the path of immortality is treacherous, my determination to seek immortality is unwavering for a hundred lifetimes!"
after hearing these words, li fan's expression became strange. following the sound, he saw a familiar face from his previous life—the fat guy who had threatened and blackmailed him, and whom he had casually killed.
encouraged by his words, quite a few people struggled and hesitated for a while before deciding to venture into the cultivation world.
but there were still some who chose to give up.
"words may not persuade the stubborn. you've made your choice. when you die miserably in the future, don't blame anyone else."
watching these young people, their faces showing excitement and nervousness, boarding the tai yan boat one by one, li fan silently pondered in his heart.
chapter 136: fate changes with fortune
in the sea of clouds, on the tai yan boat.
the people who had just entered the cultivation world from dali were excitedly looking around on the deck.
meanwhile, li fan activated the "sun stealing technique" to observe the fortunes of the people.
most of them were covered in dust, dull and dim.
however, when li fan saw the fat guy, ye feipeng, his eyes revealed a hint of surprise.
because his fortune resembled a newly born white mist, constantly rotating and evolving.
"this kind of fate..."
li fan recalled the explanation in the technique.
"changing with fortune, a hundred changes in life."
it meant that this person's fortune was highly susceptible to external influences.
if they encountered someone influential who supported them, it was highly possible that their life would indeed soar to great heights, just like their name, soaring with the wind and rising straight up.
however, if they encountered a great villain, and at that time, their own fortune was still relatively fragile, they might not withstand the calamity and meet a tragic end.
for example, in the previous life, he sensed the shady figure of li fan and attempted extortion. as a result, he was directly stabbed to death with a dagger by li fan.̃øv€lß1n.
but if the extortionist wasn't as decisive and got entangled with li fan.
then, with the ebb and flow of fortune, he might soar to great heights and become unstoppable.
li fan was willing to describe such a person in eight words: "prosper with the wind, perish against the tide."
among the people from dali, besides ye feipeng, only xiao heng and su xiaomei had somewhat peculiar fortunes.
su xiaomei's fate was the intertwining of purple and black, indistinguishable from each other.
as for xiao heng, it was the image of a hidden dragon in the abyss.
any one of these three would be extremely rare even in the ancient cultivation world. typically, a large region would produce one every ten years.
but now, in this small dali, they emerged together.
this made li fan unable to help but ponder.
"perhaps it's related to the volcano in dali."
...
under the pressure of death, xiao heng couldn't sleep at night. faster than the previous life, he only took eight or nine days to expel all the immortal-mortal miasma from his body.
"cultivation is challenging, and i can only guide you to the entrance. your achievements in the future will depend on your own fortunes."
after saying this, li fan left them with a communication talisman and sent them away.
"xiao heng and su xiaomei both have extraordinary fortunes. with their assistance, the process of collecting ancient artifacts with dao resonance should speed up significantly. i hope to complete the collection before crimson flame burns the sea," li fan thought.
that night, using the cloud water illusory dream art, li fan deepened zhao erbao's painful memories as a warning.
afterward, li fan hurriedly returned to ten thousand immortals island.
this was because he received a message from gong boyu.
he zhenghao's legacy, the "hundred veins formation diagram," had been completely restored.
unexpectedly, the other party acted so quickly. li fan wasted no time and arrived outside the formation hall.
gong boyu had already sent someone to meet him here.
entering the metallic cube-like building once again, this time, they arrived at a large conference room.
inside, besides gong boyu, there were six other cultivators.
they all looked to be in their forties or fifties, and their auras were unfathomable, indicating that their cultivations were not weak.
gong boyu welcomed li fan to his side, saying with joy, "thanks to the joint efforts of these old friends, brainstorming and sharing ideas, we spent quite some time finally completing he zhenghao's legacy. it's truly something to be happy about!"
li fan nodded, "if daoist he's spirit exists beyond death, he would surely be very pleased."
gong boyu took out a square jade block from his pocket and handed it to li fan.
holding the unfamiliar jade block in his hand, li fan carefully examined it.
the eight corners of the jade block were replaced with different colored metals, and the overall surface was engraved with intricate and profound patterns.
threads of golden light flowed like a river between the patterns.
"this is our ten thousand immortals alliance's encrypted jade slip. after its creation, each encrypted jade slip can only be viewed by specific cultivators. if someone else forcefully tries to read it, it will trigger a preset self-destructive prohibition."
"this one is prepared for you, and it contains the completed 'hundred veins formation diagram,'" gong boyu explained.
li fan nodded and, with a thought, began examining the contents of the jade slip with his spiritual sense.
various mountainous terrains appeared in li fan's mind in an instant.
upon closer inspection, every bit of soil and every piece of gravel on those mountains were actually miniature arrays.
stacked under countless tiny arrays, they formed a complete mountain, a mountain-shaped grand array.
the colossal amount of information contained in it made li fan involuntarily inhale a cold breath.
this was not something a qi condensation cultivator could casually comprehend.
chapter 137: li fan worships his master
li fan had a premonition that if an ordinary late-stage qi condensation cultivator forcefully read the contents of the "hundred veins formation diagram," the surging information would undoubtedly overwhelm their brains. even though li fan's mental strength was higher than that of an average cultivator, the outcome might not be favorable.
withdrawn his spiritual sense, li fan solemnly stored the jade slip in his storage ring.
"how is your learning progress in formations?" gong boyu asked casually.
li fan pondered for a moment, "i've studied for two years and gained some understanding. however, i'm not sure how proficient i've become."
gong boyu said, "that's easy!"
he then took out a small black sphere and tossed it to li fan, saying, "separate a strand of your spiritual sense and enter it."
li fan examined the black sphere, seemingly with flowing starlight on its surface, and followed the instructions.
in an instant, li fan felt like he was in a pitch-black tunnel. his thoughts raced as if on a roller coaster, swiftly sliding through the tunnel. questions and answers on formations came at him, and li fan involuntarily responded. if he knew and answered correctly, the speed of his thoughts would accelerate. if he didn't know or answered incorrectly, the speed would decrease. the feeling of having his thinking speed amplified a hundredfold was somewhat similar to the artificial enlightenment of the tianxuan mirror but even more effective.
after a while, li fan felt his thoughts slowing down, eventually coming to a complete stop. he was expelled from the black sphere.
gong boyu took back the black sphere, looked at the nearly invisible light point on it, and stared at li fan with an incredulous expression. "did you really study for only two years?"
li fan's expression remained unchanged, "indeed."
after a moment of silence, gong boyu kindly consoled, "the path of formations is heavily dependent on talent. it's normal if you progress slowly. don't be discouraged."
li fan nodded appreciatively.
however, this comforting remark unexpectedly angered another cultivator present.
"what nonsense is this? the path of formations depends only on diligence! gong boyu, your talent in formations might be high, but dare you say that your understanding of formations surpasses mine?"
li fan looked over and saw that the speaker had white hair, but his eyes gleamed with a hidden brilliance, making it difficult to look directly at him.
"brother zhiliang, don't be so impulsive. i was just consoling the younger generation, just a casual remark. why take it so seriously? everyone on ten thousand immortals island knows that you, zhang zhiliang, are the number one in formations," gong boyu said somewhat helplessly.
"the path of formations relies on diligence. how can you spout such nonsense?"
zhang zhiliang coldly snorted, seemingly dissatisfied with gong boyu's explanation.
he turned to li fan, gazing sternly, "kid, don't be disheartened. know that when i had just studied formations for two years, the result of my spiritual orb test was worse than yours!"
"for five hundred years, i almost spent all my time studying formations, making progress bit by bit. that's how i reached today's understanding of formations. diligence can make up for deficiencies, especially in the path of formations."
"although the world of formations claims to have an infinite variety, the commonly used formations are limited, and they can be mastered with enough effort."
"if you study diligently, do not slack off, and never give up, several hundred years later, who knows, you might become a master of formations of your generation?"
following zhang zhiliang, li fan suddenly arrived in a starry sky.
everything around him was pitch black, set against countless twinkling stars.
"do you know what a formation is?" zhang zhiliang asked.
li fan was about to answer, but after some thought, he shook his head, "disciple does not know."
"a formation is a formalized set of laws."
zhang zhiliang said each word deliberately.
"burning, freezing, lightning..."
"these are natural phenomena existing in the world, and what supports their occurrence and operation are various laws in the world."
"laws remain unchanged throughout eternity, except in certain special circumstances."
"cultivators often need to observe and comprehend the laws of the world."
"formations are the formatted, mechanized, and standardized application of these laws."
...
in zhang zhiliang's narration, the gateway to the world of formations slowly opened to li fan.
li fan immersed himself deeply, losing track of time.
in the blink of an eye, the 20th year had come.
above the cong yun sea.
zhang haobo stood in mid-air, looking up.
"is your dying blow about to come?"
in his memory from the previous life, a terrifying wind disaster would occur soon. its might was enough to change the colors of the sky and earth. over two hundred islands, including dayu island, were razed to the ground, and countless mortals' souls returned to the sea.
compared to this dreadful wind disaster, the storm he currently manipulated was pitifully weak.
however...
he, zhang haobo, the reborn one, the son of destiny, the guardian of the cong yun sea, was about to perform an audacious act, and...
shepherd wind!
chapter 138: decisively condensing the false golden core
the fierce wind roared, stirring up waves of shock.
the black clouds gathering in the sky became even denser. in the mountain-like layers of clouds, flashes of lightning would occasionally illuminate, showcasing its destructive power.
this massive storm, however, in the hands of zhang haobo, seemed like a wild horse restrained by reins, obediently moving in the predetermined direction.
"to peer into the laws of heaven and earth to refine the golden core..."
zhang haobo, surrounded by the raging storm, contemplated slowly.
"with my current strength, attempting a breakthrough is still a bit forced."
"but without the golden core, i can only be trapped at the foundation establishment stage, unable to make any progress."
"time is pressing, and i don't have the luxury to slowly accumulate contribution points to exchange for golden core techniques."
"the only option now is..."
"a false golden core."
a hint of determination flashed in zhang haobo's eyes.
the method of creating a false golden core involves infusing one's body with the power of heaven and earth after reaching the foundation establishment stage, forcefully breaking through and forming an illusory golden core constructed by the power of laws within the dantian.
this temporarily elevates one's cultivation to the golden core realm.
however, the false golden core method is not sustainable and can only last for a little over thirty days. the side effects are also terrifying. even if one successfully condenses a real golden core later on, irreversible injuries will be left behind, putting an end to the cultivation path.
but zhang haobo has no other choice!
going against the natural order is no easy task.
zhang haobo subtly looked up again, a trace of cold laughter crossing his heart.
ever since his rebirth, he occasionally felt a sense of being spied on.
a prickling sensation on his back made him uneasy.
originally, he thought it was just a kind of illusion, but after entering the foundation establishment stage, this feeling became even clearer.
zhang haobo understood that it was probably his various abnormal actions since his rebirth that caught the attention of someone above.
the killing intent from the heavens, the fate of the countless beings in the cong yun sea, should have been predetermined.
wanting to reverse fate will certainly face strong resistance.
on this point, zhang haobo had long been mentally prepared.
predictably, as his strength continues to grow, this obstructive force will become stronger.
however, he is not without assistance.
zhang haobo subconsciously touched his chest, where a faint blue transparent bead was faintly visible.
he was not a water spirit body.
then, under zhang zhiliang's gaze, he continued to focus on studying.
this process seemed endless.
it even made li fan feel like time was passing very slowly.
every second of studying arrays felt like torture.
he couldn't wait for it to end soon.
if it weren't for his firm determination and the three mental trials he underwent at qin tang's trial earlier, his endurance might not have been enough.
after who knows how long, zhang zhiliang brought back another person.
their progress differed, so they weren't taught together.
instead, in this dark starry sky, identical phantoms appeared, separating to lecture the other person.
li fan only then realized that the person who had been teaching him might not be a real person.
the so-called leaving for other matters was just an excuse.
it was probably just to test his diligence when unsupervised.
li fan shook his head, not bothering with the other apprentice.
after setting a two-year deadline reminder, he no longer cared about anything else.
he immersed himself single-mindedly in the study of array techniques.
so, time passed, and he lost track of the years.
one day, while li fan was frowning in thought, his face suddenly changed drastically.
it was as if his brain had been fiercely struck by some giant object, and the world spun around him, stars twinkling.
blood flowed from his nose and eye sockets, giving him a terrifying appearance.
zhang zhiliang's figure suddenly appeared.
he looked at li fan strangely but didn't ask much.
instead, he ignited the silver incense again.
this time, the fragrance was even more intense than before.
the mental trauma caused just now rapidly improved after inhaling this fragrance.
in just half a day, li fan felt his injuries were gone, completely recovered.
at this moment, li fan finally had the chance to check the last image transmitted to his mind.
"zhang haobo broke through to the golden core realm?"
he turned his head slightly, gazing into the distance, a strange expression on his face.
chapter 139: riding the wind, overlooking ten thousand immortals
"the realm has exceeded the limits of the formless killing intent, causing a backlash."
li fan pondered for a moment, then checked the scene he had just witnessed again.
in the pitch-black expanse of the universe, two storms collided with each other.
a green light illuminated the heavens and earth. li fan vaguely saw a small black sword shuttling through the storm.
the killing intent was overwhelming, the speed was extremely fast, accompanied by a blue and green flame.
between the vast sky and water, the energy of the storm destroyed everything, even dispersing the abundant spiritual energy.
only pure wind remained.
the two storms slowly merged and returned to one.
however, the smaller one, like a snake swallowing an elephant, dominated.
after who knows how long, the fusion was finally completed.
at the moment when this new storm took shape, the heavens and earth seemed to suddenly quiet down.
the black sword intent was magnified countless times, standing between the heavens and earth.
green wind blew in from the top of the sword, and blue water flowed into the sword from the bottom.
the three colors, green, blue, and black, mixed together, and the sword slowly condensed.
when the sword intent completely manifested, zhang haobo's angry shout echoed through the sky.
"slash!"
then the scene went black, and the information stopped there.
li fan repeatedly watched this scene several times, and only when zhang zhilang saw him in a daze for a long time did he ask if he needed a break.
only then did li fan stop.
"the method of heaven and earth to refine the golden core."
although he suffered a small injury from the backlash, li fan didn't know how exactly zhang haobo had achieved the golden core.
but suddenly witnessing the first formation of the golden core, li fan couldn't help but feel excited and joyful.
on the path of cultivation, there were many unknowns shrouded in mist.
now, with the help of the power of a son of destiny, he had illuminated a portion of it.
after a long while, the joy gradually faded.
li fan calmed down again and resumed studying formations.
on the side, zhang zhilang, who had watched li fan study, get injured, feel joy, and continue studying, couldn't help but show a content expression on his face.
"although this kid's talent in formation techniques is a bit lacking, his diligence and mentality are quite to my liking. i just don't know how long he can persist."
"hopefully, he won't give up halfway like those before."
...
while li fan was studying formations with dedication on ten thousand immortals island, he was unaware that a giant wind disaster was swiftly moving toward ten thousand immortals island.
the wind disaster and the mountain peaks collided.
a tremendous sound resounded through the heavens and earth.
in the ears of the watching cultivators, there was a continuous rumbling sound, making their expressions change.
they watched in shock as the wind and mountains clashed.
the wind, like a knife, sent rocks flying, instantly shaving off many mountaintops.
a cold snort echoed, and the mountain peaks immediately returned to their original state.
the sky around the green wind disaster suddenly darkened.
one after another, mountain peaks appeared, endlessly appearing one after another.
they surrounded the green wind disaster in the center.
at this moment, a hearty laughter echoed from the wind disaster, "cong yun sea, zhang haobo, greetings to the true monarch!"
the sound spread far and wide, resonating across the entire ten thousand immortals island in an instant.
the cultivators watching this scene were either confused or in disbelief.
through word of mouth, soon, all the cultivators on the island knew who zhang haobo was.
a few years ago, he tested his sword against puppets with qi condensation stage cultivation.
not long ago, he reached foundation establishment, cutting through the green wind with his sword.
now, how could he manipulate such a terrifying storm to press ten thousand immortals island?
looking at his momentum, although not comparable to a true monarch, he was definitely above the nascent soul realm!
how did he achieve this?
ten thousand immortals island was in an uproar.
the sound of discussions filled the air.
but after the initial shock, many discerning cultivators saw through it.
"this zhang haobo may not necessarily have a strong cultivation base himself! he's borrowing momentum!"
"right, in my opinion, this person's cultivation is at most in the golden core stage. it's just that his comprehension of the law of wind is quite astonishing, so he can control such a formidable wind disaster!"
"with his weak strength, he is stirring the might of heaven and earth. ordinary golden core cultivators can never achieve this. how long has he been cultivating? this person's talent is truly terrifying!"
...
on ten thousand immortals island, discussions were endless.
the true monarch, whose form stayed concealed, remained silent for a while.
"why have you come here?"
after a moment, he spoke again.
in the green wind disaster, zhang haobo slowly revealed his figure.
he looked towards the void ahead and smiled slightly, "i am disturbing your peace to seek an audience with senior to discuss important matters!"
chapter 140: even soul transformation are ants
"i have important matters to discuss!"
zhang haobo's voice echoed in the heavens and earth.
the expressions of the cultivators on ten thousand immortals island varied, and their reactions were different.
"he's quite arrogant. just a golden core cultivator, what important matters could he have?"
"yeah, he actually used the power of the wind disaster to force ten thousand immortals island. he's truly underestimating us!"
"why hasn't the true monarch slapped this kid to death with a single palm? it's annoying!"
"watching him take the spotlight is even more uncomfortable than losing a cultivation technique!"
"however, with only golden core cultivation, he has such a demeanor. this person will surely become someone significant in the future."
"practicing for less than a decade, achieving golden core cultivation, facing the winds that overwhelm ten thousand immortals. this feat reminds me of the rumored young master jinglun."
...
ignoring the commotion coming from ten thousand immortals island, zhang haobo remained composed, patiently waiting.
after a moment, a figure suddenly appeared in front.
wearing white clothes, and holding a feather fan, he had a graceful demeanor.
he squinted his eyes, sizing up zhang haobo, "golden core? important matters?"
"it's been a long time since i've encountered such an interesting young person!"
zhang haobo stared directly at the man, his expression unchanged, saying calmly, "golden core, soul transformation, they are all ants."
the hand of the white-clothed soul transformation cultivator, who was fanning himself, stopped. he scrutinized zhang haobo once again.
but this time, there was a hint of seriousness in his gaze.
after a while, he pointed with the feather fan, "so be it, come with me!"
then, the white-clothed soul transformation cultivator and zhang haobo disappeared from the sight of the people on ten thousand immortals island.
only the gigantic green tornado continued to rotate without stopping.
a void suddenly appeared in the sky.
brilliant starlight shone down, and the green wind of the tornado gradually dissipated.
leaving behind the continuous discussion of the cultivators of ten thousand immortals island.
zhang haobo's vision blurred, and he suddenly felt himself appearing on a mountain peak.
mists surrounded the area, with distant mountain ranges barely visible.
the soul transformation cultivator in white stood on the cliff of the mountaintop with his back turned.
"this place forms its own domain, able to isolate from the perception of the heavenly dao. if you have something to say, just speak."̃øv€lß1n.
zhang haobo first observed the surroundings once again, taking a moment to examine them.
with his current cultivation, he couldn't see anything special about this place.
he was focused on researching formations.
whenever he felt tired, the silver spice would ignite itself.
not even a moment of rest.
zhang zhiliang looked at li fan with increasingly satisfied eyes.
this kind of life continued for two years.
when the set reminder time arrived, li fan finally woke up from his studies.
looking somewhat reluctant at the detailed formation map split into countless tiny images in front of him, li fan shifted his gaze to zhang zhiliang.
"master zhang, i have something to attend to and need to go out for a while," li fan explained.
zhang zhiliang nodded, "you've been studying continuously for so long; it's time to take a break."
after thinking for a moment, he handed li fan a white glowing cube.
"this is temporarily loaned to you for protection, in case of any unexpected situations."
observing the cube in his hand, li fan could see traces of dozens of superimposed formations.
zhang zhiliang continued, "this is the formation crown, formed by the superposition of over a hundred different formations."
"among them, the most precious one is a teleportation formation."
"when encountering an opponent you can't match, you can use this teleportation formation to be transported to a random location one hundred thousand miles away."
"after studying with me for so long, you should know how to use this item. i won't go into details."
li fan understood the preciousness of this item because the formations within the formation crown were not one-time use.
after each activation, it could absorb surrounding spiritual energy on its own for recharging.
once the recharging was complete, it could be used again.
compared to formations that could only be used a few times and often got damaged, this item was much superior.
zhang zhiliang entrusting this item to li fan also indicated a certain level of trust in him.
li fan immediately thanked zhang zhiliang and then left the formation hall.
this time, he naturally had to go out because the time for the appearance of the canghai pearl was approaching.
the canghai pearl was the foundation treasure that li fan had set for this life, and there could be no mistakes.
so, he left seclusion in advance to go to flowing cloud island for observation.
not in a hurry to set out, li fan inquired about significant events that had occurred in the past two years.
this way, he learned about the turmoil caused by zhang haobo.
"indeed, a grand move. remarkable bearing, truly remarkable!" li fan praised.
"now, considering the situation, the ten thousand immortals alliance should already know that the incident of crimson flame will happen next."
"i wonder how they will respond to it."
chapter 141: fortunately obtaining the canghai pearl
during the two years, besides zhang haobo's wind shepherding towards ten thousand immortals island, several major events occurred.
in the 21st year, at the edge of the cong yun sea, near the endless ocean, two soul transformation true monarchs engaged in a mysterious battle that lasted for over a month, with no clear winner.
eventually, the sky tore open, and a dazzling starlight enveloped them, putting an end to the fierce battle that had attracted numerous onlookers.
around the same time, shortly after the two soul transformation true monarchs' battle, in the yuandao prefecture adjacent to the cong yun sea, a heavenly anomaly shrouded the entire province. the blue feather immortal sage, a cultivator in the dao integration realm, fell.
the blue feather immortal sage was rumored to be a senior cultivator who had survived the great calamity and had controlled the yuandao prefecture for nearly three thousand years. however, he couldn't achieve longevity and eventually succumbed to the end of his life.
after the blue feather immortal sage's death, the yuandao prefecture fell into considerable turmoil.
in the 22nd year, in the northwest sea area of the cong yun sea, a daoist cave rose from the sea and flew straight toward the direction of the jiushan prefecture.
this incident piqued the curiosity of many cultivators, who followed to investigate, but none of them returned, their whereabouts unknown.
...
li fan meticulously recorded these events. then, he checked the records of his communication talismans.
the collection of dao resonance artifacts seemed to progress quite smoothly. with guidance from a group of exceptional talents, progress was better than anticipated.
however, zhao erbao's reports became increasingly sporadic, with the latest message arriving six months ago. it seemed he needed another profound lesson.
xiao heng rarely disturbed li fan. su xiaomei, on the other hand, sent messages to li fan every now and then, reporting her progress and sharing news.
born with an innate physique, su xiaomei's cultivation progressed rapidly. in just over two years, she had reached the qi condensation late stage. xiao heng's progress was slightly slower, at the qi condensation middle stage, but he was said to be on the verge of a breakthrough.
...
the rest of the messages were casual greetings from cultivators li fan had befriended on the island. nothing of great importance.
however, upon entering the tianxuan mirror, li fan noticed that during the 21st year, a qi condensation cultivator named he xinxin had sent several visitation requests.
these requests continued intermittently until half a year ago when they suddenly stopped. li fan found it strange and couldn't help but think of he zhenghao.
suddenly, he remembered the first time he encountered a wind disaster on liuli island in his previous life. the protective formation was activated by a female cultivator. however, they never met again, and li fan gradually forgot about it.
"he xinxin should have stayed in the cong yun sea for a while and then left?" li fan could only speculate.
in the illusion, zhao erbao once again found himself in the nightmare where ancient artifacts were smashed. however, having experienced it two times before, he had developed some resistance.
so, he struggled to wake up from the illusion.
but he pretended to be still immersed in the illusion, intending to deceive li fan.
it wasn't until li fan appeared that he suddenly attacked. with one strike, he seemingly killed li fan.
looking at the body lying on the ground, the nightmares that had haunted him for so many years were finally eliminated. zhao erbao proudly howled to the sky.
however, he found that there was no death announcement from the heavens.
when he looked again, he saw li fan's head, revealing a strange smile.
the surroundings shattered like glass, and he returned to his own base.
time seemed to rewind to the day he first met li fan. he was explaining the origin of dao resonance artifacts to li fan.
however, things took a turn. li fan, indifferent to the idea of reproducing dao resonance, directly smashed the ancient artifacts in the base and slapped him on the head.
the scene turned black, and zhao erbao woke up abruptly.
drenched in cold sweat, he was initially confused, then suddenly looked around.
not seeing li fan's figure, he was a bit unsure whether it was still an illusion or reality.
after a long time, zhao erbao finally regained his senses.
knowing it was a warning from li fan, he hastily sent a report message to li fan.
observing zhao erbao's expressions and actions in the shadows, li fan knew the intimidation had been successful.
"however, this is not a long-term solution. in the future, when the opportunity arises, i must find a method specifically for controlling cultivators."
after that, li fan went to check on su changyu.
the miasma cleansing was still not completed, but su changyu remained steady, persevering without arrogance or impatience.
combined with the occasional treasures that su xiaomei and xiao heng brought him, which were said to help eliminate the miasma in his body, the complete cleansing was not far off.
chapter 142: far away from the cong yun sea
due to their joint responsibility for collecting dao resonance artifacts, su xiaomei, yin yueting, and yin yuzhen became very close. additionally, su xiaomei had limited contact with outsiders since childhood, except for xiao heng and su changyu, so the two years of close companionship cultivated some feelings between them.
under su xiaomei's encouragement, yin yueting and her sister also began practicing the "cleansing heart mantra," attempting to eliminate the miasma in their bodies and embark on the path of immortality. however, their cultivation progress was slower than su changyu's.
observing from the sidelines, li fan did not reveal himself. once he confirmed that there were no unexpected situations, he returned to the ten thousand immortals island.
returning the formation crown to zhang zhiliang, li fan immersed himself once again in the study of formations. at this time, it was the 22nd year, and he had set a time limit of six years for himself.
in the previous life, when he emerged from seclusion in the 31st year, the destruction of the sea had already begun. in the 30th year, he even went to ten thousand immortals island and submitted the tai'an fruit.
so, the appearance of the crimson flame should be between the 30th and 31st years. however, with the unstable factor of zhang haobo in this life, li fan decided to leave no later than the 28th year, just to be safe.
before that, he needed to make the most of his time to learn formations. after arriving in the unfamiliar yuandao prefecture, it would be challenging to find a formation master to teach him once more.
time was running out, and li fan became even more diligent. immersed in the study of formations, he worked tirelessly without rest. even zhang zhiliang's well-intentioned advice to take a break was firmly refused.
over the years, the apprentices around zhang zhiliang changed repeatedly. however, none of them were as focused and unwavering as li fan.
as time passed, four years flew by in the blink of an eye. the time came to the 26th year, and li fan, who was reading formations, was slightly stunned. his clone, fan lin, who had been in seclusion for so long to derive new techniques, had run out of contribution points and was forced to leave seclusion.
the result of the equivalent of two hundred and seventy years of comprehension was not bad but not excellent either. creating a technique from scratch was extremely difficult, even if it was just a modification of an existing technique.
out of the two techniques, only one was derived, and the progress of the other was only halfway complete. li fan estimated that it would take about thirty more years to complete.
on average, it would take him about one hundred and fifty years to derive a new technique at the foundation establishment stage. no wonder the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association could monopolize techniques. li fan couldn't help but sigh at the overwhelming cost compared to the benefits.
li fan examined the new technique he had comprehended: "spirit intent illusion technique." it was a synthesis of the "netherworld spirit illusion technique" and the insights into sword intent foundation from zhang haobo. with this technique, the azure flame illusionary spirit would further grow.
as for the new movement technique based on the "stalking shadow technique," it had not been derived yet.
...
on the transmission square, the black box stored in the storage ring, li fan attempted to use the teleportation formation. unsurprisingly, it still worked.
it seemed that the task assigned by zhang zhiliang was just an excuse to send li fan far away from the cong yun sea. the reason for saying he couldn't use teleportation formations was to prevent li fan from returning quickly.
watching the cultivators of the cong yun sea who came and went hastily in front of the transmission formation, li fan understood it was time.
using a communication talisman, he contacted su xiaomei and asked her and the others to wait on night island.
then, using the teleportation formation, he arrived at liuli island, planning to leave with su xiaomei and the others.
unexpectedly, just as he stepped out of the teleportation formation, he was stopped by the guardian of liuli island, yuwen xing.
"i have a good job here. i don't know if you're interested?" yuwen xing looked at li fan warmly.
"oh? i don't know what the job is." li fan politely asked but didn't take it to heart. regardless of what yuwen xing said, he would definitely refuse.
"the guardian of tai'an island and i have a good relationship. currently, he is facing a bottleneck in his cultivation and wants to go out to seek opportunities. however, due to his responsibilities, he can't leave without authorization. so, he asked me if i could recommend a suitable person."
"coincidentally, i ran into you."
yuwen xing said with a smile.
li fan only needed to hear one sentence to know something was wrong. when yuwen xing finished speaking, his face turned dark.
"no, no. i have been entrusted by someone else with a task and need to go out for a trip. i really can't spare the time."
"please ask someone else!" li fan bluntly refused with his hands cupped.
chapter 143: the appearance of crimson flame
"that's a pity," yuwen xing said with regret as he looked at li fan.
li fan was about to leave but suddenly thought of something.
he asked, "fellow daoist yuwen, i wonder, what is the cultivation level of the guardian of tai'an island?"
yuwen xing was a bit puzzled about why li fan would ask such a question, but it wasn't a secret, so he answered, "fellow daoist zhou qingang is at the mid foundation establishment level. it hasn't been long since he broke through from the early foundation establishment stage, only about twenty or thirty years. it's unexpected that he's about to break through again so soon. truly enviable!"
li fan nodded thoughtfully and said, "i see. this zhou qingang seems to have some issues..."
however, since li fan was planning to slip away, this matter had nothing to do with him. he just kept it in mind.
after bidding farewell to yuwen xing, li fan hurried to night island.
su xiaomei and the others had already gathered.
in the six years that had passed, everyone had undergone earth-shaking changes.nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
su changyu had successfully entered the qi condensation stage, practicing the "concealed jade art" that xiao heng had exchanged for him.
xiao heng, unable to contact li fan for years, joined the ten thousand immortals alliance through the introduction of zhao erbao. they undertook various tasks to accumulate contribution points. both of them were now at the late qi condensation stage, preparing for foundation establishment.
as for yin yueting and yin yuzhen, they had successfully removed the miasma from their bodies, although they had not yet succeeded in condensing qi into their bodies.
although he was at the late qi condensation stage as well, li fan activated the concealing form talisman on his body, and su xiaomei and the others couldn't see his true cultivation level.
li fan asked zhao erbao, "how is the collection of dao resonance antiques going?"
in recent years, zhao erbao has been very obedient, having experienced hardships under li fan. later, seeing the several juniors brought by li fan rapidly surpassing him in cultivation, he became even more docile.
he honestly confessed, "we're still a few artifacts short, but it should be enough to reproduce the dao resonance soon. it should take another year or two."
li fan shook his head. "there's no time. let's get ready to leave."
"leave? where are we going?" zhao erbao looked a bit confused.
"yuandao prefecture," li fan answered without explaining why.
then, li fan looked at su xiaomei and the others. "are you willing to go with me?"
"master, wherever you go, i will follow," su xiaomei said with a cheerful smile, not asking why they suddenly had to leave.
although so much time had passed, for some reason, she still looked like a seven or eight-year-old child.
seeing li fan asking, she immediately expressed her loyalty.
"we will naturally go with xiaomei." xiao heng and su changyu had no objections.
"cultivation cave?" the guardian of zhuo ling city, fei nan, was a foundation establishment late-stage cultivator. at this moment, he was somewhat surprised by li fan's question.
because generally, cultivators from the ten thousand immortals alliance would either settle directly in yuandao heavenly city or stay in the tianxuan mirror.
only those eccentric cultivators who liked solitude would go through the trouble of opening cultivation caves in the wilderness.
fei nan didn't inquire further, especially since li fan generously offered a consultation fee of one hundred contribution points. fei nan immediately warmly provided li fan with several locations to choose from.
the first location was a gorge more than two thousand miles north of zhuo ling city.
looking down from the sky, the mountain peaks on both sides were like natural barriers, protecting the gorge in the center. the gorge was abundant in spiritual energy, and it wasn't too far from yuandao heavenly city.
the second location was to the south of zhuo ling city, more than three thousand miles away, where there was a continuous mountain range called the daoling mountains.
legend had it that it used to be the site of a certain sect before the great calamity. in the daoling mountain range, there were several suitable peaks for opening cultivation caves. the downside was that occasionally, cultivators would come to explore the remnants of the sect.
the third location was relatively remote.
more than five thousand miles west of zhuo ling city, near shilin prefecture, there was a vast lake called mingyue lake, several hundred miles in diameter.
the lake itself had no valuable resources, and there were no ancient relics nearby. the density of spiritual energy in the vicinity was also ordinary.
so, few cultivators ventured there.
after listening, li fan thanked fei nan and left.
among these places, it seemed that mingyue lake was most suitable as a cultivation cave.
however, li fan wasn't in a hurry to make a decision; he believed seeing was believing.
he rejoined su xiaomei and the others, lifted the tai yan boat, and headed towards mingyue lake.
meanwhile, as li fan and his group were looking for a future residence, a grand drama quietly unfolded over the cong yun sea.
it was already midnight.
no stars or moon were visible, making it pitch dark.
on ten thousand immortals island, everything was silent.
suddenly, without warning, a huge sun appeared in the sky.
the sunlight was intense, illuminating everything.
under this artificial daylight, the cong yun sea, which was shrouded in darkness, became as bright as day.
and beneath the great sun, in the high sky, a red, transparent figure suddenly appeared.
chapter 144: all immortals execute crimson flame
the night suddenly became day under the great sun.
this strange scene attracted the attention of all the living beings in the cong yun sea who had not yet rested, causing them to look up at the sky.
at the same time, an ancient voice also echoed from the heavens, seeming like thunder, instantly spreading throughout the entire cong yun sea.
"since you begged for my help, i will lend a hand. whether you succeed or not depends on your own fortune!"
under the illumination of the great sun, the figure of the heavenly spirit that could not be seen by ordinary people, crimson flame, was now clearly revealed.
"what is that?"
compared to the sun illuminating the cong yun sea, this crimson figure was extremely tiny.
but all cultivators' gazes were involuntarily attracted by it.
greed surged from their hearts.
reason disappeared as cultivators one after another flew towards the sky like moths to a flame.
before even getting close, their whole bodies were incinerated by fierce flames.
dots of death announcements like fireworks continuously appeared in the sky.
ten thousand immortals island had already fallen into chaos.
"it's a heavenly spirit! after consuming it, one can achieve dao integration!"
countless cultivators' eyes turned bloodshot as they babbled incessantly.
in an instant, cultivators blinded by greed flew towards the sky as if possessed.
however, when their flight altitude exceeded the statue of the immortal ancestor, rays of white light simultaneously shot out from the various statues in the transmission square, bombarding these transgressors into pieces.
above ten thousand immortals island, all kinds of death announcements instantly appeared.
but the fear of death could not stop the greed of cultivators at all.
white lights kept flashing, and each time they lit up, at least several cultivators lost their lives.
observing through his clone, li fan was also shocked and mesmerized by the cruel yet magnificent scene before his eyes.
although he had witnessed the heavenly spirit many times and knew its fatal allure to cultivators, when it really happened before his eyes, li fan realized that he still underestimated its attraction to cultivators.
fearless of death, they pressed forward successively.
in the blink of an eye, at least hundreds of cultivators had lost their lives because of it.
moreover, the heavenly spirit's attraction kept growing stronger.
even those cultivators barely holding onto their original temperance seemed about to lose their persistence.
at this moment, a rainbow-colored shield abruptly expanded from the central core area of ten thousand immortals island.
in an instant, it covered the entire ten thousand immortals island.
the seven-colored radiance, misty and flowing, slightly blocked the cultivators' line of sight towards the heavenly spirit.
as if seen through a thin veil, although they could still clearly see everything happening high in the sky, the surging desires in their hearts gradually faded away.
"the seven-colored immortal-felling formation..." as li fan looked at the rainbow shield, before he could think further, his attention was drawn back to the scene in the sky.
the cultivators on ten thousand immortals island who had just escaped death also did not have time to discuss among themselves. their attraction grew more as time passed.
the heavenly spirit, crimson flame.
it seemed to have just emerged into the world and was illuminated by the great sun overhead.
after such a long time, its figure finally fully condensed.
ignoring the ants recklessly flying to their deaths below, it looked up at the sun shining in the night sky.
flames abruptly surged around its body as it was about to take action.
but then, in the heavens, a splendid river of stars composed of countless twinkling lights soundlessly appeared.
under the rare scene of the stars and sun sharing the sky together, the silvery starlight interwove with the scorching sunlight.
it formed a cage that trapped the crimson flame within.
"the waters of the lancang river come down from heaven!"
an unrestrained laughter echoed across the sky.
shrouded by the star river, torrents of river water a thousand feet deep descended from the sky as if like a spear piercing downwards.
the roaring waters were like a dragon, slamming down towards the crimson flame.
but before even getting close to the crimson flame, the surging waters were evaporated by the scorching heat.
however, the flowing river never stopped, and it slightly delayed the crimson flame's actions.
at the same time, all living beings in the cong yun sea heard the tender voice of a 5 or 6-year-old boy.
"tian yang's soul..."
a strange mechanical voice followed.
"not weaker than man!"
black and red flames soared into the sky, transforming into fiery chains that instantly locked the crimson flame's four limbs.
under the scorching pure red flames, the black and red chains continuously fell back.
some were assimilated into the crimson blaze, while other chains turned into black ash and fell from the sky.
"not weaker!"
"than man!"
the childish and mechanical voices echoed across the sky together.
full of stubbornness.
the black and red chains suddenly regained their previous shape out of thin air.
tightly pulling at the crimson flame's hands and feet.
in the sky, within the brilliant star river, a star transformed into purple light and descended from afar.
in an instant, crossing numerous spatial barriers, it smashed onto the crimson flame.
it didn't create the earth-shattering impact as imagined.
after the purple light approached, it was vaporized into nothingness by the unimaginably high temperature.
it only caused the flames to flicker slightly, with no other apparent impact.
the crimson flame tilted its head slightly, seemingly mocking.
"fellow daoist hongxi, fellow daoist haoxuan, if not now, when will you act?"
a steady female voice urged.
"boom! boom! boom!"
faint rumblings echoed in the heavens and earth.
"mountain!"
an inverted mountain peak that looked extremely small suddenly appeared above the crimson flame's head in an instant.
the needle-like mountain peak pressed down on the crimson flame.
"mountain!"
"mountain!"
"mountain!"
...
the young man's voice resounded one after another.
above, below, left, right, front, and back of the crimson flame, multiple inverted mountains simultaneously appeared.
they trapped the crimson flame in the middle.̃øv€lß1n.
and behind each mountain peak, the shadows of several other peaks could be faintly seen.
inverted mountains pressed down from all directions.
the immense pressure distorted the space around the crimson flame.
but, the moment each mountain approached the crimson flame, they were scorched into nothingness by the fiery heat.
at this moment, the crimson flame faced attacks from the chains of tian yang, the falling starlight, the lancang river water, and the inverted mountains.
the flames surging around its body indicated that it was no longer as relaxed as at the beginning.
therefore, it prepared to make a move.
"center!"
just at this moment, a thunderous shout echoed in the heavens and earth.
a silver light suddenly appeared and pierced through its chest.
the crimson flame's body slightly hesitated.
the flames surged, and the silver radiance disappeared in an instant.
"center!"
another silver radiance pierced through its body.
yet, it appeared oblivious and began its counterattack.
extending its hand, it lightly flicked its finger.
a terrifying red light burst forth, momentarily surpassing the brightness of the sun in the sky.
amidst the explosion of flames.
the inverted mountains in all directions were instantly blasted away, collapsing in disarray.
flames churned around its body as it dragged the tian yang chains and threw a fist at the white lancang river water dragon.
white mist tumbled as the waterfall in the sky instantly dried up.
a ray of red light shot out from the crimson flame's eyes, colliding with the purple light falling from the star river.
rising upwards, like a meteor flying in reverse, it bombarded the brilliant star river.
the starlight darkened as the river sustained a heavy strike.
in just a moment, under the crimson flame's casual counterattack, the originally magnificent combined strike of the five true monarchs already showed signs of defeat.
in the cong yun sea, the cultivators on ten thousand immortals island had all lost their voices at this scene.
not long ago, they were still shocked by the earth-shattering divine abilities of the true monarchs.
but now, as the dao integration realm crimson flame took action, they finally understood.
that insurmountable chasm between the dao integration realm and the soul transformation realm.
little by little, aside from li fan, many other cultivators also noticed the anomaly.
"quick, look over there, what is that?"
"could it be another true monarch joining the battle?"
"that silhouette looks so familiar, have i seen it somewhere before?"
"it's zhang haobo who attacked ten thousand immortals island back then!"
amidst the crowd's cries of alarm, zhang haobo's figure followed the wind and rapidly expanded, in a flash becoming as enormous as a mountain.
"this is..."
"golden core dharma body! he actually shattered his golden core!"
"why? such a young cultivator at golden core realm has boundless prospects ahead!"
information regarding the golden core dharma body instantly surfaced in li fan's mind.
refining the golden core required peeping into the laws of heaven and earth.
if foundation building used enlightenment from the laws contained in heavenly treasures to build one's dao foundation, then the golden core consists of the laws personally comprehended by the cultivator.
the golden core dharma body is the embodiment of law condensed in one's golden core.
when detonating both it and the physical body, one could form a body purely composed of laws that briefly existed in heaven and earth.
the dharma body could only persist for less than half a day.
once it dissipated, it signified the cultivator's complete death.
only golden core cultivators facing mortal peril would use this method as an all-out strike.
yet he didn't expect zhang haobo to unhesitatingly utilize it for no reason.
what was he trying to do?
the cultivators on ten thousand immortals island all focused their gazes on this golden core dharma body.
a thought that they dared not believe flashed in their minds in unison.
did he want to slay a dao integration realm as golden core?
not even in their dreams would anyone dare attempt this.
however...
zhang haobo dared!
his body had grown to the limit, resembling a mountain.
watching the raging battle not far away in the sky, the crimson flame and the five soul transformation true monarchs were still fighting.
an inexplicable expression appeared on his face.
extending his left hand, a deep blue water droplet appeared in the palm of his hand.
with a mixture of gratitude and nostalgia in his gaze, zhang haobo's eyes flashed with a trace of determination.
suddenly, he clenched his hand, and the blue water droplet burst open with a resounding noise.
endless blue light emerged from it, absorbed by zhang haobo.
and below, the cong yun sea seemed to boil instantly, creating waves without wind.
in the midst of the surging waves, countless blue dots of light rapidly flew towards zhang haobo.
zhang haobo's body instantly expanded several times again.
like a giant towering into the sky, with the black sky above his head and the blue sea beneath his feet, his eyes were level with the crimson flame.
zhang haobo looked at the familiar figure in front of him and said loudly.
"you!"
"destroyed my hometown!"
"burned my relatives!"
he paused, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"now..."
"receive my sword!"
a dazzling blue light suddenly lit up between the sky and the sea.
the brilliance was dazzling, surpassing even the great sun in the sky.
at this moment, all the cultivators watching here instinctively closed their eyes.
zhang haobo, embodying the sword, slashed forward in an instant.
fearless of life and death, he pressed forward!
"this sword!"
"i've waited for sixteen years!"
the attacks of the five true monarchs intensified like a sudden rainstorm, immobilizing the crimson flame.
in the blink of an eye, the blue sword shadow crossed through multiple layers of spatial barriers and slashed down upon the crimson flame!
passing through its body, the momentum unabated, it flew towards the distance.
however, zhang haobo had returned to his normal size.
the lower part of his body had completely dissipated.
only the upper body floated in the air.
his hands firmly grasped the crimson flame, and under the purely scorching flame laws, his dharma body began to dissolve like a melting candle.
soon, his features became blurred and grotesque.
but he never let go.
zhang haobo smiled again and said the last words.
"in fact..."
"i lied to you just now."
"i..."
"still have twenty-seven swords."
before the words fell, from various parts of the cong yun sea.
waves surged, emitting a deafening roar.
this was not just zhang haobo's power but the will of the entire cong yun sea.
the sky wanted to burn the sea, but the sea resisted.
so...
receive the twenty-eight swords of the cong yun sea!
the remaining twenty-seven strands of blue light instantly took form.
covering the sky, shining on all living beings.
aimed at the crimson flame locked by zhang haobo, they arrived in an instant.
twenty-seven swords, piercing through one after another.
cracks of blue appeared on the transparent body of the crimson flame.
it silently looked at zhang haobo, who was almost completely melting while still gripping it, expressionless.
then...
the flames suddenly dimmed.
the red figure gradually became transparent, as if melting into water, slowly dissipating.
at the same time, zhang haobo, who had only half a head left, gained a sudden surge of strength.
a body made of flames was generated from below his head.
a wave of pressure manifested simultaneously.
the five true monarchs were forced to reveal their figures, descending to the sea surface.
even the sun in the sky had to retract its radiance.
flames danced around, and zhang haobo's body finally fully formed.
he looked down at the beings in the cong yun sea below, his face devoid of joy or sorrow.
a new dao integration realm immortal sage was born.
on the ten thousand immortals island, there was silence.
all the cultivators, their gazes fixed, found it hard to believe what they were seeing.
"dao integration realm immortal sage, a dao integration realm immortal sage who cultivated for sixteen years..."
they couldn't help but mutter to themselves.
even li fan, the instigator of all this, looked at the figure in the sky with shock.
"he actually, actually accomplished it?"
the waves in the cong yun sea surged, seemingly celebrating the birth of the new immortal sage and the escape from a disaster.
all eyes of every creature were now focused on the dao integration realm immortal sage, zhang haobo.
admiration, envy, fear...
various emotions arose.
...
at this moment.
a thin black line silently pierced through zhang haobo's chest.
behind him, a figure completely composed of a deep ink color appeared out of thin air.
in the cong yun sea, at the moment when all beings saw this ink-colored figure, their souls trembled uncontrollably.
the moment they saw it, they knew its name.
ink death.
zhang haobo, stunned, tried to turn around.
but he found that he could no longer move.
his breath instantly weakened.
zhang haobo died!
chapter 145: ink death exterminates cong yun sea
crimson clouds suddenly emerged in the sky, shrouding the entire cong yun sea endlessly.
a passage naturally surfaced in the minds of all the beings who witnessed this strange scene.
"crimson flame immortal sage zhang haobo cultivated for 16 years. had built his foundation using the heavenly treasure 'heavenly calamity sword intent', and had achieved golden core through the 'water wind sword technique'."
"he sacrificed the heavenly spirit crimson flame to achieve dao integration."
"fortunately, he was executed by the heavenly spirit ink death, and his dao was dissipated and returned to the heavens!"
however, the cultivators on ten thousand immortals island had no time to look at this shocking scene.
because...
true terror had arrived.
when that ink-black figure had appeared behind zhang haobo and executed him.
the white-robed true monarch hongxi let out a stern shout: "go!"
in an instant, the inverted mountains, lancang river waters, purple starlight, dazzling silver lights, and black fire chains all smashed towards the ink-colored figure.
trying to buy some time.
faced with an unfamiliar heavenly spirit, the five true monarchs unanimously chose to flee the cong yun sea.
the aura from that ink-colored figure also made them feel fear from the bottom of their hearts.
but it was too late.
ink death lightly waved his right hand upwards, and a black line shot into the great sun in the sky.
a muffled groan came from within.
a black spot abruptly appeared in the golden sun.
it was so conspicuous, then like a sun-devouring creature, it quickly expanded outwards.
the light gradually disappeared.
darkness descended upon the cong yun sea.
at the same time, ink death split into five, instantly appearing in different directions.
five black strands arrived in a flash, piercing through the five true monarchs' bodies.
the river dried up, true monarch lancang was dead!
the black flames abruptly vanished, true monarch tai yang was dead!
the mountain range collapsed, true monarch hongxi was dead!
a hidden stalactite in the sky shattered inch by inch, true monarch haoxuan was dead!
in the splendid star river, countless stars successively exploded.
the starry sky abruptly became extremely gloomy.
the torn heavens gradually recovered.
only a meteor remained, streaking across the horizon.
true monarch ziyun was heavily injured and escaped!
in an instant, out of five true monarchs, four were dead and one was heavily injured.
right after that, ink death split into five thousand.
in a flash, penetrating through those hundreds of thousands of white formation fortifications.
like dense ink dripping into clear water, all the white squares instantly turned pitch black.
zhang zhiliang who had been hiding in the air relying on the formation fortifications, could no longer hide.
a drop of ink effortlessly pierced through zhang zhiliang's chest.
at the wound, black ink markings appeared.
his flesh and blood turned into countless tiny black particles, instantly swallowing zhang zhiliang.
zhang zhiliang, first in formations in the cong yun sea, was dead!
in the sky, the hundreds of thousands of ink droplets simultaneously squirmed, merging into one.
one dao integration immortal sage, four soul transformation true monarchs, one nascent soul true lord.
all had perished at the same time.
the various phenomena in cong yun sea's sky intertwined and fused together.
yet all was dyed black by the flying black particles, forming a bizarre, fantastical splashed ink painting.
the heavenly spirit ink death stood below the ink painting, looking down on the living beings of the cong yun sea.
raising his head and looking up at the sky, strands of information like hellish hymns started playing in the minds of living beings, continuously echoing.
"true monarch lancang..."
"...true monarch yang..."
"...true monarch..."
......
"had cultivated for 1653 years..."
"...1436 years..."
"...years..."
......
"had built his foundation using the heavenly treasure white dragon flower..."
"...built his foundation..."
"...foundation"
......
"fortunately, he was executed by the heavens, and his dao dissipated and returned to the heavens!"
"fortunately, he was executed by the heavens, and his dao dissipated and returned to the heavens!"
"his dao had dissipated and returned to the heavens!"
"his dao had dissipated and returned to the heavens!"
"his dao had dissipated and returned to the heavens!"
......
ink death is silent, heaven and earth sing his intent.
this is a silent threat, an unspoken warning.
this is heaven and earth, showcasing their true power before the cultivators.
the cultivators on ten thousand immortals island watched as the once aloof and mighty soul transformation true monarchs were easily and casually slaughtered like dogs and chickens.
this terrifying scene made all the cultivators' hearts turn cold.
some trembled all over, collapsing limply on the ground with vacant eyes.
some became crazed, losing all reason and randomly fleeing around.
some had bloodshot eyes, disregarding the gap in strength and attacking ink death.
......
ink death's head turned slightly, glancing down at ten thousand immortals island below, then retracted his gaze, sweeping across cong yun sea.
in a flash, his body split up, changing again into thousands of tiny black particles.
then, thousands became millions, millions became billions, and billions became trillions.
innumerable black particles proliferated outwards.
finally, they formed an ink-colored curtain, shrouding the entire cong yun sea.
the black particles squirmed as they endlessly multiplied downwards.
the seven-colored radiance on ten thousand immortals island flowed, barely blocking it.
but countless tiny gnawing sounds rang out, and the radiance instantly dimmed.
outside of ten thousand immortals island, nothing obstructed these black particles.
the ocean surged, seemingly wanting to desperately resist.
but the seawater swirling in the air was the first to be devoured and transformed.
the black curtain pressed down from the sky.
swallowing islands and oceans.
soil, rocks, life, seawater...
everything, everything was gnawed and transformed into black particles.
islands were annihilated.
the sea level kept dropping downwards.
in less than half a day, the blue ocean completely disappeared from sight.
ten thousand immortals island was completely surrounded by the black particles.
endless darkness enshrouded the island's immortals, with nowhere to escape.
this was a true apocalypse.
this was a disaster tens of thousands of times more terrifying than crimson flame burning the ocean.
on ten thousand immortals island, the seven-colored protective shield could no longer hold on, shattering like broken glass.
the towering statue of the immortal ancestor instantly became the black particles' first targets of attack.
the ten thousand immortals guardian formation's protective rays continuously attacked, but falling into this black ocean, it too only became nutrients for the black particles.
the instant ten thousand immortals island was completely destroyed by ink death, li fan sensed it and looked towards the distance.
"master, what's wrong?"
su xiaomei noticed li fan's abnormality and curiously asked.
li fan shook his head and didn't answer.
at this time, after a few days of travel, they arrived at the vicinity of mingyue lake.
this region was as fei nan said: resources were scarce and few cultivators came here.
it was far from yuandao heavenly city, which was very inconvenient.
although unsuitable for most cultivators to establish a base, for li fan it was not a bad choice.
one reason was because next, li fan would use the canghai pearl to build his foundation.
this eight-hundred-kilometer mingyue lake contained vast amounts of misty water, and its water attribute spiritual qi density was not lacking compared to the cong yun sea.
very suitable for li fan.
secondly, precisely because few cultivators came here, storing dao resonance artifacts would be safer, as there would be no worry that others might discover them.
however, establishing a base was a major matter.
he still needed to personally scout out whether there were any oddities within this lake.
otherwise, if he built his nest in someone else's home, it would truly be laughable.
li fan flew above the lake's surface, preparing to investigate thoroughly.
but his figure abruptly stopped.
between heaven and earth, an enormous cluster of blue water radiance suddenly appeared out of the void.
returning to the canghai pearl.
at the same time, countless images appeared in li fan's mind.
"so the matter could not be accomplished and you've finally returned?"
the previously extremely weak canghai pearl slowly absorbed this sudden blue radiance, finally returning to the deep blue appearance li fan saw in his past life.
even more, because the cong yun sea was executed prematurely, the canghai pearl also accelerated its maturation process.
li fan estimated that this earthly treasure that was still gestating would completely form before long.
with the return of the portion of power the canghai pearl split off, li fan also came to know what happened with zhang haobo.
initially, when using the cloud water illusory dream art to create the "reincarnator" zhang haobo, li fan didn't consider using the canghai pearl on him because this object would be his foundation treasure in this life.
but...
this world was not an unchanging game, matters would not all develop as he anticipated.
after zhang haobo "reincarnated", his fortune flowed and his destiny rapidly changed.
this attracted the attention of cong yun sea's consciousness.
and after some contact, cong yun sea discovered an earth-shattering secret.
this strangely fortunate person seemed to be able to know of future events.
to be specific, crimson flame's descent and burning of cong yun sea.
and with this belief, along with past experiences, the cong yun sea confirmed the credibility of this news.
more than ten years later, it would truly be scorched and dried up.
so, cong yun sea made a different choice than the previous life.
in the previous life, when crimson flame simmered the ocean, it was originally very covert.
by the time cong yun sea noticed, it was already too late to resist.
but, it was unwilling to accept this.
so although it withered away, it would be reborn anew.
this life, the heavens wanted to burn the ocean, so the ocean decided to make an all-out desperate struggle.
but it would still leave itself a way out.
therefore, it split its power into two parts.
one part continued to transform into the canghai pearl.
the other part then gathered in the "reincarnator" zhang haobo.
because even with its endless vast power, it could not personally take action.
the heavens wanted to burn the ocean but still needed to manifest the heavenly spirit.
to counterattack, it naturally also needed a spokesperson.
and zhang haobo was naturally the best candidate.
everything proceeded very smoothly.
with its help, zhang haobo's cultivation level rose unimaginably fast.
in just a few short years, he broke through to late qi condensation.
under its guidance and protection, zhang haobo was also able to observe the battle between green wind and the sword hilt, successfully building his foundation using it.
then, with the false core formation cultivation base, he trespassed ten thousand immortals island and met the island's soul transformation true monarch.
although they were skeptical about what zhang haobo said regarding foretelling the future, under the temptation of the dao integration realm and after asking in detail approximately how long it took for crimson flame to burn the ocean, they still made a decision.
to ambush the soon-to-descend crimson flame.
for this, the white-robed true monarch hongxi contacted the other soul transformation cultivator of ten thousand immortals island, true monarch ziyun.
he also invited over true monarch tai yang, whom he previously had a battle with.
the three asked zhang haobo again about the details of his prophecy of crimson flame.
after discussing it, they still felt it wasn't safe enough.
therefore, hongxi went tens of thousands of kilometers away to feiling prefecture, inviting the dao integration realm expert, true monarch golden sun, to lead them.
during this time, he also invited two more soul transformation cultivators, true monarch lancang and true monarch haoxuan, to battle in the cong yun sea.
so true monarch ziyun initiated the starlight teleportation technique to invite them over to ten thousand immortals island as guests.
inviting them to jointly work together to slay crimson flame.
for soul transformation cultivators, the enticement of the dao integration realm was extremely difficult to resist.
so the two readily agreed.
with one dao integration realm expert leading, five soul transformations surrounding and attacking, plus a nascent soul realm formation master preparing hundreds of thousands of formations.
with intentions aligned, a plan was formed to kill the heavenly spirit which took nearly ten years to burn the ocean.
the odds of success could not be considered small.
and matters did indeed turn out as such.
with golden sun immortal sage and true monarch ziyun joining hands, the sun-star cage cut off crimson flame's connection to heaven and earth's primal energy.
crimson flame's defeat seemed only a matter of time.
but zhang haobo and the cong yun sea, who were observing by the side, felt uneasy in their hearts.
so they decided to take action personally.
for a mere golden core cultivator to intervene in the contest between dao integration realm and soul transformation seemed preposterous.
but it was not entirely impossible.
because the one taking action was not zhang haobo, but rather cong yun sea itself.
the cong yun sea had accumulated power for who knows how many years, and already bordered on the dao integration realm.
it was too much for a golden core cultivator's body to bear.
therefore, zhang haobo decisively shattered his core, utilizing a body purely of laws to contain cong yun sea's power.
if successful, zhang haobo would instantly ascend to the dao integration realm from golden core!
the resentment of being incinerated in the future, the unwillingness to accept its own fate, plus zhang haobo's comprehension of the heavenly calamity sword intent finally unsheathed the twenty-eight swords of the cong yun sea.
these swords carried unyielding will, revenge, and killing intent.
it succeeded, yet also failed.
although crimson flame died, ink death arrived.
the instant zhang haobo perished, cong yun sea knew the matter could not be accomplished, and finally returned its power back into the canghai pearl.
......
although the cong yun sea did not necessarily have humans' clear intelligence, its muddled, vague consciousness still made it direct zhang haobo according to its instincts to fight it out with crimson flame.
"fortune does not guarantee success."
"he ended up merely a tool exploited by both sides in their game."
li fan sighed and shook his head.
"however..."
"the twenty-eight swords of the cong yun sea."
"truly was an excellent sword technique."
the scene of zhang haobo unleashing this sword instantly surfaced in li fan's mind.
mobilizing the power contained within the canghai pearl, li fan slashed out a sword.
the blue sword radiance was unstoppable.
cutting across the lake's surface.
the lakewaters were split open by the sword qi, exposing the muddy lakebed.
the eight-hundred-kilometer-long mingyue lake was divided into two with one sword.
chapter 146: blue feather scatters treasures
the sword's momentum was like a rainbow, splitting open the mingyue lake, and it continued to fly towards the distance.
even when it disappeared from sight, its momentum only weakened by half.
the ripples lingered, and the lake water took a long time to calm down.
not far away, su xiaomei and her group watched as li fan, with just a casual sword strike, collectively fell into a stunned state.
after a long time, they finally woke up from their petrified state.
su xiaomei flew excitedly to li fan's side, shouting, "i want to learn this! master, i want to learn this!"
xiao heng still had a shocked expression, staring at the large lake that was split into two in the distance, with a hint of longing in his eyes.
su changyu's expression became more determined.
zhao erbao lowered his head, trembling.
in his heart, he wailed, "golden core stage! this sword strike is definitely something only a golden core cultivator can achieve! looking at how casually he did it, his cultivation might be even higher!"
"it's over, it's over. i can never escape from his clutches in my entire life!"
...
on the shore of mingyue lake, li fan paid no attention to su xiaomei, who was making a fuss on the side.
he was currently calming the turbulent spiritual energy in his body, barely maintaining his lofty demeanor.
with the cultivation of the golden core stage, forcibly controlling the canghai pearl to unleash this cong yun sea sword was still quite strenuous.
"after all, it's not my own power. i'm just imitating based on the residual memories of zhang haobo in the canghai pearl."nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
"this sword, while having a formidable appearance, lacks substance. it looks intimidating, but if it's truly used in battle, its power is actually mediocre."
"however, with these insights, i can study and comprehend it day and night, turning it into something of my own. someday, i will be able to unleash my own cong yun sea twenty-eight swords."
"the immediate priority is to build the foundation as soon as possible. i've already delayed it for too long waiting for the canghai pearl."
with a decision in mind, li fan said to su xiaomei and the others, "the four of you, go and thoroughly investigate the area around mingyue lake. see if there are any hidden dangers. next, i will establish a cave here."
"yes, master!"
"yes, senior!"
having just displayed his divine might, li fan's words were naturally heeded by everyone, and they responded obediently.
soon, they dispersed to start their tasks.
even the three mortals from the heavenly treasure pavilion followed along.
"is this the white mist barrier?" li fan saw this thing for the first time.
watching from the vision of heaven and earth, the white mist barrier filled the space between heaven and earth, extending endlessly without an end.
compared to cultivators, it was as if they were as tiny as ants.
seeing that the man in blue was about to rush into the white mist barrier, the group chasing him couldn't help but get anxious, shouting, "huyan lin, hand over the blue feather legacy, and we'll spare your life!"
huyan lin sneered, didn't answer, and rushed into the white mist barrier without hesitation.
the scene went black, and the locked formless killing intent instantly lost its effect.
"blue feather legacy, huh..." li fan pondered.
following their traces, li fan arrived at the white mist barrier and waited for three days in a row.
no one returned.
li fan could only shake his head regretfully and just kept the term "blue feather legacy" firmly in his mind.
this incident was just a minor episode.
after sinking the tai yan boat into the mingyue lake and using an array to conceal its traces, li fan gave some instructions to su xiaomei and the others before heading towards the yuandao heavenly city.
it took a full twenty-six days to arrive at the yuandao heavenly city.
upon entering, li fan keenly sensed something unusual.
inside the yuandao heavenly city, it was desolate, with almost no cultivators in sight.
when he occasionally encountered one or two, he noticed they had excited expressions and hurriedly flew away towards a certain direction.
li fan couldn't help but be curious. he stopped a person politely and asked, "fellow daoist, may i ask where the cultivators in yuandao heavenly city have gone? why is the city so empty?"
the person glanced at li fan and said, "fellow daoist, are you new to our yuandao prefecture? everyone has gone to watch the battle between the two outstanding talents of the blue feather sect."
"this battle is intense. the two have been fighting for three days and three nights without determining the winner."
"i was just about to go and have a look. why don't you come with me, friend?"
li fan thought for a moment and readily agreed.
on the way, as the two conversed, this qi condensation cultivator named feng shu introduced li fan to the origin of the duel between the two outstanding talents of the blue feather sect.
seven years ago, when the life limit of the blue feather immortal sage was approaching, he established an inheritance for the cultivation technique he practiced: the heavenly feather transformation technique.
the blue feather sect considered martial prowess as supreme.
only the undefeated one could obtain the heavenly feather transformation technique.
chapter 147: a quirk of fate
the so-called blue feather sect does not refer to the descendants of the blue feather immortal sage.
instead, it specifically refers to the vast and intricate forces that were dependent on the blue feather immortal sage.
the blue feather immortal sage had ruled over the yuandao prefecture for thousands of years, commanding an uncountable number of cultivators. they held various key positions in the ten thousand immortals alliance of yuandao prefecture.
although the blue feather immortal sage has fallen, the blue feather sect still stands tall and unshaken, maintaining absolute dominance that no one else can challenge.̃øv€lß1n.
however, internally, the blue feather sect was in chaos.
the reason for this was that everyone wanted to be in charge.
in the past, with the blue feather immortal sage in power, everyone naturally deferred to him. but now, with the true monarch's fall, each faction within the blue feather sect refused to yield to the others.
in the struggle for leadership, they fought each other fiercely. there was even a soul transformation cultivator who perished as a result. numerous cultivators at the nascent soul and golden core levels also lost their lives.
other forces in the yuandao prefecture observed the internal strife within the blue feather sect. seeing the chaos and lack of leadership, they began to make secret alliances and took advantage of the situation to divide the territory of the blue feather sect.
especially coveted were lucrative positions like those in the formation hall and the talisman hall, many of which were snatched away by these external forces.
after suffering a loss, the blue feather sect finally woke up and decided to sit down and talk.
after a round of discussions, they decided that whoever could obtain the "heavenly feather transformation technique" would be recognized as their leader.
originally, everyone was at the soul transformation stage. it wasn't just about who was the strongest; they had to consider factors such as personal connections and control of resources.
under the increasing pressure from external forces, the blue feather factions urgently needed to resolve their internal conflicts and choose a leader.
the legacy of the blue feather immortal sage became a point of consensus among them.
the "heavenly feather transformation technique" was already an extremely prestigious cultivation technique, and now it had become the symbol of leadership for the blue feather sect.
the competition was intense, to say the least.
seven years had passed, and there was still no final winner.
there were two outstanding talents, both with strengths comparable to each other, making it difficult to determine a victor.
one was named dugu xi, and the other was named dugu shi.
from afar, li fan could only see the figures of the two intertwined, creating a vague entanglement of black and white threads with each collision. each collision formed a mysterious vortex that gradually calmed after a moment. however, as the dugu brothers continued to clash, vortexes continuously appeared in the tian du martial arena, resembling an extremely dangerous whirlpool.
compared to the previously straightforward battle scene between the cong yun sea soul transformation cultivators, the dugu brothers' fight seemed a bit more abstract.
gradually, li fan discerned some subtleties. dugu xi excelled in using offense as defense and defense as offense, while dugu shi was sharp and highly aggressive. their strengths were close, and they understood each other well. no wonder, after so many battles, there was still no clear winner.
...
in the sky, the fierce battle continued, captivating the spectators below.
however, as li fan observed the battle, he noticed that feng shu's expression had become somewhat peculiar.
just as he was curious, a conversation slowly drifted into his ears.
"siblings who share the same mother should be loving and caring, but now, for the sake of a cultivation technique, they fight each other. sigh, even though they are soul transformation powerhouses, i can't admire them!"
"my brother, you're joking. that's the 'heavenly feather transformation technique.' its value is beyond our comprehension as mere foundation establishment cultivators."
"what's so special about a dao cultivation technique? there's only one in the world? we, blood brothers, can accommodate each other. why can't they?"
"hehe..."
"brother, what's with that expression? rest assured, if we discover a cultivation technique together one day, no matter how precious it is, i'll definitely give it to you first, without competing with you!"
the conversation was filled with righteousness, making people look at them with admiration.
li fan vaguely felt that the dialogue between these two people was somewhat familiar.
curious, he looked in the direction of the voices.
when he saw the faces of the two, even with li fan's composure, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
it turns out these two were old acquaintances of li fan.
it was none other than kou hong and dao xuanzi! in this life, they met nearly twenty years earlier.
li fan couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
"it's really..."
"the quirks of fate."
chapter 148: purchasing the ten thousand immortals formation flags
li fan's light laughter attracted kou hong's displeasure. kou hong flew over, stared at li fan with an unfriendly tone, and said, "why are you laughing?"
feng shu's expression changed; this foundation establishment cultivator seemed not easy to deal with. it seemed like he was ready to take action with just a few words.
however, li fan remained fearless, sighed deeply, and said, "fellow daoist, you may not know. i pride myself on being well-versed, but i didn't anticipate that in the current cultivation world, there are still cultivators like you who are noble and not swayed by cultivation techniques."
"i feel ashamed, truly inferior!"
"may i know your name?"
li fan deliberately asked.
kou hong, upon hearing this, eased his expression slightly and proudly said, "i am kou hong."
then, pointing to dao xuanzi on the side, he said, "this is my brother, dao xuanzi."
dao xuanzi didn't come over; instead, he watched li fan and feng shu from a distance, nodding slightly.
li fan composed himself and said, "unexpectedly, it's kou hong and dao xuanzi in person! i've long admired you."
seeing li fan's reaction, kou hong felt somewhat puzzled. he then looked at li fan with suspicion and asked, "have you heard of us brothers?"
dao xuanzi was also slightly stunned, carefully observing li fan. unfortunately, the opponent had hidden his cultivation with a concealing form talisman, making it impossible to see through him.
"of course. kou hong possesses exquisite dao techniques and is proficient in the art of refining. as for dao xuanzi, your swordsmanship is extraordinary, and the might of the rust sword dao xuan is unmatched. how could i not have heard of you?" li fan said earnestly.
kou hong and dao xuanzi blushed.
dao xuanzi quickly approached and said, "fellow daoist, keep your voice down. the two soul transformation cultivators are still battling above us. it's inappropriate to praise us like this."
kou hong's face immediately returned to normal, and he happily said, "i didn't expect our names to spread to yuandao prefecture. may i ask for your name?"
"i am li fan."
...
the two immediately engaged in conversation.
the more they talked, the more kou hong felt a connection with li fan. their topics and temperaments were highly compatible as if they were natural brothers with endless shared topics.
moreover, li fan's claim of being well-versed was not an empty boast. he effortlessly brought up various secret stories in the cultivation world, many of which were unheard of by kou hong and dao xuanzi.
in formations, alchemy, talisman crafting, and pill refining, li fan had a breadth of knowledge. especially in the field of formations, his expertise surpassed expectations. although kou hong was skilled in refining, he only had a superficial understanding of formations compared to li fan.
li fan, watching the scenes transmitted through his vision of heaven and earth, felt a bit regretful.
getting closer to kou hong was a precautionary measure for li fan, preparing for the future.
li fan hadn't forgotten that in about twenty years, these two would likely find the technique he was currently cultivating. in such a short time, li fan would probably not advance to the later stages of foundation establishment. he and kou hong conversed so harmoniously, and he felt the urge to become sworn brothers on the spot.
therefore, to prevent the tragic scenario of brothers fighting each other, li fan had to find an opportunity to kill them before that happened.
returning along the way, feng shu looked at li fan, wanting to say something but hesitated. in the end, he didn't say anything. after arriving at yuandao heavenly city, the two bid farewell and went their separate ways.
li fan went straight to the tianxuan mirror.
this time, his visit to the yuandao heavenly city was to purchase some defensive formations.
with li fan's current mastery of formation techniques, he could deceive kou hong with words, but if he wanted to set up a large formation capable of resisting external enemies, he fell short.
currently, li fan has 14,600 contribution points.
to ensure absolute safety during foundation establishment and considering the need to guard the cultivation cave, as well as protect dao resonance artifacts in the future, li fan decided to invest heavily and buy a formation capable of withstanding attacks from golden core cultivators.
browsing through the options in the tianxuan mirror, li fan soon found an item that caught his eye.
"ten thousand immortals formation flags."
"a set of three hundred and sixty-five flags. they can form a miniature ten thousand immortals formation, covering an area of up to thirty miles. even a golden core perfection cultivator can't break through."
"when all the flags are deployed, the covered area is considered under the protection of the ten thousand immortals alliance."
"any unprovoked attacker will be hunted down by the martial hall of the ten thousand immortals alliance."
"note: not recommended for use outside the territory of the ten thousand immortals alliance."
"suggested to be purchased together with the tianxuan minor mirror for a 10% discount."
"tianxuan minor mirror."
"a mirror image of the tianxuan mirror, available in multiple versions."
"the most basic version only provides information and allows searching and purchasing of items, as well as releasing and accepting tasks."
"the upgraded version comes with the tianxuan mirror space, usable for cultivation and enlightenment."
"the supreme version adds a defensive function, reflecting all attacks from nascent soul cultivators."
chapter 149: li fan initiates foundation establishment
"the tianxuan minor mirror, this is indeed a good thing."
li fan's eyes lit up.
"it should be the tianxuan minor mirror that he zhenghao used to track the price trends of spirit mist grass."
"the initial version isn't too expensive, only five thousand contribution points."
"but the prices going up from there are outrageous."
"the version with cultivation function is fifty thousand contribution points. the one with defense capability is two hundred thousand contribution points."
"i can only look at it."
"the ten thousand immortals formation flags cost ten thousand contribution points."
"if both are bought together, it's thirteen thousand five hundred contribution points."
"just enough."
"it's a bit expensive, but it's worth it."
after some hesitation, li fan decided to spend a huge sum to buy these two treasures.
li fan had seen the tianxuan minor mirror and thus stored it in his storage ring without much inspection.
he carefully examined the ten thousand immortals formation flags: one flag was about half a person's height, black and yellow, with the words "ten thousand immortals" written on it.
this was the main flag.
by touching it, one could sense the existence of the remaining three hundred and sixty-four auxiliary flags.
in addition to deploying the entire set of flags, there were three variations: thirty-six, seventy-two, and one hundred and eight.
the fewer flags used, the less powerful the formation, but the speed of setting the formation was considerably faster. it was suitable for self-defense when traveling.
having gained some insight into formation techniques, li fan naturally understood the power of this miniature ten thousand immortals formation.
satisfied, he stored them away and immediately rushed back to mingyue lake.
in the twenty-plus days, su xiaomei and the others had thoroughly explored the surroundings of mingyue lake.
indeed, it was just an ordinary large lake, and there were no spiritual creatures nearby.
li fan chose a small island near the center of the lake and, using it as the center, arranged the three hundred and sixty-four ten thousand immortals formation flags one by one.
with the main flag in place, the miniature ten thousand immortals formation took shape.
"i will be in seclusion here, so i've set up a formation. remember not to intrude; otherwise, you will undoubtedly die."
"during my seclusion, you can choose suitable islands around to settle. if you're not satisfied, you can build your own island."
"when i come out of seclusion, i will expand the range of the formation to thirty miles. you can settle on islands within this range."
...
after some instructions, li fan activated the ten thousand immortals formation, cutting off the line of sight inside and outside the formation.
instead of immediately entering seclusion on the island, he submerged himself in the water and reached the lake bottom.
he found a giant rock on the lake bottom and hollowed it out.
then, he used the concealing art the "sun stealing technique" to conceal it.
only then did he enter the stone chamber and start his seclusion.
the stone chamber was simple and empty, but li fan didn't mind.
cross-legged, he floated in mid-air.
his consciousness was immersed in the canghai pearl.
nineteen years after entering the cultivation world, li fan finally began foundation establishment.
"steal heavenly treasures to establish the foundation of the dao."
"the process of foundation establishment requires heavenly treasures. however, the word 'steal' is also crucial."
"deception, not complete reliance."
"heavenly treasures, while gathering the laws of heaven and earth, still retain a bit of consciousness."
"for a cultivator to establish the foundation, they must transform the gathered laws from heaven and earth into their own foundation treasure while maintaining their own will and consciousness."
the roots of heaven and earth, under li fan's control, attached to canghai pearl in his dantian.
in an instant, countless scenes appeared in his mind.
those were the experiences of cong yunhai.
accompanying them were extreme emotions like anger, unwillingness, resentment, and more.
cong yunhai's memories were too vast, like waves surging endlessly, never stopping.
if li fan accepted them rashly, with his current spiritual strength, he would be washed away by this massive influx of information and become an idiot.̃øv€lß1n.
so, what li fan did was stick to his original intention and ignore them.
like a coastal reef, allowing the wind to blow and the waves to beat, he stood firm without moving.
and those negative emotions turned into nutrients for the venerable heart refinement mantra.
no impact on li fan whatsoever.
the cong yun sea roared in anger, but li fan remained unmoved.
a faint blue light was slowly drawn out from canghai pearl by the roots of heaven and earth.
a vast sea illusion gradually appeared in li fan's dantian.
three million water dragons danced, raising countless water mists.
sunlight poured down, and a seven-colored rainbow appeared.
su xiaomei and the others were all dumbfounded, watching this magnificent and colorful scene.
they forgot to think.
as for the lake water dragons flying towards li fan's palm, they compressed and converged, forming a small water droplet.
the lake water continued to decrease, but the size of the water droplet remained constant.
only its color gradually changed from white to deep blue.
water dragons soared for half a day, and mingyue lake completely dried up.
countless fish, shrimp, and crabs in the lake were lying on the lake bottom, suffocating to death.
li fan looked at the water droplet in his hand, somewhat similar to canghai pearl, with a gleam in his eyes.
"place of dao attainment..."
although the canghai pearl didn't turn mingyue lake into a foundation treasure like itself, this action, under the coverage of the laws contained in canghai pearl, gradually assimilated the entire mingyue lake without anyone noticing.
and now, with li fan achieving foundation treasure through canghai pearl, he could manipulate the entire mingyue lake like a puppet.
in the ancient cultivation world, there were cultivators whose unintentional manifestation of the breath of the laws during enlightenment affected the surrounding environment.
these influenced places often carried the strong personal imprint of the enlightened cultivator.
it could even create a supernatural power out of thin air.
these places were called places of dao attainment.
the situation of mingyue lake and li fan was similar.
but in fact, it was even more extreme.
in reality, li fan, with the help of canghai pearl, had turned mingyue lake into something like his treasure.
inside this mingyue lake, the lake was him, and he was mingyue lake.
with full force, the might was second to none among golden core cultivators!
"go!"
li fan crushed the water droplet in his hand.
countless water droplets burst and scattered.
then, they transformed back into flying water dragons, roaring as they returned to mingyue lake.
mingyue lake, having dried up quickly, became replenished.
after a while, it returned to its original appearance of vast and misty beauty.
with a wave of his hand, he transformed the eight hundred kilometers of water area.
however, li fan felt no joy in his heart.
it was similar to the previous situation with the canghai pearl; it was just an external force.
in the end, it wasn't his own power.
while contemplating, li fan opened the long-unseen interface.
name: li fan
cultivation realm: foundation establishment early stage
physiological age: 49/365↑
psychological age: 569/3560↑↑
virtualization charging progress: 200%
anchor charging progress: 20%
current anchor points: 1
current available anchor points: 1
bound items: "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra," tai yan boat, stone tablet of prohibition (damaged)
cultivation techniques: venerable heart refinement mantra, cloud water illusory dream art, sun stealing technique, jade cosmos thousand variations sutra, spirit intent illusion technique, stalking shadow technique
supernatural abilities: life and death chain, formless killing intent, insect binding technique
...
physiological age had finally surpassed three hundred, and the upper limit of psychological age had reached over three thousand five hundred, still increasing.
li fan felt that his spiritual strength had increased several times compared to before.
the total amount of spiritual energy in his body was beyond comparison with the past.
li fan began to contemplate the next path of cultivation.
after canghai pearl transformed into the foundation treasure, it could no longer be easily manipulated like before.
it was as if it turned into a treasure, sealed within his body.
continuous improvement of his cultivation was required to unlock this treasure.
the higher the unlocking degree, the higher the efficiency of its use.
eventually, the power of the canghai pearl would be fully restored.
the entire process of foundation establishment cultivation was to transform the power of the heavenly treasure into one's own power.
chapter 150: recovering the mountain meditation technique
li fan didn't choose to immediately leave seclusion. instead, he returned to the stone chamber at the bottom of the lake and began his first cultivation after reaching the foundation establishment stage.
he practiced the foundation establishment section of the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra."
however, after a short while, he furrowed his brow and stopped.
during the cultivation process, he faintly felt a slight stagnation in the circulation of spiritual energy. it was an extremely subtle feeling that would go unnoticed if not paid attention to, but it still existed.
after some contemplation, li fan stopped and turned to practice the "sea fixing sword technique."
since zhang haobo's death, no one has practiced this technique.
as soon as he started, li fan clearly felt the difference compared to cultivating the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra."
even with li fan's aptitude, the cultivation process went extremely smoothly. as if there was a bonus to comprehension, spiritual energy effortlessly circulated through his body along the meridians of the technique, breaking through to the middle qi condensation stage in no time.
...
"oh right, you're now in the late stage of qi condensation. when choosing a foundation establishment technique, if possible, remember to choose one that is compatible with the heavenly treasure you used for foundation building. this way, not only will your future cultivation be more efficient, but there will be other benefits as well."
he zhenghao's words from the past suddenly appeared in li fan's mind, making him contemplative.
"so, it's about compatibility. i see."
with a thought, a blue water sword instantly took shape in his dantian. with a casual wave, the water sword flew out and easily pierced a small hole in a giant rock.
"the power of the technique has also been enhanced to a certain extent."
li fan retracted the sea fixing sword, pondering silently.
"for ordinary cultivators, if they have both nascent soul and golden core techniques at hand, even if the golden core technique is faster to cultivate, they would definitely choose to cultivate the nascent soul technique."
"but i'm different. [truth] can carry my cultivation realm to the next life. therefore, what suits me best is a technique that quickly advances the current realm."
"in the past, there was no choice; there was only the 'jade cosmos thousand variations sutra' to cultivate. now that i have more options, i don't have to cling to it."
li fan examined the list of techniques on his [truth] panel.
he hadn't paid much attention when he had fewer techniques to cultivate.
now, with six techniques cultivated simultaneously, he noticed some clues in their order.
venerable heart refinement mantra, cloud water illusory dream art, sun stealing technique, jade cosmos thousand variations sutra, spirit intent illusion technique, stalking shadow technique.
it seemed to be arranged in order of the value of the techniques.
"so, the venerable heart refinement mantra is ranked above the cloud water illusory dream art?"
the cloud water illusory dream art was passed down by qin tang and belonged to a completely different system than the current techniques. regardless of the cultivation realm, as long as the previous layer of cultivation was complete, meeting the advancement conditions would allow cultivation of the next layer.
the seven layers of the cloud water illusory dream art corresponded to mortal, qi condensation, foundation establishment, golden core, nascent soul, soul transformation, and dao integration respectively.
"so, luck plays a significant role in determining what can be robbed."
"he zhenghao had planned to change his technique before he died, indicating that he didn't value this 'mountain meditation technique' too much."
"i have a good chance of successfully reproducing it."
while thinking, li fan began to condense the clone.
bones, organs, skin, hair...
slowly taking shape.
in the end, he still created the appearance in the same manner as the previous clone.
satisfied, li fan nodded and pointed at the clone's head.
"sever!"
unlike before, after connecting consciousness with the clone this time, li fan's mind suddenly displayed many images.
like a collection of long-preserved paintings, some were just a bit outdated, while others were riddled with holes, tattered and torn.
but they all flashed by.
li fan concentrated all his attention, carefully distinguishing the parts with the existence of the "mountain meditation technique."
the number of images appearing gradually decreased, and they began to shake violently.
li fan remained unfazed.
he wouldn't settle for anything other than the "mountain meditation technique."
finally, his luck erupted.
in the instant before all the images were about to disappear, li fan saw it.
a young he zhenghao, holding a jade slip with a joyful expression after exploring the cave mansion.
a glint flashed in li fan's eyes.
"it's you!"
his thoughts, like a wild beast waiting for prey for a long time, fiercely swallowed this tattered, damaged image.
countless pieces of information flowed into li fan's mind like running water.
li fan slowly digested it.
after a long time, li fan opened his eyes, revealing a look of astonishment.
"so, this 'mountain meditation technique' was not a cultivation technique created by a human!"
chapter 151: first investment
li fan didn't have the intention to complain.nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
however, the "mountain meditation technique" was indeed not initially created by human cultivators.
the exact origin was untraceable.
however, according to the records in the technique, the original version of the "mountain meditation technique" required practitioners to rely on "meditating on a mountain" to advance their realm.
by selecting a peak and increasing its height, corresponding feedback in cultivation would be obtained.
this process was extremely lengthy.
in ancient times, mountains and rivers were not as easily changeable as they are now. a mountain peak would often take several thousand years to grow slightly taller.
if the "mountain meditation technique" was not a joke, it seemed more suitable for use by trees and rocks on the mountain rather than people.
as far as li fan knew, in the current cultivation world, there were no stories of plant spirits or demonic beasts.
even the slightly more powerful beasts could only control a trace of extraordinary power through their bloodlines but were absolutely incapable of cultivation.
"could it be that, in the beginning, there were plant spirits and demonic beasts in this world? perhaps something happened later, and all the demonic beasts disappeared," li fan speculated.
however, regardless of the truth, it had little to do with li fan's cultivation of the "mountain meditation technique." he just had some whimsical thoughts, and delving deeper would be pointless.
the initial version of the "mountain meditation technique" was fundamentally impossible for cultivators to practice.
however, with the arrival of the great calamity, the mountains and rivers began shifting more and more frequently, and the "mountain meditation technique" became barely usable.
later, a talented individual from a thousand years ago inadvertently obtained the "mountain meditation technique." according to the profound meaning of "meditating and waiting for success," modifications were made to the technique.
self-cultivation could also increase the progress of the technique, and the scope of "meditating and waiting for success" expanded from mountains to people.
this officially made the "mountain meditation technique" a cherished and extraordinary cultivation method.
unfortunately, this peerless genius only recorded this matter in the preface of the technique and did not leave behind their name.
similar to the "sea fixing sword technique," the "mountain meditation technique" was also a golden core stage technique. in this lifetime, it was undoubtedly sufficient for li fan to practice.
following the technique's script, the "mountain meditation technique" was quickly mastered by li fan in just a moment. however, the sense of stagnation during cultivation reappeared.
obviously, the "mountain meditation technique" was not compatible with li fan's foundational treasure, the canghai pearl.
considering that there would be a discount for the tianxuan mirror's purchase, it indicated that the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra" was indeed valuable.
without hesitation, li fan directly chose to accept.
a golden contract flew out of the tianxuan minor mirror, landing in front of li fan.
li fan carefully read through it.
the contract outlined various precautions for the trade of cultivation techniques.
once the transaction was complete, the technique would belong to the ten thousand immortals alliance.
any future use of the technique would have no relation to the original owner.
the trade was irreversible, and the original owner's memories regarding the technique would automatically disappear after the transaction.
it was crucial not to keep copies of the technique for trade with others, or else you would pay the consequences.
...
li fan had no objections.
using spiritual power as a pen, li fan signed his name on the golden contract.
subsequently, the contract turned into countless golden particles, with a portion vanishing into li fan's body. another part, carrying the jade slip, returned to the tianxuan minor mirror.
with the transaction completed, li fan's memories of the specific content of the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra" also disappeared.
there was no sense of loss or regret. after all, it was a bound item, and there was no fear of losing it.
"it seems that i can make a big profit in every future life with this."
with 90,000 contribution points in hand, li fan's experiment on the effectiveness of "meditating and waiting for success" began.
"for the control group of the experiment, let's choose xiao heng."
the first investment target for the mountain meditation technique would naturally be su xiaomei, a person born with an immortal physique and heavenly fortune.
the clone put on clothes, concealed its cultivation with a concealing form talisman, and stood aside.
then, using a communication talisman, he called the two of them to come.
chapter 152: first trial of the mountain meditation technique
"don't worry about the amount of contribution points. just choose the heavenly treasures and techniques that you like."
although li fan planned to budget carefully, looking at the hesitant faces of su xiaomei and xiao heng, he still instructed them.
they breathed a sigh of relief, and after half a day, they finally selected the items they needed from the vast list of options in the tianxuan mirror.̃øv€lß1n.
su xiaomei chose the foundation establishment heavenly treasure, 'fiery flame feather,' a high-quality human treasure worth 6,000 contribution points.
as for the cultivation technique, she chose an upper-level alternative to the 'heart flame technique' called the 'heart flame fury technique,' also valued at 6,000 contribution points.
xiao heng's choice for the foundation establishment heavenly treasure was the 'cloud carving monument,' a high-quality human treasure worth 5,500 contribution points.
his chosen cultivation technique was the 'spring wind and rain decree,' valued at 5,500 contribution points.
after making their selections, they obediently gathered around li fan, watching him with bated breath as he settled the bill.
in total, it amounted to 23,000 contribution points.
even with li fan possessing a substantial sum of over 90,000 contribution points, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
it's no wonder he zhenhao's scale was so small; he simply couldn't afford it.
investing in a foundation establishment cultivator requires at least 10,000 contribution points.
li fan remembered that the rewards for guarding the islands in the congyun sea ranged from a few hundred to over two thousand contribution points per year.
even with some additional income, accumulating over 10,000 contribution points would take at least two to three years.
after so much hard work and effort over such a long period, giving these away to others...
who could bear to do that?
"indeed, this 'mountain meditation technique' is not something ordinary people can cultivate." li fan sighed and bought the four items.
in the blink of an eye, the 90,000 contribution points were reduced to 67,000, plus the previous 1,100 left over from before.
li fan currently had only 68,100 contribution points left.
"you two will cultivate here, and i will protect you," li fan instructed as he handed over the items to the two.
overjoyed, the two immediately agreed.
with complete trust in li fan, su xiaomei and xiao heng began their closed-door cultivation in the room.
li fan, once again taking advantage of the opportunity, immersed himself in understanding the process of foundation establishment.
although foundation establishment was already completed in this lifetime, li fan's ultimate goal was not just to achieve the foundation with the heavenly treasure canghai pearl.
time passed swiftly, and a hundred days flew by.
in the blink of an eye, the 29th year arrived.
li fan woke up from seclusion, checking the increase in his cultivation.
the results surprised li fan.
because the increase in cultivation over these hundred days was only twice that of su xiaomei's breakthrough feedback.
"no, it shouldn't be twice. su xiaomei and xiao heng's strength must have increased during these hundred days. so, the increase in my cultivation is not only from my own practice but also a small part from the feedback of 'mountain meditation technique.'"
"it can be foreseen that with the continuous improvement of su xiaomei's realm, the feedback of cultivation will continue until they reach the perfection foundation establishment stage."
"a preliminary conclusion can be drawn. with the same contribution points, the total increase in cultivation through feedback far exceeds what i gain from my own cultivation. however, this process is lengthy. investing in individuals with average talent often takes nearly a hundred years to enjoy complete returns."
"investing in extraordinary talents significantly shortens this process."
"in either case, the 'mountain meditation technique' technique is profitable."
"in this case, with sufficient contribution points, the fastest way to cultivate is to practice in the tianxuan mirror, pass on techniques, and use 'meditate and wait for success.'"
"unfortunately, the consumption of contribution points for this kind of cultivation is too high. even with 200,000 contribution points, it won't last long. it's not a long-term plan."
"to maximize the benefits of contribution points, all contribution points should be invested into extraordinary talents, relying on the feedback from 'meditate and wait for success' to increase cultivation and advance realms."
"unfortunately, extraordinary talents are rare. in my two lifetimes, i've only encountered two or three such individuals."
"the cultivation speed is certainly not as fast as all of them using the tianxuan mirror to assist in cultivation."
li fan paused in his thoughts and then considered xiao heng's situation.
"paid transmission of techniques also brings cultivation feedback. and if i can ensure the safe recovery of contribution points, wouldn't it be a risk-free profit?"
"if i can charge a little more..."
"i'm sure there are many cultivators stuck at bottlenecks, desperately needing a breakthrough, willing to pay a trivial cost to obtain techniques or heavenly treasures in advance."
"i can capture those who try to escape with formless killing intent. su xiaomei and xiao heng serve as my two great guardians, and if someone fails to return on time, there's no need for me to personally intervene."
"if we encounter a true genius, i can provide the technique for free..."
"good! excellent!"
li fan became more and more excited as he thought about it, blurting out, "the 'mountain meditation technique' is indeed an excellent technique!"
"such a profound skill, yet you, fellow daoist he, want to switch techniques. what a waste!"
chapter 153: mingyue palace
the idea is beautiful, but before formal implementation, there are many urgent issues to be addressed.
for example, is there already a similar organization in the current ten thousand immortals alliance?
will doing this touch upon others' interests and then subsequently lead to him being casually killed by powerful cultivators?
after some investigation, li fan was relieved.
currently, there is no large-scale, organized lending behavior in the ten thousand immortals alliance.
one reason is that obtaining contribution points is difficult.
it's already challenging to maintain one's own cultivation, let alone having extra contribution points to lend to others.
another important reason is that lending is easy, but getting it back is difficult.
the cultivation world is vast, and cultivators have numerous ways to hide their whereabouts.
they can easily hide in some remote mountain, enter closed-door cultivation for ten or even fifty years, and simply not return.
what can be done?
perhaps there are powerful cultivators who can precisely locate, but they are likely focused on their own cultivation and disdainful of such distracting and unrewarding activities.
however, li fan is willing even if they are not.
on the way back to mingyue lake, li fan began planning for the future in his mind.
over twenty days later, li fan returned to mingyue lake.
in about forty days, the underwater cultivation cave had been almost completed.
however, it was just some splendid buildings on the surface, with no defensive measures other than the ten thousand immortals formation flags.
for the sake of future appearances and security, li fan spent another twenty thousand contribution points to purchase a complete spirit illusory wave formation from the tianxuan mirror.
unlike the ten thousand immortals formation flags, this formation cannot be moved once deployed.
it is suitable for construction near water and has effects such as concealment, protection, and defense.
fully activated, it is said to withstand attacks from mid nascent soul stage cultivators.
li fan personally arranged it.
after the spirit illusory wave formation was successfully activated, looking at the pale blue protective cover above the underwater cave, li fan felt much more at ease.
with the formal completion of the cave, celebration was inevitable.
everybody gathered at the entrance of the cave, looking at this building that had taken dozens of days of effort, their faces filled with inexplicable excitement.
li fan looked around and felt that something was missing.
so, he purchased a jade plaque and two jade pillars from the tianxuan mirror.
after placing them properly, the sea fixing sword flew out from his dantian, and li fan skillfully wrote four large words on the left jade pillar: [learn mercy and compassion].
on the right jade pillar, he wrote another four large words: [prevent suffering, avert disasters].
finally, on the middle jade plaque, he wrote two final words: [mingyue palace].
li fan put away the blue water sword, looked at his masterpiece, and nodded in satisfaction.
as for su xiaomei and the others, looking at li fan's inscriptions, they were all moved and lost in thought.
su xiaomei's eyes were full of stars, while xiao heng and su changyu were also impressed by the magnificence of these words, unable to control themselves.
"learn mercy and compassion, prevent suffering, avert disasters..." as the one who had been in the cultivation world the longest among them, zhao erbao understood the weight of these eight words better than anyone else.
so he became even more uncertain about li fan's cultivation level, and a hint of suspicion arose in his heart.
li fan led everyone into mingyue palace, and they began to tour this newly built cave.
mingyue palace covered an area of five square miles.
the main buildings were arranged in a half-cross pattern.
in the center was the mingyue hall, which was planned to be used for meetings and receptions.
on both sides were the residences of everyone.
the series of buildings behind mingyue hall were used for placing the tianxuan mirror, storing dao resonance artifacts, and li fan's closed-door cultivation.
currently, mingyue palace was still an empty shell, with no interior decoration, furniture, or anything else.
but in forty days, achieving this much already satisfied li fan.
apart from the five thousand contribution points, the heavenly treasure pavilion sisters as well as sun zhang had put in a lot of effort.
especially sun zhang, who had carefully designed the layout of mingyue palace.
instructing everyone to complete the decoration of mingyue palace as soon as possible, li fan went to the closed-door cultivation retreat.
ever since mingyue palace was completed, his clone had been staying here.
he wasn't idling away, but instead trying to decipher the seal formation on the small black box given to li fan by zhang zhiliang.
perhaps because this clone had stolen some of he zhenghao's innate talent in formation, it was progressing much faster than zhang zhiliang had expected.
li fan estimated that in another half a year or so, the seal could be lifted.
he was quite excited about what might be inside.
in the next period of time, everyone in mingyue palace remained very busy.̃øv€lß1n.
while making the vast mingyue palace more and more substantial, more than ten thousand dao resonance artifacts were safely transferred.
at the same time, li fan quietly came to yuandao heavenly city alone and began to spread information.
slowly, many qi condensation cultivators in the ten thousand immortals alliance learned that there was an eight-hundred-kilometer mingyue lake on the border of the yuandao prefecture.
in mingyue lake, there was a mingyue palace.
with just a negligible cost, qi condensation cultivators could borrow foundation establishment techniques and treasures in mingyue palace to advance their foundation cultivation ahead of time.
learn mercy and compassion!
prevent suffering, avert disasters!
what courage and broad-mindedness it takes to write these eight characters at the entrance!
the more chu xingyang looked, the more he felt that these eight characters were extremely profound as if they contained the mysteries of the universe.
he became increasingly awed by the mysterious owner of mingyue palace.
following the little girl...
no, following the senior at the foundation establishment stage.
chu xingyang bypassed the central hall and arrived at a small attic on the right.
in the attic, there were two identical-looking women sitting in front.
graceful figures, skin as white as snow.
their beauty far surpassed chu xingyang's childhood sweetheart!
chu xingyang couldn't help but be stunned, staring blankly.
finally, after being slapped on the shoulder by the little junior next to him, he came to his senses.
in a panic, he quickly knelt down to apologize.
"i cannot even see the cultivation level of these two fairies. they must be golden core stage cultivators. how could i be captivated by beauty?"
"if i provoke their displeasure, they might...”
thinking of this, chu xingyang couldn't help but shiver.
fortunately, the two sisters did not blame him.
instead, they asked for his name and the reason he came to mingyue palace.
chu xingyang naturally confessed everything truthfully.
after understanding the whole story, the two sisters disappeared, leaving chu xingyang alone with the little junior glaring at him.
chu xingyang was sweating on his forehead and dared not act rashly, patiently waiting in place.
...
"sister, look at this person. after borrowing techniques and treasures, he wants to go and snatch a bride. is this the high-risk customer that the senior mentioned? shouldn't we refuse his request and not lend him these things?" yin yuzhen asked with her head tilted.
"you're wrong, little sister. think about it. he chose to cause trouble on someone else's big day."
"even if the bride-snatching fails, at most, he'll get a beating. they won't kill him while the marriage is ongoing."
"besides, this person is twenty-eight years old and already at the qi condensation stage. he can be considered a high-quality customer, as mentioned by the senior."
"he is also the first customer to come to our mingyue palace..."
"well, this business can be done."
yin yueting concluded.
"this is the heavenly treasure he wants and the cultivation technique. you go and get it from the senior."
yin yuzhen nodded, took the note written by her sister, and ran all the way to li fan's closed-door cultivation.
"i already know about this matter. take the items and go."
without saying a word, a storage ring flew over.
yin yuzhen saluted towards the inside and then hurriedly returned.
"little sister, predict, will lending these things bring good or bad results?"
yin yueting asked.
yin yuzhen held the storage ring, closed her eyes, and sensed.
her eyelashes trembled slightly. after a moment, yin yuzhen's face showed a joyful expression. "sister, it's a little auspicious! we can lend it!"
yin yueting also breathed a sigh of relief, then took the storage ring and walked out of the room covered by the formation, arriving in front of chu xingyang.
"medium-grade human treasure: [indignant fall]. foundation establishment technique: purple radiance starlight."
"the two things you want are in this storage ring."
"total value: 9500 contribution points. how do you choose to repay?"
chu xingyang looked at the ring in yin yuzhen's hand, his eyes shining.
with all his hopes for the future on this ring, chu xingyang gritted his teeth and said, "i choose to repay once a month, clearing the debt within three years."
yin yuzhen nodded, and took out a contract.
"come, sign it, and you can take this storage ring."
excited, chu xingyang glanced over the contract and hastily wrote his name on it.
"remember to transfer the contribution points to me at this time every month. otherwise, i'll personally come to your door to collect. understand?"
"don't even think about escaping. though the cultivation world is vast, if you owe a debt to our mingyue palace, there will be no place for you!"
su xiaomei on the side stared at chu xingyang with a fierce gaze.
trembling, chu xingyang nodded quickly, indicating that he understood.
after obtaining the storage ring, chu xingyang was almost moved to tears.
when he left mingyue palace, he bowed to the two jade pillars at the door.
then, with a determined expression, he flew away.
"hehe, wasn't my performance good?" su xiaomei, seeing that the person was gone, rubbed her face and boasted.
"but, is what we did reliable? this is 9500 contribution points! can we really get them back? what if this person suddenly dies or runs away halfway?" su xiaomei asked with some worry.
chapter 154: understanding the sea covering palm
"the first deal, even if it means losing money, we must do it." sensing chu xingyang cultivating in foundation-building, li fan couldn't help but sigh.
actually, li fan wasn't entirely sure about the feasibility of large-scale breakthrough loans in the cultivation world. however, he had enough room for trial and error and could boldly attempt it.
so, li fan was not worried at all.
to better expand mingyue palace's business, li fan personally designed two small props and had a batch made.
the first one was called the "mingyue talisman." when activated, the talisman could sense the location of the person borrowing techniques. it could even clearly perceive the target's every move, significantly reducing the difficulty of collection.
in fact, the "mingyue talisman" itself wasn't particularly mysterious. its essence was just a perception-sharing talisman. what made it useful was li fan's divine ability, "formless killing intent."
this was a technique he developed after observing the killing intent of heaven and earth for decades. it hadn't disappeared even after he converted the cultivation base of the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra."
after all, the cultivation technique was just a tool for him to observe the natural energies of the world. "formless killing intent" was more of an instinctive application of his understanding of the killing intent of the world, becoming a part of li fan's natural abilities. like the insect binding technique, even without any cultivation, it could still be executed.
this was probably why [truth] had a separate category for it.
the second item was called the "deterrence talisman." considering the possibility of encountering cultivators intentionally avoiding debts, hiding in places like yuandao heavenly city where they couldn't be easily dealt with, li fan intentionally produced a batch of these talismans. essentially, they were just ordinary self-destructing communication talismans. what truly created deterrence was a sentence written in the talisman.
"if you persistently refuse to repay and deliberately evade debt, mingyue palace will report your lost cultivation techniques to the law enforcement hall of the ten thousand immortals alliance!"
because li fan had exchanged for the cultivation techniques, he could report to the ten thousand immortals alliance that the techniques had been lost. as for the recovery of the techniques, it would naturally be handled by the mysterious and chilling law enforcement hall.
this was a move with mutual losses. after the cultivation techniques were recovered, ownership would return to the ten thousand immortals alliance. the debtor would lose their life, and mingyue palace would lose some contribution points.
li fan believed that any rational cultivator would understand how to choose.
the reason for deliberately creating these two types of talismans was to create a sense of mystery. when a talisman flew out, a cultivator who was happily avoiding repaying debts in a safe area would suddenly change their expression. after some gritting of teeth, they would obediently work to repay their debts.
this dramatic scene, full of intrigue, would undoubtedly attract many cultivators to spontaneously investigate mingyue palace. it served both as publicity and to establish the mysterious image of mingyue palace in the hearts of cultivators.
in li fan's mind, there were two critical factors limiting the rapid development of mingyue palace's breakthrough lending business.
"the dao resonance artifacts you've been collecting for several years have finally formed a powerful resonance through my enhancement formation."
"this strand of dao resonance holds tremendous opportunities."
"as for how much you can comprehend, it depends on your own destiny."
after thanking li fan, both xiao heng and su xiaomei closed their eyes and immersed themselves in the comprehension of the dao resonance.
li fan himself didn't give up and continued to observe and comprehend along with them.
time passed bit by bit.
this time, the first to gain insights was xiao heng.
he suddenly opened his eyes, and a fleeting sense of vicissitudes flashed in them.
li fan still couldn't comprehend anything.
however, seeing xiao heng's expression, he knew he must have gained something.
without directly asking, li fan gestured for him to patiently wait for su xiaomei to finish her comprehension.
after another day, su xiaomei also woke up from her enlightenment.
li fan led the two of them to the square in mingyue palace.
activating the spirit illusory wave formation for protection, they could now spar freely without worrying about causing damage to the surroundings.
li fan then instructed, "practice and verify each other's insights. confirm your own comprehensions."
both nodded, their eyes locking onto each other. simultaneously, they said,
"xiaomei, please enlighten me!"
"xiao heng, be careful!"
chapter 155: infinite formation
"bang!"
"bang!"
explosions echoed continuously on the square.
su xiaomei and xiao heng were engaged in a fierce battle using the newly comprehended palm techniques, making it difficult to distinguish between them for a while.
under the observation of heavenly vision and earth hearing, li fan carefully pondered their palm techniques.
combining it with the previous insights into the dao resonance, he suddenly felt enlightened.
so, it can be understood this way!
although li fan had an average aptitude, he could still understand the palm techniques used by su xiaomei and xiao heng, who were both in the early foundation establishment stage.
if you can't solve the problem, can't you copy it?
first learn from their comprehension, master the palm techniques, and then gradually incorporate his own insights to finally create a palm technique that belonged entirely to himself.
during the observation, li fan also discovered the differences in their palm techniques.
although both were inspired by the same strand of dao resonance, xiao heng's palm technique carried a misty and elusive quality.
on the other hand, su xiaomei's palm technique contained an unparalleled domineering intent.
it seemed that with each strike, everything in heaven and earth would submit.
it wasn't a matter of superiority or inferiority.
it could only be said that the palm technique of the original sea covering palm was too astonishing, having many facets.
the palm techniques of su xiaomei and xiao heng contained both their own comprehension and the intent contained in the original sea covering palm.
...
the battle between xiao heng and su xiaomei continued for a whole day.
it finally ended under li fan's call to stop.
"not bad. it seems you've gained quite a bit. however, remember not to be complacent."
"you both are far from comprehending this dao resonance completely."
"next, continue your cultivation, ponder the dao resonance, and spar with each other."
li fan instructed, and both xiao heng and su xiaomei nodded in agreement.
with the help of the two outstanding talents, li fan's understanding of the original sea covering palm technique continued to grow.
unfortunately, as time passed, xiao heng and su xiaomei's palm techniques were nearing perfection.
however, li fan felt that something was missing in his own palm technique.
the palm he executed was still within the realm of stances and was far from reaching the level of divine abilities.
however, li fan wasn't impatient.
he patiently optimized and elevated his palm technique.
two months later.
once a formation was set up, it became fixed after standardization.
even for formations like the seven-colored immortal-felling formation, said to be unbreakable, someone proficient in formations could identify its weaknesses, spend enough time, and eventually crack it.
however, if a formation could constantly evolve, forever in a state of growth, and if its growth rate surpassed the rate of the world's strongest formation masters in deciphering it, then this formation would be one that could never be broken.
this was zhang zhiliang's lifelong wish.
the "infinite formation."
unfortunately, although zhang zhiliang's formation skills were extraordinary, he was far from creating a true "infinite formation."
the critical factor was the lack of a core.
a central hub that could provide computational support for the infinite evolution of the formation.
zhang zhiliang tried various things to act as this core.
heavenly treasures, the consciousness of cultivators, ancient artifacts...
but all of them without exception ended in failure.
the requirements of the "infinite formation" for the core's computational power were too terrifying, even beyond zhang zhiliang's cognitive limits.
in addition to the computational power requirement, the core must possess its own spiritual intelligence.
the evolution of the "infinite formation" had countless directions.
if determining the evolution path was just a simple brute force deduction, the evolution speed would be greatly reduced.
but if the core has its own intelligence, constantly coordinating computational power, continuously adjusting the optimal evolutionary direction, and even making corresponding optimizations based on the attempts of formation masters to decipher it.
only then can it be considered a true "infinite formation."
of course, zhang zhiliang doesn't have any expectations for whether li fan can achieve the "infinite formation."
what he hopes for is simply that li fan can inherit his current mantle.
then pass it down from generation to generation.
he hoped that one day, a true formation genius will be discovered, and could fulfill the grand dream of the "infinite formation."
as for that golden foil paper, it's meant to inspire li fan in the study of formations.
its name is the inheritance token.
essentially, it's an inheritance of a significant amount of contribution points.
only under certain conditions reached after the death of a cultivator can it be claimed.
the left by zhang zhiliang astonishingly contains a total of four hundred thousand contribution points.
it can be claimed in ten installments.
the condition for receiving each time was to pass the test of formation knowledge of the testing ball.
a total of ten levels of tests.
if one truly inherits zhang zhiliang's "infinite formation," then all four hundred thousand contribution points can be obtained.
and if one cannot even pass the first-level test, then they can only watch the mountain of treasure without gaining a single contribution point.
chapter 156: a poor dog has nothing to offer
"four hundred thousand contribution points..."
"the accumulation of a lifetime of a nascent soul stage formation master is indeed quite exaggerated."
li fan stared fixedly at the golden inheritance token, his eyes widened.
eagerly, he picked up the testing ball and began the formation test.
the first-tier test was very easy, involving only basic knowledge of formations.
having immersed himself in formations for over a decade, li fan naturally passed the first-tier test without much effort.
golden light floated from the inheritance token, converging onto li fan. the golden paper dimmed slightly, and when li fan checked with the tianxuan mirror, he indeed found that his contribution points had increased by forty thousand, totaling 63,600 points.
excitement filled him as he started the second-tier test.
after a while, li fan withdrew his spiritual consciousness from the testing ball, wearing a displeased expression.
"after ten years of hard work, i'm just a little short of completing the second-tier test?"
"when will i be able to gain these four hundred thousand contribution points?"
the mountain of treasure was right in front of him, seemingly within reach but still unattainable due to the limitations of his formation skills.
it was like a small hand plucking at li fan's heartstrings, tempting him under enormous allure, making him wish to abandon everything and immerse himself in the study of formations.
"zhang zhiliang, what a cunning plan!"
"the effect of the contribution points as motivation is truly immediate. even i can't resist it."
"the second-tier test has not yet involved the 'infinite formation,' and i can still rely on my clone to study formation knowledge. but later on, i'll need my main body to read and learn the 'infinite formation' from the encrypted jade slip."
"in this way, my cultivation is bound to be delayed."
"i hope that before this happens, the business of the mingyue palace can be launched. with the feedback from the 'mountain meditation technique' technique, even if i don't practice at all, the progress of my realm won't be much slower."
"with over sixty thousand contribution points, i should be able to get by for a while. but it's still not enough!"
"i need to quickly withdraw all the contribution points from the inheritance token!"
a gleam of determination flashed in li fan's eyes.
driven by immense motivation, li fan's main body and clone began to study formations together.
whenever fatigue set in, he would light the silver incense, invigorating his spirit to continue studying.
with the double boost, li fan's formation skills steadily improved.
...
"it must be that my current strength is not enough."
"if foundation establishment is not enough, i'll aim for golden core. if golden core is insufficient, then nascent soul."
"as long as i become powerful enough, ah yue, you will change your mind one day."
chu xingyang looked into the distance, muttering to himself.
...
the farce finally came to an end.
apart from the embarrassment of those involved, the topic of how the wedding crasher chu xingyang managed to complete foundation establishment in a short time became a widely discussed subject.
gradually, the name of the mingyue palace also spread among qi condensation and foundation establishment cultivators.
as it turned out, the mingyue palace's loans of heavenly treasures and foundation establishment techniques was not a scam but true!
with a live example before them, more cultivators seeking help gradually approached the mingyue palace.
of course, the contribution points were still limited, so li fan instructed the yin sisters to be selective.
an average of one slot could be released per month.
others were dismissed under the pretext of insufficient affinity.
this cautious behavior of the mingyue palace actually deepened its credibility among cultivators.
if any cultivator could easily borrow treasures and techniques from the mingyue palace, they would worry about potential conspiracies.
thus, the reputation of the mingyue palace continued to grow.
many qi condensation stage cultivators from various regions in yuandao prefecture came from afar to seek assistance for early foundation establishment, as the success stories spread.
as for the 36% interest accumulated over the year, they selectively ignored it.
foundation establishment cultivators earned contribution points more than twice as fast as qi condensation cultivators.
even if they chose to repay in three years, the total contribution points repaid would only be close to twice the original amount.
worth it!
and so, on the 39th year, the grand venture of the mingyue palace's breakthrough loans finally began in an orderly fashion.
when the time reached the 40th year, li fan finally completed the second-tier test of the testing ball.
his contribution points increased by another forty thousand.
every month, there were returns from those who had borrowed methods before.
the deficit of contribution points finally began to ease up slowly.
chapter 157: meteor descends on cangwu
"on average, each cultivator borrows ten thousand contribution points."
"now, our mingyue palace has already assisted seven cultivators with breakthrough."
"they mostly choose to repay in three years, and according to a 36% annual interest rate, they have to return over five hundred points each month."
"for seven cultivators, the total contribution points earned is over four thousand."
"every three months, we can assist another cultivator."
"with the continuous expansion of our business, this speed will only get faster..."
in the mingyue palace, yin yuzhen estimated the profits of the breakthrough loaning business, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"but we can't just calculate it this way. as the number of cultivators borrowing methods increases, we might encounter one or two who refuse to repay honestly. each one can bring significant losses."
"nevertheless, the speed at which our mingyue palace is expanding is remarkable."
yin yueting also exclaimed, "su xiaomei and xiao heng are not easy to deal with. didn't you see su xiaomei enthusiastically going out to collect debts every time, returning satisfied?"
"the mingyue talisman and the deterrence talisman are also incredibly useful. if we didn't have these two items, collecting debts would be much more challenging." yin yueting nodded.
"indeed, the senior's actions are extraordinary. the eight characters he personally wrote, 'learn mercy and compassion, prevent suffering, avert disasters' have now become deeply ingrained among qi condensation cultivators." yin yuzhen spoke excitedly, full of enthusiasm.
...
in the underground seclusion of the mingyue palace.
li fan, admired by the two sisters, was not currently displaying the demeanor of a senior.
he had just awakened from comprehending formation principles, checking the growth of his cultivation within, and a pleasantly surprised expression appeared on his face.
"on average, each foundation establishment breakthrough assisted provides feedback of about seven months of cultivation instantly. i haven't cultivated at all these days, yet i've gained forty-nine months of cultivation. it's like continuous cultivation for four years without stopping!"
"moreover, as the cultivation of these borrowing cultivators continues to improve, i can still receive continuous feedback."
"although it's just a small stream, with the increasing quantity, it's enough to form a vast ocean!"ñ00v€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
"i can foresee that when the scale of the mingyue palace's breakthrough loaning business expands in the future, my cultivation speed will become even faster."
"sitting back and enjoying the benefits, sitting back and enjoying the benefits!"
"great!"
for a moment, li fan was overjoyed.
however, right after that, he furrowed his brows.
during the qi condensation stage, the limit of targets that the formless killing intent could lock onto was five people.
when he tested it during the foundation establishment stage, the limit increased to fifteen people.
although it tripled, it was still far from enough.
"i wonder if there's a way to increase it." the limit of the formless killing intent should be related to the strength of the spiritual consciousness.
there should be a method to increase spiritual consciousness strength, but it would undoubtedly come at a high cost.
this was an unexpected joy.
as time passed slowly, in a blink, the 41st year arrived.
on this day, the focused li fan was awakened by the call of a communication talisman.
"what's this?"
he was momentarily stunned, then realized it was the communication talisman from kou hong and dao xuanzi.
as the talisman activated, kou hong's voice followed.
"li fan, my friend, how have you been lately?"
"i've been in seclusion, practicing diligently, so i can't say it's been good or bad." li fan chuckled and replied.
"hahaha, these years, dao xuanzi and i have..."
kou hong spoke halfway but seemed to be interrupted.
the topic shifted, "ahem, let's talk about business. li fan, my friend, dao xuanzi and i are planning to go to cangwu prefecture in search of opportunities. would you like to join us?"
"cangwu prefecture?" li fan had some recollection; it seemed to be in the extreme southwest of the continent, very far from yuandao province.
he wondered why these two were going there.
li fan immediately voiced his doubts.
kou hong's surprised voice came over, "what? old friend, don't you know yet?"
"this matter has already been widely circulated."
"do you remember, twenty-six years ago, that meteor that illuminated the sky?"
li fan squinted his eyes, instantly recalling.
when he gathered intelligence, he had heard about this incident.
it happened in year 15.
a meteor streaked across the night sky, and no one knew where it fell.
all the cultivators who saw this meteor simultaneously felt a sense of awe, sadness, and other complex emotions.
"since that day, cultivators have been constantly trying to find the landing place of the meteor, but all in vain."
"fortunately, everyone persisted, and after twenty-six years, they finally discovered its traces."
"guess what? do you know where this meteor fell? it fell into the abyss of cangwu!"
"that eerie place, deep and bottomless. no wonder no one found it for so many years."
"it is said that a great power calculated that this meteor is related to an enormous opportunity. so cultivators from all over the world want to venture into the abyss of cangwu, hoping to try their luck."
"what if they happen to encounter that meteor?"
"we, the two brothers, also think the same way. dao xuanzi and i have been fortunate recently, so we plan to go and try our luck."
chapter 158: development amid twists and turns
"fellow daoist, are you willing to go with us?"
looking at kou hong's inquiry, li fan decisively chose to refuse.
their journey should not have any danger, but it was destined not to yield any harvest. otherwise, they wouldn't have turned into enemies over a cultivation technique nine years later.
the flourishing business of the mingyue palace's breakthrough loaning operation was unfolding rapidly. how could li fan leave for the abyss of cangwu to search for some meteor at this time?
seeing that li fan did not agree, kou hong felt quite regretful, but he still said confidently, "rest assured, fellow daoist li fan. if there's any significant gain this time, i won't forget to leave you a share!"
li fan chuckled, expressing his understanding of the goodwill.
this matter was just a trivial episode. soon, li fan cast it aside and reserved a fraction of his mental focus to monitor the mingyue palace's operations.
the majority of his energy was once again invested in the endless study of formations.
there was still the allure of 320,000 contribution points beckoning to li fan, leaving him no choice but to strive for them.
by the time the 42nd year reached its halfway point, with the complete recovery of the first batch of debts in the mingyue palace, it marked the entry of the breakthrough loaning operation into a new stage.
in three years, the mingyue palace's assets had more than doubled. the initial 100,000 contribution points had turned into over 200,000, lent out again to cultivators.
it became a constantly growing gold mine.
at this point, disregarding those who had already settled their debts, the number of cultivators owing debts to the mingyue palace had reached twenty-five.
every month, nearly 30,000 contribution points were being reclaimed. the mingyue palace's reputation was growing, attracting cultivators from other provinces to come and try their luck.
li fan ordered the relaxation of restrictions, lending to anyone as long as they had enough contribution points.
under the principle of money begetting money, the mingyue palace's business scale expanded rapidly, making it challenging for xiao heng and su xiaomei to handle the increasing number of debtors each month.
fortunately, during these years, li fan encountered two individuals with outstanding talents - one named zhuge yu and the other named sima cang.
both of them completed the foundation establishment process in just a few years and were only slightly less talented than xiao heng.
so, li fan did not collect their contribution points, and instead generously gave them heavenly treasures and foundation establishment cultivation techniques for free.
after completing their foundation establishment cultivation, these two were grateful to li fan for his selfless and compassionate breakthrough loans. they voluntarily joined the mingyue palace, contributing their efforts to the breakthrough loaning operation.
in the 43rd year, a mid-nascent soul stage cultivator arrived at the mingyue lake, seeking an audience with the owner of the mingyue palace.
li fan merely activated the spirit illusory wave formation, refusing to meet the guest.
this nascent soul true monarch seemed to be a discerning person. after releasing a casual attack and testing the protective grand array, he refrained from seeking disgrace and left after a polite gesture.
after the golden core stage came the nascent soul stage. would the next stage be soul transformation?
li fan, watching the departing figure of the nascent soul cultivator, wore a gloomy expression.
even though this nascent soul cultivator didn't get to meet the true owner of the mingyue palace, his purpose had already been achieved.
there must be no cultivators of mid-nascent soul or higher within the mingyue palace; otherwise, they wouldn't have chosen to shut themselves in and refuse to meet.
having their secrets exposed, the mysterious aura vanished, and the debt collection actions became increasingly difficult.
first, xiao heng and su xiaomei were ambushed, almost losing their lives. fortunately, the treasures given by li fan protected them, allowing them to escape.
however, zhuge yu and sima cang were not as fortunate. sima cang was captured, and his life or death remained uncertain. zhuge yu returned heavily injured and unconscious.
as the situation rapidly changed, with a pile of external debts about to become unrecoverable, li fan, facing a grim reality, directly activated the formless killing intent, killing two or three malicious cultivators who refused to pay their debts.
this temporarily suppressed the evil tendencies towards not repaying debts.
"starting a business on my own is really difficult," li fan sighed as he watched the dejected crowd in the mingyue palace.
"hold on for just a little longer. fortunately, i feel that breaking through to the mid-foundation establishment stage is not far away."
"if things don't work out, i'll change my name, move to a different province, and start over."
under dire circumstances, the mingyue palace temporarily suspended the breakthrough loaning operation, focused on reclaiming contribution points, and prepared to evacuate at any time.
however, it seemed that fate was on li fan's side this time. a sudden major event occurred, causing the yuandao prefecture to descend once again into chaos.
the majority of nascent soul and soul transformation cultivators were affected, and they became embroiled in endless battles.
they had no time to spare for the mingyue palace.
the two geniuses of the blue feather sect in the yuandao prefecture, dugu xi and dugu shi.
both have gone missing.
chapter 159: crazy expansion
two true monarchs in the soul transformation realm inexplicably disappeared.
it sounds like a fantasy.
but it happened so mysteriously.
since the fall of the blue feather immortal sage, dugu xi and dugu shi would annually compete in the tian du martial arena for the ownership of the "heavenly feather transformation technique."
for many years, they had not determined a winner.
each time, it attracted numerous cultivators to come and watch, becoming a spectacle in the yuandao prefecture. many cultivators from other provinces also came, eager to witness the grand battle between the two soul transformation true monarchs.
however, this year, on the agreed-upon day for their grand battle in the tian du martial arena, not a single figure was seen.
people waited for a long time, but dugu xi and dugu shi did not appear.
initially, some thought there might be a change in the schedule, and the cultivators did not think much of it. it wasn't until a few days later that shocking news spread.
relatives and subordinates of the two tried various methods but could not contact them. even the hall of heavenly secrets failed to find any trace of them through divination.
as if they had vanished into thin air, no one saw them alive or dead!
the most shaken was the blue feather sect.
the disappearance of the two top powerhouses left the internal atmosphere of the blue feather sect anxious, and paranoia took hold; everyone suspected everyone else were potential conspirators.
while other forces were initially shocked, they gradually regained their composure.
the blue feather sect, once unassailable, had suffered internal strife for several years and now faced the inexplicable disappearance of two soul transformation true monarchs.
how much strength did the blue feather sect have left now?
greedy thoughts sprouted in the hearts of many, giving rise to a covert alliance called the "burning feather alliance."
minor frictions emerged initially.
but then, sparked by the heavenly feather transformation technique, a large-scale battle erupted.
this profound technique, divided into five parts before the fall of the blue feather immortal sage, was stored in five encrypted jade slips. four were entrusted to the most loyal subordinates, and the remaining one was safeguarded by the most mysterious and reclusive law enforcement hall of the ten thousand immortals alliance.
only when the five jade slips were combined could the complete "heavenly feather transformation technique" be reconstructed.
when the dugu brothers went missing, inviting numerous wolves, the blue feather sect's seemingly most loyal soul transformation true monarch, wei xutuo, betrayed them. under the guise of discussing strategies against their enemies, he tricked the other soul transformation true monarch, wutong tian, into a trap set by the burning feather alliance.
wutong tian, resentful and infuriated, fell into the ambush. wei xutuo obtained two portions of the "heavenly feather transformation technique," and the burning feather alliance took advantage of the situation to conquer territories of the blue feather sect.
upon hearing the news, the blue feather sect was first shocked and then infuriated.
a bloody counterattack began.
the turmoil expanded, sweeping across the entire yuandao prefecture.̃øv€lß1n.
countless golden core, nascent soul, and even soul transformation cultivators were affected, and signs of constant deaths from the heavens were evident.
however, the most numerous qi condensation cultivators, due to their low strength, could not even serve as cannon fodder, so they weren't affected much.
mingyue palace.
"who is behind this again..."
observing recent events in the yuandao prefecture, li fan's eyes flickered.
the thick scent of conspiracy behind this was too obvious.
"people with insight can easily see the suspicious points."
"unfortunately, at this moment, i am already deeply entangled in the chessboard, unable to act freely."
the black-robed cultivator, holding a whisk, gently waved it.
the ginkgo tree, seemingly frozen in time, suddenly began to change.
the trunk swayed, and five golden leaves fluttered down.
the black-robed cultivator showed a pleased expression, "how did five soul transformation cultivators die during my closed-door cultivation?"
the hand seal changed.
besides the golden ginkgo, another identical tree appeared.
however, it emitted a soft silver light all over.
the whisk was waved once more.
twenty-three silver leaves slowly descended.
the black-robed cultivator was even more delighted.
with a quick calculation, he already knew the reason.
"so, there was an internal conflict. what an unexpected joy."
"strange, whose doing is this? why can't i calculate it?"
"hmph, never mind. the more that die, the better."
"originally, i leveraged blue feather's death and executed the blue feather legacy strategy, significantly reducing the number of cultivators."
"now, with this happening, it seems i will exceed the mission quota this time."
the black-robed cultivator was inexplicably joyous, muttering to himself.
"the yuandao prefecture has been peaceful for too long, and there are too many cultivators. it's about time for a thorough pruning. it was all because of that old blue feather's protection..."
"hmph, now that you're dead, there's no way for you to show off."
a blue ginkgo appeared, and this time, even more leaves fell.
the black-robed cultivator was suddenly overjoyed, "this time, the instructions from the immortal ancestor are finally completed."
then, he habitually summoned the last green ginkgo.
to the black-robed cultivator's astonishment, this green ginkgo grew rapidly in the wind.
in just a breath, it increased its size by a full circle.
full of vitality, it swayed gracefully.
the black-robed cultivator stood up in shock, exclaiming, "how could this be?"
"the number of foundation establishment cultivators has tripled in ten years?"
cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and the black-robed cultivator quickly calculated with his fingers.
"what a remarkable mingyue palace..."
after a long time, the black-robed cultivator gritted his teeth and said in a resentful tone, "there are also a bunch of imitators..."
"you will all die!"
boom!
the gold, silver, blue, and green ginkgo trees in front of him instantly turned into flying ashes.
the black-robed cultivator, holding the whisk, took a step forward and disappeared instantly.
chapter 160: mingyue soars into the sky
tl note: term change from prefecture -> province.
*****
mingyue palace.
li fan, still unaware of the impending danger, chuckled as he read a message sent by kou hong.
"li fan, my friend, you have no idea how unlucky dao xuanzi and i have been in recent years!"
"last time, we went through hardships to reach cangwu province. just as we arrived, news spread that the meteor had already been found."
"we didn't even get to see what it looked like and had to return disappointed."
"this time, dao xuanzi and i ventured deep into the hundred stone cave heaven on the border of shilin province, almost risking our lives, to find a scroll of a cultivation technique."
"believe it or not, it turned out to be a nascent soul technique!"
"i was ecstatic at first, but upon closer inspection, someone was already practicing this technique!"
"i checked and found out that it's already being sold in tianxuan mirror!"
"i almost vomited blood!"
"dao xuanzi and i didn't even dare to look at the contents of the technique, afraid that the law enforcement hall would come after us!"
"i don't know if it's lucky or unlucky!"
...
"hundred stone cave heaven..." li fan mumbled to himself without replying to kou hong. he then opened the panel.
name: li fan
cultivation: foundation establishment late stage
physiological age: 71/399
mental age: 591/3669↑
virtualization charging progress: 200%
anchor charging progress: 2%
current anchor points: 1
current available anchor points: 2
with the help of the mountain meditation technique, li fan's cultivation speed was unimaginably fast. at the age of 71, he had already reached the foundation establishment late stage. in the midst of growing unease, li fan had been converting mingyue palace's contributions into usable assets.
firstly, he exchanged for eight human treasures, unlocking the second anchor point of [truth].
however, when trying to unlock the third anchor point, li fan found that the effects of heavenly treasures were negligible. a single human treasure could only increase the progress by 1%. unfortunately, he couldn't exchange for earthly treasures due to insufficient permissions.
seeing her sister so sure, yin yueting finally let go of her worries.
she instinctively touched the silver-colored square necklace hanging on her chest.
"with this random teleportation necklace given by the senior, even if we encounter any disasters, we should be able to save our lives." yin yueting could only console herself in this way.
...
by the shore of the mingyue lake.
mingyue palace had stopped its breakthrough loaning business for some time, but there were still a small number of qi condensation stage cultivators gathered here.
they were anticipating the reopening of the business, hoping to gain an advantage.
on this day, cultivators were chatting and discussing the current situation in the yuandao province.
after nearly seven years of intense slaughter and the ongoing war between the blue feather sect and burning feather alliance, the conflict was finally about to settle down.
both sides suffered heavy losses, almost reaching the point where they could not maintain their positions.
it was said that they had negotiated several times but failed to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement.
"what's that?" a cultivator gazing into the distance suddenly exclaimed.
everyone looked in the direction he pointed.
in the sky, a thin silver thread appeared, descending from an unknown origin. in an instant, it reached the ground and swiftly extended around mingyue lake.
in just a few breaths, the silver thread circled around, like a shackle, tethering the entire eight-hundred-mile mingyue lake.
seeing this bizarre scene, some alert cultivators sensed that something was wrong and immediately fled.
however, most people were still stunned, unsure of what to do.
after the silver threads surrounded the lake, they emitted a faint glow.
then, as if lifted by an invisible force, the silver threads were pulled upward!
in an instant, the earth shook violently.
the lake water churned.
the cultivators, dumbfounded, witnessed the vast mingyue lake being lifted into the air.
it wasn't just the lake water; it included the soil and rocks beneath the lake, and even mingyue palace built at the bottom of the lake.
everything was pulled up together, ascending higher and higher.
at this moment, it wasn't just mingyue lake.
throughout the entire yuandao province, numerous cultivators saw a scene that would be unforgettable for the rest of their lives.
dozens of thin silver threads hung from the sky, continuously pulling up large lakes, mountains, and cities from various places in yuandao province towards the sky.
chapter 161: escape from death
in mingyue palace, the faces of the people witnessing the sudden change turned somewhat pale. in the instant they sensed something was wrong, following li fan's instructions, they prepared to activate the random teleportation necklaces on their bodies.
however, they were astonished to find that this vital lifeline had lost its effect at this moment.
as the entire mingyue lake, akin to a toy, was being pulled upward towards the sky, su xiaomei, xiao heng, and the others had extremely unpleasant expressions.
"this kind of power is that of a dao integration immortal sage!" suddenly, fear and confusion filled their hearts.
but for what? just to gain a few contribution points?
the small mingyue palace couldn't resist even soul transformation cultivators, let alone a dao integration immortal sage personally taking action.
however, despite their emotions, in front of a dao integration immortal sage, they could only be like ants, utterly powerless.
helplessly, they watched as the entire mingyue palace rose higher and higher, and they themselves, like turtles in a jar, had nowhere to escape.̃øv€lß1n.
"younger sister, is this the great fortune you mentioned?" yin yuetin's face turned ghastly pale, and she looked at her sister with disbelief.
yin yuezhen looked bewildered, at a loss for words.
then, as if recalling something, she quickly said, "don't worry, senior will definitely make a move! it will surely turn bad luck into good..."
before she could finish speaking, a loud noise came from outside the mingyue palace.
everyone looked and saw a huge mushroom cloud rising, centered on the mingyue palace, expanding rapidly. in the blink of an eye, it covered the entire mingyue lake.
in the sky, the one who initiated the explosion, li fan, had a pained expression on his face.
originally, the planned devouring startling spirit formation was only meant to cover the range of the mingyue palace, intending to delay the arrival of a powerful enemy.
but unexpectedly, the unknown dao integration expert didn't directly launch an attack. instead, he wiped out the entire mingyue lake.
it seemed like he wanted to take them somewhere.
with no choice, li fan had to spend several times the original cost to expand the self-detonation's scope.
"it's fine. as long as we can escape this time, we still gained something."
since he chose to take action, li fan no longer hesitated. carefully taking out a black spike from his bosom, he aimed it at the silver thread in the sky and threw it forcefully.
at the moment of the explosion of the devouring white mist, the silver thread seemed to encounter a natural enemy and subconsciously contracted for a moment. however, immediately afterward, it ignored the white mist touching it and instead wound even tighter around the mingyue lake.
in the sky, faint thunder-like sounds could be heard.
"devouring white mist? hmph, your mingyue palace is the head of all evils, disrupting my grand plan. even if it costs me some lifespan, i must capture you."
"if i don't thoroughly deal with you, it will be difficult to dispel the hatred in my heart!"
suddenly, a sense of unease surged in his heart. he calculated continuously with his left hand, and his expression kept changing.
clearly, even for the black-robed cultivator, this mysterious event was extremely difficult to calculate.
his aura fluctuated, wrinkles appeared slowly on his face, and strands of white hair began to show. blood flowed from his eyes.
after a while, the black-robed cultivator suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood.
then, he shouted loudly, "devouring rebirth formation?"
"old blue feather, do you still want to seek longevity even after death!?"
a trembling sense of fear surged from the depths of his soul, and the black-robed cultivator instinctively had the thought of fleeing.
but immediately after, he looked towards the direction of yuandao heavenly city.
"no wonder these years, the usually peaceful yuandao province has been full of slaughter, with countless cultivators dying..."
"my blue feather legacy plan also went unexpectedly smoothly. it turns out i was also manipulated."
"arrogance, too much arrogance!"
the black-robed cultivator gritted his teeth, "how could i let you have your way!"
at this point, he no longer cared about the people from the mingyue palace. letting go of the silver thread, he rushed towards the direction of yuandao heavenly city.
...
"tru..."
the frozen thoughts gradually recovered, and li fan almost uttered the word "truth."
however, the pulling force from the other side had already disappeared, and li fan, who had returned to safety, forcibly swallowed the word.
"so, this is a dao integration immortal sage..."
li fan's face turned dark. all of his so-called preparations were nothing but jokes in the face of absolute strength disparity.
just now, it was undoubtedly the most dangerous moment since li fan crossed. he could sense that something had happened around him, but his soul was frozen and he was unable to make effective reactions or thoughts.
if the black-robed cultivator hadn't been startled away, li fan might really have been finished.
"just prompting more than five hundred foundation establishment cultivators to appear prematurely directly attracts an expert of this level..."
"no, there were still quite a few more who were captured along with the mingyue palace just now."
"there are probably many who imitated my breakthrough loaning."
"so, is it because there's a sudden surge in foundation establishment cultivators?"
chapter 162: the calamity has long been destined
"it seems that although the 'mountain meditation technique' cultivates at an extremely fast speed, the risks are still too great for a high-profile cultivation."
"this time, i was fortunate to escape with my life due to good luck."
"the next time, it's impossible to say."
li fan sighed, then remembered the scene where the black-robed dao integration cultivator had a terrified expression just now.
"devouring rebirth, seeking longevity?"
"i didn't expect that the mastermind behind the chaos in the yuandao province was actually the deceased blue feather immortal sage."
"is he trying to reverse the cycle of life and death?"
although he still didn't know the specific details of blue feather immortal sage's plan, the fragments of information from the black-robed cultivator were enough to reveal the terror of blue feather immortal sage.
he sacrificed countless lives of cultivators in the yuandao province to achieve immortality.
among these fallen cultivators, many were blue feather immortal sage's subordinates and relatives.
"i don't know if, after being discovered by this black-robed cultivator, blue feather's plan can still succeed. anyway, regardless of the outcome, the yuandao province is not a good place to stay for long. i have to leave quickly."
previously, he had already agreed with su xiaomei and the others to meet in the shilin province after splitting up.
in these seven years, with a significant surplus of contributions, even the weakest yin sisters had broken through to late stage qi condensation, plus they had some magical treasures for protection.
being a bit careful on the way should ensure their safety.
li fan surveyed the surroundings. he had been transported to a dense forest, and he didn't know the exact location.
he tried to contact others from the mingyue palace using communication talismans, but he couldn't establish a connection.
after pondering for a moment, li fan decided to find a populated place first, identify his current location, and then proceed.
he chose a direction, concealed his figure, and swiftly flew.
however, halfway through, li fan suddenly stopped.
his face showed puzzlement.
"what's going on? why hasn't the unease in my heart disappeared, and is instead growing stronger?"
"has that black-robed dao integration cultivator not given up on chasing me?"
"what kind of grudge is this, what kind of resentment?"
"no, this feeling is not like the helplessness and despair when facing the dao integration immortal venerable."
"does the crisis come from someone else?"
"what's going on?"
the experiences of this life flashed through his mind quickly, but li fan couldn't figure out where this fatal crisis was coming from.
li fan stopped and took out a necklace with a random teleportation formation from his storage ring.
after activating it, the scenery around him changed rapidly.
before he could see the environment clearly, li fan took out another necklace.
he repeated this process five times, not knowing how far he had been teleported.
li fan stopped when he felt a bit dizzy.
the uneasy premonition in his heart finally gradually subsided. it seemed that he had temporarily escaped from this unknown enemy.
surveying the surroundings, li fan found himself on a plain.
in the far distance, there were continuous mountains visible on the horizon.
not far away, there was a city. after inquiring, li fan learned that this place was already near the border of the shilin province, and the city was called luo fan city, a remote town without any cultivators guarding it.
however, to the north of luo fan city, there was a large city called rong hua city, where cultivators were definitely residing.
this person had a sturdy figure, fiery red hair, and a flaming red beard.
staring down at li fan, his voice was like thunder.
"you can run pretty fast!"
"surrender the minor medicine king cauldron, and i might spare your life!"
...
the rolling sound echoed continuously in li fan's ears.
li fan squinted his eyes, and in an instant, many thoughts flashed through his mind.
"minor medicine king cauldron?"
"hunting me across several states, is it really for this?"
"could it be some extraordinary treasure?"
"but it's been almost thirty-seven years since i bought these two small cauldrons from jiao xiuyuan."
"these two small cauldrons have no practical use. i've always kept them in the corner of my storage ring, and i've almost forgotten about them myself."
"if they really have some special value, why did it take so long for the pursuit to begin?"
past scenes quickly flashed through li fan's mind.
...
"it is said that after the immortal ancestor passed on his teachings, before the arrival of the great calamity, the sect leader of the medicine king sect, liu ruchen, had a vague premonition that the world might undergo significant changes."
"so, with an extremely tough attitude, liu ruchen led the entire medicine king sect, using his medicine king cauldron as a boat, to break through the void and leave the realm."
jiao xiuyuan spoke confidently.
...
in the 15th year.
a fiery meteor illuminated the sky, tearing through the night.
its whereabouts were unknown.
but all the cultivators who saw this meteor felt a simultaneous surge of fear, sorrow, and other inexplicable emotions.
...
"good heavens, do you know where this meteor fell? the abyss of cangwu!"
"that eerie place, unfathomable. no wonder no one has found it for so many years."
in the 41st year, the meteor returned to the cangwu province.
kou hong and dao xuanzi wanted to seek opportunities.
...
"the last time, we painstakingly ran to cangwu state. the news of the discovery of the meteor had just come out when we arrived, and we didn't even get to see what it looked like. we could only return disappointed."
kou hong complained dejectedly.
...
li fan couldn't help but suddenly understand.
"could it be that the meteor is the medicine king cauldron of the medicine king sect?"
"the medicine king cauldron that broke through the void before the great calamity has now inexplicably returned to the xuanhuang realm."
"and those 36 minor medicine king cauldrons that no one cared about in the past have become treasures coveted by everyone for some unknown reason."
"so, the calamity that endangered my life was this!"
chapter 163: foundation establishment slaughters nascent soul
having clarified the reason for the pursuit, li fan didn't immediately choose to submit.
as he observed the sturdy red-haired man above him, a dangerous glint flashed in li fan's eyes.
"i thought that the one coming to kill me would be a soul transformation cultivator."
"unexpectedly, while i was just waiting here, i got a nascent soul cultivator instead."
"i've cultivated for a hundred years and never had a formal battle with anyone."
"it's the perfect timing to test everything i've learned on you."
seeing li fan standing still, the red-haired nascent soul cultivator became impatient.
"surrender the minor medicine king cauldron, and i might spare your life!"
he shouted again.
if it weren't for the concern that attacking might damage the storage ring, potentially causing the loss of the minor medicine king cauldron, he probably would have slapped this small foundation establishment cultivator to death already.
"is this the minor medicine king cauldron you're talking about, senior?" li fan revealed a flattering smile and then took a small cauldron out of his storage ring, holding it in his hand.
the eyes of the red-haired nascent soul cultivator lit up. "yes! yes! that's it! you're quite sensible, little guy!"
watching the minor medicine king cauldron flying towards him, he was satisfied.
he reached out to grab the small cauldron, but before he could be happy about it, a storage ring suddenly appeared from the cauldron.
immediately after, a large mass of white mist, entangled with golden threads, appeared next to the red-haired nascent soul.
"boom!"
the mist exploded as hundreds of runes burst into fragments.
a tremendous destructive force erupted.
following that, the cloud formed by the devouring white mist enveloped the red-haired nascent soul.
"you bastard!"
he roared in anger, and the devouring white mist was instantly blown away.
the nascent soul revealed himself again, and the minor medicine king cauldron had already been put away.
there seemed to be no injuries, just a slightly trembling hand, indicating that li fan's attack was not entirely useless.
"you're looking for..."
before he could finish his sentence, the red-haired nascent soul was instantly enveloped by several arrays.
his breath stagnated, and then he saw the world seemingly light up.
a vast blue ocean suddenly appeared in the sky.
a bright blue sword light, with an unmatched aura, flew out from the ocean and slashed towards him.
li fan's first move was unexpectedly his strongest move at the moment.
the cong yun sea sword.
"earthly treasure?!"
the red-haired nascent soul exclaimed, then looked at li fan with greedy eyes.
the ground cracked and the sky darkened.
a volcano rose up, blocking the path of the sword light.
the volcano was not like the illusory image of the ocean but instead a tangible object.
the surroundings became scorching hot as magma surged out from the cracked ground.
the blue sword light dimmed slightly but still pierced through the volcano, slashing towards the red-haired nascent soul cultivator.
a trace of seriousness flashed across the nascent soul cultivator's face; he felt that he couldn't avoid this blue sword light.
he could only face it head-on.
but the sword light unleashed by this foundation establishment cultivator actually posed a lethal threat to him.
what kind of sword technique was this?
using all his means, catching the opponent off guard, only destroyed one physical body.
after recovery, he would be the one dead.
"as expected, challenging cultivators across realms is not an easy task."
"however..."
li fan's eyes flashed.
his aura suddenly erupted, and li fan had no reservations at this moment.
"i still have one last move. please enlighten me, senior!"
the explosive law formation operated to its extreme, on the verge of collapse at any moment.
bearing the far-overloaded energy, li fan's body was disintegrating inch by inch.
his lower limbs gradually disappeared, leaving only the upper torso remaining.
at this moment, li fan, fearless of life and death, unleashed the sea covering palm that he comprehended from the ancient dao resonance.
his right hand swung out, seemingly ordinary.
in the moment just before the sea covering palm took shape,
between life and death, li fan suddenly had an enlightenment.
xiao heng and su xiaomei observed the sea covering palm, each having their own insights.
xiao heng's palm technique was elusive and unpredictable.
su xiaomei's palm technique, on the other hand, was unparalleled in dominance, suppressing all things.
however, li fan had always only mastered the form, unable to embody his own true meaning.
always lacking that tiny bit.
for several years, there had been no progress.
but now, facing a nascent soul stage cultivator with only foundation establishment cultivation, li fan, fearless of life and death, unafraid of the gap in realms, decisively struck out with the sea covering palm.
at that moment, he suddenly comprehended the true meaning of his palm technique.
that is...
defiance!
so what if it's a nascent soul stage cultivator?
in two lifetimes, practicing cultivation for a hundred years, with countless secrets in my possession.
moreover, using several outstanding talents as pawns, deducing divine techniques.
killing enemies across two realms, what the ancient prodigies did, can't i?
li fan's body dispersed with the wind, but his eyes became brighter.
he laughed loudly, "today, with your life, assist me in attaining mastery!"
the red-haired nascent soul cultivator sneered, "brazen words..."
before he could finish speaking, he suddenly found his head enveloped by ominous clouds.
"it appears to be sea covering."
"but in reality, it is..."
"heaven overturning!"
a giant hand that could not be seen in its entirety descended from the sky, pressing down forcefully.
"boom!"
the volcano, along with the attached nascent soul, turned into powder in an instant.
in the high sky, the announcement of the nascent soul cultivator's fall suddenly occurred.
but li fan paid no attention.
his body disintegrated, leaving only half a head.
before consciousness faded away, li fan silently recited, "truth!"
chapter 164: establishing the foundation over a hundred lifetimes
"the simulation has ended."nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
...
in the familiar yet unfamiliar study, li fan stood still, still immersed in the aftermath of the "heaven overturning palm."
after a while, he took a deep breath.
although he had killed a nascent soul cultivator as a foundation establishment cultivator, there was not much pride in li fan's heart.
one reason was that the red-haired nascent soul cultivator was not particularly strong.
more importantly, li fan did not rely entirely on his own strength.
he used the "explosive law formation" to forcibly increase the power of his techniques to the golden core realm. he also activated a bunch of formations for assistance.
in the end, the cong yun sea twenty-eight swords and the heaven overturning palm, two major killer moves, were unleashed together.
ultimately, it ended with both parties perishing.
if it weren't for [truth], he might have already died.
however, then again, if it weren't for [truth] as a reliance, given li fan's character, he probably wouldn't have been willing to sacrifice himself to comprehend the heaven overturning palm that reversed the situation.
he stared at the options from [truth].
without a doubt, li fan chose the second option, retaining his cultivation.
while making the decision, he concentrated his mind, paying close attention to the changes about to happen in his body.
when he inherited the cultivation of the late qi condensation stage, the immortal-mortal miasma in his body silently dissolved and disappeared as the cultivation appeared.
now, what li fan was curious about was how [truth] would deal with the laws of this world, which demanded that foundation establishment breakthrough required stealing heavenly treasures.
holding his breath, the cultivation of the late foundation establishment stage suddenly surged out from his body.
the immortal-mortal miasma dispersed like snowflakes, leaving no trace.
spiritual energy inexplicably emerged within him, and then his momentum rose steadily.
in the blink of an eye, he reached the late qi condensation stage.
then, in his dantian, an azure pearl suddenly appeared without any warning.
it was the canghai pearl that should not have appeared yet!
the roots of heaven and earth attached to the canghai pearl, transforming its laws into li fan's foundation treasure.
however, this process of foundation establishment was a hundred or a thousand times faster than li fan's own.
in an instant, the canghai pearl disappeared.
a blue ocean silhouette lingered in li fan's dantian.
in a short moment, li fan completed the process of foundation establishment.
afterward, his aura continued to rise until it stopped at the late foundation establishment stage.
"it seems that even when relying on the power of [truth] to enhance my cultivation, in this world, i still have to follow the cultivation laws set by the immortal ancestor step by step."
"this is the power of 'opposing the principles of heaven and earth,' isn't it?"
"the nature of the rules of cultivation has fundamentally changed. if you want to play the game of cultivating immortality, you must follow the established rules."
li fan pondered for a moment, recalling scenes from his previous life, as if he had gained some insight.
"after the immortal ancestor opposed the principles of heaven and earth, he no longer appeared in the world."
"a dao integration cultivator suppresses a state, and is the strongest battle force on the surface."
"under dao integration..."
he thought about the various soul transformation cultivators in the yuandao province killing each other but only ending up as sacrifices for blue feather immortal sage's rebirth.
li fan couldn't help but sigh: "under the dao integration, all are ants."
"soul transformation, nascent soul, golden core, foundation establishment."
"there is no difference."
"only after sacrificing a heavenly spirit and achieving dao integration can one barely enter the gaze of the immortal ancestor."
"but..."
"without achieving immortality, it is ultimately futile."
"the blue feather immortal sage, even after struggling for several millennia, still couldn't escape the ultimate fate."
"achieve immortality..."
"achieve immortality..."
...
li fan murmured these two words repeatedly as if contemplating something, his brows furrowed.
"without achieving immortality, everything is ultimately futile."
"if one does achieve immortality, then what?"
"in the beginning, the immortal ancestor established a new way of cultivation."
"from then on, if one does not follow his path of cultivation, it is impossible to cultivate."
"but if one truly walks his path of cultivation, then even if one truly achieves immortality, they will still be under his shadow."
li fan seemed to have figured something out, and his face suddenly calmed.
"in this world, the path of cultivation has already been established according to his will, resulting in fixed rules."
"to transcend, one must escape the chess game from the very beginning."
"but as a chess piece, and the weakest one at that, how can one jump out of the game by oneself?"
"unless one relies on external things."
"[truth]..."
li fan stared at the [truth] screen in front of him, his gaze constantly shifting.
"since the day i learned that everything in the world can be seen as heavenly treasures, i have had the idea of relying on [truth] to build my foundation treasure."
"for this reason, i have observed the process of foundation establishment thousands of times."
"i've also unlocked two anchor points."
"now is the time to try."
with determination in his heart, li fan flew to mount xie li, where he had first comprehended the formless killing intent.
he quickly built a simple grass hut and arranged the surroundings to prevent outsiders from entering.
then he sat cross-legged in the hut. with a thought, the [truth] prompt appeared at the right moment.
"would you like to set the current time as the second anchor point?"
li fan didn't hesitate: "yes!"
the second anchor point was set in response.
"now, it's just a matter of waiting for [truth] to recharge."
"the charging speed of [truth] has not increased, still requiring about nine years."
"during this time, i can't afford to be idle."
"i haven't studied he zhenghao's 'mountain and river vein formation diagrams' much, but i remember the basics of zhang zhiliang's 'infinite formation.'"
"it's a good opportunity to continue strengthening my proficiency in formations."
"it's just a pity that in this land of immortal extinction, i can only improve my theoretical knowledge and cannot practice laying down formations."
li fan sighed, then settled his mind into the insights of the formation path.
nine years passed in the blink of an eye.
"it's time!"
ready to turn truth into illusion at any moment, li fan finally had the confidence to start building his foundation with [truth].
currently, his foundation treasure is still the canghai pearl.
so, the first step was...
shattering the foundation treasure.
the "tai shang primordial scripture" circulated throughout his body, converting all his cultivation into pure energy and storing it within his body.
then, looking at the ocean silhouette in his dantian, li fan forcefully struck his dantian with a finger.
li fan spat out a large mouthful of blood, and his breath rapidly weakened.
the ocean silhouette of the cong yun sea began to violently sway, and a black crack appeared in the middle.
the ocean silhouette became increasingly illusory.
slowly, li fan's life aura became faint, then slowly extinguished.
as it was about to perish, at the last moment, li fan silently recited [truth] in his mind.
the fifty-seventh attempt!
six years later, li fan tried again.
the white jade light changed shape as li fan further comprehended.
the fleshy tumors on li fan's body kept appearing.
after a long time, another failure.
the fifty-eighth attempt.
failure!
the fifty-ninth attempt.
failure!
...
repeated failures did not diminish li fan's determination and belief.
he summarized the lessons learned and compared each foundation building process.
li fan discovered that deliberate manipulation was more effective than a state of ignorance and confusion. he found that the time he could endure was much shorter if his mind was chaotic.
"although i can't perceive [truth] directly, it seems to influence my body since it is integrated with me."
"building the foundation with my consciousness is much smoother than doing it with my subconscious."
during the 75th attempt at foundation building, li fan had a moment of enlightenment.
as he expected, the shape of the white jade light sphere gradually became regular with each subsequent attempt, as if he was trimming it back to its original form.
...
the ninetieth attempt.
when the white jade light sphere finally took on an elliptical shape, it stabilized.
no more fleshy tumors appeared on li fan's body.
the light flickered as it transformed from illusion to reality.
it seemed to manifest in the dantian.
but...
suddenly, a realization flashed through li fan's mind.
it was still lacking something.
it was as if something had abruptly descended into the small grass hut atop mount xie li.
in an instant, li fan's hair turned snow-white.
his skin dried up and wrinkled.
terrifying grooves and cracks appeared on his face.
his muscles dissolved, leaving only a layer of skin hanging on the skeleton.
he became deformed like a horrific monstrosity.
li fan's age rapidly increased, and in a moment, he seemed on the verge of dying of old age.
"truth!"
without hesitation, li fan exclaimed.
from the 91st to the 98th attempt, each attempt was the same.
success in establishing the foundation with [truth] was just a tiny step away.
on the 99th attempt, he returned to the mount xie li.
"what exactly is lacking?"
li fan frowned.
he knew that success was now within a hair's breadth.
but it wasn't something that simple attempts could resolve.
it required a moment of enlightenment to identify the problem.
li fan had a premonition that the answer should be simple.
it was like breaking through a thin layer of window paper, easy to pierce.
however, at this moment, li fan was stuck on this mountain, unable to see the true nature.
he couldn't find the exact solution.
as li fan contemplated, he descended from the mountain.
he strolled through the mortal world, seeking his own answers.
at the same time, he observed the vast world of the grand xuan that hadn't been influenced by him.
in the fifth year, a severe drought hit jiangnan.
a group of refugees attacked the langya prince's estate.
the langya prince's estate suffered heavy losses.
except for prince langya, who escaped through a secret tunnel, saving his life, the rest of the mansion's inhabitants were mercilessly killed by the refugees.
the news spread, shaking the court and the public.
the emperor was furious and ordered the military to suppress the rebels. simultaneously, he summoned prince langya to the capital and protected him. from then on, prince langya remained in the capital.
in the 15th year, the emperor suddenly fell seriously ill.
before his death, he summoned prince langya to the palace and passed the throne to him. prince langya ascended the throne and changed the era name to xuanjing.
in the 16th year, simultaneous rebellions erupted across the country. emperor xuanjing appointed his trusted advisor as the grand general to lead the army in quelling the unrest.
after three years, the grand general finally pacified the rebellions throughout the land. he returned triumphantly to the court.
emperor xuanjing ordered the officials to welcome the grand general outside the capital with imperial honors. however, the grand general, with an arrogant expression, did not dismount in the presence of the officials and did not kneel before the emperor.
emperor xuanjing remained unfazed, extended his hand, and welcomed the grand general into the palace. lavish banquets were held to entertain the guests.
after three rounds of drinks, the officials quietly withdrew.
dozens of executioners rushed in.
the grand general, who was heavily intoxicated, suddenly woke up and questioned emperor xuanjing. emperor xuanjing remained silent.
under the attack of the executioners, the grand general, although valiant and unrivaled, was covered in wounds.
barely clinging to life, he pointed at emperor xuanjing and resentfully said, "if there is a next time, i will personally lead a mighty army to crush the imperial capital. i will use your head as a wine jug to satisfy the hatred in my heart!"
he then died under the swords.
...
time seemed to freeze at that moment.
li fan, who had been silently observing, now revealed his figure.
his eyes were bright as if he had suddenly enlightened.
"people don't have a next time."
"this world doesn't have a next time."
"but i do."
"my [truth]..."
"transcends beyond the rules of the world."
in an instant, the surroundings became illusory, and li fan returned to mount xie li.
li fan exhaled [truth] again.
"truth into lie..."
"reality into illusion..."
he stared at the six words generated by [truth], his mind pure and clear.
"i will build the foundation based on the rules of [truth]!"
everything fell into place without any obstruction.
the white jade light sphere suddenly manifested in the dantian.
the third anchor dropped without delay.
chapter 165: learning all the laws of the world
"building the foundation for a hundred lifetimes, although arduous, has broken my shackles. from now on, i no longer need to worry about the compatibility issues between the cultivation method i practice and my foundation treasure."
"any heavenly treasure from all corners of the world can become my foundation treasure."
at the peak of mount xie li, li fan, who successfully built the foundation with [truth], couldn't help but feel a faint sense of joy in his heart.
more than six hundred years and a hundred lifetimes had been spent all for one goal.
now that it has finally been achieved, the results are extraordinary.
"canghai pearl!"
li fan's mind moved.
in the dantian, the white jade light sphere emitted a gentle light.
then, in an instant, it turned into the appearance of a vast blue ocean.
even though li fan had used the canghai pearl to build his foundation before, at this moment, it was difficult to distinguish the sea inside him from the original canghai pearl.
it could only be said that they were exactly the same!
"this is turning lies into truth!" li fan sighed.
the magnificent power of reversing time possessed by [truth] transcends this world.
so, li fan's repeated failures in using the complete [truth] to build the foundation were because of this.
however, [truth] transcends the world, and it also intersects with this world.
its rules within this world could be expressed in the six words "truth to lies, reality to illusion."
in short, during foundation establishment, [truth] can transform into any heavenly treasure related to the laws that li fan comprehends or that [truth] has absorbed.
feeling excited, li fan changed the appearance of the foundation treasure within his body one after another.
"rust sword dao xuan!"
a broken and rusty sword appeared on mount xie li.
"gnarled dragon branch!"
"indignant fall!"
...
as the appearance of the foundation treasure within his body changed, the aura on li fan's body also kept changing.
after simulating all the heavenly treasures encountered in the twelfth life, li fan changed [truth] into the appearance of the canghai pearl again.
an ocean silhouette appeared above his head, and li fan swung his sword.
the clouds parted with a single sword strike which flew towards the rising sun in the east.
even when it disappeared from view, its momentum remained undiminished.
"when performing a cong yun sea sword, it's indistinguishable from the real canghai pearl."
"perhaps, this immortal-mortal miasma doesn't actually have a physical existence? maybe it's more like a curse-like power?"
"regardless, this blood bead will be my killer move in the future."
in the twelfth life, whenever li fan encountered cultivators with nascent soul cultivation base or above, he felt a sense of powerlessness.
he couldn't help but think of the immortal-mortal miasma that made all cultivators turn pale.
in this life, all the effort was to turn the immortal-mortal miasma into [truth]'s bound item so that he could use it anytime.
"however, from the information i know, in the cultivation world, using immortal-mortal miasma to maliciously harm others will cause one to be jointly pursued by the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association until death."
"it's not something that should be used until it's absolutely necessary."
"well... perhaps, i can use the transformation of [truth] to disguise myself as someone else."
li fan gradually sank into deep thought.
after nine years, [truth] completed its charging.
li fan swept through the world, filling the taiyan boat to the brim.
then he rushed out of the immortal extinction formation, returning to the cultivation world after more than six hundred years.
at this time, to avoid alerting the law enforcement hall, li fan only practiced the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra."
his foundation treasure transformed into the appearance of the stone tablet of prohibition.
arriving at the cong yun sea, he still headed straight for the liuli island.
when he was close to his destination, li fan didn't forget to kill the giant liuli fish in passing and took the golden liuli pearl.
"rest assured, fellow daoist he, this time you will not lose everything!"
li fan smiled faintly and arrived outside liuli island.
"fellow daoist he of the ten thousand immortals alliance, are you here?"
his voice, like thunder, spread across liuli island in an instant.
after a moment, the solemn voice of he zhenghao came, "this humble one is he zhenghao! may i ask, fellow daoist, what important matter brings you to me?"
it turned out that he had not appeared in person but remained hidden within the island protection array.
li fan couldn't help but smile wryly, and he immediately said loudly, "i have no ill intent, and only desire to join the ten thousand immortals alliance. i have heard of fellow daoist's reputation for generosity and wanted to ask fellow daoist to recommend me!"
"what..." before finishing his sentence, he zhenghao flashed consecutively, showing up beside li fan with a face full of surprise.
"easy, easy!" he zhenghao looked at li fan and readily agreed.
"i still don't know the name of fellow daoist?" he bowed slightly, asking with a smile.
"i am li fan."
watching the smiling he zhenghao, li fan couldn't help but also reveal a friendly smile.
*****
tl note: here's a mass release for you guys for the holidays! merry christmas :)
chapter 166: investor he zhenghao
"fellow daoist, where did you cultivate before?"
inside the pavilion on the mountaintop of liuli island, he zhenghao and li fan sat facing each other.
he poured a pot of spirit tea, filled li fan's cup, and then asked.
"i was originally a loose cultivator in the yuandao province. in the past few years, while seeking a breakthrough opportunity, i arrived at the cong yun sea," li fan took a sip of tea and continued, "i am now in the late stage of foundation establishment. as a precaution, i want to prepare for the future golden core cultivation method."
"foundation establishment is the limit for ordinary loose cultivators. by exploring on my own, it's extremely difficult to find a golden core cultivation method. after much consideration, i decided to abandon my previous loose cultivation philosophy and join the ten thousand immortals alliance." li fan sighed and explained.
"fellow daoist, there's no need to worry. i know that many loose cultivators in the outside world have misunderstandings about our ten thousand immortals alliance. they think that our cultivators are like cattle and horses, being driven and having no freedom. this is a great misconception!" he zhenghao explained confidently.nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
"the contribution points we use in the ten thousand immortals alliance are essentially no different from spirit stones. essentially, everyone relies on their own efforts to obtain cultivation resources. it's just that within the ten thousand immortals alliance, there is centralized arrangement."
"moreover, the alliance also has treasures like the tianxuan mirror, which is extremely useful. when you witness it, you'll understand." he zhenghao smiled and said, lifting the teacup to take a sip.
"i heard that recommending cultivators to join the ten thousand immortals alliance comes with corresponding contribution point rewards?" li fan suddenly asked.
"cough, cough..." he zhenghao seemed to have choked and coughed a few times before putting down the teacup.
"fellow daoist, you are quite well-informed! rest assured, i understand the rules! when the time comes, i will share half of the contribution points i obtain!" he patted his chest and assured.
li fan inexplicably glanced at he zhenghao, then nodded slowly, "so be it, please guide me, fellow daoist. i can't wait any longer!"
he zhenghao suddenly felt a chill on his back but quickly dismissed it, thinking it was just an illusion.
hearing li fan's words, he immediately said, "fellow daoist, wait a moment. let me go and get the passage token for you. otherwise, if you rush onto the island, you will be attacked by the ten thousand immortals guardian formation."
li fan nodded, "i've heard about this. fellow daoist, please go!"
he zhenghao activated the teleportation array and went to ten thousand immortals island.
li fan, on the other hand, waited while drinking tea.
not long after, he zhenghao returned.
"fellow daoist, just leave behind a trace of your aura." handing the passage token to li fan, he zhenghao said.
li fan did it with ease.
"when you officially join the ten thousand immortals alliance, remember to return this token. otherwise, you'll have to compensate for the corresponding value in contribution points."
"such a small piece..." he zhenghao was about to say something more but suddenly changed his words.
"hehe, forget it. fellow daoist, let's go!"
li fan said seriously.
"heh..." what li fan said exceeded he zhenghao's understanding.
not knowing how to respond, he had to show an embarrassed smile.
fortunately, he was an old hand in the cultivation world, quickly changing the topic.
taking out a communication talisman shaped like a mountain peak, he zhenghao handed it to li fan and said enthusiastically, "since fellow daoist is looking for my recommendation, it means you hold me, he zhenghao, in high regard."
"in the future, if there is anything i, he zhenghao, can help you with, feel free to ask. although my cultivation level is a bit low, i still have some connections on ten thousand immortals island."
li fan took the communication talisman without saying a word, smiling at he zhenghao.
he zhenghao was first stunned, then slapped his head with a look of realization.
"if it wasn't for fellow daoist reminding me, i almost forgot." with a hint of reluctance in his eyes, he zhenghao transferred 1500 contribution points to li fan.
li fan nodded in satisfaction and then asked, "fellow daoist has probably been a member of the ten thousand immortals alliance for quite some time. why does it seem like your contribution points are not very abundant?"
he zhenghao immediately became energetic and began to explain to li fan, "fellow daoist, you don't know! if you have too many contribution points but never use them, they will remain forever stagnant."
"but if you use the contribution points to invest in commodities like spirit mist grass and tongxuan wood when their prices are low, you can stock up."
"wait until their prices rise, then sell them."
"you can profit from it."
"although the fluctuations are usually small, and each plant doesn't earn much, if you buy a large quantity each time, it still turns out to be a decent profit."
he zhenghao was proud of himself.
"this is what we call investment!"
"fellow daoist, you don't know, but i am well-versed in the art of investment."
"no wonder you dared to go all-in with your entire wealth before. it turns out you've tasted the sweetness beforehand."
li fan looked at he zhenghao with a strange expression, thinking in his heart.
"fellow daoist, you seem to doubt what i said?" he zhenghao was a bit unhappy.
he immediately said, "okay, let's do it this way."
"when there is an opportunity for a big profit next time, i will invite fellow daoist to join in."
"then, fellow daoist can witness my skills!"
chapter 167: ice intent heartless pill
"well, i'm really looking forward to it." li fan looked at he zhenghao, full of confidence, and said with a smile.
he zhenghao boasted about his past achievements again, bragging about doubling his contribution points in ten years, making a big profit equivalent to several years of hard work, and so on. after li fan signaled with his eyes, he finally stopped, still not completely satisfied.
the promotion message from the tianxuan mirror sounded timely.
"cultivator li fan, welcome to the ten thousand immortals alliance. as a benefit, we will give you 1000 contribution points for free. you can use contribution points to exchange for spiritual stones, cultivation techniques, magical treasures, and more."
"you have received 1500 contribution points from he zhenghao."
"current total contribution points: 2500."
...
although li fan started this life with 2500 contribution points, for someone who once had a wealth of over a million, it was challenging to evoke any psychological fluctuations. especially in the late stage of foundation establishment, the daily activation of the tianxuan mirror already cost 300 contribution points.
li fan now realized that these 300 contribution points were roughly what an ordinary late foundation establishment cultivator could earn in nearly a month of doing low-risk tasks most of the time. after spending one day on assisted cultivation, it would be back to running errands in an endless loop.
add to that occasionally getting lucky with high-reward, low-risk tasks, after a year, only a small amount of contribution points could be accumulated.
this was the typical fate of ordinary cultivators in ten thousand immortals alliance.
if there were regrets and one wanted to take a risk, there would naturally be the possibility of death.
as someone who regressed, li fan would naturally not fall into the same fate.
repeating the same trick, he bought a storage ring, went out, and returned to exchange the gold and silver treasures and the remains of the "stone tablet of prohibition" in the tai yan boat.
he received 2831 contribution points.
still too little!
li fan remembered that in about half a year, the dragonwhale that had swallowed many liuli pearls and gained wisdom would destroy the island where spirit mist grass was found. greenwood rebirth true immortal also took advantage of this to set up a big harvest.
li fan didn't want to miss such a feast and naturally wanted to accumulate enough contribution points before participating.
li fan looked again at the task to collect blue blood coral that he had taken before.
without hesitation, he directly accepted the task.
then he went directly through the teleportation array to mist crow island in the northwest of the cong yun sea.
the mist crow island was guarded by a foundation establishment cultivator whose hunched body was hidden in a black robe, and his face was unseen.
an eerie aura radiated from his body, repelling anyone thousands of miles away invisibly.
li fan just nodded at him slightly as a sign and then left directly.
once out of the island protection formation, li fan looked up.
the island was shrouded in a gray mist throughout the day.
"let's take it while we're at it."
so, with little effort, li fan dug out another blue blood coral.
returning to the tianxuan mirror, he chose to submit it.
after the other party received the two corals, the task reward was quickly settled.
six thousand contribution points were instantly obtained.
"i wonder what pill is elder chen refining with this blue blood coral?"
li fan casually asked.
after a while, perhaps for the sake of the two blue blood corals, the reply came.
"ice intent heartless pill, for the purpose of exploring a secret realm. if you find this kind of coral in the future, you can trade them to me. i'll buy as many as you can find."
...
"ice intent heartless pill." li fan savored the name of this pill, pondering.
with the task completed, li fan's contribution points now exceeded ten thousand.
it had only been three days since he joined ten thousand immortals alliance at this point.
the speed of contribution point growth was truly astonishing.
li fan then looked at the most eye-catching bounty task.
"one hundred thousand contribution points for the cloud water map, this opportunity can't be missed in this life."
"but the so-called heavenly doctor is a bit strange."
"judging from his strength, he's at least an dao integration immortal sage."
the scene of the black-robed dao integration immortal sage from yuandao province freezing li fan's thoughts was still vivid in his mind.
naturally, li fan wouldn't choose to face the heavenly doctor directly.
"it seems that i need to refine a clone."
having gathered all the materials for refining the clone, he went to the seabed again and obtained the heaven crystal spirit sand.
then he headed straight to the cave where sikong yi was hiding.
sikong yi and his clone, baili chen, had unpredictable whereabouts. if li fan used the sun stealing technique, he was afraid they would sense it and escape through a teleportation formation.
chasing them afterward would be troublesome.
it was better to wait here and catch them off guard.
chapter 168: counterattacking the immortal cultivation world
according to the previous intelligence from jiao xiuyuan, sikong yi visited this cave every once in a while.
li fan decided to wait here.
his luck was good.
ten days later, li fan, who was in the middle of cultivation, opened his eyes.
sikong yi and baili chen walked into the concealed cave expressionlessly.
when they saw li fan waiting inside, expressions of astonishment and disbelief involuntarily appeared on their faces.
"you..."
before a single word could be spoken, li fan's insect binding technique instantly captured them.
no words were exchanged; li fan killed them on the spot.
he waited for their resurrection chances to be exhausted, completely disappearing from the world.
li fan put away the sun stealing token that fell on the ground and began crafting his clone.
in theory, the cultivation of the clone was only one small realm behind the main body.
however, li fan found that to craft a foundation establishment stage clone, it was still necessary to use heavenly treasures.
"perhaps the sun stealing technique was indeed powerful initially, but after the immortal ancestor passed down his path, it became somewhat redundant."
"no wonder the sun stealing sect has been declining generation by generation."
"anyway, this clone is just for sacrifice, so there's no need to waste heavenly treasures."
"a complete qi condensation cultivation is sufficient."
after some contemplation, li fan began the crafting process for his clone.
this was already the third time li fan crafted a clone, and he was familiar with the process.
before long, the clone reappeared in the world.
after donning clothes, the clone went to flowing cloud island and joined the ten thousand immortals alliance.
li fan did not leave; instead, he took out he zhenghao's communication talisman and sent a message.
"hehe, don't scare yourself, my friend," li fan hurriedly comforted.
"moreover, it's just smuggling mortals return to the cultivation world. although it violates some taboos, it's not a big deal. after all, you're a foundation establishment cultivator, and you're also guarding an island. do you really think the ten thousand immortals alliance would do anything to you?" li fan was somewhat dismissive.
however, he zhenghao shook his head repeatedly, sighing, "fellow daoist, you don't do business in this area, so it's normal not to understand the situation. smuggling mortals across the border is not as simple as violating taboos."
"if compared seriously, the most severe consequence could be dealt with according to the 'sin of rebellion.' at that time, not to mention the ten thousand immortals alliance, even the five elders association might not provide a refuge."
li fan was truly stunned this time, "sin of rebellion? how could it be so serious?"
helpless, he zhenghao explained, "it all traces back to the farce that happened five hundred years ago."
with his explanation, li fan understood what had happened.
originally, during the great migration plan, thousands of subworlds were settled by mortals.
after thousands of years, these places, which were originally desolate with no spiritual energy coverage, had given birth to various extraordinary powers due to various fortuitous encounters.
some had a revival of spiritual energy, while others, due to the methods brought back by mortals crossing the border, reopened the cultivation path by removing the immortal-mortal miasma.
some developed body refining techniques, specializing in physical strength. their bodies were robust, and attacks from ordinary foundation establishment cultivators were like tickles.
some, although physically weak, mastered ways to communicate with spirit beasts. by controlling spirit beasts in battle, they could also unleash formidable combat power.
...
harboring resentment from being forcibly expelled from their hometown years ago, these subworlds, under someone's persuasion, surprisingly reached a consensus.
they united to counterattack the cultivation world!
it was said that at the time, dozens of subworlds responded to the call, creating a huge momentum.
the coalition of subworlds appeared suddenly, catching the cultivators at that time off guard.
"but after all, it was a motley crew. when an immortal sage stepped in, he easily suppressed them!"
"the whole process didn't seem to cause much damage to our cultivators."
"so, it was just a farce."
"think about it, counterattacking the cultivation world? haha, how is that possible!"
"however, considering the precedent, the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association established rules."
he zhenghao furrowed his brows, his face filled with concern.
chapter 169: clear wind hall
"it's fortunate that no one is investigating this matter. i'm afraid that if someone with ill intentions wants to take advantage of it and scheme against me, there would be a big trouble!" he zhenghao's complexion worsened the more he thought about it.
"fellow daoist he, there's no need to worry. i believe, at most, it will be treated as gossip during casual conversation. if someone truly wants to plot against you, they wouldn't casually reveal it like this. it's more likely they would directly report it to the higher-ups in the ten thousand immortals alliance." li fan consoled him.
"nevertheless, just to be safe, fellow daoist, you should refrain from such activities in the future." li fan advised.
he zhenghao sighed and nodded.
then, li fan pretended to be very curious and asked, "since you know that helping mortal trespassers has considerable risks, why did you do it before? could it be that the benefits involved were so great that you disregarded life and death?"
he zhenghao smiled bitterly, "there wasn't much profit involved. a single world makes two or three thousand contribution points every ten years. it's just a slow accumulation over time."
li fan pretended to be surprised, "fellow daoist, are you lacking in contribution points to this extent? you would still covet such a small amount?"
he zhenghao blushed, "who wouldn't want more contribution points? besides, i also have my difficulties."
then, he zhenghao explained the advantages and disadvantages of his cultivation technique and his plans to change to another nascent soul technique.
li fan shook his head, "if you've only reached foundation establishment mid stage after a hundred years of cultivation, then indeed, this technique isn't worth it. it's better not to cultivate it!"
"fellow daoist he, you've made a bold decision to change your cultivation technique midway. although the cost is significant, it seems worthwhile!"
"i support you!"
"i wonder how many contribution points you are short of exchanging for the nascent soul technique?"
he zhenghao sighed, "the nascent soul technique i want to exchange for is extraordinary. it not only requires a hundred thousand contribution points, but also a certain level of authority to search for and exchange it."
"my authority has reached a sufficient level, but accumulating enough contribution points will still take about ten more years."
li fan nodded, thinking, "so, the list of cultivation techniques i saw in the tianxuan mirror was incomplete."
"ten thousand contribution points, indeed, it's a considerable sum. in the over a month since i joined the ten thousand immortals alliance, i have come to understand the difficulty of accumulating contribution points. i heard that fish gambling is a one-night opportunity for sudden wealth, so i went to try my luck. sigh..." li fan sighed, looking troubled.
li fan hurriedly said, "hey, fellow daoist, no need to panic. as the saying goes, when things reach their extremes, they can only reverse. the price of spirit mist grass has been steadily declining, reaching the limit. next, it's likely to undergo a rebound. perhaps, it might even rise to 23 points in one go. the price is so low now, it's a perfect opportunity to increase our holdings!"
"reasonable! reasonable! increase our holdings, we must increase our holdings!" he zhenghao agreed deeply.
"ah, it's a pity that i lost most of my contribution points during fish gambling. i don't know, fellow daoist, if you could lend..." li fan hadn't finished speaking, but he zhenghao shook his head repeatedly, "no, no. as you saw last time, i only have a little over a thousand contribution points left, and i can't spare any more to lend you."
li fan looked disappointed, "if i miss this chance for a big profit, i'll feel unwilling!"
he zhenghao looked at li fan, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.
li fan, however, saw through him at a glance and said joyfully, "fellow daoist, what do you want to tell me?"
he zhenghao still didn't speak.
li fan said solemnly, "if fellow daoist could help me this time, i will repay this debt in the future."
"i have a premonition that i am not far from breaking through to perfect foundation establishment. i'm about to prepare for golden core."
"collecting contribution points is urgent. if i miss this opportunity, who knows how long i'll have to wait!"
perhaps the last two sentences convinced he zhenghao. he hesitated for a while, then finally took out a dark green jade token and handed it to li fan.
whispering, he said, "if fellow daoist really wants to seize this opportunity, take this token and go to the outermost part of ten thousand immortals alliance island, find a shop called the 'clear wind hall.'"
"once inside the shop, don't say anything, just show this token."
"if someone asks, just say that i recommended you."
"on the surface, clear wind hall is a shop selling various sundries, but secretly, it provides loans of contribution points, cultivation techniques, and various other supplies."
...
li fan listened to he zhenghao's words and smiled slightly in his heart.
it's you.
chapter 170: clear wind blows on the spirit tree
previously, when mingyue palace was uprooted by that black-clothed dao integration cultivator, there were many other similar organizations also destroyed.
li fan speculated at the time that these organizations might not have appeared in imitation of the flourishing lending business of mingyue palace. instead, these organizations were likely originally engaged in other lending-related businesses.
after seeing the huge profits generated by mingyue palace annually, they couldn't help but imitate its methods.
if there were such organizations in yuandao province, there should naturally be similar organizations in the congyun sea.
if you want to get rich, you can't do without leverage.
li fan planned to take advantage of the large fluctuations in the price of spirit mist grass to make a hefty profit. naturally, he needed the help of these lending organizations.
but whether it was in the past or in this world, li fan, after inquiring in various ways, couldn't find any trace of them.
apparently, this organization was very cautious in its actions.
so, li fan came to inquire about it from he zhenghao.
sure enough, he zhenghao did not disappoint him.
"before you go to clear wind hall, it's best to reconsider."
"they won't lend you contribution points for nothing. you need to pay an exorbitant interest of eighteen percent every year."
"if you make a profit, this interest can be quickly paid off. if you make a loss..."
he zhenghao's eyelids jumped, "i'm afraid you'll have to work for those guys for free for more than ten years."
li fan arched his hand, "fellow daoist, i understand. but rest assured, i know what i'm doing."
"i won't bother you anymore. we'll talk again next time."
with that, li fan used the teleportation array to return to ten thousand immortals island.
he headed straight to clear wind hall.
in a corner of the outermost area of ten thousand immortals island, he finally found it.
it was inconspicuous and indistinguishable from an ordinary small shop.
li fan activated a concealing form talisman and walked in.
an old man who looked quite sloppy was sleeping on a recliner behind the counter.
when a customer came in, he didn't even open his eyes, still swaying the chair with his eyes closed.
following he zhenghao's instructions, li fan took out the jade token.
"ding, ding, ding."
the old man knocked on the counter three times.
the emerald green jade token emitted a faint light, forming a door.
li fan looked around for a moment. then he walked into the door.
his figure disappeared, and the green door disappeared with him.
as for the old man, there was no change in his posture from beginning to end.
it seemed as if no one had ever been to this clear wind hall.
the surroundings first fell into darkness, then lit up again.
li fan looked around and found himself under a large tree.
he started negotiating again, "if borrowing items, can you lend me more?"
the tree face ignored li fan.
seeing this, li fan could only regretfully give up.
"how much spirit mist grass can i borrow now?" he asked.
"two thousand seven hundred plants," the tree face grunted.
li fan muttered a few words, not knowing what he was saying.
"alright! i'll borrow it! what procedures do i need to go through?" li fan seemed to have made up his mind.
a green leaf floated down from above and landed in front of li fan. taking it in his hand, a stream of information instantly appeared in his mind.
it was exactly the agreement li fan had just made with the tree face.
"if you agree, use your spiritual power to refine this green leaf."
li fan nodded, then used his spiritual power to envelop the green leaf.
the green leaf was instantly refined, and a nearly invisible green leaf pattern appeared on the inside of li fan's left arm.
"after repaying the debt, the leaf contract will naturally disappear."
"wait a moment, and i will send you the borrowed spirit mist grass."
after saying this, the tree face disappeared from the tree, and li fan took the opportunity to lift his head and observe the large tree.
the strength of the tree face felt a bit strange to him.
it was obviously stronger than a nascent soul true lord but weaker than the soul transformation true monarch by quite a bit.
moreover, there were no traces of formations in this space, as if it was naturally formed.
li fan looked around with interest.
after a while, the tree face reappeared.
it opened its mouth and spit out a storage ring.
"all the spirit mist grass is inside."
"transaction completed, you can leave."
"remember to repay the debt on time, or..."
before li fan could speak, the tree face expelled him from this space.
under the big tree, strands of green light gathered to form a blurry green figure.
"borrowing so much spirit mist grass? interesting."
a crisp female voice came from within.
"could it be that the price of spirit mist grass will still drop?"
"ah liu, pay attention to it."
the tree face responded grimly, "yes, miss."
"miss, that guy just now was really annoying."
the green figure let out a light laugh, "indeed, quite annoying."
"but, which faction is mingyue palace a part of? why have i never heard of it?"0v3l-b1n.
chapter 171: nothing new
after leaving clear wind hall with 2,700 spirit mist grass, li fan wandered around the vicinity, hoping to find some hidden small lending organizations.
unfortunately, his wish was not fulfilled.
li fan returned to the tianxuan mirror, silently calculating.
"the price of spirit mist grass will rise to 25 contribution points soon, and i need to sell all of it before that happens."
"after the news of the discovery of the wood attribute subworld spreads, the price will collapse. it will stabilize only after dropping to 6 contribution points."
"by then, i can buy 3,510 plants and return them to clear wind hall."
"with one round trip, i can earn about 40,000 contribution points."
"tsk tsk, so little."
"making money is still too difficult..."
accustomed to units of 100,000 contribution points, the growth of a mere thirty or forty thousand points didn't seem like much.
however, accumulating capital at the beginning is often the most difficult. once it reaches a certain level, the wealth will start snowballing, and the growth of wealth will become faster and faster.
"in this life, expanding the business of breakthrough loaning like before seems impossible. it seems that the strict control of the number of cultivators is the reason for the intense reaction from the cultivation world. the power of dao integration is not something i can contend with at my current level." li fan contemplated carefully.
"the 400,000 contribution points from zhang zhiliang can't be given up."
"in this life, someone still needs to push the cultivators of ten thousand immortals island to fight against the crimson flame."
"however, maybe i can change the target."
the figure of a chubby man suddenly appeared in li fan's mind.
"zhang haobo has great luck but isn't infallible. he can use the strength of the desperate struggle of the cong yun sea to kill the crimson flame, and successfully reach."
"however, facing the upcoming ink death, he mustered no resistance at all and was killed."
"his luck had run out, and his life disappeared."
"if his luck was a bit stronger, would the ending be different?"
"of course, the most important thing is that i have already comprehended the cong yun sea twenty-eight swords. zhang haobo will be useless to me if he emerges again."
"however, ye feipeng has a peculiar fate. if he is given enough help, maybe he can give me a surprise."
for people under the ten thousand immortals alliance's employ, treatment was naturally different. as long as their permissions were sufficient, all kinds of profound techniques were available.
the benefits didn't need to be elaborated. li fan carefully examined the special reward tasks.
as he looked, li fan furrowed his brows. the reason he hadn't paid attention to these tasks before was that he didn't have any understanding of them. however, he quickly discovered something suspicious.
only a few of these tasks had actual reward value, such as tracking a spy within the five elders association or eliminating a traitor within the ten thousand immortals alliance.
but the majority of tasks seemed to have a very strong...
customized nature?
as if they were specially created reward tasks for a particular cultivator.
for example, one of the tasks li fan saw was particularly peculiar.
ten thousand immortals alliance's hall of heavenly secrets needed to recruit a cultivator surnamed wu between the ages of 123 and 130. this cultivator should cultivate a fire attribute technique and be at the foundation establishment mid stage.
it was almost like calling someone out by name, directly specifying the candidate.
li fan was no stranger to such practices.
however, he didn't expect the ten thousand immortals alliance to develop to this extent.
after a thorough examination, li fan did not find a suitable task for himself. the ten-year assessment had just ended not long ago.
without any other options, li fan once again inquired with the ever-reliable fellow daoist he.
he zhenghao responded promptly as always.
"does fellow daoist want to officially join the ten thousand immortals alliance? well, that might be a bit difficult. mainly because fellow daoist has only recently joined ten thousand immortals alliance."
"but, there is still a way."
"i have some friendship with master gong boyu, who is a master of formations. he has some positions available for formation maintenance personnel every year."
"you just need to spend a bit of contribution points to obtain this position."
"by working diligently in this position for one or two years, you can then establish connections and transfer to other positions."
"hehe, but this is a secret. be careful not to spread the word."
"it might result in a negative impact."
chapter 172: joining the ten thousand immortals alliance
"so, these positions are openly traded? isn't there anyone regulating this?" li fan replied, feigning astonishment.
"regulate? who would regulate it? the soul transformation true monarchs, perhaps?" he zhenghao counter-questioned.
"those two on ten thousand immortals island seem much more honorable in handling such matters than the people below."
"cough..." he zhenghao paused and then explained to li fan.
"ten thousand immortals alliance is highly autonomous in each state. as long as you don't violate the rules of the alliance and don't disturb the law enforcement hall, the headquarters won't bother with the affairs of the various branches."
"in any case, the trade and distribution of resources within the alliance have to go through the tianxuan mirror. everything is under control, and there won't be any major chaos."
"in that case, is the law enforcement hall the most influential? do you know how one can join it? even if it requires more contribution points, i am willing." li fan inquired, recalling the foundation establishment law enforcer wan who chased him in the eleventh lifetime.
"the personnel of the law enforcement hall in each state are directly appointed by the headquarters. it's quite difficult for fellow daoist to join the law enforcement hall." he zhenghao tactfully replied.
"many cultivators aspire to become law enforcers, and the competition is fierce. it's hard to even apply." he zhenghao sighed. "the only reliable way is the ten year assessment. back then, i also aspired to become a law enforcer, but the requirements were too strict, and i wasn't selected. in the end, i could only settle for becoming an island guardian."
"otherwise, i wouldn't be worrying about techniques now. you know, law enforcers can freely select and cultivate techniques." he zhenghao enviously said.
"such a good deal?" li fan was somewhat surprised.
"of course. law enforcers face various ruthless thieves every day, and the risk of dying is not small. it's normal to have better benefits." he zhenghao said matter-of-factly.
"in fact, being a formation maintenance personnel is not bad either. fellow daoist doesn't have to fixate on becoming a law enforcer. there's a fixed reward every year, and you can also learn formation knowledge for free under the guidance of the formation master. all you need to do is help repair the island guardian formations of the cong yun sea."
"do you want to consider it? for just ten thousand contribution points, i can help lobby for you." he zhenghao asked with a tempting tone.
li fan, however, asked again, "i wonder if you're familiar with master zhang zhiliang? i heard that this person is generous and has exceptional proficiency in formations, being considered the number one in the cong yun sea. if i become a formation maintenance personnel, it might be better to follow him."
he zhenghao looked a bit surprised, "generous? fellow daoist, where did you hear that? this person's temperament is a bit peculiar."
"but, his proficiency in formations is indeed remarkable. following him might indeed yield greater gains."
"i can't guarantee this matter, but i can try my best." he zhenghao honestly said.
"fellow daoist, just go ahead with it. whether it succeeds or not, i will remember the favor." li fan boasted, "you don't need to worry about contribution points. after borrowing contribution points from the clear wind hall and stocking up on spirit mist grass, i still have some leftovers. it should be enough for this matter."
"the quality of the blue blood corals you provided is much higher than the conventional varieties."
"i want to go to their growth place to investigate. perhaps i can discover something."
"regardless of the result, if you truthfully tell me, i will certainly reward you."
...
after the image disappeared and without an immediate reply, li fan fell into contemplation.
recalling the process of harvesting the blue blood corals before, li fan did not perceive anything special about those two locations at the time.
"could it be that i was negligent?" li fan thought for a moment and decided to make another trip to see what was going on.
to prevent this medicine hall chen ying from tracking him, li fan specifically bought a "disappearance talisman" in the tianxuan mirror.
it was an upgraded version of the "concealing form talisman" and could shield against the prying eyes of nascent soul realm cultivators.
after activating the disappearance talisman, li fan returned to the vicinity of mist crow island, where the underwater ruins containing the blue blood coral were.
with li fan having taken away the corals, the once vibrant place had lost its former vitality.
however, in the crevices of the collapsed ruins, one or two fish swam by occasionally.
"there doesn't seem to be anything special." li fan explored the area but still couldn't find anything unusual.
even when li fan used the formless killing intent to lock onto a fish in the ruins and observed it closely through the vision of heaven and earth, the result remained the same.
next, li fan went to the underwater deep valley where he found the second blue blood coral.
still, nothing out of the ordinary.
"as a nascent soul cultivator and an elder of the medicine hall, he shouldn't be joking with me."
"so, is it because my cultivation is not high enough to perceive it?"
at present, it seemed to be the only explanation.
li fan then returned to the tianxuan mirror and contacted chen ying.
chapter 173: fallen immortal realm
"senior, i can truthfully disclose the collection locations of those two blue blood corals. as for the reward, it doesn't matter to me. however, after the investigation, could you inform me of the results?"
"i consider myself to have a decent judgment most of the time, but i never expected to overlook something so valuable. if i don't understand the reason behind it, i can't help but feel regret."
li fan messaged chen ying through the tianxuan mirror.
before long, chen ying replied, "hehe, it's just my speculation for now. young friend, you don't need to worry too much. we still need to confirm on-site before drawing any final conclusions. if you don't mind, you can come with me."
looking at chen ying's invitation, li fan immediately searched for information about him.
chen ying, nascent soul early-stage cultivator, elder of the medicine hall, highly skilled in cultivating spirit plants, and equally proficient in alchemy.
"go together..."
"this person should have no ill intentions. besides, he is only at the nascent soul early stage."
"if he really discovers some secret and wants to silence me, i should have the ability to defend myself, especially with the 'blood essence of ten thousand people' as my trump card."
having killed a nascent soul cultivator, his mindset had become different. adding to this, there was also the "blood essence of ten thousand people," so even if the other party attempted betrayal, li fan still had the power to resist.
"what do i wish for?"
after contemplating for a while, li fan replied in this manner.
"good! there's no time to waste; let's depart immediately. i'll be waiting for you at the transmission square."
"by the way, for safety's sake, i will change into a completely different appearance."
"when you call me later, just call me 'ying chen.'"
"remember to conceal yourself when traveling. this is a 'disappearance talisman' i often use, which can hide your cultivation and prevent others from tracking you. remember to carry it with you and activate it."
chen ying sent another face with a completely different appearance and a disappearance talisman.
"this person..." li fan muttered to himself.
to be on the safe side, li fan spent three thousand contribution points in the tianxuan mirror to buy a random teleportation necklace.
then he headed straight to the transmission square.
after scanning the area, he saw the transformed chen ying.
approaching him, li fan arched his hand, "is it fellow daoist ying chen?"
chen ying smiled slightly, "exactly! there's no time to waste; let's set off. please lead the way!"
li fan nodded, and without hesitation, he went in front of the mist crow statue in transmission square.
activating the transmission array, the two of them arrived at mist crow island.
the black-robed guardian on the island still had a cold expression.
ignoring him, the two went straight to the ruins under li fan's guidance.
"senior, this is the place." after reaching their destination, li fan informed chen ying.
at that time, in order not to damage this treasure worth three thousand contribution points, li fan used insect binding to restrain the enraged octopus. however, he did not choose to use the cong yun sea sword or heaven overturning palm. instead, he summoned the azure flame illusionary spirit and froze it into an ice sculpture, then effortlessly shattered it.
the octopus ice sculpture turned into countless fragments, disappearing on the seabed.
li fan then casually collected the blue blood coral.
so...
the "cold force" that chen ying mentioned, which enhanced the efficacy of the blue blood coral, could it be the azure flame illusionary spirit?
the more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed. li fan couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
no wonder, no matter how he investigated, he couldn't find anything special.
it turns out he had created a misunderstanding.
he thought he might encounter some great opportunity.
unexpectedly, the opportunity turned out to be himself.
as his doubts dissipated, li fan looked at chen ying, who was comprehending in a carefree manner, without any defense.
he felt somewhat strange in his heart.
if this person is cautious, why would he cultivate in front of other cultivators like this?
even if li fan appeared to be an ordinary late foundation establishment cultivator on the surface and couldn't pose a substantial threat to him, having the cultivation process interrupted would still be troublesome.
however, chen ying didn't care at all.
he had been quite cautious before, changing his appearance and concealing his name.
li fan even thought he might be planning to take action in some remote place, secretly making a move on li fan.
as a result, it turned out to be a false alarm.
nevertheless, despite this observation, li fan remained vigilant.
he was still prepared to use his two powerful techniques and the teleportation item at any time.
he was afraid that the person's surface image was just a disguise.
like this, more than half a day passed, and chen ying finally awakened from his enlightenment.
his eyes sparkled, his spirit surged, and joy overflowed in his words.
he exclaimed, "excellent! with this realization, my exploration of the fallen immortal realm will become more profound!"
li fan, on the side, listened and felt something stir in his heart.
"the fallen immortal realm? is that the secret realm he mentioned before?"
chen ying gradually retracted his aura, looking at li fan, who seemed to be deliberately keeping a distance to avoid disturbing his cultivation.
there was a hint of appreciation in his eyes.
chapter 174: chen ying reveals the secret realm
tl note: term change from immortal god (the realm after dao integration, titled immortal venerable) to longevity immortal. the immortal in "fallen immortal realm" refers to the realm above that, which i'm tentatively naming the true immortal realm, but this is subject to change. it's a little confusing, so i'm open to any suggestions if you guys have any; here are the raw characters for longevity immortal: 长生.
*****
"senior, did you gain anything?" li fan asked from a distance.
"hehe, not bad. the remaining ice spiritual energy here is extraordinary. similar to the ice intent heartless pill i refine, it has effects such as calming the mind and stabilizing emotions," chen ying said, showing a proud expression. "moreover, the level of this power surpasses that of the ice intent heartless pill. with this enlightenment, i am confident in improving the pill formula. i believe the refined ice intent heartless pill will have a significant enhancement in efficacy."
envy appeared on li fan's face as he said, "unfortunately, this junior has dull aptitude and couldn't sense the ice spiritual energy senior mentioned. it's truly heartbreaking to be so close to such an opportunity and yet unable to comprehend it."
chen ying laughed, "the origin of this power is beyond the nascent soul level. as a mere foundation establishment cultivator, it's normal for you to fail to sense it."
"if i didn't frequently take the ice intent heartless pill and become familiar with similar powers, i'm afraid it would be challenging to perceive its traces."
looking at li fan, chen ying consoled, "you played a significant role in this. i won't go back on my word. so, tell me, what reward do you want? contribution points? pills? or something else?"
li fan's expression became serious, "this junior dares not be greedy. it's all up to senior to decide!"
chen ying was very satisfied with li fan's attitude.
after pondering for a moment, he took out a tianxuan minor mirror and transferred thirty thousand contribution points to li fan on the spot.
then, he handed a talisman to li fan, saying, "contribution points are more versatile. you can buy whatever you need in the tianxuan mirror. this is my communication talisman; if you have any alchemy needs in the future, you can contact me."
chen ying hesitated for a moment before saying, "eh... however, recently, i might not be in the cong yun sea. the headquarters found a closed-off subworld with dense wood attribute spiritual energy, suitable for cultivating various spirit plants. they've mobilized manpower to develop it. i received a notice, and i'm also going there. at that time, you might not be able to contact me."
li fan listened, realizing that this subworld was the culprit causing the drastic drop in the price of the spirit mist grass. moreover, it would likely affect the prices of most herbs and spirit plants in the market, leading to a sharp decline.
this was not the main point; the most astonishing fact was that this wood attribute subworld concealed another four subworlds nearby, forming a subtle formation.
this information later triggered a conflict between the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association.
however, this classified information was casually revealed. was this really appropriate?
looking at chen ying, li fan felt somewhat amused.
it seemed that this person might truly lack cautiousness.
"spiritual consciousness strength..." li fan repeated silently in his heart, nodding in agreement.
then, he immediately reacted, showing some surprise, and asked, "so, i can also explore this fallen immortal realm?"
chen ying chuckled, "hehe, not only you, but all cultivators in the xuanhuang realm can enter and explore it on their own."
"however, the spiritual consciousness strength of a golden core stage cultivator is only enough for limited activities within the fallen immortal realm. to truly explore freely, you'll have to wait until the nascent soul stage."
li fan became even more curious, "where is this fallen immortal realm located?"
chen ying, hands behind his back, sighed, "the fallen immortal realm..."
"is everywhere."
"everywhere?" li fan was stunned.
"that's right." chen ying nodded. "anywhere in the xuanhuang realm, through specific methods, you can enter the fallen immortal realm at any time."
"but, only the spiritual sense enters; the physical body does not follow."
li fan furrowed his brows, "could it be that the fallen immortal realm is purely a realm of consciousness?"
"you can think of it that way. however, it has already transcended the boundaries of illusion and reality."
"in the fallen immortal realm, the gains can truly be brought back to the xuanhuang realm."
"and dying in the fallen immortal realm, at most, will only cause damage to the spiritual sense. it won't lead to a real demise."
"so, the fallen immortal realm is the most explored mystery for cultivators at the golden core stage and above."
li fan immediately realized the value of the fallen immortal realm.
"what exactly is in the fallen immortal realm?" li fan couldn't help but ask.
"what's in there?" chen ying smiled.
he pointed around, "whatever is here in this realm, you will find in the fallen immortal realm."
chapter 175: a glimpse reflecting thousands of years
noting the confusion in li fan's eyes, without waiting for him to ask, chen ying began to explain.
"why is it called the fallen immortal realm?" chen ying asked rhetorically.
"it's because its formation is the result of an unimaginably powerful existence that took one last look at the xuanhuang realm before falling."
"at that time, everything in the xuanhuang realm was observed by this existence."
"after its fall, its lingering consciousness did not dissipate for a long time. after thousands of years of development and evolution, it finally formed the current fallen immortal realm."
"the fallen immortal realm is as vast as the xuanhuang realm, and even larger."
"the scenes of the past, thousands of years ago, were recorded by its last glance before falling."
"these vivid scenes continue to replay within it."
"all cultivators who enter it, in the face of the magnificent and miraculous wonders indistinguishable from the real world, will be shocked and moved by the immense power of that existence."
"this kind of power is probably something only the mythical true immortals of ancient legends could achieve."
"even though i have entered it countless times, every time i witness everything in the fallen immortal realm, i still feel sincere awe."
"the shock within it is beyond words. only when seen with your own eyes can you understand."
chen ying shook his head, deeply moved.
"a glimpse reflecting thousands of years, forming its own realm after the fall." li fan was also stunned by this incredible fact.
after a long silence, he couldn't help but think.
just one glance before death, and it possessed such power.
how strong was this person during their lifetime?
how could such a figure fall?
seemingly aware of li fan's doubts, chen ying sighed.
"incredible, isn't it? even such a powerful and incomprehensible figure can fall."
"one thought creates a world. even the immortal ancestor may not be able to achieve this."
"so, everyone agrees that the one who fell back then was probably a true immortal."
"immortality? is there really such a thing as immortality?" li fan couldn't help but ask.
chen ying was very confident. "cultivating immortality cultivates immortality. if there was no immortality, what would our cultivation method be?"
"if you can go to the fallen immortal realm and live there in the xuanhuang realm thousands of years ago, you will know that immortality is not just a vague concept."
"in many sects, there are paintings left depicting sect seniors breaking through the clouds and ascending during daylight."
"so, different encounters may happen."
"some areas continually repeat the history of thousands of years ago, resetting the scenes within every period. others have been evolving for thousands of years, forming various bizarre and wonderful changes."
"in short, it was originally a world transformed from the consciousness of a true immortal before its fall. therefore, anything unimaginable might happen in the fallen immortal realm."
"there is no risk of dying. to bring back items obtained in the fallen immortal realm to reality, certain conditions must be met."
"you can forcefully exit midway without any harm."
"however, similar to exiting after obtaining items, you need to wait for some time before entering the fallen immortal realm again."
...
unable to find new information about the fallen immortal realm in the tianxuan mirror, li fan had to silently repeat the exploration precautions mentioned by chen ying in his mind.
while doing so, he purchased more than a dozen sets of items needed for each entry into the fallen immortal realm.
it wasn't that li fan was extravagant; these items were just too cheap.
in total, the cost didn't exceed two hundred contribution points.
each set included four items:
a plain linen robe. a full ear of rice. a small and exquisite model of a house. a lifelike miniature donkey cart.
placing the four items in each corner, li fan took a deep breath. with the first step forward, facing the linen robe, he softly recited:
"blessings bestowed by the immortal ancestor of xuanhuang."
for the second step, turning toward the full ear of rice, he earnestly murmured:
"blessings bestowed by the immortal lord of xuanhuang."
the third step, looking at the delicate model house, holding his breath and whispering:
"blessings bestowed by the supreme deity of xuanhuang."
finally, facing the seemingly loaded donkey cart, li fan exhaled and silently chanted:
"blessings bestowed by the celestial sovereign of xuanhuang."
as the ritual concluded, li fan felt the surroundings suddenly quiet down.
even though there was no sound in the tianxuan mirror to begin with, he still sensed a silence that was different from the previous pure quietness.
then, like the shattering of silver bottles, countless sounds reverberated in li fan's ears.
the cries of infants, the screams of ordinary people, the roars of cultivators...
spells crisscrossed, mountains shook, and the wind and rain raged.
his vision turned black as if his head had been covered by a sack.
li fan instantly lost consciousness.
chapter 176: dreaming of the purple heaven sect
"junior brother? junior brother?"
everything around seemed to be separated by a layer of viscous transparent substance.
when the voice reached his ears, it became distorted and bizarre.
the person seemed to wave his hand.
as the scene entered li fan's eyes, it felt like a fierce beast launching an attack.
he was startled.
li fan subconsciously tried to counterattack but suddenly realized that his techniques, like the cong yun sea sword and heaven overturning palm, couldn't be executed.
cold sweat broke out involuntarily.
then, words like "fallen immortal realm," "ritual," "first exploration," and other terms flashed in li fan's mind.
as if emerging from underwater, the surroundings gradually became clear.
light and sound returned to normal.
"junior brother? what are you thinking? why have you been in a daze for so long?"
a young cultivator wearing a purple and white robe, with a purple lightning mark engraved between his eyebrows, was looking in li fan's direction.
"this is the first time you've gone down the mountain in eighteen years. are you thinking about the fun places senior brother told you about before?"
"don't worry. after our tasks are done, senior brother will take you to experience the red dust pavilion and the drunken immortal tower!"
the young cultivator winked mischievously; though he was a senior brother, he didn't look serious.
li fan slowly came to his senses at this moment.
"purple heaven sect, li chen."
"follow senior brother zhang qianmo down the mountain to ningyuan city to collect the 'longevity fruits.'"
in an instant, several pieces of information appeared in li fan's mind.
"senior brother is joking; let's focus on the important matters!" li fan replied indifferently, following li chen's usual personality as stored in his memory.
"ah, so boring!" zhang qianmo rolled his eyes, sighed, and lazily lay down, no longer paying attention to li fan.
taking advantage of this opportunity, li fan observed the surroundings.
currently, he seemed to be on a purple cloud.
this purple cloud appeared to be a flying magical treasure, rapidly soaring in the sky.
there seemed to be a protective array surrounding the outer part of the purple cloud, blocking the gusts of wind.
sitting on the purple cloud was comfortable and serene.
"is this the fallen immortal realm?"
li fan carefully sensed and revealed a look of amazement.
"li chen and zhang qianmo are both inner disciples of the purple heaven sect, disciples of primordial nascent true lord, ling yunzi."
"li chen is cultivating the technique 'purple heaven royal thunder.' strength is at the late foundation establishment stage."
li fan searched for memories of the 'purple heaven royal thunder technique' in his mind but could not recall anything.
despite being at the late foundation establishment stage, there was no trace of heavenly treasures in his body.
the great calamity had not yet arrived, and both immortals and mortals could still cultivate together. there was no sign of immortal-mortal miasma appearing.
"is it at this point in time now?" according to chen ying, the time period in different regions of the fallen immortal realm could be different.
at the moment li fan was in, the cultivation world seemed to be relatively peaceful.
looking at it this way, li fan's start in this adventure was quite smooth.
with his thoughts fluctuating, he rested on the purple cloud for most of the day.
li fan and zhang qianmo were finally approaching their destination: ningyuan city.
zhang qianmo yawned, stood up, and said with a smile, "junior brother, let's discuss something. i haven't seen my sweetheart for several years, and i can't wait any longer! so..."
he winked at li fan.
"i'll leave the small matter of collecting the 'longevity fruits' to you."
he patted li fan on the shoulder and, without waiting for a response, turned into a purple light and descended below.
"it's better to split up to avoid revealing any flaws."
li fan welcomed the suggestion, controlling the 'purple heaven flying cloud' to descend slowly.
"which senior brother is visiting this time?" before landing, a purple figure gradually approached.
the fluctuations of the technique emanating from the figure were extremely similar to the 'purple heaven royal thunder technique,' though weaker by more than half.
as the person solidified, li fan looked over and saw a middle-aged man wearing a gray robe, seemingly at the qi condensation stage.
seeming to recognize li fan, after seeing his face clearly, he cupped his hands and said, "so, it's senior brother li in person. i hope you will forgive me for being unable to welcome you appropriately!"
at this moment, information about this person also flashed in li fan's mind.
"song hesong, an outer disciple of the purple heaven sect, is in charge of affairs in ningyuan city."
"let's skip the pleasantries and focus on business. take me to collect the 'longevity fruits.'" li fan, in accordance with li chen's usual style, had a cold expression and an arrogant demeanor.
song hesong didn't mind. after all, the gap between outer and inner disciples was enormous.
moreover, this person was at the late foundation establishment stage.
being able to call him senior brother was already an acknowledgment of the position song hesong held in charge of ningyuan city affairs.
without further delay, he respectfully guided li fan into ningyuan city.
it seemed that there was an invisible barrier enveloping ningyuan city.
after passing through it, li fan's gaze focused as he stared at the sky.
chapter 177: transforming life and yielding longevity fruits
in ningyuan city, nearly three hundred thousand mortals resided. above the heads of these mortals, an invisible barrier enveloped them.
"the life transformation grand formation..." li fan narrowed his eyes, sensing the occasional strands of vitality in the air.
"with such pure life energy, it's no wonder it can form the longevity fruits that enhance one's lifespan."
this pervasive vitality naturally came from the mortals living in ningyuan city.
"i remember, in later generations, every branch of the ten thousand immortals alliance had protective formations that extracted mortal essence, increasing the concentration of spiritual energy."
"but compared to the life transformation grand formation here, it is a great act of kindness."
li fan's divine sense swept across the mortals in ningyuan city, noticing that there were very few elderly people.
"the life transformation grand formation can absorb the vitality of mortals. mortals growing within the formation will experience a drastically shortened lifespan."
"often, being able to live for forty to fifty years is already the limit."
"at this time, the immortal-mortal miasma doesn't exist. in the eyes of cultivators, mortals are nothing more than livestock."
li fan's thoughts were racing, but he made no unnecessary moves.
following song hesong, he arrived at the center of ningyuan city.
here, the life energy became even purer, concentrating into a faint green hue. it formed drifting tendrils that were slowly being absorbed by a large tree growing here.
on the branches of the tree hung three heavy fruits.
they were jade-green, crystalline, and emitted an enticing fragrance that made one's mouth water.
"senior brother, this is the tree of everlasting life." song hesong took out a large seal and pressed it towards the front of the tree of everlasting life.
at the same time, he uttered, "dismiss!"
around the tree of life, there seemed to be an invisible barrier.
the large seal and the barrier collided fiercely.
dozens of beams of light surged out from the large seal and swiftly, like silver snakes, traversed the invisible barrier around the tree of everlasting life.
"senior brother, please lend a hand!"
while song hesong struggled to maintain the large seal, he shouted.
veins bulged on his forehead, indicating the tremendous effort he was putting in.
seeing this, li fan didn't hesitate. he stretched out his hand, and a purple seal instantly appeared.
"hurry!"
the purple seal was imprinted on the invisible barrier.
dozens of purple light snakes rushed out of the seal, chasing the silver light snakes from before.
each had its target and devoured them one by one.
after a moment, when the silver light snakes were completely absorbed, these dozens of purple light snakes emitted a faint fluorescence.
then they flowed rapidly over the barrier.
on the invisible barrier, they formed an image of purple thunderclouds.
now, following the instructions in his memory, li fan cast the purple heaven true thunder, which could only be produced by practicing the purple heaven royal thunder technique.
li fan suddenly felt a bad premonition.
he hurriedly followed.
song hesong also followed closely behind.
"senior brother, calm down! be careful; there might be a trap!" li fan transmitted his voice through divine sense.
however, senior brother zhang seemed to be consumed by anger, losing his rationality.
he paid no attention to li fan's advice.
relentlessly chasing after the black light.
flying to the high sky, the black light suddenly stopped.
looking down at the desperate senior brother zhang, a conspiratorial smile appeared on his face.
"fellow daoists, why not reveal yourselves!"
in an instant, three more figures appeared beside the black silhouette.
they formed a formation, tightly surrounding senior brother zhang who had entered the encirclement.
"senior brother zhang! long time no see!"
the black figure laughed heartily, extremely pleased with himself.
senior brother zhang now realized he had been tricked, his face darkening.
"senior brother? do i know you?" he stared at the other side for a moment, a bit puzzled.
"you..." the black figure seemed to have suffered a great insult, becoming extremely agitated.
"by the virtue of your thunder spirit root, you act so arrogantly! you don't even recognize chu liang, who once entered the sect with you and was humiliated by you!"
senior brother zhang, upon hearing this, remembered something.
his body trembled, and he exclaimed, "you're chu liang? how is that possible!"
"you, who had no spiritual root and couldn't cultivate, were expelled from the sect, right?! how do you now have a foundation establishment cultivation?"
chu liang raised his head, laughing heartily, "you can't cultivate without a spiritual root? yes, that was true in the past!"
"but now, the immortal ancestor has passed down a new method, and everyone can cultivate."
"moreover, our cultivation speed is even faster than you old relics!"
"you, with your thunder spirit root, started cultivating more than ten years ahead of me, yet you're still at the same level as me!"
senior brother zhang's face showed an incredulous expression.
"everyone can cultivate? that's nonsense!"
chu liang sneered, "pitiful. once you lose your proud cultivation qualifications, what do you have left?"
then, he looked at senior brother zhang viciously, "back then, i knelt before your door for three days and nights, almost crippling my legs."
"i begged you to accept me and let me stay in the sect."
"you remained indifferent and even mocked and insulted me."
"the humiliation of that day will be washed away with your blood today!"
"fellow daoists, attack together!"ñøv€l-b1n was the first platform to present this chapter.
chapter 178: ningyuan encounters a siege
"senior brother li, it seems senior brother zhang is caught in a heavy siege. aren't you going to help him?" song hesong asked with a worried expression.
recalling senior brother zhang's strength from li fan's memories, he shook his head.
"let alone four ordinary foundation establishment cultivators, even if someone at the early golden core stage comes, they might not be able to do anything to senior brother."
hearing this, song hesong showed a strange expression, as if confirming li fan's words.
with a furious shout from chu liang, four rays of light simultaneously burst forth, about to bombard senior brother zhang.
at this critical moment, a purple mirror suddenly appeared above his head, forming a protective barrier around him.
instantly, the four rays of light were reflected back.
chu liang and the other three attacking senior brother zhang did not anticipate this turn of events. caught off guard, their own attacks hit them.
"a mere speck dares to shine brightly!" senior brother zhang's purple lightning imprint between his eyebrows emitted a terrifying light.
threads of purple lightning surrounded his body, exuding a formidable aura.
a menacing halberd, full of murderous intent, slowly manifested in senior brother zhang's hands.
pointing the halberd at chu liang and the others, he sneered, "today, i will let you all see the difference between the true inheritance of a major sect and the miscellaneous practices of rogue cultivators!"
before his words finished, senior brother zhang flashed to the nearest enemy.
with a swing of his halberd, purple lightning resembling a dragon ruthlessly swallowed the opponent without mercy.
"ah!"
the person only managed to let out a scream before disappearing in the raging purple light.
in an instant, one out of the four was gone.
the remaining few were unavoidably terrified.
chu liang shouted, "fellow daoist song, why not take action now? what are you waiting for!"
hearing this, li fan's expression changed.
before he could react, he felt eight blood-red chains suddenly appear beside him, entwining him.
then, a force completely surpassing the foundation establishment stage struck his back.
similarly, a purple mirror appeared above his head, forming a shield that slightly reduced the force.
however, the force was too overwhelming. the protective light of the purple mirror only held for a moment before shattering into countless specks of starlight.
taking a direct hit, li fan spat out a mouthful of blood, and his aura rapidly declined.
but the opponent was unrelenting.
looking back, li fan saw song hesong, emotionless, wielding a blood-red giant hammer.
"senior brother zhang, what do you think about my talent?"
zhang qianmo looked at the thick blood-red aura lingering around song hesong, and a murderous intent emerged in his eyes. "evil devil! i will definitely eliminate you!"
as if hearing the world's funniest joke, song hesong burst into laughter, mockery evident on his face. "evil devil? you so-called prestigious sects treat ordinary people like livestock, extracting their life force, and refining longevity fruits."
"such extremely wicked methods, and you dare to call others evil devils?"
"i think you are the real devils!"
the blood-red aura on song hesong's body surged along with his angry words.
zhang qianmo's expression remained unchanged. "mortals receive our protection and must pay a price. outside the wilderness, demons and beasts are rampant. mortals are like food."
"if it weren't for our immortal sect guarding them, where could they live peacefully for so long?"
"you think you can disturb my dao heart with a few delusional words?"
in zhang qianmo's eyes, the purple color became even more intense.
pointing his long halberd at song hesong, he declared, "even though you're at the golden core stage, today, i will still kill you!"
under zhang qianmo's pointed halberd, song hesong's breath seemed to be affected, and it momentarily stagnated.
but soon, he became somewhat ashamed and angered.
"i've long heard about the exceptional talents of the inner sect disciples. today, i'll have to ask you to teach me!"
with that, the blood-red long sword in his hand instantly split into six, facing zhang qianmo's long halberd.
on li fan's side, chu liang and the other two cultivators surrounded him.
facing the siege of three cultivators at the same level, li fan remained calm.
activating the purple heaven royal thunder technique, he took out his spiritual weapon, a long spear.
shaking the body of the spear, it emitted a sound resembling a dragon's roar.
li fan engaged the three cultivators in a battle.
initially, li fan was not very familiar with the techniques he could use.
there was always a sense of stiffness in his attacks.
the three cultivators easily dodged each spear attack.
although chu liang and the other two were at the same cultivation level as li fan, having begun cultivation halfway through their lives, their attack methods were weaker by more than a bit.
li fan dealt with them with ease.
as time passed and li fan became more familiar with his own spells, his attacks became increasingly sharp and deadly.
chu liang and his two companions gradually fell into a disadvantage.
chapter 179: fallen immortal realm, venerable heart refinement mantra
as for zhang qianmo and song hesong on the other side, one was in the late foundation establishment stage, and the other was in the mid golden core stage.
although zhang qianmo's cultivation level was lower, the techniques he cultivated were more exquisite than song hesong's by no small measure.
moreover, the spiritual weapon in his hand was far superior to his opponent's.
so, for a while, the two of them were evenly matched.
meanwhile, li fan was gradually gaining the upper hand.
the situation seemed to be developing in favor of the two from the purple heaven sect.
"brother song, the situation seemed a bit unfavorable!"
one of the attackers against li fan shouted loudly.
"fellow daoist song, don't hesitate, quickly activate the grand formation!"
chu liang also called out.
a moment of hesitation flashed across song hesong's face.
it was followed by a grimace.
he retreated rapidly, and his blood-red longsword transformed into a large bell, enveloping zhang qianmo within.
a crazed expression filled his eyes as he slammed both hands towards the direction of ningyuan city below.
in ningyuan city, there were cries and screams of mortals.
li fan observed as blood-colored malevolent spiritual energy soared into the air, gathering beside song hesong.
within the bloody light were human faces twisted in agony.
song hesong seized this blood-colored mass and poured it into the blood-red bell.
countless human faces wailed as they rushed toward zhang qianmo.
zhang qianmo's expression changed, and purple energy shielded him as he attempted to resist.
but it was in vain.
one after another, blood-colored faces rushed into zhang qianmo's mind, leaving him stunned.
the expression on zhang qianmo's face changed constantly, sometimes in pain, sometimes revealing a bizarre smile.
seeing that zhang qianmo was temporarily trapped, song hesong looked towards li fan.
li fan sensed trouble.
however, chu liang and the others were currently intensifying their attacks, preventing li fan from escaping.
song hesong arrived in an instant.
one in the mid golden core stage and three in the late foundation establishment stage.
under the joint attack, li fan withstood only for a moment before sustaining heavy injuries.
"it seems that this first exploration of the fallen immortal realm is going to end here."
as his injuries worsened and consciousness blurred, li fan heard what seemed like hallucinations.
illusory whispers, soft and rustling. sometimes urgent, sometimes soothing.
seemingly wailing, resembling roars of anger.
however, the specific content could not be distinguished.
before long, li fan could no longer resist.
song hesong's blood-colored giant palm ruthlessly slammed onto li fan's head.
"bang!"
li fan's head exploded like a watermelon.
by all logic, with his body destroyed, li fan should have returned to the real world.
but...
he entered a strange state.
the remaining spiritual consciousness, like a black hole, slowly devoured the body of li chen, who was a shell.
there were no remnants of li chen's memories.
just pure spiritual energy, gradually absorbed by li fan.
but within this flame, something persisted.
no matter how vigorous the flame, it couldn't destroy it.
it was a purple-colored golden core.
"golden core? wasn't he in the foundation establishment stage? how could a golden core be formed inside his body?" this scene clearly exceeded the understanding of song hesong and others, and their faces all changed color.
in fear, song hesong used all his techniques to attack the purple golden core.
however, no matter what, they couldn't shake the golden core even a bit.
trying to put it into the storage ring was also impossible.
because the aura belonging to zhang qianmo still lingered above it.
moreover, it was growing stronger and more vigorous.
"you miscellaneous cultivators, without orthodox teachings, not studying the classics."
"even if you learn a new method, it's nothing more than having a high cultivation level."
"how can you be compared to us orthodox sects?"
zhang qianmo's cold words emanated from the golden core.
the golden core immediately radiated brightly, forcing the flames to retreat.
a body slowly took shape from the radiance.
as the radiance converged, it transformed into clothing.
"i said that i will kill you today!"
zhang qianmo looked at song hesong and spoke in a cold tone.
song hesong trembled all over.
he continuously struck downward, and amid the miserable cries of countless mortals, strands of blood-colored light materialized and surged toward zhang qianmo.
as for song hesong himself, he didn't care about chu liang and the others trembling in fear; he turned into blood-colored light and fled far away.
zhang qianmo took a step, turning into purple lightning, arriving before the blood-colored light.
song hesong couldn't believe how fast zhang qianmo was. unable to dodge in time, he collided head-on.
"boom!"
amidst the intense collision, song hesong seemed to lose control of his own body.
zhang qianmo reached out with his right hand, gripping song hesong's neck and lifting him up.
"traitor, die!"
zhang qianmo pronounced the verdict.
a purple lightning bolt descended from the sky.
it fiercely struck zhang qianmo, who remained unharmed in the lightning, but song hesong, caught in his grip, let out a miserable scream.
he then died.
zhang qianmo looked towards chu liang and others, who had fled in different directions.
he sneered.
pointing his finger lightly.
three purple lightning bolts descended.
their auras vanished, and three black dots fell from the sky.
zhang qianmo didn't bother with them anymore.
"to be forced to this extent..."
"a new method..."
he showed a contemplative expression.
then, as if sensing something, he flew down to the ground.
there, the corpse that originally belonged to his junior brother li chen seemed to have melted like a candle.
zhang qianmo discovered that beneath the remaining layer of skin was another completely unfamiliar person.
it was awakening.
chapter 180: joining the ten thousand immortals alliance
the candle-like skin slowly melted away.
it was gradually absorbed by the unfamiliar cultivator within the corpse.
facing this bizarre scene, zhang qianmo did not immediately kill the intruder. instead, he observed with keen interest.
after a moment, li chen's corpse was completely absorbed by the venerable heart refinement mantra.
li fan also revealed his original appearance.
with a slight smile, li fan bowed to zhang qianmo, "greetings, senior brother!"
zhang qianmo squinted his eyes, and the purple lightning mark on his forehead became prominent.
"what exactly are you? a devil? an otherworldly demon?"
facing zhang qianmo's inquiry, li fan remained composed, "senior brother zhang, is it that you can't recognize me just because i changed my appearance?"
before the words could settle, a blue light illuminated the sky.
the cloud-shearing sword and heaven overturning palm successively approached.̃øv€l-b!n.
zhang qianmo showed surprise on his face.
the long halberd roared like a dragon, colliding with the cloud-shearing sword.
blue and purple lights devoured each other.
in the end, the purple lightning prevailed.
"good swordsmanship!" zhang qianmo praised.
then, facing an invisible palm technique from above, zhang qianmo did not dodge but punched straight up.
the fists collided.
a majestic force erupted, spreading from the location of the two, devastating the city below, which was already in ruins with few mortals surviving.
only the life-engendering longevity tree in the center, protected by the barrier, remained vibrant.
zhang qianmo was indifferent to the life and death of mortals.
but as he looked at li fan, his expression turned solemn.
"who are you? why did you secretly infiltrate my purple cloud sect? judging by your sword and palm techniques, you don't seem like a miscellaneous cultivator."
li fan avoided answering and asked, "senior brother, what technique is this? clearly only at the foundation establishment stage, yet you can condense a golden core inside your body? even killing an enemy beyond a realm seems effortless for you."
zhang qianmo snorted and, seeing li fan had no intention to answer, the killing intent in his heart grew stronger.
thus, he showed no mercy.
the long halberd swept across, accompanied by purple thunderbolts falling from the sky to assist in combat.
li fan encountered an opponent with such strength for the first time in his life.
his body technique reached its peak, forming the sword formation of the still sea to intercept the dragon-like halberd.
"if one could enter indefinitely without restrictions..."
shaking his head, he dismissed this unrealistic thought.
checking the time, only a little less than half a day had passed since he entered the immortal fall realm.
"this time in the immortal fall realm, i saw the cultivation world before the great calamity and the appearance of the immortal-devil plague."
"it also exposed several issues i currently have. although i have supernatural powers, my actual combat ability is a bit lacking."
"if not relying on array formations for ambush, i can handle ordinary golden core cultivators. but facing true geniuses is a bit challenging."
"however, this is less my problem and more a difference between two eras."
"in zhang qianmo's era, sect disciples could freely study various techniques and secrets without any restrictions. they could easily find senior brothers for sparring."
"nowadays, exchanging techniques is difficult. powerful techniques, aside from self-comprehension, can only be obtained by joining the ten thousand immortals alliance and using merits and contributions."
"moreover, finding someone for a friendly spar is too difficult these days."
"in the heavenly mirror, various scenarios can be simulated, but there's no simulation for combat against others. this should be a method used by the ten thousand immortals alliance to restrict the combat power of ordinary cultivators."
"however, with the existence of the immortal fall realm, i can polish and improve my actual combat abilities within it."
"of course, the most important thing is still the advancement of my cultivation realm."
li fan checked his contribution points, over 37,000.
enough to cultivate for some time in the qi condensation state.
"let's cultivate to the perfection of foundation establishment first."
so, li fan took out the exquisite glass bead and began closed-door cultivation.
as time passed, he was awakened by a message from a communication talisman.
checking it, it was a communication talisman from he zhenghao.
without immediately checking, li fan first examined the gains from his closed-door cultivation this time.
after nearly two months of supplementary cultivation, half of his contribution points were spent.
the gains...
li fan sighed.
equivalent to three years of hard cultivation in a normal state.
however, it was still far from reaching the perfection of foundation establishment.
but li fan also knew he couldn't be impatient.
for ordinary cultivators, each breakthrough in the cultivation realm after foundation establishment required decades.
"i still need the 'mountain sitting technique'!"
li fan sighed in his heart and then checked he zhenghao's message.
"friend li fan! good news, things worked out! through my tenacious efforts and persuasion, the position of array formation repairer with zhang zhiliang has been negotiated!"
chapter 181: ten thousand immortals grand formation
he zhenghao's triumphant voice came through the talisman.
"zhang zhiliang is quite eccentric. it took me considerable effort to convince him. of course, the required contribution points are slightly higher than the 10,000 contribution points required for master gong."
"13,000 contribution points."
"it's a rare opportunity. if you're interested, contact me as soon as possible!"
after that, the talisman fell silent.
"only an additional 3,000 contribution points, no problem. thank you, fellow daoist!" li fan thought for a moment and gave a positive response to he zhenghao.
on one hand, it was to get closer to zhang zhiliang and try to become his formal disciple.
on the other hand, it was a perfect opportunity to join the ten thousand immortals alliance.
joining the system of the ten thousand immortals alliance had many benefits.
compared to the over 10,000 contribution points spent in this closed-door cultivation, the 13,000 contribution points were well worth it.̃øv€l-b!n.
sending the message, he zhenghao immediately replied, "in that case, to avoid delays, fellow daoist, quickly go to the transmission square and wait for me."
"i will take you to meet zhang zhiliang first. then we'll quickly secure the spot."
"remember, even though it's just a small position as a formation repairer, there are still quite a few foundation establishment cultivators eyeing it!"
li fan also replied, "thank you for your trouble!"
after leaving the tianxuan mirror, he went to the transmission square to wait for he zhenghao.
as soon as he arrived, he saw that he zhenghao was already waiting.
"fellow daoist, you've gone through much trouble for me!" li fan said to he zhenghao.
"hehe, no need to be so polite. since you were introduced into the ten thousand immortals alliance by me, i naturally have to take good care of you."
"moreover, it's mutually beneficial. maybe in the future, i'll have something that requires your help!"
he zhenghao waved his hand, not minding.
then he said, "zhang zhiliang is not on ten thousand immortals island right now. recently, an island suddenly emerged from the seabed in the western part of the cong yun sea. zhang zhiliang and gong boyu are currently on that island."
after hesitating for a moment, he zhenghao explained in a hushed tone, "this ten thousand immortals grand formation doesn't refer to the one on ten thousand immortals island. rather, it refers to the true ten thousand immortals grand formation formed by all the guardian formations in the cities and islands within a region, with the ten thousand immortals guardian formation within the central island city as the core, amplifying its power."
"this ten thousand immortals grand formation, once fully activated, covers the entire region with unimaginable power. it's said to have a record of killing dao integration level figures."
"but the resources it consumes are extremely huge, and it can only be activated with approval from the ten thousand immortals alliance headquarters."
"it's generally only used during invasions by the five elders association."
li fan, who was only beginning to understand formations, imagined the scene in his mind and couldn't help but take in a sharp breath.
"no wonder the ten thousand immortals alliance goes to great lengths to build guardian formations in most cities within its territory."
"it turns out there's this additional consideration."
at this moment, he zhenghao continued with a cheerful tone, "privately, we've speculated that this might not be the complete form of the ten thousand immortals grand formation. the true form might be a massive formation covering all ten thousand immortals alliance territories, formed by fully activating the ten thousand immortals grand formations in each region as nodes."
"but this is purely our idle speculation. that kind of formation is too terrifying. once activated, i'm afraid the entire cultivation world would suffer immense destruction."
li fan listened in silence.
"judging by the ten thousand immortals alliance's style of doing things, this ultimate form of the ten thousand immortals grand formation is definitely real."
"the xuanhuang realm has maintained peace despite being almost divided between the conflicting ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders. aside from those elusive longevity immortals, the existence of this ultimate ten thousand immortals grand formation is probably a crucial factor."
after a moment of contemplation, li fan fell into silence, and the two continued their journey in silence.
not long after, the once-sunken island came into view.
even from a distance, li fan could sense that the dampness on the island had not yet dissipated.
most of the buildings on the island were still intact.
however, having been submerged in the sea for a thousand years, the surfaces of the buildings were covered with seaweed and algae.
on the streets, countless fish that had been separated from the seawater were leaping and struggling for survival.
outside the island, li fan could vaguely see a golden formation barrier.
"i wonder why this island sank for some unknown reason three thousand years ago."
"and now, why did it suddenly resurface?"
chapter 182: mountain and river formation
on the golden barrier enveloping the island, there was a small circular gap. he zhenghao led li fan into the protective formation through this gap.
"when you meet the formation masters later, don't bring up the matter of contribution points in front of them. act accordingly, and after everything is settled, transfer the contribution points to me. i'll then pass them on to zhang zhiliang," he zhenghao whispered to li fan.
li fan smiled slightly, indicating his understanding.̃øv€lß1n.
"haha! fellow daoist he came just in time!"
at that moment, the laughter of gong boyu came from afar. li fan looked towards the sound and saw several formation masters from the formation hall gathered here.
in front of them was a large vertical screen, on which many tiny formation units flashed rapidly. formation masters occasionally pointed at the screen, discussing things with varied expressions.
"what's this..." li fan's gaze flashed as he looked towards the golden formation in the sky.
sure enough, he vaguely saw many small disks, like crawling insects, attached to the surface of the formation.
while absorbing the power of the formation, these discs simultaneously transmitted the data of the units that formed the protective formation to the central screen.
"formation breaking disks."
in the twelfth life, zhang zhiliang's legacy mentioned this kind of treasure.
it could analyze the composition data of a formation without damaging its structure, providing a reference for cracking the formation.
a set of one thousand one hundred and eighty formation breaking disks was quite valuable.
li fan had never had the chance to see them before, but unexpectedly, he encountered them today.
"come, come! fellow daoist he, come and take a look at the latest analysis data. see if the reappearance of this island from the sea floor is related to changes in the earth veins!" gong boyu enthusiastically called.
though he zhenghao was excited about the study, he hadn't forgotten about the main business. he turned to zhang zhiliang and said, "fellow daoist zhang, this is the cultivator i mentioned before, li fan, who is willing to follow you as a formation repairer. he has a foundation establishment cultivation and some understanding of formations."
zhang zhiliang casually glanced at li fan, tossed over a testing ball, and said, "test yourself first. as long as you're not completely ignorant of formations, there should be no problem."
li fan took the testing ball, and after his spiritual sense circulated through it, the test quickly ended.
zhang zhiliang looked at the number of glowing points on the testing ball and was somewhat surprised.
"but that location seems to be extremely far from the cong yun sea. with my foundational establishment cultivation, it's difficult for me to sense the specific location," he zhenghao regretfully said.
he zhenghao's words immediately sparked a heated discussion among the group of formation masters.
"so, it was caused by changes in the earth vein? how big of a disturbance must that be?"
"if fellow daoist he can't sense it, the location of the incident should be quite far away. with such a distance, the impact of the incident should have been tremendous to sink an island all the way over here."
"just go back and inquire about which province it happened in."
"that's not necessarily the case, earth vein changes may also occur in the deep underground. the surface may experience only slight tremors."
...
while the discussion was intense over there, zhang zhiliang, who had not participated, suddenly asked, "fellow daoist he, what do you think of this golden protective formation?"
he zhenghao squinted his eyes, pondered for a moment, and replied, "this golden formation is connected to the earth vein. if my guess is correct, it should be based on the 'mountain and river formation.'"
"as long as the earth vein is intact, this defensive formation will be endless. and the ten thousand immortals grand formation can condense the earth vein of a whole province for protection. its defense is so strong that even three or four cultivators in the dao integration realm may not be able to break it."
"it's stronger than the current formation by more than one level."
zhang zhiliang nodded slowly. "although this formation's defensive power is strong, if the formation is broken, it will cause some damage to the earth vein. i wonder what happened at that time to force people to resort to a solution as extreme as the mountain and river formation."
gong boyu also approached at this moment. "why bother with so much? this free mountain and river formation is right in front of us. you can study it without spending any contribution points. such a good thing is a once-in-a-century opportunity."
he zhenghao agreed, saying, "fellow daoist gong makes sense. these opportunities should not be missed. we should study it carefully."
saying this, the group immersed themselves in the continuously flashing images on the screen of the formation breaking disks.
li fan also observed for a while. unfortunately, with his current foundation in formations, he was not yet able to comprehend anything from it.
watching the several formation masters engrossed in their study, li fan decided not to linger any longer.
after bidding farewell, he quietly returned to ten thousand immortals island.
he headed straight for the central formation hall on the island.
chapter 183: white jade inquiry platform
carrying the jade token given by zhang zhiliang, the radiant light of the seven-colored immortal-felling formation merely brushed past li fan, without eliciting any sense of threat.
the government hall and the council hall were the two most prominent tall buildings in the central area of ten thousand immortals island.
following the path, li fan quickly arrived outside the government hall.
a qi condensation cultivator dressed in black and yellow robes stood at the entrance. upon seeing li fan approaching, he gave a glance and then politely inquired, "fellow daoist, are you here to register for a position in the formation hall?"
li fan nodded.
"alright, follow me."
li fan followed the cultivator, walking all the way inside to a small room deep within the government hall.
upon entering, he discovered another world.
the guiding cultivator left on his own, leaving li fan alone to observe this space.
numerous tall red wooden cabinets were arranged side by side on the ground.
there were an extremely large number of these wooden cabinets.
they were endless; with a quick glance, one couldn't see the end.
an old man with white hair stood silently in front of these red wooden cabinets.
observing him, li fan felt as if this old man wasn't inactive.
instead, it seemed like he had countless clones busy in front of these red wooden cabinets.
li fan looked up and carefully examined this space.
all around was a vast expanse of whiteness. apart from the red wooden cabinets and the white-haired old man, there were no other decorations.
it was monotonous and somewhat frightening.ñøv€l-b1n was the first platform to present this chapter.
"it seems that this place, like the tianxuan mirror, is a space shared by every branch of the ten thousand immortals alliance?" li fan speculated silently.
however, he didn't show any disrespect and promptly handed the jade token to the old man.
taking the jade token, the old man glanced at li fan.
he cleared his throat and calmly said, "although you are under zhang zhiliang, if you want to officially join the ten thousand immortals alliance, you still need to go through the proper procedures."
the old man pointed to the blank area in front of him, and suddenly, a white platform rose from the ground.
made entirely of white jade, it emitted a lustrous glow.
"this is the inquiry platform. to prevent spies from the five elders association from infiltrating the alliance, you must pass the inquiry platform test before joining."
"stand on it!"
the old man instructed, not giving li fan a chance to refuse.
li fan's heart trembled slightly, raising his spirits, ready to use [truth] if anything went wrong.
after leaping onto the white inquiry platform, a miniaturized projection of li fan instantly appeared around him.
it included some basic information about him within the ten thousand immortals alliance.
he glanced at li fan and cupped his hands, "congratulations, fellow daoist, on officially joining!"
"oh? how you could tell?" li fan replied politely.
"hehe, because after going up the inquiry platform, if you haven't officially joined, the only other possibility is death. since fellow daoist is alive, the result is self-evident." the guiding cultivator answered with a smile.
"thank you for the insight. i am li fan." saying this, li fan handed over a communication talisman.
"i am gao yuan." taking li fan's talisman, gao yuan became even more courteous.
li fan exchanged a few more pleasantries with him before returning to the tianxuan mirror.
upon entering, he received a notification.
"welcome, cultivator li fan. you have officially joined the ten thousand immortals alliance."
"your current position: formation repairer for the cong yun sea."
"responsibility: assist zhang zhiliang of the formation hall in maintaining the protective formations in the cong yun sea area."
"fixed wage: 1500 contribution points per year. each time you participate in maintenance, you can earn an additional 200-2000 contribution points based on your level of participation."
"minimum duty requirement: participate in at least three major array maintenance tasks every ten years."
"reminder: if you fail to meet the minimum duty requirement for the first time, you will receive a warning. if there is a second time, your formation repairer position will be forcibly revoked, and you will not be allowed to rejoin for one hundred years."
"please take your responsibilities seriously."
"you can now increase your permission level within the ten thousand immortals alliance by accumulating merits."
"the higher your permission level, the more items and techniques you can view and exchange."
"your current permission level: one."
"complete merit tasks to earn merits."
"merits are divided into six levels from top to bottom: heaven, earth, first, second, third, fourth."
"each level is further divided into upper, middle, and lower."
...
in addition to various new prompts, li fan also received several items at the same time.
one of them was the standard black and yellow robe used within the ten thousand immortals alliance.
the robe provided simple protection and could effectively resist attacks from mid-level foundation establishment cultivators.
for li fan, it was better than nothing.
if the robe got damaged and needed replacement, he would have to spend contribution points to buy a new one in the tianxuan mirror.
another item was the identity jade disk.
if you didn't join the ten thousand immortals alliance's system, the alliance wouldn't care if you were killed outside.
however, with this identity jade disc, if you died unexpectedly, the heavenly secrets hall would investigate.
based on the specific results of the investigation, they would decide whether to carry out revenge.
chapter 184: taian island spy
in addition to the robe uniform and identity jade disk, there was also a unique communication talisman.
the talisman was circular, intricately carved with patterns around it, and a 'ten thousand' character engraved in the center.
as his spiritual consciousness was immersed in it, he instantly felt like he was in the starry sea.
countless dim stars were faintly visible around, representing members of the ten thousand immortals alliance.
the image of he zhenghao flashed through his mind.
in an instant, among countless stars, he found the one representing he zhenghao.
li fan sent a friend request.
after a while, that dim star brightened.
in a dark galaxy, it became conspicuously bright.
"fellow daoist acted so fast; you've officially joined? congratulations!" he zhenghao's message quickly arrived.
"i must thank fellow daoist he!" li fan replied.
however, there was no further response, indicating that he zhenghao was once again immersed in the study of the mountain and river formation.
li fan also sent friend requests to chen ying, zhang zhiliang, gong boyu, and others.
then his spiritual consciousness retreated from the communication talisman.
in the tianxuan mirror, li fan began to search for merit tasks.
as opposed to tasks that earned contribution points, merit tasks were mostly directly issued by the ten thousand immortals alliance.
the task types ranged from collecting materials to participating in the maintenance of the daily operations of the ten thousand immortals alliance.
there was also a special category of tasks, which involved reporting and exposing spies infiltrating the ten thousand immortals alliance, such as those from the five elders association or other cultivation organizations.
for such tasks, the merits varied based on the spy's rank.
li fan's current permission level was one.
basically, by completing any merit task, he could upgrade to level two.
however, there was a limit on the number of merit tasks one could complete.
a maximum of three tasks could be completed each year.
li fan wasn't in a hurry to accept them.
apart from tasks, there were other ways to earn merits.
for example, recommending cultivators to join the ten thousand immortals alliance, like he zhenghao did before.
"the power is indeed much stronger than what i've seen before, and the price is higher too."
li fan looked at several other dim golden cultivation techniques, and they were all the same.
"if the yanfa jue constantly derivates out cultivation techniques day and night, there will certainly be some world-shaking divine techniques."
"they likely won't be much weaker than the foundational techniques of those ancient sects."
"even if i can't redeem them, taking a glance and broadening my knowledge would be good."
"unfortunately, my permission level is not enough."
"permission level, permission level..."
li fan then recalled the various ways to earn merits.
a figure suddenly flashed in his mind.
the guardian of taian island, zhou qingang.
in his previous two lives, this person always fled before the arrival of the crimson flame, which seemed somewhat suspicious to li fan.
there were only two possibilities.
one was that zhou qingang had a very strong background.
in the tenth life, even the two soul transformation true monarchs of the ten thousand immortals island couldn't detect the imminent arrival of the crimson flame. however, zhou qingang did.
this indicated that zhou qingang's background was even more formidable than these soul transformation powerhouses; in other words, a dao integration immortal sage.
in li fan's opinion, this possibility was low. if zhou qingang truly had the backing of an immortal sage, he could have just left directly.
there would be no need to appoint someone else to guard taian island as a proxy under the pretense of going out to look for opportunities.
therefore, the remaining possibility was far more likely.
zhou qingang might be a spy planted by another organization within the ten thousand immortals alliance.
li fan believed that the top powerhouses of this world must have sensed something before the crimson flame arrived.
for some unknown reason, the ten thousand immortals alliance headquarters did not issue a warning about the danger to the ten thousand immortals islands, but other organizations should have detected some signs as well.
for instance, the wanhua chamber of commerce had issued an order for all its members to evacuate the cong yun sea before the calamity struck.
zhou qingang likely also received a notice from his organization, which led him to escape from the cong yun sea.
of course, this was just li fan's speculation.
to confirm this, further verification was needed. if his guess was wrong, that would be fine.
however, if zhou qingang was indeed a spy, li fan would gain a lot.
not only would he harvest a large amount of merits and contribution points, but more importantly, li fan also wanted to find a way to deceive the inquiry platform from him.
chapter 185: splitting the mind
with the help of [truth], one could undergo infinite cycles of reincarnation.
apart from the ten thousand immortals alliance, li fan would definitely have the opportunity to visit other organizations such as the five elders association in the future.
he believed that they should also have a method similar to the inquiry platform.
to prevent exposure and being directly killed as a spy, it was necessary to find a technique that could conceal his intentions.
moreover, a method to hide the secrets in his heart was particularly important for li fan, who possessed [truth].
"you better be a spy, fellow daoist zhou."
recalling the scene when he first met zhou qingang, li fan secretly said in his heart.
subsequently, he separately messaged several people he knew, such as he zhenghao, gao yuan, and chen ying, inquiring about zhou qingang.
after most of the day passed, he gradually received replies.
excluding those who didn't know much about zhou qingang, the other responses were quite consistent.
originally, zhou qingang was a wandering cultivator.
over seventy years ago, in the later stages of qi condensation, he joined the ten thousand immortals alliance.
after advancing to the foundation establishment stage, he successfully passed the assessment held once every ten years and became the guardian of taian island.
zhou qingang was diligent and responsible in his daily work.
most of the time, he stayed on the island, rarely venturing outside.
...
with this information, li fan became even more convinced of his judgment.
next, he had to find a way to expose zhou qingang's true colors.
having infiltrated the ten thousand immortals alliance for so many years without being discovered by others, this person must be extremely cautious in his actions.
for others, finding his flaws might be difficult.
but for li fan, who harbored the formless killing intent, as long as this person was indeed a spy, it was only a matter of time before he revealed himself under the all-encompassing, 24/7 surveillance throughout the year.
wearing a friendly smile, li fan left the tianxuan mirror and arrived at taian island through the teleportation array.
having served as the acting guardian for several years, li fan was quite familiar with the island.
above the city where the strange human-faced fruit lived, li fan met zhou qingang and explained his intentions.
"your timing is unfortunate, fellow daoist. all the remaining taian fruits have been sold, and there are none left." zhou qingang shook his head, expressing regret.
"oh, my luck is really bad. i recently heard that there is such a cheap and life-prolonging treasure, but i couldn't find it in the tianxuan mirror. i wanted to see if fellow daoist had any in stock." li fan sighed, looking regretful.
it specifically manifested as occasional brief pauses in thinking and a decrease in his normal thinking speed.
in simple terms, li fan sometimes felt that his brain was "lagging."
to solve this problem, there were two methods.
one was to increase the strength of his consciousness.
the second was to enhance the multitasking ability of his consciousness, splitting his mind into different tasks.
compared to ordinary cultivators, li fan's spiritual consciousness strength was already quite strong, equivalent to the late stage of golden core, a realm higher than the average foundation establishment cultivator.
now that he had found a method to enhance his spiritual consciousness strength by entering the fallen immortal realm and absorbing the bodies of those possessed, he didn't need to search for other ways to increase spiritual consciousness strength.
therefore, what li fan needed to do now was to improve his shortcomings.
he needed to find a way to split his mind for various tasks.
during the twelfth life, even though li fan possessed a considerable fortune, he couldn't find such a technique in the tianxuan mirror.
he could only reluctantly make do.
since he had joined the system of the ten thousand immortals alliance in this life, he naturally wanted to take this opportunity to find a technique that could enhance his multitasking capabilities.
before, li fan had searched a bit, but with his permission level only being one, he hadn't found a suitable technique.
however, li fan believed that as his permission level increased, he would eventually find a satisfactory technique.
currently, li fan was at the foundation establishment stage, and most of the merit tasks available corresponded to third-grade merits.
occasionally, there were one or two tasks classified as second grade with a label indicating high risk.
li fan's target was these high-risk tasks.
the so-called high risk varied from person to person.
for ordinary foundation establishment cultivators within the ten thousand immortals alliance, tasks at the golden core level were clearly beyond their ability.
however, for li fan, who possessed various divine techniques, the risks of these tasks weren't as high.
for example, one task required him to join a squad from the martial hall to clear out beasts on wanlai island in the cong yun sea.
according to the task description, these beasts fed on sound.
they reproduced rapidly in large numbers and needed to be cleared out periodically.
although the beasts were rampant, their individual strength was relatively weak.
their basic combat power was only equivalent to the early foundation establishment stage.
this task was perfect for li fan.
chapter 186: nine teams of the martial hall
merit tasks triggered by random events were always being watched by cultivators.
li fan directly accepted the task to avoid it being snatched by others.
soon, a friend request was sent to him.
martial hall, jiang zhengji.
li fan accepted the request, and a message from jiang zhengji came: "fellow daoist li fan, i have already checked your basic information."
"with your late foundation establishment cultivation, plus the assistance of formations, there should be no risk in following behind our team to complete this task."
"i will send you the information about this trip to wanlai island shortly for you to prepare."
"we'll set out tomorrow. meet at the transmission square."
li fan didn't rush to check the mission information jiang zhengji sent but first investigated jiang zhengji's personal information.
his spiritual consciousness touched the star in the starry sea representing jiang zhengji, and a brief message instantly appeared in li fan's mind.
jiang zhengji, a member of the tiancang team in the martial hall on ten thousand immortals island.
mid golden core stage cultivation.
li fan had some knowledge of the tiancang team.
it was one of the nine teams in the martial hall.
in the ten thousand immortals alliance, matters related to techniques would be handled by the law enforcement hall.
for other situations requiring the use of force, the martial hall would take charge.
the nine teams were tianjun, tiancang, tianbian, tianxuan, tianyou, tianhao, tianzhu, tianyan, and tianyang.
except for the tianjun team, who were responsible for overall coordination and had a slightly higher status, the other teams were of equal standing.
"i wonder how many members from the tiancang team will be mobilized for this task."
with this thought in mind, li fan clicked on the wanlai island beast-clearing mission briefing.
wanlai island was located in the southwestern region of the cong yun sea.
the island was inhabited by headless beasts.
with short lower limbs and stout arms, they crawled on the ground at incredible speed.
these beasts had no heads, only a large mouth on their chests.
they fed on sound, and as long as they were hungry, they could satiate themselves by simply making sound.
with thick skin and the ability to quickly recover from injuries by consuming sound, coupled with their formidable combat power, they posed a substantial threat.
moreover, they reproduced rapidly, and there were no natural enemies on the island.
so, they easily dominated the entire wanlai island.
only jiang zhengji and the other golden core cultivator, du xingchang, maintained their composure, seemingly accustomed to such scenes.
"let's get started!"
jiang zhengji tossed a purple formation diagram into the air.
the purple light spread with the wind and quickly enveloped the entire wanlai island.
the headless beasts below were completely unaware.
a radiant light emanated from jiang zhengji, resembling falling snowflakes.
soon after, a blizzard swept across, covering the entire island.
"golden core dharma body..." li fan watched this scene, his eyes flickering.
having already exchanged for knowledge related to the golden core stage, li fan was naturally familiar with this.
after reaching the golden core stage, one could use the laws within the golden core to condense a dharma body.
the fusion of the laws into the dharma body allowed manipulation of a large area through the laws.
at this moment, a snowstorm raged.
the temperature on wanlai island plummeted rapidly.
some headless beasts slowly sensed something amiss and looked around.
however, li fan and the others suspended high in the air made no sound, and the beasts couldn't find any traces.
at the same time, du xingchang also took action.
in the midst of the swirling snowstorm, red plum blossoms emerged from the ground, blooming proudly.
in an instant, the entire wanlai island was covered in white snow and red plum blossoms.
"xingchang and i will watch from above. everyone, go ahead and take action!"
jiang zhengji said.
the five foundation establishment cultivators of the tiancang team nodded one after another.
without any hesitation, they rushed towards the headless beasts below.
"it seems that this is also training for them."
seeing this, li fan couldn't openly slack off.
so, he quickly caught up and casually set up the shared spirit life-death formation, affecting the five foundation establishment cultivators ahead.
this shared spirit life-death formation was one of the formations used by zhang zhiliang during the extermination of crimson flame in the twelfth life.
it amplified attacks and enhanced cooperation between individuals.
however, the power of the formation arranged by li fan at this moment was weaker by more than ten times compared to zhang zhiliang. but for the five foundation establishment cultivators, its effectiveness was still enough to have an immediate impact.
after that, li fan consecutively set up several formations such as the five elements sword qi formation, the silk obstruction formation, and the spirit fire dragon formation.
chapter 187: formation battle against beasts
after completing all of this, li fan's face turned pale, and he was gasping for breath.
"please, fellow daoists, lead these beasts to the formations i've set up," li fan conveyed through voice transmission.
a foundation establishment cultivator named huan sui nodded, "fellow daoist, you've worked hard. we'll take it from here."
it was widely known that the path of formations was difficult and obscure, requiring a significant amount of time for study. it's reasonable for proficiency in formations to be inversely proportional to combat strength.
besides, there was no expectation that this external helper could do much. being able to set up so many effective formations at once was already a pleasant surprise.
huan sui took out a small drum and struck it forcefully. a roar resembling that of ancient ferocious beasts resonated from the drum, spreading in all directions.
on the island, the lazy headless beasts lying on the ground abruptly stood up, turning towards the direction of li fan and the others. they pounded their chests, seemingly excited.
like a surging tide, they rushed over one after another.
the five members of huan sui's team stood in formation, facing the approaching wave of beasts without changing their expressions.
five spiritual weapons simultaneously emerged around them, each taking the form of a differently shaped sword. the sword lights intersected, forming a sword formation.
any beast entering the formation was instantly annihilated by the sword lights. under the fire dragons of the "spirit fire dragon formation," they turned to ashes.
the drumbeat continued, acting like a summoning spell, attracting the beasts to come forward and meet their doom.
the tiancang team, like a meat grinder, mercilessly harvested the lives of these creatures.
slowly, the deaths of numerous beasts began to stir unrest among their ranks.
they began to counterattack.
"roar!"
the headless beasts pounded their chests, opened their bloody mouths, and let out thunderous roars. invisible sound waves converged, forming a substantial fist shadow above the island.
the red fist shadow rushed towards the sword formation of the five people.
"bang!"
huan sui and the others simultaneously spat out blood, their faces showing astonishment. the five swords trembled slightly, and the formation fell into disarray.
immediately, many red-furred beasts seized the opportunity to break through the blockade and charge towards the five.
although they were easily slaughtered, the expressions of the five cultivators were no longer as relaxed as before.
seeing this, li fan knew he couldn't hold back too much.
with a serious expression, he took out several beast bones from his storage ring and arranged a new formation.
this time, just as the fist shadow composed of the roars of the red-furred beasts was about to form, a series of extremely discordant metallic friction sounds suddenly came from the surroundings, mixing with the roar.
like pure water mixing into muddy water, the roar became unclear, and its power diminished significantly.
the fist shadow, composed of the howls of the red-furred beasts, was mixed with the strange noises. it became vague, and its power greatly diminished. it was easily blocked by the sword formation.
so, amidst the increasingly urgent and loud pounding sounds, the giant shadow of a red-furred beast slowly took shape.
the faintly oppressive feeling emanating from the phantom was slightly weaker than jiang zhengji's.
"golden core stage!"
li fan and the tiancang team's faces turned serious.
although seemingly weaker than a true golden core stage cultivator, it undoubtedly possessed power far beyond the foundation establishment realm.
however, after the golden core beast revealed its form, it didn't immediately launch an attack on li fan and the others.
instead, it casually grabbed its weak compatriots from the ground and devoured them voraciously.
the countless red-furred beasts on the island, upon witnessing their peers being eaten, not only showed no fear but became excited, emitting strange and joyful cries.
the golden core beast devoured its weaker peers without reservation.
gradually, its silhouette became solid.
it seemed that, as it consumed more of its own kind, it could complete the transformation from the illusory to the real!
jiang zhengji and du xingchang both had their arms folded over their chests and carried cold and indifferent expressions, silently observing the situation.
however, huan sui became anxious, "if we wait for that beast to solidify, its strength will be comparable to a true golden core cultivator. even if we all unite and fight to the death, we may not necessarily win!"
another person chimed in, "that's right, we can't wait any longer!"
li fan also nodded, "i'll set up the current-defying formation to assist you all!"
he then took out formation materials from his storage ring.
in a moment, the current-defying formation was set up.
the tiancang team's momentum surged suddenly.
"the formation can only last for about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn."
li fan, looking pale and feeble, said without much strength.
it seemed that his mental energy consumption was extremely high.
huan sui and the others exchanged glances and nodded.
"if we can't defeat that beast, even if we can save our lives, we'll lose the qualification for promotion."
"there is no retreat, the only way out is to fight!"
"kill!"
the five people had determined expressions, relying on each other and piercing forward like a sharp sword.
fiercely, they stabbed towards the golden core beast.
chapter 188: white snow falls on red plum blossoms
the five foundation establishment cultivators from the martial hall successfully drew the attention of the majority of the red-haired beasts.
li fan took advantage of the situation, hiding within the spirit fire dragon formation, leisurely watching the intense battle unfolding on the island.
the five sword-like foundation treasures alternated in attacking, resembling a sharp drill that turned all the obstructing beasts into minced meat.
facing the rapidly advancing tiancang team, the gigantic golden core beast remained indifferent, seemingly unfazed. however, it accelerated the speed of its consumption in response.
along the way, the red-haired beasts, in a frenzied manner, used their bodies to form a defensive line at any cost to obstruct the tiancang team.
these beasts possessed the strength of the foundation establishment stage. waves after waves of the beast tide surged forward, and although the tiancang team's swords were sharp, their progress unavoidably slowed down.
they initially relied on their unstoppable momentum.
now, with their momentum obstructed and slowed, the pressure increased sharply as they faced seemingly endless red-haired beasts.
in this critical moment, huan sui angrily shouted, "change formation!"
in an instant, the other four people stood behind huan sui, infusing all their spiritual energy into his body. the five swords gradually merged into one amidst a dazzling light.
combined, the five swords' power surged.
sword qi sliced across the ground, easily carving a deep trench into the earth in front of them. the red-haired beasts obstructing their way dissolved in the sword light.
within moments, the giant sword arrived in front of the golden core beast.
at this point, having consumed a large number of its kind, the upper half of the golden core beast had completed the transformation from phantom to real.
however, the sword light had already approached, and it had no chance to further enhance its strength.
reluctantly thumping its chest, the golden core beast then extended its sturdy arms and tightly gripped the giant sword about to slash its head.
the giant sword erupted in a dazzling light, attempting to break free.
however, on the claws of the golden core beast, there was a wisp of black qi. like an extremely tenacious silk thread, it firmly entwined the sword.̃øv€l-b!n.
the beast's bloody mouth suddenly opened, emitting a strange and horrifying roar.
the sword light dimmed abruptly.
as if crushed by an invisible force, the sword body became distorted.
"change!"
huan sui's voice sounded again.
the sword light disintegrated, becoming five separate swords once more.
the golden core beast's hands were left empty.
the tiancang team reappeared in different positions, each wielding a different sword. simultaneously, they struck the golden core beast.
"roar!"
the beast emitted a painful howl. although there was no blood, its figure became somewhat illusory.
"although the tiancang formation is powerful, this golden core beast has nearly endless kin as food, and will only become stronger as the battle goes on."
"on the other hand, your strength will only weaken."
"however, unexpectedly, under your mutual cooperation, you forced it into its red-furred form, which is beyond my expectations."
"it seems your usual practice hasn't been in vain."
"this time, you guys barely pass."
huan sui and the others, hearing jiang zhengji's words, first showed a hint of embarrassment.
but then, upon hearing that they passed the mission, they couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
before jiang zhengji's words settled, he appeared above the golden core beast.
the beast sensed the danger and was about to react.
but it was too late.
the drifting snow in the sky rapidly flew towards the beast.
the blizzard covered the sky, completely enveloping the beast in an instant.
in a moment, the beast was tightly wrapped.
a somewhat comical giant snowman appeared under jiang zhengji's feet.
initially, the beast inside the snowman wanted to struggle, but as the snow piled up thicker, its movements became weaker.
eventually, it completely lost the power to resist.
as the golden core beast was sealed by the heavy snow, the twisted red fur around it squirmed, attempting to rescue it.
however, the countless red plum blossoms on the island scattered in the wind.
the red plum blossoms, like knives, continuously cut these red strands relentlessly and endlessly.
the divided red strands were split into fragments and fell under a red plum tree.
the petals, carrying the red fur, gradually withered.
turning into dust, they were absorbed by the red plum tree.
only fragrance was left in the world.
jiang zhengji looked at the red plum tree with admiration and gently stepped forward onto the head of the snowman.
the giant snowman then slowly shrank.
in the end, it turned into a palm-sized miniature model, which jiang zhengji collected.
in the blink of an eye, amidst the astonished expressions of huan sui and others, the golden core beast that left the tiancang team helpless was effortlessly captured.
the immense gap between the mid-golden core stage and the foundation establishment stage was evident.
chapter 189: immortal ancestor
the golden core beast was subdued by the joint efforts of jiang zhengji and du xingchang.
the red-haired beasts on wanlai island finally showed a hint of fear.
they began to flee in the distance.
some even attempted to jump into the sea to escape this place.
however, the formation previously arranged by jiang zhengji had completely sealed off wanlai island.
"kill!"
jiang zhengji commanded, and the tiancang team once again ruthlessly and efficiently slaughtered.
at this point, li fan appeared to have completed his rest, activating the spirit fire dragon formation. occasionally, he swung a faint blue sword light, reaping the lives of the red-haired beasts.
this time, there were no unexpected twists.
half a day later, at sunset, only a quarter of the red-haired beasts on wanlai island remained after the ruthless slaughter.
"stop!"
at this moment, jiang zhengji finally spoke again.
as the snow began to fall again, he once again used the method he employed to capture the golden core beast, turning most of the remaining red-haired beasts on the island into tiny snowmen.
he then collected them, and it was unclear where he stored them.
"this mission went relatively smoothly. we can return to the island," he said calmly.
the exhausted five-person squad sighed with relief.
li fan also appeared to be exhausted.
"much thanks to you this time. if it weren't for your crucial formations, i doubt they could have successfully passed the test," jiang zhengji said politely to li fan on the way back.
li fan looked apologetic, "the entire process was carried out by the fellow daoists from the martial hall. i merely arranged some formations and didn't actually kill many beasts."
jiang zhengji smiled, "that's how a formation master should act. i see that your proficiency in formations is not weak. although it doesn't compare to those masters, its impact in actual combat is enormous. especially the 'discordant confusion formation,' it's truly wonderful."
li fan shook his head, "your praise is too much. it was just a moment of inspiration."
then, he asked curiously, "fellow daoist, have you participated in dozens of these clearance missions? could it be that these red-haired beasts have some special value? otherwise, why not just wipe them out in one go?"
jiang zhengji nodded, "your guess is correct. these red-haired beasts do have some uses."
"i previously captured a large batch alive because of this reason, instead of completely exterminating them."
"the ten thousand immortals alliance headquarters has a task that requires various regions to collect and submit a certain quantity of treasures and beasts capable of absorbing sound each year."
out of compassion?
or...
in an instant, several different answers flashed through li fan's mind.
but obviously, at this moment, none of them could be verified.
they could only be deeply hidden in his heart, and could only be confirmed in the future.
after calming down his turbulent emotions, li fan checked his permission level.
the reward for clearing the mission of exterminating the red-haired beasts was a lower-grade second level merit.
the actual increase in permission level was 2.6.
with just this one mission completed, li fan's permission level had risen to three, with an additional sixty percent progress.
"it seems that in the early stages, increasing permission level is quite easy."
li fan then checked the newly appeared cultivation methods.
unfortunately, he still hadn't found one that could split the mind into multiple tasks.
in the following period, li fan accepted and completed two more merit tasks.
one was an upper-grade third level merit, and the other was a lower-grade second level merit.
the process of completing the missions was very smooth, without any twists.
while getting to know many members within the system of ten thousand immortals island, li fan's permission level increased to five.
the quota for accepting merit tasks three times a year was used up, but he still hadn't found a suitable cultivation method.
"it seems that even with the limitless derivation of the yanfa jue within the ten thousand immortals alliance, the ability to multitask is still a very precious technique."
"i wonder at what permission level it will appear on the exchange list."
"the detailed information on techniques available for exchange at higher permission levels is confidential and cannot be easily disseminated. the higher the permission level, the higher the confidentiality. if accidentally leaked, it can result in deduction of your merit or even being held accountable and killed."
"if not for this, i could have asked others for information to at least have an idea."
"now, i can only wait for another opportunity to try and raise my permission level as much as possible."
during this time, the situation at tai'an island guarded by zhou qingang remained normal.
however, li fan was very patient.
he believed that before the arrival of the crimson flame, zhou qingang would definitely reveal his true colors.
chapter 190: the show begins
on this day, li fan received a message from zhang zhiliang, asking him to come to the formation hall.
after obtaining the position of formation repairer, li fan had not been engaged in any official tasks. presumably, zhang zhiliang had been busy researching the mountain and river formation on that recently emerged island, and that was why he hadn't contacted li fan.
with the sudden summons, li fan did not delay. he changed into a black and yellow robe and proceeded to the formation hall.
with his new status within the system, the seven-colored immortal-felling formation above his head ignored li fan as he entered the central core area.
walking into the oblique cube-shaped building, the small cube body seemed to recognize li fan's identity, automatically activating.
after a moment, li fan was brought into the space where zhang zhiliang was.
this place was extremely familiar to li fan. in the eleventh life, he had spent several years here, tirelessly researching formations day and night, which led him to officially step into the path of formations.
looking ahead, zhang zhiliang stood with his back to him, motionless.
"greetings, senior." li fan spoke and bowed.
zhang zhiliang seemed as if he hadn't heard, remaining unmoved.
seeing this, li fan repeated his greeting.
as if there was a long delay, after a considerable amount of time, zhang zhiliang finally turned around.
"oh... you... are here."
li fan immediately discerned that the figure before him should be some kind of clone or projection.
however, he still inquired, "senior, has the research on the mountain and river formation concluded?"
after a while, zhang zhiliang's intermittent voice sounded.
"not yet. the research on the mountain and river formation is at a critical juncture... it's even more complicated than imagined... it's estimated to take another year or two to finish."
"brother li seems to have something urgent, so you left in haste..."
"i also... suddenly remembered that since you joined, i haven't taught you any formations."
"now, in this situation, i can't spare the time."
"but if i postpone it for another one or two years, it wouldn't be justifiable."̃øv€lß1n.
"so, i will provide you with relevant formation information first. you can study on your own."
"if you have any doubts, i'll answer them one by one when i return."
li fan's eyes flickered.
the clone, who had been quietly running errands on ten thousand immortals island and barely maintaining what he needed to survive, activated a concealing form talisman to hide its cultivation and appearance. it arrived at the thousand mile hall.
the entrance to the shop was deserted, with no customers in sight. jiao xiuyuan lay lazily behind the counter, resting with closed eyes.
as soon as li fan entered, jiao xiuyuan bounced up, wearing a respectful expression, "finally, a customer! what would you like?"
"formations, talismans, spiritual weapons, and elixirs, we have it all, and discounts are available for bulk purchases!"
li fan chuckled, "i heard that senior jiao has quite a few flawed concealing form talismans eliminated from the talisman hall?"
jiao xiuyuan playfully smiled, "there are indeed many concealing form talismans, but where i got them from is a secret. how many do you want, fellow daoist?"
"how many do i want? i actually want to buy all the concealing form talismans fellow daoist has..." li fan was halfway through his sentence before jiao xiuyuan's face lit up with excitement.
"but i'm short on contribution points!" he sighed, changing the topic.
jiao xiuyuan's face turned black, and he spoke in an unfriendly tone, "you scoundrel, are you trying to mock me?"
but then he furrowed his brows, somewhat puzzled, "why do you need so many concealing form talismans? one person should only need to have a few on hand."
li fan smiled faintly, "this is the reason i came to fellow daoist jiao."
seeing that jiao xiuyuan was interested, li fan temporarily kept him in suspense, remaining silent.
jiao xiuyuan sneered, "are you trying to whet my appetite? who knows if what you're saying is true or false?"
"if you don't want to say it, forget it!"
li fan didn't get angry but smiled, then turned and walked away without any hesitation.
as he walked, he sighed, "they say jiao xiuyuan of thousand mile hall never engages in losing deals. i thought his business acumen was extraordinary, but it seems to be nothing special."
shaking his head, li fan, with one foot already out of the thousand mile hall's main door, thought, "wait!"
"wait!"
at this moment, jiao xiuyuan shouted, stopping him.
enthusiastically pulling li fan back, he closed the shop's door.
jiao xiuyuan rubbed his hands, "although i know you are using provocative tactics, i am willingly falling for it."
he looked greedy, "because i smell the scent of a business opportunity."
chapter 191: economic bubble
"smell a business opportunity? what does that mean?" li fan looked at jiao xiuyuan with interest and asked.
jiao xiuyuan looked pleased, "just like those who can intuitively sense danger, i, jiao xiuyuan, have been able to effortlessly find the path to uncountable profits from countless complicated and useless information since childhood! it's pure instinct. others can only envy me!"
he glanced at li fan again, "just as fellow daoist li was leaving a moment ago, i felt an immense sense of loss."
"it was as if i saw a large amount of contribution points leaving me; my heart was bleeding!"
"so, i am certain that what fellow daoist li said is true!" jiao xiuyuan concluded.
li fan was a bit surprised that he indeed had such talent.
however, recalling his previous interactions with jiao xiuyuan, li fan nodded slowly.
"in that case, what price is fellow daoist willing to offer?" jiao xiuyuan pondered for a moment and made a three with his fingers.
"what does this mean? three thousand contribution points?" li fan looked for a while but couldn't understand its representation, asking in confusion.
jiao xiuyuan said solemnly, "thirty percent. fellow daoist li will receive thirty percent of the profits brought by this piece of information."
li fan squinted, somewhat incredulous, "so generous?"
jiao xiuyuan smiled, "fellow daoist li is not a businessman after all and doesn't understand the true value of timely information. under specific circumstances, a piece of information be profitable a hundred or thousand times over. thirty percent of the profit is hardly a huge cost compared to a thousand times return?"
li fan couldn't help but applaud, "fellow daoist speaks the truth. however, words alone are not enough. how can i ensure that fellow daoist won't turn back on the agreement later?"
jiao xiuyuan chuckled, "it seems fellow daoist li is not familiar with the ways of business. there are rules in business."̃øv€lß1n.
he took out a golden foil paper from somewhere and quickly wrote down the terms. after showing it to li fan for confirmation, he unhesitatingly wrote down his own name.
"fellow daoist, please!" he handed the foil paper to li fan.
li fan carefully read it and finally wrote down the name of his clone: lin fan.
the golden foil paper instantly turned into three copies. two flew towards jiao xiuyuan and li fan, while the other soared into the sky, heading to an unknown destination.
after a moment, li fan felt an inexplicable force descending onto his clone.
this force constrained and bound the clone, requiring it to fulfill the agreed-upon terms on the golden foil paper.
it was as if it had become the will of the clone itself, and there was no turning back.
at this moment, jiao xiuyuan's aura changed. he no longer had the previous wretched appearance and instead carried an inexplicable dominance. "profits come from manipulating people, and i must act as the master," he declared.
no visible actions were taken, but in an instant, li fan saw the price of spirit mist grass skyrocketing at a visible speed: 19, 20, 21...
in an instant, the price of spirit mist grass surged to 22 points. "the thousand mile hall is spread across the cultivation world..." li fan's eyelids twitched. jiao xiuyuan, it seemed, was not exaggerating previously.
however, jiao xiuyuan's actions had just begun.
"now that i am the master, i invite all the guests to take their seats," he declared with a deep, low laugh.
subsequently, as if entering a deep sleep, he remained motionless. for a while, the thousand mile hall fell into silence. li fan, however, knew what he was doing.
jiao xiuyuan was undoubtedly using his countless puppets spread throughout the cultivation world to vigorously spread the news of the destruction of the spirit mist grass island.
it would take time for the matter to ferment, and patience was the key.
just then, an extremely excited message from he zhenghao arrived. "fellow daoist li fan! do you still remember when i told you before that i would lead you to make a fortune?! now the opportunity has come! i've received accurate information that the island where spirit mist grass is cultivated has been attacked by beasts. all the spirit mist grass on the island has been destroyed."
"the price of spirit mist grass is bound to soar!"
"don't believe me? look, in a short time, it has already risen from 18 points to 22 points!"
"but it's okay; it will definitely rise even more!"
"don't miss the opportunity; fellow daoist, act quickly!"
a mysterious smile appeared at the corner of li fan's mouth as he quickly replied, "thank you, fellow daoist he. i've gone all in."
...
when the bubble appeared, everyone understood that this bubble would burst with a single touch.
however, in the face of enormous profits, everyone lost their sanity and threw themselves into it.
as jiao xiuyuan's countless puppets began to act, a piece of news spread throughout the immortal cultivation world.
and as it spread, it gradually became known to everyone.
the price of spirit mist grass would rise.
thus, the bubble began its first expansion.
chapter 192: the dealer enters the game
in the twelfth life, only a small group of people, including he zhenghao, were the first to learn that the spirit mist grass island had been destroyed, and subsequently, they prepared to speculate on this opportunity.
from beginning to end, the impact of the spirit mist grass incident was limited to a few areas.
however, in this era, when the puppetmaster changed from the greenwood rebirth true lord in the twelfth life to jiao xiuyuan, whose cultivation level was unknown but whose business spread throughout the entire cultivation world, there was a significant change in the situation.
countless puppets acted as propaganda machines, spreading the news of the destruction of the spirit mist grass island through various channels, quietly propagating throughout the entire xuanhuang realm in half a day.
even if only one percent of the cultivators who heard this news had speculative thoughts, and among those who had such thoughts, only one percent took action, it was still an extremely large number.
moreover, in the ten thousand immortals alliance, where accumulating contribution points through ordinary means was quite difficult, such an "obvious" opportunity to make a big profit attracted a considerable number of cultivators who were not willing to miss out.ñøv€lrapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on ñôv€lß¡n.
so, in reality, the number of cultivators involved in speculating on spirit mist grass far exceeded this number.
although most cultivators were not very affluent, they could still afford one or two spirit mist grass.
with the hope of making a profit, numerous cultivators, in the fastest possible time, rushed back into the tianxuan mirror, competing to buy spirit mist grass.
therefore, half a day after he zhenghao sent a message to li fan.
the price of spirit mist grass rose from 22 contribution points per plant to 35 points.
this was ten points higher than the peak price of 25 points in the twelfth life.
furthermore, the upward trend showed no sign of ending.
excited messages from he zhenghao continued to come.
"haha, fellow daoist li fan, i was right, wasn't i? the price of spirit mist grass will definitely rise again!"
"in just half a day, it has risen by fifty percent, and i've recovered all my previous losses!"
"fellow daoist, remember, don't sell the spirit mist grass in your hands now. the news of the reduction in the production of spirit mist grass has now spread like wildfire outside. i don't know how many cultivators are joining the buying frenzy."
"we all agree that it's far from the time to sell. at least, it will rise another fifty percent!"
"hahaha, i'm about to purchase my nascent soul technique!"
he zhenghao was extremely excited.
li fan replied perfunctorily, praising him with a few words.
however, his attention was focused on his clone.
in a single stroke, he turned losses into gains.
the fierceness of this upward trend made greenwood rebirth true lord feel both surprised and a little anxious.
greenwood rebirth true lord, who focused on planting various spiritual plants, understood spirit mist grass better than most cultivators in the ten thousand immortals alliance.
the price of 35 points clearly exceeded its inherent value.
not to mention the existence of the wood-attribute cave, spirit mist grass would surely eventually plummet naturally.
however, greenwood rebirth true lord, who had decided to sell the over ten thousand spirit mist grass in his possession, hesitated as he watched the seemingly endless rise in its price.
"maybe... let's wait another moment?"
"this sudden surge is obviously abnormal. there are traces of many people pushing it behind the scenes."
"perhaps, it will rise a little more?"
once the thought arose, it was impossible to let it go.
after all, for greenwood rebirth true lord, every single increase in the price of spirit mist grass meant an additional ten thousand contribution points.
even for a nascent soul true lord, obtaining over ten thousand contributions was not so easy.
in his daily efforts to care for these spirit mist grass plants, greenwood rebirth true lord had truly spared no effort, wasting a lot of energy.
working tirelessly, he could only earn a few tens of thousands of contribution points for his hard work.
yet now, in the blink of an eye, he easily obtained a similar profit.
the young greenwood rebirth true lord, at this moment, still didn't understand the principle that a floating profit is not a real profit.
faced with the rapidly growing wealth on the account, greenwood rebirth true lord was lost.
he decided that when the price of spirit mist grass rose a bit more, he would sell the spirit mist grass in his hands.
"with the news of the discovery of the wood-attribute cave, the prices of spiritual plants will definitely decrease in the future."
"earning contributions will also become more and more difficult."
"the opportunity is rare. if i don't take advantage of this opportunity to make a final profit, i will definitely regret it later."
watching the price continue to rise, greenwood rebirth true lord gradually became obsessed.
he easily convinced himself.
chapter 193: profit without capital
in the twelfth life, the mastermind behind the speculation of spirit mist grass was greenwood rebirth true lord.
however, in this life, he abandoned his role as the mastermind and entered the game for personal gain.
there were many behind-the-scenes players with the same mindset as greenwood rebirth true lord.
under the influence of these individuals, the price of spirit mist grass, after briefly stabilizing at 35 points, began its second surge.
on the second day of the event, the price skyrocketed to 50 points at one point.
then it dropped to 45 points, fluctuating between 45-50 points.
the fact that the price of spirit mist grass more than doubled in a short period became a topic of discussion among many cultivators.
they were excited, and in their conversations, it seemed as if the price of spirit mist grass would at least rise to a hundred points.
gradually, many latecomers, who were inevitably attracted, began to participate.
under this influence, on the third day, the price of spirit mist grass successfully broke through the 50-point mark, soaring to 54 points.
in the thousand mile hall of the ten thousand immortals island:
"fellow daoist jiao, can we take action now?" li fan asked again.
jiao xiuyuan's eyes were filled with greed, and he shook his head vigorously, "no, not yet! right now, spirit mist grass is still spirit mist grass. the real profit will come when spirit mist grass is no longer just spirit mist grass! it's close; i feel that we're just a step away!"
on the other side, he zhenghao shared the same opinion as jiao xiuyuan.
"fellow daoist li fan, remember, firmly hold onto spirit mist grass. don't believe those who say its price will crash. those are rumors spread by people who haven't joined the fray yet, trying to lower the price. trust my judgment! the price of spirit mist grass will rise again!"
...
as if confirming their words, in the following days, the price of spirit mist grass continued to rise.
it reached 66 points.
in the tianxuan mirror, li fan shook his head, "it seems that we are just a spark away from real madness. of course, the bubble could burst at any moment."
li fan looked at the 2,900 spirit mist grass in his hands and decisively chose to sell a thousand.
at this moment, li fan discovered another advantage of being in the ten thousand immortals alliance system: according to the permission level, he could sell goods at the actual market price a certain number of times each year.
at permission level five in the system, he could do it three times a year.
so, at 66 points of contribution, li fan sold the spirit mist grass, gaining 66,000 contributions instantly.
li fan remained calm and continued to observe how the situation would evolve.
when the price of spirit mist grass reached 69 points, the upward trend was finally restrained.
"this means that, for a long time, there won't be any new spirit mist grass growing in the entire ten thousand immortals alliance!"
...
"these people really dare..."
li fan couldn't help but fall silent.
he couldn't help but recall the well-known words of wisdom from before he crossed over.
for 10% profit, all people will be attracted; for 20% profit, people become active; for 50% profit, people become daring; for 100% profit, people will subvert the law; for 300% profit, people will dare to commit any crime, even risking execution.
even in a different world, it was still the same.
moreover, at this moment, it was not just a threefold profit.
the news of the simultaneous attacks on cultivation sites instantly ignited the price of spirit mist grass.
in just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, it rose from over 160 points to 212 points.
furthermore, it was still rising without a limit.
cultivators who had previously sold spirit mist grass at over sixty points, in their remorse, tearfully bought it again.
seeing the price of spirit mist grass soaring upward again, cultivators who already had spirit mist grass but were still wealthy couldn't help but want to buy again.
for a moment, in the tianxuan mirror, the price of spirit mist grass once again irrationally skyrocketed.
two hundred and fifty-five, two hundred and eighty-two, two hundred and ninety-nine...
soon, its price exceeded three hundred points.
at this point, the majority of cultivators understood that the price of spirit mist grass had become a complete bubble.
but they were all gambling.
they were betting that they could escape unscathed before the bubble burst, while also earning contributions that they couldn't earn in a lifetime of labor.
the greed of human nature was fully revealed.
the rising trend that could explode at any moment made li fan feel shocked as well.
suddenly, a strong sense of unease surged in his heart. at the price of three hundred and ten points, li fan decisively sold all the remaining 1,900 spirit mist grass in his hands.
this didn't even cause a ripple, and it was instantly swallowed by the irrational cultivators.
five hundred and eighty-nine thousand contributions.
adding the previous sixty-six thousand, li fan looked at his total of six hundred and fifty thousand contributions as if in a dream.
chapter 194: a word to settle the storm
in the twelfth life, although li fan had once possessed a fortune exceeding a million contributions, it was the result of diligently cultivating and gaining contributions through the mingyue palace over several years.
it was hard-earned money.
it was nothing like the current situation, where li fan had almost invested nothing. merely by seizing the opportunity to drive speculation, he had collected six hundred and fifty thousand contributions in the blink of an eye.
this huge sum of money came too easily, making the situation seem surreal and illusory.
li fan calmed down a bit. looking at he zhenghao and jiao xiuyuan, who were still immersed in fervent greed, both the main and the clone couldn't help but offer some advice.
"pull out, fellow daoist he!"
"call it quits, fellow daoist jiao!"
"you've earned enough now; don't delay until it's too late!"
although the two were in different positions, their reactions were surprisingly consistent.
"stop now? how is that possible?! the surge of spirit mist grass has just begun! those several cultivation sites being destroyed indicate that the big shots have truly entered the scene! three hundred contribution points is not the end; it's just the beginning! fellow daoist, don't delude yourself!" he zhenghao meticulously analyzed, disdainful of li fan's suggestion.
"not enough, not enough, it's still not enough! the opportunity isn't over; let's wait a bit longer!" although jiao xiuyuan was a bit more rational, he still harbored greed, wanting to earn a bit more.
seeing their states, li fan knew that it was impossible for them to listen to anyone's advice now.
"good advice is worthless to those blinded by greed."
"i wonder how many fanatic cultivators will lose their family fortune and shatter their dao hearts after this."
li fan sighed inwardly.
the bursting of the spirit mist grass bubble was faster than li fan had imagined.
it was beyond the expectations of the majority of fanatic cultivators.̃øv€lß1n.
the price of spirit mist grass soared all the way up, breaking through the three hundred and fifty-point mark. it was on the verge of breaking through four hundred points.
all the cultivators who were rushing to buy spirit mist grass in front of the tianxuan mirror suddenly had the slightly mechanical and cold voice of the tianxuan mirror echoing in their minds.
"due to the significant abnormal fluctuations in the price of spirit mist grass in recent days, to ensure the stable and harmonious development of the ten thousand immortals alliance, the following announcement is hereby made."
"the ten thousand immortals alliance discovered a closed subworld three months ago. this subworld is extremely vast, with a high concentration of wood-attribute spiritual energy and a rich variety of spiritual plants and herbs."
"according to a rough estimate, this subworld's production of spirit mist grass alone has an annual yield of around ten million plants."
"this is completely capable of satisfying all the internal production and consumption needs of the alliance."
...
the cultivators no longer paid attention to what came after the tianxuan mirror's announcement.
when they heard that the annual yield of spirit mist grass was as high as ten million plants, their expressions froze.
endless fear instantly descended, occupying their minds.
there were rumors previously about the wood-attribute subworld.
"i'm... fine."
from under the counter in the thousand mile hall came jiao xiuyuan's gritted teeth voice.
another intact jiao xiuyuan crawled out from under a pile of debris, carrying a smile uglier than tears.
"clearly, the opportunity hadn't ended, but it was all cut off by the tianxuan mirror's single statement..."
"now, we're in big trouble."
li fan also pretended to look lost and dejected. "i advised you to stop early on, but you didn't listen."
"my thirty percent profit has also turned into nothing."
"if you had cashed out at three hundred points, or even at two hundred points, it would have been an unimaginable profit..."
"bang!"
countless cracks appeared on the new jiao xiuyuan's face.
in an instant, it exploded into countless fragments.
"stop talking..."
"let me take a break..."
another jiao xiuyuan slowly and painfully crawled out from the debris, replying with a face full of anguish.
seeing this, li fan seemed to have come back to his senses and, with a horrified expression, his gaze moved back and forth between the wooden debris on the ground and jiao xiuyuan. "fellow daoist jiao, are you human?"
changing the subject seemed to suit jiao xiuyuan's intentions.
he coughed, waving his hand weakly. "fellow daoist, don't panic. i am, of course, a human. it's just that i cultivate the ten thousand puppet dao."
"the ten thousand puppet dao?" li fan narrowed his eyes.
"don't tell me, don't tell me that all the shopkeepers of the thousand mile hall across the cultivation world are your puppets?" li fan knowingly asked.
"hehe, that's right. business is difficult, so naturally, i have to manage everything myself. employing more people means incurring more costs. sometimes, having a large store is not necessarily a good thing!" jiao xiuyuan flipped over and lay down, saying weakly.
"like this time, just exploding so many puppets is going to..."
before he could finish his sentence, this puppet also exploded with a loud bang.
"fellow daoist, don't speak. let me rest for a moment."
jiao xiuyuan's weak voice came from the bottom of the debris.
a communication talisman flew to li fan's face.
"let's chat later..."
li fan shook the communication talisman in his hand and quietly walked out of the thousand mile hall.
it wasn't just jiao xiuyuan who suffered a heavy blow.
chapter 195: finally showing signs
the ten thousand immortals island and even the entire ten thousand immortals alliance was gloomy in the following period.
every cultivator li fan saw appeared dispirited.
in fact, li fan heard that many cultivators, after losing their fortunes, chose to end their lives in despair.
every now and then, death announcements could be seen in the sky, a sign of those who took extreme measures.
some gamblers who had leveraged heavily and intended to take a risk found themselves deeply in debt after the drastic drop in spirit mist grass prices.
their debt was so insurmountable that even a lifetime of labor couldn't repay.
in order to escape debt, some chose to resist forcefully, while others directly defected from the ten thousand immortals alliance, seeking refuge with the five elders association.
apparently, there were so many defectors that the manpower of the martial hall was insufficient.
the tianxuan mirror broke the norm and issued numerous assassination missions in succession as merit tasks.
furthermore, there were no limits on the number of times these missions could be accepted.
for a while, the entire xuanhuang realm was in turmoil and unrest.
it was evident how significant the impact of the spirit mist grass incident was.
li fan also followed suit, completing several assassination missions and raising his permission level to eight.
strangely enough, just a little over a month later, the turmoil spontaneously subsided.
the sorrow on the faces of cultivators slowly dissipated, and they returned to their former lively appearances.
it seemed as if they had forgotten the recent spirit mist grass incident, rarely mentioning it in their conversations.
even if brought up occasionally, people didn't show signs of deep distress but instead added a touch of mockery and banter.
"you only lost fifty thousand contribution points? are you kidding?"
"hehe, look at us, who hasn't lost eighty or a hundred thousand?"
conversations like these could be heard everywhere.
gradually, the collective memory of the cultivators about the spirit mist grass incident faded away.
in the end, only the lamentation of "it's really hard to earn contribution points" remained.
however, li fan's memory did not weaken, partially because he was a complete beneficiary in this upheaval, devoid of painful and anxious memories.
additionally, his 650,000 contribution points reminded him constantly.
"it seems like i don't have to worry about contribution points for a long time."
thinking so, li fan sent another message to he zhenghao.
after this transformation, zhou qingang continued to fly discreetly in a certain direction.
"he finally showed his true colors." a glint flashed in li fan's eyes.
he bought a recording stone from the tianxuan mirror and held it in his hand.
adjusting the monitoring angle slightly, he began recording the scenes he observed with his divine sense.
after flying for a whole day, as night fell, zhou qingang arrived at a remote and uninhabited small island.
the island was desolate to the extreme, lacking even a single tree. a glance revealed nothing but scattered rocks on the ground.
zhou qingang landed on the small island and surveyed his surroundings.
after carefully observing for a long time and confirming that there was no one tracking him, he began searching the island.
after a while, he seemed to have found his target.
with a happy expression, he held a stone in his hand.
the stone was completely ordinary, with no special symbols or markings. it was pockmarked, with a few small holes in specific locations.
zhou qingang scrutinized the stone for a long time, memorizing the positions of the small holes.
he then exerted force and crushed the stone.
he flew northwest of the small island.
after another half day, in an uninhabited sea area, zhou qingang suddenly stopped.
then he plunged into the sea.
at the bottom of the sea, there was a ruin. zhou qingang searched for a long time in the ruin, finally stopping in front of an inconspicuous broken stone.
a golden light appeared on his hands, and zhou qingang pressed his palms on the broken stone.
the palm prints matched.
a light emerged from the broken stone, sweeping over zhou qingang's body.
then it returned to the broken stone.
on the smooth, mirror-like surface of the broken stone, a human face image suddenly appeared.
"hmm? why are you contacting me so early this time? isn't there still six years left?" the face, whose specific features couldn't be clearly seen, observed zhou qingang with a puzzled expression.
zhou qingang hesitated with a somewhat awkward expression. "head, the funds are running low. can you allocate a little more to me?"
the face was slightly surprised. "how did you use up everything so quickly? hasn't it been a short time since we last communicated?"
then, as if recalling something, the tone changed. "you fool, did you also get involved in the spirit mist grass speculation?"
chapter 196: returning to the fallen immortal realm
zhou qingang hesitated as he explained, "considering the trend of spirit mist grass prices at that time, who could resist? it spread like wildfire, and almost every island guardian in the cong yun sea was involved in speculation."
"if i had acted differently, it would have exposed my intentions. who knew the price would collapse so quickly..."
then, as if realizing something, he glanced suspiciously at the face on the broken stone. "head, you didn't participate in the speculation too, did you?"
the face avoided answering and rebuked, "enough nonsense, how much do you need?"
after a moment of hesitation, zhou qingang whispered, "one hundred thousand..."
"one hundred thousand?!" the face's voice suddenly rose a few degrees.
"no! funding is tight right now, and none of you have shown any concrete results despite lurking for so long. what can i use to request funds from above?" the face decisively refused.
seeing this, zhou qingang quickly said, "there are results, there are results! i've almost deciphered the outer layer of the heavenly transformation formation. in at most seven or eight years, i will completely crack the core of the formation."
"this time, even he zhenghao suffered heavy losses. i'm applying for these one hundred thousand contribution points to strengthen my relationship with him."
"he is proficient in formations and has participated in the deployment of the island protection formation. with his assistance, we will surely master the formation sooner."
the face's expression eased slightly upon hearing this.
after pondering for a moment, it slowly said, "in that case, send me the deciphered formation data first."
zhou qingang nodded, and once again pressed his palms on the broken stone with closed eyes.
a yellow light flickered continuously. after a while, he released his hands.
seemingly exhausted, his face turned extremely pale.
the face remained expressionless, seemingly verifying the authenticity of the data.
"hmm, well done." after a while, the face nodded.
"however, one hundred thousand is indeed too much. fifty thousand!" the face suddenly said, changing its tone.
zhou qingang's face turned bitter. "head, fifty thousand is too little! seventy thousand, or sixty thousand would be acceptable!"
the face completely ignored him. "fifty top-grade spirit stones. one month later, retrieve them from the usual place."
"that's final!"
as the words fell, the light and shadow on the broken stone disappeared, returning to an ordinary-looking stone.
this person was not unfamiliar to li fan; it was the cultivator he had encountered during his last visit to the fallen immortal realm, zhang qianmo.
"why is it here again?" numerous question marks flashed through li fan's mind.
according to chen ying's explanation, every time one enters the fallen immortal realm, they should randomly appear in different locations. why was his second login location exactly the same as the last time, down to the minute?
could there be a special reason? thinking about the peculiar aspect of having two lives in this fallen immortal realm, a name suddenly surfaced in li fan's mind.
"could it be because of the venerable heart refinement mantra again?" li fan speculated.
"last time, i revealed my spiritual consciousness avatar and was killed by zhang qianmo. if i defeat him this time, will the outcome be different?"
"however, senior brother zhang is not that easy to deal with."
"or, if he doesn't discover me, the true me beneath li chen's body..."
instantly, numerous thoughts surged in li fan's mind. however, he didn't forget to respond to the somewhat cynical senior brother before him.
recalling what would happen next, li fan quickly pondered, "eh, senior brother, i don't know why, but i suddenly feel a bit uneasy. it seems that this trip to obtain the longevity fruit won't be as smooth as expected."
zhang qianmo was slightly stunned, and instead of laughing it off, he paid great attention to it.
he gently pinched his right hand, and it seemed like a purple cloud floated through his eyes.
"huh?" after a while, zhang qianmo's expression became serious.
"junior brother, your premonition is correct. there is indeed something unusual about this ningyuan city!"
"really?" li fan appeared extremely surprised. "then, senior brother, what should we do next?"
zhang qianmo pondered for a moment and said, "the hexagram indicates that although there is some risk, there is no threat to life."
"the longevity fruit must be obtained. if we don't even set foot into ningyuan city and instead return to the sect for reinforcements, wouldn't we be ridiculed by our peers?"
"it might be better for both of us to sneak into the city secretly, investigate the situation, and then decide."
li fan readily agreed, "senior brother is right!"
zhang qianmo activated some kind of technique, and the lightning mark on his forehead gradually receded, his aura completely concealed.
observing this scene, as if by instinct, li fan also skillfully hid his own aura.
"so, this is the breath concealing technique from the purple heaven royal thunder technique..."
as if controlling a character in a game, li fan could now use various techniques and moves from li chen, but he didn't have a deep understanding of the techniques themselves.
chapter 197: purple heaven soul observation technique
li fan and zhang qianmo, disguised in new appearances, quietly infiltrated ningyuan city.
"senior brother, i think if someone with ill intentions wants to ambush us, the best way is to catch us off guard. it's very likely that they're lurking near your old favorite, chixia."
li fan transmitted his thoughts.
zhang qianmo's face blushed slightly, and after pondering for a moment, he said, "junior brother, you make a lot of sense. let's first go to the drunken immortal tower."
following zhang qianmo, li fan arrived near the bustling center of the city.
across from the drunken immortal tower was a large stage where a theatrical performance was taking place. a crowd of common people gathered to watch, while laughter and singing could be faintly heard from the drunken immortal tower.
upon reaching this location, zhang qianmo's eyes were fixed on a woman on the stage wearing theatrical attire, exuding a noble aura. his gaze seemed to be glued to her, unable to look away.
meanwhile, li fan, in the crowd, searched for the ambush set up by chu liang and others.
perhaps thinking that zhang qianmo and li fan had not yet arrived, chu liang did not conceal his presence much. he merely hid his aura and blended in with the onlookers.
it didn't take much effort for li fan to find him.
"senior brother, why does that person look a bit familiar?"
li fan awakened zhang qianmo, who was immersed in chixia's performance, and transmitted chu liang's appearance to him through his spiritual sense.
"hmm? he seems somewhat familiar. who is he?" after a long time, zhang qianmo finally remembered who chu liang was.
"chu liang? wasn't he expelled from the sect a long time ago because he couldn't cultivate? why would he appear here?" zhang qianmo was surprised.
li fan added, "this chu liang doesn't seem to be an ordinary person. it seems he's hiding his cultivation base."
zhang qianmo nodded silently, "indeed. there must be something strange about this."
after some thought, he said, "junior brother, let's surround him—one in the front and one in the back. then, let's simultaneously use 'spring thunder shock' to subdue him. we can question him later."
information about 'spring thunder shock' instantly surfaced in li fan's mind. it was a technique from the purple heaven royal thunder technique, a method of spiritual attack.
it could cause a momentary shock to the opponent's mind, like the first thunder in spring, making them lose control of their body for an instant.
"compared to the purple heaven royal thunder technique, most of the techniques i've seen before seem to be only for cultivation and advancing realms. it's as if they were deliberately truncated, lacking many such methods."
"perhaps only this ancient purple heaven royal thunder technique can be considered a true technique."
after a brief comparison, li fan couldn't help but think this way.
li fan agreed with the plan, and the two disciples separated in the crowd and approached chu liang from different directions.
"sacrifice the spirit of heaven and earth..."
"defy the principles of heaven and earth..."
seemingly deeply shaken, he seemed unable to control himself for a moment.
"senior brother!" li fan had to speak again to bring him back to awareness.
"hoo..." zhang qianmo let out a long breath, slowly recovering from the shock.
his expression became extremely serious. "junior brother, i'm afraid the seriousness of this matter goes beyond our imagination."
"we need to quickly conclude matters here, return to the sect, and report to the sect master."
li fan asked in astonishment, "what exactly happened? why would it be necessary to alert the sect master?"
zhang qianmo immediately explained the matter about the immortal ancestor transmitting a new cultivation method that didn't require spiritual roots.
"there are three more accomplices in the city, and steward song hesong, who has already reached the golden core realm, is also practicing the new method. follow me to capture the three foundation establishment cultivators first."
li fan couldn't help but ask, "what about the steward at the golden core realm?"
"rest assured, leave it to me. however, he's just a dog in my eyes." zhang qianmo revealed a trace of disdain on his face.
li fan nodded without refuting.
next, the two of them easily captured the remaining three foundation establishment cultivators with ambushes.
"junior brother, wait for me here and keep an eye on these people. i'll go and capture steward song; then, i'll find you later." zhang qianmo instructed.
li fan checked the skills learned by li chen again and did not find the soul-searching technique that zhang qianmo had just displayed.
so, he asked tentatively, "senior brother, how is the soul-searching technique performed? i'm idle, and i want to see if i can extract some useful information from these people's minds."
zhang qianmo was slightly surprised, appraised li fan for a moment, and chuckled, "who was it that said the soul-searching technique is too cruel and refused to learn it before?"
"today, after almost being ambushed, you've seen the cruelty of the cultivation. the knot in your heart has untied, hasn't it?"
"junior brother, remember. in the path to immortality, there is no room for half-heartedness."
"compassion cannot be tolerated."
"not to mention the soul-searching technique, even more cruel methods, such as refining puppets with a cultivator's body or using souls to refine spiritual treasures, must be used when it is necessary!"
as he spoke, zhang qianmo pointed his finger at the center of li fan's eyebrows, transmitting a technique called the "purple heaven soul observation technique."
chapter 198: difference of thousands of years
"purify the soul with purple heaven, penetrate the spirit..."
in an instant, a soul-searching technique consisting of tens of thousands of words appeared in li fan's mind.
"junior brother, wait for me here. i'll be back soon!" zhang qianmo said. without waiting for li fan's response, he flew away.
"purple heaven soul observation..." after carefully reading this unique soul-searching technique of the purple heaven sect, li fan mastered it.
the technique explicitly stated that in the current cultivation world, constant conflicts occurred among major sects, righteous and demonic cultivators, and various beasts and monsters. killing, seizing treasures, soul-searching, and soul-refining were all common occurrences.
soul-searching, in particular, involves extracting memories from the opponent's soul through various methods. different factions had their own styles and habits, resulting in various approaches.
some methods were cruel and brutal, causing permanent damage to the soul during the process. those who underwent soul-searching would be left mentally impaired even if they survived.
others were more ingenious, not only searching memories but also modifying and distorting them, leaving spiritual imprints and turning enemies into loyal servants.
the soul-searching technique of the purple heaven sect was considered moderate and peaceful. it wouldn't cause significant harm to the soul, only inflicting a temporary pain similar to the strike of purple heaven royal thunder during the process. with careful recovery afterward, the soul could be restored.
however, it would leave an inexplicable fear in the heart. after sensing the presence of purple heaven sect disciples, individuals would feel as if they had encountered a natural enemy, lacking the courage to resist.
mimicking zhang qianmo, li fan extended his hand like claws, reaching for one of the captives.
as he activated the purple heaven soul observation technique, countless images surged like giant waves.
similar to the reproduction of the mountain meditation technique using the sun stealing technique, this technique could vividly display memories.
scene after scene appeared. li fan ignored insignificant details and focused on relatively important parts.
this foundation establishment cultivator was named liu tu.
over forty years ago, he was just an ordinary villager in the mountains.
one day, while hunting in the mountains, he got lost and stumbled upon a hidden valley. to his surprise, this usually empty valley was now filled with many people. some were powerful cultivators, but most were ordinary mortals like liu tu.
they all sat together, listening attentively to the passionate speech of a young cultivator.
"decades ago, i was like most of you, a powerless mortal unable to control my own destiny. although i aspired to the path of immortality, i did not have spiritual roots and was unable to cultivate."
"fortunately, i witnessed the immortal ancestor preaching and obtained a supreme technique."
"from then on, i had no need for spiritual roots to cultivate!"
"in just ten years, i have achieved the golden core realm!"
"the immortal ancestor said: the path of immortality is..."
under the guidance of the young cultivator, dozens of mortals present condensed the roots of heaven and earth and entered the qi condensation stage on the spot.
liu tu was fascinated. although his aptitude was slightly inferior, preventing him from condensing qi, he had memorized the "five spirit qi sensing method."
after returning home, in less than half a month, he successfully absorbed spiritual energy into his body and became a true cultivator.
afterward, liu tu found and joined an organization formed by cultivators practicing the new path to immortality called the "ten thousand immortals alliance."
after selecting the most popular "heavenly net divine art" as his primary cultivation method, liu tu spent five or six years cultivating and successfully built his foundation using the spiritual treasure "mountain spiritual ginseng."
after that, he encountered chu liang, who invited him to join the ambush on zhang qianmo and li chen as they harvested longevity fruits in ningyuan city.
"however, i've already achieved some gains. i can leave the fallen immortal realm prematurely."
"i just need to reverse simulate the ritual in my mind."
"however, i don't know if i've satisfied the conditions to bring items back to reality."
bringing items and information from the fallen immortal realm to the real world required specific conditions.
the exact conditions weren't clearly explained by chen ying when he introduced them, and currently, the tianxuan mirror wouldn't reveal information about the fallen immortal realm. li fan had to figure it out himself.
"the higher the value of the item, the more difficult it is to bring back."
"forget about this 'heavenly net divine art' for now. if i can bring back the 'purple heaven soul observation technique,' my goal will be achieved."
"what are the conditions? kill zhang qianmo?"
li fan was currently clueless.
"regardless, let's return to reality first."
"maybe i can recall the specific details of the soul-searching technique in reality?"
after contemplating for a moment, li fan made a decision.
he directly initiated the ritual in his mind to return.
a moment of dizziness struck, and in an instant, the surroundings shattered like starlight.
li fan's consciousness returned to the tianxuan mirror.
li fan began to carefully recall various scenes from this journey to the fallen immortal realm.
specific events and every conversation with senior brother zhang were still fresh in his memory.
but when he tried to recall the "purple heaven soul observation technique" and the "heavenly net divine art," he couldn't remember anything.
it was like drawing water with a bamboo basket, all in vain.
"as expected, it's not that easy."
"the treasures were in my hands, but they're like the moon reflected in water, just out of reach."
"this feeling is really uncomfortable."
"i'll have to go back in and look for specific conditions."
"fortunately, i voluntarily exited last time. the required time interval for re-entry has significantly shortened."
during this waiting period, li fan purchased a concealment talisman, disguised himself as a golden core cultivator, and traveled to the fish gambling island.
due to the commotion caused by the spirit mist grass, there were fewer cultivators gathered here.
li fan randomly picked a fish to bet on and then subtly inquired about information on the fallen immortal realm from the golden core cultivators in the crowd.
after some casual chat, li fan learned that each person's entry point into the fallen immortal realm was different.
sometimes they entered and got caught in a battle between good and evil and were casually killed by powerful figures on the battlefield.
sometimes, with good luck, they occupied the body of a disciple from a certain sect. however, in just over ten days, finding the conditions to bring out a cultivation method was quite challenging. they could only regretfully watch the cultivation method disappear from their memories.
chapter 199: the unstoppable new law
clearly, no one could repeatedly enter the same location like li fan.
however, there was a golden core cultivator who was quite pleased with himself and boasted about his experiences.
once, he appeared in the fallen immortal realm and occupied the body of a young man.
this young man's family had been exterminated in childhood.
the entire family met a tragic end, and only the young man escaped.
while struggling for survival, the young man investigated the mastermind behind the extermination.
by a stroke of luck, the young man witnessed two cultivators fighting to the death in the mountains one day, ultimately perishing together.
from the corpses of these two cultivators, the young man found some elixirs and two cultivation techniques.
eventually, he embarked on the path of cultivation.
just as he achieved success in cultivation, reached the foundation establishment stage, and found clues to the extermination case, he was coincidentally occupied by this golden core cultivator.
following the clues, the golden core cultivator successfully found the murderer within a limited time of a dozen days.
he, too, massacred the murderer's entire family in revenge.
after leaving the fallen immortal realm, the golden core cultivator successfully brought back a cultivation technique.
he sold it for a good price of thirty thousand contribution points.
after hearing the story, everyone couldn't help but feel envious, praising his good luck.
"so, i believe that one possible way to bring items out is through exchange."
"if i wanted this young man to give me the cultivation technique, i needed to help him fulfill his long-cherished wish."
"his wish is to avenge his family's deaths, and i've accomplished that. in exchange, he naturally is willing to give me the cultivation technique."
this golden core cultivator named ji xingwen spoke confidently.
li fan and the others listened with thoughtful expressions.
having obtained the desired information, li fan recorded the appearance of the prize-winning fish and hurriedly returned to ten thousand immortals island.
he accelerated his cultivation in the tianxuan mirror while waiting.
after more than ten days, li fan sensed that he could once again enter the fallen immortal realm.
he immediately performed the ritual.
unsurprisingly, he still possessed the body of purple heaven sect's li chen, just like the previous two times.
li fan followed the same procedure as before.
"junior brother, wait here. i'll be right back!" zhang qianmo's words were not finished before he had already gone far away.
this time, li fan chose another person to soul-search.
the second use of the purple heaven soul observation technique was more skillful than the first.
however, it still consumed a lot.
he carefully examined the past experiences of this person but found nothing special.
his encounters were quite similar to liu tu, as he was just an ordinary mortal.
by chance, he came across someone spreading the new law of cultivation, and after stepping onto the path to immortality, he joined the ten thousand immortals alliance.
however, in his memory, the one who taught the new law for mortals was not the enthusiastic young man who reached golden core in ten years.
instead, it was a stunningly beautiful woman in wight.
this woman's cultivation speed was even more astonishing.
it was said that she achieved the nascent soul realm and became a true lord in just twenty years.
"it seems that there are quite a few cultivators who personally witnessed the immortal ancestor teaching the law and later helped spread the new law."
li fan casually tossed the cultivator, whose soul had been thoroughly searched, onto the ground like a puddle of mud and looked towards the center of ningyuan city.
some time had passed, but the conflict had not yet erupted.
after a long time, li fan saw that zhang qianmo had come out of the drunken immortal tower and was heading slowly towards the tree of everlasting life.
li fan also noticed that outside the drunken immortal tower, zhang qianmo had clearly set up a barrier.
he was afraid that the upcoming battle with song hesong would affect his old flame chixia.
"it seems that this senior brother zhang is quite sentimental."
"perhaps, to bring back the purple heaven soul observation technique, i can start from this aspect."
li fan's eyes flickered with an inexplicable light.
"boom!"
a purple thunderbolt as thick as a bucket suddenly descended from the sky.
song hesong's miserable scream immediately spread throughout ningyuan city.
li fan saw that the life transformation grand formation within the city rapidly operated, extracting strands of green vitality from the mortals towards the direction of the fight.
he just looked at li fan with resentment and was about to turn into blood light to escape again.
"junior brother, well done!"
the purple core glowed brightly as zhang qianmo's physical body reappeared.
the radiance converged, forming into clothes.
with a step, he turned into purple thunder and intercepted the blood light.
just like before, zhang qianmo strangled song hesong.
"traitor of the sect, die!"
the purple heaven lightning descended from the sky, announcing song hesong's imminent demise.
a golden core cultivator died so easily in the hands of zhang qianmo.
as if he had casually slaughtered a chicken or dog, zhang qianmo's face showed no emotional fluctuations.
swiftly, he arrived beside li fan, suppressing his aura.
"the matter here is concluded, junior brother. let's return to the sect as soon as possible."
"these few people will be taken along as evidence," zhang qianmo pointed to the four foundation establishment cultivators who were previously captured.
as for the vast ruins and countless casualties in ningyuan city, he completely ignored them.
summoning the purple heaven flying cloud, he placed the captives on it and flew into the sky.
as they were about to leave, li fan suddenly knocked the captives unconscious and asked, "senior brother, how do you view this new law?"
zhang qianmo remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "it's an unorthodox method, and is not the authentic way!"
li fan chuckled, "is that really what senior brother thinks?"
pointing to the captives lying in various postures on the purple heaven flying cloud, li fan said with a deep tone, "senior brother, look at these people. without even comparing them with you and me, even compared to those outer disciples and miscellaneous disciples in the sect, they are far inferior."
"they've cultivated for far less time, but now they all have foundation establishment cultivation, just like us!"
zhang qianmo frowned, "junior brother, what are you trying to say?"
li fan didn't answer directly but continued, "when those thousands of fellow disciples in the sect who don't have true inheritance learn about the existence of this new law, will they still be willing to languish in the sect, doing trivial and insignificant tasks, just to be able to go further on the path of immortality?"
"now, the path to immortality is wide open, but it does not begin at our purple heaven sect."
li fan pointed to the ruined ningyuan city below, saying, "today, in the battle between senior brother and song hesong, mortals suffered greatly, with countless deaths and injuries."
"after all, there is a difference between immortals and mortals. the power of mortals is too weak. in the hands of us cultivators, they have no resistance at all."
"but, does senior brother think they have no grievances at all?"
"those surviving mortals, although as weak as ants, number in the billions."
"if they know about the existence of the new law, how will they choose?"
"senior brother has great power, easily slaughtering four or five cultivators of the same level."
"but if today, within ningyuan city, one-tenth of the mortals are at the foundation establishment stage, would senior brother still dare to be so unrestrained?"
zhang qianmo remained silent.
li fan gazed intently, staring at zhang qianmo. "senior brother's understanding far exceeds mine. things that i can think through, senior brother must have already figured out long ago."
"junior brother..." zhang qianmo was about to speak but was directly interrupted by li fan.
"the rise of the new technique is unstoppable. if you go with the flow, you prosper; if you resist, you perish. don't you think so, senior brother?" li fan pressed.
although he also thought so in his heart, seeing his junior brother say it so bluntly, zhang qianmo's face turned somewhat pale.
if it weren't for the fact that this junior brother of his had never left the mountain since he entered the sect, zhang qianmo would almost think that he had already embraced the new law.
"junior brother, be careful with your words..." zhang qianmo spoke to dissuade him.
"this matter..."
"let the elders of the sect make the decision."
li fan smiled faintly, not wanting to discuss this topic further. instead, he suddenly changed the subject, "before, in the mountains, senior brother often sighed that miss chixia couldn't cultivate due to lack of spiritual roots. that's why she was unwilling to return to the sect with you."
"now that senior brother has learned about the new technique, i wonder if you have informed miss chixia about it?"
zhang qianmo, who was indifferent to killing enemies, surprisingly hesitated and looked embarrassed in the face of li fan's questioning.
"senior brother, unlike us cultivators, mortals can't enjoy eternal youth."
"you should know that life ages and beauty fades."
"how much time can mortals afford to waste?"
"do you really have the heart to watch her age day by day and avoid any interaction with you?"
li fan's words were like a barrage, relentlessly pressing zhang qianmo.
after a long time, as if going through intense mental struggles, zhang qianmo finally sighed deeply.
"junior brother, wait here. i'll be back soon!"
having said that, he flew towards the drunken immortal tower below.
chapter 200: seven aperture exquisite heart
zhang qianmo's trip took quite a while.
three days and nights passed without a trace of him.
li fan stood on the purple heaven flying cloud, observing the ruined ningyuan city below.
during the battle between zhang qianmo and song hesong, most parts of ningyuan city turned into ruins.
the surviving mortals under this catastrophe had eyes filled with confusion.
"mr. bai has spoken!"
"those with strength, come here and gather. let's do our best to dig and rescue those who are still alive!"
"those with minor injuries, help gather water and food..."
"place those with severe injuries in the small temple. mr. bai will treat them there!"
just when the victims were sinking into despair, shouts suddenly echoed throughout ningyuan city, emanating from various places.
li fan found it interesting because the owners of these voices were unexpectedly children around ten years old.
dressed as beggars, they were slender but exceptionally clever.
the calls of the children were like the dawn before sunrise, illuminating the darkness.
as if they had grown a backbone, people gradually began to awaken from numbness and confusion.
they eventually started self-rescue in an orderly manner.
watching this scene, li fan was abruptly reminded of the time he had organized rescue operations in xuanjing city, which was destroyed after he first met kou hong and dao xuanzi.
in the midst of his contemplation, there was a sudden surge of spiritual energy fluctuations from the drunken immortal tower.
"it seems that miss chixia has successfully condensed qi into her body," li fan thought to himself.
sure enough, after half a day, zhang qianmo returned.
although his expression remained calm, the joy in his eyes was hard to conceal.
"junior brother, you've waited a long time!" zhang qianmo apologized.
"congratulations, senior brother, on settling this matter!" li fan smiled and said, "miss chixia isn't coming back to the mountain with us?"
zhang qianmo waved his hand, "let's wait for the sect leader to make a decision first."
"since we've waited so long, we don't mind waiting a little longer."
"however, in my opinion, it might be difficult for those old folks in the sect to accept this so-called new law in a short time." zhang qianmo sneered.
li fan nodded in agreement.
with only three or four days left in the fallen immortal realm, li fan wasn't in a hurry to return.
he wanted to take this opportunity to visit the purple heaven sect.
he threw zhou qingang, who had lost consciousness, to the ground.
then, he took out thirteen cold iron nails from his storage ring and pierced them into zhou qingang's body.
only then did li fan use the purple heaven soul observation technique.
zhou qingang's body convulsed violently.
images flashed rapidly before li fan's eyes.
"building the foundation with the seven aperture exquisite heart, changing appearance with the heart changing technique..."
"so that's how it is."
"to infiltrate the ten thousand immortals alliance as a spy, he indeed has some skills."
li fan was instantly delighted.
just as li fan was about to continue examining information on zhou qingang's superior and the organization he served, it seemed to trigger some kind of prohibition.
a terrifying destructive force erupted from the depths of zhou qingang's soul.
li fan's face changed, and he instantly withdrew his spiritual consciousness.
however, he couldn't stop this force from damaging zhou qingang's soul.
"ah!"
even in a coma, zhou qingang let out a miserable scream.
then, li fan saw that his soul was wiped out in an instant.
although his vitality remained, he became like a walking corpse, an empty shell.
"a secrecy countermeasure..."
li fan didn't find it particularly surprising.
"it's a pity that i couldn't uncover more secrets."
after contemplating for a moment, li fan erased the traces of the formations he had set up earlier.
then, carrying zhou qingang's body, he fled hundreds of miles away.
he arrived in an area densely populated with fish.
he threw zhou qingang towards the school of fish.
although the soul disappeared, the aura emanating from the foundation establishment cultivation level naturally made these fish instinctively fear him.
they all moved away, lacking the courage to treat this body as food.
seeing this, li fan once again targeted the strongest fish in the school using formless killing intent.
then, he retreated another hundred miles.
the formless killing intent targeting zhou qingang was activated.
chapter 201: coercing he zhenghao
under the influence of the formless killing intent, the school of fish around zhou qingang suddenly went into a frenzy.
ignoring the pressure emanating from him, they eagerly devoured his body.
without the autonomous protection of his soul, in just a few moments, blood dyed the surrounding seawater red.
zhou qingang's remains were gone.
a stone-like heart with seven holes in it, glowing with a seven-colored radiance, emerged at the scene.
the radiance was extremely dim.
with the death of its owner, the seven aperture exquisite heart lost its nature as a heavenly treasure and became an inconspicuous ordinary stone, sinking to the bottom of the sea.
after waiting in place for several days and seeing that the death announcement didn't attract other cultivators, li fan returned. he absorbed the seven aperture exquisite heart to feed [truth].
afterward, without alerting anyone, li fan quietly returned to ten thousand immortals island.
zhou qingang's disappearance hadn't attracted anyone's attention.
for a foundation establishment cultivator to be out of contact for ten days was quite normal.
li fan didn't rush to report zhou qingang as a spy; instead, he first immersed himself in comprehending the seven aperture exquisite heart.
"versatile in all aspects, a heart deep as the sea; beguiling hearts, truth and lie are indistinguishable."
three days later, li fan exhaled deeply, his eyes revealing an inexplicable expression.
"although it's just a mid-grade human treasure and has no special benefits for cultivation, as a foundation treasure for a spy, it's invaluable."
in his dantian, [truth] emitted a gentle radiance, slowly transforming into the appearance of the seven aperture exquisite heart.
li fan had the vague feeling that he had put on countless layers of masks, making it difficult for others to easily discern his true thoughts.
"this treasure is truly wonderful!"
li fan silently praised.
then, li fan checked the matching secret technique, the heart changing technique.
this wasn't a cultivation technique but rather a method of disguise created by the organization zhou qingang served, specifically for the seven aperture exquisite heart.
after setting a specific appearance in the mind, when the seven aperture exquisite heart and the technique were mutually stimulated, one could instantly transform into the appearance of another person.
body shape and appearance would all be perfectly imitated.
furthermore, it was a genuine transformation that couldn't be seen through by illusion-piercing methods.
the only issue was that it could only change the appearance; one's own aura couldn't be altered.
therefore, every time zhou qingang transformed, he was extremely cautious.
only after finding a secluded place without anyone around to conceal his aura would he change his appearance.
however, being targeted by li fan, who possessed the formless killing intent, made all his caution useless.
while studying the heart changing technique, li fan pondered.
"i've previously thought about using [truth] to mimic foundation treasures and impersonate others before."
"now, with the seven aperture exquisite heart and this disguising technique, impersonating others becomes even more realistic."
"furthermore, i have 'jade cosmos thousand variations sutra' to discern auras and 'sun stealing technique' to read fate."
"if i can imitate both aura and fate, i'm afraid it will be truly difficult to tell the real from the fake."
"if it works..."
thoughts surged in li fan's mind, and many ideas surfaced simultaneously.
"after the clone takes the 100,000 contribution points from the cloud water heavenly palace, i will have many things to try."
to test the effectiveness of the seven aperture exquisite heart, li fan used a teleportation array to arrive at liuli island.
"i was a bit flattered by the praise..."
"who could have thought that as a fellow cong yun sea island guardian, zhou qingang was actually a spy!"
"why did i let his sweet words cloud my judgment!"
he zhenghao wore an expression that seemed on the verge of tears.
"no matter if you knew or not, it doesn't change the fact that you leaked confidential information of the ten thousand immortals alliance." li fan coldly snorted.
"fellow daoist he, you should know the consequences, right?"
he zhenghao shivered, "dismissal and thorough investigation. deduction of permission levels, and they might even abolish my cultivation..."
the more he thought about it, the more terrified he became, feeling that his future was becoming bleak.
added to the fact that he had lost his life savings before, and he had been frantically taking on tasks to accumulate contribution points again, leaving him physically and mentally exhausted.
under the multiple blows, he zhenghao couldn't hold on any longer. his mindset collapsed, and he wailed bitterly.
"why is my life so miserable! i've lost everything, and now, i'm stuck in this situation!"
li fan remained unmoved.
after crying for a while, seeing that li fan showed no signs of sympathy, he zhenghao felt somewhat awkward.
wiping away his tears, he said with a tearful voice, "fellow daoist, you must save me! you can't hand over this recording stone! otherwise, my future is ruined for sure!"
li fan asked, "reporting a spy is a significant accomplishment. fellow daoist shouldn't be unaware of that."
he zhenghao mumbled, "i can compensate you."
li fan chuckled, "fellow daoist, you are currently penniless. what compensation can you offer me? i'm not lacking in contribution points. perhaps you don't know, but i made a profit of 600,000 contribution points during the spirit mist grass incident!"
he zhenghao, upon hearing this, widened his eyes, looking at li fan with disbelief.
"what, don't believe it?" li fan asked with a sideways glance.
"i... i believe it," he zhenghao hurriedly nodded.
envy and regret in his eyes grew stronger, "i really regret not listening to fellow daoist's advice back then!"
after a while, he zhenghao thought and said, "i have half of the 'interpretation of the hundred veins formation diagram,' my lifelong..."
before he could finish, li fan interrupted him.
"i'm not very interested in formations. i only worked as a formation repairer as a stepping stone for entry."
he zhenghao hesitated for a while, then said with difficulty, "i have a daughter who is also at the foundation establishment level. i can introduce her to you..."
li fan's expression became solemn as he sternly refused, "what do you take me for? don't mention this matter again!"
he zhenghao breathed a sigh of relief but then wore a pensive expression.
he seemed to realize that li fan did indeed have the intention to spare him.
but at the same time, it seemed that li fan wanted something from him.
however, apart from what he had previously mentioned, he zhenghao was currently penniless.
after pondering for a long time, he couldn't come up with an answer.
he zhenghao couldn't help but smile bitterly, "fellow daoist, please don't toy with me. just tell me what you want."
li fan smiled slightly, patted he zhenghao's shoulder, and said slowly, "i want you."
he zhenghao, upon hearing this, first froze, then his face turned pale. subconsciously, he took a step back, looking at li fan warily.
"hehe, fellow daoist, what are you thinking?
"i am saying that i want you to obey me from now on."
li fan stood in front of he zhenghao and spoke slowly.
chapter 202: selling oneself for fifty years
hearing li fan's words, he zhenghao was slightly stunned, his face showing a hint of confusion.
however, li fan didn't give him time to react or think. in an instant, he fully activated the heart-beguiling ability of the "seven aperture exquisite heart" simulated by the [truth] technique.
"i, at the age of twenty-nine, am in the late foundation establishment stage. what, fellow daoist, do you think of my talent?" li fan gazed at he zhenghao, pressing for an answer.
"extraordinary talent, rarely seen in this world," he zhenghao couldn't help but reply.
"in the spirit mist grass speculation, i earned a whopping 600,000 contribution points, bankrupting others while getting rich myself. what do you think of my abilities?" li fan asked again.
seemingly hitting a sore spot, he zhenghao gave li fan a resentful look before reluctantly replying, "fellow daoist has a keen eye and sharp intuition. i am far from comparable!"
li fan continued, "within the ten thousand immortals alliance, ordinary cultivators are like cattle and horses. without power or background, it's difficult to stand out. what do you think?"
he zhenghao nodded, "fellow daoist's words are correct."
li fan then patted he zhenghao's shoulder and spoke with sincerity, "it is precisely because of this that you and i should stick together."
he zhenghao felt that li fan made some sense, but before he could ponder further, li fan asked with concern, "you've been a member of the ten thousand immortals alliance for quite a few years, haven't you?"
he zhenghao thought for a moment, with a nostalgic expression, "yes, it's been almost over a hundred years."
li fan, shaking his head repeatedly, said, "over a hundred years, and you're only at the mid foundation establishment stage. i've heard you mention before that you have some influence on ten thousand immortals island. but, does the network you've painstakingly built really have much effect on your cultivation? i'm afraid it's negligible."
he zhenghao was about to retort, but his mouth opened and closed without producing a single word.
because what li fan said was indeed not groundless.
"that's because the relationships you've cultivated are all useless. if you have value, they will treat you politely. but if one day you lose your cultivation, how will they treat you? moreover, these relationships are only surface-level. if it involves their own interests, hehe..." li fan insinuated.
he zhenghao couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
"in short, fellow daoist, you haven't found the right backing; you've associated with the wrong people!"
"but if you follow me, it will be different."
"i value brotherhood and loyalty. i believe in sharing fortune and facing adversity together." li fan spoke eloquently.
"take, for example, the nascent soul technique you desire..." li fan paused, diverting he zhenghao's attention completely.
"if you wholeheartedly work under me, i'll lend you 250,000 contribution points. you can exchange it for the technique and cultivate it. how about that?" li fan stated firmly.
after all, 250,000 contribution points were a considerable sum for a foundation establishment cultivator.
who would be willing to lend so many contribution points to a foundation establishment cultivator at such a low interest rate? moreover, there was a chance to reduce the interest each year.
all he needed to do was work for li fan.
it was just a disguised form of employment.
he zhenghao thought that compared to the "soul contract" from the five elders' association, which required unconditional dedication, this contract was much more generous.
after hesitating for a while, he slowly wrote his name on the "commercial contract."
seeing this, li fan's face lit up.
with a stroke of his pen, he signed his own name.
with the ink settled, the contract was established.
the golden light instantly transformed into three parts, one flying into the sky.
the other two parts entered li fan's and he zhenghao's bodies respectively.
"from now on, we are on the same side." li fan smiled, patting he zhenghao's shoulder.
he zhenghao also felt that li fan became more cordial.
"do you have the tianxuan minor mirror? i'll transfer the contribution points to you," li fan offered.
"yes, yes." he zhenghao immediately took out the tianxuan minor mirror from his storage ring.
after a moment, 250,000 contribution points smoothly entered he zhenghao's possession.
he zhenghao's face turned red with excitement, eager to exchange for the "mountain and river hidden dragon technique."
a golden jade slip appeared in his hand. after finally obtaining the nascent soul technique, he zhenghao couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
bowing to li fan, he zhenghao said, "thank you, fellow daoist!"
li fan squinted and waved, "we're all on the same side, no need to be polite."
"now that you've obtained the technique, why not check its effects? is it as suitable as you said? i can watch over you!" li fan suggested.
chapter 203: the complete mountain meditation technique
he zhenghao nodded, immediately activating the "tai shang primordial scripture" and dissolving his cultivation of the mountain meditation technique and instead cultivating the "mountain and river hidden dragon technique."
when he entered the foundation establishment realm again, li fan saw a vast expanse of interconnected mountain ranges and a densely woven network of water systems unfolding above he zhenghao's head.
amidst the mountains and rivers, a clear and resonant dragon's roar faintly echoed.
clouds and mist churned as if a divine dragon were flying within.
"it's worthy of being a nascent soul technique, quite magnificent and extraordinary." li fan praised in his heart.
the anomaly persisted for half a day.
afterward, it slowly dissipated. he zhenghao opened his eyes, revealing a sharp gaze.
he had already restored his cultivation to the mid foundation establishment stage.
"how does it feel?" li fan asked, looking at he zhenghao, whose demeanor had undergone a significant change.
"the wonders of this technique surpass my imagination. if the cultivation goes smoothly, i am confident that i can enter the golden core stage within thirty years." he zhenghao was very pleased and thanked li fan again.
"i've already said, no need to be polite with me. now, we're in the same boat. your improvement will only benefit me!"
"practice diligently and strive to enter the golden core stage soon." li fan encouraged.
he zhenghao nodded in agreement.
"by the way, what do you plan to do with the 'mountain meditation technique' technique you practiced before? sell it to the tianxuan mirror?" li fan casually asked.
"yes. it's a golden core cultivation technique, so it should still be worth some contribution points." he zhenghao replied.
"how much can you sell it for?"
"let me check." he zhenghao took out a jade slip and communicated with the tianxuan mirror.
"it's only worth forty-five thousand contribution points?" he zhenghao's face showed disappointment after a moment.
"never mind, never mind! if it can recover some points, it's enough." he zhenghao gritted his teeth and was about to sell the mountain meditation technique to the tianxuan mirror.
at that moment, li fan suddenly spoke up.
"wait!"
he zhenghao turned to li fan and asked, "what's the matter, fellow daoist?"
li fan shook his head. "forty-five thousand contribution points is too much of a loss. i have a way to sell the technique elsewhere. you can at least get around fifty thousand points."
as long as the cultivator does not rise up, the mountain will be perpetually suppressed.
this principle could be applied to both mountains and humans.
when li fan selected a cultivator he had invested in and activated 'meditate on the summit,' no matter how high the talent of this cultivator was, no matter how many opportunities they encountered, their cultivation realm would never surpass li fan's.
it was like they were carrying li fan on their back, advancing with an extra burden.
when this cultivator's realm was the same as li fan's, all their cultivation growth would instead increase li fan's cultivation.
if, for some reason, li fan remained stuck at a bottleneck throughout his life, unable to break through, then this cultivator will also be similarly unable to make progress, lingering in place.
"extremely malicious." li fan could only use these words to describe the 'meditate on the summit' technique of the mountain meditation technique.
li fan speculated that it was probably due to he zhenghao's personality of being unwilling to make enemies that he did not practice this technique.
this led to the incomplete reproduction of the complete technique during the previous attempt.
a technique so powerful yet unreasonable naturally had corresponding restrictions.
for example, one could only choose one cultivator at a time to activate 'meditate on the summit.'
the realm of this cultivator must be at least one minor realm lower than oneself to successfully cast the spell.
moreover, there were certain side effects.
the longer the effect of 'meditate on the summit' persisted, the more the victim was suppressed, and the stronger the intuition in their hearts would grow.
although they couldn't directly know the specific reason why their cultivation couldn't progress, corresponding changes would spontaneously occur.
initially, there would be an inexplicable aversion to the caster.
then, this aversion would turn into hostility.
finally, it would change from hostility to obsession.
an obsession of either you die, or i die.
even with so many restrictions, in li fan's view, the suppression effect of the mountain meditation technique was still very powerful.
because the initiative of 'meditate on the summit' always remained in the hands of the caster.
one could still suppress for three to five years. as long as the situation hasn't developed to the point of mortal enemies, one can always switch targets.
and for li fan, as long as his cultivation grows, he doesn't care about any life and death grudges.
a mortal enemy in this life might become a close friend in the next life.
chapter 204: major matters need resolution
after comprehending the intricacies of the completed "mountain meditation technique" for most of the day, li fan purchased a blank 'technique exchange contract' from the tianxuan mirror.
it was essentially the same as the one li fan had signed when selling the "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra" to the tianxuan mirror before.
however, since most cultivators had confidentiality requirements for the techniques they practiced, the buyer in this contract could remain anonymous.
this kind of agreement costs five hundred contribution points per piece. it was much cheaper than the usual one thousand contribution points for a standard 'commercial contract.'
the format was fixed, requiring only the seller's name, the technique's name, and the selling price to be filled in.
li fan changed his handwriting and wrote down he zhenghao, "mountain meditation technique," and fifty-five thousand contribution points.
then he sent it to he zhenghao using the tianxuan mirror.
"fellow daoist he, the matter has been settled. the other party is quite generous; the price is five thousand points higher than expected. hurry up and sign the agreement."
after a moment, he zhenghao's delighted voice came, "thank you, fellow daoist! i'll sign it right away!"
not long after, a golden light tore through space and entered li fan's body.
from then on, he zhenghao forgot about the contents of the "mountain meditation technique."
li fan exchanged for fifty-five high-grade spirit stones and handed them to he zhenghao.
the transaction was thus completed.
li fan activated the tai shang primordial scripture and dissolved his cultivation.
then, he spent more than half a month familiarizing himself with and mastering the techniques within the "mountain meditation technique."
after that, li fan conducted experiments.
[truth] transformed into different foundation treasure successively within his dantian. with each transformation, li fan cultivated for a period of time.
this was to compare the affinity of different heavenly treasures with the "mountain meditation technique."
the results left li fan somewhat disappointed; none of the heavenly treasures he currently mastered were suitable for the "mountain meditation technique." the speed of cultivation was similar regardless of the heavenly treasure used.
fortunately, the impact was not significant. li fan valued the "mountain meditation technique" primarily for its investment function.
in this life, only he zhenghao had benefited from li fan's favor so far.
li fan closed his eyes, stopped cultivation, and carefully sensed the changes in his internal cultivation.
after a while, li fan found the target.
a stream of cultivation arose seemingly out of nowhere. although the quantity was extremely small and couldn't be discerned precisely, it flowed continuously like a clear stream.
li fan smiled faintly, "it seems fellow daoist he is progressing well."
"in the twelfth life, when i practiced the 'mountain meditation technique,' i invested in quantity. although the progress was extremely fast, it attracted pursuit from powerful beings."
"who knew that during my closed-door cultivation, he died. and it was such a ridiculous death, eaten by fish!"
"i knew something was off, so i immediately submitted this footage."
under the effect of the seven aperture exquisite heart, li fan appeared a bit nervous and confessed honestly.
the cultivator from the heavenly secrets hall nodded slowly upon hearing this.
afterward, the people in charge of the investigation exchanged some words and let li fan leave.
"unless there's something important, don't leave the island easily. we may need your cooperation again in the future," the person reminded before leaving.
li fan nodded repeatedly in agreement.
however, the promised second investigation did not come.
several days later, the investigation that had been widely discussed on ten thousand immortals island suddenly quieted down.
it seemed as if nothing had happened, and zhou qingang had never existed.
the mysterious and abnormal changes in the situation sparked various discussions among the people.
however, everyone knew that this matter was a bit strange, and discussions were kept private.
"fellow daoist li fan, what exactly is going on? wasn't zhou qingang a spy? how did he suddenly die?"
"why did the alliance suddenly stop investigating?"
he zhenghao, who had breathed a sigh of relief from the crisis, was full of doubts.
after a moment of contemplation, li fan understood the whole story.
smiling, he said, "in my opinion, it's probably because they found out that zhou qingang was a spy, so the investigation was abruptly terminated."
"different branches of the ten thousand immortals alliance are highly autonomous. if a spy infiltrated the cong yun sea branch and even became the guardian of an island, it would be a tremendous scandal."
"to avoid punishment from headquarters and to protect the positions of many people, they naturally need to downplay the situation and sweep it under the rug."
"anyway, zhou qingang is already dead. whether he died accidentally or was murdered, it doesn't make much difference."
"the most important thing is that he's really dead. once he's dead, it's as if this matter never happened."
"this way, everyone is happy."
"as for whether he stole and transmitted any confidential information..."
"it doesn't matter. would the five elders association still come after this small branch?"
when he zhenghao first heard li fan's words, he found them unbelievable and absurd.
however, after deep thought, he felt that the reality might indeed be like that.
so, he remained silent for a long time.
chapter 205: ancient battle of annihilation
as if to confirm li fan's predictions, three days later, li fan received hush money.
ten thousand contribution points, plus three middle-grade third-level merits.
this payment was meant to make li fan forget everything related to zhou qingang and not mention it to anyone again.
li fan had no objections and accepted the reward.
ten thousand contribution points were not a small sum, and more importantly, his permission level successfully rose to the tenth stage, unlocking new privileges.
when searching for information in the tianxuan mirror, li fan could now preview relevant data that would originally require a cultivation realm one stage higher.
in his case, some secret information only accessible to golden core cultivators could now be viewed by li fan due to his permission level reaching the tenth stage, even though he was currently at the foundation establishment stage.
li fan conducted a search as usual, looking for a technique that enhanced multitasking abilities.
this time, he finally got results. however, upon careful examination of the introduction to the technique called "one person, thousand faces," li fan frowned with dissatisfaction.
the technique, once mastered, could significantly enhance the ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently. however, it came with an unavoidable side effect: over time, multiple personalities would uncontrollably form within the practitioner, essentially leading to a personality split.
naturally, li fan didn't want to cultivate a technique that would turn him into a mental patient, so he had to reluctantly give it up.
in fact, regarding techniques for multitasking, li fan already had someone in mind to consult.
that person was jiao xiuyuan, who practiced the ten thousand puppets dao.
jiao xiuyuan's puppets were spread throughout the cultivation world, numbering in the thousands.
each puppet was vividly lifelike, with expressions, movements, and gestures identical to a real person.
the first few times li fan saw him, he couldn't discern any differences.
controlling so many puppets simultaneously without any lag must involve some special methods.
however, it was unclear whether it was due to the unique techniques of the ten thousand puppets dao or if there were other methods at play.
li fan's clone had tried to contact jiao xiuyuan earlier for inquiries but received no response, possibly because he hadn't yet recovered from the massive loss from spirit mist grass. his thousand miles hall was still closed to visitors.
so, li fan had to wait again.
with no luck with techniques, li fan decided to try out his newly unlocked privileges.
previously, he couldn't search for information on the fallen immortal realm and had to resort to disguises and indirect questioning to understand how to bring items back.
now, it wouldn't be as troublesome.
after searching for the fallen immortal realm, countless pieces of information appeared.
this was a possible future time point.
another cultivator was located in a more distant past at the entry point of the fallen immortal realm.
it seemed to be during a tremendous and earth-shaking battle.
the warring factions were unknown, but the number of participating cultivators was astonishing.
according to the cultivator nicknamed not two, "it was densely packed, like ants, present across the entire space."
"the radiance of treasures and techniques shined incessantly."
"at every moment, countless cultivators died."
"golden core and nascent soul cultivators could only serve as cannon fodder. soul transformation, dao integration, and even longevity immortal experts were engaged in battles, falling one by one."
"the earth and space were torn apart, and chaotic black lightning struck the battlefield from beyond space, causing cultivators to fall like rain."
"it was truly a terrifying scene, reminiscent of the end of the world."
because the images described by this cultivator were too bizarre, and only he had ever encountered such a situation, most cultivators believed he was fabricating stories and dismissed his claims.
not two, however, swore an oath with a curse that if there was any exaggeration, he would die instantly, body and soul.
this ruthless oath indeed subdued many skeptics.
nevertheless, a significant number of cultivators remained unconvinced.
apart from these two individuals, there were many other accounts of strange experiences.
it was only now that li fan truly understood what chen ying had told him earlier: the fallen immortal realm was a world formed by the consciousness of a true immortal before their fall.
in this realm, unimaginable events could occur.
"in such a magnificent world, i'm trapped in the small ningyuan city. it's really hard to accept."
li fan couldn't help but sigh.
"i wonder if it will be the same the next time i enter."
casually glancing at the seeking immortals section once again, li fan was about to leave.
but his attention was irresistibly drawn to a certain phrase.
"gathering" and "exchange."
li fan couldn't help but click on it.
chapter 206: pre-expedition realm
unlike li fan, who had been trapped alone in ningyuan city, other cultivators could form alliances to explore the fallen immortal realm together.
by using an appropriate medium during the ritual, they could reach a peculiar space between reality and illusion before entering the fallen immortal realm.
in this space, cultivators could exchange information and even trade items. generally, this space would also be equipped with a special formation.
this formation, a fusion of ritual-stabilizing formations and mental connection-amplifying formations, allowed up to four cultivators to form a team to explore the fallen immortal realm.
cultivators referred to such spaces as "pre-expedition realms."
it was said that the earliest pre-expedition realm was created by a powerful dao integration stage cultivator for the convenience of inviting friends to explore the fallen immortal realm together. due to its great convenience, other cultivators gradually followed suit.
after thousands of years of development, numerous pre-expedition realms had emerged. some were open to the public, accommodating tens of thousands of cultivators simultaneously. for a small fee, anyone could enter.
on the other hand, some pre-expedition realms were private. only the owner of the pre-expedition realm knew the medium, and outsiders couldn't enter without permission.
the essence of a pre-expedition realm was to open a spatial rift connecting the fallen immortal realm and the real world for transit.
however, these spatial rifts were unstable, so every few decades, pre-expedition realms needed maintenance and reinforcement, incurring considerable costs. only truly great cultivators had the ability and willingness to maintain a pre-expedition realm.
over the course of thousands of years, many of these cultivators had fallen, and the pre-expedition realms they opened were mostly abandoned.
some individuals seized the opportunity, searching for these ownerless pre-expedition realms, refurbishing and redecorating them, and then selling them at high prices.
while the prices were steep, often requiring hundreds of thousands of contribution points, purchasing one was still more cost-effective than building a new one. therefore, some cultivators were willing to buy.
however, if one had many pre-expedition realms and couldn't sell them, it could become a burden or even lead to losses. to address this, some individuals engaged in leasing unused pre-expedition realms.
instead of paying a large sum of contribution points upfront, cultivators could pay a modest annual contribution to gain the right to use a pre-expedition realm. there were few cultivators willing to rent pre-expedition realms, especially for the low-priced public ones.
to attract customers, they posted numerous promotional messages on the seeking immortals board. li fan was drawn in by these messages.
"pre-expedition realms, interesting." li fan thought for a moment, applied for a fake account, "mingyue palace master," to conceal his identity, and then contacted one of the information providers.
this person was named "violet mist immortal sage." it was unclear if they truly had dao integration stage cultivation or if, like li fan, they were also using a false identity.
"of course, the price will be a bit higher."
violet mist immortal sage added.
"after leasing a pre-expedition realm, can it be ensured that no outsiders will intrude?" li fan chose one without rushing to make a decision and asked carefully.
"the ritual medium is like an encrypted spatial coordinate. generally speaking, without the guidance of the medium, any consciousness entering the fallen immortal realm cannot intrude into a private pre-expedition realm."
"of course, nothing is absolute. in the long years, there has been one such mishap."
"but it happened only once, so there's no need to worry," explained violet mist immortal sage.
"for each pre-expedition realm, we provide at least ten media. if it's not enough, you can purchase more at any time."
hearing this, li fan nodded slowly.
he then sent over the details of the selected pre-expedition realm.
"i want to lease this one."
"rent starts from one year, with a three-month deposit. if you need to renew the lease, you must pay the rent again at the same time each year."
"full-year rental is required before cancellation, and the deposit will be refunded after cancellation," violet mist immortal sage skillfully explained.
li fan asked, "is there a discount for long-term leasing?"
violet mist immortal sage paused and said, "negotiable."
"if you rent for ten years, i can offer you a 5% discount."
"if you rent for twenty years, i can offer you a 10% discount."
"for twenty years and above, i can offer a 20% discount!"
"then i'll rent it for thirty years," li fan said straightforwardly.
chapter 207: feipeng rises with the wind
the pre-expedition realm that li fan selected had the lowest rental price of eight thousand contribution points per year. although it was relatively small in scale, the scenery suited li fan's taste.
instead of a picturesque scene of immortal splendor, it was built upon a gigantic skeletal left hand. the surrounding space was dark and silent, and the giant bone hand floated in the endless void.
according to the violet mist immortal sage, the conceptualization of this scene originated from the true immortal who gave rise to the entire fallen immortal realm in a single thought.
after negotiating with violet mist immortal sage and agreeing to a thirty-year lease with payment every ten years, the transaction was completed with the signing of a commercial contract.
li fan transferred sixty-four thousand contribution points. at the same time, he received a storage ring containing three items: a miniature skeletal left hand, ten white bone fingers, and a jade slip.
after picking up the jade slip and reading it for a moment, li fan instantly understood its usage. the miniature white bone left hand served as the control center for the pre-expedition realm. activating the ritual with it granted the highest authority over the pre-expedition realm.
the ten white bone fingers served as the media.
li fan performed the ceremony within the tianxuan mirror: four items representing daily life were placed at the corners, while the white bone left hand was suspended in the center.
"blessings bestowed by the celestial sovereign of xuanhuang!"
li fan silently recited.
since he had brought back the "purple heaven soul observation technique" from the fallen immortal realm not long ago, he was still under restrictions and couldn't enter the fallen immortal realm again. however, entering the pre-expedition realm posed no problem.
the four items, along with the white bone left hand, emitted a faint glow. a slight dizziness came over li fan, and in an instant, he felt the environment around him change.
an ancient and desolate atmosphere pervaded, with five gigantic white bone fingers slanting towards the sky. li fan was standing at the bottom of the bone hand. compared to the enormous bone, he was like an ant.
"if i hadn't been mentally prepared, i'm afraid i would have been startled at first sight."
"well, it should be enough to fool those kids."
satisfied, li fan nodded. with a thought, he instantly appeared on the thumb bone.ñøv€lrapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on ñôv€lß¡n.
the teleportation array to enter the fallen immortal realm was arranged here. for now, su xiaomei and the others didn't need it, and he couldn't let them discover it.
with a wave of his hand, li fan hid the array. then, he thoroughly checked the area to ensure no traces that could leak information were left behind before exiting this space.
"the stage is set; it's time for the actors to appear."
"although they are still young, cultivating immortality should start from childhood."
once his emotions settled, he realized that something was off.
blankly staring at his small body and the surroundings, which were both familiar and unfamiliar, ye feipeng's eyes were filled with confusion.
"master, what's wrong?" a maid in the adjacent room, hearing the commotion, hastily rushed in wearing only a coat.
"it's nothing, you can go!" ye feipeng dismissed her, rubbed his temples, and felt a chaotic mess in his mind.
"a dream? rebirth?"
just now, ye feipeng experienced a long and vivid dream. in the dream, he was brought out of dali by an immortal master ten years later, settling on liuli island. after five years of cultivation, he finally expelled the miasma from his body, successfully condensing qi and becoming a true cultivator.
unfortunately, the life of a cultivator was not as beautiful as he had imagined. it was even far less carefree than being a dandy young master in dali. running around like an ox or horse every day, it took him a year to finally save enough contribution points to buy a cultivation method.
just as he felt accomplished in breaking through to the qi condensation stage within three years, a shocking event occurred in the cong yun sea, completely altering his values.
"crimson flame burns the sea, haobo integrates the dao."
ye feipeng clenched his fists tightly. his fingernails pierced his flesh, but he didn't mind. carefully recalling the detailed reviews of this historical event by the cultivators later, he was afraid of missing any details.
"sixteen years of cultivation to achieve the golden core stage, then overcoming levels to slay a dao integration-level figure."
"becoming the youngest dao integration immortal sage in history."
jealousy and ambition filled ye feipeng's eyes.
"with the cong yun sea as his aid, he seized the critical moments of the battle between the five soul transformation true monarchs and the crimson flame."
"he, zhang haobo, could do it. why can't i?"
"as long as i go to the cultivation world ten years earlier, with the countless opportunities in my memories, i have great foresight."
"i might be able to replace him, becoming a dao integration immortal sage who dominates an entire region!"
"this should be my fate!"
ye feipeng's eyes were bloodshot, and his mind was filled with countless thoughts.
suddenly, he felt a severe headache, unable to endure any longer. his vision darkened, and he fainted.
beside him, li fan's figure slowly appeared in the night.
chapter 208: feipeng’s cultivation chronicle
"still too young. even with my secret assistance, it's difficult for him to endure such a massive impact of information."
li fan looked at ye feipeng, who remained in a state of unconscious pain, silently contemplating.
he took out a spirit awakening fruit from the storage ring and fed it to ye feipeng.
afterwards, he used his spiritual qi to help ye feipeng refine it.
soon, ye feipeng's complexion relaxed.
li fan gently stroked his head, activating the cloud water illusory dream art again, meticulously refining ye feipeng's memories of his "previous life."
when ye feipeng woke up again the next day, drenched in sweat, his expression was much calmer.
he wrote down a prescription and ordered someone to fetch the required ingredients.
while taking a hot bath, he planned the path of his rise in this world.
compared to yesterday's chaotic thoughts, his mind was significantly clearer today.
"with the help of the cleansing heart mantra and the prescription, i should be able to expel the miasma in my body."
"but without spiritual energy, i can't cultivate, rendering my efforts futile."
"i must not wait for ten more years; i have to seize this opportunity and leave early."
in ye feipeng's memory, about half a month later, a cultivator would arrive in dali by chance.
this cultivator wasn't the one who had been cooperating with dali previously, so he was unwilling to risk helping the citizens of dali cross secretly.
ignoring the desperate pleas of the dali officials, this cultivator was about to leave.
suddenly, the emperor remembered the white bone hand that had fallen in the imperial palace not long ago.
taking advantage of the situation, the emperor declared that dali possessed a legendary treasure.
as long as the cultivator was willing to take a group of people to the cultivation world, he would present this extraordinary treasure.
perhaps due to fear of the immortal-mortal miasma, the cultivator did not directly resort to force.
after some consideration, he agreed.
however, he had his conditions.
he would only take children with an innate talent for cultivation, and the number couldn't be too large.
so, the cultivator personally selected ten children from the descendants of the powerful families in dali and took them to the cultivation world.
ye feipeng remembered that among them were xiao heng of the xiao family and su changyu of the su family.
he, however, did not meet the qualifications due to his insufficient talent.
thus, he wasted ten years in dali.
"in my previous life, when i was in the mid qi condensation stage, i once encountered xiao heng by chance. at that time, he was already in the foundation establishment stage, far surpassing me."
"cultivation must grow step by step."
"wasting ten years results in completely different achievements in the future."
"this life will definitely not be the same."
"as long as i can break free from this predicament, i will be like a fish leaping into the vast sea or a bird soaring in the sky."
ye feipeng's eyes gleamed, walking out of the wooden tub and closing his eyes to practice the cleansing heart mantra.
perhaps due to the benefits of reincarnation, he felt that the efficiency of expelling the miasma from his body in this life was much faster than in the previous one.
in just over ten days, he almost completely rid himself of the miasma.
this made ye feipeng even more delighted.
however, in the following days, ye feipeng paused the process of purging the miasma.
a mortal without any miasma in his body would be too conspicuous.
if it aroused the suspicion of that immortal, it would be unfavorable.
in the current state, he seemed like a mortal with little immortal-mortal miasma in his body.
it ensured that he would be selected without attracting much attention—an optimal balance.
"with this new opportunity, it's important to be cautious," ye feipeng reminded himself continually.
following the same script as his memory, five days later, that cultivator arrived in the capital.
after another half-day, along with thousands of bewildered children, ye feipeng arrived at the square to be selected by the cultivator.
even for a reborn person, his fate still rested in the hands of others at this moment.
this made ye feipeng somewhat nervous.
fortunately, when the cultivator's gaze swept over him, it paused for a moment, and he was ultimately selected.
this made ye feipeng relieved and somewhat excited.
not long after, the other children who were not chosen left.
the vast square now only had ten anxious children, including ye feipeng, along with the cultivator.
the cultivator summoned a flying boat, ready to take them away.
at this moment, su changyu suddenly shouted, "immortal, please save my sister!"
ye feipeng's heart moved.
in his memories, it seemed that the cultivation talent of this little sister was even more terrifying than xiao heng.
in the previous life, before his own death, he vaguely heard that she seemed to have achieved the realm of golden core.
although the cultivator was a bit impatient, he still went to the su family.
the sea currents were turbulent, making them particularly conspicuous.
"i seem to have been to this sea area when i tried to return to dali in my previous life."
"the islands guarded by the ten thousand immortals alliance are not an option. but in the northwest direction, there seems to be an uninhabited island."
"let's go there to lay low for now."
quickly determining the direction, ye feipeng pointed and said to xiao heng, "quick, fly towards that direction!"
upon hearing this, xiao heng immediately manipulated the flying boat, escaping from the battlefield unnoticed by the two foundation establishment cultivators who were seemingly engaged in a fierce battle.
ye feipeng couldn't help feeling excited.
after flying for more than a day, they finally saw a small island covered with dense forest.
"we're here, fly into the forest, and let's hide first." ye feipeng quickly instructed.
feeling relieved, xiao heng carefully landed the flying boat in the forest.
ye feipeng had everyone pluck branches and leaves, placing them on the surface of the flying boat as camouflage.
then, the group returned to the cabin to discuss the next steps.
"we just arrived in the cultivation world, and we encountered such a thing. we're really unlucky!" xiao heng sighed.
"it's already good to be alive. didn't you hear that our illegal crossing has been discovered?" another child, about the same age as xiao heng, said.
ye feipeng said, "now we can only hide on this island for a while. when the storm passes, we can think of a way to leave."
the people sighed in frustration, their little faces full of confusion.
"that's the only way. fortunately, there is a water source and fruit trees on this island. we don't have to worry about food for the time being." su changyu sighed.
the future was uncertain, and everyone's mood was not good.
as night fell, they soon fell into a deep sleep.
in the middle of the night, ye feipeng suddenly felt a strange sensation and woke up from his sleep.
he quietly approached the exterior of the flying boat, only to see a streak of escape light descending from the sky in an instant.
the target was directly aimed at the flying boat concealed below.
"oh no!" ye feipeng's heart jolted.
before he could react, the light had already arrived in front of him.
"hurry, help me inside..."
the person who came was the cultivator who had taken them out of dali.
however, at this moment, he was covered in blood, weak, and seemed to be seriously injured.
nevertheless, he was still a foundation establishment cultivator.
ye feipeng didn't dare to act rashly, responded with an affirmation, and was about to go forward to assist.
but then he saw the other person suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood and fall forward to the ground.
after convulsing a few times, he never moved again.
"senior!" ye feipeng immediately let out a cry of surprise.
at this moment, an anomaly occurred in the sky above.
"qi condensation cultivator fan li cultivated the dao for one hundred and sixty-five years. he achieved the foundation with the heavenly treasure 'eclipse staff.' he suffered severe injuries in a battle in the cong yun sea and was unable to recover."
"now, he has died and has returned to the dao!"
the brilliant scene, like fireworks, illuminated the sky.
ye feipeng was completely stunned by this unexpected spectacle.
"he... died?"
he was dumbfounded.
he never expected that this cultivator named fan li, who had barely escaped a disaster, would die right in front of him.
an ordinary bamboo staff slowly emerged beside his body.
looking at the corpse of the foundation establishment cultivator, a bold idea suddenly appeared in ye feipeng's mind.
holding his breath, he approached quietly.
when he reached the side of the corpse, he stayed still for a while.
after a while, he slowly squatted down and, illuminated by the firework-like announcement overhead, began to search the body quickly.
"what are you doing?"
in the silent night, a voice suddenly sounded behind him.
ye feipeng was startled and almost fell to the ground.
turning around, he saw xiao heng looking at him with astonishment while he was searching the corpse.
"hush!" ye feipeng couldn't help gesturing for silence.
xiao heng realized it now.
he approached and whispered, "what happened to this cultivator? why did he die?"
"i guess he suffered severe injuries in the fight with that person just now. he barely managed to fly here but couldn't hold on any longer and died." ye feipeng casually replied, continuing to search the corpse.
"why doesn't he even have a storage ring?" after flipping for a long time, he couldn't find what he was looking for.
ye feipeng couldn't help but complain in a low voice.
"storage ring? is it this?" xiao heng picked up a ring from the ground and asked.
chapter 209: illusory dream art and [truth]
"it's this! give it to me quickly!" seeing the ring, ye feipeng's face lit up, and he was about to step forward to grab it.
however, xiao heng easily dodged him.
"i found it. why should i give it to you?" xiao heng showed a cunning smile, firmly holding the storage ring in his palm.
ye feipeng squinted his eyes, and a dangerous idea involuntarily flashed in his mind. however, after assessing the power gap between them, ye feipeng ultimately suppressed the turmoil within."xiao heng, we're all people from dali. now that we are stranded in the cultivation world with an uncertain future, we should unite."
"shouldn't we avoid internal conflicts over a storage ring?" ye feipeng reasoned.
xiao heng nodded, "you're right."
"the things inside this storage ring shouldn't be monopolized by one person, right?" ye feipeng asked again.
xiao heng snorted, "am i that kind of person?"
ye feipeng couldn't help but rejoice, "take out the things from the storage ring, and let's share them between us."
"how can it be just the two of us? there's also changyu and xiaomei's share. don't worry, i'll handle the distribution fairly. people from dali don't deceive each other." xiao heng patted his chest, guaranteeing.
ye feipeng hesitated but had to endure temporarily, facing xiao heng, who was currently much stronger.
"in the future, i'll deal with you." ye feipeng thought to himself.
xiao heng appeared oblivious to the underlying tension.
instinctively, he widened the distance between himself and ye feipeng, taking out items from the storage ring one by one.
a pile of communication talismans.
a pile of spirit stones, a tattered umbrella.
a slightly yellowed formation map, along with a white bone hand.
and then...
nothing?
xiao heng was somewhat dumbfounded. to prevent himself from missing anything, he double-checked.
"is this all?" xiao heng was a bit incredulous. "is this cultivator so poor?"
"how is that possible!" ye feipeng completely disbelieved.
snatching the storage ring, he examined it himself.
however, xiao heng indeed did not lie.
this foundation establishment cultivator left so little wealth!
no cultivation techniques, no decent spiritual treasures. these things were basically worthless!
it was far too different from the dream of overnight wealth!
under the huge psychological gap, ye feipeng was immediately frustrated, and angrily threw the storage ring to the ground.
seeing this, xiao heng quickly picked it up.
after a while, ye feipeng gradually calmed his disappointment.
"perhaps it was because of the fierce battle earlier that he used up everything? maybe he handed over valuable things to survive and keep his life?" ye feipeng speculated.
"anyway, he's a foundation establishment cultivator. it's impossible for him to be so poor, right?"
"in my previous life, even as a qi condensation cultivator, i..."
at this point, ye feipeng's thoughts paused.
he carefully thought about his situation in his previous life.
apart from communication talismans, there was almost nothing else in his storage ring.
after all, cultivation techniques, contribution points, and similar items couldn't be carried around.
"actually, this cultivator might really be this poor?" ye feipeng couldn't help but hesitate.
"what's this pile of things?" just when he was immersed in self-doubt.
he saw xiao heng squatting beside a pile of communication talismans, picking up one and preparing to test its function.
ye feipeng's expression changed.
he approached, snatched the talisman from xiao heng's hand, then threw it on the ground and picked up a stone. he smashed it vigorously.
"what are you doing!" seeing this, xiao heng couldn't help but ask loudly.
"what do you know! this is a communication talisman. if you accidentally activate it, it could expose our information. when others come seeking trouble, we won't be able to escape!" ye feipeng snorted.
"fell from the sky?" xiao heng exclaimed.
then, he looked at ye feipeng with some admiration, "fatty, how do you know everything? i've never heard of these things."
under xiao heng's gaze, ye feipeng felt a bit complacent, "i know a lot."
seeing this, xiao heng quickly said, "then i'll choose this bone hand. since you're so knowledgeable but you don't even know what it's used for, it must have a significant origin."
ye feipeng hastily said, "then i'll take this pile of spirit stones."
"alright!" xiao heng clapped his hands.
"this umbrella is for xiaomei, and this formation map is for changyu."
in an instant, the spoils were divided, and xiao heng nodded in satisfaction.
seeing this, ye feipeng felt secretly triumphant.
"talent is nothing. after all, he lacks the foresight of a reborn person like me. choosing external items has no real use."
"spirit stones can be converted into contribution points, which can then be used to exchange for cultivation techniques."
"with this pile of spirit stones, after joining the ten thousand immortals alliance, i can save a lot of time running errands. sooner or later, i'll exchange for a qi condensation technique."
"in the cultivation world, cultivation techniques are fundamental!"
however, he still knew the principle of quietly getting rich, keeping his self-satisfaction in his heart without showing it on his face.
"alright, it's decided. no backing out." ye feipeng extended his hand to shake with xiao heng.
however, after some thought, he, being a reborn person, couldn't act so childishly.
so, he retracted his hand.
"keep the items in your possession for now. after it's safe and we can officially cultivate, you can distribute them to us."
xiao heng nodded and stored all the scattered items back into the storage ring.
"let's go back to sleep. move quietly, don't let anyone notice." ye feipeng whispered, then returned with xiao heng to the flying boat.
they fell into a deep sleep.
under the moonlight, li fan, who had been concealing his presence and observing the two from start to finish, shook his head in secret.
"after all, he is not a true reborn person."
"he's just a nine-year-old child that has been forcibly fed a bunch of 'past life memories' that are far from perfect."
"ye feipeng's actions and habits are still quite child-like."
"the nature of his heart is still as innocent as a child's."
"they say experiences can influence and shape one's character to a certain extent. but my cloud water illusory dream art is far from being able to change a person's character to that degree."
"i tried my best to weave genuine memories. during the days before leaving dali, my mind and spirit were significantly depleted."
"unfortunately, a person experiences too much in their lifetime."
"to completely fabricate every detail of a real life is still too difficult."
li fan suddenly thought of the third option that had never been used in [truth] again.
retaining the memory of one person close to oneself and being able to have that person inherit this memory.
"the disadvantage of this option of [truth] is that it is uncontrollable."
"perhaps combining [truth] with the cloud water illusory dream art might achieve the authentic regression i desire."
while thinking about this, li fan entered the flying boat.
he made everyone fall into a deep sleep.
from xiao heng's storage ring, he took out the bone hand.
he took a section of the hand bone and used it as a medium.
then, he set up a ritual.
afterward, with a light touch on xiao heng's forehead, he activated the cloud water illusory dream art.
immediately, xiao heng got up from the ground as if he was sleepwalking.
under his breath, he recited silently.
"blessings bestowed by the celestial sovereign of xuanhuang."
an inexplicable force descended.
xiao heng's consciousness instantly appeared in li fan's leased pre-expedition realm.
chapter 210: the past of the fallen immortal
xiao heng rubbed his eyes and looked around in a daze.
the eerie atmosphere surrounding him made him instinctively uneasy.
in the distance, five peculiar and conspicuous white pillars stood crookedly, reaching straight into the sky.
looking down at his feet, xiao heng noticed the ground was made of the same white material.
"where is this..."
xiao heng felt puzzled.
he remembered he was on a deserted island, wasn't he? could it be a dream?
subconsciously, xiao heng pinched himself.
"ouch!"
the intense pain instantly woke xiao heng up.
"this is not a dream?"
fear crept into xiao heng's heart.
he shivered and surveyed his surroundings.
in the distance, there was a dark, endless void, permeated with an ancient and desolate aura.
the ground under his feet and the five white pillars in the distance seemed to be connected, floating in this space.
xiao heng suddenly felt a sense of familiarity with this place, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
after carefully observing for a while, a scene flashed through his mind.
various details became more and more similar.
suddenly, xiao heng was shocked and fell to the ground, trembling all over.
"this... is that bone hand?"
such a bizarre occurrence exceeded xiao heng's cognitive limits.
fear instantly took over his mind, and he instinctively curled up like an ostrich, burying his head in his arms.
however, after a while, the fear of the unknown couldn't suppress his curiosity.
seeing no other movements in this space, xiao heng's curiosity gradually overwhelmed his terror.
he got up and cautiously explored the area.
the region he was in, the palm, was relatively spacious, and he didn't have to worry about falling into the endless void.
most of the surroundings were ruins, indicating a fierce battle that had once occurred, destroying all the buildings.
navigating through the debris, after a moment, something caught xiao heng's attention.
a broken sword was stuck upright in the ground.
the sword was covered in dark red bloodstains.
as xiao heng approached, he realized that the sword had first pierced through a skull before being embedded in the ground.
"this place must have existed for who knows how long. this sword can endure for so long without much damage. it must be an extraordinary treasure!" xiao heng thought to himself as he approached.
grasping the hilt with both hands, he pulled the sword out with force.
however, before xiao heng could examine the newly acquired treasure, the ground beneath his feet suddenly shook violently.
"despicable ten thousand immortals alliance!"
the skull that had been stabbed by the long sword actually let out a roar and flew up into the sky.
once again, xiao heng was frightened by this scene and fell to the ground.
with a clang, the long sword in his hand also fell to the ground.
seemingly attracted by the noise, a pitch-black light shot out from the dark eye sockets of the skull, hitting the sword's blade directly.
"boom!"
the long sword exploded in a burst of light.
the instant the light shot out, xiao heng instinctively jumped to avoid the explosion.
although he evaded the explosion, he was still frightened, sweating profusely.
"senior, spare me! spare me!" xiao heng knelt on the ground, kowtowing. while kowtowing, he shouted, keeping his eyes fixed on the skull, ready to escape at any moment.
it seemed that xiao heng's shouts had an effect.
the skull's voice became somewhat puzzled, "huh? not from the ten thousand immortals alliance? where did this little kid come from?"
the skull then flew up into the sky, circled around, and after a while, returned to its original position, looking somewhat lost, "so much time has passed..."
seeing that the skull seemed to have no hostile intent, xiao heng breathed a sigh of relief.
he tentatively asked, "senior, where is this? can you send me back?"
the skull sneered, "you, kid, are really strange. since you can come here, how do you not know where this is? you're even asking me?"
xiao heng looked innocent, "senior, i didn't lie. i really don't know where this is!"
"they spontaneously formed the immortal revival organization and resisted the ten thousand immortals alliance."
"unfortunately, the ten thousand immortals alliance was too powerful, and the immortal revival organization was far from enough."
"after thousands of years of annihilation, the number of people in the immortal revival organization grew smaller and smaller. now, only i am left."
the skull's words contained an endless aura of sadness.
xiao heng, who had an extremely strong sense of justice, could not help but be infected by it, and his eyes reddened slightly.
"senior...." he wanted to speak a few comforting words but was interrupted by the skull.
"haha, an old man like me doesn't need a small child like you to pity me!"
"previously, i was left with only my consciousness, surviving in the cracks of the fallen immortal realm, with no one left to succeed me."
"but heaven didn't forsake the immortal revival organization and brought you to me!" a faint light shot from the skull's eye sockets, enveloping xiao heng.
"you are a rare cultivation genius seen once in a millennium. join us and take up the banner to fight against the ten thousand immortals alliance. it's perfect!"
saying this, xiao heng noticed a storage ring appearing on his hand.
at the same time, numerous pieces of information instantly appeared in his mind.
most of them were common knowledge needed for cultivation, but there was even a technique called the "sea fixing sword technique."
the skull retracted the faint light and slowly said, "i have imparted some foundational knowledge to you, enough for you to safely cultivate to the golden core stage."
"but remember, you must be careful to conceal yourself and not expose your identity. the ten thousand immortals alliance's immortal ancestor is unfathomably powerful. after thousands of years, his strength is probably no less than that of the true immortal back then."
xiao heng's expression became solemn. however, he awkwardly asked, "senior, i'm young and alone. it seems a bit... inappropriate for me to confront the ten thousand immortals alliance, isn't it?"
the skull scolded, "nonsense! you can recruit people! if you encounter someone with good talent, you can invite them to join our immortal revival organization. the immortal revival organization has been dormant for thousands of years, and it's time for fresh blood to join."
"but make sure they are trustworthy individuals, and don't let any spies from the ten thousand immortals alliance infiltrate."
xiao heng, hearing this, was pleasantly surprised. "that's great!"
the skull continued, "i've consumed too much energy in transmitting these skills to you. i'm about to fall into a deep sleep."
"for a while, the matters of immortal revival organization will be in your hands."
"if there are new members, you can take them to the middle finger bone."
"there is an altar there, which is a special treasure of the immortal revival organization. through prayers, you can obtain techniques and items."
"however, the altar has a spirit and will only respond to reasonable requests. you'll know the specifics when you use it."
the voice of the skull grew weaker, but it continued to provide instructions.
"senior, how long will you sleep before awakening?" xiao heng asked with concern.
"hehe, that's hard to say. i was already a dead man. i can survive only because of a lingering obsession. i might wake up in a year or two, or i might never wake up again."
"but if you're willing, in the future, when you have the ability, you can collect the foundation treasures left by cultivators after death for me. these things have lost their value to others but are helpful for my recovery."
the skull spoke slowly.
xiao heng nodded repeatedly, remembering these instructions.
"remember one more thing. if you sense that my aura has completely disappeared, it means this place may have been exposed. destroy the hand bone immediately and never come here again," the skull emphasized.
"alright, that's it." the skull seemed extremely weakened, unable to continue.
"senior!" just as the skull was about to fall into a deep sleep, xiao heng hesitated for a moment and asked the lingering question in his heart.
"you haven't told me your name yet?"
"...you are not worthy of knowing my name at the moment. when you truly bear the heavy burden of immortal revival organization, you will naturally find out."
with these words, the skull dissipated into the darkness.
"senior? senior?" xiao heng called several times, but there was no response.
regretfully sighing, he looked at the empty surroundings. xiao heng took out a silver necklace from his storage ring.
following the instructions of the senior, he probed it with his spiritual consciousness, and the silver necklace emitted a radiant light.
then, xiao heng's vision darkened, and after a moment, he found himself back inside the flying boat on the deserted island.
his companions were still sleeping around, and everything that happened seemed like a dream.
however, the ring on his hand and the necklace hanging on his chest reminded xiao heng that this was not a dream.
the young xiao heng now bore a burden that a child of his age shouldn't bear.
feeling mentally and physically exhausted, it didn't take long for him to fall into a deep sleep.
early the next morning, he woke up earlier than everyone else.
alone, he went to the seaside, recalled the techniques taught by the senior, closed his eyes, and began sensing the spiritual energy around, quietly cultivating.
after half a day, when ye feipeng, who couldn't find xiao heng's trace after waking up, sensed a spiritual energy fluctuation by the seaside, he walked over.
initially, he didn't notice anything unusual.
however, as he approached, xiao heng suddenly opened his eyes, and a faint blue, vaguely formed water sword appeared.
hovering in front of xiao heng, the sword pointed directly at ye feipeng, ready to launch a lethal attack.
ye feipeng was instantly horrified, stumbling and falling to the ground.
pointing at xiao heng with his finger, his body trembling, he couldn't utter a word.
chapter 211: the swimming dragon arises from canghai
"what's going on? what's going on!"
seeing xiao heng in this state, ye feipeng was truly shocked.
having experienced a "rebirth," he naturally understood that this water sword could only be condensed after practicing a certain cultivation technique.
but how was that possible?
this kid had just entered the cultivation world and knew nothing.
how could he have mastered a technique overnight?
could it be that he had been possessed?
such thoughts involuntarily crossed ye feipeng's mind.
looking at xiao heng, whose temperament had changed greatly, ye feipeng became more and more convinced.
with an unpleasant smile, ye feipeng struggled to get up and tried to escape back to the flying boat.
"fatty! why are you running?" xiao heng, who had awakened from cultivation, saw ye feipeng's embarrassed figure and couldn't help but find it strange, shouting loudly.
hearing the familiar tone and tone, ye feipeng couldn't help but stop in his tracks.
he turned around and looked at xiao heng suspiciously, "you haven't been possessed?"
xiao heng replied impatiently, "you're the one who has been possessed!"
"how do you know what possession is?"
"how do you know what possession is?"
both of them spoke at the same time, pointing at each other.
"what secret do you have on you!"
"what secret do you have on you!"
the two confronted each other with cold faces, and in the end, ye feipeng, who was much weaker in strength, yielded first.
"hmph, i'll go first. it's not a big deal, but you have to keep it secret for me." ye feipeng looked at xiao heng, raising his voice.ñøv€lrapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on ñôv€lß¡n.
"fine!" xiao heng nodded in agreement.
"it's not some earth-shattering secret. have you heard of 'innate knowledge'?" ye feipeng looked at xiao heng with a sidelong glance. "when i was born, my mind naturally contained a lot of knowledge. however, when i was younger, i couldn't figure out what those things were."
"but as i grew older, i finally understood that those were various knowledge related to cultivation."
"now i've said it. tell me quickly, what happened to you overnight? how did you change so much?"
ye feipeng spoke rapidly, asking urgently.
"it turns out you're not a spy from the ten thousand immortals alliance!" xiao heng breathed a sigh of relief.
however, he didn't completely believe it.
"guard your heart against others. the senior said that our immortal revival organization is currently in decline, and many of our means have been lost."
"using this contract borrowed from the five elders association ensures our safe development. it's not shameful."
a quaint altar stood prominently.
"if what this kid said is true..."
"cultivation techniques, cultivation techniques, i want cultivation techniques." ye feipeng earnestly prayed.
the altar remained unresponsive for a while.
at this point, xiao heng had finally climbed up slowly.
"it's useless to do it like this! if you want something, just shout it out loud!" xiao heng, seeing his appearance, quickly explained.
"why didn't you say it earlier? this little brat, if i could beat you, i would have beaten you up long ago..." ye feipeng felt aggrieved in his heart.
but with the cultivation technique in front of him, he temporarily didn't want to argue with him.
standing in the center of the altar, ye feipeng shouted loudly, "cultivation technique! i want a cultivation technique!"
it seemed that the altar heard ye feipeng's voice, and a bright white light suddenly emitted from the altar.
then the light dimmed.
ye feipeng's heartbeat also suddenly stopped.
time seemed to pause.
it felt like just a moment, yet also like a long time had passed.
in the center of the altar, a faint white light suddenly appeared.
after a moment, the light dispersed.
a jade slip quietly floated in the air.
ye feipeng eagerly picked up the jade slip and carefully read its contents.
"canghai swimming dragon technique, foundation establishment cultivation technique..."
"it's actually a foundation establishment cultivation technique!"
ye feipeng's voice trembled, and his eyes turned red.
in his previous life, he worked hard for many years but couldn't accumulate enough contribution points to buy a foundation establishment cultivation technique.
who would have thought that in this life, it would be given for free!
"good, good!"
ye feipeng, who understood the value of cultivation techniques, was now so excited that he couldn't speak.
in his mind, there was only one thought.
"let the ten thousand immortals alliance go to hell!"
"with this mysterious and unpredictable organization providing cultivation techniques for free..."
"plus my foresight..."
"in this world, there's hope for dao integration!"
chapter 212: ripples in the world
in the white bone realm, li fan, who held the highest authority, looked at the excited ye feipeng and the equally happy xiao heng, nodding secretly.
"after playing with these kids for so long, the groundwork has been laid."
"in the future, unless something unexpected happens, i can sit back and enjoy the returns on my investment without having to bother with anything."
to make his fabricated lies look as real as possible, li fan spared no effort and spent a considerable amount of resources.
this included but was not limited to a necklace that integrated communication formations and ritual formations, a transmission formation disguised as an altar, a foundation establishment puppet, an illusion stone that faked the signs of a cultivator's fall, and so on.
the reason for such meticulous planning in this world, including leasing and transforming the pre-expedition realm and fabricating non-existent stories of ancient immortal experiences, was because of li fan's considerations.
firstly, if he directly supported them with cultivation techniques as a cultivator, it would be fine at the beginning when these prodigies were still young and naïve.
however, as they grew older and realized the preciousness of cultivation techniques, suspicions and doubts might arise, and they might question if there were hidden costs or a conspiracy behind the scenes.
once doubt crept in, it could lead to numerous complications. by disguising the gift of cultivation techniques as the natural encounters of these prodigies, the worry of hidden motives could be avoided.
secondly, after establishing the organization known as the "immortal revival organization," he could comfortably play the role of a detached investor. he no longer needed to tirelessly search for exceptionally talented individuals to invest in personally.
talents attracted each other. during the journey and adventures of prodigies like xiao heng and su xiaomei, they were likely to encounter companions with outstanding talents.
without li fan's intervention, the the number of members of the immortal revival organization would naturally increase.
he could let these prodigies grow freely, focus on his own cultivation, and enjoy the returns from the expansion of the immortal revival organization.
thirdly, the background of the immortal revival organization's grudge against the ten thousand immortals alliance would naturally add a layer of pressure on xiao heng and others.
pressure provides motivation, allowing them to squeeze out their full potential in cultivation, and li fan could recover his investment more quickly.
li fan clearly remembered that in the previous life, xiao heng took more than ten years to eliminate the miasma within his body due to a lack of pressure.
however, in this life, under the pressure of being stranded on a deserted island and carrying the burden of revenge, xiao heng spontaneously began cultivation the day after obtaining the "sea fixing sword technique" technique.
the difference between the two scenarios was significant.
as for the small "immortal revival organization," and whether it would attract the attention of the ten thousand immortals alliance...
when li fan disguised himself as a skull, he had already explained to xiao heng that the ten thousand immortals alliance was powerful, and the organization's main focus was on developing and strengthening its own forces.
before reaching the nascent soul realm, it was advisable not to directly confront the ten thousand immortals alliance. even if xiao heng was a genius, it would take several years for him to reach the nascent soul stage. li fan might not even live long enough to witness it.
...
in summary, the seeds had been planted. now, all that was left was to patiently wait for the prodigies of immortal revival organization to grow, and then li fan could reap the rewards.
after being busy for a total of two months, li fan returned to the ten thousand immortals island. the tenth year after the anchor point had arrived.
although the "mountain meditation technique" allowed him to passively receive benefits, li fan was not the type to rely entirely on others for everything. he didn't neglect his own cultivation.
throughout the tenth year, li fan diligently spent his time in seclusion.
the tianxuan mirror's enlightenment didn't stop for a moment. this one year was equivalent to twenty years of ordinary cultivation.
then, on a certain day, a substantial feedback of cultivation suddenly appeared in li fan's dantian, awakening him from his cultivation.
the amount of cultivation feedback was equivalent to three or four years of his usual efforts.
unexpectedly, the first substantial feedback came not from the prodigies in the separated world but from he zhenghao!
just now, he had successfully advanced from the mid-foundation establishment to the late foundation establishment stage.
thinking about it, there was indeed a certain possibility.
after all, during the twelfth life, they were not far from exchanging for the "sea swallowing eternal life technique."
taking a risk might allow them to complete the mission fifty years ahead of schedule.
li fan could even imagine that when spirit mist grass initially surged, they might have been tempted, but their opinions on using decades of savings to speculate might not have been unanimous.
however, as the price of spirit mist grass continued to rise, opposing opinions would weaken.
finally, after hesitating and finally agreeing to enter, intending to make a profit and leave at an opportune time, the tianxuan mirror caused a stir, and the price of spirit mist grass collapsed.
they were left empty-handed.
"perhaps they didn't use all their savings, but the losses were definitely heavy. that's why they took the risk, planning to make a quick profit and run."
"one hundred people, that's two hundred thousand contribution points. this scam is far faster than investing."
after some thought, li fan replied to jiang zhengji, "if possible, friend, you can search along the way towards yongliang province. there might be results."
after a while, jiang zhengji replied, "fellow daoist, do you mean they went to seek refuge with the five elders association? hmph, betraying the alliance is a grave crime. if i catch them..."
"regardless, thank you, fellow daoist!"
li fan politely said a few more words and put away the communication token, pondering quietly.
he wasn't particularly concerned about the foundation establishment grandmaster's early escape.
what li fan was really concerned about was that the impact of the spirit mist grass incident seemed to exceed his expectations.
he had vaguely felt that he had missed something previously.
now, after this incident, li fan finally understood what he had overlooked.
li fan searched for the prices of spiritual plants and herbs in the tianxuan mirror.
as expected, there was an aura of despair everywhere, and the situation was unbearable.
many even fell below their cost of production.
"in the twelfth life, the collapse of prices was caused by the first batch of mature spiritual plants from the wood attribute subworld being sold on a large scale in the thirteenth year."
"but in this life, due to the announcement of the tianxuan mirror, all the cultivators of the ten thousand immortals alliance know in advance about the abundant spiritual plants in that subworld."
"the price drop was foreseeable. in order to sell the herbs in their hands quickly, cultivators squeezed each other, leading to the early collapse of spiritual plant prices."
"however, that's not the main point."
"the main point is..."
"the minor medicine king cauldrons."
recalling the culprit that had once caused his demise, a glint of light flashed in li fan's eyes.
"the collapse of herb prices naturally means that no one will buy the small cauldron used for planting herbs."
"no one will commission jiao xiuyuan. will he still go to the medicine king sect's ruins to dig out the minor medicine king cauldrons?"
"at this point, the minor medicine king cauldron is worthless."
"however, once the real medicine king's cauldron returns, it will become a treasure that everyone competes for."
chapter 213: tai yan transmutation dao stone
"moreover, the number of minor medicine king cauldrons seems to be more than just two."
"if my strength is insufficient, the minor medicine king cauldron is not a stroke of luck; it's more like a death sentence."
"but it would be a waste to leave such a treasure to rot away underground until it is picked up by someone else."
"perhaps, using this as a means, i can stir up some trouble. if i can also figure out the secret behind the returning medicine king cauldron, that would be even better."
li fan's thoughts surged.
"but before that, let's have jiao xiuyuan take action and dig up the minor medicine king cauldron."
"speaking of which, how much did jiao xiuyuan lose? why hasn't he replied to me yet?"
"the thousand mile hall still hasn't opened for business."
li fan felt a bit helpless and had to use his clone to send another message to jiao xiuyuan.
unexpectedly, this time jiao xiuyuan replied quickly, his tone somewhat innocent.
"what? i didn't reply to you? how is that possible!"
"i recovered from my injuries a long time ago! but there's a small problem, and the thousand mile hall won't be able to open for business temporarily."
li fan was a bit speechless, "take a look at your message history yourself."
after a moment, jiao xiuyuan quickly apologized, "ah, my mistake! i really didn't notice! but you can't blame me. right now, i have a thousand things on my mind, a thousand things!"
li fan jokingly said, "i thought you lost too much and just ran away."
"hehe, friend, you're joking. business is my dao. how could i easily give up? but the situation is special now. with my current strength, manipulating thousands of puppets is a bit challenging. to avoid making poor business decisions and causing even greater losses, i had to temporarily close some less important shops."
jiao xiuyuan's words were somewhat intermittent as if he was stuttering.
li fan couldn't help but ask, "could it be that there's a problem with your cultivation technique? i wonder if you can share?"
"hehe, there's nothing to hide. fellow daoist, you are my partner, and last time, because of me, you lost a lot of money. i feel a bit guilty." jiao xiuyuan was quite polite.
"you know that the cultivation technique i practice is called the 'ten thousand puppets dao.' i can control thousands of puppets to purchase goods, collect information, and negotiate business deals, reducing the cost of running thousand mile hall to the extreme."
"but a person's mental capacity has limits. handling two or three things at once is barely manageable. however, wanting to flexibly control tens of thousands of puppets is beyond my capabilities."
jiao xiuyuan spoke slowly and paused.
li fan interjected, "so, how did you ensure that so many puppets operated normally before?"
"i did indeed split my mind to operate them, but not through a cultivation technique; it was by using an ancient technique!" jiao xiuyuan explained with some pride. "back then, to find this ancient technique, i scoured through half of the cultivation world."
"an ancient technique?" li fan's eyes narrowed, and he couldn't help but ask.
seeing that li fan seemed to be very interested in this, jiao xiuyuan directly asked, "do you know the ancient tai yan sect?"
"tai yan sect?" li fan was slightly stunned and couldn't help but think of the tomb of yi xing buried underground in grand xuan.
yi xing was an outer disciple of the tai yan sect.
he also pretended to be a descendant of the tai yan sect in front of kou hong and dao xuanzi, deceiving them into helping him repair the tai yan boat.
unexpectedly, the multitasking technique he sought was related to the tai yan sect all along?
seeing li fan hesitate and not reply, jiao xiuyuan thought li fan might not be familiar with it, so he briefly introduced, "this tai yan sect, in the ancient times, was renowned for its divination and calculation techniques."
"their sect's foundational cultivation technique, 'nine scrolls of divination,' is extraordinarily profound and powerful. when cultivated to perfection, it's said to be able to predict everything and everyone in the world a thousand years into the future."
"to smoothly control these thousands of puppets again, i need to find a new dao transformation stone."
"it's a rare item and highly sought after."
"when the great calamity came, tai yan sect perished, and the mother dao transformation stone disappeared without a trace. now, after so long, trying to find a new dao transformation stone is like searching for a needle in a haystack."
"but recently, i've got some information. if everything goes well, i believe i won't be far from resuming operations."
jiao xiuyuan's tone became enthusiastic again.
"the dao transformation stone, divine transformation dao."
li fan pondered for a moment and then asked tentatively, "tai yan sect has been destroyed for thousands of years. why does it seem like you know so much about various secrets of the tai yan sect? could it be that you are a descendant of the tai yan sect?"
"fellow daoist, don't joke. i am certainly not a descendant of tai yan sect. the reason i know these secrets is that i happened to dig up the grave of a tai yan sect disciple..."
upon hearing this, li fan fell silent.
the two of them fell into an eerie silence for a while.
"haha, fellow daoist, don't misunderstand. digging graves is just something i occasionally do. the source of my goods at thousand mile hall is clean, and only a small portion comes from graves."
"hehe, fellow daoist, rest assured. i'm not very scrupulous about this matter. my belief is that regardless of the origin, as long as it's useful, it's fine," li fan said.
"tsk tsk, what you said is in line with my beliefs, fellow daoist!" jiao xiuyuan became excited again.
li fan recalled his original intention of contacting jiao xiuyuan and continued, "speaking of this, i have a matter that i'd like to ask for your help, fellow daoist."
jiao xiuyuan immediately said, "fellow daoist, feel free to speak. if it's within my ability, i will definitely help."
"fellow daoist, you should be familiar with the ancient medicine king sect, right? today, when i was researching ancient texts, i found that the disciples of the medicine king sect used a kind of small cauldron to cultivate various spiritual plants and herbs."
"this small cauldron has its own space and can generate wood attribute spiritual energy, accelerating the growth of herbs."
"i happen to need this kind of small cauldron to cultivate a rare herb."
"but it seems that the ruins of the medicine king sect are quite dangerous, so i would like to trouble fellow daoist to go there and find these cauldrons for me."
"of course, the reward will definitely not be lacking. although we are like-minded and get along well, business is business, and we can't be lax," li fan smiled and said slowly.
jiao xiuyuan agreed enthusiastically, "fellow daoist, you said it well. business is business. just because of your words, consider this task already accepted! small cauldrons, right? these are not particularly cherished items and should not be difficult to find."
"fellow daoist, just wait for my good news."
"in that case, i'll trouble fellow daoist jiao," li fan thanked in advance.
after exchanging a few more pleasantries, without mentioning the dao transformation stone and the divine transformation dao, li fan ended the conversation.
"the tomb of a tai yan sect disciple, dao transformation stone..."
in the tianxuan mirror, scenes of when he was still an ordinary official leading a group to explore yi xing's tomb flashed in li fan's mind.
"at that time, as a mortal, i didn't pay much attention."
"now that i think about it, it seems that there was another world inside yi xing's tomb."
"the spiritual energy in the land of immortal extinction was severed, but inside that tomb, there were mountains and a sea of clouds that had not dissipated for thousands of years."
"obviously, it was not a mortal mechanism; it should be some kind of formation."
li fan suddenly stood up.
"if that's the case, i'll go back to grand xuan!"
chapter 214: the reverse calamity heaven locked treasure box
grand xuan.
according to the location in his memory, li fan returned to yi xing's tomb and easily broke the mechanism guarding the tomb without much effort.
he casually set up a formation to prevent others from accidentally intruding.
after many years, li fan entered yi xing's tomb once again.
through the long tomb passage, he arrived at the deep part of the tomb.
above his head, pearls sparkled like stars, and beneath his feet, a sea of clouds spread out over towering peaks.ñøv€lrapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on ñôv€lß¡n.
at a glance, he could see traces of a formation.
"this formation can actually endure for thousands of years in the absence of spiritual energy?" li fan couldn't help but be amazed and carefully examined it.
before long, he understood the reason.
"using pearls as stars."
"using the soil from various famous mountains in grand xuan as peaks."
"substituting reality for illusion, minimizing the consumption of the formation to the greatest extent."
"and this unknown formation completely abandons functions like attack and defense. its only purpose is..."
"illusion..."
in li fan's perception, the source of spiritual energy supporting the operation of the formation was the grass hut woven from golden threads where yi xing's spiritual position was located.
li fa flew to the mountaintop, found the node of the formation, and stepped on it.
"break!"
the peaks shattered like bubbles, dissipating instantly.
a black hole appeared beneath the golden-threaded grass hut.
li fa followed this newly revealed passage and arrived beneath the illusion formation.
here lay yi xing's true tomb.
the tomb was decorated like an ordinary study.
in front of a vermilion table lay a skeleton.
beside it, a dim candle flame still flickered weakly.
on the table, around the skeleton, and even on the floor of the entire study, there were scattered papers covered in mysterious symbols.
li fan picked up one and looked at it for a while, but couldn't decipher what yi xing had written during his lifetime.
he casually collected all these papers and searched for a while.
to li fan's disappointment, he didn't find the dao transformation stone.
apart from yi xing's skeleton and the papers scattered throughout the room, there was nothing else.
"could it be that this still isn't the real tomb?"
"although yi xing was just an outer disciple, he was once responsible for the migration of ordinary people. his status shouldn't be too low."
"it shouldn't be so shabby."
this is the "calamity."
and a reverse calamity game is a game that requires reversing chaos into order.
this game requires high demands on a cultivator's spiritual awareness and computational abilities.
it was popular among sects specializing in formations and divination.
it sounds complicated but is actually easy to understand.
taking the tens of thousands of papers li fan found in yi xing's tomb as an example: these papers originally had a fixed order.
all li fan had to do was to rearrange these papers that had been chaotically shuffled and restore them to their original order.
it should be simple...
thinking so, li fan took out all the papers from his storage ring, ready to give it a try.
but immediately, he realized that something was wrong, and his face turned black.
it was anything but simple!
"there are a total of..." with a sweep of his spiritual awareness, li fan's expression became increasingly unsightly.
"49,999 papers."
"if there are no other clues, and i simply attempt each possibility..."
just thinking about it, li fan felt dizzy.
"even if i do nothing else in my life, i won't be able to crack it!"
li fan picked up one paper and observed the content written on it.
"the seemingly meaningless symbols on this paper should be clues."
"unfortunately, it's equivalent to a pre-determined encryption key, only known to the person involved."
"perhaps it was a common code among the disciples of the tai yan sect back in the day?"
unable to discern anything, li fan felt somewhat helpless.
"i wonder if the dao transformation stone that jiao xiuyuan found at that time was also encrypted like this?"
li fan couldn't help but think about asking for help with a clone.
however, right after that, he had a flash of insight and temporarily gave up on the idea.
"...it's just a password with more digits."
"i can't do it, but this one surely can."
li fan cleared his throat, smiled, and asked the tianxuan mirror if it provides decryption services.
the tianxuan mirror remained silent for a moment and then gave an affirmative answer.
however, the cost would be charged according to the difficulty of decryption.
after inquiring, li fan learned that it would be at most twenty to thirty thousand contribution points.
with his ample resources, li fan boldly entrusted the tianxuan mirror to proceed with the decryption.
even if he knew there was a secret inside, faced with tens of thousands of papers covered in strange symbols, li fan was at a loss.
chapter 215: life’s end
a faint light swept through, and the over forty thousand sheets of paper floated in the air in an instant.
inside the tianxuan mirror, li fan felt that these papers before him seemed to move slightly.
after a moment, a thick "book" appeared in front of li fan.
"decryption complete, required contribution points deducted: 28,000 points."
"so fast!" li fan couldn't help but marvel.
just now, the scene of the pages flying was definitely not an illusion.
it moved at a speed beyond li fan's perception limit, making it impossible to see the trajectory of the papers' movement.
"times have changed! yi xing!"
"in the past, without knowing the key, would be impossible for ordinary cultivators to open the heaven locked treasure box you left behind."
"but now, everyone can use the tianxuan mirror. this encrypted treasure box is defenseless in front of the tianxuan mirror!"
"the tianxuan mirror is indeed a treasure!"
li fan sighed inwardly and opened the heaven locked treasure box that was no longer restricted.
inside were only two things.
a jade slip and a crystal stone emitting a deep blue light.
the blue light, like breathing, flickered gently.
looking closely, countless scenes seemed to unfold inside the stone.
"this is the dao transformation stone!"
although it took some twists and turns, li fan joyfully took the dao transformation stone into his hands.
"i wonder what quality the dao transformation stone left by yi xing is."
once again, he had the tianxuan mirror act as the appraiser.
"dao transformation stone (low grade), can be converted to 150,000 contribution points."
the tianxuan mirror, ever reliable, quickly displayed the result.
li fan decisively chose to reject the sale and pondered in his heart.
"although it's low-grade, it should be enough for me at the moment. this small piece of stone is actually more valuable than a nascent soul cultivation technique."
"no, jiao xiuyuan said that this dao transformation stone is basically priceless. 150,000 is just the theoretical purchase price of the tianxuan mirror."
"trying to buy it at the same price is simply wishful thinking."
li fan searched within the tianxuan mirror.
as expected, many cultivators posted messages seeking to buy dao transformation stones.
the proposed trade conditions were not just contribution points, but also various rare treasures of equal value.
"this can be considered the most valuable thing i own at the moment."
li fan happily stored the dao transformation stone and began to read the jade slip left by yi xing.
the jade slip didn't contain any profound techniques.
it was mostly yi xing's musings and reflections before his death.
from his words, li fan also learned a lot about yi xing's life as a disciple of the tai yan sect during the great migration era many years ago.
at that time, under the influence of the rule that cultivation techniques couldn't be practiced together, there were extremely brutal incidents of fratricide in many sects within the cultivation world.
some thousand-year-old immortal sects even perished overnight because of this.
the tai yan sect was no exception.
however, most tai yan sect disciples preferred the arts of divination and calculation and were not keen on fighting and killing.
internal conflicts were quickly suppressed by the tai yan sect's sect master, zuo qiushang.
although this kind of peace was destined not to last, it still maintained for a while.
just as this short-lived peace was about to disappear, the immortal-mortal miasma erupted.
the restriction of not practicing different cultivation techniques only meant that cultivation realms stagnated.
but being infected by the immortal-mortal miasma meant certain death.
everyone in the cultivation world knew which was more serious.
so, they no longer cared about internal conflicts.
instead, they turned their heads to deal with the immortal-mortal miasma.
the history during this period was consistent with what li fan knew before.
first, there was a rampant slaughter of mortals, and then, after noticing that something was wrong, the urgent slaughter of mortals was promptly stopped.
following that was the notorious "great migration plan."
all people below the qi condensation stage had to be forcibly moved to nearby subworlds and pocket dimensions.
at that time, yi xing was already in the later stage of qi condensation.
however, he volunteered to be in charge of the migration of mortals for the tai yan sect and the surrounding areas.
in his musings, yi xing admitted that although the outbreak of the immortal-mortal miasma forcibly halted the process of cultivators killing each other, it was foreseeable that a true era of slaughter and darkness would come soon.
after obtaining the "cloud water map," to avoid unnecessary trouble, the clone hastily returned to the tianxuan mirror and chose to complete the task.
the tianxuan mirror's response was identical to that of the 12th life.
"unable to verify the authenticity of the 'cloud water map,' please wait."
after a prolonged silence, the voice of the tianxuan mirror echoed again.
"the task issuer... requests to visit your space, do you accept?"
li fan naturally chose to agree.
after a moment, the white-haired old man, the heavenly doctor, appeared in front of li fan with a benevolent face.
after a respectful greeting, li fan handed over the colorful model.
the heavenly doctor took the cloud water map, carefully observed it, and sighed with emotion.
after a long time, he asked, "how is the situation inside the cloud water heavenly palace now?"
li fan truthfully answered each question.
upon hearing this, a strange expression appeared in the heavenly doctor's cloudy eyes.
he fell into another long silence.
according to the experience of the 12th life, the heavenly doctor would likely assign another errand.
he would ask li fan to place a white jade statue in the cloud water heavenly palace.
this white jade statue would, in five years, attract the master with the blue ox-drawn carriage.
after a fierce battle, the cloud water heavenly palace would be sealed again.
the heavenly doctor remained silent for a long time, seemingly lost in memories.
li fan had no choice but to wait patiently.
however, at this moment, the development took an entirely unexpected turn, far beyond li fan's anticipation.
suddenly, after a long silence, the heavenly doctor lifted his head and stared at li fan.
with a strange expression, he asked, "young friend, what are you expecting?"
li fan's mind trembled because he shockingly discovered that his body seemed completely uncontrollable.
his mouth opened and closed, revealing all the secrets hidden in his heart without reservation!
"i'm waiting for you to assign me another task, and let me go to the cloud water..."
the voice stuttered and sounded peculiar as if controlled like a puppet.
it was somewhat ridiculous and somewhat eerie.
in the tianxuan mirror, li fan's main body woke up from cultivation.
taking decisive action, he directly activated the "sun stealing technique," sacrificing the clone's life.
"...heavenly palace, place the jade statue inside..."
the clone's words were interrupted midway, and its life force visibly declined.
the words were abruptly cut off, and it seemed on the verge of death.
the white-haired old man revealed a faintly mocking smile.
he lightly pointed a finger into the air.
although the clone's body was almost dead, it was forcibly saved in an instant.
"... as a reward, you will give me a copy of the 'heavenly doctor's immortal sutra'..."
the clone managed to finish speaking amidst life and death.
then it completely turned into ashes.
seeing the answer, the heavenly doctor showed a momentary surprise, then smiled with understanding.
"good!"
at the moment when the clone died completely, the feeling of danger in li fan's heart had not disappeared.
without hesitation, he immediately recited in his mind.
"tr..."
in the space of the tianxuan mirror where he was located, it seemed as if a rift had been forcibly torn open.
in the crack, the figure of the heavenly doctor was vaguely visible.
"uth..."
the command for [truth] had already been shouted, but the surrounding scene did not instantly turn into nothingness as before.
it seemed as if he had fallen into a quagmire, or as if the connection had been severed.
the heavenly doctor's gaze had already penetrated through the crack and landed on li fan.
at this moment, after two years since entering the cultivation world.
the accumulated charging progress of [truth] plummeted instantly.
the inexplicable hindrance disappeared.
the surrounding scenes became illusory again, and li fan's consciousness plunged into darkness.
chapter 216: patience in dealing with the past
a mountain peak gradually appeared before li fan's eyes.
the automatic protection from [truth] allowed li fan to break free from the heavenly doctor's gaze, successfully returning to the anchor point.
the illusory scene turned real again, and li fan quickly scanned his surroundings, confirming that he had returned to the third anchor point.
he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
moments later, the fear brought by the near-death experience under the white-haired old man came belatedly.
it descended into his heart, making his heart beat violently.
like someone who had been drowning for a long time and finally surfaced, li fan breathed uncontrollably.
after a while, he slowly emerged from the fear of escaping from disaster.
"heavenly doctor, above dao integration..."
replaying the recent scene in his mind, li fan's face darkened.
he never expected the strength of this "heavenly doctor" to be so terrifying.
it far surpassed the black-robed cultivator in the yuandao province.
the heavenly doctor seemed to be able to see through the thoughts in a person's heart.
at that moment, a thought had momentarily flashed through the mind of the clone, and he had sensed the anomaly.
even more terrifying was that, by some unknown method, he made the clone completely reveal everything in his heart without resistance or concealment.
after saving the clone from the brink of death, he instantly tore through space and found li fan's main body.
all these methods far exceeded li fan's current understanding.
"under the sun stealing technique, my main body and the clone can be considered two unrelated individuals."
"how did he determine my identity?"
"when joining the ten thousand immortals alliance, the tianxuan mirror also claimed that practicing in the mirror space was completely safe from all attacks."
"but this heavenly doctor was able to forcibly intrude into my cultivation space, and the tianxuan mirror showed no response."
"when introducing him, the tianxuan mirror didn't even mention his name."
"who is this old man?"
the more li fan thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed.
at the same time, waves of fear surged in his heart.
if he hadn't been cautious, understanding the terrifying strength of this old man and always interacting with him through the clone.
if he hadn't noticed something was wrong and immediately activated [truth] without hesitation.
if [truth] hadn't accumulated some recharge progress, automatically protecting him.
he might have met his end this time.
in the hands of this mysterious and unpredictable old man, any secret would be difficult to keep, ultimately leading to an unavoidable death.
"the cultivation world is indeed too dangerous. even with an extraordinary treasure like [truth], i'm still treading on thin ice. one slight mistake could lead to complete disaster." li fan couldn't help but shudder.
in addition to the shock, li fan also engaged in self-reflection.
since he entered the cultivation world, with the help of [truth], his cultivation path had been relatively smooth.
the last time he escaped from the hands of the dao integration cultivator even made li fan somewhat complacent.
thinking carefully, those powerful beings who have survived the times of the great calamity, the immortal-mortal miasma, and the dark ages of cultivation that followed.
how could they be simple characters?
with the secret of [truth] in his possession, it was fine as long as he didn't attract the attention of those high-level cultivators.
if he had a low cultivation level and recklessly appeared before them without knowing the immensity of the heavens and earth, it would indeed be seeking death.
"from now on, i need to be more cautious." li fan sighed.
"i can't be greedy for the 100,000 contribution points of the 'cloud water map.'"
after a deep reflection and summarization, when his thoughts calmed down a bit, li fan suddenly remembered the "heavenly doctor's immortal sutra" he had previously received.
as a medical book, its research subjects included not only humans but also various animals and plants in the world.
the book once said that the essence of medicine lies in the four words "observe, listen, ask, and touch."
"observe: detected the abnormality in the clone's heart."
"ask: got an honest confession from the clone."
"touch: raised from the dead with a pointed finger."
"listen: instantly discovered the relationship between the main body and the clone."
"what a remarkable principle, to 'observe, listen, ask, and touch.'"
"what an amazing heavenly doctor."
...
the heavenly doctor allowed li fan to deeply understand for the first time the terror of those high-level cultivators in the xuanhuang realm.
however, having recognized the gap, he did not lose confidence.
"with [truth] in hand, as long as i don't die, accumulating strength through repeated reincarnations, there will come a day when i catch up with and surpass them."
li fan silently said in his heart, suppressing all thoughts about the heavenly doctor deep down.
he looked at the options given by [truth].
when he set the third anchor point, his realm was in the late foundation establishment stage.
since he only lived for a little over two years in the previous life and was abruptly halted, he didn't break through, so li fan naturally wouldn't choose to save his cultivation progress.
he decisively chose the first option, keeping a personal item he possessed, the dao transformation stone.
after making his choice, li fan first checked the interface of [truth], which he hadn't looked at for a long time.
name: li fan
realm: late foundation establishment
physical age: 20/399
mental age: 1212/3700
virtualization recharging progress: 0%
anchor charging progress: 1%
current anchor points: 3
available anchor points: 0
bound items: "jade cosmos thousand variations sutra," tai yan boat, stone tablet of prohibition (damaged), blood essence of ten thousand people, dao transformation stone
cultivation techniques: venerable heart refinement mantra, cloud water illusory dream art, sun stealing technique, jade cosmos thousand variations sutra, spirit intent illusion technique
divine abilities: life and death chain, formless killing intent, insect binding technique
the physical and mental age limits have stagnated.
"after breaking through to the golden core stage, there should be significant changes."
anyway, for the current li fan, more than two thousand years of reincarnation time is definitely sufficient.
in addition to the several cultivation techniques listed, li fan also mastered many more.
the cong yun sea sword and the canghai wave treading technique.
the mountain meditation technique, an internal cultivation method.
two ancient techniques, the divine transformation dao and the purple heaven soul observation technique.
and finally, the infinite formation inheritance from zhang zhiliang.
the perverse nature of [truth] was apparent at this moment.
muttering repeatedly, he instinctively tore the paper into pieces and swallowed it.
...
above the city of kangguang, seeing the reactions of the nobleman and his aide, a mysterious smile appeared on li fan's face.
"before, i heard your dying words, and as a result, i had an insight, successfully building the foundation with [truth]."
"now, i've divined for you as a repayment for that day."
"i hope that in this life, your fate will be different."
the two individuals who were divined today were naturally the king of langya and the future general who would quell the rebellion.
li fan, disguised as the heavenly prophet, roamed around, comprehending the path of divination.
after settling down in kangguang city, his divination skills became increasingly refined.
by chance, he encountered the king of langya and his aide, leading to the events of today.
casual and unrestrained, resolving a cause and effect.
li fan's thoughts were clear, and his mood was pleasant.
no longer lingering here, he returned to the mountain.
in an instant, scenes from this period flashed through his mind. li fan developed his own understanding of the so-called divination technique.
"my spiritual consciousness enveloped everything in kangguang city."
"with the terrifying deductive ability of the dao transformation stone, every detail was within my sight."
"for the city's affairs alone, with all causes and details accounted for, i can predict about eighty to ninety percent accurately."
"however, the world is not confined to just one city. kangguang city is located at the intersection of canals, with developed shipping."
"merchants come and go in endless streams, with more than tens of thousands entering and leaving every day."
"these are what are called variables."
"the more variables, the lower the accuracy of my deductions."
"besides external influences, the human heart is unpredictable, which is also a kind of variable."
"as the number of people and the scope of the city expand, the variables to deal with also increase."
"at this point, relying solely on deductive ability is almost ineffective."
"it still requires the support of a divination technique."
having realized this truth, li fan had no intention of actively seeking a divination technique.
in essence, this art of divination was just a casual attempt by li fan during the waiting period for [truth] to recharge, a result of boredom.
it's not necessary to force it.
the most important thing is the improvement of cultivation realm.
li fan silently set a goal in his heart: in this life, he must break through to the golden core stage!...
as time passed, in the blink of an eye, it was approaching the 9th year.
with [truth] about to complete its recharge, li fan made another trip to yi xing's grave and obtained the heaven locked treasure box.
he didn't forget to take along the stone tablet of prohibition and fuse it with the piece from qian hong's grave.
subsequently, after the usual sweep, he filled the tai yan boat.
with everything ready, li fan broke through the immortal extinction formation and returned to the cultivation world.
li fan felt the layout and planning from the previous life was mostly problem-free until the encounter with the heavenly doctor.
furthermore, the starting cultivation level in this life was the same as the previous one.
considering that changing actions might lead to unexpected variables, li fan decided to follow the previous life's events.
he slaughtered the giant liuli fish, and obtained the golden liuli pearl, ensuring the occurrence of the spirit mist grass incident.
he then joined the ten thousand immortals alliance through he zhenghao.
he performed the blue blood coral mission and befriended chen ying with the azure flame illusionary spirit as bait.
he killed sikong yi and obtained the sun stealing token.
he intimidated he zhenghao, making him temporarily halt the smuggling operation.
borrowed spirit mist grass at clear wind hall.
joined the ten thousand immortals alliance as an employee, successfully passing the inquiry platform with the help of the seven aperture exquisite heart.
completed merit tasks, and raised permission level.
in the turmoil of the spirit mist grass, profited without risk.
utilized zhou qingang's espionage incident, threatened he zhenghao, and signed a work contract.
relearned the 'mountain meditation technique', and purchased the pre-expedition realm.
he caused ye feipeng, xiao heng, and others to be stranded on a deserted island.
commissioned jiao xiuyuan to find the minor medicine king cauldrons.
...
simply going through the previous life's process took only a year or two.
li fan was very patient.
however, with the experience of the previous life, li fan made some adjustments to the handling of a few things.
firstly, during the spirit mist grass incident, he clearly knew the timing of when tianxuan mirror would release the announcement.
however, to avoid suspicion, li fan cautiously waited until the price of spirit mist grass reached three hundred and fifty points before selling all two thousand nine hundred plants in batches.
a total profit of 980,000 contribution points was made.
secondly, in this life, when li fan was creating the clone, he used a heavenly treasure that he had purchased.
the clone's cultivation suddenly advanced to the foundation establishment mid-stage.
afterwards, instead of himself, the clone purchased the white bone pre-expedition realm and played the role of the skull to deceive xiao heng and others.
moreover, li fan vividly described the might of the ten thousand immortals alliance, advised xiao heng to prioritize cultivating, and instructed him to pretend to be an ordinary cultivator with a fortuitous encounter.
he refrained from purchasing techniques from tianxuan mirror this time to prevent any unforeseen situations.
xiao heng received the 'sea fixing sword technique,' and ye feipeng received 'canghai wave treading.'
it would take some time for su xiaomei and su changyu to cultivate.
as long as an ownerless technique was found before then, it would be fine.
li fan and his clone separately could go to qin tang to receive techniques and solve the issue.
however, considering the possibility of needing a large number of techniques in the future, li fan thought it was necessary to find a stable channel outside the ten thousand immortals alliance for purchasing techniques.
after some thought, li fan's clone contacted jiao xiuyuan.
soon, there was a reply.
"uh, fellow daoist wants to buy golden core techniques? why not buy from tianxuan mirror? could it be that you haven't found a suitable one?"
"hehe, i don't have any techniques for sale here; such a big deal is beyond my ability."
"but if fellow daoist really has a demand, i know a place that can satisfy your requirements."
"have you heard of the wanfa chamber of commerce?"
li fan was slightly stunned; a very similar name instantly came to mind.
"this wanfa chamber of commerce, is it related to the wanhua chamber of commerce?" li fan asked.
"that's right. in fact, wanhua chamber of commerce is the wanfa chamber of commerce; it's just that it's specifically responsible for mortal business, so it adopted a different name," jiao xiuyuan replied.
"wanfa chamber of commerce..." li fan couldn't help but recall that just before the arrival of the crimson flame, the wanhua chamber of commerce had received a notice to completely withdraw from the congyun sea.
"this wanfa chamber of commerce is quite interesting."
chapter 217: great divides
"fellow daoist jiao, i wonder about the background of this wanfa chamber of commerce. 'wanfa,' such grandiosity! could it be that this chamber of commerce truly possesses over ten thousand techniques?" li fan asked immediately. [1]
"when it comes to the origin of the wanfa chamber of commerce, we have to go back to the period right after the great calamity, before a new order was established," jiao xiuyuan explained to li fan.
"usually, this period is referred to as the desolate age."
"at that time, the number of cultivators had dropped to its lowest point. the survivors of the calamity were true lone wanderers. isolated and alone, apart from themselves, they wouldn't trust anyone else."
"cultivators sought refuge in the wilderness, exploring ruins, and searching for opportunities."
"an individual's energy was limited, and sometimes they couldn't practice extra techniques they found. at that point, they naturally thought of using techniques to exchange for other useful items with fellow cultivators."
"but in that era, the trust among cultivators had almost approached zero. to successfully trade, an intermediary that everyone trusted was undoubtedly indispensable."
"the wanfa chamber of commerce was one of these former intermediaries. it's also the only organization that could survive even after the establishment of the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association. during the desolate age, cultivators were scarce, but techniques were abundant. often, a single cultivator would own several techniques acquired through robbery or fortuitous encounters."
"the wanfa chamber of commerce, during that time, amassed an unimaginable number of techniques. this is why it could stand tall for thousands of years and still exist today."
jiao xiuyuan slowly explained the origin of the wanfa chamber of commerce.
li fan, upon hearing this, couldn't help but ask, "does that mean there's a powerful expert at the longevity immortal realm or above behind this wanfa chamber of commerce? an ordinary dao integration cultivator probably couldn't safeguard so many techniques."
jiao xiuyuan nodded, "the majority of cultivators also think the same. now, both the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association tacitly acknowledge the existence of the wanfa chamber of commerce. if it can make these two behemoths make concessions, the cultivator behind it is undoubtedly formidable. however, the true identity of this powerhouse is far beyond the knowledge of small figures like us."
li fan's clone pondered for a moment and tentatively asked, "i've heard from a golden core cultivator before about the existence of the fallen immortal realm and pre-expedition realms. it seems that anonymous transactions can take place in a pre-expedition realm. can't cultivators from the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association do that?"
jiao xiuyuan was somewhat surprised. "you even know about the existence of the pre-expedition realms, fellow daoist?"
after thinking for a moment, he explained in a hushed tone, "in the past, doing so was not a problem. however, later on, such convenient and secretive trading methods gave rise to a lot of speculation, profiteering, and malicious activities. this caused the prices of goods in the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association to spiral out of control. spies took advantage of the situation, stealing a large amount of classified information through these transactions."
"subsequently, two powerful figures from both sides simultaneously made a move, creating two 'great divides' respectively."
"since then, cultivators from the ten thousand immortals alliance and the five elders association can no longer communicate through a pre-expedition realm. if a cultivator from the ten thousand immortals alliance wants to enter the pre-expedition realm located in the territory of the five elders association, their divine sense will be obstructed by the two 'great divides.' the same applies on the other side."
li fan nodded slowly.
"i understand. so, if i want to purchase techniques through the wanfa chamber of commerce, i'll have to go there in person?"
"yes. the nearest stronghold of the wanfa chamber of commerce is located in the jiushan province, near yongliang province," jiao xiuyuan advised, "jiushan province is not very peaceful. if fellow daoist really intends to go, you can coordinate with other ten thousand immortals alliance cultivators and make arrangements together."
"it would be good to have mutual support on the way."
"thanks for the guidance, fellow daoist. the journey is long, and the risks are a bit high. i'll think about it some more!" li fan responded.
meanwhile, li fan's main body searched for information within the tianxuan mirror on the journey from the cong yun sea to the jiushan province. as expected, there were many cultivators recruiting teammates for the journey.
*****
[1] the literal meaning of 'wanfa' is something like "ten thousand laws" or "ten thousand daos"
chapter 218: discussing martial dao while seated
however, these recruitment messages only mentioned companionship on the journey to jiushan province.
the specific purpose was left vague.
it was clear they assumed everyone understood without the need for explicit details.
"it's only the tenth year; there's no rush," li fan pondered to himself.
"i'll wait until the 11th year when the cloud water heavenly palace opens. i'll see if my clone can obtain another technique from qin tang."
"then, i'll send my clone on a trip."
having made a decision, li fan temporarily set this matter aside.
he turned to jiang zhengji of the martial hall and inquired about improving practical combat skills.
the reason for doing so was not just to enhance his own combat abilities.
more importantly, li fan wanted to defeat zhang qianmo of the purple heaven sect in the fallen immortal realm as soon as possible, to see if he could go elsewhere afterward.
li fan found that he was trapped in ningyuan city in the fallen immortal realm.
during this lifetime, he had entered the fallen immortal realm three times in succession.
the entry point remained the same each time.
it was just before zhang qianmo went to ningyuan city to collect the longevity fruits.
to break free from this situation, li fan attempted three different approaches.
the first time, he followed the "plot" and feigned death first.
then, taking advantage of zhang qianmo and others' big battle, he sneaked out of ningyuan city unnoticed.
unfortunately, he didn't fly far before zhang qianmo caught up to him.
under the cries of "evil demon," he was ultimately killed by a purple thunderbolt.
the second time, li fan directly turned the tables. he secretly communicated with song hesong and collaborated to attack zhang qianmo.
zhang qianmo was seriously injured, but li fan and the others were helpless against the purple energy in his body.
after his rebirth, zhang qianmo's strength greatly increased, and he effortlessly killed li fan and the others one by one.
the third time, li fan simply found an excuse, saying he didn't want to go to ningyuan city and wanted to return to the sect.
unexpectedly, zhang qianmo's expression changed immediately, and without saying a word, he attacked.
they fought for a long time, eventually ending in defeat for li fan.
in the middle was the ancient character for "dao."
li fan probed it with his spiritual consciousness.
he then received a prompt from the tianxuan mirror.
"discuss dao while seated has been loaded. inviter: ten thousand immortals island, jiang zhengji."
"cultivator li fan, you have activated the discuss dao while seated function."
"you are given one free opportunity to create a dao discussant and three chances for mutual battles."
"in the future, you can check and use the discuss dao while seated function at any time."
...
li fan was keenly aware of the word "free" and quickly understood the trick.
however, with his current wealth, he didn't care about the contribution point cost.
silently, he opened discuss dao while seated and took a look.
in an instant, many pieces of information appeared before his eyes.
"(dao integration realm) senior sister zhao, the world's number one! with one person and one sword, she suppresses a great dao sect, undefeated throughout the ages! if you don't agree, come and fight!"
"(nascent soul realm) middle-aged heavenly desolate emperor, invincible in the world. already on a thirty-three-game winning streak, welcome fellow cultivators to come and challenge!"
"(nascent soul realm) middle-aged heavenly leaf emperor, unparalleled in mind and body, possessing a sacred physique. not inferior to the heavenly desolate emperor!"
"(soul transformation realm) the peak of immortals, pride of the world, lan an! as a newly created dao discussant, one word: invincible!"
"(dao integration realm) immortal emperor yu lan, welcomes all real dao discussants to come and challenge. please, dao discussants from various fictional novels, don't apply for battles, okay? what's the point of daydreaming all the time? i won't accept challenges."
...
li fan looked through these pieces of information one by one, revealing a strange expression.
it turned out that the majority of the dao discussants created by cultivators in this discuss dao while seated were actually fictional characters from novels.
for example, he knew the great dao sect's senior sister zhao.
she was the protagonist of "ancient history of cultivation," a book he had read before.
this book, written in the first person, narrates how senior sister zhao, starting as an outer disciple, went through various trials, step by step becoming an inner disciple, a core disciple, and finally, the sect master of the great dao sect.
unexpectedly, senior sister zhao had gained considerable popularity.
on this discuss dao while seated, with just a glance, there were dozens of cultivators choosing her as a prototype to create dao discussants.
chapter 219: heaven-exterminating great dao scripture
li fan, out of curiosity, inquired and learned that besides "ancient history of cultivation," senior sister zhao had also appeared in many novels and scripts.
most of these novels were derivative stories based on "ancient history of cultivation."
the thematic development of these stories was mostly centered around senior sister zhao.
many of the plotlines were quite indecent and unsuitable for detailed description.
in the xuanhuang realm, novels with female protagonists were already rare. characters like senior sister zhao, who combined unparalleled beauty with strength and high status, were even rarer.
gaining a group of die-hard fans was, of course, quite normal.
senior sister zhao's high popularity was not only due to her character but also because her character template was indeed exceptionally strong.
the dao discussants created based on her template had an astonishingly high win rate, leaving people astounded.
in discussing dao while seated, participating in battles required contributions. however, the winning side would be refunded half of the contributions.
therefore, besides having enough money, choosing a powerful dao discussant template was also crucial for those wanting to engage in continuous sparring matches.
li fan casually selected a battle featuring senior sister zhao and started watching.
the surrounding scenery, along with his body, disappeared in an instant. li fan felt as if he had entered the cosmic void.
a female cultivator wearing daoist robes, with a figure that couldn't be hidden despite the loose attire, stood silently in the distance.
her eyes were like water, and her skin resembled white snow.
her cold face seemed like an ancient, unchanging iceberg, radiating an aura that repelled people from miles away.
however, the subtle charm in her eyes made people's hearts itch and flutter with imagination.
soon, an old man with a withered appearance, dressed in ragged clothes, appeared in this spatial area, ready to battle her.
"'disrespectful daoist'? i don't know his origin." li fan focused his gaze on the old man, and information suddenly appeared in his mind.
"please!"
both sides spoke simultaneously, and then the great battle began.0v3l.bin.
the battle of discussing dao was only a simulation by the tianxuan mirror. it couldn't compare to the battles of real dao integration realm experts, where each move carried profound dao resonance. however, it allowed cultivators to gain insights simply by observing.
in this vast virtual space, visual effects like light, shadow, destruction, and vibration were taken to the extreme. except for the lack of actual spiritual energy, it was almost impossible to distinguish between reality and illusion.
to prevent spectators from being confused, the tianxuan mirror provided thoughtful explanations for the techniques used by both sides.
"disrespectful daoist" wielded a bamboo staff, striking the void.
suddenly, countless spatial rifts appeared around senior sister zhao.
dark godly lightning thundered out from the rifts, aiming to strike her simultaneously.
li fan's eyelids twitched a few times, and he began to have some speculations in his mind.
however, this matter involved the upper echelons of both sides, the top powerhouses.
li fan silently speculated for a while, then pushed this matter to the depths of his mind.
turning his attention to more important matters, he created a dao discussant using zhang qianmo of the purple heaven sect as a prototype.
"foundation establishment cultivation."
"purple heaven royal thunder technique, a long halberd weapon..."
"after death, he can rebirth from the purple golden core within the body, and his strength soars, allowing him to easily slaughter golden core early stage cultivators."
...
li fan accurately restored the strength of zhang qianmo, with whom he had fought several times. at the same time, he gained some insights.
in discussing dao while seated, it was possible to create the same dao discussants.
however, if one had only superficially read about a character in a book and only had a conceptual understanding of the character's strength without knowing the specifics, then the created dao discussant's strength would definitely fall far short of the character's true upper limit.
on the contrary, the better one understood the character's original template, the closer the created dao discussant would be to their actual strength.
after clashing with zhang qianmo several times, li fan believed that the dao discussant created based on his understanding was quite close to zhang qianmo's actual strength.
at the very least, it was not far from the combat power zhang qianmo had displayed so far.
next, using himself as a blueprint, li fan spent a thousand contribution points to create another character.
he outlined the maximum power of his cong yun sword and heaven overturning palm, changed the techniques' names, and successfully created the character.
li fan tried to manipulate his two dao discussants for the first battle.
unexpectedly, he received a prompt from the tianxuan mirror.
"after calculation, the win rate of dao discussant fan lin is approximately zero."
"do you still want to initiate the battle?"
li fan's face turned black at the words and could only abandon the attempt.
after thinking for a while, he posted an extremely arrogant message.
"(foundation establishment stage) li qianmo of the azure heaven sect, invincible in the foundation establishment realm, desperately seeking defeat! if you don't agree, come and fight me!"
in discussing dao while seated, there were relatively few dao discussants with foundation establishment cultivation.
li fan had to leave the challenge information there and wait for others to come and challenge him.
"i hope there's a method to defeat zhang qianmo that i can learn from."
with this thought, li fan temporarily exited discussing dao while seated.
Chapter 220: Six Desires Without Form Technique
By creating a Dao Discussant and engaging in battles with others, Li Fan sought ways to defeat Zhang Qianmo.
This is just one of Li Fan's many attempts. Anyway, he's not short of contribution points now, so even if he fails, it wouldn't be a big deal.
"If it really doesn't work, I'll have to wait until I break through the Golden Core stage and directly capture him using the Insect Binding technique."
Li Fan thought silently.
Putting this matter aside for now, Li Fan took out a deep blue stone from his storage ring and gently stroked it.
It was the same Dao Transformation Stone he obtained from the Heaven Locked Treasure Box in his previous life.
Although he couldn't remember the unlocking method of the Heaven Locked Treasure Box in the previous life, with the help of the Tianxuan Mirror in this life, Li Fan, who had mastered the "Divine Transformation Dao," effortlessly memorized the correct sequence of the forty-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine sheets of paper.
"If there is a next life, I won't need to trouble the Tianxuan Mirror. I can save some contribution points."
Li Fan probed the Dao Transformation Stone with his spiritual consciousness. In an instant, a faint blue light flickered.
Threads of energy flowed out from the Dao Transformation Stone and were absorbed by Li Fan's spiritual consciousness. The blue crystal in his dantian also seemed to become deeper.
"These two Dao Transformation Stones are originally one. Although they won't automatically merge like Heavenly Treasures, I can slowly absorb them into one with the secret method of 'Divine Transformation Dao.' Eventually, they will merge with the one in my dantian."
"Now, Dao Transformation Stones are hard to come by, and the one in my dantian is just a low-quality one. It's not particularly rare."
"However, with each reincarnation, I can have one more low-quality Dao Transformation Stone to absorb."
"Even if the effect of one or two stones is not great, what if there are hundreds or thousands?"
"Quantity can lead to a qualitative change."
"Even in the end, it's not impossible to restore the original 'Mother Dao Transformation Stone' of the Tai Yan Sect."
With these thoughts, an inexplicable color flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
"The only limitation is that my spiritual consciousness is still too weak at the moment. The absorption and transformation efficiency is too slow."
"Methods to strengthen the spiritual consciousness still don't show up in the Tianxuan Mirror."
"I still have to rely on the Fallen Immortal Realm."
The reason why Li Fan was anxious to change locations in the Fallen Immortal Realm was that when absorbing Li Chen's corpse, the effect of strengthening his spiritual consciousness seemed to only be effective once.
The several deaths afterwards did not strengthen Li Fan's spiritual consciousness.
"I can't be too hasty; I need to take it step by step." Li Fan sighed slightly.
With a multitasking approach, Li Fan simultaneously practiced the "Mountain Meditation Technique" and absorbed the Dao Transformation Stone.
Time passed quietly.
Soon, it was the day when the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace would open.
Li Fan's main body did not move and continued cultivating in the Tianxuan Mirror.
He simply let his clone go, receiving a Nascent Soul technique called "Six Desires Without Form" from Qin Tang.
It could stimulate the innate desires of joy, anger, grief, fear, love, and hatred, transforming them into six different divine abilities.
"As the chief of the Law Transmission Hall, Senior Brother Qin's treasures are truly inexhaustible."
"Now, Su Xiaomei also has a technique."
"Unfortunately, the Heavenly Doctor has taught me a lesson. I've already learned his Cloud Water Illusory Dream Art, and I dare not take advantage of others' weaknesses again."nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
"If that anomalous Senior Brother Qin perceives something amiss, I might be forced to use [Truth]."
Li Fan shook his head regretfully.
Thinking of Su Xiaomei and the others, his thoughts turned, and his perspective suddenly shifted to the deserted island.
He had long locked onto Ye Feipeng and Xiao Heng with the Formless Killing Intent.
At this moment, Li Fan found that over a year had passed, and Xiao Heng had already reached the mid Foundation Establishment stage.
It seemed that he was not far from breaking through to the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Ye Feipeng's cultivation progress was slightly slower. It seemed that he had just broken through to the mid Foundation Establishment stage, and his aura was still somewhat unstable.
At this time, the two were sparring.
Xiao Heng could already condense nineteen Sea Fixing Swords.
After blacklisting him, Li Fan, feeling refreshed, suddenly received a communication prompt.
He opened it, and it turned out to be from Formation Master Zhang Zhiliang.
Finally, their group had more or less completed the research on the Mountain and River Formation.
Back at the Formation Hall.
Since joining, Li Fan had only met him once on that island.
This time, Zhang Zhiliang asked Li Fan to come to the Formation Hall to assess Li Fan's formation proficiency again and then, based on the results, arrange for subsequent work.
Li Fan didn't delay, changing into the black and yellow robe and arriving at the Formation Hall.
Zhang Zhiliang was already waiting.
In addition to Zhang Zhiliang, there was another unfamiliar Foundation Establishment cultivator.
It seemed that, like Li Fan, this person also held the position of a Formation Repairer.
After exchanging greetings with the two, Li Fan stood quietly on the side.
Zhang Zhiliang gestured for Li Fan to wait for a moment.
Afterwards, three more Foundation Establishment cultivators arrived one after another.
After the five people gathered, Zhang Zhiliang threw a testing ball to each of them, saying, "Test your formation proficiency first, let's see if you've been slacking off during this time."
Li Fan took the black sphere, skillfully injected a strand of spiritual consciousness into it, and began answering the questions.
They were all familiar questions, and Li Fan quickly completed the test.
The other four were still immersed in the testing ball at this time.
Zhang Zhiliang took back the small ball, looking satisfied, "Not bad."
When the other four completed the test, he frowned, saying to one of them, "Sun Ling, among the five of you, your results rank third, but I still have to dismiss you. Do you know why?"
The cultivator named Sun Ling turned pale immediately.
He opened his mouth as if wanting to defend himself.
In the end, he didn't say anything and answered with a bitter smile, "Junior understands. Junior has been negligent in studying formations during this time, and my proficiency is still at the level of three years ago..."
Zhang Zhiliang waved his hand, "Knowing is enough, you can leave!"
Sun Ling arched his hand, saluted, and left with a downcast expression.
Seeing this, the remaining four people all had serious expressions.
"Well, don't be nervous. You're all doing fine."
Zhang Zhiliang smiled and said, "Due to special reasons, I haven't taught you for a long time."
"Coincidentally, the guardian formation of Haitong Island was attacked recently, and it suffered severe damage and needs repair."
"You will accompany me to fix it. During this time, I can also explain the construction and repair of large-scale formations based on your performance."
The other three nodded in agreement.
Li Fan, on the other hand, had a thought and asked, "Master Zhang, I remember that Haitong Island is located near the northern border of Cong Yun Sea, close to the Yongliang Prefecture. How could it suddenly be attacked..."
"Could it be the work of the Five Elders' people?"
Zhang Zhiliang nodded, "It was indeed the work of a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Five Elders. But this matter is our fault, so we can only accept it."
Li Fan wondered, "Why are we at fault? What happened?"
Zhang Zhiliang looked somewhat helpless, "It's because of Jiang Zhengji from the Martial Hall."
"He said he was chasing a scammer all the way to Yongliang Prefecture."
"As a result, he didn't find the person but was discovered by the Five Elders' people."
"Jiang Zhengji and Du Xingchang, these two have quite impressive skills."
"The two of them teamed up and actually escaped from the encirclement and pursuit of a Nascent Soul and five or six Golden Core cultivators."
*****
[1] I assume Exin Ren means something, but I haven't been able to find anything on it besides it just being a name. Here's the raw characters, if anyone knows: 鄂鑫任
Chapter 221: Heaven’s Eye Dharma Domain
Upon hearing this, Li Fan couldn't help but ask, "Junior has previously undertaken a mission with Jiang Zhengji. If I recall correctly, these two were only at the mid Golden Core stage. How could they escape from the pursuit of a Nascent Soul True Lord and so many Golden Core cultivators?"
Zhang Zhiliang squinted his eyes and explained slowly, "Although these two are only at the mid Golden Core stage, they share a deep understanding and seamless cooperation. They are highly proficient in combined attacks."
"Their Golden Core Dharma Bodies are named Floating White Snow and Lingering Frost Red Plum."
"Through mutual cooperation, they can create something similar to a Nascent Soul's Dharma Domain."
"When the two of them join forces, even ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators would find it difficult to match them."
Recalling the scenes of slaughtering the red-haired beasts on the island, Li Fan nodded involuntarily.
As if remembering something, Zhang Zhiliang's face revealed a hint of a smile. He continued, "These two insignificant Golden Core cultivators not only caused some chaos in the hinterland but also managed to escape unscathed. The Five Elders Association will certainly not let this slide and will seek retaliation."
"But they didn't dare to take on the responsibility of deploying Soul Transformation cultivators and initiating a war."
"So, they quietly sent a Nascent Soul cultivator to infiltrate the Cong Yun Sea and wreak havoc on Haitong Island."
"Hmph, the Five Elders Association is really petty."
Zhang Zhiliang sneered.
After saying this, he corrected his expression, "Let's go. Although their actions are a bit childish, the intervention of Nascent Soul cultivators has indeed caused considerable damage to Haitong Island."øv€l-B!n.
"The island guardian formation structure has been completely destroyed, and even the teleportation formation is unusable. We need to fly from the nearby Youmen Island."
Led by Zhang Zhiliang, Li Fan and the others took nearly a day to reach the vicinity of Haitong Island.
The island's guardian had long received a notification and was waiting there.
"Greetings, Master Zhang!"
Perhaps because it was close to the Five Elders Association's territory, but the guardian of this island was unexpectedly a Golden Core cultivator.
He had a sturdy and robust appearance, but his complexion was pale, indicating that he had suffered some injuries.
"This is the guardian of Haitong Island, fellow Daoist Pei Tuo!" Zhang Zhiliang introduced him to Li Fan and the others.
"Fellow Daoist Pei Tuo is now at the peak of the Golden Core realm and is already one step into the Nascent Soul realm. In the recent attack by the Five Elders Association's Nascent Soul cultivator, if fellow Daoist Pei Tuo hadn't exerted his best efforts and activated the island guardian formation for defense, Haitong Island might have turned into ruins."
Pei Tuo waved his hand, somewhat embarrassed. "Pei Tuo is incompetent and cannot live up to Master Zhang's praise."
Zhang Zhiliang laughed heartily and did not force the issue.
"As for the core internal formations, considering your level of formation mastery, it's too early for you guys. I'll handle the construction personally this time."
Zhang Zhiliang spoke and pointed towards the empty space ahead.
A light screen containing detailed diagrams of hundreds of formation structures unfolded in front of everyone.
"Li Fan, tell me, what basic formations are included in this diagram?" Zhang Zhiliang singled out Li Fan.
After a brief examination, Li Fan calmly answered, "Spirit Gathering Formation, Fixed Defense Formation, One Qi Formation..."
Satisfied with Li Fan's response, Zhang Zhiliang nodded.
He then proceeded to explain in detail the construction of each node to everyone.
Pei Tuo, avoiding suspicion, distanced himself from the area and remained vigilant in a defensive posture.
Three days and three nights passed before Zhang Zhiliang thoroughly explained the external nodes of the Heavenly Yuan Transformation Formation.
Although Li Fan didn't fully comprehend all of it, with the assistance of the [Divine Transformation Dao] technique, he had firmly memorized it in his mind.
"Master Zhang, I once happened to read in ancient texts about an ancient formation called the 'Life Transformation Grand Formation.' I wonder what connection it has with our Cong Yun Sea's 'Heavenly Yuan Transformation Formation'?" Li Fan took the opportunity to inquire.
Zhang Zhiliang was slightly surprised, not expecting Li Fan to ask such a question.
"You are quite knowledgeable to be aware of such obscure formations," Zhang Zhiliang praised and explained to Li Fan, "The regenerative function in the Heavenly Yuan Transformation Formation originates from the ancient Life Transformation Grand Formation."
"However, due to the presence of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma in mortals' bodies today, the formation had to undergo corresponding changes to be usable. The actual effect is far from what it used to be. It is said that the original Life Transformation Grand Formation could transform the lifespan of ordinary people into Longevity Fruit that could increase the lifespan of cultivators."
"Now, it's only left with the minor function of increasing the concentration of spiritual energy within the formation and nourishing the physical body."
Zhang Zhiliang expressed regret.
Next, he distributed formation construction materials and instructed everyone to independently build the formation nodes.
With a chance for free practice in formation deployment, Li Fan naturally wouldn't miss it.
He immersed himself in arranging the formations.
All this time, Li Fan had mainly studied formation theory, and practical experience in formation deployment was relatively scarce.
Therefore, he was a bit unfamiliar at the beginning, and his error rate was relatively high.
However, he quickly discovered the abnormality of [Divine Transformation Dao].
Chapter 222: Soul Separation Jade Slip
Li Fan recorded every detail of each formation deployment into the blue Dao Transformation Stone in his mind.
If he failed in deploying a formation, Li Fan could review and examine it at any time, carefully identifying where the mistake occurred.
In the next formation deployment, he could multitask, comparing his deployment techniques with the images in his mind.
After several attempts, Li Fan's success rate in formation deployment skyrocketed.
Moreover, as long as he deployed a perfect formation once, Li Fan could use it as a template for all future deployments.
With the assurance of success, coupled with practice, Li Fan's speed in setting up formation nodes became faster.
Gradually, he entered a state of concentration.
In his mind, there was nothing but the formations.
When the entire "Heavenly Yuan Transformation Formation" was constructed, and he snapped out of his trance, the twelfth year had already arrived.
Zhang Zhiliang connected the core formation and external formations, then activated over three hundred thousand nodes.
A blue transparent screen instantly enveloped the entire island.
With the completion of the guardian formation, Li Fan couldn't help but sigh with a sense of fulfillment.
Through this training, his actual formation deployment skills had at least doubled.
At this moment, Li Fan also noticed that the eyes of the other three Formation Repairers looking at him were a bit strange.
"Good! Very good!"
With Zhang Zhiliang's hearty praise, Li Fan learned that, in his state of concentration, he alone had completed almost half of the formation node placements.
He could be considered a heartless puppet of formation deployment.
In a good mood for having finished the island guardian formation ahead of schedule, Zhang Zhiliang settled the accounts for this task on the spot.
Li Fan received a reward of 4,000 contribution points.
More than the sum of the other three people.
Li Fan naturally didn't care about this small amount of contribution points but still expressed his gratitude to Zhang Zhiliang.
"After returning, visit Formation Hall. I have something else to discuss with you," Zhang Zhiliang quietly transmitted to Li Fan while reprimanding the other three Formation Repairers.
Li Fan remained composed, replying through voice transmission to indicate his understanding.
After the affairs on Haitong Island were settled, the group returned to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
After parting ways with his "colleagues," Li Fan went to the Formation Hall a while later.
Li Fan was not unfamiliar with this phantom either.
During his study at the Formation Hall in the twelfth generation, he was taught by a similar phantom.
At that time, he thought this phantom was some form of formation or clone technique.
He didn't expect it to be transformed from a jade slip.
However, this had no substantial impact on Li Fan.
He came to Zhang Zhiliang for two reasons: to improve his proficiency in formations and to gain the trust of Zhang Zhiliang for the legacy containing 400,000 contribution points.
Now, with this Soul Separation Jade Slip, he didn't have to stay in the Formation Hall all the time, granting him greater freedom.
He immediately expressed his joy and gratitude to Zhang Zhiliang.
Zhang Zhiliang then explained some rules for his disciples to Li Fan and let him leave.
"In the past, it was a fortuitous encounter to study under Zhang Zhiliang, ultimately impressing him with my diligence."
"In this life, it's because I displayed a talent in formations, and Zhang Zhiliang, having a keen eye, took the initiative to accept me as a disciple."
"However, this doesn't necessarily mean my talent is exceptionally high. It's very likely that Zhang Zhiliang casts a wide net."
"Thinking about it, it's quite reasonable."
"Even in Cong Yun Sea, everyone knows the principle of not putting all your eggs in one basket. Master Zhang would not trust a Qi Condensation cultivator with his lifelong pursuit of the 'Infinite Formation.'"
In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan pondered over the memories of the twelfth life and was enlightened.
However, he had impure motives himself, so he had no qualifications to feel mistreated.
Suppressing his thoughts, Li Fan activated the Tianxuan Mirror's enlightenment function.
Opening the Soul Separation Jade Slip, Li Fan listened to the teachings of the phantom of Zhang Zhiliang while diligently cultivating.
The two consciousnesses were distinct, unaffected by each other.
"Divine Transformation Dao is indeed a supreme technique. When the mind can be divided for multiple uses, efficiency is greatly improved."
Feeling the extraordinary effect of this Tai Yan Sect secret technique, Li Fan couldn't help but praise.
...
While Li Fan's main body was in seclusion, his clone finally received a message from Jiao Xiuyuan.
"Fellow Daoist Fan Lin, fortunately, I didn't let you down! I finally found the Minor Medicine King Cauldron you asked me to look for!"
"Hehe, this time it's a big harvest. Can you guess how many I've dug up?"
Chapter 223: Advising Jiao Xiuyuan
"How many?" Li Fan's clone's eyes flashed.
"Hehe, did you dig up the entire Medicine King Sect ruins?"
Jiao Xiuyuan replied with a smile, "Not exactly, but I was lucky enough to stumble upon the remnants of a workshop. Although most of them are unusable defective items, I still managed to find a total of twenty-eight intact minor cauldrons."
"Twenty-eight?" Li Fan was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected there to be so many of these Minor Medicine King Cauldrons. This quantity was well beyond his expectations.
Recalling the scene in his twelfth life was hunted down because of the two Minor Medicine King Cauldrons in his storage ring, Li Fan fell into contemplation.
The Nascent Soul cultivator had directly locked onto his position, meaning he was able to sense the existence of the Minor Medicine King Cauldron through some method.
It might be a secret technique or perhaps because the cultivator also possessed a Minor Medicine King Cauldron.
The reason he was fighting over the Minor Medicine King Cauldrons was likely related to the return of the true Medicine King Cauldron.
"The opportunities within the Medicine King Cauldron are undoubtedly connected to these minor cauldrons which also belong to the Medicine King Sect."
"My death was probably just a tragic episode in the fierce competition."
"However, in this life, the more of these Minor Medicine King Cauldrons, the better for me!"
With a swift change of thought, Li Fan quickly made a decision.
Following up on Jiao Xiuyuan's words, he replied, "Hehe, you indeed have good luck, fellow Daoist Jiao."
"But I don't need so many minor cauldrons. Having two for regular cultivation is sufficient. Buying another two as backups would be more than enough!"
Jiao Xiuyuan hurriedly said, "Fellow Daoist, your words are not accurate. I have appraised these Minor Medicine King Cauldrons. They truly deserve to be ancient sect artifacts with remarkable effects. The results of cultivating spiritual plants in these are far superior to the mass-produced artifacts available today. Not to mention their long history and..."
Li Fan interrupted Jiao Xiuyuan with a smile, "Hehe, fellow Daoist Jiao and I have shared hardships. Let's be frank. Fellow Daoist Jiao is worried about the current low prices of herbs and the resulting difficulty in selling these Minor Medicine King Cauldrons, so you want me to buy more, right?"
Jiao Xiuyuan thought for a moment, and his tone became somewhat excited, "If that's true, by involving the secrets of ancient sects before the Great Calamity, the price of the Minor Medicine King Cauldrons will be difficult to estimate. Even setting the price at one hundred thousand contribution points per cauldron will likely attract many cultivators willing to buy."
Li Fan immediately said, "Exactly!"
Jiao Xiuyuan thought for a moment, feeling that something was off, "Isn't this misleading people? It doesn't fit my business principles! Moreover, these cultivators are savvy; they won't believe whatever I say, right?"
Li Fan chuckled lightly and said, "It depends on how fellow Daoist operates. As the saying goes, a lie repeated a thousand times becomes the truth. At that time, use significant amounts of money to bribe several influential diviners and release the information. There's no way others won't believe it."
"As for deceiving people, hehe..." Li Fan sneered. "In business, it's a matter of you buying and me selling, and it requires mutual consent. Furthermore, the return of the Medicine King Cauldron might not be false news!"
"The Medicine King Cauldron that flew away in the past does have a slight probability of returning to the Xuanhuang Realm. Even if this probability is infinitesimally close to zero, as long as it's not zero, this event will definitely occur over an infinite time scale."
"As for how long such an event will take, and whether the Xuanhuang Realm still exists by then..."
"That's another matter."
Li Fan's words shook Jiao Xiuyuan's mind.
The thoughts and values expressed in his words were completely different from the principles Jiao Xiuyuan had adhered to, the "Way of Business" he had always believed in.
For the record, Thousand Mile Hall had always upheld honesty. Although Jiao Xiuyuan occasionally took advantage of minor opportunities, he had never engaged in such grand and openly deceptive propaganda.
However, Jiao Xiuyuan felt a vague sense that Li Fan's words were extremely reasonable.
In recent years, Thousand Mile Hall's business scale has already been limited and reached a bottleneck. His "Ten Thousand Puppets Dao" had also been unable to break through.
"By analogy, this method can be applied not only to Minor Medicine King Cauldrons but to all commodities in the world. By then..." Jiao Xiuyuan, after some contemplation, became excited as if his soul was about to tremble.
He heard Li Fan continue his eloquent speech, "To maintain the popularity of Minor Medicine King Cauldrons, fellow Daoist can hold an auction every once in a while. Use the auction method to sell a few of these cauldrons."
"Not only can this maximize profits, but it can also promote Thousand Mile Hall's business, killing two birds with one stone."
Chapter 224: Flight Prohibited Nine Mountain Ranges
"If fellow Daoist is worried about not being able to protect the operation, you can spend some money to find backers. A simple thirty-seventy split, and you're good to go. It's always better than selling privately and exposing yourself to greater risk."
"With fellow Daoist's cultivation in the Ten Thousand Puppets Dao, dealing with these powerful individuals shouldn't be a safety concern. You can get in touch with a few of them and then make a decision."
Li Fan spoke fluently, providing Jiao Xiuyuan with detailed instructions on what to pay attention to. He analyzed how to handle special situations and solve potential issues. Every detail seemed as if he had personally experienced it.
Jiao Xiuyuan listened attentively, completely engrossed in the discussion. Even after Li Fan finished speaking, he remained deeply immersed, taking a while to snap out of it.
"Hehe, in this way, does fellow Daoist still worry about not being able to sell these Minor Medicine King Cauldrons?" Li Fan asked with a smile.
Awakening from contemplation, Jiao Xiuyuan sighed and admired, "Fellow Daoist's talents are rare in the world. Many of these ingenious thoughts about the business path are unheard of. Listening to just one of your insights is worth decades of my hard cultivation!"
"Even just the value of fellow Daoist's plan is a hundred times more valuable than those little cauldrons."
"The Minor Medicine King Cauldrons that fellow Daoist needs this time, I will give them to you for free. If I truly profit from your plan with the Minor Medicine King Cauldrons, I won't be stingy. I will definitely share some of the profits with you!" Jiao Xiuyuan guaranteed with a pat on his chest.
"I'm afraid that by that time, my main body will have long returned to the heavens!" Li Fan thought to himself, but he remained calm, graciously accepting the four Minor Medicine King Cauldrons that Jiao Xiuyuan had gifted him.
Afterward, he concluded the conversation with Jiao Xiuyuan.
"Wait for Jiao Xiuyuan to make arrangements, let the events ferment, and it will take some time."
"This plan is both false and true, so I'm not afraid it won't work."
"To avoid the prophecy coming true and my clone being investigated in reverse, this clone can't be kept. It needs to be sacrificed before the incident."
"Well, I can take a closer look to see how the execution of Crimson Flame in this life is different."
"And when the fifteenth year has arrived, and the meteor falls on Cangwu Province, and the Medicine King Cauldron really returns to the Xuanhuang Realm..."
"There should be many cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm who can connect the meteor with the Medicine King Cauldron."
"The fierce struggle and looting of this life should happen earlier."
"I can't guarantee that cultivators above the Nascent Soul realm won't participate in the looting. I won't keep the Minor Medicine King Cauldrons on my body."
"Maybe I can give some to the young fellows of the Immortal Revival Organization if their strength is enough by then..."
"I am also quite curious about this boat cauldron that broke through the sky thousands of years ago."
"I can use the children as my eyes to explore the Medicine King Cauldron when it returns."
"If there really is a great opportunity, I can seek it in the next few lives."
The seeds had been planted, and Li Fan was waiting for the events to unfold.
"The mission of this clone is complete. I should consider making a trip to the Jiushan Province Wanfa Chamber of Commerce and buying some techniques."
With these thoughts, Li Fan began searching for companions in the Tianxuan Mirror.
Everything went smoothly.
Seven days later, a team composed of a Nascent Soul, three Golden Core cultivators, and more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators was successfully formed.
When the agreed departure date arrived and Li Fan saw the members of the team, after some casual conversation, he learned that the leading Nascent Soul cultivator was actually an acquaintance.
Of course, it was a one-sided acquaintance.
Ye Feipeng's eyes rolled as he silently pondered.
"No, my techniques and innate talent are not as good as Xiao Heng's."
"At this rate, I'll really be left far behind."
"If I think about it, it seems that the day when Zhang Haobo gets his opportunity is also approaching..."
Ye Feipeng made a decision.
Taking advantage of Xiao Heng being immersed in his cultivation, Ye Feipeng quietly left the deserted island alone.
He flew toward the direction of Liuli Island.
Li Fan smiled faintly and, through the teleportation formation, arrived first on Liuli Island.
To ensure that the situation remained under his control, Li Fan needed to be present in person.
Seven days later.
Zhang Haobo, who was still just an ordinary person, led the Cangyuan Ship and began another fishing trip at sea.
Naturally, Zhang Haobo was unaware that there was always a pair of eyes above him, watching him closely.
Also, Ye Feipeng, who was monitoring Zhang Haobo, did not notice that, from a more distant location, another pair of eyes were gazing at both of them.
On the Cangyuan Ship, Zhang Haobo looked somewhat absent-minded.
He surveyed the surrounding sea, and suddenly, a somewhat familiar-looking reef caught his eye.
With a sudden shock, he ordered his subordinates to drop anchor and stop the ship here.
Then, relying on his proficiency in swimming, he dove into the sea.
In this shallow seabed, Zhang Haobo, relying on his premonition, searched around.
Soon after, a skeleton sleeping on the seabed attracted his attention.
He first returned to the surface for a breath of air.
When he dove underwater again, wanting to investigate, Zhang Haobo was bewildered to find that the skeleton that was just there had suddenly disappeared.
He didn't see that not far away, Ye Feipeng, full of excitement, took out a jade slip from the skeleton's arms.
Carefully reading it, Ye Feipeng muttered, "A shocking palm, covering the sea with a single hand..."
"All living beings have their own consciousness."
"So does the Cong Yun Sea..."
"So that's how it is, so that's how it is..."
A glimmer of enlightenment flashed in Ye Feipeng's eyes.
*****
[1] Jiushan translates literally to "nine mountains."
Chapter 225: Feipeng’s Fortune
"No wonder in the previous life, Zhang Haobo, a mortal with no background, was able to cultivate to the Golden Core stage in just over a decade."
"No wonder he, as a Golden Core cultivator, could mobilize the entire Cong Yun Sea's power, unleashing the earth-shattering Cong Yun Sea Twenty-Eight Swords."
A look of realization appeared in Ye Feipeng's eyes.
According to the contents recorded in the jade slip, the deceased was a practitioner proficient in sensing the qi of heaven and earth. Although his cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he had accidentally discovered a shocking secret in a certain ancient ruin in the Cong Yun Sea.
The vast Cong Yun Sea was formed by the palm strike of an ancient powerhouse.
This practitioner spent over a decade excavating the seabed, studying the imprints left by the palm strike, and finally synthesized his insights into a profound technique.
The Sea Covering Palm.
Moreover, during the years of sensing the qi of heaven and earth, this practitioner speculated that, due to the astonishing palm strike, the Cong Yun Sea might have developed its own consciousness over the long years.
Unfortunately, before he could personally confirm this, he encountered a heart demon during a moment of enlightenment, leaving him little time until his death.
Before his death, he only had the time to record this information in the jade slip, leaving it for a person of destiny.
Then, he died with regret.
After comparing the contents of the jade slip with the observations of the previous life, Ye Feipeng finally understood.
"The heavens want to burn the sea, but the sea refuses to submit."
"Crimson Flame is the executor of heaven's will, and Zhang Haobo is the executor of the Cong Yun Sea's will."
"Perhaps Zhang Haobo alone is not a match for Crimson Flame."
"Zhang Haobo himself knows this. So, he controlled the wind disasters and used this opportunity to meet True Monarch Hongxi of the Ten Thousand Immortals Island."
"He revealed the news of Crimson Flame's arrival a few years in advance."
"The allure of a Heavenly Spirit is extremely difficult for Soul Transformation cultivators to resist."
"So, five Soul Transformation True Monarchs joined forces, and a Dao Integration Immortal Sage presided over the matter. With such a formidable lineup, they were confident."
"But unexpectedly, a Golden Core cultivator ultimately stole the fruits of their efforts."
"Wonderful, wonderful!"
Ye Feipeng couldn't help but admire.
Then, his gaze became greedy. "Unfortunately, this life, I will take advantage of it!"
With a palm, he shattered the skeleton and jade slip into pieces. Ye Feipeng's momentum suddenly surged.
"It seems that the key to this life lies in how to attract the attention of the Cong Yun Sea's consciousness."
"Zhang Haobo is said to have practiced with wind disasters for years. From chasing the wind at the beginning, to cutting through the wind, and finally shepherding the wind."
Even Greenwood, who was a Nascent Soul True Lord, had a tired expression on his face at this moment.
Li Fan finally experienced for himself how vast a single province in the Xuanhuang Realm could be.
Without teleportation formations, it would take at least five or six months for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to fly from one end to the other.
Furthermore, that was under the best-case scenario, where everything went smoothly and there weren't any dangers.
In reality, this journey was not very peaceful.
During the six-month journey, through many conversations with the others, Li Fan gained a rough understanding of the specific situation in Jiushan Province.
Legend had it that the nine mountain ranges in Jiushan Province were formed by the transformation of nine meridians inside a certain beast after its death in ancient times.
The nine mountain ranges stretched across the land, each with its own mysteries, yet interconnected as one.
They seemed to form an immensely huge formation.
Due to this, teleportation formations were extremely unstable.
They could explode shortly after construction.
It was also possible for the destination coordinates to change suddenly, sending people to completely unfamiliar places.
There was even an unfortunate cultivator who insisted on trying to use a teleportation formation, hoping to get lucky.
As a result, he was directly teleported outside the Xuanhuang Realm, never to return.
Because of this reason, after occupying Jiushan Province, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance felt that the management cost was too high.
Moreover, this place was relatively barren, with no precious resources.
They decided to give up the method of building a large number of cities.
Instead, they built only nine cities on the mountain trails between the nine mountain ranges and dispatched people to guard them.
On the plains between the nine mountain ranges, there were all sorts of dragons and snakes, and various unscrupulous characters gathered.
Among them were the local forces of Jiushan Province and external factions secretly supported by the Five Elders Association.
Most of the people in Li Fan's group were members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Furthermore, with the Nascent Soul Greenwood Rebirth True Lord leading the way, these factions were somewhat restrained.
Along the way, they only encountered seven or eight attacks, all of which were successfully repelled.
It was said that if an ordinary cultivator rashly entered Jiushan Province, they would have long been skinned and plundered.
Regarding this chaotic situation, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance couldn't be bothered to manage it.
There was naturally a deep-seated reason for this.
Chapter 226: Wanfa Tower Forbidden Items
Due to its proximity to the territory of the Five Elders Association, the Jiushan Province could be considered the true front line of war.
Over the centuries, ownership of this region has changed hands several times.
Instead of investing effort into development and ending up benefiting others, it was better to let the chaos continue and allow it to become a buffer zone for the ongoing conflict between the two sides.
This chaotic situation is the result of the mutual considerations between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association, leading to the lawlessness of the Jiushan Province.
In front of Mount Tianchang City, Greenwood Rebirth True Lord revealed his identity.
After a moment, the people entering Mount Tianchang City collectively breathed a sigh of relief, and their tense nerves relaxed.
Fatigue occupied their minds, and everyone decided to take some time to rest in the city.
Li Fan, being just a clone, didn't feel particularly exhausted and decided to leisurely stroll through Mount Tianchang City.
Built on the mountain, the city's architecture and layout were quite different from other cities.
It was divided into nine layers, with the Immortal Ancestor statue towering on the topmost level, overseeing all.This creation is firmly rooted in the depths of Nøv€lß¡n★
The next level housed the official buildings of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, such as the Martial Hall and the Heavenly Secrets Hall.
Below that was a clear boundary, where the core of the city's guardian formation was located.
The lower layers appeared more disorderly, with various shops and residences scattered around.
Looking at Mount Tianchang City, Li Fan suddenly had a feeling that the upper three layers of the city were forcibly added on top of the mountain.
They seemed out of place compared to the several other layers.
The most significant difference in the Jiushan Province's cities, compared to other provinces, was the absence of the Tianxuan Mirror within the city.
Li Fan knew before arriving that perhaps due to safety concerns, no Tianxuan Mirrors would be provided in the Jiushan Province.
If both parties in a transaction didn't have Tianxuan Minor Mirrors, they could only settle the deal using spirit stones.
Li Fan's clone had come to purchase cultivation techniques. After inquiring with passersby, he quickly arrived at the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce on the sixth layer.
It was a very inconspicuous building; Li Fan would've thought he had come to the wrong place if not for the familiar character "" (Wan) embroidered on the flags at the entrance.
No one greeted him at the entrance.
Once inside, the lighting changed abruptly, revealing a hidden world within the small building.
The clamor and commotion of people became apparent, and as far as the eye could see, there was a bustling market with many cultivators setting up stalls.
It was like entering a lively bazaar where many cultivators were selling their wares.
After a brief observation, Li Fan noticed that the crowd was divided by several banners with words like "Weapon," "Formation," "Pill," "Talisman," "Book," "Miscellaneous," and so on written on them.
In the center of all the trading markets stood a towering building. A signboard in the middle of the high building read "Technique."
Li Fan navigated through the crowded people towards the Wanfa Tower.
"Selling price: 70,000 contribution points."
"Buyout price: 140,000 contribution points."
This buyout price hadn't appeared on the first floor, and its meaning was unclear.
Surprisingly, it was double the regular selling price.
Intrigued, Li Fan inquired with the attendant.
After some explanation, Li Fan understood that the normal sale of a technique only involved selling the right to use it.
Inside the Wanfa Tower, backup copies of the techniques still existed.
Regardless of the reason, if a sold technique went unpracticed for thirty years, the Wanfa Tower would re-list it for sale.
The buyout price, on the other hand, was the price to permanently purchase the technique.
Once sold, the Wanfa Tower would no longer retain a backup copy, and the buyer would own the full rights to the technique.
If the buyer lost the technique, the Wanfa Tower couldn't help retrieve it.
If the buyer died without leaving behind any inheritance, the technique would be lost forever.
"Quite interesting, buying out a technique..."
"The price is double the regular selling price..."
"It's hard to say whether it's a profit or a loss."
Without rushing to buy, Li Fan recalled that he hadn't seen any of the "forbidden items" mentioned by the attendant when entering. Curious, he inquired about them.
"The forbidden items sold in the Wanfa Tower don't necessarily have high prices. It's just that for various reasons, they are not suitable for public sale."
"If fellow Daoist wishes to view them, you'll need to sign a confidentiality contract first."
The attendant explained enthusiastically.
Li Fan saw no reason to decline and promptly signed the contract.
The attendant took out a golden talisman.
A layer of golden light emerged from it, enveloping both of them.
In the blink of an eye, Li Fan found himself on another unknown floor.
The goods and customers here were even scarcer. Li Fan looked around with keen interest.
These were truly forbidden items.
The first thing Li Fan saw deeply piqued his interest.
"Diagram of the Immortal Ancestor forcibly seizing the Tai Shang Primordial Scripture."
Chapter 227: Reunion in a Foreign Land
Immortal Ancestor, the Tai Shang Primordial Scripture.
The name of this item containing these two extremely sensitive terms was bound to trigger Li Fan's nerves. Approaching the partially unfolded scroll, Li Fan locked onto it with his spiritual sense, and the product information appeared.
"Immortal Ancestor forcibly seizes the Tai Shang Primordial Scripture."
"Several years ago, the Immortal Ancestor personally went to the Tai Shang Sect to borrow the 'Tai Shang Primordial Scripture.'"
"At that time, a cultivator skilled in painting happened to be a guest at the Tai Shang Sect."
"Using a brush, he recorded this scene."
"A replica."Embark on an odyssey to the core at Nøv€lß¡n#★
"Suggested to be burned after viewing."
"Not recommended for Ten Thousand Immortals Immortal Alliance cultivators to carry."
"Highly discouraged for Five Elders Association cultivators to carry."
"Selling price: 200 contribution points."
Li Fan carefully examined the price, his expression peculiar as he asked, "This scroll is selling for only 200 contribution points? Can it still be considered a forbidden item?"
The attendant explained patiently, "Because it's a replica and can be mass-produced, the price is very low."
"The reason it's considered a forbidden item is because this painting involves two Longevity Immortals."
"Displaying it casually could lead to significant trouble."
Li Fan's eyes flashed at the mention of two Longevity Immortals, immediately ready to make the payment and acquire it.
However, at that moment, Li Fan suddenly became alert, "Will there be any trouble after looking at this painting?"
The attendant smiled, "Esteemed guest, you need to know that this painting contains nothing twisted or slanderous. It simply records and restores the scene from the perspective of an observer."
"Moreover, in the eyes of the Immortal Ancestor, we cultivators are no different from ants."
"They wouldn't bother with our words and actions."
"The real trouble comes from those below the Immortal Ancestor, those eager to show loyalty..."
The attendant stopped there and said no more.
Li Fan nodded slowly, spent 200 contribution points, and bought the painting.
Holding the scroll, without unfolding it, his spiritual sense instantly entered the painting.
The surroundings abruptly changed, as if, in an instant, he had traversed time and space, arriving thousands of years in the past.
Above the vast sea of clouds, thirty-three floating peaks successively activated guardian formations.
An elderly man with a high crown calmly stepped through the air.
It didn't require the user to have much knowledge of formations; you just needed to place the two ends of the teleportation formations at suitable locations, and they would automatically construct and activate.
Within the Ten Thousand Immortals Immortal Alliance, the construction of teleportation formations could be considered highly confidential. Li Fan hadn't encountered related knowledge until now.
The Dao Enlightenment Elixirs cost 500 contribution points each, with a limit of 100 pills per cultivator.
A set of three portable teleportation formations cost 3,000 contribution points. Li Fan bought two sets just in case.
After leaving the forbidden item level, he quickly purchased two Golden Core-level techniques and twelve Foundation Building-level techniques.
He spent almost all the three hundred top-grade spirit stones carried by his clone before calling it a day.
When leaving the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, he was thoughtfully gifted a mask.
Wearing the mask could change one's appearance, preventing tracking by others. Li Fan accepted the mask with a smile.
He rented an inn in Mount Tianchang City, initiated a ritual, and transferred the purchased items to the White Bone Realm.
Finally, he could relax a bit. Copies of the control center of the White Bone Realm, the white bone left hand, were held by both the main body and the clone.
This way, even if there were any unexpected incidents on the return journey, at most, only a clone would be lost.
With things settled, the clone left the inn and strolled around Mount Tianchang City.
Three days later, Greenwood and the others also completed their purchases.
As they prepared to return home, they encountered a group of cultivators coming from the Cong Yun Sea.
This group was led by a Nascent Soul stage cultivator named Ling Meng.
Although Ling Meng and Greenwood didn't know each other personally, they had heard about each other.
Since they were all cultivators from the Cong Yun Sea, the group discussed and decided to return together for mutual support.
After waiting for a few more days, they finally embarked on the long journey back.
Compared to the journey here, the returning group expanded by almost double.
There were two Nascent Soul cultivators, seven Golden Core cultivators, and over twenty Foundation Building cultivators.
The lineup was quite formidable, deterring many opportunistic troublemakers. The journey back was much smoother.
However, Li Fan always felt that the Nascent Soul stage cultivator named Ling Meng seemed familiar but couldn't recall where he had seen him.
It was only when his main body, currently cultivating in the Tianxuan Mirror, split one part of his mind to carefully review past memories one by one that he recalled.
This Ling Meng was the Nascent Soul cultivator who entered the blue ox cart's thatched cottage in the twelfth life and tragically died during an exploration of a cave shortly afterward.
Li Fan had seen his image in the Heavenly Secrets Hall, so he felt a sense of familiarity.
In this world, Li Fan hadn't taken the task of the "Cloud Water Map," so the events of the blue ox's cart-pulling and the Master appearing in the world didn't occur.
It seems he had changed the fate of this person's death.
Chapter 228: Tian Yang Appears in the Mortal World
With Greenwood and Ling Meng, two True Lords at the Nascent Soul stage, leading the way, everyone clearly felt much more relaxed during the journey.
They chatted and laughed along the way, discussing various anecdotes and secrets. Li Fan just smiled and listened, not actively participating.
During the journey, they occasionally encountered cultivators from other provinces.
While exchanging information, Li Fan happened to learn that prophecies about the return of the Medicine King Cauldron were starting to circulate in various places.
However, at this point, everyone treated it as a joke and didn't take it seriously.
It seemed that Jiao Xiuyuan had already started making efforts in his plan. However, truly influencing public opinion would still take a considerable amount of time.
Time passed quickly, and after almost half a year, the group finally returned to the Cong Yun Sea.
By now, it had been thirteen years since the anchor was set.
Most people had exchanged contact information, and after bidding farewell, they each went their separate ways to rest.
The clone, who had entered the Tianxuan Mirror Realm, activated the ritual and arrived in the White Bone Realm.
...
On the nameless deserted island.
Xiao Heng, who was already in the later stage of Qi Condensation, suddenly showed a change in expression while meditating.
He activated the necklace on his chest, and his consciousness also arrived in the White Bone Realm.
"Senior? Have you awakened?" He looked at the skull, which seemed to have regained some vitality, and spoke with excitement.
"Cough, just a slight recovery, I've barely escaped the fate of complete disappearance. I woke up this time because there's a task I need to assign to you. Next, I'll continue to heal my injuries in my sleep." The skull spoke weakly.
"While I was in slumber, it seemed like I sensed someone with a similarly excellent talent around you...," the skull continued.
Quickly, Xiao Heng responded, "It's a companion who came out of my hometown with me, Ye Feipeng. His cultivation speed is also fast and very reliable."
The skull pondered for a moment, seemingly sensing, "Hmm, the talent of this little fatty is indeed not much weaker than yours. It's a pity that the person I sensed during my slumber doesn't seem to be the same."
Xiao Heng was puzzled for a moment and quickly replied, "Could it be my little sister? Although she's still very young, she can already run and jump, and her strength is frightening!"
"Ah, this little girl's talent is quite terrifying as well. However, how come she hasn't started cultivating yet? Such talent should have been absorbed into our Immortal Revival Organization long ago, right? Child, why are you so lax?" The skull interrupted him.
Xiao Heng blushed and explained, "Senior, please don't misunderstand. I just thought my little sister was still young, so I didn't rush to let her cultivate."
The skull interrupted him again, "Peerless talent cannot be measured by common sense. You're only holding her back."
"Well, you are still too young after all. It seems that it was a hasty decision to pass such a heavy responsibility to you back then..."
The skull muttered to itself in a low voice.
"Senior..." Xiao Heng was at a loss for words for a while.
After a long time, the skull seemed to make a decision.
"Holding this responsibility is too difficult for you alone."
"So, I'll lend you a hand."
Saying this, the skull flew into the sky. In its hollow eye sockets, a faint light shot out.
In the light, countless scenes quickly flashed.
After a while, the flickering images suddenly stopped.
The skull, as if it had consumed too much energy, fell to the ground.
Xiao Heng hurriedly went forward but was stopped.
As the light emitted by the skull hit him, several people's information quickly appeared in Xiao Heng's mind.
"Liuli Island, Zhang Haobo..."The birth of this content finds its genesis in Nøv€lß¡n★
"Night Island, Yin Yueting, Yin Yuzhen..."
"Senior, what is this?" Xiao Heng couldn't help but feel a little confused.
"These are the sons and daughters of destiny that I found within the scope of the Cong Yun Sea using a secret technique. These people either have outstanding cultivation talents or possess extraordinary abilities. They will be of great help to you in revitalizing the Immortal Revival Organization."
"Unfortunately, my strength is exhausted. In the future, it will depend on your own luck."
"Remember, focus on developing and improving your own strength. The power of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is immense, and even at the Nascent Soul level, it's difficult to make any waves."
"So, your top priority is cultivation."
"For these new additions, don't directly reveal the details of Immortal Revival Organization to them. Just say it's an independent cultivation organization to avoid scaring them."
"As for the specifics, it's up to you to decide..."
The voice of the skull became fainter and fainter, finally becoming ethereal, disappearing into the darkness.
"Senior..." Xiao Heng held tightly to his fists.
After a long time, his gaze gradually became firm again.
Awakening from the pre-expedition realm, Xiao Heng planned to find Ye Feipeng first and discuss with him about finding the various sons and daughters of destiny.
Unexpectedly, Ye Feipeng had already taken the initiative to come over.
Sneakily dragging Xiao Heng to a secluded and uninhabited place, Ye Feipeng began to speak slowly.
The enraged puppets were about to pursue but were intercepted by deep blue water swords.
Countless water swords, like flying dragons, erupted simultaneously.
Xiao Heng instantly stood within the seventeen puppets.
Surrounded by the attacking puppets, Xiao Heng looked extremely wretched.
The puppet's attacks always almost grazed his body.
There was a risk of severe injury with the slightest carelessness.
Yet, seemingly with extremely good luck, he managed to avoid every attack.
The situation appeared perilous but was actually completely under control.
The battle between the two sides continued for some time.
The puppets that couldn't break through seemed to be undergoing some kind of transformation.
The power displayed in each move gradually exceeded the scope of the Qi Condensation stage.
On their crimson bodies, a faint black light began to shine.
A sense of foreboding suddenly emerged in Xiao Heng's heart.
He took out another spirit stone to replenish his internal spiritual energy.
He shouted towards the inner part of the cave, "Fatty, are you done yet?"
Echoes spread all around, but there was no response.
Xiao Heng had no choice but to grit his teeth and persevere.
The puppet's attacks became more ruthless, and Xiao Heng began to struggle.
As he was about to be hit by the puppets, he shouted, "Water Dragon Song!"
Twice as many water swords suddenly appeared.
The densely packed Sea Fixing Swords immediately scattered the puppets.
The seventeen puppets paused for a moment.
Then, cracks gradually appeared on their bodies.
"Fatty! Something's not right!" Xiao Heng shouted.
"Tian... " A sudden ancient and mechanical voice echoed from the cave.
"Damn it! How come there's nothing?" Ye Feipeng's extremely frustrated voice also sounded at the same time.
He turned into a thin line and dashed out of the depths of the cave without looking back.
"Run!"
While fleeing, he shouted anxiously.
Xiao Heng had never seen Fatty so scared before.
His heart trembled, and without hesitation, he burst out with his spiritual energy.
The Sea Fixing Swords, like a torrential rain of pear blossoms, forced the seventeen puppets to retreat.
Xiao Heng followed closely behind Ye Feipeng, escaping from Tian Yang Cave.
"Yang..."
Before leaving, Xiao Heng heard the sound of something shattering.
"Keep running, as far as you can!" Ye Feipeng's fearful voice came from beside him.
Xiao Heng's heart tightened, and he followed the plump but extremely agile figure of Ye Feipeng, escaping in a sorry state.
Shortly after Xiao Heng and Ye Feipeng left, a small team of more than a dozen people happened to arrive at the entrance of Tian Yang Cave.
"This time, with True Lord Gouxuan leading the way, exploring a small Golden Core cave is sure to be a piece of cake," praised a Golden Core cultivator in the team.
"Hahaha, let's go! I want to see if the puppets in this cave are really that amazing!" True Lord Gouxuan laughed heartily and walked into the cave first.
What greeted him was a giant black hand full of cracks.
...
"Tian Yang's soul..."
"Not weaker than man!"
Thick smoke rose to the sky as the underwater volcano repeatedly erupted.
In the face of this terrifying power, the Golden Core cultivators had no resistance.
This exploration team, just a second ago, had smiles on their faces.
The next moment, they mysteriously and inexplicably vanished from this world.
The towering Tian Yang puppet stood tall, roaring angrily.
After discerning the direction, it took a big stride towards Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Chapter 229: Eternal Remembrance
Soul Transformation stage cultivators unleashing attacks without restraint were capable of causing massive destruction to an entire province.
As the Tian Yang Puppet appeared, it unsurprisingly attracted the attention of Ten Thousand Immortals Island's True Monarch Hongxi.
The intense battle between the two Soul Transformation experts captured the gazes of countless cultivators in the vicinity.
Xiao Heng and Ye Feipeng, who had finally escaped to a safe location after their chaotic retreat, were now watching from a distance with pale faces.
Even though they were far away, the shockwaves from the battle still made it challenging for the two small Qi Condensation cultivators to maintain their balance.
It was easy to imagine how terrifying the power of Soul Transformation was, considering the impact of each move.
Thinking about how he had recklessly tested himself against the puppet not long ago, Xiao Heng couldn't help but swallow hard.
"Fatty, don't involve me in such matters next time. I still want to live a few more years," Xiao Heng said slowly, looking at Ye Feipeng.
Ye Feipeng also wore a look of despondency, as if greatly affected.
"I mustered my courage and risked my life by charging in headfirst, but didn't find any treasures at all. Why is a Soul Transformation expert so poor?" Fatty sighed as he watched the enraged Tian Yang Puppet in the distance.
"Did you really find nothing?" Xiao Heng doubted.
Ye Feipeng became agitated, "When did you become so skeptical? You don't believe what I say anymore?"
"Moreover, I have nothing to lie to you for. Look for yourself. I'm broke; there's nowhere else to hide things." With that, he tossed his storage ring towards Xiao Heng.
Complaining, Ye Feipeng added, "The cave was as barren as a rock. Apart from a child's remains, there was nothing. I searched over and over, and it was barren every time."
"You were making a commotion outside, and with the Tian Yang Puppet about to appear, adhering to the principle of not leaving anything behind, I hurriedly grabbed the remains and escaped."
"After all the hustle, all I got was a skeleton. What bad luck!"
Xiao Heng, after scanning the contents of the storage ring, also wore a disdainful expression. "Not finding treasures is one thing, but why bring this skeleton out?"
"How many years it has been dead? It looks like it died younger than us. I wonder if it has any connection with that Soul Transformation puppet."
Xiao Heng handed the storage ring back to Ye Feipeng.
Suddenly having a whimsical idea, Ye Feipeng said, "Maybe we can use this skeleton to patch up that skull."
"Since they're both skeletons, maybe if we feed it to the skull, it might really help in recovering its injuries."
Xiao Heng's expression became serious, "Don't joke about Senior!"
Seeing Xiao Heng's seriousness, Ye Feipeng rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
After contemplating for a moment, Ye Feipeng suggested, "The commotion caused this time is not small. Let's go back to the deserted island and hide for a while. We'll come out when the storm settles."
Nodding, Xiao Heng said, "Yes, not long after we escaped from that cave, it seems the second exploration team from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance entered, as you mentioned."
"A Nascent Soul stage cultivator and more than ten Golden Core cultivators. All gone."
"If it weren't for the death announcements in the sky, I doubt anyone would know how they died. Tsk, tsk."
Feeling emotional, Xiao Heng sighed.
Ye Feipeng, however, seemed bewildered. "Is that so? I was too busy running for my life; I didn't pay attention to the sky."
"But it seems that team really couldn't escape death. I triggered Tian Yang in advance, but they still ended up going into the cave..."
Fatty seemed to be enlightened, his eyes lowering into deep thought.
True Monarch Ziyun made a move soon after, and the Cong Yun Sea returned to calm.
The two of them quietly returned to the deserted island. However, Ye Feipeng seemed absent-minded throughout the journey.
"Oh right, Fatty, give me the remains you found," Xiao Heng suddenly said.
"Sure." Absent-minded, Ye Feipeng subconsciously took out the skeleton from the storage ring.
After handing it to Xiao Heng, he suddenly came to his senses, feeling inexplicably puzzled. "What are you going to do with this? I was planning to see if the bones are hard enough to be polished into a spiritual weapon later."
Xiao Heng solemnly replied, "After thinking it over, I find your words somewhat reasonable."
"Hehe, my words have always been..."
"Wait, you're not really going to feed these remains to that skull, are you?" Ye Feipeng reacted and immediately looked at Xiao Heng as if looking at an idiot.
"Maybe." Xiao Heng was nonchalant and urged, "Fatty, hurry up, give me the remains."
Ye Feipeng had some hidden reluctance in his heart and hesitated.
Seeing this, Xiao Heng became a little unhappy, "With your talent, what useful spiritual weapons can you build with bones? Forget it, this time, I'll owe you a favor. When there is an opportunity in the future, I will repay you!"
Ye Feipeng's face immediately became a bit embarrassed by this provocation.
He pretended to be generous and said, "Hmph, I was just saying it casually. It's just a useless skeleton, would I take it seriously? What a joke! Here you go!"
Xiao Heng happily accepted the remains, performed a ritual, and headed to the White Bone Realm.
Although Ye Feipeng was a little disappointed, he was still young and didn't think too much about it.
Once again, he immersed himself in the insight into the "fated death."
In the pre-expedition realm, Xiao Heng carefully placed the skeleton down, softly calling out to his senior.
Unfortunately, there was no response.
Although Xiao Heng felt a bit regretful, he didn't retrieve the remains but left them where he initially found his senior's skull, hoping it would be of assistance.v3l.Bin.
He then quietly departed.
Not long after Xiao Heng left, Li Fan's avatar revealed itself.
Looking at the skeleton lying on the ground, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement.
"This kid, he doesn't really think this thing is useful, does he?"
Li Fan had been closely monitoring Ye Feipeng with Formless Killing Intent throughout.
From the Vision of Heaven and Earth, this was indeed just an ordinary human skeleton.
"But, his intentions are genuine. This kid has always been pure-hearted."
Afterward, Li Fan's vision darkened, and he lost consciousness.
He didn't know how long it took before he gradually woke up.
At first, his eyes seemed a bit confused, but they quickly regained clarity.
Just now, he seemed to have experienced an extremely vivid dream.
No, rather than calling it a dream, it was more like truly inhabiting another person's life.
Through this perspective, he lived through a long life.
During this process, he could only see and hear, unable to control the body to make any movements.
Furthermore, his own mental activity was suppressed to the lowest.
From start to finish, Li Fan didn't even realize that something was wrong.
And when Li Fan woke up, everything he had experienced quickly receded like a tidal wave.
He couldn't remember what exactly he had gone through.
Only some vague images remained, rapidly fading away.
Li Fan didn't persist in trying to recall what had happened during the contact with the Eternal Remembrance.
Because the prompt from [Truth] had appeared once again.
"Although mortals may die, the Eternal Remembrance lives forever."
"Eternal Remembrance (Tian Yang Mortal) absorption completed."
"Current usage count: 3."
At the same time, many pieces of information naturally surfaced in Li Fan's mind.
Li Fan squinted his eyes, carefully sensing.
"Consuming usage counts can simulate the construction of memory scenes within the Eternal Remembrance."
"Everything in the scene is indistinguishable from reality."
"But to bring back items and information from the scene to reality, it requires dissolving the obsession that maintains the Eternal Remembrance..."
"Why does this manifestation resemble the Fallen Immortal Realm so much?"
Li Fan was slightly stunned.
"Fallen Immortal, Eternal Remembrance..."
Li Fan pondered for a moment and faintly developed some reasonable speculation.
"Dissolving obsession? Maybe next time I enter the Fallen Immortal Realm, I can try to approach it from this perspective."
Temporarily suppressing these thoughts, Li Fan continued to feel the information feedback from [Truth].
"In the simulated scene, I will completely replace the owner of the Eternal Remembrance."
"At the same time, I will also synchronously receive relevant memories and abilities of the Eternal Remembrance owner."
"Hmm... consistent with the Fallen Immortal Realm."
"After the consumption of all the usage counts, the Eternal Remembrance will completely disappear."
"Perhaps it can be understood this way: [Truth] uses the energy contained in Eternal Remembrance to simulate the construction of a miniature Fallen Immortal Realm."
"Each simulation construction requires energy consumption."
"When the energy is exhausted, Eternal Remembrance will dissipate."
"However..."
Li Fan's mind stirred.
According to [Truth]'s prompt, Eternal Remembrance cannot be used as a bound item.
However, after returning to the anchor point, he could find the carrier of the Eternal Remembrance again and absorb it once more.
"Perhaps other cultivators in this realm can use this Eternal Remembrance through different methods."
"But for them, the usage counts are limited. Once they cannot bring back the opportunities within the specified number of times..."
"The Eternal Remembrance would be wasted for them."
"As for me, its usage counts..."
"Infinite."
Thinking of this, Li Fan no longer hesitated and activated [Truth]'s "Mimicry" function.
A familiar sensation came.
As if someone had put a sack over his head, Li Fan's vision darkened, and he instantly lost consciousness.
...
"Tian Yang! Tian Yang!"
A somewhat old voice gently called out in Li Fan's ears.
"Tian Yang, it's time to take the medicine..."
A bowl of strange-tasting soup was poured into his mouth.
It felt like a fire was burning in his stomach, and the immense pain instantly woke Li Fan up.
Weakness.
Extreme weakness.
Weakness as if he would die at any moment.
This was Li Fan's first perception after waking up.
Chapter 230: Ancient Body Transformation Dao
Accompanying the overwhelming sense of weakness was the intermittent memory belonging to Tian Yang himself.
Master is a good person.
Eldest Senior Brother is handsome and also a good person.
Second Senior Brother is a bit weird but also a good person.
Third Senior Brother is silent but is the best person.ovelllbbin
...
What a mess.
Li Fan spent a long time sorting out the chaotic memories of Tian Yang.
He was picked up by his master from the wilderness and raised.
Since childhood, he was weak and sickly, needing to take medicine every day to maintain his health.
Fortunately, although the number of people in the sect was not large, all his senior brothers were exceptionally kind and doting.
...
Struggling to lift his head, Li Fan, now in the body of a five or six-year-old child, finally understood what was going on.
Children have simple minds.
And because Tian Yang's body was very weak, his activities were limited to the small mountain gate.
Furthermore, he spent most of his time in deep sleep.
It was normal for his memories to only involve people close to him.
"I don't even know the names of my master and senior brothers."
"As for the sect and the Ancient Body Transformation Dao..."
Li Fan, who had understood the general situation, was about to prop up his body to observe the surroundings.
A wave of fatigue suddenly surged to his heart.
"The little guy's physique is really weak to an absurd extent." This thought flashed through Li Fan's mind, and he fell into a deep sleep again.
In a daze, he didn't know how much time had passed.
Li Fan seemed to hear a series of urgent and continuous bell sounds.
He wanted to open his eyes but was unable to do so at all.
Once again, he fell into another deep sleep.
Next, Li Fan was awakened by the conversation coming from his ears.
"What nonsense is this Immortal Recruitment Order? Why bother with it! Those major sects' members number in the thousands, and sending a few people is no big deal."
"With this puppet, if you're tired and can't walk, you can let it carry you everywhere. You won't have to ride on Eldest Senior Brother every time..." Ling Xiao said, gradually lowering his voice.
Li Fan looked up and saw that Second Senior Brother's eyes had turned red.
"Second Senior Brother..."
"Hehe, it's okay. You play with the puppet here for a while. I have to discuss matters with Master and the others." Saying this, Ling Xiao patted Li Fan's head and turned away.
After a while, Li Fan quietly followed.
However, the door to the main hall was tightly closed, and it seemed to be protected by restrictions, making it impossible to see what was happening inside.
Helpless, Li Fan decided to explore other places within the sect.
Suddenly, he thought of something. Li Fan manipulated Tian Yang's young body and struggled to reach the sect's ancestral hall.
Using all his strength, Li Fan finally pushed open the heavy door.
In the spirit tablets at the bottom, Li Fan found the one belonging to Eldest Senior Brother, Si Xing.
After contemplating for a moment, Li Fan paid his respects, slowly withdrew, and closed the door again.
He wanted to go elsewhere, but the feeling of exhaustion in his body struck again.
As if he had been starving for several days and nights, Li Fan's whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Tian Yang's body seems to have some hidden ailment, it's not just an ordinary weakness."
Even walking became a problem. With a determined heart, Li Fan tried to control the small puppet in his hand.
In an instant, the originally toy-sized puppet turned into the size of an adult.
Under Li Fan's command, the puppet lifted him back to the room.
"This puppet seems to be just a little stronger than an ordinary person, and doesn't have any cultivation."
Lying on the bed, Li Fan thought about this, and then he couldn't hold on any longer, slowly falling asleep again.
After a while, Li Fan was awakened by a thunderous sound.
"Esteemed envoy, please spare our Ancient Body Transformation Dao."
"Including me, the Ancient Body Transformation Dao only has five people in total."
"In just a few years, two of my disciples have tragically died on the front lines."
"If this continues, before the enemy arrives, the heritage of my Ancient Body Transformation Dao will be severed!"
The master's desolate voice continued to narrate.
But the other party seemed completely indifferent, "Don't complain to me. I've seen sects far worse off than yours, so what?"
"Within seven days, you must send another person to join."
"Otherwise..."
"Whether one dies or all of you die, you choose!"
Chapter 231: Unyielding Throughout Life
The response from the other side was a deathly silence.
After a moment, the voice softened, offering gentle persuasion, "Guang Yangzi, you should understand that below a fallen nest, no intact eggs remain."
"It's not that we, the Ten Great Immortal Sects, are forcing you. The situation on the battlefield is dire, and we have reached a critical moment."
"You small mountain sects may be miserable, but us leaders are not much better, you know?"
"I won't hide it from you; in our Heavenly Sword Sect, more than half of the masters and brothers of my generation alone have died in battle."
"I'm afraid that soon, I will also have to personally join the battle."
"At this stage of the war, there is no turning back."
After a long time, Guang Yangzi sighed, "I understand, old man."
"This time, let me go."
"Master!" A slightly hoarse voice exclaimed, about to say something, but Guang Yangzi interrupted.
"My decision is made, no need to dissuade me!"
"Good! Courageous! Since that's the case, I won't stay for long. Remember, within seven days, you must go to Cong Yun Mountain and join us."
After the envoy left, Guang Yangzi said to Third Senior Brother, "Lian Chang, come with me. Before we leave, there's something I need to tell you."
"Yes, Master." Lian Chang choked out.
The sound gradually faded away.
Li Fan fell into a deep slumber again.
...
"Tian Yang, Tian Yang!"
"It's time to take your medicine. These recent herbs are distributed by those major sects. They are of much higher quality than what you used to take."
In Li Fan's impression, the usually silent Third Senior Brother suddenly became talkative. He fed Tian Yang medicine while sharing some interesting stories and rumors from the cultivation world.
"Third Senior Brother, is Master not coming back like Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother? Li Fan suddenly asked.
Lian Chang's movements suddenly froze.
After a moment, he forced a smile and said, "Junior Brother, don't think too much. Resting and recuperating is the priority."
"Master will definitely come back."
"Definitely."
Lian Chang repeated this sentence as if trying to convince himself.
Li Fan nodded.
After the medicine went down, a warm sensation spread through his abdomen, providing much comfort.
As drowsiness engulfed him again, Li Fan fell into a deep sleep.
...
"Bang!"
Lian Chang patted Li Fan's head.
"Junior Brother, take care."
Footsteps gradually receded, and the gate closed with a bang.
From then on, the Ancient Body Transformation Dao fell into absolute silence.
As Li Fan lay on the bed, half-asleep and half-awake, he felt the medicinal power of the Tai Shang Foundation Establishment Pill continuously radiating in his belly.
Waves of heat flowed through his meridians, transforming his physique.
It was more potent than all the previous medicines combined.
Strength gradually returned to his body.
Li Fan fell into a deep sleep once again.
When he woke up, he found a long-lost vitality filling his body.
His mind also became much clearer.
Reflecting on what had happened to him since possessing Tian Yang's body, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a bit helpless.
The weakness of this body far exceeded Li Fan's imagination.
This made him unable to make any effective plans or strategies.
He could only watch the "plot" unfold, just like the original Tian Yang.
"It seems that this first attempt is inevitably going to fail."
"But I didn't expect to gain anything on the first try anyway."
"Consider it as gathering information."
With these thoughts, Li Fan explored the Ancient Body Transformation Dao's cave.
Other than the jade slip left by Third Senior Brother, he didn't find anything valuable.
The entrance to the cave was tightly sealed, and it couldn't be opened from the inside.
After observing for a moment, Li Fan faintly sensed, "This seems to be a restriction imposed by the Ancient Body Transformation Dao itself, rather than an issue with the restriction being too strong."
"Can I only stay in this space..."
After pondering for a while, Li Fan returned to the room and started reading the contents of the jade slip.
In addition to the inheritance of the Ancient Body Transformation Dao, there was also a message of encouragement from Third Senior Brother to Tian Yang.
"Junior Brother, cultivate well at home and wait for my return."
"Master said that once your body recovers, your cultivation talent will not lose to anyone."
"Including those direct disciples of those Ten Great Immortal Sects."
"Come on, I'm counting on you. When you achieve cultivation success in the future, I'm counting on you to be my backer!"
...
After putting down the jade slip, Li Fan remained silent for a long time.
Chapter 232: Endless Calamities
"Exceptional cultivation talent, huh..."
"Perhaps Third Senior Brother only wanted to encourage Tian Yang before he died."
"If Tian Yang's talent were truly astonishing, how could he have stopped at the Golden Core stage during his lifetime?"
"He needed to absorb and refine the earth's power for thousands of years just to barely achieve Soul Transformation."
"He took an unconventional approach and deviated from the norm. Although he eventually became a Soul Transformation cultivator, it definitely had nothing to do with extraordinary talent."
Li Fan shook his head and sighed to himself.
After a while, Li Fan began to summarize the information he had gained during this period.
Initially, when he first entered the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, he learned from Qin Tang and the Gu Daoist about a massive and extremely brutal war that occurred in ancient times.
Although he couldn't find any relevant records in the Tianxuan Mirror, possibly due to the influence of those powerhouses above to cause cultivators to forget tragedies, the horrifying war scenes mentioned in "Seeking Immortals" hinted at the existence of such a war.
From the Eternal Remembrance of Tian Yang, Li Fan gained a deeper understanding of the cruelty of this war.
Even the small mountain sects in the cultivation world at that time were almost completely annihilated.
It could be imagined how devastating this war was.
Who were the two sides in the war? And what were they fighting for?
Tian Yang's eldest senior brother, Si Xing, had disdainfully referred to the other side in the conflict as "barbarians."
But judging from the results, the strength of the opposing side was definitely not weak.
Although the Ten Great Immortal Sects ultimately emerged victorious, it could only be described as a disastrous victory.
Li Fan, having encountered powerful Dao Integration cultivators in his reincarnations, knew how terrifying they were.
However, during ancient times, Dao Integration powerhouses were not rare. In fact, they were quite numerous in those powerful sects.
Not to mention, the Ten Great Immortal Sects undoubtedly had the presence of Longevity Immortals.
Just thinking about it made it clear that when these sects united, they formed a formidable force.
What kind of enemy could push cultivators to such a desperate situation? Li Fan was full of doubts.
The truth was hidden in the fog of history. Even with so many opportunities, Li Fan had only glimpsed a small part of it.
To truly understand what happened back then, Li Fan needed more information.
Thinking of this, Li Fan quietly suppressed the scattered thoughts about the ancient war in his mind and turned his attention to another matter.
Thinking ahead, Li Fan realized that his future opponents might be old monsters who had survived each of those calamitous periods one after another.
Li Fan couldn't help but feel his scalp tingling.
However, he was fearless.
"I can fail countless times."
"But no matter what cultivation level you guys are at, as long as you guys fail once, you guys have completely lost."
"What do I have to fear?"
"I will execute those who obstruct my longevity."
Li Fan had already understood that this new order in the Xuanhuang Realm was somewhat similar to the fish gambling.
Just becoming the new fish king was not enough to survive.
He also had to evade the collective hunting of those ancient fish kings who were watching eagerly before he could truly have the qualifications to control his destiny.
His thoughts gradually calmed.
The world of [Truth]'s simulation was not over yet.
Li Fan speculated that Tian Yang's 'plot' had not yet concluded.
Moreover, in this world similar to the Fallen Immortal Realm, time flow was not consistent with the real world.
Li Fan was in no hurry to leave.
He decided to stay in the cave and use Tian Yang's body to cultivate the Ancient Body Transformation Dao.
Practicing the ancient method was a novel experience for Li Fan.
Unlike the direct and brutal nature of the new law, the old method emphasized understanding the cultivation technique itself and contemplating the Dao.
Compared to the mechanical and repetitive cultivation process of the new law, Li Fan found the practice of the old method to be more enjoyable.
Of course, this was because Li Fan's current body could cultivate.
For an ordinary person without the aptitude for cultivation, it would not be so enjoyable.
Without the need for rare Heavenly Treasures, Li Fan broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage after reaching perfection of Qi Condensation.
Following a natural progression, Li Fan advanced rapidly, reaching the mid-Foundation Establishment, late-Foundation Establishment...
Until he finally stopped after achieving the perfection of Foundation Establishment.
Chapter 233: External Body Transformation
Li Fan had no experience in the formation of the Golden Core.
Furthermore, the jade slip left by Third Senior Brother had very little description on this matter.
In his ignorance, Li Fan had to explore and try on his own.
Core formation, whether in the ancient or modern cultivation world, is an extremely difficult process.
The disparity in strength before and after core formation is like night and day.
Hence the saying, "Upon forming a golden core, my destiny is controlled by me."
Li Fan took advantage of this rare opportunity to try the method of core formation on someone else's body, paving the way for his own cultivation.
While immersed in cultivation, unaware of the passing time, a loud explosion startled him.
"Boom!"
The gate of the cave shook as if continuously bombarded.
The entire cave trembled instantly.
Li Fan had to stop his cultivation and be on guard.
Before long, the gate was shattered.
A group of people also broke in simultaneously.
"This is it, the cave of the Ancient Body Transformation Dao."
"Brothers, is the place I found suitable?"
"Abundant spiritual energy, treacherous terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack."
"It's a great place to establish a sect."
"They say all the disciples of the sect died in the previous battle, so it's a good deal for us."
"Clever, saved us a lot of effort..."
Seven cultivators with different attire and a fierce appearance conversed with each other.
As if they were at their own homes, they casually strolled around the cave.
"Wait a minute, it seems like there's still someone inside?"
"Be vigilant!"
The cave of Ancient Body Transformation Dao was just a small place.
Inevitably, not long after, they discovered Li Fan's presence.
The group immediately surrounded Li Fan tightly.
With a glance, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling.
Two were in the Golden Core stage, and five were in the Foundation Establishment stage.
"It seems that this journey of core formation is going to end here," Li Fan thought to himself.
The people across from him, looking at Li Fan who was surrounded in the middle, showed hesitation and began to communicate.
"Boss, what should we do? It seems like Ancient Body Transformation Dao Sect still left a little kid to guard the place."
There wasn't a shred of common sense at all.
The sudden reversal of the spiritual weapons caught the five off guard.
Amidst cries of surprise, they frantically attempted to resist.
The strength of these individuals was indeed mediocre, and in the chaos, they each suffered setbacks.
Naturally, Li Fan took advantage of their disarray.
Manipulating the five spiritual weapons, he launched continuous attacks like a violent storm.
Against the odds of one versus five, he unexpectedly rendered them powerless to fight back.
As victory seemed imminent, the leader among the seven could no longer sit still.
"What a group of useless people!" he cursed loudly.
Subsequently, he summoned a frost-emitting flying sword that was overflowing with light.
Carrying the formidable power of the Golden Core, it slashed towards Li Fan.
Li Fan moved his spiritual consciousness, attempting to control the flying sword.
However, it only paused briefly, and in the next instant, it pierced through Li Fan's body.
"The disparity in cultivation levels is too great. No secret technique can compensate for it."
The surroundings froze and then shattered one by one.
As if emerging from the depths of water in an instant, Li Fan returned to the real world.
In the [Truth] panel, the usage count for Eternal Remembrance had changed to two.
Attempting to recall the content of the "Ancient Body Transformation Dao" technique was futile.
However, his personal experiences were vividly imprinted in his mind.
After contemplating for a moment, Li Fan did not immediately make a second attempt.
Instead, after erasing all traces underwater, he returned to his original appearance.
Silently, he went back to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
"It seems that if I want to escape the situation, there are two places to start from."
"The first is to find a method to cure Tian Yang's weakened condition, participating in the plot development in the early stages. Given the variables, it might produce a different result."
"The second is to cultivate to the Golden Core realm during the period after taking the 'Tai Shang Foundation Establishment Pill.'"
"Defeating those seven people will unlock the subsequent plot."
"Well, no rush. Let's investigate what's going on with Tian Yang first."
At that moment, Li Fan searched for keywords in the Tianxuan Mirror.
Weakness, unconsciousness, a body that doesn't grow.
After a moment, dozens of pieces of information popped up.
"Fetus not fully developed, forcibly expelled from the body by a female cultivator..."
"Innate frailty, insufficient essence..."
"Needs a powerful tonic to replenish innate energy for treatment."
Chapter 234: Hidden Potential in the Human Body
"So, he's a premature baby."
"It's not that difficult to treat, but..."
Yin Yang Dragon Tiger Pill, Innate Qi Replenishing Pill, Essence Nurturing Pill...v3l.Bin.
Li Fan looked at the names of the required medicinal pills for treatment and the materials needed for alchemy, shaking his head silently.
"The small mountain sect of the Ancient Body Transformation Dao doesn't have any alchemy techniques. Moreover, it is quite impoverished, with limited resources. Even if we know these pills are effective, it's not guaranteed that we can find them."
"Besides, whether these pills existed thousands of years ago is still uncertain."
Li Fan went through all the remaining information, and the other common approach was to use Heavenly Treasures to replenish the deficient body.
However, none of them were suitable for the situation Tian Yang was in.
A cultivator with innate weakness to the extent of Tian Yang's condition was indeed very rare.
Since the establishment of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, there have been only a few such cases.
It could be considered a difficult case, and there weren't many references for Li Fan.
"Do I have to pursue the method of breaking through to the Golden Core realm after all?"
"Wait a moment, why did I forget about this!"
Li Fan was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized.
Activating the Divine Transformation Dao, he quickly perused the "Heavenly Doctor's Immortal Sutra" recorded in his mind.
Although Li Fan had memorized the entire medical scripture, the content of this medical book was too vast. Previously, it was stored in the blue crystal in his mind, and he couldn't use it at will with just a thought.
Because of this, he would instinctively overlook it.
The "Heavenly Doctor's Immortal Sutra" was indeed profound, not disappointing Li Fan.
Soon, Li Fan found the description of the corresponding ailment.
"Excessive sleepiness, stunted growth, all such symptoms are due to insufficient innate essence and energy."
"To cure this condition, there are three methods."
"The first is supplementation, the second is peril, and the third is poison."
Li Fan went through the three methods in the medical scripture one by one, silently admiring.
"The path of medicine is truly not to be underestimated."
The so-called supplementation was the method Li Fan had found earlier in the Tianxuan Mirror, using Heavenly Treasures to supplement innate essence and energy.
The other two methods, "peril" and "poison," were intriguing.
According to the medical scripture, although those with this condition had innate deficiencies, as long as they survived for a year after birth, they would have a complete constitution and become a whole entity.
After the last battle, he excitedly sent a message, claiming to have figured out a way to defeat Zhang Qianmo. Once he cultivated well, he would immediately come to challenge.
Li Fan was quite looking forward to this.
According to the explanation from [Truth] on using the Eternal Remembrance to simulate the creation of the world, Li Fan had an idea about why he had been trapped in Ningyuan City in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
"It should still be influenced by obsession. Just like being unable to leave Tian Yang Cave, without resolving the obsession, I'll never be able to leave Ningyuan City."
"As for who's obsession and what obsession..."
"At present, the biggest possibility is Zhang Qianmo."
"Perhaps defeating him could bring about some different changes."
"I hope this 'I Am Invincible' lives up to his name and doesn't disappoint me."
Closing "Discussing Dao While Seated," Li Fan then checked the situation on Xiao Heng's side.
Since receiving the guidance from "Senior Skull," Xiao Heng had already begun taking action.
Su Xiaomei officially entered the White Bone Realm and received Li Fan's "Six Desires Without Form."
Upon stepping into the Qi Condensation stage, her cultivation soared.
Su Changyu still hadn't completed the removal of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma in her body, but perhaps due to her young age, the progress was much faster than before. It was estimated that within a year or two, she could successfully draw in spiritual energy.
Xiao Heng brought the wandering Yin sisters to the deserted island and taught them the method to dispel the miasma.
The same went for Zhang Haobo.
However, during this process, there was a somewhat amusing episode that left Li Fan amused.
As Ye Feipeng had been wandering alone for many years, secretive about his activities, and often did not respond when Xiao Heng tried to contact him, Xiao Heng had to handle all these matters alone.
So, when Ye Feipeng returned with an excited expression, he suddenly saw Zhang Haobo standing on the beach, calmly looking at him.
The slightly guilty fatty thought that someone had discovered he had taken Zhang Haobo's opportunity and believed that someone had come to seek revenge.
Ye Feipeng was immediately frightened out of his wits.
Before this former Dao Integration Immortal Sage, he didn't have the slightest thought of resistance.
Instead, he chose to flee without looking back, at a speed several times faster than when he came.
He didn't stop until he thought he was completely safe, and only then did he stop with a heart still full of lingering fear.
Leaving Zhang Haobo standing on the beach in utter confusion.
In the end, after Ye Feipeng and Xiao Heng communicated, they resolved the misunderstanding.
However, for the time being, Ye Feipeng didn't have the face to return to the deserted island.
He continued chasing after wind disasters in the Cong Yun Sea.
Chapter 235: Marvelous Brushstrokes Write a Splendid Chapter
Through the Vision of Heaven and Earth, Li Fan saw that there were occasional blue light dots surging around Ye Feipeng.
"It seems that Ye Feipeng's plan to attract the attention of the Cong Yun Sea is proceeding smoothly."
The children's cultivation paths were gradually getting on track.
He Zhenghao also didn't lag behind.
During this period, most of the feedback on Li Fan's cultivation progress came from He Zhenghao.
Although his cultivation speed was not as rapid as those prodigies, considering his similar cultivation level to Li Fan, the feedback was much greater.
Not long ago, he sent Li Fan a message with palpitations.
He mentioned that his friend had invited him to explore a cave, but at that time, he was in closed-door cultivation and couldn't respond.
After completing his cultivation, he was shocked to learn that the exploration team of his friend had been completely wiped out.
Moreover, the cave didn't house a Golden Core cultivator, but instead, a Soul Transformation puppet.
Reflecting on the narrow escape, He Zhenghao couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
"The path of cultivation is truly perilous. Any slight mistake can lead to death."
"My brother, Wei Qizheng has quite impressive talent in cultivation. Many thought he would reach the Golden Core stage within a few years, but who would have thought he would be gone so easily." He Zhenghao shuddered afterward.
Li Fan casually comforted He Zhenghao with a few words, reminding him not to wander around recklessly.
Incidentally, he waived He Zhenghao's interest for the next year, urging him to focus on cultivation.
He Zhenghao repeatedly agreed.
"With the increasing number of people invested in, the feedback from the 'Mountain Meditation Technique,' I receive every day is growing."
"I believe that in a few more years, it will almost match the progress I can achieve through constant closed-door cultivation."
"The benefit of sitting back and waiting for success is that even if I allocate some energy to do other things, I can still enjoy the continuous growth of my cultivation."
Everything was progressing smoothly, and Li Fan felt content.
After leaving Ten Thousand Immortals Island, he found a secluded underwater retreat, commencing the second round of the Eternal Remembrance simulation.
The surroundings changed suddenly, and Li Fan once again arrived at the cave from thousands of years ago.
"Tian Yang, it's time to take the medicine..."
The familiar opening line.
Li Fan drank the medicinal soup, forcing himself to focus with the help of the brief surge of warmth in his body.
Quickly, he whispered, "Master, this medicine doesn't have much effect."
"Next time, please change it for me."
Ignoring the stunned Tian Yangzi, he hastily provided the prescription.
His body was so weak that even speaking was extremely difficult.
Eldest Senior Brother Si Xing and Third Senior Brother Lian Chang smiled and listened quietly.
The days passed warmly and calmly.
Li Fan was gradually able to move around normally.
However, the Ancient Body Transformation Dao members only allowed him to stay in the cave on the grounds that it was very dangerous outside.
Li Fan speculated that this might also be a restriction of the Eternal Remembrance itself.
This simulated world, constructed based on Tian Yang's "Eternal Remembrance," was not like the Fallen Immortal Realm, which was almost a real world.
It was impossible to let Li Fan roam around without restrictions.
He didn't mind it much.
During ordinary times, while practicing the "Ancient Body Transformation Dao" technique, whenever there was an opportunity, he chatted with his senior brothers to gather information.
These senior brothers were very caring toward Tian Yang and answered any questions, but only related to the disciples and master of the Ancient Body Transformation Dao.
As soon as the topic shifted to other matters in the cultivation world, they would smile and evade.
It was regrettable that Li Fan couldn't gain a more thorough understanding of the ancient cultivation world.
But these three senior brothers of the Ancient Body Transformation Dao indeed left a deep impression on Li Fan.
The most important thing in practicing "External Body Transformation" was to choose a "Transformation Object."
Eldest Senior Brother Si Xing, with a late Golden Core cultivation, had a thin, emerald-green longsword as his Transformation Object.
When they were integrated as one, the sword could move like the wind, silently taking the heads of cultivators thousands of miles away.
He could be considered the strongest among the disciples of the Ancient Body Transformation Dao in terms of combat power.
Third Senior Brother Lian Chang, with a mid Golden Core cultivation, had a copper bell as his Transformation Object.
It had extremely strong defense capabilities and could emit sound waves to deter enemies, shaking their hearts and souls.
As for Second Senior Brother Ling Xiao, things were a bit peculiar.
Although he also had a mid Golden Core cultivation, his Transformation Object was a pen.
It didn't have any special means to harm the enemy.
Its only remarkable aspect was its ability to independently record what he perceived and thought in his mind through words and images.
With beautiful and delicate writing, it made people feel like they were present, unable to stop reading.
Because of this, Ling Xiao could create astonishing literary works almost every day at an alarming speed.
As for what kind of works they were...
One day, when Li Fan was awakened by the meowing of a cat.
When he came out and saw Ling Xiao controlling a tomcat, playing with another group of cats, it was more than clear.
Li Fan suddenly remembered that the Ancient Body Transformation Dao, despite being a small mountain sect, would become renowned far beyond the current major sects thousands of years later.
All thanks to these splendid works.
Chapter 236: Hundred Lives Pearl
Second Senior Brother Ling Xiao had very thick skin.
Caught red-handed doing something mischievous by his junior brother, he showed no signs of guilt. He even winked, asking Li Fan if he wanted to give it a try.
Before Li Fan could respond, the sword of Eldest Senior Brother arrived in an instant.
A murderous aura pervaded, scattering the mischievous cats in all directions.
Second Senior Brother, embarrassed, gave a wry smile, put away his pen, and sneakily escaped the cave to find new toys for his amusement.
"Junior Brother, you must never imitate your Second Senior Brother."
"When choosing a Transformation Object, you should go for something more serious."
Eldest Senior Brother S Xng earnestly advised Li Fan.
Li Fan nodded repeatedly in agreement.
...
There were many interesting incidents like this.
In general, the atmosphere within the Ancient Body Transformation Dao sect was harmonious and friendly.
In this environment, Li Fan continued to stimulate the hidden potential within his body, strengthening his frail body, all while practicing "External Body Transformation."
In the sixth year after Li Fan possessed Tian Yang's body and entered the simulated world, a series of urgent and breathtaking bell chimes echoed from the distant horizon.
As the bell chimes reached his ears, Li Fan felt a surge of blood and energy throughout his body, and an inexplicable fear filled his heart.
All the senior brothers, each engrossed in their activities, were also abruptly awakened.
"This bell chime... is it the Immortal Summons Bell?!"
The several senior brothers who rushed over showed expressions of shock.
"The last time the Immortal Summons Bell rang, I remember it was because the Longevity Clan, which was kept by the sects as livestock, collectively rebelled, right?"
"That's right. At that time, the Ten Great Immortal Sects issued a wanted order. Anyone who caught any of the fleeing Longevity Clan members would be rewarded with a 'Hundred Lives Pearl,' adding dozens or even hundreds of years to their lifespan."
"The temptation of living a hundred more years is something not many cultivators can resist. To compete for the heads of those runaway Longevity Clan members, cultivators went on a killing spree, creating a huge bloodbath."
"I wonder what major event has happened in the cultivation world this time."
The senior brothers discussed with astonishment.
Ling Xiao said seriously, "Junior Brother, imagine this. You can only live a little over a hundred years, and by that time, you are already considered old. But when others are several hundred or even over a thousand years old, they still look as young as ever. Wouldn't you find it unfair and infuriating?"
Li Fan nodded vigorously, "It's infuriating! It's so unfair!"
"Yes, normal people find it hard to tolerate such a disparity. As I mentioned earlier, some Longevity Clan members don't have formidable cultivations."
"Hmph, it's their own fault. Those cultivators who reach Soul Transformation or Dao Integration stage but have no hope of longevity, how can they not envy those Longevity Clan members?"
Ling Xiao lowered his voice, "Those major immortal sects possess a secret technique called 'Life Dao Transformation' which can extract lifespan from living beings and utilize it."
"And the lifespan extracted from Longevity Clan members is the purest."
"Drawing from tens of thousands of ordinary people over the years can only condense a few Longevity Fruits, adding a hundred or so years to their lifespan."
"But the lifespan provided by a Longevity Clan member can be refined into dozens or even hundreds of 'Hundred Lives Pearls.'"
Ling Xiao's eyes revealed a trace of greed, "The higher the cultivation of the Longevity Clan member, the higher the quality of the refined 'Hundred Lives Pearls.'"
"Back then, I was fortunate enough to participate in a hunt for Longevity Clan members and received a 'Hundred Lives Pearl.' After swallowing it, I felt as if I were floating, as if I had returned to my youth."
"That feeling..."
Ling Xiao smacked his lips, savoring the memory.
"A 'Hundred Lives Pearl' is only like that. I really wonder what the legendary 'Thousand Lives Pearl' or even the 'Ten Thousand Lives Pearl' tastes like."
At this moment, the usually silent Third Senior Brother suddenly spoke, "Xiaoxiao, with your cultivation, even if you managed to swallow a Thousand Lives Pearl by chance, it would only mean it would be your fate to have your lifespan extracted." [1]
Ling Xiao looked at Liang Chang with a disgruntled expression, "Xiaoxiao? Is that how you address me? Old Third, you're really becoming more and more disrespectful."
Third Senior Brother, with an amused expression, looked at Ling Xiao, "What? Do you want to spar with me?"
But Ling Xiao wasn't backing down, "It seems like I haven't shown my dominance as a senior brother in a long time, making you have this misconception."
"Today, I will completely demonstrate my authority as a senior brother!"
After saying that, the two of them started fighting.
Meanwhile, Eldest Senior Brother stood by, smiling and watching.
What a warm and harmonious scene.
However, soon after, the storm of war would shatter everything.
*****
[1] Xiaoxiao is like an endearing way of addressing Ling Xiao as if a parent had addressed their child
Chapter 237: Legacy Passing Across Generations
Three months after the Immortal Summons Bell rang.
The Immortal Recruitment Order arrived as promised.
The disciples of the Ancient Body Transformation Dao gathered together to discuss strategies.
Li Fan also wanted to quietly approach, but his master, Master Guang Yangzi, sternly pulled him out, leaving him to eavesdrop vaguely outside the door.
"What nonsense, Immortal Recruitment Order?! Why bother with it! Those major sects have thousands of members, dispatching some of their own won't be a problem."
"We only have so few people studying the Ancient Body Transformation Dao, and they still want us to go to the front lines? What kind of reasoning is this?"
...
Second Senior Brother's remarks were in line with Li Fan's previous experience.
The final result was consistent with Li Fan's previous experiences.
Eldest Senior Brother went to the front lines first.
Before he left, everyone bid him a tearful farewell.
Li Fan asked Eldest Senior Brother whom he was going to fight.
Si Xing just smiled and patted his Junior Brother's head, saying he was going to fight the bad guys.
Then, transforming into a ray of green light, he broke through the air and left.
With Eldest Senior Brother gone, the atmosphere in the Ancient Body Transformation Dao became much more somber.
Thankfully, there was still Second Senior Brother, an active character who livened up the atmosphere and could bring laughter occasionally.
Li Fan successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, bringing a period of celebration to the Ancient Body Transformation Dao.
However, joy is always short-lived.
One year and three months after Si Xing left.
Bad news arrived.
Eldest Senior Brother died on the battlefield.
Second Senior Brother was full of grief and indignation. According to the information he obtained privately, this was due to the Ten Great Immortal Sects underestimating the enemy.
The battle started off smoothly.
The enemy retreated step by step.
However, the team led by the Ten Great Immortal Sects seriously underestimated the power of the enemy.
In a pursuit, they were ambushed and caught off guard.
The losses were heavy, and the frontline became extremely precarious.
So the sects issued another Immortal Recruitment Order.
Although there were a hundred grudges in the hearts of the sects, under absolute pressure, as long as the Ancient Body Transformation Dao did not want to be completely wiped out like other small sects, they had to obey orders and enlist again.
This time, Second Senior Brother headed to the war front.
For this reason, Second Senior Brother had a fierce fight with Third Senior Brother.
In the past, when the two senior brothers sparred, Third Senior Brother Lian Chang would usually have a slight advantage.
This time, to prevent the other from sacrificing themselves, both displayed their true abilities.
However, this time, Lian Chang lost.
Second Senior Brother Ling Xiao was very powerful.
His brush splashed ink into the air, instantly drawing dozens of flying swords.
Although they were constructed with a brush, they appeared as if they were real.
Looking back at this simulation, Li Fan felt a bit helpless.
Objectively speaking, he had done quite well.
Using the "Peril" method from the Heavenly Doctor's Immortal Sutra, he successfully averted his slumber.
He spent a happy time with the people of the Ancient Body Transformation Dao.
He had the ability of foresight.
He could change one person's destiny.
But he couldn't change the destinies of many people.
In the Ancient War, the entire cultivation world was involved.
Even Longevity Immortals were deeply entangled in the vortex of war and couldn't avoid it.
Li Fan couldn't influence or change any of this.
So, what was the obsession of Tian Yang?
While pondering, Li Fan continued his cultivation.
"Tian Yang's soul is not weaker than man..."
Gradually, Li Fan formed his own speculations.
Back when Tian Yang was young, he watched helplessly as his master and senior brothers sacrificed themselves to protect each other on the battlefield, willingly facing death.
As the weakest and most protected member of the sect, he, alone, survived until the end.
This was all because of his perceived "weakness."
Tian Yang's heart was filled with guilt and regret.
If only he had been stronger at that time, slightly stronger than his senior brothers, could he have replaced them on the battlefield?
Then, he wouldn't have had to watch his senior brothers die one by one?
Perhaps one of his senior brothers would have had a chance to survive?
Maybe this was Tian Yang's simple and sincere obsession.
Time passed slowly as Li Fan continued his cultivation.
Five years and three months after Lian Chang's departure, the entrance to the Ancient Body Transformation Dao's abode suddenly burst open.
Seven cultivators who intended to occupy the Ancient Body Transformation Dao's abode forcefully entered.
Li Fan, who had been sitting in seclusion for years and lacked the experience to form a Golden Core still couldn't break through.
The outcome was the same as before.
The simulated world disappeared, and Li Fan returned to reality.
The usage counts for Tian Yang's Eternal Remembrance also decreased to one.
However, Li Fan unexpectedly discovered that he hadn't gained nothing this time.
The dozens of posthumous works that Second Senior Brother, Ling Xiao, handed over to him before leaving now vividly appeared in Li Fan's mind.
After a long silence, Li Fan came to a realization.
Perhaps, because Tian Yang had been trapped in a deep slumber all those years, he couldn't accompany his senior brothers properly and share the last moments of their lives.
This was also Tian Yang's obsession.
Erasing all traces of the underwater retreat, Li Fan returned to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Under the name of Ling Xiao, he uploaded each of those dozen or so posthumous works.
Thus, the author who had died thousands of years ago began his updates once again.
Chapter 238: Mortal Instantly Transcends to Godhood
Within the vast sea of information in the Tianxuan Mirror, Ling Xiao suddenly updated dozens of works, which didn't attract much attention from people, except for his loyal fans.
In this extremely small circle of only a dozen or so people, the following dialogue took place one day.
"Fellow Daoists, look what I've discovered. 'Fairy Qiong Bai,' 'My Marvelous Journey with Third Junior Brother,' 'Love Locking Talisman'..."
"Huh? All signed by Ling Xiao? Could it be someone using his name to create forgeries?"
"Let me check... Hiss, the style, the writing, and the familiar immersive feeling..."
"Also, the illustrations in each chapter are vivid."
"Most importantly, there are no taboos in who the protagonists sleep with!"
"Humans, immortals, objects, beasts... these are undoubtedly Ling Xiao's posthumous works!"
"I've read every work by Ling Xiao hundreds of times. I can affirm that these are definitely his genuine works!"
"I never expected to see new works from Ling Xiao in my lifetime. Even if I break through and die tomorrow, I'll have no regrets!"
"So many suddenly appeared... If I'm not mistaken, they were probably found together in some ruins or relics. Ling Xiao was truly prolific in his prime. I wonder how many works got lost in the river of history."
"This fellow is truly generous. He openly shared so many works for free. If it were someone else, they would surely sell these rare editions at exorbitant prices!"
"Old Man Jing Xuan, why are you sneering so sarcastically? Do you want to have a fight?"
"Hehe, he's anxious, he's really anxious!"
"Alright, Jing Xuan, Guang Wu, even with so many rare editions, you two can't shut up. Hmm... Anyway, this generous fellow has allowed us to feast our eyes. We should express our gratitude. I'll take care of this matter."
"Let me see, Cong Yun Sea, Li Fan. This place is a bit remote."
"Huh? Just Foundation Establishment cultivation? But that's fine. We only gathered here because of similar interests."
...
So, within the Tianxuan Mirror on Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Li Fan, after he finished uploading Ling Xiao's posthumous works, didn't pay much attention to it. He was contemplating how to break the deadlock of the Eternal Remembrance. Suddenly, he received a friend request.
"Tianyun Province, Oracle? Who is this?" Li Fan felt a bit puzzled.
"No realm information displayed; his cultivation should be above Golden Core."
After some thought, Li Fan accepted the friend request.
A refined middle-aged man dressed in snowy white robes appeared in front of Li Fan.
The Oracle smiled and explained the ins and outs of the situation to Li Fan, expressing gratitude for Li Fan's selfless sharing spirit.
Li Fan hadn't expected that even after thousands of years since Ling Xiao's death, there still existed a group of his die-hard fans.
He resumed contemplating the way to break through Tian Yang's Eternal Remembrance.
The method was quite clear now.
Before the arrival of the Immortal Recruitment Order, he needed to become the strongest in the Ancient Body Transformation Dao and replace Senior Brother Si Xing in joining the war.
However, this seemed like an impossible task.
From the beginning of the simulation to the arrival of the Immortal Recruitment Order, only a little over six years passed.
To expect a mortal with congenital weakness to defeat a powerful ancient cultivator in the late stage of Golden Core within such a short time...
It was indeed too difficult.
At the very least, in terms of Tian Yang's own aptitude, there was almost no hope of success.
The Eternal Remembrance of Tian Yang in this life had only one remaining usage.
Before having a certain level of confidence, Li Fan wouldn't rashly attempt it.
"However, there's no need to put too much effort into it. If I can surpass Golden Core in strength before those seven individuals intrude into the Ancient Body Transformation Dao cave, it's worth a try."
As for how to quickly improve actual combat strength, Li Fan already had some ideas at this moment.
After some searches, hundreds of pieces of information about "Body's Hidden Secrets" appeared in Li Fan's mind.
Many of them required payment to unlock.
This contribution point was just a drop in the bucket for Li Fan.
He checked the reliable ones.
"Another Possibility Beyond the Immortal Path - Discussion on the Potential Development of Body's Hidden Secrets"
"A Discussion on the Possible Connection Between Ancient Body Cultivation and Body's Hidden Secrets"
"Rebirth of Blood, Infinite Vitality"
...
The human body contains infinite potential.
This fact was not only known to the Heavenly Doctor alone.
In the long development of the Xuanhuang Realm, many sects emerged to study the secrets hidden within the human body.
After the establishment of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the open access to the Tianxuan Mirror, an unsurpassed spiritual treasure that facilitated high-level information sharing, the study of the secrets of the human body became even more prevalent.
Unfortunately, the practical effects were limited at the moment.
Even with the current backlash from the Heavens and the arduousness of the cultivation path, it was still better than developing the secrets of the human body.Updated from
Chapter 239: External Body Transformation of the Self
The most crucial factor was that the cultivation speed of the art of unlocking the human body's potential could not be compared to the path of cultivation passed down by the Immortal Ancestor.
Li Fan consulted these books and found that the difficulty of unlocking the human body's secret potential experienced a substantial leap when the power reached a level almost equivalent to the Golden Core realm.
It was as if an invisible shackle appeared, demanding an exorbitant cost for even a slight advancement.
The consumption of the same amount of energy yielded far greater results in cultivation compared to unlocking the secrets within the human body.
Moreover, the power of immortal techniques, capable of invoking spiritual energy, far exceeded the strength derived solely from the human body.
What could "rebirth through a single blood drop" achieve in comparison to the prowess gained after forming the Nascent Soul, where one could establish their Dharma Domain and become virtually unkillable by normal means?
After much research and the conjectures of many cultivators, the technique of unlocking the human body's secrets might have a method to match the advantages of the Immortal Dao.
However, the prerequisite was to escape the environment of the Xuanhuang Realm.
"Just like how the power of firearms and gunpowder is suppressed in this world, the technique to unlock the secrets within the human body follows the same principle."
Once, Li Fan experimented with firearms brought from Grand Xuan to the cultivation world. The explosive power was reduced to almost one percent of its original force. What was originally a lethal weapon turned into a child's toy in an instant.
"As the Xuanhuang Realm is a world of the Immortal Dao, power systems outside of the Immortal Dao will be suppressed to varying degrees."
"It's as if the heavens are consciously repelling external forces."
Synthesizing his previous experiences, Li Fan came to such a conclusion.
However, even before this, Li Fan had a vague speculation.
He wasn't particularly surprised.
"Although it lacks further potential, it is sufficient to help Tian Yang breakthrough."
"However, relying solely on the power of unlocking the human body's secrets falls somewhat short of reaching Golden Core within six years as a mortal."
"It's still a bit lacking."
"Ancient Body Transformation Dao..."
"Using yourself to establish the foundation..."
Li Fan slowly contemplated the relevant possibilities in his mind.
To be honest, the Ancient Body Transformation Dao's External Body Transformation and the current method of stealing Heavenly Treasures from the heavens and earth to establish the foundation were quite similar.Updated from
Both involved relying on external things to nurture oneself.
On Yin Yin Island, Master Yin once talked to Li Fan about the possibility of the 'Self Foundation.'
This naturally led Li Fan to wonder if External Body Transformation could extend to the self.
"And that Zhang Haobo too."
"He's worthy of being a figure who could achieve Dao Integration in the last life. I thought that by robbing him of his luck, he would become an ordinary person from then on."
"But unexpectedly, approaching him at that time actually attracted the attention of that old immortal skull, allowing him to embark on the path of immortality again."
"Hmph, if I had known this earlier, I should have been more ruthless and killed him directly."
"There's no need to see him now and be uncontrollably upset."
"But fortunately, this treasure, you won't get a chance this time."
Ye Feipeng subconsciously touched his chest.
There, a faint blue transparent water droplet was continuously helping him absorb the surrounding pure water attribute spiritual energy, enhancing his cultivation.
Ye Feipeng naturally knew that this blue water droplet was the Canghai Pearl.
In the previous life, it was with its assistance that Zhang Haobo could slay the Crimson Flame as a Golden Core and successfully achieve Dao Integration.
In this life, he imitated Zhang Haobo, constantly chasing and resolving wind disasters, trying to attract the attention of the Cong Yun Sea. After his unremitting efforts, he finally succeeded.
However, he couldn't feel happy about it.
"With the help of such a treasure, my cultivation speed is still inferior to those freaks on the island. Could it be that I, Ye Feipeng, am truly so worthless?"
The more the fatty thought about it, the more frustrated he became, falling into deep self-doubt.
After a long time, he took a deep breath and comforted himself, "Calm down, you need to stay calm."
"So what if my cultivation speed is a bit slow? My biggest advantage is the foresight from being reborn."
Ye Feipeng looked up at the distant sky, his eyes flickering.
"Heavenly Calamity Sword Intent..."
"The continuous premonitions from the Canghai Pearl recently should be related to this."
"But in my heart, I feel that place is extremely dangerous, and I haven't made up my mind to explore it yet."
"I can't continue like this!"
Ye Feipeng's eyes showed determination.
"On the path of cultivation, it is inherently impossible to not take any risks at all."
"If I don't have this bit of courage, how will I plan to achieve Dao Integration in the future?"
Displaying a speed incongruent with his figure, Ye Feipeng moved like a ghost, walking on the waves and controlling the wind.
In the blink of an eye, he left the deserted island.
Chapter 240: Swallowing the Green Wind
In the Cong Yun Sea.
The place where the Green Wind trapped the sword.
The fatty Ye Feipeng squinted, looking up at the hidden spot in the sky, his face showing a hesitant expression.
Although there was a constant throbbing coming from the blue water droplet in his chest, urging him to hurry forward, when it came to the critical moment, Ye Feipeng hesitated again.
"The Heavenly Calamity Sword sounds formidable. It should be exceptionally dangerous in there..."
"Despite having the Canghai Pearl to protect my body, I cannot guarantee absolute safety."
"If I die again this time, I'm afraid I'll really die."
The expression on the fatty's face fluctuated, and he felt extremely conflicted.
After dawdling for so long, he realized that waiting longer might attract the attention of passing cultivators. Only then did Ye Feipeng close his eyes, grit his teeth, and rush in.
A dreamy blue light appeared around him in a timely manner. With the assistance of the Cong Yun Sea, after a moment, he successfully entered that strange space.
A transparent figure in green stood silently.
In its hands, it held a cage composed of green light.
The pitch-black handle of the Heavenly Calamity Sword, like a trapped ferocious beast, kept hitting the cage, attempting to struggle and break free.
"What is this..."
Ye Feipeng's gaze first lingered on the handle of the Heavenly Calamity Sword for a moment, then uncontrollably looked towards the Green Wind.
"A Heavenly Spirit?!"
The fat man's eyes suddenly turned bloodshot, his face full of ferocity.
If it weren't for the blue light covering his body, allowing him to retain a trace of sanity, he might have rushed towards the Green Wind without any regard.
Exerting all his strength, he lowered his head.
Returning to normal gradually, Ye Feipeng, at this moment, was full of horror. "A Heavenly Spirit, it turns out to be another Heavenly Spirit!"
"This handle of the Heavenly Calamity Sword, being able to contend with it, is obviously also at the Dao Integration realm."
"Two Dao Integration powerhouses..."
"The slightest negligence could mean death and annihilation."
"Dangerous, too dangerous..."
Ye Feipeng's face gradually turned extremely pale, his mind overwhelmed by fear, with no thoughts left for observing and comprehending.
Every second he stayed, the risk of dying increased exponentially.
When he came to his senses, Ye Feipeng hadn't accomplished anything and stood there dumbly.
Not long after, he couldn't endure the inner fear any longer and escaped the place where Green Wind trapped the sword.
Displaying his incredible fleeing skills, he flew at an astonishing speed, heading towards the distance.
Only when the fear in his heart completely dissipated did he finally stop.
From the mysterious space, he came to the sky of an unknown area in the Cong Yun Sea.
The green light gradually transformed, and a faint sound of roaring wind could be heard.
Clouds gathered from all directions, and massive energy was silently accumulating.
Observing all of this, Ye Feipeng could no longer hold back the greed in his eyes.
Under the envelopment of the blue light, he suddenly felt something.
Opening his big mouth, he swallowed the strand of green light that was undergoing transformation.
As the green light entered his stomach, the fatty's belly twisted and shook violently.
As if it would burst open at any moment.
However, Ye Feipeng didn't care at all. He was even a bit lethargic as if he had just finished a satisfying meal.
Narrowing his eyes, as if about to fall asleep at any moment.
In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan, who was practicing diligently, paused his thoughts for a moment.
Diverting some attention, from the Vision of Heaven and Earth, he carefully observed Ye Feipeng.
After swallowing the green light, Ye Feipeng, who was originally in the late Qi Condensation stage, was rapidly ascending.
And his originally pure white fate also acquired a trace of sacred and pure green.
Moreover, as Ye Feipeng continuously digested the power of the green light, the green color became more and more intense, gradually staining the surrounding white.
"Even pigs can fly when carried by the wind."
"The little fatty isn't just carried by the wind; he swallowed the entire gust of wind."
"I don't know how high he can fly this time."
"Fate changes with fortune, one change begets a hundred changes..."
Li Fan silently watched Ye Feipeng, days and nights passing by.
In the blink of an eye, six days passed, and the bulging belly of the fatty finally receded a bit.
Ye Feipeng opened his eyes, and a fleeting trace of green light flashed in his eyes.
After examining the changes in his body, his face was filled with uncontrollable joy.
He first tested his Wave Treading Escape Technique.
His figure flickered and disappeared from the original spot.
After a few breaths, he had flown to the distant horizon.
"At least twice as fast as my original speed!"
"Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators can't even catch up to me."
"Now, I'm even safer!"
"Moreover, I have a premonition that as my cultivation improves, my speed can further advance."
"I can't imagine how astonishing it will be in the future."
Chapter 241: Medicine King Cauldron Returns to the Xuanhuang Realm
After verifying the metamorphosis of his escape technique, Ye Feipeng tirelessly began to explore his other gains.
Wind blades, wind prisons, windstorms...
Even though they were far from reaching the strength of the original Green Wind, after incorporating the true meaning of the Green Wind, their power had qualitatively improved compared to ordinary spells.
In Li Fan's eyes, the spells Ye Feipeng, who was currently in the Qi Condensation stage, displayed had destructive power almost approaching the mid Foundation Establishment stage.
However, between this Green Wind True Intent and the Heavenly Calamity Sword Intent that Zhang Haobo had comprehended in the past, it was really hard to say which was stronger.
If Li Fan had to choose, he would still choose the Heavenly Calamity Sword intent. After all, in terms of lethality, the Green Wind was weaker than the Heavenly Calamity Sword by more than one step.
And Li Fan was cautious in his actions and generally would not engage in physical conflict.
Once he made a move, it would definitely be a situation of "either you die, or I die."
Naturally, the Heavenly Calamity Sword intent was more suitable than the Green Wind i=True Intent in many aspects.
...
After his practice, Ye Feipeng, who had made rapid progress in strength, didn't return to the deserted island to show off.
Instead, he quietly returned to that mysterious space.
After waiting for a while, he followed a weak strand of green light again and swallowed it.
Unfortunately, judging by his regretful expression, it seemed that the harvest was not significant.
After that, the discouraged fatty leisurely returned to the island and challenged Xiao Heng.
Unexpectedly, after just going out for a while, Ye Feipeng's strength had undergone such a huge change.
Caught off guard, Xiao Heng, even with the full power of the Sea Fixing Sword Technique, could only persist for nearly half a day before being defeated.
Ye Feipeng, who won against Xiao Heng for the first time, laughed heartily, patted Xiao Heng's shoulder, and swaggered away humming a tune.
Watching Ye Feipeng's back, Xiao Heng was initially shocked and unbelieving.
But then, his face gradually became serious.
Without saying a word, he started practicing in seclusion.
Under his influence, the atmosphere on the once lively deserted island gradually became somewhat solemn.
The usual playing and fooling around decreased significantly, and Su Xiaomei, Zhang Haobo, and the others also began diligent cultivation.
"Very good, you still need to provide enough pressure to have enough motivation."
"Although the little fatty is not an exceptional talent, he happens to help motivate the others."
"From this perspective alone, my investment is not in vain."
"I was worried that the various measures taken before would have little effect!"
Li Fan coughed lightly and asked, "Did you sell the cauldrons in your possession?"
"Huh? Fellow Daoist's voice sounds a bit weak, did you get injured?" Jiao Xiuyuan didn't immediately answer but rather asked with some doubt.
"Cough, it's fine, just a slight deviation during cultivation. It's nothing serious," Li Fan casually replied.
Jiao Xiuyuan then returned to the main topic, "Hehe, fellow Daoist, rest assured, I've prepared for so long. How could I easily sell them?"
"The appreciation of these Minor Medicine King Cauldrons has just begun."
"Next, following fellow Daoist's suggestion, I plan to invite a master diviner to endorse these cauldrons."
"After the atmosphere is appropriately heated up, I'll collaborate with others to organize a grand auction."
"I'll sell one of them at the auction first, testing the market."
"What do you think of my plan, fellow Daoist? Is there anything that needs improvement?"
Since Li Fan gave him advice last time, Jiao Xiuyuan regarded him as extraordinary and believed that Li Fan had few equals in the world of commerce. Therefore, he valued Li Fan's opinions greatly.
Instead of immediately expressing his opinion, Li Fan, in the Tianxuan Mirror, searched and reviewed all the recent events related to the fiery meteor.
After contemplating for a moment, he said, "Hehe, the situation has changed. In my opinion, there is no need to invite someone to endorse it now."
"The fact that the meteor can shield itself from the heavenly secrets is the best publicity in itself."
"Products that are mysterious and leave room for imagination are more valuable."
"If you really want to take action, consider having this divination master remain silent."
Jiao Xiuyuan was puzzled for a moment, "Silent? What does that mean?"
Li Fan smiled, "Let this master claim that during the divination of the Minor Medicine King Cauldron's origin, he suffered backlash and was seriously injured."
"Furthermore, he needs to go into seclusion and rest for a while."
After thinking about it, Jiao Xiuyuan felt the brilliance of this approach.
"Compared to what others promote, most people prefer to believe in their own imagination. Fellow Daoist, this method is ingenious, truly ingenious!"
Jiao Xiuyuan praised repeatedly.
"When the auction is held, avoid secretly inflating prices or any such activities."
"Even after the auction ends, ensure the safety of the cultivators who successfully bid for the Minor Medicine King Cauldron. Avoid incidents of killing for treasures."
"In short, for the first auction, don't aim for significant profits."
"Just make sure to thoroughly publicize the fame of the Minor Medicine King Cauldron."
Li Fan provided advice to Jiao Xiuyuan one by one.
Chapter 242: Breaking Through the Bottleneck Quickly
With all the advice from Li Fan, Jiao Xiuyuan felt like he had struck gold.
He promptly took his leave with great joy to make the necessary arrangements.
"Cough..." The clone coughed and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"No wonder nowadays, there's only theoretical research, and no one is truly practicing the human body's secrets method."
"Compared to the new law that can advance guaranteed when the conditions are met, the progress in developing the human body's potential is not only slow but also risky."
"It relies solely on self-exploration, and a slight mistake can result in depleted vitality and serious damage to one's vitality."
"Fortunately, it's just a clone, so there's no need to worry about any aftermath. As long as I can accumulate experience, it's a gain."
After purchasing a Dragon Tiger Pill to replenish vitality, Li Fan swallowed it.
His complexion quickly became rosy, and the clone once again entered into the experimental exploration.
The remaining time of the fifteenth year passed in a hurry.
In the sixteenth year, with the sudden emergence of two forces promoting cultivation within his body, Li Fan trembled all over and woke up from seclusion.
There was no more room for improvement in cultivation, and he couldn't make any progress.
Li Fan knew that he had already reached the Foundation Establishment perfection.
He only needed to break through the bottleneck to start forming his Golden Core.
The two forces of feedback in his body came from Ye Feipeng and Xiao Heng.
With a thought, he checked the records of the blue crystal in the sea of consciousness, detailing the events that had occurred to the two individuals during this period.
After swallowing the Green Wind True Intent, Ye Feipeng's cultivation speed increased significantly.
In a short half-year, he reached the perfection of the Qi Condensation.
Seemingly without encountering any bottlenecks, he emulated Zhang Haobo from his memories and used the "Green Wind True Intent" to build his foundation.
After successfully establishing his foundation, Ye Feipeng returned to the deserted island, proudly flaunting his success to everyone. He even took on the tone of an elder, lecturing Xiao Heng and others.
Stimulated by this, Xiao Heng became more devoted to his cultivation.
A month later, after reaching Qi Condensation perfection, Xiao Heng went to the altar in the White Bone Realm and obtained the top-grade Human Treasure, the "Burial Sea Bone Sword."
He successfully entered the Foundation Establishment stage.
This Foundation Treasure was naturally prepared by Li Fan for him.
After establishing his foundation, the first thing Xiao Heng did was to challenge Ye Feipeng again.
Both had recently advanced, and neither could precisely control their own strength.
After battling for a long time, they couldn't determine the winner and had to settle for a draw.
Sighing, Xiao Heng's initial excitement disappeared.
Li Fan's thoughts paused for a moment.
"All laws of heaven and earth are my laws."
"If an ordinary cultivator is forming the Golden Core, they would only condense one or a few pure laws."
"So what I need to do is to condense..."
"A myriad of Golden Core laws."
Li Fan took a deep breath, suppressing the sudden throbbing in his heart.
"For other cultivators, no matter how talented they are, even if they spend their entire lives, they can't achieve this."
"But for me, who possesses [Truth], as long as I can ensure successful reincarnation repeatedly, it's trivial."
"However, this process will undoubtedly take an extremely long time. Perhaps I can choose a suitable law first, break through to the Golden Core stage, and then see."
"It would be best to maximize the improvement in combat power."
If one were to talk about the most powerful killing power, from all the experiences and knowledge he had gained since entering the cultivation world.
The Heavenly Calamity Sword and Ink Death were the most terrifying.
"Ink Death is a force of pure destruction that annihilates everything."
The blue crystal in the sea of consciousness slowly emitted light, vividly replaying the scene of the past when Ink Death exterminated everything.
"At that time, the one who witnessed this scene of world destruction was just a Qi Condensation clone. Its perception was not enough to support me in condensing the Golden Core with this law."
"But when Ink Death descends again in this life, it's an excellent opportunity to add to my understanding. I can observe it again."
"As for the Heavenly Calamity Sword..."
Thinking about it, Li Fan's eyebrows slightly furrowed.
This sword was filled with killing intent, chaos, madness, and tyranny.
Its origin was unknown.
But just the broken hilt alone could contend with the Dao Integration Realm Green Wind.
Its original full strength was unimaginable.
"If I want to condense the Golden Core with the Heavenly Calamity Sword technique, my previous accumulation may not be enough."
Li Fan's gaze flickered as he thought of the scene he had seen before when the Master forcibly broke into the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
The blue ox pulled the carriage, and the Master forced out the Heavenly Doctor.
Then, all the anomalies in the Heavenly Palace erupted in unison.
Among them, one was deeply embedded in the body of the turtle-snake monster.
It was the body of the Heavenly Calamity Sword.
Chapter 243: Taiyi Absorbs the Heavenly Calamity
"Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, Patriarch Taiyi..."
Li Fan pondered for a moment, and a plan formed in his mind.
He certainly wouldn't risk his life to go to Taiyi Hall to personally test the power of the Heavenly Calamity Sword.
However, with the Formless Killing Intent, he didn't need to venture into danger.
Using his clone, he went out and made some arrangements.
Meanwhile, Li Fan's main body quietly arrived in front of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, waiting for an opportunity.
Soon, a guide on exploring the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace appeared from an unknown source and spread throughout the entire Cong Yun Sea.
Initially, cultivators were skeptical of the content in this "guide."
However, as some cultivators conducted experiments with their lives and genuinely gained inheritances, the validity of the guide was verified.
Mastering the rules of an anomaly meant avoiding almost all casualties.
Therefore, the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, which had always attracted cultivators for exploration, became even more lively.
Not only did some adventurous rogue cultivators participate, but even cautious members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, after obtaining the "solution" to clearing the palace, couldn't resist the temptation.
They flocked to the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, seeking their own fortunes.
As Li Fan, who had been waiting for a long time, selected those with good fortune using the Formless Killing Intent technique.
He used them as his eyes to investigate the mysteries of the Heavenly Calamity Sword.
Because the guide clearly stated the method to approach Taiyi Hall and awaken the turtle-snake monster.
However, it did not mention the opportunities that could be obtained at Taiyi Hall.
According to normal thinking, the deeper into the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, the more valuable opportunities one would obtain.
Among these adventurers, there were naturally those full of exploratory spirit and courage.
Thus, under Li Fan's watchful eyes, nearly a dozen people, even after gaining benefits from various places in the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, were still not satisfied and headed towards Taiyi Hall.
They arrived in front of the sword forest.
Although the pain of the swords piercing their hearts was terrifying, when thinking about the treasures ahead, the pain seemed to lessen significantly.
The group gritted their teeth, enduring the intense pain, and eventually, they arrived at the square in front of the Taiyi Hall, exhausted.
Following the guide, they shouted and yelled.
"I am the 167th generation disciple of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, I request an audience with Patriarch Taiyi!"
"Patriarch Taiyi, please come out and meet us!"
The shouts echoed throughout the hall.
"Boom!"
The earth trembled, and Taiyi Hall rose into the air.
Under the frightened and expectant gazes of the crowd, the turtle-snake monster actually appeared.
It looked a bit bewildered as it looked at the people in front of it, taking a long time to react.
However, a few more clever cultivators began to operate the inherited martial arts they obtained from the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, proving their identities.
Others quickly followed suit.
For a moment, lights from various martial arts shone on Taiyi, as per the guide's instructions.
This action by the Patriarch Taiyi seemed to enrage the Heavenly Calamity Sword.
Countless sword shadows fell like rain, mercilessly piercing through Taiyi's body.
Taiyi screamed in pain but refused to let go.
From the emergence of the original form of the Heavenly Calamity Sword to the turtle-snake using its body as a scabbard to block the attacks of the Heavenly Calamity Sword, it all happened in the blink of an eye.
With Taiyi's mournful cry, the cultivators on the square finally woke up from their stupor.
With fearful expressions, they tried to escape.
However, the sword forest in front had already made their arrival extremely difficult.
How could they easily escape at this moment?
Just as the cultivators had barely crossed half the distance of the sword forest, the Heavenly Calamity Sword finally completely broke free from Taiyi's body.
"Buzz!"
The sound of the sword rang out again.
As if disdainful of personally taking action, the tip of the Heavenly Calamity Sword did not point towards the escaping cultivators.
Instead, it aimed in the direction behind the Taiyi Hall.
The sound of the sword rang out.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
...
The fleeing cultivators' heads exploded one after another like watermelons, still moving forward for quite a distance until they collapsed.
At the same time, Li Fan instantly lost sight of the Taiyi Hall.
He could only vaguely see through the perspective of the cultivators exploring other areas.
Just as the pitch-black Heavenly Calamity Sword raged, a giant blue hand suddenly appeared behind the Taiyi Hall.
It grabbed the sword and forcefully thrust it back into the body of the Patriarch Taiyi.
The ear-piercing friction sound echoed throughout the entire Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
At this moment, all the cultivators exploring inside the palace groaned, suffering varying degrees of injuries.
They all revealed horrified expressions.
Accompanying the screeching sound was the extremely tragic howl of the Patriarch Taiyi.
"Hanhai..."
The voice was like muffled thunder, rumbling all over.
Taiyi's painful cries seemed like a sigh of relief.
There was no resentment.
As the Heavenly Calamity Sword regained control, the myriad sword shadows gradually disappeared.
With a thunderous roar, Taiyi Hall descended, and Patriarch Taiyi fell into a deep sleep once more.
Everything returned to calm.
However, that giant blue hand slowly turned as pitch-black as the Heavenly Calamity Sword.
Chapter 244: Dual Law Golden Core Refinement
A tyrannical and frenzied intent emanated from the pitch-black giant hand.
It was similar to the previously suppressed Heavenly Calamity Sword.
However, before this ominous giant hand could take any action, an immense blue light suddenly lit up from behind the Taiyi Hall, deep within the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
It appeared as an endless ocean suspended in the sky.
Under the reflection of the blue light, the giant hand seemed to be constantly washed by endless seawater.
The darkness on the giant hand slowly faded away.
It reverted to its original color.
The blue light suddenly withdrew, and the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace returned to silence.
Many cultivators who witnessed this series of events believed that some extraordinary treasure had appeared there.
Summoning their courage, they cautiously approached to see what was happening.
The first thing they saw was a dozen headless corpses scattered on the ground.
Their expressions changed drastically.
Recalling the giant sword emitting an ominous black aura they had seen earlier, the onlookers didn't dare to make any unnecessary moves and hastily retreated.
News of the sudden change and danger in the depths of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace quickly spread through the Cong Yun Sea as cultivators exchanged information.
"It seems that it won't be so easy to deceive people into activating the Heavenly Calamity Sword next time."
"However, with the Divine Transformation Dao, there isn't a difference between watching it once or multiple times."
Having achieved his goal, Li Fan quietly returned to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
In the Tianxuan Mirror, he kept replaying in his mind the scene where the Heavenly Calamity Sword was unsheathed and harvested the lives of more than ten cultivators.
From the Vision of Heaven and Earth, Li Fan saw that the spiritual energy around the cultivators, which was usually calm, became chaotic the moment the sound of the sword arrived.
It seemed as if the spiritual energy turned into Calamityrp yet flexible strings, slicing through the heads of the cultivators with each vibration.
"Calamity..."
Repeatedly comprehending it hundreds of times, Li Fan gradually gained some insights.
The scene shifted, and Li Fan focused his attention on what happened afterward.
An infinite amount of blue light surged into the sky, forming an inverted ocean.
Majestic and spectacular.
Li Fan carefully comprehended.New novel chapters are published on
"This blue energy gives me a very familiar feeling."
"It seems very similar to the Cong Yun Sea."
"But for some reason, the ocean imagery represented by this blue light seems to be much more expansive than the Cong Yun Sea..."
"Hanhai..." [1]
The Hanhai law naturally had an endless source in the Canghai Pearl.
This was also the reason why cultivators often couldn't simultaneously master multiple laws when forming the core.
Without one's own Foundation Treasure as the root, condensing a core with multiple laws was not easy.
Li Fan tried for a long time, but the speed of condensing the Heavenly Calamity law was always slower than its dissipation.
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan temporarily gave up the attempt.
Instead, he began to contemplate the scene when Zhang Haobo was forming his core.
The black sword intent shadow, magnified countless times, stood between heaven and earth.
Green wind blew in from the sword tip above, and the blue water flowed in from the sword hilt below.
The three colors, blue, black, and green, mixed together, and the sword body slowly condensed.
...
Li Fan's eyes brightened, showing signs of deep contemplation.
"Zhang Haobo used the Water and Wind laws, which naturally exists in heaven and earth, combined with his own Heavenly Calamity Sword Intent to form a core together."
"The natural laws of heaven and earth are endless, so there's no need to worry about source."
"Perhaps this is why many cultivators have to travel far and wide to personally comprehend and absorb the laws of heaven and earth when forming their core."
"But I can't do that."
"The Heavenly Calamity law, the Hanhai law, and the Ink Death law, each one is more dangerous than the other."
"Going to the scene to observe it in person would probably not lead to the formation of the core but would instead cost me my life."
"Fortunately, I have [Truth]."
With a thought, the Foundation Treasure transformed into the Heavenly Calamity Sword Intent in the blink of an eye.
The blue Hanhai law, which was originally gathered into a ball, lost its foundation in an instant and began to dissipate.
However, it had already formed a self-sustaining momentum, and its dissipation speed slowed down considerably.
During this time, Li Fan had enough time to condense the Heavenly Calamity law.
The black color gradually intensified.
It was as if layer after layer of dark shackles were added to the blue water ball.
Time slowly passed.
After the embryonic form of the Heavenly Calamity law was established, Li Fan promptly switched the Foundation Treasure back to the Canghai Pearl, restoring the blue Hanhai law.
Repeating this process continuously, slowly, within Li Fan's dantian.
The Golden Core shadow centered around [Truth] gradually took shape.
*****
T/N: Hanhai translates roughly to "Vast Sea"
Chapter 245: Unexpected Conflict
"Heavenly Calamity law, Hanhai law."
"If I continue to refine like this, it probably won't be long before I can achieve Golden Core with these two laws."Updated from
Li Fan felt a slight joy in his heart.
However, just at the moment when this thought arose in his mind, a sense of crisis suddenly surged into his heart.
It was as if he was facing that mysterious and unpredictable Heavenly Doctor.
The severity of the crisis made him feel horrified and inexplicably shocked.
"Hmm?"
Li Fan's deep cultivation process was suddenly interrupted.
His expression became extremely serious, pondering in confusion.
"Where is this premonition of danger coming from?"
Li Fan was always very confident in his intuition.
Several times before, it had saved him from life-threatening situations.
Therefore, facing this sudden surge of danger, Li Fan had to take it seriously.
[Truth] kept changing, maintaining the embryonic form of the Heavenly Calamity and Hanhai laws that he had finally condensed.
Stopping the core formation process, Li Fan began to contemplate.
However, after much contemplation and searching, he still couldn't find the reason.
Without recklessly attempting to form the core, Li Fan instead thought about ways to resolve the issue.
"Heavenly Calamity, Hanhai, it may be that I cannot form a core only with these two laws."
"Although it's not clear why, there must be a deeper reason behind it."
"Let's just set aside why this result occurred for now and treat 'Cannot form a core only with the Heavenly Calamity and Hanhai laws' as a fact."
"Since these two don't work, then let's add a third..."
The Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit suddenly appeared in his sea of consciousness.
Flying to Li Fan's side, it pointed at his dantian.
The Azure Flame law slowly joined the core formation process.
As time passed, the Heavenly Calamity, Hanhai, and Azure Flame laws gradually formed a three-pronged situation.
The embryonic form of the Golden Core slowly stabilized.
At this point, Li Fan once again had the idea of completely forming the core.
The sense of crisis struck again.
However, this time it was much milder than before.
"It seems that my approach is effective."
"But what is the reason for this?"
"Is it because the Heavenly Calamity and Hanhai laws are dangerous and need to be diluted?"
Recalling how the Heavenly Calamity was trapped by the Green Wind and the peculiarities of Hanhai, Li Fan could only make such a guess.
"If my speculation is correct, then as long as I add other laws during the core formation process, it should be fine."
"With my current ability, maintaining the simultaneous formation of four laws is already the limit."
This sudden event was completely beyond his expectations.
He didn't know what went wrong, leading to the occurrence of a major event that had never happened before.
Quickly suppressing these distracting thoughts, Li Fan began to inquire from his friends.
Currently, he had a wide range of friendships, and his network was quite extensive.
One by one, he sent out inquiries.
"Hmm? What's happening with this star..."
Inside the Ten Thousand Immortals Communication Talisman, among the stars that represented the identities of many cultivators, one star, although bright, showed a desolate gray color.
This indicated that the cultivator represented by this star had fallen.
Li Fan clicked on this star, and the identity of the fallen cultivator instantly appeared in his mind.
"Cong Yun Sea, Medicine Hall's Chen Ying."
Li Fan was shocked.
"Him? How could a Nascent Soul cultivator fall so easily?"
"Moreover, didn't he go to those Five Element Subworlds..."
"Wait a minute, could it be that this battle is related to those Five Element Subworlds?"
In an instant, Li Fan seemed to think of something.
In the twelfth life, in the sixteenth year, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance discovered four hidden subworlds near the wood attribute subworld.
These five subworlds belonged to the gold, wood, water, fire, and earth attributes, and were arranged as if in a unified formation.
The discovery of these five elemental subworlds attracted the coveting eyes of the Five Elders Association.
A large-scale battle erupted, leading to the fall of a Soul Transformation powerhouse from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
The casualties of the Five Elders were unknown, but they were successfully repelled.
"If my guess is correct..."
In a flash, Li Fan seemed to figure out the cause of the incident.
In the twelfth life, the Five Elders Association only knew that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had discovered subworlds corresponding to the five elements.
They might not be clear about the specific situation inside those subworlds.
Therefore, after trying and failing to enter, they gave up and retreated.
However, in this life, due to the disturbance caused by the Spirit Mist Grass, the Tianxuan Mirror had to intervene to stabilize the situation and market.
Although it quelled the storm with a single word, it inadvertently revealed the situation of the wood attribute subworld.
"...The scale of this subworld is extremely large, with extremely high wood attribute spiritual energy, and an extremely rich variety of spiritual plants and herbs..."
Recalling the wording of the Tianxuan Mirror at the time, Li Fan's face changed dramatically.
The three consecutive uses of the word "extreme" fully illustrated the extraordinary value of this subworld.
Even one of the Five Element Subworlds had such remarkable value.
It was unimaginable what treasures might exist in the other four elemental subworlds.
Understanding the key points, Li Fan couldn't help but feel enlightened.
"No wonder we suddenly entered a state of preparedness."
"It should be the Five Elders Association taking decisive action."
Chapter 246: Battle in Tianling Province
"I wonder how the specific situation is on the side of the Five Element Subworlds."
From what Li Fan knew, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association had not waged war for about three hundred years.Updated from
They occasionally had friction, but at most, it was limited to a single province.
Situations like this one, where the entire area was prepared for war, were extremely rare.
Li Fan continued to inquire about the reasons for the outbreak of the conflict from his friends, trying to confirm whether his speculations were true.
Unfortunately, the war seemed to have a very high level of secrecy. The responses Li Fan received were all uncertain.
The ominous clouds of war hung over everyone.
The originally carefree atmosphere of Ten Thousand Immortals Island became desolate and filled with an oppressive air.
Everyone's faces showed a subtle and uneasy expression.
As a Formation Repairer of the Formation Hall, Li Fan also received task assignments.
He followed the members of the Martial Hall, forming a team to patrol along the border of the Cong Yun Sea.
They were also tasked with setting up formations while being vigilant against spies from the Five Elders Association.
The leader of Li Fan's team was a cultivator named Shan Wu, a mid stage Golden Core expert.
In the team, there were also Huan Sui and several other Foundation Establishment cultivators Li Fan had previously met during the beast extermination task.
Li Fan's patrol team was not the only one.
Almost all the mobilizable forces of Ten Thousand Immortals Island were put into action, indicating the importance attached to this war.
As for Jiang Zhengji and Du Xingchang, they were reportedly requisitioned by the headquarters and went to the frontline.
"When Jiang Zhengji and Du Xingchang unite, they can deploy their ultimate technique, the 'Crystal World,' and become comparable to an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator."
"And Zhang Zhiliang also seems to have been called to the frontline."
"Are Nascent Soul cultivators the main force in the war..."
Li Fan contemplated inwardly.
The scale of this war seemed to exceed his expectations.
"Other things are not a problem, but I'm afraid that if the 'reborn' Ye Feipeng finds out that things are different from what he remembers..."
"With his suspicious and cautious nature, he might just give up the plan to kill Crimson Flame."
"Then my plans for this life will be in vain."
With a thought, the scene shifted to the chubby Ye Feipeng.
What slightly relieved Li Fan was that the Cong Yun Sea was large enough.
So, the exploration team transmitted the information to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters.
While explaining the situation, they also hoped that the headquarters could send support to move the Five Element Subworlds back to the hinterland, near Tianyu Province.
Who would have thought that before the support from the headquarters arrived, members of the Five Elders Association had already come.
Somehow, the information had leaked.
The surprise attack by the Five Elders Association caught everyone off guard.
The entire exploration team inside the Wood Attribute Subworld was annihilated.
According to the information they transmitted before their deaths, the assault by the Five Elders Association cultivators even included three Dao Integration powerhouses.
Under the joint efforts of the three Dao Integration cultivators, the Five Element Subworlds were dragged and quickly moved towards the territory of the Five Elders Association.
Not only did they infiltrate the territory secretly, but in broad daylight, the Five Elders Association slaughtered many members of the alliance and plundered precious subworld resources.
This was a blatant act of humiliation!
Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters immediately decided to enter Class B wartime preparedness status, mobilizing eight Dao Integration cultivators and several Soul Transformation cultivators to pursue the Five Elders Association.
They must retrieve the Five Element Subworlds.
Then they ordered each province to be on high alert, preventing the Five Elders Association from deceiving them and having ulterior motives.
Relocating a subworld was not an easy task.
Even if Dao Integration experts were involved, it was still difficult.
When the eight Dao Integration cultivators caught up with the Five Elders Association, ready to take action, they suddenly discovered that the other party had indeed planned for a long time.
In addition to the three Dao Integration cultivators who launched the surprise attack, there were secretly five more Dao Integration experts lying in ambush.
Eight Dao Integration Immortal Sages against eight Dao Integration Immortal Sages.
A battle erupted immediately.
The process and outcome of the battle were unknown.
All that was known was that after this battle, the Five Element Subworlds remained in place.
Both the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association tacitly recalled the surviving Dao Integration cultivators.
Afterwards, a war mainly involving Soul Transformation and below cultivators unfolded around the Five Element Subworlds.
The war lasted for nearly eight months.
Numerous cultivators fell.
Death announcements occurred in the sky from dawn to dusk, never stopping for a moment.
In the end, when both sides had somewhat depleted their vitality, the war inexplicably came to a halt.
Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance claimed internally that they had won the war because the Five Element Subworlds were indeed later moved back to the hinterland of Tianyu Province.
Chapter 247: Setbacks in Fish Gambling
As for the true nature of the war, it was beyond Li Fan's current knowledge.
As the dark clouds lingering over everyone gradually dispersed, and the mobilized cultivators returned to their hometowns, the eight-month-long war left an impression on people as if it were a dream and hadn't happened.
It was only when occasionally mentioning those fellow Daoists who were lost that the memories of this fierce war would flicker in their minds.
Li Fan naturally had acquaintances among the fallen cultivators.
The first was the Medicinal Hall's Chen Ying, who died early in the ambush by the Five Elders Association.
In the Cong Yun Sea's Martial Hall, Jiang Zhengji and Du Xingchang both perished.
The Formation Hall also suffered heavy losses.
Out of the three mobilized, Gong Boyu and another Nascent Soul Formation master named Mu Bowen were involved in a battle between Soul Transformation experts and did not survive.
Only Zhang Zhiliang survived.
There were countless other cultivators holding various positions on Ten Thousand Immortals Island who had only briefly interacted with Li Fan and had perished in this war.
The brutality of the Tianling Province war was evident.
Fortunately, what the world lacked least was cultivators who would step forward and sacrifice their lives for a cause.
With a single notice from the Tianxuan Mirror, the war and the deaths it brought were quickly forgotten by everyone.
Within three years, every cultivator could purchase a technique at a discounted rate of seventy percent off the original price.
Each person was limited to purchasing one, and it was not transferable.
Once this news came out, the cultivators who were still somewhat melancholic all perked up and became excited.
Those who were just barely short on contribution points now had enough to afford their desired technique at a discounted price. They naturally seized the opportunity and joyfully began cultivation.
As for those who were considerably short on contribution points but could barely afford the technique with three years of effort, they started frantically taking on tasks to accumulate contribution points.
Finally, those who had little remaining contribution points and had no chance even with three years of effort resorted to borrowing or "get rich quick" schemes.
As the most renowned method of sudden wealth accumulation in the Cong Yun Sea, the upcoming fish gambling event at the end of the 16th year attracted several times more participants than usual.
The sky above the islands was densely packed with people who came to join the excitement.
Li Fan was naturally among them.
He vividly remembered that this time, the fish king was a white pomfret.
Although his contribution points were already sufficient, Li Fan wouldn't let go of any opportunity for wealth growth.
Choosing his target, he placed his bet.
The observation period of twenty-seven days quickly passed.
Upon receiving the reward, Han Yi's expression lost his excitement and instead became confused, as if he couldn't believe all of this was real.
His face still had a somewhat blank look.
And the greed that flowed from the eyes of those onlooker cultivators became more and more frightening.
To ensure the safety of this fortunate winner, the fish gambling organizers decided to personally escort Han Yi back to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Those cultivators who had lost all their money to Han Yi followed unwillingly.
Soon, under the crowd's escort, Han Yi left the area.
Only the swordfish, still quietly digesting the spiritual energy of other competing fish, remained.
As well as Li Fan.
Watching the swordfish's aura constantly strengthening, Li Fan couldn't help but sink into deep thought.
"Why is the result of this life different from what I experienced?"
"Where was the variable?"
Li Fan, who lost the grand prize, didn't feel too bothered.
Besides fish gambling, he had many other ways to earn a large number of contribution points.
The cause behind the different result was what truly interested him.
"Logically, except for the increase in participants, there shouldn't be anything that could affect the result of the fish gambling."
Li Fan stood still, pondering for a long time without getting a reliable answer.
He decided to use the secret technique "Divine Transformation Dao," continuously replaying the scene of fish gambling in his mind.
Slowly, Li Fan saw something.
What Li Fan thought of as "no major variables" was from the perspective of a cultivator.
But from the perspective of the countless fish participating in the fish gambling, variables were everywhere.
Perhaps it was the change in water flow caused by some item casually discarded by a cultivator.
Or it might be a fish whose trajectory was altered due to being intimidated by the aura of a cultivator.
...
Because the fish were too weak, and the cultivators were too powerful.
Those who were weak could only be dragged by the waves of the powerful and be at the mercy of their every minor action.
Li Fan gained some insight.
Chapter 248: Soul Transformation vs. Dao Integration
Li Fan, who had gotten the answers he wanted, did not leave immediately.
Instead, he waited for the transformation of the swordfish to complete.
After a long time, the swordfish, whose body had become much stronger, finally absorbed the essence of its kin completely.
Satisfied, it shook off its body and swam back into the sea.
However, it completely failed to notice the five black figures emerging from the depths of the sea, quietly approaching.
Caught off guard, the swordfish fell into the encirclement of the previous fish kings.
Five ugly and ferocious-looking fish, each with strength surpassing that of the swordfish, launched successive attacks against it.
Each of these fish kings was more powerful than the swordfish.
Under their well-coordinated siege, the swordfish quickly found itself in a desperate situation.
Blood sprayed, and it was on the verge of death.
At that moment, above the sea, Li Fan sent a mass of essence into the air.
This was the purest essence of flesh and blood.
It was the result of Lin Fan's continuous research on the hidden potential of the human body during this period.
The power contained in the essence extracted from a perfect stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's body was incredibly potent.
For the swordfish, it was even more nourishing than swallowing all its kin before.
In an instant, the wounds on its body visibly healed.
Moreover, its body size was even larger than in its previous heyday.
This unexpected scene left the several attacking fish kings dumbfounded.
Their attacks involuntarily paused.
Seizing this opportunity, the swordfish, which had been on the defensive, decisively launched a counterattack.
With its ferocious body carrying overwhelming force, it ruthlessly charged towards the fiercest of the fish kings.
It was as swift as lightning and practically unstoppable.
Its golden spear pierced the abdomen of the fish king, ripping the body open.
Dark red blood slowly drifted up to the water's surface.
In an instant, the fish king met its end.
The bloodthirsty swordfish, now with a red glare in its eyes, was about to turn its head to deal with the remaining fish kings.
However, it discovered that the other four fish kings, realizing that something was wrong, had actually fled directly, each escaping for its life.
The swordfish, which narrowly escaped death, was somewhat bewildered.
It swam aimlessly in the sea for a long time, unable to find where the essence that saved its life came from.
In the end, it could only sway its body and swim toward the depths of the ocean.
"Unless among the Soul Transformation experts, there is a peerless powerhouse comparable to a Dao Integration cultivator..."
...
Li Fan was engrossed in reading when he suddenly found that this piece of information had disappeared.
"Removed so quickly..."
"Does this mean that there are indeed forces in the pursuit team of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance comparable to Dao Integration cultivators?"
"Interesting."
Li Fan pondered silently.
In the path of immortal cultivation, the greater the advancement, the greater the gap between each level.
Qi Condensation kills Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment slaughters Golden Core, and Golden Core beheads Nascent Soul.
Perhaps extraordinary geniuses could achieve this through their talents and magical powers.
But for Nascent Soul to kill Soul Transformation or Soul Transformation to behead Dao Integration was an almost impossible task.
Of course, the situation of pawns like Zhang Haobo was not within the scope of discussion.
As for Dao Integration slaughtering Longevity Immortal...
That would eliminate the word "almost."
"A Soul Transformation cultivator comparable to Dao Integration... The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's depth is truly deep."
"I wonder if I can contend with Dao Integration experts when I reach Soul Transformation."
"I believe that even if I can't win, I should be able to protect my life."
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan, seeing no more noteworthy information in 'Discussing Dao While Seated,' exited the platform.
After the big battle, it was time to rest and recuperate.
The 17th, 18th, and 19th years were all peaceful in the Cong Yun Sea.
Li Fan also enjoyed a rare long period of closed-door cultivation.
During these three years, the illusory figure of the 'Karmic Body' became more and more lifelike.
The jade slips delivered by Zhang Zhiliang's clone were all learned and mastered.
The second piece of the Dao Transformation Stone had also been fully absorbed.
The performance of the blue crystal in his mind had almost doubled compared to the beginning, and Li Fan's use of the Divine Transformation Dao technique became even more skillful.
As for the "Heavenly Doctor's Immortal Sutra," it was indeed vast and profound.
After several years, Li Fan had only preliminarily understood a small part of it.
However, Li Fan was not in a hurry; he had plenty of time.
After paying a visit to Zhang Zhiliang and passing his test, Li Fan obtained another jade slip from him.
As he was about to leave, Li Fan vaguely sensed that Zhang Zhiliang's aura seemed different from before.
It seemed that some inexplicable changes had occurred in him.
Chapter 249: Forge of Creation
There was no concrete evidence.
It was just a sudden feeling that surged in Li Fan's heart as he observed Zhang Zhiliang, who remained silent, half of his body shrouded in darkness.
However, Li Fan was always confident in his intuition.
"Perhaps witnessing the tragic deaths of the other two Formation Masters from the Formation Hall on the battlefield has affected him?" Li Fan speculated.
Without asking further questions, he kept this matter firmly in mind.
After bowing respectfully, Li Fan quietly withdrew.
Back in the Tianxuan Mirror, he carefully read the contents of the new jade slip.
Compared to the first one, this one was much more profound, even delving into the knowledge of Zhang Zhiliang's "Infinite Formation."
Li Fan incorporated it into the multitasking cultivation process of "Divine Transformation Dao."
Half a month later, the main body was still cultivating as usual.
Meanwhile, the clone, Fan Lin, had achieved some success in the study of the human body's hidden potential.
Utilizing various literary sources and continuous experimentation on his own body, combined with the descriptions in the "Heavenly Doctor's Immortal Sutra," the clone tirelessly stimulated the boundless energy within him to refine and strengthen his physical body.
Now, relying solely on physical strength without the use of spiritual energy, the destructive power he could unleash was comparable to late stage Qi Condensation.
Since there was no special technique involvedjust the basic manipulation of the hidden potential, similar to tempering oneself like a furnaceLi Fan named it the "Creation Forge Art."
It had no real connection to creation and was mainly focused on the forging of the body, but when it came to naming, Li Fan naturally leaned towards a more domineering direction.
The name "Creation Forge Art" was something Li Fan found quite satisfying.
Now, the clone was entering the first critical phase of practicing the Creation Forge Art.
From head to toe, inside and out, the overall tempering of the body had been preliminarily completed.
The physical strength had reached the expected level.
The next step was to draw upon the vast and endless hidden potential within the body, using it like a giant heavy hammer to violently pound the body.
Similar to the process of tempering steel a hundred times over, simultaneous strengthening of the body occurred when continuously hammering it.
This was Li Fan's "Primary Refinement" of the physical body.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Dull thuds echoed faintly from within the clone's body.
Each time the sound rang out, a strange blood-red color appeared on Li Fan's face.
Soon, his body seemed to become a blazing furnace, with the red color spreading all over.
The body's temperature rose even higher.
It seemed like it was being roasted by flames, reaching its limit, ready to melt completely at any moment.
At this moment, a communication talisman sent a prompt.
It was Jiao Xiuyuan again who had come to share his grievances.
Over these years, Li Fan had become accustomed to such complaints.
Originally, according to the plan, he should have held the first auction during the 18th year to build momentum for the Minor Medicine King Cauldrons' popularity.
However, the sudden outbreak of the war in Tianling Province and the unexpected discount event from the Tianxuan Mirror forced him to postpone it.
As Jiao Xiuyuan put it, "All the cultivators are buying cultivation techniques, and everyone's turning into paupers. There's no profit to be made anymore!"
"By holding an auction now, I'm afraid we won't even recover our costs!"
Business at Thousand Mile Hall had also been quite bleak these years.
In the words of Li Fan's previous life, it was an economic downturn, and everyone was having a hard time.
However, Li Fan believed that with the macroeconomic control of the Tianxuan Mirror and the existence of the suspected Longevity Immortal who made people forget disasters, cultivators would recover quickly.
After responding briefly, Li Fan put away the communication talisman, and the clone once again immersed himself in the study of the human body's hidden potential.
While both the main body and the clone were diligently cultivating, on the deserted island, Ye Feipeng became somewhat confused.
Over these years, even though he considered himself diligent in cultivation, the gap between reality and ideal was considerable, which left him quite disheartened.
According to the history he remembered, shortly after Zhang Haobo reached the false Golden Core realm, he could shepherd a great wind disaster to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
But Ye Feipeng had only recently broken through to late stage Foundation Establishment.
The Golden Core realm seemed like an unattainable goal.
"Could it be that the gap between my talent and true geniuses is truly so great?"
Not only Zhang Haobo, but each of the people on this deserted island was also a monster.
Su Xiaomei gradually matured, and her cultivation speed became faster.
Later on, she reached the same level as Ye Feipeng, and they were both in the late stage Foundation Establishment. However, with her terrifying talent, she easily defeated Ye Feipeng in actual combat.
During their battle, Ye Feipeng could only rely on his increasingly astonishing speed to evade constantly.
Xiao Heng was also not weak.
Even Su Changyu and the Yin sisters, who cultivated slightly slower, each had their strengths and couldn't be underestimated.
In terms of talent, Ye Feipeng was inferior.
Although he had a clear understanding of this before, at that time, he still had the foresight of a reborn individual, and his heart was not too anxious.
But now, that point of reliance gradually became unreliable.
Everything changed because some time ago, he happened to overhear passing cultivators talking about the Tianling Province war that happened a few years ago.
The more he heard, the more uneasy he felt.
Because, in his previous life, such a major event had never occurred.
Chapter 250: Feipeng’s Calamity
"We have an ancient saying in the Dali Realm."
"When the hooves of a marching general's horse lightly step, a mountain fire erupts thousands of miles away."
"Could it be that one of my unintentional actions caused the future to change drastically?"
Ye Feipeng furrowed his brow, carefully recalling every detail of his life since rebirth, attempting to find the root of the changes.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't come up with even a vaguely reasonable explanation.
After half a day, he finally gave up in frustration.
"Regardless, the future in my memory has become inaccurate."
"I can only treat it as a reference and cannot trust it."
"So, what I should be most concerned about is whether the Crimson Flame will still appear. Will the joint efforts of the Soul Transformation cultivators to kill Crimson Flame truly unfold as scheduled?"
The chubby cultivator exerted all his efforts to make a rough deduction.Updated from
After a while, he reached a conclusion.
"The Crimson Flame burning the sea should still happen."
"But in my past life, it was likely that Zhang Haobo informed the Ten Thousand Immortals Island in advance about this matter."
"Shepherding wind to Ten Thousand Immortals Island, facing off against Soul Transformation cultivators..."
Ye Feipeng shuddered, his face showing a troubled expression.
"I can't do it!"
"Let me think. At that time, there were only two native cultivators from Ten Thousand Immortals Island who took action, and the rest were temporary forces."
"If it's only two people caught off guard facing the Crimson Flame..."
The chubby cultivator's face turned pale.
"It's simply impossible for them to match the Crimson Flame."
"Doesn't that mean all my calculations are in vain?"
With an ever-changing expression on his face, after a long time, Ye Feipeng's gaze showed a hint of fierceness.
"No, I must find a way to publicize the imminent appearance of the Crimson Flame."
"Even if I make this matter widely known..."
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and Ye Feipeng quickly shook his head.
"No, no."
"It's too dangerous. If people deduce that I'm the one behind this, my result will be worse than death."
After much internal struggle, Ye Feipeng, still feeling helpless, left the deserted island, aimlessly wandering while contemplating a solution.
In a trance, he found himself in a distant sea area.
A peculiar and magnificent scene awakened him from his contemplation.
The sun in the sky had disappeared, replaced by a giant eye suspended in the middle of the sky.
The giant eye stared at the ocean below.
Everything within its line of sightsea, islands, living beingswas covered in a silver glow.
He stared fixedly at the convulsing Ye Feipeng, and pointed again, attempting to extract more information from his mind.
At this critical moment, an endless blue light surged from Ye Feipeng's chest, instantly enveloping him.
Zhang Zhiliang's expression changed; he was about to mobilize the power of his Dharma Domain to suppress the blue light.
Suddenly, the Cong Yun Sea below seemed to violently surge and shake.
Waves roared, and a flaw in his control of his Dharma Domain appeared.
Ye Feipeng was carried away by the blue light, disappearing in an instant and escaping to an unknown destination.
Only Zhang Zhiliang remained standing there dumbfounded.
After a long time, he seemed to wake up from a dream.
"A reborn person?"
"The Heavenly Spirit?"
The Heaven's Eye Dharma Domain disappeared from the sky, and the sun reappeared in the sky.
The world returned to normal.
However, it seemed as if there was a lingering shadow on Zhang Zhiliang's body that couldn't be dispelled.
"Dao Integration..."
"Dao Integration..."
He repeatedly murmured, his eyes shining with an inexplicable brilliance.
...
In the Tianxuan Mirror.
Li Fan, who had been awakened from cultivation and witnessed everything, stroked his chin.
He hadn't expected Ye Feipeng, who was wandering around randomly, to encounter Zhang Zhiliang in the midst of a breakthrough.
The chubby guy was too weak-minded and was detected by Zhang Zhiliang.
Moreover, the latter used a method similar to soul searching to unearth secrets from his mind.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, the Canghai Pearl erupted, saving his life.
Ye Feipeng seemed to have suffered a tremendous mental shock and fell into a deep sleep.
What puzzled Li Fan was that despite this unexpected turn of events, Ye Feipeng's fortune had not suffered any damage.
Instead, there was a more mysterious change.
Even the current Li Fan couldn't fathom it.
"Interesting."
"It seems that the Canghai Pearl is determined to protect Ye Feipeng."
"I wonder if there are other hidden secrets on him that I haven't noticed."
"And how will Zhang Zhiliang, who learned about the impending arrival of Crimson Flame in advance and ascended to Soul Transformation, react?"
"Where will the events of the Crimson Flame of this life lead..."
"It's truly something to look forward to."
Li Fan let out a low chuckle.
Chapter 251: He Xinxin
The mysterious disappearance of the fatty, Ye Feipeng, caused the residents of the deserted island, who were becoming a bit complacent due to their significant progress in cultivation, to become more reserved.
Strictly following the instructions of Senior Skull, they practiced in silence and developed discreetly.
On the other hand, things seemed a bit unusual on Zhang Zhiliang's side.
There was no news of his breakthrough to Soul Transformation.
It was as if nothing had happened, and he was still the same Formation Master as before.
However, Li Fan knew that there must be some conspiracy brewing in the background.
Zhang Zhiliang's survival in the fierce battle in Tianling Province not only led to his breakthrough but also to changes in his entire mentality.
Zhang Zhiliang himself did not hide this fact too much.
Thus, Li Fan, who had previous contact with Zhang Zhiliang and was adept at observing words and expressions, was keenly aware of this.
In the Tianxuan Mirror, the cost of materials for making Formation Crowns had recently experienced a slight increase.
This seemed to indirectly confirm that Zhang Zhiliang was quietly preparing for something.
"I remember this year, the two Soul Transformation True Monarchs Lancang and Haoxuan will coincidentally break into battle in the Cong Yun Sea."
"Whether True Monarch Ziyun intervenes at that time will determine if Zhang Zhiliang has leaked the news of the Crimson Flame."
"All things are interconnected, and the smallest details can reveal the bigger picture."
"Although I sit in the Tianxuan Mirror all day, I can still watch the world through the Formless Killing Intent. By comparing and verifying the details that ordinary people may not notice, I can know the affairs of the world without leaving home."
Thinking like this, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of rare joy.
But just as he resumed his cultivation not long after, Li Fan's face suddenly changed, and he interrupted his cultivation.
He found that the Formless Killing Intent monitoring He Zhenghao had unexpectedly failed.
Although the lock was still in place, not only could he not see the situation there, but he also couldn't determine He Zhenghao's specific location.
The Formless Killing Intent was a technique that imitated the vision of the heavens, and it used a false heavenly mandate to spy and attack.
In all of his reincarnations, its failure was very rare.
For example, it failed in the Master's cottage when the ox was pulling the cart previously.
But that was an ancient and mysterious existence capable of having a showdown with the Heavenly Doctor, with strength at least above Dao Integration.
He Zhenghao had not yet broken through to Golden Core. How could he possibly shield Li Fan's Formless Killing Intent?
What happened?
Li Fan's gaze swept over He Xinxin, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. This young girl, though not very old, seemed to possess remarkable talent, having already reached late stage Foundation Establishment at such a young age.
According to the normal course of history's development, without Li Fan helping He Zhenghao purchase the "Mountain and River Hidden Dragon Technique," her cultivation level would probably surpass He Zhenghao!
She has higher talent than her father but they're not living together...
In an instant, Li Fan understood.
Fellow Daoist He, it seems you are quite good at living off of others. I wonder why you came to the Cong Yun Sea all alone.
Could it be that you've grown old and become useless?
Li Fan speculated maliciously.
On the other side, seeing Li Fan staring so intently at his daughter, He Zhenghao couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.
He quickly spoke up to divert Li Fan's attention, "Haha, fellow Daoist, please have a seat."
In a hurry, he invited Li Fan to sit in the pavilion on the mountaintop.
"Fellow Daoist He, you really treat me like an outsider. How come I've never heard you mention having a daughter before?" Li Fan took a sip of tea and asked slowly and deliberately.
Sure enough, when Li Fan said this, He Xinxin immediately became somewhat displeased. She didn't say anything, but just stared at He Zhenghao with her beautiful eyes, puffing up her cheeks.
He Zhenghao secretly sighed, quickly explaining, "Fellow Daoist really is forgetful. Last time, I did mention that I wanted to introduce my daughter..."
Speaking halfway, He Zhenghao suddenly felt that something was wrong and quickly stopped.
Feeling He Xinxin's suspicious gaze, He Zhenghao's mind went blank. He opened his mouth but couldn't figure out how to explain.
Fortunately, Li Fan resolved the situation for him, "Hehe, now that you mention it, I do remember."
"At that time, you were even clamoring for me to prepare a gift for her."
"It's our first meeting, but your father didn't notify me, so I didn't prepare any gifts in advance."
"Let me give you a little trinket."
Saying that, Li Fan took out a flag about half a person's height from his storage ring and handed it over.
He Xinxin took the flag and saw that it was black and yellow, with the words "Ten Thousand Immortals" written on it.
It was the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation Flags that Li Fan had used beforea backup purchased in this life.
It was worth ten thousand contribution points.
"Girls need to be careful when they go out. This set of formation flags is for your self-defense."
Understanding the principle of needing to invest before receiving profit, Li Fan, disregarding He Zhenghao's worried eyes, smiled and spoke to He Xinxin.
Chapter 252: Genuine Fear
He Xinxin seemed to be discerning.
She softly said, "Thank you, Uncle," and smiled as she accepted the formation flag.
Watching the two, He Zhenghao, who was worried beyond measure, couldn't help but speak, "Hehe, although the gift from fellow Daoist is precious, it might not be very useful for my daughter."
"If we talk about predicting crises and preserving one's life, my daughter is much stronger than her old father."
Li Fan, upon hearing this, flashed a look of interest. "Oh? How so?"
He Zhenghao's face showed a hint of pride. "I won't conceal it from fellow Daoist. My daughter has had extraordinary talent in divination since she was young."
"In recent years, she has also studied related techniques under Ruoshui... alongside her mother."
"Now she has already achieved some success."New novel chapters are published on
"Not only can she shield her fate from heaven's will, preventing others from deducing and plotting against her, but she can also faintly predict future events, turning misfortune into opportunity."
Li Fan reevaluated He Xinxin, who appeared delicate and gentle.
He thought, "Could that be why the surveillance function of the Formless Killing Intent failed? It seems that He Zhenghao wasn't exaggerating; this method is indeed extraordinary."
"I wonder which cultivation technique she practices."
However, the technique practiced by a cultivator in this world was a highly private matter, and Li Fan wouldn't casually inquire.
He just cooperated with He Zhenghao's words, looking surprised and incredulous. "I've heard that fate is always elusive, and I never thought that someone could predict it. Is it really so miraculous?"
"That's right. The accuracy is quite high..."
He Zhenghao paused and continued, "However, there are times when the predictions go wrong."
He turned to look at He Xinxin and smiled, saying, "Before, when the girl was practicing, she sensed that I would die soon."
"So she was extremely anxious, traveling a long distance to the Cong Yun Sea to warn me."
"Hehe, I stay in this Mountain River Star Formation all day, cultivating intensely. How could there be a risk of dying?"
He Zhenghao laughed, not taking it seriously.
On the side, He Xinxin frowned and softly said, "This matter is strange. My previous intuition was definitely not wrong."
"But after I came, I did another calculation for you, Dad. The fatal crisis inexplicably disappeared."
Her eyes were full of doubt and regret. "I don't know why this happened. If mom didn't stop me and I could have come earlier, I might have been able to figure out why fate changed."
He Zhenghao patted his daughter's head, comforting her, "Changes in fate are unpredictable, and cultivators cannot know everything. It must be that you made a mistake, Xinxin."
At this moment, Li Fan spoke up in praise, "Even if there are occasional mistakes, this method is extraordinary."
"To predict the future, how many opportunities can one gain?"
"I wonder, Xinxin, can you calculate my future and see what my fate is?"
Li Fan asked with a smile.
The reason he did this was to see how far the divination techniques in this world could reach. Could they reveal that he came from a Land of Immortal Extinction, or that he actually transmigrated? Could they even predict the existence of [Truth]?
If this Foundation Establishment girl could sense some clues, Li Fan would have to be more careful in his actions in the future. Otherwise, falling into the eyes of powerful cultivators might lead to the revelation of his true origin, which would be very unfavorable.
He Zhenghao also intended to let his daughter show her skills in front of Li Fan, so he didn't stop her. Instead, he encouraged her with his eyes.
Li Fan seemed to be completely unaware, calmly walking away.
The thing on his back disappeared along with him.
...
The drawing disappeared.
He Xinxin frowned and said, "According to the explanation of the Dao Scriptures, it seems that something attacked Uncle in Yuandao Province."
"Uncle wasn't injured, nor was his life in danger."
"But on the contrary, the Dao Seal Eclipse Character depicts an extremely dangerous situation."
"It's self-contradictory."
"That's why I don't know how to interpret it."
He Zhenghao chuckled when he heard this. "Daughter, could it be that you made another mistake? You predict extreme danger, and you also predicted extreme danger for me earlier. But fellow Daoist Li Fan is living quite well now, isn't he?"
Li Fan's heart sank.
"Yuandao Province..."
A blue crystal flashed in his mind.
All the experiences in Yuandao Province began to replay in his mind.
Once, no abnormality was found.
Two times, still nothing.
...
Through the Divine Transformation Dao secret technique, Li Fan repeatedly reviewed his past experiences.
Finally, he sensed an abnormality.
A chill rose from behind him, making him feel like he was in the midst of a harsh winter.
Even when he narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Heavenly Doctor, he had never felt so frightened before.
This was the first genuine fear that Li Fan felt since he transmigrated.
In his twelfth life, in the 29th year, he established Mingyue Palace.
Then he immersed himself in closed-door cultivation, studying Zhang Zhiliang's Infinite Formation.
Chu Xingyang's marriage snatching and the subsequent successful development of the breakthrough loaning project unfolded in an orderly manner afterwards.
This should have happened in the same year.
The conclusion obtained by retracing the past through the blue crystal was the same.
But in reality...
Chu Xingyang's forced marriage and the initial success of the breakthrough loaning project...
Actually took place in the 39th year.
Where did those ten years go?
Chapter 253: The Missing Ten Years
Every time Li Fan woke up from seclusion, he would glance at the [Truth] panel and calculate the time based on his physiological age. The first year after the anchor point was equivalent to 20 years of age, and so on.
In the twelfth life, he had also checked the [Truth] panel multiple times. However, when the time suddenly jumped from 29 years to 39 years, Li Fan didn't notice any abnormalities.
Even when he repeatedly looked back at the experiences of his twelfth life, he failed to notice the "missing ten years."
Part of the reason for this was a fixed mindset.
After all, in the cognition of the vast majority of people, time is continuous and indivisible. How could one second be the 29th year, and the next second be the 39th year?
Another more important reason was that there was something that distorted his perception, causing him to inadvertently overlook this fact.
What exactly was going on? Who stole my time?
Li Fan couldn't help but fall into deep fear.
Fear of the unknown.
The Heavenly Doctor was formidable, but at least there was a specific goal.
In this life, Li Fan was not his opponent, but after ten or a hundred cycles, Li Fan would eventually grow to a height similar to his.
Eventually, he would be defeated.
But this unknown entity made Li Fan feel powerless for the first time.
He didn't even know what it was or how it stole the time that originally belonged to him.
What made Li Fan even more fearful was that the influences it exerted persisted even after regressing, meaning that it was very likely to be something in the same realm as [Truth].
At the very least, the power of the other opponent was already very close to [Return to Truth].
This was the true source of Li Fan's fear. [Truth] had always been Li Fan's hope for longevity.
Regardless of how powerful the enemy he faced, he could face it with calm confidence.
No matter how great the crisis, he could silently recite [Truth].
Through the transformation of reality into illusion, everything returned to the anchor point.
The crisis would naturally disappear. But now, the absolute dominance of [Truth] was being threatened...
He Zhenghao and his daughter He Xinxin noticed that Li Fan's expression was off. Just as He Xinxin was about to ask, she was held back by He Zhenghao, who shook his head.
Fear lingered in Li Fan's heart for a long time. Fortunately, Li Fan's willpower was strong.
Having experienced too many near-death situations, he gradually calmed the fear in his heart. Upon careful analysis, he soon noticed an anomaly in this event.
Adjusting his expression, Li Fan asked He Zhenghao, "Fellow Daoist He, I'm curious about the origin of Xinxin's divination technique. Could you give me a hint?"
As the young girl spoke, Li Fan's doubts were gradually dispelled.
The incident of losing ten years of time happened in the twelfth life.
He Xinxin was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, and no matter how talented she was, she couldn't possibly penetrate [Truth] and deduce events that occurred nearly a hundred lifetimes ago.
Furthermore, the unknown entity that stole ten years of his time had an extremely high status, and logically, it was not something He Xinxin could deduce.
However, she saw through it.
This was because...
An apple that had been bitten...
Was different from a whole apple.
Similarly, a creature that had its time stolen by this inexplicable existence undoubtedly differed from other normal beings, tainted with a unique aura.
Even though Li Fan returned to the time before the theft through [Truth], he couldn't completely shake off its influence.
The fact that Li Fan had been unaware of this before served as evidence.
He Xinxin's Dao Web Heaven Net did not directly calculate [Truth] and the unknown entity that stole time.
Still, by deducing Li Fan, she sensed its influence and could reconstruct what happened to Li Fan.
Li Fan even speculated that if He Xinxin were to deduce any cultivator in Yuandao Province, she wouldn't be able to predict the same results as with him.
It wasn't something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could perceive.
Even with the Celestial Treasure, the Dao Character Compass, as a foundation, it was not enough.
If one had to make a comparison...
The unknown entity that stole time was like a black hole.
It silently spanned the sky above Yuandao Province.
Every so often, it devoured ten years of time from the entire province.
Under normal circumstances, its existence could not be directly discovered through ordinary observation or deduction methods.
However, because of [Truth], Li Fan escaped from this black hole.
However, the influence of the black hole did not disappear.
So, Li Fan was like the distorted light around a black hole.
With his help, it was possible to deduce that the unknown existence was stealing time in Yuandao Province.
Chapter 255: Yuandao Province’s Origins
He Zhenghao was no longer the arrogant and hot-blooded youth of the past.
After struggling in the Cong Yun Sea for decades, he had long recognized the cruelty of reality.
With a deep sigh, He Zhenghao shook his head, "Fellow Daoist, you're joking. Ruoshui's cultivation talent far surpasses mine."
"Even if I can cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm in this lifetime, by then, she might have already ascended to the Soul Transformation realm."
"A Soul Transformation Master Pathweaver..."
"The gap between us would only widen."
"I'm already old, and I don't dare to hope anymore."
"As long as Xinxin can visit me from time to time, I'll be content."
He Zhenghao expressed his sentiments.
Li Fan didn't say much and just patted his shoulder before taking his leave.
Back in the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan began a meticulous search for information about Yuandao Province.
People from the entire province would lose ten years of time every now and then.
Perhaps the people in Yuandao Province couldn't perceive it.
But when exchanging information with cultivators from other provinces, wouldn't they realize that something was amiss?
During these ten swallowed years, how would the outside world perceive Yuandao Province?
The information in the Tianxuan Mirror was vast, and there should be some clues about this aspect, right?
Li Fan spent a good part of the day confirming this.
Nothing.
Li Fan couldn't help but sigh, "Everything you can see is what they allow you to see."
"What they don't want you to see, you will never see."
Shaking his head, he gave up on his previous plans.
He focused on searching for the history of Yuandao Province.
"The Ruins of Tiandu," "Discussion on Yuandao," "Origin of Yuandao," "On the Relationship Between Yuandao Province and the Ancient Land of Yuandao," "A Brief Discussion on the Inheritance of the Tiandu Grandmaster"...
Book after book, Li Fan patiently read through them.
In these books about Yuandao Province, almost all of them couldn't avoid a key term.
Tiandu.
"The origin of the Dao, the head of all teachings..."
"What grandiose praise."
Li Fan couldn't help but mutter, "Could it be that Tiandu is one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects?"
According to testimonies, in ancient times, Tiandu reigned high above the nine heavens, overlooking the multitudes of the Xuanhuang Realm.
This kind of intuition was quite normal.
Over a dozen cultivators came, some in the Golden Core realm, some in the Nascent Soul realm.
After they performed their techniques, Li Fan didn't feel any effect.
The cultivators stared at Li Fan for a moment, then shook their heads, indicating they couldn't find any abnormalities.
Just as Li Fan was about to give up, the last cultivator gave him a pleasant surprise.
This cultivator's name was Fang Yang, and he was in the Nascent Soul realm.
After seeing Li Fan and observing for a while, he was about to use his technique.
However, his expression suddenly changed.
Without saying a word, he turned and left.
Li Fan knew Fang Yang must have sensed something and quickly caught up.
In front of the Transmission Square, Fang Yang, who was blocked, had an ugly expression.
If it weren't for the prohibition against fighting on the island, he would probably have killed this ignorant kid on the spot.
"Young man, go back! I'm afraid I can't help with the problem on your body!"
Li Fan looked nervous and said sincerely, "Please, senior, save me!"
"I don't know why, but I always feel uneasy lately, and I can't concentrate on cultivation."
"If this continues, my cultivation will stagnate, and I'll die in the Foundation Establishment stage, cutting off my path to immortality!"
Grabbing Fang Yang's hand tightly, Li Fan looked determined not to let go.
Fang Yang's face turned red, but he couldn't attack.
He could only lower his voice and say, "Kid, I'll be honest with you. Although I don't know what's happening on your body, it's clear that you've offended an existence you shouldn't have."
"The level is too high, beyond what a mere Nascent Soul cultivator like me can handle."
"Even if I had a solution, I wouldn't help you."
"Because to put it bluntly, the anomaly on your body is like a mark left by that existence. If you rashly remove it, it will surely attract the attention of that entity."
...
Fang Yang stopped speaking here and said no more.
Li Fan's heart sank. He didn't expect the situation to be more severe than he had imagined.
"Senior, do you have a solution? If I can get through this disaster, I will repay you generously in the future!" Li Fan said solemnly.
Fang Yang reevaluated Li Fan, contemplated for a moment, and then replied, "Find a remote subworld, cultivate a purifying technique, spend more than a decade on it, and maybe you can get rid of it."
"Of course, this is just a suggestion. Whether it works or not depends on your own destiny, and I don't dare to guarantee it."
Li Fan nodded slowly upon hearing this.
He expressed his gratitude to Fang Yang and didn't pester him any longer.
Chapter 256: Feipeng’s Dual Foundation Treasure
T/N: I won't be able to post a chapter tomorrow, so this is tomorrow's chapter in advance.
*****
Fang Yang departed with a gloomy expression.
Li Fan, on the other hand, returned to the Tianxuan Mirror, paying no attention to the curious gazes of others.
"Purifying technique..."
Indeed, there were such types of techniques within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Generally, these were practiced by cultivators who needed to maintain a clear state of mind for their other cultivation methods.
However, these techniques did not significantly enhance one's cultivation level or combat power, making them less popular and relatively inexpensive.
Li Fan started searching for a suitable one for himself. Suddenly, his gaze stopped on a technique named "Purple Heaven True Thunder Purification."
"Purple Heaven True Thunder purifies all things and dispels evil easily..."
Once again, the mention of "Purple Heaven" and "Thunder." It was hard for Li Fan not to connect it with the Purple Heaven Sect's Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique from the Fallen Immortal Realm.
This technique cost a little over forty thousand contribution points, and without hesitation, Li Fan purchased it. After reading through it, he compared it with the "Purple Heaven Soul Observation Technique" he had already mastered.
There were indeed similarities, but it was clear that "Purple Heaven True Thunder Purification" was not as profound as the "Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique." At best, it could be considered a weakened version.
"After all, Zhang Qianmo's methods involve the Purple Heaven Royal Thunder, which seems more advanced than the Purple Heaven True Thunder."
"To eliminate the hidden danger, maybe I should employ multiple methods."
"In an ideal scenario, I would purchase Heavenly Treasures from the Tianxuan Mirror, and in conjunction with the methods of the Purple Heaven Sect, I would cultivate on Grand Xuan's Dissociation Mountain for some time..."
"Heavenly Treasures are not a problem; there's no shortage of contribution points. However, Zhang Qianmo's undefeated streak remains unbreakable."
Thinking about this, Li Fan felt somewhat helpless.
"Things need to be taken step by step."
"If it comes to it, once I break through to the Golden Core realm, I'll forcefully capture him and see if I can obtain the 'Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique.'"
"I can't rest easy until the hidden danger is removed."
"Before that, it's better to be cautious and lie low within the Tianxuan Mirror."
Sighing quietly, Li Fan prepared for his future retreat while practicing.
With the Crimson Flame's incineration of the sea, he definitely had to flee the Cong Yun Sea.
He couldn't go to Yuandao Province, and Jiushan Province was too chaotic.
The Cong Yun Sea only bordered three provinces, so the remaining Shilin Province became the most suitable place to flee to.
Li Fan began to silently collect information about Shilin Province in the Tianxuan Mirror.
The 21st year arrived shortly after Li Fan went into closed-door cultivation.
Lancang and Haoxuan, the two Soul Transformation True Monarchs, erupted into a fierce battle as expected, on the outskirts of the Cong Yun Sea.
The sky tore apart, and a beam of starlight descended, teleporting them away.
"It seems Zhang Zhiliang has indeed taken action."
"The Immortal Ancestor is indeed domineering."
Li Fan stood beneath the anomaly in the sky, motionless.
He carefully pondered.
Until a long time later, the anomaly dispersed.
The sky returned to calm, and a surge of heat emanated from Li Fan's body, instantly evaporating the rainwater on him.
With one last glance at the sky, he quietly returned to the Cong Yun Sea.
Li Fan's main body and clone secluded themselves, paying no attention to worldly affairs. However, the world would not stand still, and it continued to move forward.
After being heavily injured by Zhang Zhiliang, Ye Feipeng was enveloped by the Canghai Pearl and sank into the depths of the sea.
Whenever a green wind descended, heralding the imminent arrival of a wind disaster, Ye Feipeng would suddenly open his eyes.
His eyes were hollow, devoid of vitality, but it didn't hinder his movement.
Surrounded by blue light, he arrived at the location where the wind disaster was brewing.
His large mouth opened wide, similar to the first time he devoured the green radiance.
He swallowed the energy brewing in the wind disaster.
The wind disaster dissipated invisibly, and Ye Feipeng, as if satisfied, returned to the seabed to continue his slumber.
The handle of the Heavenly Calamity Sword had already escaped from the Green Wind's prison with a desperate strike on the 20th year.
It had disappeared, and the Green Wind had disappeared with it.
The scattered green radiance formed the last wind disasters of the Cong Yun Sea, and would normally persist until around the 24th year before completely dissipating.
However, due to Ye Feipeng's unconscious continuous consumption, by the 22nd year, the wind disasters that had been ravaging the Cong Yun Sea had completely disappeared.
Ye Feipeng, who had swallowed all the Green Wind energy, now had an aura intensity that far exceeded an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
However, it seemed there was no bottleneck to his strength.
Although he had not advanced to the Golden Core realm, his strength continued to rise.
Through the Vision of Heaven and Earth, Li Fan could see even more clearly.
A monstrous shadow resembling both a whale and a roc would occasionally appear behind him.
It emitted ancient and melodious cries.
"Is this the reason you want to save Ye Feipeng?"
"For this, you even gave up the chance for the other half to escape?"
"You're so confident in him?"
This was a treatment that even Zhang Haobo in the previous life did not receive from the Cong Yun Sea.
Li Fan stared fixedly at Ye Feipeng.
In his dantian, besides the previous foundation built by the Green Wind True Intent, there was another familiar blue bead, quietly sinking within the Green Wind.
The blue light in Ye Feipeng's chest had merged with the Heavenly Treasure, the Canghai Pearl.
"Building two foundations with two Heavenly Treasures? What's going on here?"
Chapter 257: Cultivator Establishes Dao Anew
Li Fan did not care much about the fact that Ye Feipeng likely had a spiritual beast bloodline inheritance in his body.
Because this also belonged to a type of talent.Updated from
Li Fan couldn't take any reference from it.
However, he became interested in Ye Feipeng's dual Foundation Treasure in his Dantian.
Li Fan could be considered as half a true Foundation Establishment Grandmaster, yet he had never heard of a cultivator being able to establish a second foundation using another Heavenly Treasure after the initial Foundation Establishment.
How did Ye Feipeng achieve this?
Was it related to his unique bloodline?
Observing through the Vision of Heaven and Earth, Li Fan carefully observed the peacefully sleeping Ye Feipeng.
The Green Wind True Intent Foundation Treasure and the Canghai Pearl Foundation Treasure coexisted peacefully in the body of the fatty.
They were completely harmonious.
Even after watching for a long time, Li Fan couldn't figure out the underlying principles.
Out of habit, he searched in the Tianxuan Mirror.
As expected, he found no relevant information.
However, this result only strengthened Li Fan's belief that there might indeed be a method to establish dual Foundation Treasures.
Perhaps the secrecy level was extremely high; otherwise, it wouldn't be so bad that there wouldn't even be a single word of discussion about it.
"Dual Foundation Treasures..."
"Could there be multiple foundations?"
Li Fan's interest in this matter was not because he desired to establish a second foundation using other Heavenly Treasures.
[Truth] could transform into all the Heavenly Treasures in the world.
If there was a rare and extraordinary Heavenly Treasure that Li Fan wanted to make his own, he could directly absorb it and then transform it with [Truth]. No need for unnecessary steps.
What Li Fan truly desired was a method for two or even more Foundation Treasures to coexist in his body.
Currently, when [Truth] transformed into a Heavenly Treasure, it could only display one at a time.
Whether it was the Canghai Pearl or the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart, [Truth] could only change sequentially; simultaneous coexistence was impossible.
If [Truth] could transform into two or more Heavenly Treasures simultaneously...
With the Oracle's explanation, Li Fan completely understood.
To give an inappropriate analogy, the original foundation was like a wife who had endured the hardships of cultivating with the cultivator, overcoming the early stages of Foundation Establishment and Golden Core.
However, as the cultivator soared to the greater heights of the Nascent Soul and Soul Transformation realms, they started to feel that their humble wife was not worthy of them. Thus, they planned to replace their wife.
But the wife had walked through hardships together with the cultivator.
Suddenly divorcing her would not only be emotionally difficult for the cultivator, but it would also draw criticism from others.
They could only proceed slowly, first taking a concubine and then finding an opportunity to promote the concubine to the main wife.
What Li Fan wanted was a way for the wife and the concubine to peacefully coexist. So, he asked the Oracle about it.
Since the Oracle was planning to help, there was no pretense.
He immediately transmitted the method of 'Establish Dao Anew.'
Li Fan was overjoyed and expressed his gratitude.
As he eagerly read the profound content of the technique, the Oracle suddenly sighed, "Speaking of which, this method of 'Establish Dao Anew' was created by a cultivator named Chen Shimei from our Tianyun Province."
"This person was truly ruthless, and was willing to use any means for further cultivation."
"Just because the Foundation Treasure of the other party might be more suitable for oneself, he actually forcibly refined his Dao companion who had accompanied him for hundreds of years from the humblest of beginnings."
Li Fan, immersed in the mysteries of the technique, was startled by this revelation. He had almost forgotten that anything in this realm could be turned into a Foundation Treasure.
The slightly mocking voice of the Oracle sounded again, "Unfortunately, his luck wasn't good. The news leaked, and he angered a powerful female cultivator."
"He wasn't just skinned alive; even his consciousness was extracted and transferred to a black dog."
"Every day he suffers bullying from the other beasts. It's a fate worse than death."
"Hehe, if Junior comes to our Tianyun Province for a visit, perhaps you can still see him..."
"To please this powerful female cultivator, many cultivators bring ferocious beasts to queue up and torment Chen Shimei."
Even just thinking about it sent a shiver down Li Fan's spine.
A woman's wickedness was not weaker than a man's at all.
"While Chen Shimei's character might be despicable, the technique itself is not bad."
"But judging by Senior's words, this technique could bring trouble?"
"Why is that?"
Chapter 258: Zhenghao’s Intent to Form a Golden Core
"Could it be because of that powerful female cultivator?" Li Fan asked.
"Not really. It's a separate matter. She is reasonable," replied the Oracle.
"Moreover, she personally revealed the secret of the 'Establish Dao Anew' technique." the Oracle shook his head.
"Oh? Then why?" Li Fan was curious.
The Oracle chuckled, avoiding a direct answer.
Instead, he said with a mysterious tone, "If every cultivator knew that they could potentially become ingredients for higher-level cultivators at any time..."
"The world would be chaotic."
"Those big shots wouldn't want to see that happen."
Li Fan remained silent.
"But there are no restrictions on using this technique. You can rest assured," the Oracle said before ending the communication.
Shaking his head to clear the cluttered thoughts, Li Fan began studying the 'Establish Dao Anew' technique.
After a long time, Li Fan couldn't help but praise, "This Chen Shimei is indeed a rare talent."
"Comprehending Heavenly Treasures, merging them with your emotions, and wielding their law..."
After memorizing the exquisite details of the technique, Li Fan didn't rush to cultivate it himself.
Instead, he once again observed Ye Feipeng.
Li Fan knew Ye Feipeng's actions very well.
He had no chance to come into contact with the 'Establish Dao Anew' technique.
So, how did he form the dual Foundation Treasures?
How did it differ from the dual Foundation Treasures formed through 'Establish Dao Anew'?
After observing for a long time, Li Fan seemed to have some insights.
The principle behind both methods was essentially the same.
To use the earlier analogy of taking a concubine...
If Chen Shimei's 'Establish Dao Anew' was like scheming to convince his wife to accept a concubine...
Then Ye Feipeng was a natural polygamist.
As the lord of the harem, his wife not only wouldn't object...
She might even lend a helping hand in secret.
"What an excellent physique!" Understanding the intricacies, Li Fan looked at the fatty with a different perspective.
"You've brought me more and more surprises."
"I wonder what changes will occur when you wake up again."
"I have a vague feeling that there's more to the Cong Yun Sea's desperate gamble."
Withdrawing his attention, Li Fan began cultivating 'Establish Dao Anew'.
In his case, it was like the wife was a charming and beautiful mistress who was proficient in the art of transformation, capable of assuming the appearance of any other woman.
Thus, he avoided the trouble of continuous conflicts between the new and old Foundation Treasure.
Coincidentally, just as Li Fan was thinking about him, He Zhenghao sent a message.
Upon checking it, Li Fan was pleasantly surprised.
For more than a year, He Xinxin had been wandering around the Cong Yun Sea with He Zhenghao.
Not long ago, Heng Ruoshui finally issued the final ultimatum for her to return home quickly.
Although He Xinxin was reluctant, she had played enough.
Her father's life was no longer in danger.
Not daring to disobey her mother's orders, the little girl tearfully bid farewell to her father after she agreed to visit often in the future.
After sending away his daughter, a long-lost fighting spirit was ignited in He Zhenghao.
It was as if he had returned to his youth, and he was full of motivation.
With no regrets regarding his daughter, all knots in his heart were untied.
He Zhenghao's cultivation speed was truly remarkable.
In no time, he broke through the bottleneck and was about to condense a Golden Core.
This message was to inform Li Fan that he intended to go out and find inspiration to form a core, and also to request Li Fan to accompany him.
Li Fan naturally agreed.
After the two met on the Transmission Square and used the teleportation array, they arrived at Linglong Island in the northwest area of the Cong Yun Sea.
They then flew west.
"Three thousand miles west of here, there is a peculiar sight."
"The Three Undersea Faults."
"Over just a few hundred miles, the seabed forms three major faults like a steep staircase."
"Between each fault, there is a drop of four to five thousand meters."
"Due to intense geological activity between the faults, the seabed has many created mountain ranges."
"These underwater mountain ranges have bizarre shapes and are magnificent, far surpassing the beauty of land mountains."
"Since I'm practicing the 'Mountain and River Hidden Dragon Technique,' I want to observe this extraordinary scenery for inspiration."
"With the laws of Earth Veins, Mountains and Rivers, and the Hidden Abyss, I'll simultaneously form my Golden Core using three laws!"
Facing Li Fan, He Zhenghao didn't hide anything.
He laid out his plans for forming the core.
Looking at him, Li Fan could see his vigor and indomitable spirit.
There was an indescribable self-confidence between his eyebrows.
It was completely different from his previous meek appearance; they seemed like two different people.
"It seems that having an understanding daughter is quite important for middle-aged men."
Li Fan thought silently.
But he praised, "Fellow Daoist's approach is truly extraordinary, forming a core with three laws."
"I don't think there are many in this entire Cong Yun Sea who can match you."
"Let me congratulate fellow Daoist in advance for your success!"New novel chapters are published on
Chapter 260: Four Law Golden Core
"What is fellow Daoist He up to?"
"Could it be that he's not satisfied with forming the Golden Core using three laws?"
"Does he want to add another law?"
Li Fan, who had been standing guard, couldn't help but think to himself when he saw this scene.
"If it succeeds, everyone will naturally rejoice. But being too greedy might lead to trouble."
However, it was already the most critical moment for the Golden Core formation, and Li Fan couldn't forcibly interrupt He Zhenghao's process.
He could only be patient and wait.
"I wonder what the fourth law for fellow Daoist He's Golden Core formation is?"
"I didn't hear him mention it when he came with me before. It's unlikely that he concealed it from me."
"In that case, did he comprehend something new during the process of forming the Golden Core?"
Li Fan pondered silently.
He didn't have to wait long.
Soon, he knew the answer.
Just half a day later, the three undersea faults below suddenly shook violently, as if experiencing an underwater earthquake.
It wasn't due to the reappearance of the energy of the Earth Veins or Mountains and Rivers.
Instead...
Li Fan's expression hardened, and he became solemn.
He raised his guard and stared intently below.
With the increasing intensity of the tremors, cracks quickly appeared and extended, rapidly spreading across the seafloor and mountains.
In just a moment, the three undersea faults that stretched for hundreds of miles were covered with cracks.
It seemed like they were about to collapse at any moment.
The shaking intensified.
As if...
Something was about to emerge from beneath!
A muffled cracking sound came from the depths of the seafloor.
The continuous rumble was unceasing.
Li Fan turned to look at He Zhenghao and saw that his expression remained unchanged.
It seemed like he had been waiting for whatever was hidden in the depths of the sea.
After thinking for a moment, Li Fan didn't make any extra moves.
Out of caution, he activated a Disappearance Talisman and moved far away.
He silently observed the development of the situation.
The earth roared, and the seafloor collapsed.
The three undersea faults began to collapse with a bang.
With this spectacle, when the seabed was almost completely destroyed from the inside out, the thing buried inside finally revealed its form.
A magnificent three-sectioned palace complex, spanning dozens of miles, appeared before Li Fan.
"All four laws are complete, and my core is formed!"
He Zhenghao burst into wild laughter.
Before the laughter faded, a violent wave of spiritual energy erupted from his body, forcing Li Fan to retreat.
The yellow energy of the Earth Veins, the blue-green energy of the Mountains and Rivers, the deep black energy of the Hidden Abyss, and the purple-white energy of Ascensionall appeared around He Zhenghao at once.
They formed a vortex of colorful energy, intertwining and merging around the core of the "Hundred Veins Formation Diagram."
...
Watching this spectacular scene from the side, Li Fan couldn't help but feel emotional.
"I didn't expect fellow Daoist He to actually succeed in synthesizing four laws."
"A Golden Core cultivator with four laws, I'm afraid there are very few in the entire Cong Yun Sea."
"From now on, his status is likely to be significantly different."
"This Ascension Law, like the Hidden Abyss Law, seems to resonate with his 'Mountain and River Hidden Dragon Technique.'"
"I didn't expect that there would be such a ruin in the breakthrough location he chose."
"This is He Zhenghao's fortune."
In his spiritual sense, the continuously ascending palace complex was rising faster and faster.
It was about to emerge from the sea surface.
However...
Li Fan was slightly stunned.
Because the scale of the palace complex seemed to be shrinking continuously.
"Not an illusion..."
"In that case."
In an instant, Li Fan thought of something.
In the twelfth life, Li Fan had heard that during the 22nd year, a cultivation abode ascended from the seafloor in the northwest area of the Cong Yun Sea, and then flew directly towards the direction of the Jiushan Province.
Many curious cultivators followed, but none returned, disappearing without a trace.
"Is it that abode?"
Li Fan suddenly realized.
"I don't know which sect's ruin it is, but it can change size and fly like a magic treasure."
"Well... maybe I can publicize this and let other cultivators explore it for me."
"With it being so well-preserved and the sect's ruins being so miraculous, it will certainly attract many cultivators to explore."
Li Fan subconsciously started to plan.
Not long after, a special fluctuation interrupted his thoughts.
In He Zhenghao's abdomen, a Golden Core was about to take shape.
On the surface of the Golden Core, the appearance of a formation was faintly visible.
The aura on his body soared in an instant.
He Zhenghao had successfully formed his Golden Core.
At the same time, a large amount of feedback spiritual energy also appeared in Li Fan's dantian.
Chapter 261: Zhenghao’s Ambition
During this period, the Karmic Body used to accommodate the feedback from the Mountain Meditation Technique had reached a state of half-real and half-illusory.
If quantified, it was roughly equivalent to half of Li Fan's Foundation Establishment cultivation.
With He Zhenghao's breakthrough to Golden Core, Li Fan received the largest investment return since practicing the Mountain Meditation Technique.
The quantity exceeded Li Fan's expectations, and the illusory image of the Karmic Body transformed into reality after reaching perfect stage Foundation Establishment.
A vivid figure, with clear facial features, sat inside Li Fan's dantian.
Li Fan suddenly felt that the Karmic Body had reached its absorption limit.
Just as he felt somewhat regretful, thinking that the remaining feedback cultivation would go to waste, a second Karmic Body suddenly appeared.
It continued until it stored one-third of the total amount before finally stopping.
"It's indeed a Four Law Golden Core; it can bring such a significant return in cultivation!"
Li Fan was secretly amazed.
After careful sensing, Li Fan had a realization.
"In addition to the extraordinary power of the Four Law Golden Core, the inextricable connection between He Zhenghao and me is also an important reason for the amount of feedback this time."
"One reason is the Mountain and River Hidden Dragon Technique, and the other is that I prevented He Zhenghao from meeting a tragic end and essentially saved his life."
"Combined with my careful protection during his breakthrough..."
"All in all, that's why when he broke through, I received so much feedback."
"If it were just the Mountain and River Hidden Dragon Technique, breaking through to Golden Core would definitely not result in so much cultivation feedback."
In the midst of these thoughts, the turbulent fluctuations on He Zhenghao's side gradually calmed down.
His breath restrained, he slowly opened his eyes.
"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on achieving the Four Law Golden Core. From now on, your future is boundless!" Li Fan said with a smile.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
He Zhenghao burst into laughter, dispelling the past depression he had been carrying.
Then he said seriously, "Don't be so formal. Half of the credit of my Golden Core formation belongs to you."
"Although I have now formed the Golden Core, fellow Daoist is not far from the breakthrough, and I am only a step ahead."
"How about we continue to interact as we did before?"
He Zhenghao gave a lot of face, and Li Fan was very satisfied.
"Fellow Daoist, feel free to do as you please. If you need contribution points to establish connections, don't hesitate to ask." Li Fan smiled and assured him.
He Zhenghao, upon hearing this, showed a happy expression. He knew that Li Fan had earned a fortune during the Spirit Mist Grass incident and was quite wealthy.
"With my previous connections and the foundation of my Four Law Golden Core, coupled with using a sufficient amount of contributions to pave the way, I might be able to obtain an unexpectedly good position." He secretly thought.
"Perhaps I won't need to go to Shilin Province in this life. After all, it's unfamiliar territory. Let's see if I can hitch a ride with Fellow Daoist He's good fortune." Li Fan thought to himself.
The two returned with their own thoughts.
He Zhenghao returned to Liuli Island to stabilize his cultivation.
Li Fan returned to the Tianxuan Mirror.
The news of the underwater cultivation abode gradually spread. Many cultivators flew over, attempting to seek opportunities.
But after all, by the time the palace complex appeared in the crowd's view, it had shrunk a lot.
Therefore, it didn't look very large or valuable, and the number of cultivators willing to chase after it was not that many.
If nothing unexpected happened, after dozens of cultivators fell behind, this matter would slowly be forgotten.
However...
Li Fan wanted the cultivators to explore and find out the secrets within the ruin.
How could he allow such a thing to happen?
So he decided to stir up some trouble.
In the Tianxuan Realm, he, as an eyewitness, narrated the incident of the ruin's reappearance.
Not long after, it caused a sensation.
After all, ancient cultivation abodes and ancient sect ruins were two completely different concepts.
Cultivator abodes generally had a limited number of techniques and treasures.
But in ancient sect ruins, especially those that had been sealed for countless years and had just reappeared, had countless opportunities.
The prosperity of the ancient cultivation world was deeply ingrained in people's minds.
Obtaining any cultivation technique at all was already a huge gain.
And according to Li Fan's description, the palace complex spanned hundreds of miles and did not seem like an insignificant and weak sect.
Thus, the enthusiasm of the cultivators was quickly ignited.
Chapter 262: Aiming for the Garrison
One exploration team after another began flying in the direction of the ruins, searching for its whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Li Fan remained hidden in the Tianxuan Mirror, patiently awaiting the results.
Three months later, there hadn't been significant progress in exploring the ruins, but an excited message arrived from He Zhenghao.Updated from
"Fellow Daoist Li Fan, good news," he exclaimed.
"After some efforts on my part, I've secured three potential positions, each located in different provinces. Fellow Daoist, please offer your advice."
Li Fan promptly replied, "Oh? Tell me more."
"The first one is the leader of the Martial Hall in Taihua Province," He Zhenghao explained.
"Taihua Province is not far from the Cong Yun Sea, and it's known for the Taihua Mountain Range that spans the entire province.
"The peaks are incredibly numerous, and my cultivation speed there would be much faster than in the Cong Yun Sea."
"The second one is a Counselor of the Formation Hall in Qingwei Province," he continued.
"Although it's still far from Tianyu Province, it's much closer compared to the Cong Yun Sea."
"The third one is city guardian in Tianyun Province," He Zhenghao concluded.
"This province is not far from the western part of the Tianyu Province, and therefore competition for the position is intense.
"It's only a position shift from island guardian to city guardian, but the advantage is that being closer to the headquarters might make promotions easier."
He Zhenghao slowly revealed the results of his efforts over this period.
"Tianyun Province..." Li Fan pondered for a moment and replied, "Let's not rush to make a decision. I have acquaintances in Tianyun Province; I'll inquire further to see if there are additional opportunities."
He Zhenghao was surprised, "You have connections in Tianyun Province?"
Li Fan smiled faintly, "I can't guarantee anything. Let's give it a try; wait for my message, fellow Daoist."
He Zhenghao agreed repeatedly.
Li Fan then contacted the Oracle, explaining the situation.
"Do you have any channels, Senior?" he inquired.
The Oracle simply replied, "I'll ask for you."
After that, there was no further response.
Li Fan wasn't in a hurry and patiently waited.
Half a day later, a cultivator named Daoist Jingxuan from Tianyun Province requested to add Li Fan as a friend. Li Fan quickly accepted.
Jingxuan's hearty voice echoed, "Haha, are you Li Fan? I heard from the Oracle that you have a friend interested in taking a position in our Tianyun Province?"
"A Four Law Golden Core cultivator, impressive! Young talents are indeed formidable."
"In that case, could you ask if he's interested in joining our Tianyun Province Garrison?" Jingxuan continued.
"Because of the large-scale battle a few years ago, there are still some vacant positions that haven't been filled."
Li Fan was slightly taken aback and asked, "Senior Jingxuan, could you explain what the Garrison is?"
Jingxuan was surprised that Li Fan didn't know, but he quickly understood after thinking about Li Fan's remote origin. He explained, "The Garrison is an organization unique to the core areas of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
Naturally, they were all borrowed from Li Fan.
Anyway, He Zhenghao was already in debt and a little more made no difference.
Furthermore, Li Fan was generous and lent as much as needed.
Before leaving, He Zhenghao swore.
Once he established himself in Tianyun Province, he would try to arrange for Li Fan to join him.
Li Fan didn't say much and just patted He Zhenghao on the shoulder.
After He Zhenghao's departure, Li Fan stayed hidden in the Tianxuan Mirror all day, not going out and focusing on cultivation.
Soon, the 23rd year arrived.
The ruins were finally discovered.
They had landed in a swamp in the central part of Jiushan Province.
As cultivators explored the ruins, the origin of this place was also uncovered.
Ancient Immortal Sect, Chaoyuan Sect.
Although not as famous as the Tai Shang or Great Dao Sects, whose reputations remained known even after thousands of years, before the Great Calamity, it was also considered a renowned sect.
Based on past experiences of exploring sect ruins, there would undoubtedly be abundant treasures inside.
The news attracted many cultivators to travel to Jiushan Province, further destabilizing the already chaotic region.
Even cultivators from the Five Elders Association, with minimal disguise, brazenly joined the expedition to explore the ruins.
The audacity of their actions was evident.
The weak control of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance over Jiushan Province could be seen.
Originally, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had no intention of intervening in the normal exploration of ruins, but at this moment, news arrived that infuriated the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
A Soul Transformation cultivator from the Five Elders Association named Luo Xi not only openly revealed his identity but also injured and killed many Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance exploration members.
After obtaining something valuable from deep within the ruins, he left triumphantly.
Being so arrogant on their turf?
It was like a slap in the face.
However, confusion followed.
Such behavior had an obvious provocative intent.
Could there be a conspiracy?
Were the Five Elders Association going to start another war?
Regardless, face must not be lost.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance swiftly dispatched several Soul Transformation cultivators to Jiushan Province and issued a solemn warning.
All cultivators from the Five Elders Association were prohibited from entering Jiushan Province.
If they dare to come, they will die!
Chapter 263: Attempting to Achieve Immortality
At first, some skeptical cultivators ignored the warning from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
They continued to act recklessly, relying on their concealment techniques to secretly infiltrate Jiushan Province.
However, the Soul Transformation experts assigned to suppress them came well-prepared.
They joined hands to set up a grand formation that enveloped the entire Jiushan Province.
The purpose of this formation was not to kill but instead to automatically mark the locations of Five Elders Association cultivators within its range.
The principle behind it was unclear, but once a Five Elders Association cultivator stepped into the formation, a towering pillar of light would lock onto them.
Even if they used a concealment technique, they were as clearly visible as a candle in the dark.
Now, there was no need for the Soul Transformation cultivators to take action.
The infiltrators were torn to pieces by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators who swarmed around them.
This kind of formation, capable of identifying the identities of both sides' cultivators, had never appeared before.
It hadn't even made an appearance in the previous battle in Tianling Province.
Its debut this time was extraordinary.
The Five Elders Association's side seemed to be momentarily unable to find a way to crack it and wasn't ready for another full-scale war.
Therefore, they temporarily halted their infiltrations and did not take more aggressive measures.
However, it seemed they had not completely abandoned their intention to explore the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect.
Gathering their forces at the border of Jiushan Province, they took a stance of potentially invading at any moment.
On the front lines, both sides were at a tense standoff, and a major battle was imminent.
Meanwhile, in the secure rear of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the motivation behind the actions of the Five Elders Association became a hot topic among cultivators.
According to common sense, both sides had recently concluded a major battle, resulting in countless casualties.
During this time, there should have been a period of peace for rest and recovery.
However, the Five Elders Association acted contrary to the norm, constantly provoking the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
What was their purpose?
Moreover, the last major battle was due to the rare Five Element Subworlds.
This time, why were they mobilizing?
After discussions and analyses, most cultivators generally believed there were only two possibilities.
Jiao Xiuyuan complained.
"Although the cultivators may still not be so affluent now, it's better than dragging on for a few more years without making a profit and being unable to return the capital."
"The early promotion of the Minor Medicine King Cauldron has cost me too much. If we wait any longer, the funds will be in trouble."
While the financial difficulty might not be entirely true, Li Fan agreed with his decision.
If he didn't sell the Minor Medicine King Cauldron now, when the true Medicine King Cauldron appeared, these small cauldrons wouldn't be priceless commodities anymore; they would mean big trouble.
Even Jiao Xiuyuan might not fare well then.
"The venue for the first auction is set in Tianhua Province. It's located in the core of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and is connected to eight other provinces, including Tianyu Province. Cultivators in the province are generally wealthier than those in other states."
"Would fellow Daoist like to come and observe?"
Jiao Xiuyuan attached great importance to the person who formulated the business plan and extended an invitation to Li Fan.
Li Fan smiled and declined, "For such a grand occasion, as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, I won't go there to join the excitement."
"I wish fellow Daoist every success in establishing the reputation of the Minor Medicine King Cauldron."
Although Jiao Xiuyuan was a bit regretful, he couldn't force it.
"By the way, fellow Daoist Jiao, what do you think of the recent movements of the Five Elders Association?" Li Fan suddenly asked.
"The Five Elders Association?" Jiao Xiuyuan was initially stunned, then tilted his head, seemingly receiving some information.
After a moment, he replied, "In my personal judgment, this time, the Five Elders Association is probing opportunistically."
"Probing? How do you explain that?" Li Fan became interested and asked.
Jiao Xiuyuan lowered his voice, "Let's keep this private; fellow Daoist must not spread this around."
"I have a special source of information. A certain Dao Integration cultivator in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance wants to defy the principles of heaven to achieve Longevity Immortal and establish their immortality."
"This Immortal Sage has a good relationship with other Dao Integration powerhouses in the alliance and reportedly has invited many helpers."
"I guess the Five Elders Association got wind of it somewhere and wants to apply some pressure to test if the information is true."
"The upheaval in Jiushan Province was just the appetizer. If everything goes as expected, the bigger part is yet to come."
When Li Fan first heard what Jiao Xiuyuan said, he thought the Dao Integration cultivator he mentioned was the Blue Feather Immortal Sage from Dao Yuan Province.
However, the subsequent descriptions were clearly inconsistent with Blue Feather.
"Another one aiming for immortality?" Li Fan's interest was piqued.
However, a doubt arose in his mind.
"This immortal wants to break through, yet they're also seeking help from friends? Aren't they afraid..." Li Fan didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already clear.
Chapter 264: Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign Deception
Jiao Xiuyuan smiled, "It's quite normal for fellow Daoists to have such thoughts. After all, we cultivators, from Foundation Establishment to Dao Integration, need to plunder the heavens and earth and compete for resources. In a sense, all cultivators are potential competitors to each other."
"But..."
Jiao Xiuyuan's tone suddenly gained some mysterious meaning, "Longevity Immortal realm is different."
"To achieve Longevity Immortal, one must defy the principles of heaven and earth."
"The principles of heaven and earth are the Dao of the heavens."New novel chapters are published on
"Defying the principles of heaven and earth is the Dao of cultivators."
"By following the Dao of cultivators and defying the Dao of the heavens, one can achieve Longevity Immortal."
"Cultivators who can reach the peak of Dao Integration and glimpse into the Longevity Immortal realm each have their own unique Dao."
"Because before reaching this realm, they have already destroyed all potential competitors."
Jiao Xiuyuan calmly described the bloody path of ascension.
"Dao Integration cultivators, with different paths, no longer have conflicts of interest."
"Observing the process of other Dao Integration cultivators defying the principles of heaven and earth, whether successful or not, will be beneficial to oneself."
"That's why they agree to assist."
A hint of mockery appeared on Jiao Xiuyuan's dark face, "Otherwise if you want to mobilize multiple Dao Integration cultivators, you would have to sacrifice a lot."
Li Fan carefully pondered Jiao Xiuyuan's words and, after a moment, seemed to have a realization.
From Qi Condensation to Dao Integration, the required mediums for advancement are, in order, spiritual energy, Heavenly Treasure, law, subworld, marrow, and Heavenly Spirit.
As a cultivator's realm slowly improves, the restraining forces of heaven and earth during advancement become increasingly formidable.
In the early stages of cultivation, since the restraining forces of heaven and earth are not that strong, they can be almost ignored.
The main conflicts manifest in battles between cultivators.
But when the cultivation reaches the Dao Integration realm, one not only has to compete with other cultivators for the chance to sacrifice the Heavenly Spirit but also has to contend with the Heavenly Spirit itself.
The situation changes.
Finally, when reaching the Longevity Immortal realm.
The conflicts between cultivators become almost negligible.
It transforms into a struggle between cultivators and the heavens and earth.
...
Although the realms of Dao Integration and Longevity Immortal were still far away for Li Fan, they were the ultimate goals of cultivation in this realm.
For planning the future path of his cultivation, Jiao Xiuyuan's words provided valuable guidance.
The value of this conversation was not below 100,000 contribution points.
The Five Elders Association lowered their flags and drums, never mentioning the word "war" again.
This inexplicable event not only left Li Fan bewildered but also surprised Jiao Xiuyuan.
And shortly afterward, under the official fanfare of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, everyone understood what had happened in these few days.
The original war plan of the Five Elders Association should have been like this.
Dao Integration powerhouses would infiltrate the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, search for the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign who was defying the principles of heaven and earth, and disrupt his ascension process.
The remaining cultivators, led by Soul Transformation powerhouses, would launch a fierce attack on the entire border of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
This was to provide cover for the Dao Integration strike team.
They would focus on attacking the regions without Dao Integration cultivators.
It was best to take advantage of this rare opportunity to expand their territory.
The plan was beautiful.
However, reality was cruel.
A total of nine Dao Integration powerhouses secretly entered the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Undoubtedly, they were an extremely powerful force.
They reached the heartland, Tianyu Province, without being noticed by anyone.
Perhaps they were secretly rejoicing in their hearts that the plan was proceeding so smoothly.
However, just when they all relaxed.
A grand formation activated, and mysterious light descended from the sky, suddenly enveloping them.
Dao Integration cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, twice their number, suddenly appeared around them.
This included the Dao Integration Immortal Sages who were supposedly invited to assist in defying the principles of heaven and earth; all present, watching with mocking expressions!
At this point, the nine Dao Integration cultivators from the Five Elders Association would obviously understand.
Everything, from the beginning, was a trap!
A trap to lure the enemy deep inside!
The claims about Dao Integration cultivators about to break through and ascend to Longevity Immortal were all false.
The purpose was to lure the Dao Integration Immortal Sages of the Five Elders Association to come for sabotage.
Then, capture them all in one fell swoop!
Tearing off a piece of flesh from the Five Elders Association!
*****
T/N: title of Longevity Immortals changed from Immortal Venerable > Heavenly Sovereign to avoid redundancy.
Chapter 265: Schemes Against the Enemy
The exact number of casualties of the Five Elders Association's nine Dao Integration experts was not disclosed by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance in their announcement.
However, the losses were undoubtedly severe.
Otherwise, the recently arrogant Five Elders Association wouldn't have suddenly shrunk its forces, changing from offense to defense.
In this event, the only Dao Integration cultivators known to have died belonged to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
However, he did not die in battle; he was executed.
Because he was a spy.
He was a spy deeply embedded within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for nearly a millennium, and no one had ever suspected him.
He held a distinguished position, and until his identity was exposed, no one would suspect him as a spy for the Five Elders Association.
Immortal Sage Ziqiong, who presided over the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's Martial Hall in Tianyu Province, was highly revered.
It was precisely because of this Immortal Sage Ziqiong's secret information transmission that the Five Elders Association, after some probing and verification, became convinced of the news that a Dao Integration cultivator was about to be promoted to Longevity Immortal.
Thus, they made the strategic move to dispatch nine Dao Integration cultivators deep into enemy territory, an initiative with extremely high risks.
Because this was not the first time.
In previous actions, the Five Elders Association had tasted the sweetness of success.
The last time they did something similar was during the surprise attack on the Five Element Subworlds.
Indeed, at that time, it was also Immortal Sage Ziqiong who leaked the information about the Five Element Subworlds.
His men had received the plea for help from the exploration team, hoping that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters would send assistance in relocating the Five Element Subworlds.
This Immortal Sage Ziqiong knew better than most in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance about the true value of those subworlds.
So, he secretly passed on the information to the Five Elders Association.
That's why the Five Elders Association reacted so swiftly, arriving even before the support from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Even with the pursuit team dispatched later by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, consisting of eight Dao Integration experts, the Five Elders Association was well aware of their personnel composition with Immortal Sage Ziqiong leaking information.
If it weren't for unexpected circumstances.
One of the overlooked Soul Transformation cultivators in the team unexpectedly erupted with combat power comparable to Dao Integration, turning the tide in a critical moment.
Otherwise, the eight Dao Integration cultivators responsible for pursuit, in all likelihood, would have all perished on the battlefield.
Even so, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance suffered significant losses in this incident.
Although the Five Elders Association also incurred some losses, they were entirely acceptable compared to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
The only regret was that due to the suddenness of the situation, they didn't have time to mobilize even more personnel.
The mission to seize the Five Element Subworlds ended in failure.
Regardless, the information Immortal Sage Ziqiong provided, as the deepest nail of the Five Elders Association within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, was absolutely reliable.
So, even though the act of "dispatching nine Dao Integration cultivators deep into enemy territory" theoretically carried extremely high risks, the Five Elders Association still went through with it.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's response was quite peculiar.
While issuing tough words, delivering solemn warnings, and threatening to kill any who came, they only dispatched a few Soul Transformation cultivators.
Since when could Soul Transformation cultivators hold the line?
Where were the many Dao Integration cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance at the moment?
It should be noted that without any Dao Integration cultivators, the sole Soul Transformation cultivator Luo Xi would be difficult to stop.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance should be aware of this.
Could it be that after receiving a resounding slap, they would just endure it?
What happened?
The so-called solemn warning.
In the eyes of the Five Elders Association, it was a bluff.
Rather than being intended for the Five Elders Association, it seemed more like it was meant for the internal members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
To pacify and reassure the people.
It seemed that Immortal Sage Ziqiong's conveyed message was likely true!
Within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, there really was a Dao Integration cultivator who was about to carry out the act of "defying the laws of heaven and earth."
Even multiple divinations and calculations had confirmed the veracity of this matter!
The Five Elders Association suddenly became anxious.
No wonder the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was willing to endure humiliation compared to a newly ascended Longevity Immortal.
Let alone a bit of face, they might even accept losing a few territories.
Once the ascension was successful, all those lost territories would instantly return.
No, it must be stopped!
So, the Five Elders Association suddenly declared war.
Simultaneously, a team consisting of nine Dao Integration cultivators, based on the information provided by Ziqiong, went to Tianyu Province to carry out the mission of disrupting the ascension.
However, everything turned out to be a trap.
...
Li Fan looked puzzled, repeatedly reading the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's arrogant announcement several times.
Finally, he let out a long sigh.
"Without standing at that height, it's impossible to understand the whole picture of what's happening."
"As for what exactly has happened, perhaps only after the conclusion of the matter, looking back on it..."
"Can I learn a thing or two."
Chapter 266: Zhong Shentong
Regardless of the circumstances, the plan of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance ultimately succeeded.
Not only did they kill several Dao Integration cultivators from the Five Elders Association, but they also successfully exposed the spy, Immortal Sage Ziqiong.
It was an extremely effective plan in striking back after previous losses.
On the other hand, the Five Elders Association, faced with this bloody reality, could only admit defeat.
The battles in Tianling Province and the ambush in Tianyu Province resulted in each side winning one.
The losses of the Dao Integration powerhouses would take time to slowly recover.
With both the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association suffering, it could be foreseen that a period of extended peace was on the horizon.
For the majority of cultivators, this was a good thing.
As the clouds of war gradually dispersed, Jiao Xiuyuan's Minor Medicine King Cauldron auction, which was postponed due to the war, was finally held at the end of the 23rd year.
Li Fan didn't attend the event.
However, it was said that the results were somewhat unsatisfactory.
In the first batch, a total of four small cauldrons were sold.
The selling prices for each cauldron were generally only around a few hundred thousand contribution points.
Obviously, there were doubts about whether the meteor that fell from the sky was the true Medicine King Cauldron.
Even though Jiao Xiuyuan followed Li Fan's strategy, creating a buzz everywhere, the effect was minimal.
Those cultivators willing to spend a large amount of contribution points to gamble on a prosperous future were, after all, in the minority.
Most cultivators followed the principle of not releasing the eagle without seeing the rabbit.
Despite the unsuccessful start, Jiao Xiuyuan wasn't discouraged.
On the one hand, he still had a considerable inventory.
On the other hand, even if the subsequent small cauldrons were sold at this price, he would still make a stable profit.
"I do business without greed. As long as there's profit, it's good enough."
That's what Jiao Xiuyuan said.
Li Fan just smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
His attention returned to his original body.
The group of people who had been calmly waiting on the deserted island for more than ten years had already grown into adults.
They were starting to get a bit restless.
Especially Su Xiaomei, who occasionally sneaked by herself.
However, the mysterious disappearance of Ye Feipeng had always been a shadow pressing on their hearts.
This made them reluctant to stray too far from the deserted island, as they feared that they would be detected by the cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Li Fan checked the cultivation levels of several individuals.
In the void, Zhang Qianmo had a stern expression as he stood with his hands behind his back. Not far away, a white-haired old man in Daoist robes smiled as he looked at him.
"Please enlighten me, Junior!"
As soon as Zhong Shentong finished his polite words, his expression suddenly changed. He pointed with his right hand, and a sea of azure light surged above Zhang Qianmo's head.
Each strand of light resembled extremely sharp flying swords, constantly stabbing towards Zhang Qianmo. Zhang Qianmo snorted, and beside him, the Purple Heaven Royal Thunder appeared, striking down the incoming azure light.
The azure and purple lights intersected, annihilating each other and turning into nothingness.
Zhong Shentong's fingers kept pointing repeatedly.
Blue, purple, crimson, red...
In an instant, various colorful lights emerged continuously, like a never-ending river, with a momentum that never seemed to stop.
The density was so high that Zhang Qianmo could barely defend himself.
What was most terrifying was that these seven-colored lights seemed inexhaustible, and it was unknown whether they were a result of a technique or a spiritual treasure.
It seemed like they didn't require any consumption; after the attack started, there was no sign of weakening. Moreover, the intensity of the light even increased.
Gradually, wounds began to appear on Zhang Qianmo's body.
Although they would quickly heal on their own, Zhang Qianmo still looked quite wretched.
On the other hand, Zhong Shentong seemed relaxed and at ease from beginning to end.
"This Seven-Colored Divine Light is indeed extraordinary."
"Could it be that Zhong Shentong defeated Zhang Qianmo with this?"
Li Fan analyzed while watching.
"No, although the Seven-Colored Divine Light has astonishing destructive power, it is still limited to the same realm. Once Zhang Qianmo reveals his purple core, I'm afraid he can easily resist it..."
Suddenly, Li Fan seemed to realize something, and his expression became serious.
"So that's it..."
He stared at the ongoing battle between Zhang Qianmo and Zhong Shentong.
Wounds appeared on Zhang Qianmo's body like blooming flowers, but in an instant, they were healed by the power surging from within him. As the battle continued, this process repeated.
It seemed like it would never end.
However...
For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, there was a limit to their strength.
Although Zhang Qianmo's total amount of spiritual energy far surpassed an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was still far from being infinite.
When the battle dragged on for a day, two days, three days...
The spiritual energy within him finally began to deplete.
Thus, Zhang Qianmo had to start using the energy stored in the purple core.
When Li Fan cultivated the Karmic Body, he speculated that the purple core in Zhang Qianmo's body was a means used by the Purple Heaven Sect to contain and suppress cultivation.
Now, it seemed to be true.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
Chapter 267: Slaying Zhang Qianmo
"But..."
Li Fan couldn't help but furrow his brow.
Could it be that Senior Brother Zhang's purple core cannot be activated voluntarily?
Recalling the scene where Senior Brother Zhang's physical body was completely destroyed, only to reappear from the purple core afterward, Li Fan couldn't help but speculate, "Could it be that this special state can only be triggered by death?"
The subsequent battle seemed to confirm Li Fan's speculation.
Zhong Shentong's continuous onslaught with the seven-colored divine light lasted for more than twenty days.
Finally, the energy stored in Zhang Qianmo's purple core was depleted.
After Zhang Qianmo was disintegrated by countless divine lights, there was no scene of the purple core resurrecting him.
"Excuse my impoliteness!"
The old Daoist's face showed a faint smile again.
He bowed toward the direction where his opponent had been reduced to bones.
Then, his figure gradually disappeared.
"So, it was resolved in this way. It's really..."
Li Fan couldn't help but feel speechless.
He didn't expect that Zhang Qianmo would be slowly drained to death.
Senior Brother Zhang's cultivation in the purple core state was almost invincible against Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Thus, it was fine as long as he wasn't allowed to enter the purple core state.
Looking back, the principle was simple.
However, upon careful consideration, Li Fan felt that achieving this was easier said than done.
In Zhang Qianmo's ordinary state, his combat power was already at the peak of Foundation Establishment cultivators.
To suppress him for such a long time without killing him was extremely difficult.
An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator could never achieve it.
Even an ordinary Golden Core cultivator couldn't easily accomplish this.
Li Fan, at present, naturally couldn't replicate it.
However, he had at least discovered a way to restrain Senior Brother Zhang.
The key was one word: "exhaust."
With a solution in mind, the following tasks would be more manageable.
Li Fan had formidable combat strength not below Senior Brother Zhang's regular state.
He only needed to find a way to engage in prolonged combat and exhaust Zhang Qianmo's spiritual energy in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
The only concern was that each time he entered the Fallen Immortal Realm, there was a time limit.
However, Li Fan already had a solution for this, and only hadn't implemented it out of caution.
This was a good opportunity to see if it worked.
Before entering the Fallen Immortal Realm again, Li Fan first investigated who this Zhong Shentong was.
The result surprised him.
He initially thought this person might be an exceptional genius, gifted with extraordinary talents.
The white hair and childish demeanor might just be a disguise.
Unexpectedly, Zhong Shentong was just an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Junior Brother? Junior Brother?"
Amidst the familiar voice of Zhang Qianmo, Li Fan opened his eyes.
He locked eyes with Senior Brother Zhang.
In just a second, the kind and smiling Senior Brother suddenly turned serious, with a murderous intent in his gaze.
However, he didn't immediately take action. Instead, he appeared in the distance in a flash, locking onto Li Fan from afar.
"You're not Junior Brother?"
"Otherworldly Demon? Evil spirit? Or..."
In the state of absolute rationality, Li Fan was only focused on achieving his goal.
Without wasting words with Zhang Qianmo, the outer shell that belonged to Junior Brother Li Chen instantly dissolved, revealing Li Fan's original appearance.
Then, as the Canghai Pearl rotated, he struck out forcefully with a Cong Yun Sword.
Witnessing this horrifying scene, Zhang Qianmo was furious.
"Bold demon, daring to be presumptuous in front of me, Zhang Qianmo of the Purple Heaven Sect!"
Purple Heaven Royal Thunder descended from the sky, about to strike Li Fan.
However, it was met with a Heaven Overturning Palm, and the thunder dissipated to nothing instantly.
Before Zhang Qianmo could react, Li Fan's attacks continued to follow like a tidal wave.
Li Fan meticulously controlled the power of every move and style, minimizing the use of spiritual energy while constantly depleting Zhang Qianmo's strength.
The battle between the two fell into a protracted and tense state.
The fierce fight lasted for more than thirty days, destroying countless ordinary villages and cities along the way.
In the end, Zhang Qianmo was one step ahead of Li Fan but fell into a state of exhaustion.
He was killed by Li Fan with a single sword.
There was no resurrection from his purple core.
Zhang Qianmo was dead.
Li Fan had narrowly won the battle.
However, before he could explore the surrounding areas without the restriction of Zhang Qianmo's supervision, a familiar fluctuation descended.
The duration of the Fallen Immortal Realm had reached its limit.
"It seems that even with the use of the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit, I can't stay in the Fallen Immortal Realm without any limitations."
Thinking so, Li Fan returned to the real world.
Retracting the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit, a strong feeling of exhaustion surged over him.
Thirty-plus days of high-intensity combat was also a considerable mental test.
"Fortunately, the gains were plentiful this time."
"I finally solved the long-standing problem of Zhang Qianmo. Next time, when I enter the Fallen Immortal Realm, I shouldn't be trapped in Ningyuan City again, right?"
"And..."
Li Fan's expression became subtle as he examined the text that inexplicably appeared in his mind.
This should be what he gained from killing Zhang Qianmo.
Although it wasn't the complete "Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique," for Li Fan, it was extremely useful.
It compensated for a major weakness of Li Fan.
"Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Escape."
Similar to the Purple Heaven Soul Observation Technique, it was also a secret technique attached to the Purple Heaven Royal Thunder True Technique.
Chapter 268: Hidden Danger of Azure Flame
T/N: term change from Venerable Heart Refinement Mantra > Xuanhuang Heart Refinement MantraUpdated from
*****
"Intent rides the Purple Heaven, body akin to thunder..."
"What a great escaping technique!"
After thoroughly studying the secret technique "Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Escape," a hint of joy flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
But then he felt a bit regretful, "Unfortunately, without the complement of the Royal Thunder True Intent from the 'Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique,' the speed of the escape technique will be greatly reduced."
"If I use it alone, I estimate it will only reach half the speed of its full potential."
"Nevertheless, even so, it's much faster than the escape techniques commonly sold in the Tianxuan Mirror."
The acquisition of the secret technique after defeating Zhang Qianmo was an unexpected blessing.
According to common sense, there would be no gains from killing someone in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Otherwise, exploring the Fallen Immortal Realm would be too easy: just group up and slaughter.
Such a situation would only arise if the lingering obsession of the slain person was related to being defeated.
"Zhang Qianmo walks the path of undefeated victory?"
Li Fan couldn't help but think so.
"However, without the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit Technique, which allows me to greatly extend my time in the Fallen Immortal Realm..."
"I'm afraid it's almost impossible to exhaust Senior Brother Zhang to death."
Entering the state of absolute rationality with the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit could increase the duration of existence in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
This was inspired by Chen Ying from the Medicine Hall.
Chen Ying needed to refine the Ice Intent Heartless Pill using the Blue Blood Coral to enhance the efficiency of exploring the Fallen Immortal Realm.
After the Blue Blood Coral absorbed a hint of the chilling aura from the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit, the medicinal effect of the Ice Intent Heartless Pill created from it unexpectedly improved significantly.
At that time, Li Fan speculated that activating the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit's special state might replace or even surpass the effect of taking the Ice Intent Heartless Pill.
This trial turned out to be just as expected.
The reason why Li Fan didn't use the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit in his previous explorations of the Fallen Immortal Realm was due to a hidden concern in his heart.
Li Fan had practiced the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra as instinctively as breathing for countless lifetimes of arduous cultivation.
Although he hadn't made any substantial breakthroughs, Li Fan's understanding of his own state of mind far exceeded that of an ordinary cultivator.
This time, Li Fan remained in that special state in the Fallen Immortal Realm for nearly thirty days.
After leaving, amidst his exhaustion, Li Fan also keenly sensed the erosion of that frozen intent on himself.
"It seems..."
As soon as the thought emerged in his mind, Li Fan suppressed it using the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra.
"Greetings, Master!"
He bowed respectfully, his mind free from distractions.
Zhang Zhiliang looked Li Fan up and down, nodded, and said, "It seems your progress is good. As soon as the opportunity arises, you'll be able to break through to the Golden Core stage."
Changing the subject, he suddenly asked, "You've already received the 'Soul Separation Jade Slip' from me three times."
"How did your recent study go with the last 'Soul Separation Jade Slip'?"
Li Fan truthfully reported the situation.
Zhang Zhiliang then threw a Testing Ball over, indicating for Li Fan to take the test.
As Li Fan's consciousness entered it, a series of difficult formation problems came rushing towards him.
Li Fan answered each one.
Compared to the Testing Ball test given by Zhang Zhiliang in the previous life, the difficulty of this test was clearly much higher.
However, after nearly ten years of uninterrupted formation study, Li Fan was no longer the ignorant person he once was.
After the test ended, Zhang Zhiliang looked at the bright spots on the Testing Ball and finally showed a hint of satisfaction.
"Not bad."
"Although there's room for improvement, your foundation is very solid."
"It's evident that you've put in a lot of effort in the study of formations."
Li Fan replied humbly, "Master, you're too kind. I know I am stupid, so in order not to fall behind, I can only work harder to make up for it."
Zhang Zhiliang smiled and said, "In just a few short years, you've been able to study the art of formations that I have taught to such an extent. Your talent is not bad!"
"There is no need to belittle yourself!"
Zhang Zhiliang concluded.
Of course, if he knew the actual amount of time Li Fan had spent studying, he would definitely think differently.
But fortunately, he didn't know.
"Good talent, diligent, and selfless."
Zhang Zhiliang looked at Li Fan again and said, "Two years later, there will be a closed training session in Tianyu Province for young formation talents from various provinces of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
"Our Cong Yun Sea has three spots."
"I intend to give one of them to you."
"Are you willing to go?"
Chapter 269: Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation
Li Fan didn't hesitate at all, showing an extremely surprised expression on his face and eagerly saying, "Junior is willing to go!"
Li Fan's reaction did not exceed Zhang Zhiliang's expectations.
He nodded and explained, "The purpose of this training is to allow the younger generation to quickly master the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation."
"The goal is to cover every area of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance within the range of the Spirit Lock Formation by 30 years."
Li Fan's expression changed slightly, "Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation? Is that the formation in the Jiushan Province which was capable of marking all the Five Elders Association cultivators with pillars of light?"
Zhang Zhiliang was quite satisfied with Li Fan's quick response and nodded, "Exactly. The Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was jointly developed by many formation masters after the battle in Tianling Province, by studying the captured cultivators of the Five Elders Association."
"The Five Elders Association's cultivators?" Li Fan was somewhat puzzled.New novel chapters are published on
"May I ask, Master, why does this formation research require a study on cultivators?"
Zhang Zhiliang was quite patient with Li Fan and explained, "Do you know the difference between the Five Elders Association and our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?"
Li Fan replied, "Our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is a free alliance. With their own efforts, by accumulating contribution points, cultivators can redeem cultivation techniques."
"While the Five Elders Association..."
"Although they can obtain martial arts techniques for free, they need to sign a contract of servitude."
"A lifetime of being subject to others. It's not as good as our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's freedom."
"To be honest, Master, when I was a wanderer before, I once considered which side to join."
"After comparing the conditions of both sides, I chose to join our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance without hesitation."
Li Fan spoke with great righteousness.
Zhang Zhiliang smiled slightly, not commenting on Li Fan's loyal statement.
Continuing, he said, "Yes, every cultivator who joins the Five Elders Association will sign a 'Soul Contract.'"
"Their soul is naturally different from ordinary cultivators."
"A long time ago, we had the idea of distinguishing between enemies and ourselves based on this difference."
"However, due to insufficient research specimens, it has never succeeded."
"In the recent battle at Tianling Province, although overall we were at a disadvantage, we didn't come away empty-handed either."
"This Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is one of the results of the war."
Zhang Zhiliang seemed to recall something; his expression became inexplicable, and his tone also became somewhat desolate.
However, he quickly returned to normal and continued, "Within the coverage of the formation, it can detect the soul anomalies caused by the 'Soul Contract' and thus distinguish between enemies and ourselves."
"The marking goes straight to the soul and cannot be unraveled by non-Dao Integration cultivators."
"The successful development of this formation is of great significance."
"At the very least, once it is popularized, ordinary spies will no longer be able to hide."
"And those pillars of light that pierce through the heavens and earth also eliminate the possibility of sneak attacks by the Five Elders Association."
Zhang Zhiliang spoke confidently, with a hint of pride on his face.
"However, this formation involves the souls of cultivators, making it difficult and obscure."
"Ordinary formation masters are completely incapable of constructing it."
Li Fan's eyes flickered as he released the horse-faced corpse from the ring.
"How do I try it?"
Li Fan first observed quietly for a moment, but nothing unusual happened.
After pondering for a moment, he then touched it with his hand.
...
After a long time, it seemed that nothing had changed.
It was as if the figure in front of him was just an ordinary, albeit strangely shaped, corpse.
"Strange..."
After a while, Li Fan still couldn't figure out how to use the 'Intent Horse.'
With doubts in his mind, he couldn't help but subconsciously touch his chin.
When Li Fan's hand touched his own chin, his body suddenly stiffened.
His heart stopped.
"Could it be..."
Li Fan summoned a mirror to observe his own face.
"..."
"As expected."
Although he was mentally prepared, when he saw his horse-faced self in the mirror, Li Fan still felt a chill.
"Could it be that this 'Intent Horse' in front of me came about like this?"
In an instant, an uncontrollable thought emerged in Li Fan's mind.
"So, how did it die?"
Li Fan's gaze involuntarily fell on the Intent Horse corpse lying quietly on the ground.
There was not a single scratch on its body.
As he looked at it, a sudden chill arose in Li Fan's heart.
Because he suddenly noticed that this Intent Horse corpse lying on the ground had undergone an inexplicable change at some point.
Its attire became unmistakably identical to Li Fan in every way.
"No... Not just the clothing."
Li Fan's heart sank.
The entire Intent Horse corpse, silently and imperceptibly, became identical to Li Fan.
"Is this corpse... my fate soon?"
A thought suddenly emerged.
"Will I... die?"
Fear descended in an instant.
Chapter 270: Intent Horse’s Danger
"Thump! Thump!"
Li Fan's heart began to beat uncontrollably as if he had witnessed his own tragic death moments away.
Instinctively, Li Fan was about to silently chant [Truth] in his heart to return to the anchor point.
However, in the blink of an eye, he felt something was amiss and forcibly stopped himself.
The Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra slowly shattered the fear that continuously surged in his heart, turning it into mental nourishment while also providing Li Fan with a precious moment of calm reflection.
"Could it be that Zhang Zhiliang has discovered something and intends to harm me through this method?"
"No... he should have already advanced to the Soul Transformation stage. There's no need for such elaborate schemes against a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like me."
"He could have just attacked directly."
"So, the reason for this strange premonition is the effect of the Intent Horse itself?"
As he thought so, Li Fan suddenly felt a trance-like sensation.
His hair stood on end as if someone was staring at him.
Startled, Li Fan immediately turned around.
He saw Zhang Zhiliang gazing at him, wearing an indescribable smile.
Li Fan instinctively retreated, his spiritual energy surged, and the Cong Yun Sword was about to be unleashed.
But in the blink of an eye, Zhang Zhiliang's figure disappeared.
Li Fan was momentarily stunned, then realized he was still inside the Tianxuan Mirror.
Even beings like the Heavenly Doctor would cause quite a stir if they tried to intrude forcefully.
How could Zhang Zhiliang sneak in so quietly?
"An illusion?"
Li Fan turned to look at the Intent Horse corpse on the ground and immediately noticed something unusual, furrowing his brows.
The Intent Horse corpse had inexplicably changed its posture without him noticing.
"Is it dead or alive?" Li Fan couldn't help but question.
Fear surged in his heart once again, echoing for a long time.
His body felt chilly.
"This Intent Horse is a bit strange."
"However, I have [Truth]. No matter how dangerous it is, it can't harm my life..."
Thinking of this, Li Fan felt slightly relieved.
Strangely enough, when he thought so, the inexplicable sense of fear in his heart suddenly receded like a tide.
"Interesting..."
Li Fan's eyes flickered.
However, he still possessed a horse face, indicating that the situation was not over yet.
But the constant burning pain made Li Fan doubt his own judgment.
"If all of this is just an illusion, then it doesn't matter."
"But what if I'm wrong, and these wounds are real?"
"If I continue to sit back and watch it happen, am I waiting to die?"
A thought emerged involuntarily.
"To determine if it's real or fake, why not ask others to verify?"
With that thought, Li Fan left the Tianxuan Mirror.
When he, with a horse face, wandered in front of other cultivators without attracting any strange looks, Li Fan finally confirmed that it was indeed an illusion brought about by the Intent Horse.
But...
"Hiss!"
Li Fan touched his chest, where another deep wound appeared.
While he was verifying the illusion outside, a total of eight wounds appeared on Li Fan's body.
"The speed of occurrence is getting faster, and the wounds are getting larger."
"Even if I know these are all illusions, at this intensity..."
"It doesn't matter whether they're real or fake anymore."
"If this continues to develop, could I really die?"
Before transmigrating, Li Fan had heard of a certain punishment.
A prisoner would be blindfolded and his arms would be slashed with a knife.
Then, mimic the sound of blood dripping with water drops while continuously whispering about blood loss to them.
Although the wound on the arm had long since coagulated and wouldn't lose much blood, under constant psychological suggestion from oneself and others, some prisoners would truly believe that they were losing too much blood and eventually die.
When they believed they were dead, they would die.
Li Fan guessed that the effect of the Intent Horse was similar because the illusion had reached a point where it was almost indistinguishable from reality.
If he didn't do anything and just waited for the situation to continue to develop, when the Intent Horse's body received fatal injuries such as an exploding head, Li Fan would also likely be affected by the synchronous injuries and truly believe that he was severely wounded.
Then, he would inexplicably die.
This was the influence of self-cognition on the body.
And to avoid this...
Li Fan opened the [Truth] panel.
He stared closely at the charging progress.
"As long as the automatic protection of [Truth] is not triggered, no matter how real the sensation is, there is no danger to my life."
With that thought, Li Fan felt much more at ease.
The fear in his heart gradually dissipated.New novel chapters are published on
Chapter 271: Treasure to Enhance the Soul
The automatic protection of [Truth] was like a heavy anchor, firmly anchoring Li Fan above the ocean of his thoughts.
This prevented him from being swayed by the extremely realistic illusions, preventing them from affecting his physical body through his thoughts.
However, Li Fan did not relax his vigilance.
He stared fixedly at the recharge progress of [Truth].
Once the progress dropped, Li Fan planned to activate [Truth] immediately and return to his anchor point.
In this way, Li Fan, who was mentally prepared, quietly awaited the changes that the Intent Horse would bring next.
The speed at which the wounds appeared became faster and faster.
But Li Fan remained steadfast.
Regardless of how many wounds appeared on his body, even as he grew weaker due to severe injuries, he simply watched the charging progress in front of him without any reaction.
After a long time, seemingly because these injuries couldn't intimidate Li Fan, a new change occurred.
A flame ignited from the Intent Horse's corpse.
At the same time, Li Fan felt an unbearable heat descending upon him.
"Ah..."
He couldn't help but let out a low groan.
He even saw his body slowly turning to ashes in the flames.
"It's fake, all fake..."
The charging progress of [Truth] remained unmoved.
This indicated that there was no mortal danger.
Everything was just an extremely realistic illusion.
Li Fan firmly believed in his heart.
The blazing flames continued to flicker.
Li Fan struggled in unbearable pain and torment.
After an unknown period, the long agony gradually subsided.
After the Intent Horse's corpse on the ground was completely burned to ashes, the illusions entwining Li Fan finally disappeared.
As he reassessed himself in the mirror, he had returned to his original human appearance.
Furthermore, Li Fan felt that he seemed to have become stronger.
Not in terms of physical body or cultivation level, but in terms of soul.
Li Fan carefully pondered his own changes.
"If spiritual consciousness is compared to a person's muscles, then spiritual consciousness can be continuously strengthened through training. and cultivation techniques"
"However, the soul is like a person's skeleton and is predetermined from birth. Only special methods, such as breakthroughs in cultivation realms and the effects of certain Heavenly Treasures, can strengthen it."
"Ordinary methods simply cannot affect it."
"This formation crown is for you. Inside, there are a total of over a hundred different formations superimposed. In your spare time, you can disassemble and study it."
"If you can construct a thirty-layer formation crown on your own, you can be considered a Formation Master."
Zhang Zhiliang instructed.
"The enhancement effect of the Intent Horse on the soul is not just temporary. For a long time, it will have a certain nourishing effect on the soul."
"During this time, it's best for you to cultivate diligently and avoid conflicts with others."
"Maximize its effect."
"Hehe, perhaps you've also realized that the Intent Horse was once a cultivator in its lifetime."
"And the one I gave you was a Golden Core cultivator in life."
"If you can fully absorb its effects, doubling the strength of your soul shouldn't be a problem."
Li Fan hadn't expected this additional benefit and quickly expressed his gratitude to Zhang Zhiliang again.
Zhang Zhiliang, however, hung up the communication without any further response.
"A Golden Core cultivator..."
"One can't escape the fate of becoming someone else's nourishment even after dying." Li Fan shook his head inwardly.
Li Fan suddenly remembered the human-faced Taian Fruits he had seen on Taian Island.
"At that time, the human-faced fruits seemed to only affect mortals on the island. If a cultivator were turned into a human-faced fruit, would a fruit with a stronger effect appear?"
"Whether it's Taian Fruits, Heart Monkeys, or Intent Horses..."
"I wonder if there's any connection between them."
Li Fan felt that there seemed to be some kind of secret hidden in all of this, giving him a strange feeling.
It felt out of place, yet somewhat familiar.
After pondering for a while, the blue crystal in his mind continuously flickered, and scenes of past experiences appeared before his eyes.
Li Fan finally realized where this sense of familiarity came from.
"Sect ruins, anomalies?"
Li Fan pondered for a moment, somewhat uncertain.
However, this contradicted the current rules of cultivation, was completely unreasonable, and seemed to have its own system of laws, yet was all connected.
"It is said that anomalies only exist within ancient sect ruins."
"If the two are really related, what does that imply?"
Li Fan was suddenly reminded of the time after the ox had pulled the Master to the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
He was summoned to the Heavenly Secrets Hall for investigation.
In front of the huge map of the Cong Yun Sea, the frail cultivator had said.
"One more case?"
Li Fan vaguely guessed something.
Chapter 272: A Startling Change
"Anomalies likely exist outside ancient sect ruins as well."
Li Fan made the most reasonable inference.
"Throughout the Xuanhuang Realm, there have been scattered incidents of anomalous attacks on people."
"The human-faced fruits, Heart Monkeys, and Intent Horses may all be products of these anomalies."
Judging by the Heavenly Secrets Hall's behavior, it seemed that anomalies were kept under strict surveillance at all times.
Presumably, the same was true for the Five Elders Association.
...
Li Fan thought for a moment, shaking his head inwardly, "It's good to know about this, but it's not my concern as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator."
"Compared to anomalies, the powerful figures of the Xuanhuang Realm are even more frightening."
The association of the Intent Horse to the possible existence of anomalies in the Xuanhuang Realm was just a minor incident.
Soon, Li Fan put it behind him.
Following Zhang Zhiliang's instructions, while cultivating quietly in the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan absorbed the power of the Intent Horse, strengthening his own soul.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.
At the bottom of the Cong Yun Sea, Ye Feipeng, who had been sleeping all this time, finally began to slowly awaken.
A loud and distant whale cry echoed from the depths of the sea.
It continuously spread to the surrounding sea areas.
Countless marine creatures, upon hearing this sound, trembled as if they had encountered a natural enemy, shivering and unable to move, instantly losing their resistance.
Above Ye Feipeng's head, the phantom of a whale monster appeared along with the sound.
The monster opened its huge mouth, as if starving for a long time, and suddenly sucked in.
A huge vortex was thus created.
The surging seawater, along with countless unfortunate marine creatures, was swallowed into the monster's mouth.
After a long time like this, the whale finally felt full after swallowing a vast amount of seawater.
Letting out a satisfied high-pitched cry, it raised its huge tail high and suddenly slapped downwards.
The giant whale then re-entered Ye Feipeng's body.
After that, Ye Feipeng's eyes twitched slightly, gradually waking up.
First, he froze in place, looking around at the environment he was in, feeling a bit bewildered.
Gradually, scenes flashed in his mind one after another.
He gradually became aware of what had happened to him before he fell into a coma and during the coma.
Subconsciously, Ye Feipeng touched his belly and muttered to himself, "I'm truly a fortuitous man with a heavenly destiny. Not only did I survive a great calamity, but I also awakened the bloodline of the ancient beast Kun Peng."
His gaze flashed, looking towards a huge rock not far away on the seabed.
Behind him were two bulging masses on his back, rising high.
With the initial transformation, Ye Feipeng seemed to be in some pain.
His face twisted in agony, veins like gnarled dragons constantly roaming beneath his skin.
"Ah!"
With a furious roar, two brown feathered wings extended from behind Ye Feipeng.
At the center of his eyebrows, a soaring Kun Peng image simultaneously appeared.
The transformation consumed a tremendous amount of energy, and the fatty gasped heavily as he recovered.
After resting for a moment, he stood up proudly.
The wings on his back flickered slightly.
His figure turned into a thin line, and in the blink of an eye, Ye Feipeng appeared more than ten miles away.
It was several times faster than the speed he had always been proud of!
"Kun Peng rides the wind and swims ten thousand miles in a day."
"I can still be faster!"
Ye Feipeng's heart moved, and the Green Wind True Intent within his dantian surged instantly.
Around the brown wings, faint traces of green light appeared.
After another test, Ye Feipeng found that the Green Wind and Kun Peng transformation synergized: their combined effect was greater than the sum of its parts.
His flight speed doubled more than twice!
"Speed is strength! With my speed and the strengthened flesh enhanced by the Kun Peng Essence Blood, ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't be able to withstand my blows..."
Thinking like this, Ye Feipeng erupted with all his speed and rushed towards an underwater mountain range below.
A streak of light flashed by, and the mountains collapsed.
He stirred up turbid seawater currents.
Unsatisfied, Ye Feipeng continued his momentum and rushed towards the distance.
A deep and long trench was carved out on the seabed.
Only after his strength was exhausted did he finally stop his destructive behavior.
Opening his large mouth wide, he swallowed the surrounding seawater once again.
Not long after, Ye Feipeng became lively and energetic again.
"If I had this speed back then, I wouldn't have been caught by Zhang Zhiliang."
He sighed inwardly.
Recalling the scene back then, the fatty's complexion couldn't help but darken.
*****
T/N: a Kun Peng is basically a whale that can transform into a bird. Roughly, Kun translates to whale, and Peng translates to bird, except their corresponding Chinese mythical variants.
Chapter 273: Feipeng’s First Wings
"Hmph, Zhang Zhiliang."
"I'll settle the score with you sooner or later."
A hint of ferocity and scorn flashed in Ye Feipeng's eyes.
"In this world, there are many variables, and there might be some differences from my past life."
"But I'm certain that Zhang Zhiliang will never give up the opportunity to hunt the Heavenly Spirit."
"After advancing to Soul Transformation and gaining the strength to officially participate in the competition, his desire to integrate the Dao should be even stronger."
The fatty secretly analyzed.
"If in the past life, he was merely an auxiliary support as a Formation Master."
"Then in this life, Zhang Zhiliang has become part of the main combat force."
"Hmm... if possible, he might even hide his strength secretly. He'll wait and watch as the Soul Transformation cultivators and Crimson Flame fight."
"After waiting until both sides are weakened, he'll strike and reap the benefits."
"He might even reserve some strength to guard against me since I escaped from his grasp..."
Ye Feipeng's expression changed.
To be honest, he was still somewhat hesitant about whether to participate in the upcoming appearance of the Crimson Flame.
After all, now that he had awakened the Kun Peng heritage and possessed both the Canghai Pearl and the Green Wind True Intent, he was far stronger than most cultivators.
Even if he gave up the opportunity to reach Dao Integration through the Crimson Flame and only relied on his own cultivation, there was a high probability that he could still cultivate to Nascent Soul or Soul Transformation.
Why take such a big risk and choose to snatch food from the tiger's mouth in front of a group of Soul Transformation cultivators??
If he succeeded, it would be fine, but if he failed...
Ye Feipeng's face twitched.
"But... it's Dao Integration after all."
"If I miss this opportunity, there might never be such a good chance again."
He couldn't help but think so.
The scene of Zhang Haobo's overwhelming presence, overlooking all beings after he integrated with the Dao in his previous life, appeared in his mind again.
Ye Feipeng couldn't help but feel tempted again.
"The Canghai Pearl..."
Subconsciously touching his belly, the fatty's face was tangled.
"Let's see, let's see..."
"Let's go back to the deserted island first and see how Xiao Heng and the others are doing."
Retracting his wings behind him, Ye Feipeng quietly returned to where the others were.
On the other hand, Ye Feipeng, while entangled with Su Xiaomei, occasionally remembered scenes from the past that made him feel humiliated.
Anger surged in his heart.
Although he knew this was the effect of Su Xiaomei's cultivated technique, "Six Desires without Form," Ye Feipeng didn't mind at the moment.
He planned to teach this little brat a lesson.
Amidst the exclamations of the onlookers, Ye Feipeng activated "Kun Peng Transformation."
Two brown wings suddenly spread out, and his body instantly expanded by a circle.
His speed and strength nearly doubled. Su Xiaomei was taken by surprise, and blown away by a punch and sent flying, crashing heavily into the sea.
"Xiaomei!"
Xiao Heng exclaimed.
However, before he could rush into the sea to find Su Xiaomei...
A red fire parted the seawater.
In an instant, it struck Ye Feipeng again.
The extremely hot energy erupted, distorting even the air.
The onlookers involuntarily stepped back.
"Looks like Xiaomei even used her Foundation Establishment wonder, 'Fury Spirit Fire.' She's really angry." Yin Yuzhen stuck out her tongue and whispered softly.
Amidst the sea of fire, explosions continued to erupt.
Faintly, the crowd could see strands of green light blocking the red flames.
The battle between the two lasted for half a day.
Their cultivations were evenly matched.
One had extraordinary talent, becoming stronger with anger. With a maximum eightfold power increase, she was extremely formidable.
The other had encountered numerous fortuitous encounters, possessing the dual Foundation Treasures Green Wind True Intent and the Canghai Pearl. With the Kun Peng bloodline inheritance and its techniques, his speed and strength were no less than Su Xiaomei's.
For a while, the two fought fiercely, neither able to gain the upper hand.
It wasn't until nightfall that, under the persuasion of the onlookers, they stopped fighting.
Both were still dissatisfied, agreeing to fight again another day.
Xiao Heng also approached, full of curiosity, asking Ye Feipeng what had happened and how he had suddenly become so strong.
Surrounded by everyone's astonished and envious eyes, Ye Feipeng couldn't help but feel a little proud.
"Indeed, returning home with wealth and honor brings great pride," he secretly thought.
The manifestation of his bloodline power was so obvious that there was nothing to hide.
So, he immediately revealed the fact that he had awakened and inherited the Kun Peng Essence Blood.
Chapter 274: Ningyuan’s Mysteries
After listening to Ye Feipeng's story, everyone couldn't help but marvel.Updated from time to time, they glanced at the deep brown wings behind him, with a hint of envy in their eyes.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Li Fan, who witnessed everything, had a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Kun Peng Essence Blood?"
"Just a drop of essence blood passed down through the bloodline, can still cause such earth-shaking changes in a person's body, even after thousands of years have passed."
Li Fan, who had already achieved a small degree of success in Creation Forge Art, understood very well what kind of great power this was.
"How powerful were the Kun Pengs at their peak?"
"Not to mention, there are many other demonic beasts that were as fierce or even more fierce than the Kun Peng."
"Nowadays, not a single one can be seen."
"What exactly happened back then..."
Li Fan couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.
"I wonder how the blood of demonic beasts strengthens the physical body. How is it different from the 'Creation Forge Art' that mobilizes the body's hidden potential?"
"Perhaps there is a chance to learn."
Thinking back to Ye Feipeng's astonishing speed and strength just now, Li Fan couldn't help but ponder.
"It seems that the little fatty seems to have not given up on the idea of competing for the Heavenly Spirit. I wonder who will succeed between him and Zhang Zhiliang. Although Zhang Zhiliang's cultivation level is far above Ye Feipeng's, I have a faint feeling that the fatty has a slightly greater chance..."
"Let's see what surprises he will bring when he forms his Golden Core."
With a flickering gaze, Li Fan's thoughts gradually calmed down.
He then played with the white glowing cube in his hand.
This object was the formation crown given to him by Zhang Zhiliang earlier.
In the past six months of continuous exploration, Li Fan had completely mastered the initial twenty formations.
After failing dozens of times, he finally succeeded in building a miniature formation crown based on these twenty formations.
Although he wasted many precious materials, and the power of this formation crown was not comparable to Zhang Zhiliang's formation crown with a hundred layers of formations, it was still a good start.
It meant that Li Fan's proficiency in formations had officially ascended.
This achievement was hard-earned, and Li Fan was naturally elated.
This made him allocate more energy to formation research during this period.
...
The sea of knowledge was boundless.
When immersed in deep thought and concentration, time always passed exceptionally quickly.
Unknowingly, the twenty-fifth year arrived.
On this day, Li Fan suddenly felt a tremor in his heart.
After a brief perception, he knew that the restrictions on entering the "Fallen Immortal Realm" had disappeared, and he could enter again for exploration.
Li Fan wasn't sure right now.
Fortunately, he had enough time to systematically eliminate the wrong options.
By then, he would know the correct answer.
Crushing his impatient and hasty emotions, Li Fan gradually calmed down again.
At this moment, Zhang Qianmo, who had been observing the changing expressions on Li Fan's face, finally spoke up, "Junior Brother, what's wrong with you?"
"Could it be that you had a nightmare in broad daylight?"
Li Fan smiled faintly, "Senior Brother, you're truly insightful. I did indeed have a vague nightmare, so I'm a little unsettled."
At this point, Zhang Qianmo couldn't help but be curious, "Oh? What did you dream about?"
"I dreamt that Senior Brother was surrounded by hordes of demonic beasts rushing in like a tide, outnumbered and exhausted to death." Li Fan shook his head and sighed.
"It's really ominous. I don't know why such a dream would come to me out of nowhere."
Zhang Qianmo's expression changed slightly, furrowing his brows.
"As cultivators, our minds are already far from ordinary people's, and we shouldn't have random nightmares."
"Now that a nightmare suddenly arises, could it be that you have subconsciously sensed something, and your mind warned yourself?"
Zhang Qianmo rubbed his chin, pondering.
Li Fan felt somewhat speechless.
He didn't expect that just a casual remark would lead Zhang Qianmo to think so much.
But he also inadvertently hit the mark. There was indeed minor danger ahead in Ningyuan City.
Following his lead, Li Fan continued, "Could it be that this trip to obtain the Longevity Fruit will have some twists and turns and won't be so smooth?"
Zhang Qianmo was slightly stunned, but he didn't immediately refute.
After a moment of thought, he said, "Junior Brother, your worries are not unfounded."
"When I overheard Master and another senior chatting, they mentioned that the cultivation world hasn't been very peaceful lately."
"For safety's sake, why don't we secretly sneak into Ningyuan City first and investigate?"
"Let's see if there's anything strange in the city."
Li Fan agreed without hesitation.
Immediately, the two put away the Purple Heaven Flying Cloud, concealed their breath, and quietly flew towards Ningyuan City.
"Senior Brother, I wonder what your greatest wish in life is?"
As they flew, Li Fan suddenly spoke up.
"Huh? Why do you ask, Junior Brother?" Zhang Qianmo was somewhat surprised.
"Hehe, forgive me for being blunt. Just now, in my dream, I saw Senior Brother die tragically, your eyes fixed on me as if there were unresolved regrets."
"Your gaze was too real. Even though I woke up now, it was unforgettable. It is difficult to calm my heart, so I asked."
Li Fan said slowly.
Chapter 275: Zhang Qianmo’s Three Grand Wishes
Zhang Qianmo chuckled upon hearing this, "It's just a nightmare, Junior Brother, there's no need to take it seriously."
However, seeing Li Fan's intense gaze, Zhang Qianmo pondered for a moment and said, "My lifelong wishes..."
"I won't hide it from you. Since I entered the Purple Heaven Sect and embarked on the path of cultivation, I've always had three major goals."
"But I've kept them deeply buried in my heart and never mentioned them to anyone."
"Now that Junior Brother insists on asking, I don't mind sharing them with you."
"Consider them as jokes, don't take them too seriously!"
With a solemn expression, Zhang Qianmo slowly said, "I have three wishes."
"First, demons and monsters are causing havoc, and countless lives are suffering. I want to exterminate all demons in the world, bringing peace to the land."
"Second, the Ten Great Immortal Sects are becoming old and feeble. With power but no virtue, it's difficult to win over the masses. I want to see the Purple Heaven Sect replace them."
"Third, among the various sects in the world, everyone cherishes their own treasures. There are countless profound techniques in the world, but each sect keeps them for themselves. Ordinary cultivators, even if they possess a treasured technique from a sect, cannot fully understand it in their lifetime. Not to mention the countless other sects' techniques."
"Life has its limits, but techniques are boundless. It's a great pity! If I were to govern the world, I would collect all the techniques and share them with everyone."
"Everyone can choose the most suitable technique for cultivation, and eventually, we can recreate the golden age of ancient cultivation."
Zhang Qianmo spoke eloquently and relentlessly, revealing his lifelong three wishes.
Each one was more astonishing than the last.
Li Fan listened and couldn't help but fall into deep silence.
After a long time, he couldn't help but let out a sigh and said, "Senior Brother, your ambitions are grand, and I admire you!"
Zhang Qianmo laughed heartily upon hearing this, "They're just idle thoughts about various injustices I've encountered in my cultivation journey! Junior Brother, just take it as a joke, don't take it seriously!"
"Let's go!"
With that, he accelerated towards Ningyuan City.New novel chapters are published on
Li Fan followed closely behind, thinking to himself, "I can only pray that this place isn't being maintained by Zhang Qianmo's obsession. This Senior Brother of mine is really extraordinary. His wishes are a bit outrageous."
"I wonder what his true ending will be in history."
The two of them remained silent along the way and soon arrived at Ningyuan City.
Concealing their aura and disguising themselves as ordinary people, the two brothers swaggered through the city gates.
"Junior Brother, let's split up and investigate the city for anything suspicious," Zhang Qianmo communicated through voice transmission.
"Senior Brother, you're not going to meet your old lover Chixia, right?" Li Fan exposed his intentions with a single sentence.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Qianmo felt somewhat embarrassed.
Just as he was about to explain, Li Fan suddenly said, "If my spiritual intuition is correct, the danger in this city is aimed at the two of us."
"It's likely that there's already an ambush set up around Chixia. If Senior Brother rashly meets her, he might fall into their trap."
"Senior Brother's cultivation is formidable and is not afraid of them. But I'm afraid that Chixia might be harmed."
When Zhang Qianmo heard this, he felt that it made perfect sense.
After a moment of contemplation, he communicated through voice transmission, "Junior Brother's approach is prudent. In that case, let's first gather information about the city, and then make plans after reuniting."
The oldest looked no more than six or seven years old, thin and weak.
"What are you little kids following me for?" Li Fan asked with some amusement.
The five children were caught off guard and looked nervous.
But in the face of Li Fan's question, none of them answered, only staring at him intently.
Just as Li Fan was about to say something, one of them suddenly shouted, "Dog!"
At the same time, a fierce dog's roar resounded behind Li Fan.
The vicious dog appeared in an instant, about to pounce on Li Fan.
Li Fan intended to crush it directly, but when he saw the face of the "vicious dog," he couldn't help but stop.
With a slight force, he grabbed it.
Ignoring its fierce roar, he carefully examined it in front of his eyes.
Indeed, its limbs were those of a dog...
But its torso and head were human.
"What is this?"
"A demonic beast?"
A mysterious light flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
Spiritual energy surged out from his body and circulated within its body.
Its roaring gradually weakened, and it fell into a deep sleep.
"Dog!"
Thinking that the dog had died, the five children behind shouted in despair.
Ignoring the absolute difference in strength, they all rushed towards Li Fan.
With a gentle flick from Li Fan, they all fell to the ground.
"It's not dead yet."
Li Fan said lightly.
"If you want to save its life, answer a few questions for me."
The few children looked at each other and had to nod in agreement.
"This dog..."
Li Fan paused and corrected himself.
"This child, what's going on?"
Li Fan asked.
Yes, after just inspecting it, Li Fan found that the creature in front of him, with the body of a human and the claws of a dog, was not a demonic beast.
But a human.
It's just that it had been "grafted" with the limbs of a dog.
Chapter 276: The Flawless Mr. Bai
The five children looked at each other.
In the end, a small boy with slightly yellowed hair stepped forward timidly and said, "The dog was made like this by bad people."
"The wealthy families in the city all keep these 'human dogs.'"
"Human dogs are more obedient, smarter, and stronger than ordinary dogs."
"So, they are very popular."
"To transform into a human dog, they must undergo immortal techniques, which is extremely painful."
"If they can't bear it, they will lose their sanity and become crazy."
"Then, they will be abandoned to fend for themselves."New novel chapters are published on
Although the boy was young, he spoke clearly and logically.
"Immortal techniques..." Li Fan snorted coldly.
He couldn't detect any traces of spiritual energy at work on this dog.
The dog's limbs and human torso were just crudely sewn together.
The so-called "immortal techniques" were nothing more than excuses to fool mortals.
If Senior Brother Zhang saw this, he would surely angrily denounce, "Devils and heretics, they must be eradicated."
"The dog is just a discarded defective product. If it weren't for Xiao Bai..."
The yellow-haired boy was speaking, but he was fiercely kicked from behind by someone.
Brushing off his buttocks, he looked somewhat embarrassed.
The boy quickly changed his tone and said, "If it weren't for Mr. Bai's intervention, I'm afraid the dog would have died long ago."
Li Fan's expression changed.
Mr. Bai?
It seemed like he had heard of this person before in the Fallen Immortal Realm?
The blue crystal light in his sea of consciousness flowed, and in an instant, the relevant information was retrieved from deep within his memory.
While obtaining Purple Heaven Soul Observation Technique, there was a fierce battle between Senior Brother Zhang and Song Hesong that left Ningyuan City in ruins.
Afterwards, there suddenly appeared a group of beggar children around ten years old, shouting amidst everyone's despair.
They stirred up hope for survival among the people and organized rescues in an orderly manner.
And they obeyed the orders of this "Mr. Bai."
Li Fan couldn't help but become interested and immediately asked, "Who is Mr. Bai?"
As soon as Mr. Bai was mentioned, the yellow-haired boy became somewhat excited.
He opened up and praised endlessly, "Mr. Bai is the best person in the world!"
"He's also the most skilled doctor in the world!"
"And he's also the most handsome person in the world!"
The yellow-haired Lu Ya then explained to everyone.
Li Fan also understood why Lu Ya and the other four were inexplicably following him.
It was simply because they found him unfamiliar and thought he was an outsider who could give them some money for food.
There were more than one group like Lu Ya's.
Some of them hadn't returned yet.
The children in the temple eyed Li Fan with vigilance and curiosity, but none of them came forward to strike up a conversation.
Li Fan couldn't be bothered to argue with a group of kids, so he just stayed inside, waiting for Mr. Bai.
If things went as expected, when Senior Brother Zhang started to act and Ningyuan City turned into ruins under the hands of the two cultivators, Mr. Bai would appear.
After half a day passed, Li Fan saw that the time was about right, so he sent a message to Senior Brother Zhang.
"Be careful of Steward Song..."
Then he waited quietly for what would follow.
Sure enough, not long after, Senior Brother Zhang's thunderous shout echoed over Ningyuan City.
"Evil demons! You're seeking death!"
Purple thunder, representing majestic divine might, resounded in the sky.
"Fellow Daoists, hurry and take action!" This was Chu Liang's voice.
The battle erupted once again.
Knowing Senior Brother Zhang's strength, Li Fan didn't pay too much attention this time.
Instead, he watched the performance of the children in the temple with interest.
"Quick! Quick! Hide in the cellar!"
Seeing the strange scene in the sky, Lu Ya's face turned pale as he commanded repeatedly.
The children seemed extremely skilled at seeking refuge.
They pushed aside the half-broken stone statue, revealing an opening.
In an orderly manner, they hurriedly entered.
"Uncle, you should come and hide too!"
When only Lu Ya was left in the temple, he turned back and looked at Li Fan, saying, "There are immortals fighting outside, it's too dangerous!"
Li Fan smiled faintly, "Don't worry about me, you should go and take shelter yourself first."
After hesitating for a moment, Lu Ya nodded, and then his small figure disappeared into the hole.
The stone statue slowly returned to its original position, covering the opening.
Only then did Li Fan slowly walk up to the stone statue, showing a strange expression.
When the group of children pushed aside the stone statue and revealed the hidden chamber below, Li Fan was suddenly surprised.
"Interesting, this seemingly ordinary stone statue can actually block my divine sense."
Slowly touching the somewhat aged stone statue, spiritual energy surged within him.
Chapter 277: Xuantian Temple
However, the spiritual energy that left his body seemed to encounter a dam, and it was all blocked outside the stone statue.
Like an insulator for spiritual energy and spiritual consciousness, all of Li Fan's conventional means couldn't probe the stone statue.
"Interesting, I wonder what kind of material it is."
Li Fan summoned a water blade and controlled it to swiftly cut towards the stone statue.
Let alone an ordinary stone, even if it was refined steel, it would be split in half by this water blade.
But on the contrary, the water blade couldn't affect this damaged stone statue in the slightest.
The moment it touched it, the spiritual energy maintaining the power of the water blade scattered.
Apart from washing the stone statue, it didn't cause any damage.
"What a precious treasure! It's a pity there are too few pieces, and I can't take them back to reality."
"Otherwise, it could be used to create an absolutely safe secret chamber."
Li Fan imagined the various wonderful uses of this unknown stone material and couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.
Suddenly, Li Fan's heart stirred, and he found a piece of stone on the ground nearby.
Using it as a tool, he forcibly knocked off another fragment from the stone statue.
Then, he fiercely stabbed this fragment into his arm.
Blood immediately flowed out.
Li Fan frowned slightly.
The spiritual energy circulating to the wound caused by the fragment couldn't operate freely.
It needed to detour around it, greatly reducing efficiency.
The fragment was still stuck in his body, and if not removed, the wound couldn't be healed with spiritual energy.
After contemplating for a moment, Li Fan reluctantly extracted the fragment.Updated from
He held it in his hand and examined it.
"Perhaps, I can defeat Senior Brother Zhang without resorting to slowly exhausting him to death."
He contemplated inwardly.
While Li Fan was studying this mysterious stone statue, the battle in the sky had reached a fierce stage.
Song Hesong revealed his true colors, besieging Zhang Qianmo along with Chu Liang and the others.
The aftermath of the battle between them brought destruction to Ningyuan City below.
Houses collapsed, and countless mortals died inexplicably.
However, on the side of the small temple, with Li Fan's intervention, no danger occurred.
"Even if it weren't for me, with the existence of this dilapidated stone statue, these children should be fine."
"No wonder after the great battle ended, they were still lively enough to come out and organize relief efforts."
Li Fan thought to himself.
...
Above Ningyuan City, Zhang Qianmo, who had killed all his assailants, hurriedly searched for the whereabouts of his junior brother, who had issued a warning for him.
However, despite searching Ningyuan City multiple times with his spiritual consciousness, he couldn't find his junior brother.
Thinking that his junior brother had met a tragic fate, Zhang Qianmo felt remorse in his heart.
Undeterred, he searched several more times, hoping to at least find his junior brother's body.
However, he still found nothing.
Zhang Qianmo had no choice but to take a Longevity Fruit alone and leave Ningyuan City in deep sorrow.
Shortly after he left, a petite figure cautiously emerged from the ruins of the small temple.
After observing carefully for a long time, she finally shouted boldly, "It's safe now, come out!"
Immediately after, Li Fan followed a group of children as they emerged from the underground chamber.
The children looked at Ningyuan City, now a wasteland with corpses strewn about, feeling somewhat lost.
However, being orphans who survived alone outside, their psychological endurance was quite strong.
Surprisingly, Li Fan didn't see fear or apprehension in their eyes.
They were just a little lost and didn't know what to do for a moment.
"This Mr. Bai should be coming soon."
At this point, there were no more cultivators left in the city except for him, so Li Fan had no reservations.
He immediately used his spiritual consciousness to search for the trace of "Mr. Bai" among the survivors.
He should be easy to find by following the description given by the children.
A young, gentle, extremely handsome, and weak scholar.
But...
Li Fan's expression changed slightly.
He didn't find a matching individual.
Li Fan searched several more times, but the result remained the same.
"Could it be that the children's description of 'extremely handsome' is just their glorification?"
Li Fan couldn't help but speculate.
With no other choice, he could only wait for Mr. Bai to arrive at the small temple.
However, what surprised Li Fan was that even after waiting until the duration of this Immortal Falling Realm ended, he still hadn't seen this "Mr. Bai."
As the surroundings became hazy, when Li Fan was about to leave the Immortal Falling Realm...
He faintly heard the excited shouts of the children: "Xiao Bai! Xiao Bai is here!"
"Mr. Bai! Mr. Bai!"
Li Fan suddenly turned his head to look, but he only vaguely saw a blurry figure.
Chapter 278: Chaoyuan Sect Mutations
Just as Li Fan managed to see the excited children surrounding a slender figure in green clothes, he was forced to leave the Fallen Immortal Realm.
After a moment of dizziness, Li Fan returned to the real world.
"Mr. Bai..."
"Are you the owner of this space-time?"
Although this expedition yielded no practical results, Li Fan at least confirmed one thing.
This Mr. Bai was peculiar.
In the remnant space-time, if there was no interference from Li Fan, events should unfold in a fixed manner each time.
Based on previous experiences, Mr. Bai should have visited the small temple shortly after the end of the great battle to see the children.
But this time...
"He coincidentally arrived just as I was about to leave?"
Li Fan didn't believe this was a simple coincidence.
This Mr. Bai was deliberately avoiding him.
Or perhaps, for some special reason, Li Fan couldn't see him.
Just like how Li Fan couldn't leave Ningyuan City.
It seemed to be a specific rule of the entire space-time of Ningyuan City.
Setting aside the reasons for such rules, based on this analysis, there was a high probability that Mr. Bai was the owner of the space-time.
So, the question arose: what was Mr. Bai's obsession?
Li Fan thought of the children's praise for him as the best person in the world.
Furthermore, he actively organized rescues and treated the wounded.
...
After the great battle, the scene of Ningyuan City, which resembled a post-apocalyptic world with corpses everywhere, involuntarily appeared before Li Fan's eyes.
"His homeland was almost turned into a dead zone due to the cultivators' battle."
"If this cruel scene had never occurred, it would have been much better."New novel chapters are published on
"Is this your obsession?"
Apart from being intangible and without physical presence, these shadowy figures were almost indistinguishable from real people.
They seemed unaware of the presence of real cultivators and behaved as if living in their own time and space, undisturbed.
What caused a sensation, however, was when a cultivator happened to encounter an image of a disciple of the Chaoyuan Sect reciting the "Heavenly Light Building Yang Technique."
Overjoyed, the cultivator memorized the entire technique. Although it was only a Qi Condensation technique, the significance of this event was extraordinary because it implied the possibility of obtaining other higher-level techniques.
Even if there were no techniques, observing the ancient Chaoyuan Sect disciples refining pills and crafting weapons was akin to having free teachers for guidance.
As a result, the Chaoyuan Sect ruins, which had almost been deserted, became lively once again. Of course, the excitement belonged to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, and the Five Elders Association was not involved.
The several Soul Transformation cultivators responsible for guarding the borders did not return for unknown reasons and remained stationed within Jiushan Prefecture.
The Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was activated as a permanent measure.
Any Five Elders Association cultivator who entered would be immediately killed.
The previously chaotic Jiushan Prefecture, under such circumstances, gradually became peaceful.
Meanwhile, on the deserted island in the Cong Yun Sea, the people of Dali had a rare dispute.
The cause of this dispute was the emergence of the changes in the Chaoyuan Sect ruins.
When the fatty Ye Feipeng went out, he learned of this from the conversations of passing cultivators.
Upon returning to the deserted island, he casually mentioned the incident during conversations with others. Unexpectedly, Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo felt a mutual resonance upon hearing this.
They both felt that their opportunity to form the Golden Core was likely within the Chaoyuan Sect!
Both of them had been stuck at the late Foundation Establishment stage for some time. The bottleneck was holding them back from advancing further.
Additionally, they hadn't decided on which law to use to form their core.
Now, with the opportunity seemingly within reach, they immediately entertained the idea of going to Jiushan Prefecture.
The journey there was long and fraught with danger.
Xiao Heng, the nominal successor of the "Immortal Revival Organization," naturally opposed this idea.
Xiao Heng believed that with their aptitude, the bottleneck would only hinder them temporarily, not permanently.
If they missed out on the opportunity of the Chaoyuan Sect, there would be other chances to make up for it.
However, venturing out with only a late Foundation Establishment cultivation level would be too dangerous, despite their exceptional talents and considerable combat strength.
The gap between cultivation realms was too significant.
It would be better to continue to lay low for a while longer, waiting until everyone had broken through to the Golden Core realm, and their abilities to protect themselves were greatly enhanced before going out together to seek opportunities.
Chapter 279: Feipeng’s Fortune
Xiao Heng's words were not without reason.
However, it was impossible for Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo, who had finally sensed where their opportunities lay, to easily give up.
Su Xiaomei, with her explosive temper, would not listen to anyone once she got worked up.
And Zhang Haobo had even more reason.
He had not embarked on the path of cultivation early; he was over ten years older than the others from Dali and had fallen significantly behind.
Now, making him wait longer, who knew when the next opportunity would arise?
It was known that on the path of cultivation, each step taken opened more directions.
Zhang Haobo had fallen far behind in this aspect and didn't want to delay any longer.
With a determined gaze, Zhang Haobo had obviously made up his mind.
Xiao Heng was dumbfounded by his words and couldn't find a reason to refute them.
He could only turn to Su Changyu, Ye Feipeng, and the others for help in persuading them.
Ye Feipeng, with his carefree attitude, didn't care at all. "Xiao Heng, don't worry about it."
"Think about it, I managed to escape from a Nascent Soul cultivator of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance back then. With their good fortune and cultivation level not inferior to mine, as long as they're cautious, what danger could they face?"
Su Changyu remained silent, not trying to block Su Xiaomei's journey.
With her brother backing her up, Su Xiaomei became even more pleased with herself.
She couldn't wait to set off immediately.
Anxious, Xiao Heng hurriedly stopped her and persuaded her with all his might to hold off.
He urged them to prepare thoroughly before heading to Jiushan Province.
Looking at Su Xiaomei, who was glaring at him fiercely, Xiao Heng sighed inwardly, feeling helpless.
He knew Su Xiaomei's temper well.
It was almost certain that Su Xiaomei would get into conflicts the moment they encountered outsiders.
If possible, Xiao Heng also wanted to go with them to protect them.
However, after Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo left, the only ones left on the deserted island with some combat power were Xiao Heng and Ye Feipeng.
Ye Feipeng was often secretive and unreliable, frequently going out. He couldn't be relied upon.
If he also went with them, there would be no resistance left on the deserted island.
Bringing Su Changyu and the others along for the adventure was even more unreliable.
Even if they wanted to go, Xiao Heng couldn't agree to it.
After some thought, Xiao Heng initiated a ritual and entered the White Bone Realm.
But her attention was focused on the newly acquired treasures, and she was somewhat pleased, quietly playing with them.
Zhang Haobo put away the items first, then solemnly assured Xiao Heng.
After all the preparations were made, another round of farewells ensued.
The two of them, holding a map that Ye Feipeng had somehow obtained, set off in the direction of Jiushan Province.
Two companions embarked on an unknown fate in pursuit of Golden Core.
The remaining people, amidst reluctance and worry, were also inspired.
"I also need to hurry up and achieve Golden Core. When Xiaomei returns, she will surely be surprised," Xiao Heng resolved silently.
The Yin sisters glanced at each other, then returned to the depths of the deserted island to practice diligently.
Su Changyu looked towards the direction Su Xiaomei had left, his expression becoming more determined.
Ye Feipeng didn't show much sadness.
Instead, when he saw Xiao Heng return from the White Bone Realm with so many treasures, his eyes rolled around in excitement.
After everyone had left, he followed suit and went to the White Bone Realm to plead.
He tried to get some benefits from Senior Skull.
Li Fan, who witnessed this scene, couldn't help but feel a bit amused and exasperated.
Seeing the pitiful appearance of the fatty, if Li Fan hadn't been monitoring him all along, he would almost have been deceived by his excellent performance.
In light of his earnest performance, Li Fan didn't ignore him this time.
After some thought, Li Fan inscribed the "Creation Forge Art" onto a jade slip and sent it to Ye Feipeng.
A flash of white light appeared.
Seeing the unexpected gain this time, Ye Feipeng was overjoyed. He jumped up and held the jade slip, eager to read it.
"The Creation Forge Art?"
The domineering words that first appeared stunned him.
His pupils contracted suddenly, and he instinctively put away the jade slip, looking around.
After confirming that he was the only one in the White Bone Realm, Ye Feipeng eagerly examined the contents of the technique.
After a while, he showed a strange expression.
"Just this?"
Feeling something was amiss, Ye Feipeng read through the technique several times again.
"No, no. The Creation Forge Art sounds so mysterious, how can it be so rudimentary?"
"Could it be that it's too profound, and I am not qualified enough to comprehend it?"
For a moment, the fatty fell into deep self-doubt.
Chapter 280: Demonic Beast Creation Forge Art
After feeling lost, Ye Feipeng once again flipped through the "Creation Forge Art" several times.
Finally, he stared at the poem at the end of the technique, deep in thought.
"The Great Dao is inherently simple, creation is always impartial."
"When true techniques are passed down to the world, only the fated will comprehend."
...
Murmuring the verses to himself, Ye Feipeng's eyes gradually brightened.
"I see, the so-called simplicity of the Great Dao."The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
"This Creation Forge Art looks so rudimentary, but if one underestimates it, that would be a grave mistake!"
The fatty regained his confidence.
"The Immortal Revival Organization has existed since ancient times. Although it has declined nowadays, its foundation is still profound."
"How could its treasures be comparable to ordinary goods?!"
"Creation, creation. Obtaining this technique is truly my good fortune!"
With excitement in his heart, the fatty crushed the jade slip, exited the White Bone Realm, and hurriedly rushed into a trench near the deserted island to practice according to the method in the "Creation Forge Art."
"Activating the hidden potential within the body..."
Ye Feipeng closed his eyes, silently sensing the potential hidden within his body.
In an instant, he seemed to fall into a state of slumber, and the fluctuations of his breath subsided.
In this way, more than a month passed.
One day, a faint blush suddenly appeared on Ye Feipeng's face.
Above his head, the shadow of a Kun Peng also appeared at the same time, emitting a loud cry.
"Pffft!"
A mouthful of blood was spurted out, and brown wings suddenly spread out behind him.
It was as if a tremendous energy had suddenly appeared within his body.
It surged continuously, and wherever it passed, huge bulges appeared on the surface of his skin.
It looked as if a tumor was constantly moving around on his body.
But Ye Feipeng's face showed not shock but joy.
"This hidden potential is truly extraordinary! I thought I had already fully developed all the potential of the Kun Peng bloodline."
"I didn't expect that there's still a long way to go!"
Just as Ye Feipeng was caught up in excitement, a vast and boundless force suddenly surged within his body.
As if he was hit hard, the fatty spat out another mouthful of blood.
"Calling too much potential at once is a bit hard to bear."
His body had been deformed by the impact of this huge force, and Ye Feipeng's face suddenly became serious.
"If that's the case, does it mean..."
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.
The sound of the hammer's tempering resurfaced.
Having tasted success, Ye Feipeng couldn't wait to continue practicing.
In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan, who watched the entire process from beginning to end, couldn't help but sigh.
"So, this is the potential of the Kun Peng bloodline?"
"The physical strength of ancient demonic beasts is indeed beyond comparison to humans."
Li Fan gave Ye Feipeng the "Creation Forge Art" with a bit of an experimental mindset.
He wanted to see if any changes would occur when combining the method of harnessing the body's hidden potential with the demonic beast bloodline.
The result was somewhat unexpected even to Li Fan.
Perhaps because the physique of demonic beasts inherently exceeded that of ordinary humans, Ye Feipeng's tolerance for the tempering of the "Creation Forge Art" was much stronger than Li Fan's clone.
When the clone cultivated the Creation Forge Art, it had to cautiously mobilize a small amount of hidden potential to strengthen the physical body.
Only after the body reached a certain level of strength could the tempering begin.
But for Ye Feipeng, this step of strengthening was directly omitted.
Or rather, he was simultaneously strengthening his body while tempering it.
The risk was great, but the effect was much stronger.
However, Li Fan couldn't imitate it.
If he forcibly did so, the result would be that his body would be unable to withstand the tempering and would directly break apart, leading to his death.
Ye Feipeng could do this only through both the powerful physique brought by the demonic beast bloodline and the help of the Canghai Pearl.
That pure life energy was also a great supplement for the Kun Peng.
"I didn't expect you to also have healing capabilities. You're treating him like your own son."
Li Fan snorted coldly in his heart.
When he built the foundation with the Canghai Pearl back then, he never enjoyed such treatment.
...
Regardless of what Li Fan thought, it didn't affect Ye Feipeng's cultivation progress.
Without worrying about injuring his body, he could recklessly conduct physical tempering.
After another month, Ye Feipeng completely absorbed the hidden potential he had previously called upon.
His originally obese body, under the repeated tempering, gradually became lean.
When he became as thin as a rake, several strands of hidden potential surged forth once again.
His body inflated like a balloon.
Hammering sounded out once again, and Ye Feipeng's strength soared rapidly during this cycle.
Chapter 281: I Am Invincible
What puzzled Li Fan was that, according to the information he had previously researched, the method of cultivating hidden potential should be restricted by the rules of heaven and earth once reaching a level equivalent to Golden Core.
Cultivation should only become slower and slower.
However, Li Fan did not see any restrictions taking effect on Ye Feipeng, at least not yet.
"Is it because of his demonic beast bloodline? Or perhaps because of the Canghai Pearl?"
Li Fan was somewhat puzzled.
"Perhaps I can find an opportunity to experiment."
Rubbing his chin, Li Fan began to calculate.
...
During the two months when Ye Feipeng's strength surged, Zhang Haobo and Su Xiaomei had already left the Cong Yun Sea and arrived within the territory of the Jiushan Province, near the border with Shilin Province.
The two of them witnessed the vast expanse of the White Mist Barrier that stretched across the heavens and the earth, deeply shocked.
It was their first time seeing such a spectacle.
They stopped and watched for a long time before continuing towards the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect in the Jiushan Province.
Impressed by this magnificent scene of nature, Su Xiaomei felt her own insignificance for the first time.
Along the way, she became much more restrained, acting low-key and only hurrying along the road.
This also relieved Zhang Haobo.
This little miss was not easy to take care of, with her irritable temper often causing headaches.
It was her first time going far from home, and she liked to get involved in everything that happened along the way.
When others saw her childish appearance, some couldn't help but tease her.
She couldn't tolerate this at all.
She would get into a fight with others within seconds.
Such incidents had happened several times along the way.
Fortunately, Su Xiaomei was only short-tempered and not foolish.
She only acted when she was sure she could handle the opponent.
If Su Xiaomei got into a fight, Zhang Haobo couldn't just stand by and watch.
He had to join forces to teach the other party a lesson before hastily leaving.
"I hope she can stay calm for a bit longer this time."
Watching Su Xiaomei, who had rarely calmed down, Zhang Haobo sighed inwardly.
However, things rarely went as planned.
After traveling through the Jiushan Province for some time and reaching the first mountain range, Su Xiaomei started to show signs of agitation and reverted to her old ways.
This was because before the first mountain pass through Mount Xixi, there was a barrier set up.
Any cultivator who wanted to pass through had to pay a toll to be allowed passage.
According to the information marked on the map given by Ye Feipeng, each of the nine mountains in the Jiushan Province possessed special properties, and cultivators were unable to fly over them.
In the cultivation world, having a keen insight was crucial.
In this chaotic Jiushan Province, who knows how many cultivators have provoked the wrong people and ended up dead.
Looking at the attitude of the person in front of him, if he wasn't brainless...
Then he was probably hiding his cultivation and deliberately causing trouble.
After thinking for a moment, the black-robed cultivator didn't rush to take action.
Instead, he slightly stepped back, creating some distance.
Then, he began to call for backup.
After all, he was just a hired hand.
It wasn't worth fighting desperately for a small reward.
If he couldn't handle it himself, someone else would.
"Wait for me!"
He issued a fierce warning before retreating into the protective formation within the passage.
Soon, four or five cultivators rushed over from inside the passage.
Leading them was a long-haired, sinister-faced Nascent Soul cultivator.
He came to the troublemaker and looked at him with interest.
"You're quite interesting. Since you have no spirit stones, you may leave. What's the point of blocking here? Do you look down on our Spirit Element Sect and think it's easy to bully?"
The sinister-faced man said with a smile, but his eyes were full of killing intent.
Above his head, a peach blossom Dharma Domain suddenly appeared.
Pink petals floated in the wind, and the powerful pressure belonging to a Nascent Soul cultivator instantly permeated the surroundings.
Many Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators turned pale and trembled under the pressure of the Nascent Soul aura.
But what surprised all the cultivators present was that the Nascent Soul aura seemed to have no effect on the troublemaker.
Instead, he smiled faintly and directly exposed the sinister-faced man's identity, "Shen Yurou, you're still so effeminate."
Shen Yurou's face changed drastically at the words, and the peach blossom paradise above his head suddenly disappeared.
With a solemn expression, he stared at the troublemaker in front of him with vigilance.
"Who are you?"
The troublemaker patted his clothes casually and said somewhat casually, "After changing clothes, you don't recognize me anymore?"
As he spoke, a golden light suddenly appeared on the blue cloth on the man's body.
His clothes turned into shiny golden armor.
Shen Yurou was first stunned, then seemed to remember something and said with horror, "I Am Invincible?"
In an instant, he retreated violently.
After pulling away a considerable distance, he suddenly stopped.
Turning back, he looked back at "I Am Invincible" with a puzzled expression and asked, "Didn't you break through to the Soul Transformation stage? Why are you back to Foundation Establishment?"
"I Am Invincible" shrugged, looking indifferent. "I felt like I made a mistake in my cultivation, so I just started over."
Chapter 282: Second Generation
"I Am Invincible" said this phrase lightly, but to the cultivators present, it was like a thunderclap.
Each one of them was dumbfounded and filled with astonishment.
As they looked at the man confronting Shen Yurou from afar, their minds fell into turmoil.
After all the effort to cultivate to the Soul Transformation realm, to casually disperse and restart cultivation?
Could it be that breakthroughs in cultivation were as easy as eating and drinking?
"I Am Invincible" didn't care about the astonishment of others at all.
Instead, he stared aggressively at Shen Yurou and asked, "What? Do you think just because I'm at the Foundation Establishment stage now, I can't beat you?"
This statement caused an uproar.
The difference between Foundation Establishment and Nascent Soul was like heaven and earth.
A Nascent Soul True Lord killing an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator was no different from crushing an ant.
However, from the words of "I Am Invincible," although he was at the Foundation Establishment stage, he could defeat a Nascent Soul cultivator?
How could this be possible?
What shocked everyone even more was that Shen Yurou, with his long flowing hair and ambiguous appearance, didn't react aggressively to "I Am Invincible's" provocation.
He just looked at the other party with fear, snorted coldly, and didn't retort.
This was equivalent to directly admitting "I Am Invincible's" statement!
This Nascent Soul cultivator Shen Yurou might really not be a match for the Foundation Establishment cultivator "I Am Invincible"!
The gazes of the various cultivators towards the man in golden armor also changed.
At this moment, Shen Yurou, who lost face, suddenly smiled and said, "Anyone even slightly well-informed in the Jiushan Province knows that you are the beloved child of the mighty Scarlet Snow Immortal Sage. Let alone the Foundation Establishment stage, even if you were at the Qi Condensation stage and stood still for me to attack, I wouldn't dare!"
"If I accidentally injured you, when that person comes looking for our Spirit Element Sect, we wouldn't be able to handle it!"
With this statement, the gazes of the onlookers towards "I Am Invincible" changed again.
They all showed expressions of realization.
Shen Yurou's words seemed to hit "I Am Invincible's" sore spot.
His face immediately darkened, staring at Shen Yurou with intensity.
However, Shen Yurou had no intention of entangling further with him.
Instead, he reached out his hand with a smile, gesturing in a "please" manner.
"I Am Invincible" glanced coldly at the other party, inexplicably choosing not to continue picking a fight.
Instead, he turned and entered the passage.
...
Zhang Haobo, who was listening from behind, turned a bit pale, afraid that Su Xiaomei might annoy "I Am Invincible" and provoke him into attacking.
However, although "I Am Invincible" didn't answer Su Xiaomei's questions, he didn't get angry either.
There was even a faint trace of a smile on his face.
Zhang Haobo suddenly understood.
He knew that Su Xiaomei's cultivation technique allowed her to perceive the subtlest changes in the emotions of those around her.
Her actions seemed reckless, but in reality, there was no risk involved.
"It seems that Xiaomei has another purpose? Indeed, I shouldn't underestimate her just because of her young age," Zhang Haobo thought to himself.
The three of them continued on their way, with Su Xiaomei constantly chattering.
Soon, they crossed the mountain pass and left the range of Mount Xixi.
At this moment, "I Am Invincible," who had been silent all this time, suddenly stopped.
He turned to look at Su Xiaomei with interest and asked, "Little girl you are quite interesting. We don't know each other, so why do you say we're together?"
Su Xiaomei tilted her head, looking innocent, and said, "We're traveling together now, isn't that considered being together?"
Her mischievous eyes glanced around and she demanded, "You still haven't answered my question!"
"I Am Invincible" chuckled lightly and didn't get angry, "Alright, let me introduce myself first. I am Shuo Feng. 'I Am Invincible' is just a nickname I use when I travel around. What about you, little girl?"
"I'm Su Xiaomei, and the one next to me is Zhang Haobo!" Su Xiaomei answered quickly.
"Su Xiaomei..." repeated Shuo Feng.
Looking at her seriously, he asked, "Su Xiaomei, why are you following me?"
With this statement, Zhang Haobo suddenly became somewhat nervous.
Su Xiaomei, however, remained fearless, her eyes sparkling, and she replied straightforwardly, "Your name is too arrogant!"
"You are invincible?"
"I'm not convinced! I want to fight you!"
This answer was out of Shuo Feng's expectations.
He was stunned for a moment.
Then he burst into laughter.
"Alright! Interesting little girl!"
"Coincidentally, I've been itching for a fight along the way."
"This place is spacious and deserted, how about you and I have a battle here?"
Chapter 283: Sword Chops Peach Blossoms
Su Xiaomei was excited and eager to try.
However, she didn't move directly.
With a slight turn of her big eyes, she said, "Please!" and then stood still in place.
Shuo Feng, for some reason, also chose not to act.
Instead, he stood still in place, delaying without making a move.
Zhang Haobo looked at the two of them suspiciously, not knowing what they were up to.
After a while, a hint of embarrassment appeared on Shuo Feng's face. "Xiaomei, didn't you say you wanted to fight me? Why aren't you making a move?"
Su Xiaomei replied earnestly, "My brother often teaches me that when traveling outside, one should respect elders and love the young. You are much older than me, so I must let you make the first move and then counterattack!"New novel chapters are published on
Shuo Feng seemed stunned by Su Xiaomei's words for a moment, then solemnly said, "I understand your intentions. But I can barely be considered half an elder to you, so of course, I should yield to the younger generation."
"It's better for you to make the first move!"
"No no no, you should go first..."
"You first!"
...
Zhang Haobo watched the strange scene of the two of them yielding to each other, and his expression couldn't help but become peculiar.
"This Shuo Feng..."
Thinking back to how the other party had constantly provoked Shen Yurou before and became disappointed when Shen Yurou didn't make a move, Zhang Haobo couldn't help but be enlightened.
"Well, it seems that you've figured it out, Xiaomei. The cultivation technique I practice is somewhat special." After a while, seeing that the two of them were still deadlocked, Shuo Feng didn't hide it anymore.
He confessed, "If I'm not being attacked by others, I can't make the first move. So, please go ahead, Xiaomei!"
Su Xiaomei looked somewhat smug as if she had expected this.
But then, she became serious.
A faint red flame appeared on her body, which turned out to be her innate magic treasure, the Fury Spirit Fire.
The air distorted, and Su Xiaomei disappeared from where she stood.
Meanwhile, next to Shuo Feng, at the same time, six identical figures appeared.
They all looked like Su Xiaomei, but each had a different expression on their faces.
Joy, anger, sorrow, fear, thought, and worry.
Furthermore, the flames on their bodies were of different colors.
The six doppelgangers surrounded Shuo Feng, using various close combat techniques and striking with their fists, palms, fingers, legs, elbows, and shoulders.
Surrounded by colorful flames, they were about to strike Shuo Feng.
"Fancy!"
Shuo Feng's voice rang out at this moment.
A white light flashed.
It cut through the air several times.
"Boom!"
In an instant, all six of Su Xiaomei's doppelgangers were instantly hit.
They lingered in the air for a moment, then burst out with air and were sent flying at a terrifying speed.
"That's all..."
Before Shuo Feng finished his sentence, the six flying doppelgangers suddenly disappeared.
They then reappeared next to Shuo Feng.
Furthermore, their speed remained the same.
The only thing that changed was that their direction was now towards Shuo Feng.
While blocking the doppelgangers, Shuo Feng swept around as if looking for something.
After a moment, a smile appeared on his face.
In the next moment, Shuo Feng appeared six feet to the left, by a seemingly empty space.
Another wooden sword appeared in his hand, and he lightly flicked it forward.
A hidden figure was suddenly knocked out by Shuo Feng.
However, the smile on Shuo Feng's face disappeared the next moment.
Because the expression on the face of this hidden figure was full of worry.
It wasn't the main body, but the worried doppelganger!
With a single sword, Shuo Feng shattered the doppelganger, then looked back at where the six doppelgangers had just been.
He saw Su Xiaomei, the real one, playfully wink at him.
Shuo Feng remained expressionless, and with six wooden swords, he instantly cut the six bodies in half.
"Where else do you think you can escape to?"
Shuo Feng looked at the seven sets of fragments scattered on the ground, his eyes narrowed.
"Escape? From the very beginning, I've been here."
As if responding to his words, Su Xiaomei's voice sounded behind Shuo Feng.
Her eyes turned crimson, and the fragments scattered across the battlefield suddenly disappeared, returning to her body.
Six different expressions quickly flashed across her face.
Finally, it settled on anger.
Then, her momentum surged, and her innate ability was activated.
The crimson color in her eyes spread, dyeing her hair red.
Eight times her original strength suddenly erupted.
Su Xiaomei fiercely punched Shuo Feng!
However...
A blue light flashed around Shuo Feng's body.
He remained motionless.
His clothes merely fluttered.
Shuo Feng's expression didn't change at all.
However, in his eyes, a sword shadow appeared.
At this moment, Su Xiaomei sighed repeatedly, "I give up! It's boring!"
Shuo Feng's movement paused slightly.
Then he turned around and looked in the direction of Mount Xixi.
For an instant, it seemed like the heavens and earth brightened up a bit.
A sword light flew towards the distance.
"Boom!"
The sound of it hitting something rang out.
A rumbling sound and a muffled groan came faintly.
Watching the few peach blossom petals slowly falling in the distance, Shuo Feng snorted coldly, closed his eyes, and sheathed his sword.
...
In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan, who had witnessed the entire battle, couldn't help but praise.
"Good sword technique!"
Chapter 284: The Secret Chamber of Ningyuan
Since Shen Yurou called out the name "I Am Invincible," Li Fan's attention shifted to Su Xiaomei.
He didn't expect to encounter "I Am Invincible," who had appeared in "Discussing Dao While Seated."
Naturally, Li Fan became interested.
Ever since he left a message about being able to defeat Zhang Qianmo soon, he had disappeared.
He didn't reappear before Zhang Qianmo was defeated by Zhong Shentong.
Li Fan originally thought he had perished.
But unexpectedly, he was alive and well.
"Why hasn't he challenged Zhang Qianmo since then?"
Li Fan checked the battle records of the "Discussing Dao While Seated," feeling somewhat puzzled.
He didn't seem like someone who would boast emptily.
Moreover.
Li Fan opened the battle records of "I Am Invincible" Shuo Feng's previous matches with Zhang Qianmo.
In his previous battles, Shuo Feng also used flying swords, but it was a set of eighty-one shiny golden swords.
It was a far cry from the wooden sword he was using now.
"Did he maintain his strength, or..."
"Did he... retrain?"
Having cultivated the Sea Fixing Sword Technique and mastered the Cong Yun Sea Twenty-Eight Swords, Li Fan had some understanding of swordsmanship.
Comparing Shuo Feng's battles with Zhang Qianmo and Su Xiaomei, Li Fan concluded that the power of the wooden sword now far surpassed that of the previous set of golden light swords.
"This wooden sword seems to be a Heavenly Treasure?"
"And its grade..."
Without seeing the wooden sword fully unleash its power, Li Fan couldn't rashly conclude.
However, it should be certain that it exceeded the category of ordinary treasures.
"Earthly Treasure?"
Li Fan's heart stirred slightly.
Fortunately, Su Xiaomei was also very curious about this wooden sword.
She launched a continuous barrage of questions at Shuo Feng.
"Uncle, your wooden sword just now was quite powerful, can you lend me it so I can take a look at it?"
"Is it the same as that armor you're wearing on your body, some kind of magic treasure?"
"You're still wearing armor in a fight, that's too unfair."
"I went all out, and the armor didn't even break! You're really bullying me!"
...
Shuo Feng also had a bit of a headache with this mischievous child.
Li Fan's target this time was clear.
He casually borrowed some silver from a wealthy merchant in the city and began to inquire about "Mr. Bai."
It is said that money makes the devil work.
What puzzled Li Fan was that despite spending a lot of money, he couldn't get any useful information about "Mr. Bai."
It seemed that there was no such person in the city.
Li Fan had to change his approach and started asking about any exceptionally handsome young men in the city.
Under the strange gazes of the residents, Li Fan collected information about three candidates who fit the criteria.
The first two were ruled out by Li Fan after meeting with them.
They were just ordinary people who happened to be good-looking.
Only the last one remained.
Li Fan arrived at the target's door.
A secluded and dilapidated courtyard.
According to the descriptions of the residents, the owner of the courtyard was a young man who appeared somewhat frail.
This young man was not a local.
He arrived in Ningyuan two years ago with a group of refugees fleeing disaster.
He bought this courtyard with the little silver he had left and settled down here.
The young man usually kept a low profile and rarely showed himself.
It was said that he wrote excellent calligraphy and made a living by teaching in the city's wealthy households.
Despite his frail appearance, everyone who had seen him praised his handsome appearance.
...
Information about the young man flashed through Li Fan's mind.
Not sensing any signs of life inside, Li Fan flashed into the courtyard.
A cursory sweep of his spiritual consciousness found nothing unusual.
However, Li Fan knew that Mr. Bai's house had a stone statue made of Absolute Immortal Stone, which could shield against spiritual consciousness perception.
Without giving up, Li Fan pushed open each door one by one and carefully inspected the rooms.
When he came to a room on the west side of the courtyard, which seemed to be a storage room, Li Fan's footsteps paused slightly.
Pushing aside the miscellaneous items on the ground, Li Fan lifted a thin stone slab on the ground.
Beneath it was a dark hole.
"A slab made of Absolute Immortal Stone..."
"This must be it!"
A faint smile appeared on Li Fan's lips as he flew into the underground chamber.
Upon landing, a faint smell of blood wafted over him.
Chapter 285: Capturing Zhang Qianmo
The underground chamber below was unlit and pitch black.
However, under Li Fan's spiritual consciousness, the interior was clear as day.
He flicked out a wisp of fire from his hand, igniting the candles that were already there.
As the candlelight flickered, Li Fan's expression gradually became serious.
In this small but not cramped space, a faceless stone statue stood against the wall.
In the middle was a long, dark brown wooden table.
On the table, faint traces of dried blood could be seen.
At the corner of the table, there was a wooden box.
Li Fan opened the box and found inside it hammers, knives, nails, needles, and other tools of unknown use.
Along the walls were many transparent earthen jars.
Inside the jars, various strange-shaped organs were soaking in an unknown liquid.
In one corner, Li Fan also saw several sets of skeletal remains of young humanoids.Updated from r. Bai..."
Li Fan's expression was inexplicable as he continued to search the chamber.
In another corner of the wall, he found traces on the ground that were a little different from the rest.
His spiritual consciousness delved deeper underground.
There lay buried one, two...
Twenty-eight sets of skeletons.
Judging from their appearance, they were all beings similar to the "dogs" in the small temple, half-human and half-beast.
Apart from this, there was nothing else of value in the chamber.
Without rushing into action, Li Fan began to contemplate on the spot.
From the various items found in this secret chamber, it seemed that Mr. Bai's image as the "kindest person in the world" was being challenged.
But...
It couldn't be completely overturned yet.
While he was still just an ordinary mortal in Grand Xuan, he had judged countless cases.
Some of the cases that seemed straightforward often had hidden secrets.
Take the scene before him, for example.
It was possible that Mr. Bai was disguising himself very well.
On the surface, he appeared very kind, but in reality, he was an extremely evil person.
The buried skeletons were all victims of his hand.
Even the existence of the human-beast hybrids in Ningyuan City was caused by his proficiency in medicine.
And rescuing the orphans in the small temple was also for the convenience of selecting research subjects.
But it was also possible that Mr. Bai was not disguising himself.
The specimens and skeletons in the secret chamber were only used by him for medical research.
As someone who had transmigrated, Li Fan found this acceptable.
His mind shook violently, and he exclaimed, "Xuantian Statue?"
Right at that moment, behind him, Li Fan suddenly thrust a slender stone needle into the position on his back corresponding to the dantian.
It pierced right through his body.
Zhang Qianmo let out a muffled grunt.
He hadn't expected his junior brother to secretly attack him.
Zhang Qianmo seemed to realize something, his expression changing drastically, and he turned around to counterattack.
However, the spiritual energy in his dantian stagnated for a moment, and his attempt to unleash the Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique was delayed.
In that instant, another stone needle fiercely pierced into his chest, through the danzhong acupoint.
Then, one after another.
A total of thirty-six Absolute Immortal Stone needles sealed all the vital acupoints around Zhang Qianmo's body.
His overall aura plummeted, and the Foundation Establishment cultivator now seemed as weak as an ordinary person.
"Immortal Spirit Sealing..."
"The remnants of the Xuantian Sect..."
Although captured, Zhang Qianmo's face showed little panic.
Instead, he stared at Li Fan and exclaimed with hatred, "You are not Junior Brother Li Chen!"
"What have you done to my junior brother?"
Li Fan hadn't expected the Absolute Immortal Stone needles to be so effective, easily subduing Senior Brother Zhang.
When he heard that he had been mistaken for some "remnant of the Xuantian Sect," Li Fan's heart was slightly moved.
Although he remained calm on the surface, he replied casually, "Senior brother, you seem confused. You can't even recognize me, your junior brother?"
Then, he recounted some memories from Li Chen that were only known to the two of them.
Zhang Qianmo's expression kept changing, filled with suspicion.
"Has my junior brother been soul searched? No, with the protection of the Purple Heaven Royal Thunder, he wouldn't fear soul-searching techniques..."
"Could it be..."
Zhang Qianmo's face darkened completely.
"I didn't expect you, my junior brother, to be a spy from the Xuantian Sect who infiltrated our Purple Heaven Sect from childhood?"
Li Fan was dumbfounded.
However, he noticed that Zhang Qianmo seemed confident and wasn't worried about his own situation.
Instead, he seemed to want to fish for information using this opportunity.
So, Li Fan decided to play along and cooperate with the act.
"Senior brother, you're kidding. I have no idea about any Xuantian Sect," Li Fan shrugged innocently.
"Have no idea?"
Zhang Qianmo sneered coldly.
"At this point, stop pretending."
"Hiding the Xuantian Statue, engaging in shady activities."
"Besides the remnants of the Xuantian Sect, who else could it be?"
"You've hidden yourself well over the years, Junior Brother."
Chapter 286: Purple Core Rebirth Technique
Facing Zhang Qianmo's questioning, Li Fan just smiled without answering.
"I never expected that the former number one sect in the world would now fall to the level of associating with demonic beasts."
A hint of disdain flashed across Zhang Qianmo's face. "It seems that the efforts of the Ten Great Immortal Sects over the years have not been in vain."
Li Fan's expression remained unchanged, speaking calmly, "Senior Brother Zhang, some things in this world are not as simple as they appear on the surface."
"If I were to say that I have no connection whatsoever with the so-called Xuantian Sect, would you believe me?"
Zhang Qianmo looked at Li Fan as if he were an idiot, with an expression that seemed to say, "Do you think I would believe that?" He snorted coldly but said nothing.
Li Fan smiled and didn't dwell on the question further.
Observing Zhang Qianmo and reviewing Li Chen's memories, he discovered some interesting details that he hadn't noticed before.
After pondering silently for a moment, he tentatively spoke, "The Xuantian Sect, huh? That's something from many years ago. The Ten Great Immortal Sects consider it taboo. Since I joined the Purple Heaven Sect all these years, I've never heard any news about the Xuantian Sect."
"Senior Brother, you're not much older than me. How do you know so much about these secrets?"
Zhang Qianmo's expression changed slightly, but he still didn't answer.
Seeing his speculation confirmed, Li Fan continued, "I've always felt that our Master and Senior Uncle's attitude toward you was a bit strange before."
"I used to think it was because your talent was exceptional."
"Now that I think about it..."
Li Fan smiled.
Zhang Qianmo's face gradually darkened.
"Moreover, although we are brothers, your mastery of techniques and spells far surpasses mine!"
"Especially your Purple Core Rebirth Technique..."
When Li Fan mentioned this, Zhang Qianmo's expression finally changed completely.
He stared deeply at Li Fan as if trying to remember him forever.
In an instant, the aura that had already weakened to that of an ordinary person was rapidly disappearing.
Li Fan was somewhat astonished and hurriedly approached to check, but it was already too late.
By the time he reached Zhang Qianmo's side, Senior Brother Zhang had completely lost his breath of life.
"False death?"
"Rebirth?"
Li Fan remained cautious as he investigated.
After a long time, Li Fan stood up and stroked his chin.
The result was somewhat unexpected.
Zhang Qianmo had actually died.
Watching Li Fan's departing figure, Song Hesong hesitated for a moment.
With a sweep of his spiritual consciousness, he confirmed that Chu Liang and the others were still waiting at the planned location, without any mishaps.
Relying on his Golden Core cultivation, Song Hesong followed without fear.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the underground chamber.
Li Fan's surprised voice came from below, "Huh? Where's Senior Brother Zhang?"
Song Hesong scanned with his spiritual consciousness, found no ambush, and followed suit into the chamber.
After seeing the broken and faceless stone statue standing in the secret chamber, he was slightly taken aback.
Because this stone statue was completely beyond the perception of his spiritual consciousness.
"Could it be that the taboo item Senior Brother mentioned is this stone statue?" Song Hesong couldn't help but ask.
Li Fan nodded and approached, "That's right, it's this Xuantian Statue!"
"Xuantian Statue..." Steward Song furrowed his brows slightly as if he had heard the name long ago.
After a moment, he seemed to recall something; his body trembled slightly, and his pupils contracted.
Suddenly, he looked back at the faceless stone statue.
At that moment...
"Pfft!"
A stone needle ruthlessly pierced from behind, piercing his dantian.
Filled with horror, as he was about to retaliate, his spiritual energy stagnated.
What awaited him next were thirty-five more Absolute Immortal Stone needles.
With all his vital acupoints sealed, Song Hesong collapsed to the ground.
A wave of regret surged in his mind, but there was still a glimmer of hope. He struggled to ask, "Senior Brother, what is the meaning of this? I truly didn't know about this Xuantian Statue hidden in the city."
"Although I am guilty of negligence, it doesn't warrant this..."
Li Fan's words mercilessly interrupted him, plunging his heart into despair.
"What if we add colluding with outsiders and plotting betrayal? A Golden Core cultivator disguised as a Qi Condensation cultivator, you've really been wronged!"
Song Hesong's face turned extremely pale.
He wanted to struggle one last time, but it was futile.
Step by step, Li Fan approached, "Let me see what you really know."
Seeing every subtle change in Song Hesong's expression, Li Fan's face revealed a somewhat eerie smile.
Song Hesong watched as Li Fan took out tools such as hammers, knives, and nails from the wooden box one by one, laying them out on the table in a leisurely manner.
Cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
Chapter 287: Mirror For Eternal Life
Half a day later, Li Fan similarly buried Song Hesong's body, recalling the information he obtained from him about the "Xuantian Sect."
Over two hundred years ago, Song Hesong joined the Purple Heaven Sect as a child.
At that time, an unexpected visitor arrived during the Purple Heaven Sect's centennial celebration.
The visitor's status was so noble that even the sect leader had to personally receive him.
He was an inspector from the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
This inspector didn't show much respect to the sect leader and bluntly stated that they had received reports of wanted criminals hiding within the Purple Heaven Sect and needed to thoroughly investigate.
Although the Purple Heaven Sect felt embarrassed, they had to cooperate with the investigation under the authority of the inspector representing the will of the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
Nobody knew who the criminals were at that time, but the intensity of the search was severe, with every disciple of the Purple Heaven Sect being interrogated one by one.
Even Song Hesong, who had just joined as a menial laborer, was not spared.
The final outcome was unclear to Song Hesong.
However, after the inspector left, rumors began to circulate within the sect.
A true disciple of the Purple Heaven Sect had inexplicably disappeared.
Many suspected that this true disciple was the wanted criminal.
Although there were rules within the sect prohibiting such groundless rumors, the truth eventually came to light.
As time passed, the secrecy surrounding the events of that year gradually diminished.
When Song Hesong took up the position of steward in Ningyuan City, his predecessor solemnly warned him to beware of remnants of the Xuantian Sect.
Curious, Song Hesong inquired and learned that the true disciple who had been taken away was a spy from the Xuantian Sect who had secretly infiltrated the Purple Heaven Sect.
"Xuantian Sect, the former number one sect in the world."
"Its dominance was unrivaled, and all other sects had to bow to it."
"Later, it was subverted by a coalition of the Ten Great Immortal Sects. It was in that battle of annihilation that the Ten Great Immortal Sects established their leadership."
"However, although the Xuantian Sect was destroyed overnight, there were still remnants hidden in the world."
"In order to prevent any possibility of the Xuantian Sect rising from the ashes, the Ten Great Immortal Sects issued a kill order. Anyone with even the slightest connection to the Xuantian Sect would be killed without mercy."
"Even though the coalition of the Ten Great Immortal Sects had already been established, they still feared the remnants of the Xuantian Sect. This was because..."
A strange light flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
"The whereabouts of the most precious treasure of the Xuantian Sect were unknown during the battle to destroy the sect."
"And this treasure is called..."
"Xuantian Mirror."
"Xuantian Mirror." Li Fan repeated silently once more in his mind.
"This mirror is the most precious treasure of heaven and earth, with infinite uses. The Ten Great Immortal Sects even offered a reward: anyone who possesses this mirror can exchange it for eternal life."
As Li Fan was contemplating, the surroundings suddenly disappeared.
In its place, another scene emerged.
On a vast ruin, only a figure in green remained, standing there in confusion.
One could vaguely see his hands covered in bloodstains as if he had tried to excavate something from the ruins earlier.
"Is this the original history?"
The scene went black.
Li Fan felt a wave of dizziness, and the next moment, he returned to the Tianxuan Mirror.
Feeling somewhat groggy, Li Fan carefully contemplated. Surprisingly, there were two gains from this experience.
One was the "Purple Heaven Profound Intent," a secret technique to cleanse the soul and purify the mind from the "Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique."
"Senior Brother Zhang, could it be that your suicide is also your obsession?"
Thinking of this, Li Fan's expression became somewhat strange.
"But it's just as well, and it saves me the effort of seeking another method for soul cleansing."
"I have already mastered three secret techniques of the Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique: the Purple Heaven Soul Observation Technique, the Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Escape, and now the Purple Heaven Profound Intent. Unfortunately, I have no chance of obtaining the fundamental technique. It's unlikely that I'll have the opportunity to complete them in the future."
As for the second gain from this trip to the Fallen Immortal Realm...
Li Fan's mind settled.
In his sea of consciousness, three emerald-green, crystalline fruits lay quietly.
Just the aura emanating from them made Li Fan feel rejuvenated as if he had become much younger.
"Longevity Fruits."
"Each one extends life by three hundred years."
"This is the reward for resolving Mr. Bai's obsession."
Suppressing the urge to consume them himself, Li Fan looked away from the crystal-clear fruits.
"For me, three hundred years of lifespan is just one reincarnation."
"But for other cultivators, it's almost priceless."
"Instead of consuming them myself, it's better to maximize their value and exchange them for something more useful."
"However, what exactly to exchange them for will require further planning."
For now, he temporarily set aside this matter.
After hesitating for a moment, Li Fan ultimately gave up the idea of searching for information related to the Xuantian Sect and the Xuantian Mirror.
It was certain that there would be no results.
If he were to forcefully search and inadvertently attract the attention of certain entities, he would likely be forced to reincarnate.
Chapter 288: Yin Yin Island
"Judging by this harvest, Mr. Bai is undoubtedly the origin of the Ningyuan City space-time."
"With his obsession thoroughly resolved this time, the next time I enter the Fallen Immortal Realm, I'll likely be in a different place."
"I wonder what encounters await me next time."
Li Fan had realized that being trapped in the same spacetime in the Fallen Immortal Realm was actually a rare opportunity.
If there was only one attempt, without being able to repeatedly explore and uncover the various clues hidden in the timeline, it would be extremely difficult to gain such a wealth of rewards.
Of course, the prerequisite was that one was able to escape from the trap of endless reincarnation.
As for how to escape, one would only need to fully understand the spacetime to know.
Feeling a slight sensation in his heart, Li Fan frowned.
Perhaps due to having two gains this time, the time restriction for entering had almost doubled.
He felt that the restriction would not disappear until about a year later.
"Good things come to those who wait. I can only be patient." Li Fan sighed inwardly.
...
The deserted island.
Since Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo left, Xiao Heng seemed to have been stimulated somehow, and he became even more diligent in his cultivation.
The bottleneck that had troubled him for a long time finally dissipated not long ago, and he could advance to Golden Core at any time.
With an intuition in his heart, he went to the central area of the Cong Yun Sea to seek his own opportunities.
The Yin sisters also reached the Qi Condensation perfection stage at the same time. They obtained the Human Treasures "Gathering Treasure Cloth" and "Divine Escape Needle" from the White Bone Realm and began their secluded cultivation to establish their foundation.
Only Su Changyu had still not established his foundation.
He had only just broken through to late stage Qi Condensation.
Establishing the foundation seemed distant and unattainable.
For a while, even with Su Changyu's calm temperament, he couldn't help but become somewhat lost.
"When Xiaomei and Xiao Heng and the others come back, they should have all stepped into Golden Core."
"I'm still lingering in the Qi Condensation stage."
"As time goes on, the gap between me and them will only widen."
Su Changyu stood on the beach, watching the ebb and flow of the tide, feeling a bit bitter in his heart.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
He was not a saint.
The people around him were all exceptionally talented individuals.
How could he not feel pressured when he was with them all day long?
In the past, he had always kept these frustrations to himself and never shared them with anyone.
Now that the familiar people around him had suddenly disappeared, and even the Yin sisters who joined the deserted island later than him were about to establish their foundation ahead of him.
Su Changyu finally couldn't help but let his guard down a bit.
After all, he was just an ordinary young man.
"Why? Why would you, an immortal, want to save these mortals?"
"Why? Why would you, an immortal, want to save these mortals?"
...
Su Changyu was suddenly startled. Following the voices, he saw a white-haired, somewhat old-looking cultivator who had appeared behind him at some point.
Staring at Su Changyu somewhat deranged, he muttered.
Su Changyu didn't know how to respond for a moment.
He had left Dali only a little over ten years ago.
During this time, he had been living on the deserted island with his relatives and friends.
He hadn't thought much about the difference between immortals and mortals.
When he saw people in need of help, it was his instinct to lend a hand.
Seeing Su Changyu's embarrassed look, the man sneered.
With a wave of his hand, the blazing flames disappeared in an instant.
Su Changyu breathed a sigh of relief.
"Follow me."
"Follow me."
Two voices sounded simultaneously once again.
A door beside them suddenly opened, and Su Changyu followed him inside.
The chaotic scene inside surprised him.
It seemed as if it had been deliberately destroyed by someone, with broken bones and fragments scattered all over the floor.
There were human bones as well as those of some strange creatures.
Even in the middle of the corridor, there was a terrifying little dog with human limbs and eyes all over its belly.
The white-haired cultivator didn't seem to care about this.
He casually swept these things aside and cleared a path.
Su Changyu followed cautiously.
At the end of the passage was a staircase leading downward.
The man glanced back at Su Changyu and inexplicably smiled, as if indicating for Su Changyu to follow.
Then he descended slowly.
The atmosphere was eerie. Su Changyu took a deep breath and, after some thought, decided to walk down the stairs.
After his eyes adjusted to the darkness below, when he saw the surroundings clearly, a chill surged into Su Changyu's heart.
The place wasn't spacious, but it was densely packed with hundreds of corpses.
Most of these corpses were so broken that they resembled torn rag dolls.
Various body parts were scattered irregularly on the ground, creating a horrifying scene akin to hell.
Chapter 289: Obtaining a Foundation Establishment Technique
What frightened Su Changyu even more was that the faces of the corpses on the ground were exactly the same as that white-haired cultivator from before!
It was as if all these corpses were his own!
Despite considering himself more firm-minded than ordinary people, Su Changyu couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat at this eerie scene.
"Hee hee, don't be so nervous. They're just dead bodies, what is there to fear?"
"You should know, the living are much more terrifying than the dead."
The white-haired cultivator said sinisterly.
With a slight gesture, a set of tables and chairs rose from the ground.
"Sit down and enjoy the show."
"It's been many years since anyone has been here."
After the initial horror due to the strange double voice and the horrifying scenes around him, Su Changyu gradually adapted.
Calming his mind, he sat down steadily.
"I wonder how should I address you, senior?"
After sitting down and seeing the white-haired cultivator just staring blankly at his surroundings, Su Changyu couldn't help but ask.Updated from
"I am called Master Yin."
"Hehe, people call me Master Yin."
Master Yin chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Nice to meet you, Master Yin. I am Su Changyu."
Su Changyu introduced himself calmly.
At this moment, Master Yin suddenly turned around and carefully examined Su Changyu.
After a long time, he looked away.
"Huh, it seems there's fate at work..."
Master Yin muttered under his breath.
Su Changyu listened but didn't understand.
After a while, Master Yin spoke again, "You encountered a bottleneck in cultivation and were guided here by the intuition in your heart, right?"
"A bottleneck?" Su Changyu was surprised. He had only just reached the late Qi Condensation stage.
Just as he was about to deny it, Master Yin continued, "Haha, I'm used to it. Every few years, a cultivator is guided here."
"Every time someone comes, I have to repeat the same thing. I'm tired of it."
"When immortals fight, mortals suffer. It's so annoying..."
Su Changyu frowned slightly. Master Yin seemed a bit crazy, and what he said was hard to understand.
"Anyway, I'll repeat it once more."
Master Yin sat down as well and said, "The so-called foundation establishment forms the foundation of cultivation. Do you know what this foundation is?"
...
"I used myself as a Heavenly Treasure to establish my foundation!"
His body split in two, revealing another face within his internal organs.
These were all the scenes and insights Master Yin gained from dissecting hundreds of Foundation Establishment corpses.
And even more precious, the process of 'establishing the foundation with oneself' and the experience of partial success.
...
Suddenly receiving such a huge amount of information, Su Changyu felt overwhelmed for a moment.
His temples throbbed incessantly, and it felt like his head was about to split open.
But he knew in his heart that this opportunity was probably the only chance to change his fate in this lifetime, so he gritted his teeth and persevered.
After a while, he slumped exhaustedly in the chair, drenched in sweat.
Master Yin shook his head repeatedly as he watched.
After a while, Su Changyu regained his spirits and respectfully bowed to Master Yin.
"Thank you, senior!"
"Hehe, no need to thank me."
Master Yin showed an impish smile. "Originally, you had no intention of 'establishing the foundation with yourself'."
"But now that I've passed on my experiences to you, you seem to have the intention to give it a try."
"Keep in mind that everyone is unique, and my situation may not necessarily apply to you."
"Maybe you'll fail because of this, and end up dead."
"In that case, I'd be the one to blame!"
Su Changyu's expression was solemn. "Life and death are fated, but wealth and honor are in the hands of myself."
The smile disappeared from Master Yin's face. "That's a good attitude."
Without hesitation, he said bluntly, "Our business here is done, you may leave!"
Being unexpectedly dismissed, Su Changyu was slightly stunned.
But since Master Yin had said so, he didn't insist on staying.
After bowing again, he prepared to leave.
Before leaving, looking at the corpses all over the ground, Su Changyu couldn't help but ask, "Master Yin, may I ask where these corpses came from?"
Master Yin glanced around, his eyes becoming somewhat unfocused.
"Yeah, where did these corpses come from?"
"Ah! I remember now!"
"There was a heavy rain! Countless corpses fell from the sky like rain, and I took the opportunity to scavenge some..."
Master Yin seemed a bit crazy as he muttered.
Upon hearing the answer, Su Changyu felt another chill in his heart.
Not daring to stay any longer on this eerie island, he hurriedly left.
Watching Su Changyu's departing figure, Master Yin slowly returned to normal.
He touched his chest, where there seemed to be a precious treasure hidden that he was reluctant to give up.
...
After a long time, the extinguished flames reignited once again, completely engulfing Yin Yin Island.
Chapter 290: Virtual Chaoyuan Sect
After leaving Yin Yin Island, Su Changyu's spirits were lifted, and it took him a while to calm down from the excitement.
"I didn't expect to have such a strange encounter on this trip."
Although he still had some distance to go before Foundation Establishment, unlike before, he was now filled with the motivation to cultivate, eager to reach Qi Condensation perfection and establish his foundation as soon as possible.
"After 'establishing my foundation with myself', my cultivation speed should be able to catch up with Xiao Heng and Xiaomei." Su Changyu thought to himself.
Without delaying any further, he discerned his bearings and flew straight towards the deserted island.
In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan reviewed the scenes he had just witnessed through Su Changyu, his brows furrowing slightly.
"I didn't expect Su Changyu to inexplicably run into Master Yin and come into contact with the secrets related to the Self Foundation. It seems that the intuition I had earlier is indeed true."
Li Fan was quite looking forward to whether Su Changyu in this world could successfully 'establish his foundation with himself'.
However, Li Fan was more concerned about Master Yin's condition now.
When Li Fan first met Master Yin in the thirteenth year after the anchor point, his hair was still both black and white.
Now, in just twelve years, he had become completely white-haired.
This kind of rapid aging was almost impossible for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
It indicated that Master Yin's mental and spiritual depletion had been extremely severe over the years.
What concerned Li Fan even more was that all the test subjects on Yin Yin Island, as well as many treasures that Master Yin had treasured, had all been destroyed.
Yet, Master Yin seemed to be indifferent.
Or...
Those things should have been destroyed by him personally.
Thinking of the sudden burst of fire on the island, as well as Master Yin's increasingly crazy expression.
"Is he trying to commit suicide?"
Li Fan's heart stirred.
To confirm his speculation, Li Fan left the Tianxuan Mirror and hurried towards Yin Yin Island.
When he arrived at the destination, the square building had indeed turned into ruins.
The burning was quite thorough.
After searching around, Li Fan found nothing valuable.
Standing quietly above the ruins, Li Fan frowned.
"Why?"
At this moment, within Li Fan's dantian, two Karmic Bodies had already formed completely.
The third Karmic Body was gradually taking shape.
"This accumulated cultivation can be transformed once I break through to the Golden Core stage. If I accumulate enough Karmic Bodies, maybe I'll break through again as soon as I enter the Golden Core stage."
Li Fan couldn't help but reveal a joyful expression like that of an old farmer.
"As for He Zhenghao..."
"Why hasn't there been any feedback on his cultivation during this time?"
Due to the distance, Formless Killing Intent was unable to sense the situation on the other side.
After some thought, Li Fan sent him a message to inquire about his current situation.
But he received an automatic reply: "In closed training at the Garrison Academy, unable to reply, please forgive me."
"So, fellow Daoist He has already entered the Garrison Academy?"
Calculating the time, it had been almost three years since He Zhenghao took office.
"Jing Xuan is indeed reliable, and the contribution points were not wasted."
"After the formation training in Tianyu Province, the Cong Yun Sea should be finished. By then, I'll go directly to Tianyun Province to meet with fellow Daoist He."
...
Just as Li Fan was secretly planning for the future.
Su Xiaomei's group of three had already arrived at the Thousand Mile Swamp, the site of the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect.
Finally reaching their destination, Su Xiaomei looked excitedly at the spectacular buildings not far away, eager to rush into the ruins in the next moment.
Zhang Haobo, however, looked puzzled. "Wasn't it said that the ruins attracted many cultivators to come and explore? Why is it so deserted here? Where are the people?"
Shuo Feng also frowned. "It's indeed suspicious. But there's no need to think too much about it. Let's go forward and see what's going on."
At the entrance of the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect, it wasn't as lively as the rumors.
Some cultivators hesitated to move forward, neither daring to enter nor willing to leave.
After inquiring a bit, they learned why the ruins, which had been bustling just a few days ago, had now turned into this appearance.
It turned out that seven days ago, a Golden Core cultivator who had come seeking opportunities mysteriously disappeared.
When he reappeared, people found that he had become an existence similar to the phantoms that occasionally appeared in the ruins.
Moreover, they could hear and see him frantically searching through the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect, trying to find a way to return to his original form.
But this Golden Core cultivator seemed to have gone to another realm of existence and couldn't interact with the people in reality in any way.
Nor could he leave the range of the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect.
Chapter 291: Teleportation to Tianyu Province
At first, there were still some cultivators who hoped to get lucky.
Thinking that this was just an occasional phenomenon, they chose to stay in the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect and refused to flee.
However, within just seven days, more than ten stubborn cultivators successively turned into phantoms.
Finally, everyone recognized reality and scattered in all directions.
The previous popularity of the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect was largely due to the lack of danger.
Now, with this inexplicable crisis, not many cultivators were willing to explore at the risk of their lives without understanding the danger.
After all, opportunities could come at any time, but there was only one life.
Only a handful of people still remained here.
"How about it? With such danger here, do you still dare to go in?" Shuo Feng looked at Su Xiaomei and smiled.
The three of them had been together for dozens of days, and the initial unfamiliarity was long gone.
Although Shuo Feng was a former Soul Transformation True Monarch who had dispersed his cultivation and started anew, he never put on airs and was easygoing.
Along the way, he would occasionally give pointers to Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo, benefiting them greatly.
He was as casual as his proclamation, "I've dispersed my cultivation and started anew, seeking the path of invincibility. Invincible in Qi Condensation, invincible in Foundation Establishment, invincible in Golden Core... until invincible in Longevity Immortal!"
"I am Shuo Feng. Pioneering new methods, I am the beginning of the world; undefeated in a hundred battles, I am the end of the world!"<sup data-mfn="1">T/N: He's doing wordplay with his name here that's difficult to translate
The air of disdain for the world he occasionally revealed in his speech also secretly impressed Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo.
At this moment, seeing him ask, they couldn't help but feel a surge of ambition in their hearts.
"If you dare, why wouldn't I?" Su Xiaomei raised her head proudly, showing no weakness.
Zhang Haobo also showed no fear. "I'll accompany you to the end!"
"Haha! Refreshing!" Shuo Feng laughed heartily like no one was around, and took the lead into the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect.
Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo exchanged glances and followed closely behind.
Just as they entered the boundaries of the Chaoyuan Sect, Li Fan lost his sense of them.
As if...
They had disappeared from this world in an instant and gone to another world.
"The Chaoyuan Sect..."
"With their fortune, Su Xiaomei and the others shouldn't be in mortal danger."
"As for what's really going on inside, I can only learn when they come out."
Li Fan's eyes flickered.
...
Time passed, and the 26th year arrived.
Both Yin sisters had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, giving Li Fan a significant boost in cultivation.
They were both contemplating returning to Night Island.
Since Su Changyu had been in seclusion all this time, no one was there to accompany them.
There was no obstruction, and the surrounding scenery was fully visible.
At this moment, Li Fan was located at the heart of the statue.
Overlooking the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, the busy cultivators appeared as small as ants.
"The scenery is quite good. With flight being prohibited on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, this is the first time I've seen such a view after so many cycles of reincarnation."
Li Fan thought to himself.
After a moment of appreciation, Li Fan followed the guidance and flew forward.
In a space filled with silver mist, brilliant stars sparkled.
The teleportation formation was located here.
Each activation consumed a large amount of energy, which was why the long-distance teleportation formation was rarely used.
At this moment, there was only Li Fan in this space.
Li Fan raised the teleportation jade token high.
In an instant, the jade token disintegrated into countless green lights, shooting towards the stars around.
Then, a holographic image of a glowing cloud mass appeared in front of Li Fan.
Within the cloud mass, miniature landscapes of landforms and mountains could be vaguely seen.
"Tianyu Province."
Li Fan's spiritual consciousness touched it and sensed it.
The image of the cloud mass quickly enlarged, focusing on the four central areas.
"Tianyu, Tianchen, Tianshu, Tianquan."
"These are the four major Provinces that guard the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
Li Fan pondered.
Choosing Tianyu Province as the destination, Li Fan activated the formation.
In an instant, the countless stars seemed to dim.
Space and time seemed to fall into stasis.
Pressure, thousands of times greater than that of an ordinary teleportation formation, came from all directions.
Caught off guard, Li Fan's blood surged, and his heartbeat accelerated.
Just as he was about to circulate his spiritual energy to adjust, he found that it was out of control, running rampant in his body.
The surrounding scenery also changed suddenly.
The colorful brilliance gathered and dispersed, and everything was distorted and elongated.
Li Fan couldn't even hear his own heartbeat; it was as if he had gone deaf.
After a long time, it seemed like only a moment had passed.
All the anomalies disappeared in an instant.
Dizzy and disoriented, Li Fan almost stumbled and fell to the ground after completing the teleportation.
Chapter 292: Series of Formations
After the absolute silence, there was a murmur as harsh as scraping metal that continuously echoed in Li Fan's ears.
It gradually subsided, turning into a lazy remark.
"Move forward after exiting the teleportation formation, don't block the way!"
Li Fan took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort in his body.
While surveying the surroundings, he proceeded according to the instructions.
This place looked almost the same as the long-distance teleportation space on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, except that the brilliance of the sea of stars was several times stronger.
Furthermore, it was extremely lively. During the time Li Fan adjusted, two or three more cultivators arrived through teleportation.
Li Fan walked up to the cultivator who spoke.
This person was dressed in the standard black and yellow Daoist robe of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, and casually handed over a pill, saying, "Take this Dust Cleansing Pill to relieve discomfort. Keep moving forward and undergo inspection! Next!"
Li Fan observed the pill for a moment but didn't take it, instead storing it in his storage ring.
Moving forward, he encountered a mirror emitting a faint light, suspended high in the air.
It looked identical to the Tianxuan Mirror in appearance.
Li Fan walked beneath the mirror and stood still.
Light scanned over his body, and after a moment, the familiar yet inhuman voice of the Tianxuan Mirror sounded in his ears.
"Cultivator Li Fan, welcome to Tianyu Province."
In the blink of an eye, the scenery changed.
When Li Fan came to his senses, he had already left the interior of the Immortal Ancestor statue and arrived at the Transmission Square.
The number of teleportation formations in the Transmission Square of Tianyu Province was several times higher than that on Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Not only were they connected to various cities within Tianyu Province, but they could also directly reach cities in the Tianchen, Tianshu, and Tianquan Provinces.
These four major provinces that guarded the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance were interconnected.
What's more, as compared to other provinces, there were no mortals in these four provinces.
In each city, there were only cultivators residing.
Therefore, the total number of cultivators in these four Provinces far exceeded that of other regions.
After scanning through the information provided by Zhang Zhiliang's jade slip, Li Fan knew the destination of this trip.
It was the Huan Yu Courtyard in Tianyu City.
Unlike on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, where all the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance departments were crowded together, in Tianyu City, each department had its own separate residence.
Some of the more powerful ones, such as the Martial Hall, even had more than one location.
The Huan Yu Courtyard was a large courtyard belonging to the Formation Hall.
Li Fan navigated through Tianyu City according to the instructions in the jade slip.
"Slightly below average performance."
"No rest during the process of breaking the formations, and no signs of fatigue after completion."
"Resilient mental state, can be rated as superior."
"Hmm..."
"In general, above average!"
The cultivator in white muttered to himself, and as he spoke, a silver token appeared out of thin air in front of Li Fan.
"This token will serve as your identification during your time in the Huan Yu Courtyard. Keep it safe and don't lose it."
"Notifications and distribution of related materials are all done through this token."
"You can rest for now. When all the trainees have gathered, you will be notified!"
The cultivator in white instructed.
Li Fan put away the silver token and thanked the cultivator in white before asking, "May I know how to address you, senior?"
The cultivator in white smiled and said, "Ji Hongdao of Tianyu Province. You may go now!"
With that, he waved his hand, and a burst of light emanated from the silver token, enveloping Li Fan.
When the silver light disappeared, Li Fan had already appeared in a small courtyard.
The courtyard was not large but exquisitely decorated.
In the center was a lake, but it could be transformed into different scenes such as mountain peaks, desolate deserts, or vast oceans at will through the token.
After adjusting it, Li Fan found that this was not just an illusion but a tangible existence that he could physically enter.
It was as if another space had been embedded within.
Li Fan couldn't help but marvel at the extravagance of the Huan Yu Courtyard.
Not only was the scenery beautiful, but the concentration of spiritual energy in the small courtyard was also astonishingly high.
Following the flow of spiritual energy, Li Fan found a small Tianxuan Mirror in the room of the source.
It was not much different from the ones commonly seen in cities in various provinces, providing basic functions such as inquiries and transactions, and assisting in cultivation.
What astonished and excited Li Fan the most was that, in this courtyard, the use of assisted cultivation was completely free.
Although he didn't lack contribution points at the moment, who could resist the joy of free benefits?
Without hesitation, Li Fan entered the state of enlightenment.
"It's a pity that it's only special treatment during this training period, and is not permanent. Otherwise, I could squat here for a lifetime."
"The center of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is indeed luxurious. It is far beyond the Cong Yun Sea."
"No wonder countless cultivators are fighting just to come here."
"By taking advantage of public resources for private ends, I can save a considerable amount without even realizing it."
Li Fan couldn't help but sigh.
Chapter 293: Tianyu Province’s People
Adhering to the principle of absolute efficiency, Li Fan's Dao Transformation Stone in his sea of consciousness operated at full capacity, and the multi-threaded mode was reactivated.
On the surface, it seemed like Li Fan was not practicing cultivation.
In reality, he had long divided his mind into studying formations, reading through the "Heavenly Doctor's Immortal Sutra," accumulating cultivation base for his Karmic Bodies, and so on...
Doing many things at once, everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
...
Holding the silver token in his hand and playing with it, Li Fan's consciousness entered it, and many pieces of information suddenly appeared in his mind.
Its name was the "Huan Yu Token," a tool that was created together with this Huan Yu Courtyard.
In addition to basic functions such as communication and storage, its greatest use was to manipulate the residences in the courtyard.
The residences in the courtyard were divided into three different grades: upper, middle, and lower.
Different grades of treatment corresponded to different grades of residences.
What Li Fan had received belonged to the upper grade.
"It should be based on the results of the previous test," Li Fan thought to himself.
Putting away the token, Li Fan opened the Tianxuan Mirror.
He checked the information on recent events.
In addition to some major events that affected the entire Xuanhuang Realm, there was more information about hotspots in the surrounding areas.
Both the density of information and the number of people exchanging it far exceeded those in the Cong Yun Sea.
This made Li Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of "prosperity."
His spiritual consciousness swept through the various pieces of information.
"The remnant of the Chaoyuan Sect has reappeared, and this time, even Soul Transformation cultivators have perished inside. It's better for fellow Daoists not to take any risks!"
"Immortal Sage Jicheng has resigned from the position of Supreme Commander of the Garrison Court. It is rumored that he was unfortunate enough to be hit by evil spells from the Five Elders Association's infiltrated Dao Integration cultivators previously during the trap prepared for them. His lifespan has greatly decreased, and he is unable to manage the overall situation anymore."
"In front of the Mortal Transcendence Wall in Tianyun Province, another cultivator has achieved enlightenment this year. He reached the realm of the Five Law Golden Core!"
"Wu Zhi'er has been recently wandering near Tianquan Province. Fellow Daoists, be cautious!"
"The old fisherman appeared in Xiaoxiang City, Tianchu Province, yesterday. It is expected that he will stay for about seven days. Those seeking opportunities should hurry!"
...
"The old fisherman..." Li Fan's face showed interest as he clicked on it.
It turned out that this old fisherman was a crazy cultivator
Dressed as a fisherman, it was unknown what cultivation level he was at.
While Li Fan was pondering, the white-robed Ji Hongdao, whom he had seen before, quietly appeared above the crowd.
He scanned the crowd and said loudly, "I'm sure you all already know the purpose of this training."
"It's to accelerate the construction of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation within our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance so that all enemies of the Five Elders Association will have nowhere to hide before us."
"You must have heard the name Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation countless times. But there are probably not many who have truly seen it."
"Today, first of all, I will let you all observe it."
With Ji Hongdao's words, images of a mirror suddenly flashed above everyone's heads.
Then, three towering beams of light descended from the sky, locking onto three different positions on the plain below.
Witnessing this scene, everyone was stunned at first, then focused their minds and sensed towards the positions locked by the beams of light.
Li Fan furrowed his brows slightly because no matter how he sensed, there was nothing there.
Looking at the expressions of those around him, almost all of them were the same.
At this moment, Ji Hongdao spoke again, "Isn't it surprising? Clearly, there's nothing there in our perception, but the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation still marks it..."
His voice suddenly rose, "This is the Five Elders Association's 'Dao Self Unity' stealth technique. It is precisely by relying on this technique that they can repeatedly trespass into our territory as if casually strolling."
"But now, with the birth of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation, this is a thing of the past!"
Ji Hongdao lightly pointed, and the three beams of light suddenly became brighter.
The air distorted for a moment, and in the locked positions, three figures appeared, each of them looking disheveled and bound by shackles.
These three cultivators glared at Li Fan and the others in the sky with resentment.
But they couldn't move or speak.
They could only become teaching materials for the demonstration.
"The basic principle of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is the 'Soul Contract' every Five Elders Association cultivator signs..."
Ji Hongdao explained to the talented formation students from various provinces present.
To demonstrate the uniqueness of the Five Elders Association's cultivators' souls, he even used a secret method to forcibly extract the soul of one of them.
The beams of light in the sky followed the faint golden light of the soul as it moved along.
The extraction of the soul required a torturous pain that was difficult to describe in words.
Many young cultivators showed signs of intolerance when they saw this scene.
Ji Hongdao sneered without saying a word, only keeping their reactions in mind.
...
Time passed slowly during the lecture.
After explaining the basic structure of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation, Ji Hongdao continued, "The key to building the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is to construct a formation core that can distinguish the differences in souls."
Chapter 294: Hundred Attempts Yet No Gains
"The formation core can be mass-produced on a large scale."
"However, due to the special nature of the soul, each activation of the formation core in the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation requires a Formation Master to personally guide it. Moreover, to ensure the accuracy of the formation, it needs to be debugged and calibrated by the Formation Master periodically."
"And this is also the reason why you are here for this training."
Suddenly, Ji Hongdao produced a golden sphere in his hand, which was the item distributed along with the clothing to everyone earlier.
"This is the Soul Gathering Pearl, made of Yin Soul Jade. As the name suggests, it has the effect of collecting and imprisoning souls."
"Do you see the golden light inside?"
"Those are the souls of the Five Elders Association's cultivators that we have captured!"
As Ji Hongdao spoke, the faces of the cultivators present changed color one after another.
Through the live demonstration of soul extraction just now, everyone learned that the golden light in the souls of the Five Elders Association's cultivators was a trace of the 'Soul Contract.'
But in the soul of each cultivator, the percentage of golden light was only a tiny fraction.
How many souls would it take to condense such a solid golden light?
Thousands? Or tens of thousands?The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
The more they thought about it, the more horrified they felt.
Some of the talented formation cultivators had been immersed in the study of formations since they started cultivation and rarely encountered such a cruel side of the cultivation world.
At this moment, they couldn't help but look pale and panicked.
Ji Hongdao said in a deep voice, "What? Scared? Do you think we are too cruel?"
"But you should know that just in the battle of Tianling Province, the number of fallen cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was a hundred or even a thousand times more than the number of souls in your Soul Gathering Pearls!"
"Not to mention the wars of various sizes that have occurred sporadically over thousands of years."
"Being merciful to the enemy is true cruelty."
Ji Hongdao looked deeply at the many young cultivators present and nodded his head, no longer continuing to delve into this topic.
He continued to introduce the Soul Gathering Pearl.
"What you need to do is to constantly observe and interact with these souls up close, and comprehend the traces of the Soul Contract."
"In the end, you need to reach a level where you can distinguish the differences without relying on external forces."
"This way, when you are building the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation, you will have the ability to debug and calibrate the formation core."
"The process of this comprehension consumes souls, so it would be best to achieve this before the souls in the Soul Gathering Pearls are depleted."
"Otherwise..."
Ji Hongdao's tone turned cold, "We will deem that you are not capable of building the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation. Not only will you be expelled from this Huan Yu Courtyard, but we will also charge the training fee to your recommender."
When about a quarter of the golden color in the Soul Gathering Pearl was depleted, Li Fan had made almost no progress compared to the beginning.
However, Li Fan remained relaxed, without any pressure.
Threats like being expelled from the Tianyu Province and demanding fees from his recommender didn't faze him.
If nothing unexpected happened, Zhang Zhiliang would have already returned to the heavens by then.
So Li Fan remained calm and continued to comprehend at his own pace.
Time passed slowly like this.
On this day, Li Fan once again extracted a soul from the Soul Gathering Pearl and was about to comprehend it.
Two vast streams of cultivation suddenly surged from within him.
Like rushing rivers, they flowed endlessly.
In just a moment, they had filled half of the third Karmic Body.
Furthermore, the cultivation feedback continued to increase.
Li Fan felt delighted and faintly sensed, "Did Ye Feipeng and Xiao Heng both break through to the Golden Core realm?"
Subconsciously, he wanted to unleash the Formless Killing Intent to check the situation over there.
But it was too far away to know what had happened to the two of them.
This made Li Fan feel somewhat uncomfortable and uneasy.
"From the quantity of feedback cultivation, both of them are at least Three Law Golden Core cultivators."
"Such a wonderful scene, yet I cannot witness it. It's a bit regrettable."
"It seems I need to find a way to upgrade my Formless Killing Intent."
Calming down the faint joy in his heart, Li Fan's spiritual consciousness skillfully entered the blank soul in his hand.
It felt like entering a vast space that stretched endlessly in all directions.
Li Fan traversed here, trying to find the traces of the golden Soul Contract.
But just like before, he found nothing.
The Soul Contract was deeply hidden within the soul, like a drop of water blending into the ocean, extremely difficult to detect.
Forcibly extracting the soul to observe it was akin to boiling the ocean, forcing the Soul Contract to appear.
Violently extracting a soul was no different from killing.
It was impossible to use this method to identify on a large scale.
The only way was to enter the soul with spiritual consciousness and make close contact to comprehend the existence of the Soul Contract.
Chapter 295: Charmed Even as a Soul
Li Fan's consciousness wandered within the blank soul.
As time passed, the soul gradually dissipated, and the size of this blank space continued to shrink.
But even when the space became extremely small, with everything seemingly within Li Fan's reach, he still couldn't perceive the existence of the Soul Contract.
"This is what they call seeing but not perceiving, hearing but not understanding!"
With a sigh, the soul completely disappeared.
However, Li Fan didn't feel discouraged. He immediately extracted another soul and tried again.
...
Days passed by, and in the blink of an eye, it was already halfway through the 26th year.
After five assessments, Li Fan's theoretical tests on the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation were always excellent.
But unfortunately, he consistently performed poorly in identifying the Soul Contract.
This made Ji Hongdao look at Li Fan with a hint of regret.
However, Li Fan remained as composed as ever.
On this day, Li Fan examined the Soul Gathering Pearl in his hand.
Only about one-third of the golden color remained.
"Three hundred and twelve souls..."
"It's not as many as I imagined. The substantial golden light on the outside should be an illusion caused by all of them clustering together."
Three hundred and twelve was the number of souls Li Fan had already consumed.
Although not particularly numerous, it was definitely not few.
Yet, Li Fan's progress remained slow.
In the tests, his accuracy in identifying the Soul Contract was only around one in ten thousand.
It was basically no different from guessing blindly.
Furthermore, it was said that some cultivators could achieve an astonishing accuracy rate of ninety-nine percent.
"The disparity between individuals is really too great."
Shaking his head silently, Li Fan skillfully extracted a soul and plunged into it.
"Hmm?"
Having observed the souls of over three hundred Five Elders Association cultivators, Li Fan immediately sensed a difference upon entering this particular soul.
Unlike other souls, which were completely blank and empty, this one still retained the memories of the cultivator's life.
These memories had resisted the cleansing process and turned into a cluster of red reefs, standing tall within the soul.
Approaching slowly, Li Fan observed the red cluster before him.
Within the red light, the scenes kept changing, making it difficult to discern specific content.
However, it could vaguely be seen that it was just a short segment of memory, repeating endlessly.
Li Fan recalled Ji Hongdao's explanation earlier.
"The emotions and memories of the cultivators' souls in this batch of Soul Gathering Pearls were cleansed simultaneously."
"Some cultivators have naturally tenacious souls. If there's something they find hard to forget even in death, it's normal for it not to be completely erased."
Outside the cave, there seemed to be a corpse.
A graceful maiden's body pressed closely against him.
Their long thighs rubbed against each other, and the maiden's jade hands constantly groped her own body, trying to undress herself.
"Goodness, is it going to be so intense from the start?"
"This must be the content of the forbidden book? It seems the dealers weren't exaggerating; it's truly immersive and authentic."
"It's almost like an Eternal Remembrance, the only difference being that here, it seems impossible to move freely. I can only passively experience the information through this body."
Just as Li Fan's consciousness was pondering, a voice suddenly appeared.
"[Qin Shou pursued Senior Sister Zhao multiple times, only to be rejected each time. In a fit of anger and shame, he harbored malicious intentions.]"
"[Not long after, while Senior Sister Zhao was out on a mission, he secretly followed her. They ended up in a remote mountainous area, where he attacked her while she was unprepared.]"
"[Senior Sister Zhao was caught off guard and seriously injured. Furthermore, she was poisoned by Qin Shou's Yin Yang Harmony Powder, gradually losing her sanity...]"
"[Just at this critical moment, you happened to arrive.]"
"[You rebuked Qin Shou for his despicable actions and engaged him in battle.]"
"[Unfortunately, you were no match for Qin Shou, and instead, you were seriously injured. During the crisis, you successfully repelled Qin Shou with a talismanic sword you obtained from a previous adventure, and escaped to this cave with Senior Sister Zhao.]"
"[You thought you were safe, but you didn't expect Qin Shou to follow you using some method.]"
"[Qin Shou relentlessly pursued you, and you looked desperate.]"
"[Just then, Senior Sister Zhao suddenly woke up, and with her last bit of strength, she killed Qin Shou. Then she completely passed out.]"
...
The voiceover narrated the causes and consequences of the incident.
However, before Li Fan could contemplate further, he was stunned by the continuous echoing thoughts in the memory.
"Senior Sister Zhao?"
"Senior Sister Zhao!"
"Is it her?"
"How is this possible?!"
These were the thoughts of the owner of the soul, echoing continuously in the memory like thunder.
Unable to bear the torment, the body began to move slowly.
He lifted the maiden's hair beside him, revealing an unparalleled beauty.
With a slight frown on her face, her cheeks flushed.
"Senior Sister Zhao... it's her... how... dare..."
The cultivator's remaining consciousness kept echoing.
The memory space also trembled incessantly.
"The Master of the Great Dao Sect, one of the five Longevity Immortals of the Five Elders Association..."
"Who dares... no wonder it's a forbidden book..."
"It's worth dying..."
The protagonist in the book slowly removed Senior Sister Zhao's clothes.
Chapter 296: The Eccentricity of a Heavenly Sovereign
Perhaps it was because the possessed cultivator's emotions were too excited, or perhaps due to some other mysterious factors, but the memory space continued to shake and tremble and was extremely unstable.
The various events that followed between the protagonist and Senior Sister Zhao in the book also became increasingly blurred.
It was like trying to see through fog, unable to glimpse the details, causing an unbearable itch in the heart.
The tremor in Li Fan's heart was no less than that of the deceased Five Elders Association cultivator. The information in the remaining memory fragments of the soul truly surprised him.
"Senior Sister Zhao is actually one of the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns of the Five Elders Association?"
When he learned that the Five Elders Association preserved the secret teachings of the Great Dao Sect and the Dao Enlightenment Elixirs, Li Fan thought that there might still be powerful Great Dao Sect cultivators alive within the Five Elders Association.
Combined with Senior Sister Zhao's manifestation of the "Self Dao" in Discussing Dao While Seated and the abnormally common erotic novels based on her, Li Fan speculated at that time that Senior Sister Zhao, who was said to have risen from an outer disciple to the sect leader of the Great Dao Sect, was likely among the Five Elders Association.
However, Li Fan subconsciously believed that Senior Sister Zhao should only be a high-ranking member of the Five Elders Association.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had intentionally let the erotic novels circulate in order to disgust their opponent and had possibly even supported the matter behind the scenes.
However, what Li Fan did not expect at all was that Senior Sister Zhao was indeed a high-ranking member of the Five Elders Association.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
Only, she was a little too high.
One of the leaders of the Five Elders Association; the highest-tier powerhouse under heaven and earth, a Heavenly Sovereign who lurked behind the scenes and overlooked all living beings.
Upon learning Senior Sister Zhao's identity, Li Fan's first reaction was the same as that of the deceased Five Elders Association cultivator.
"How dare the authors, Singing Book Weng and Myriad Brush Immortal, use a Heavenly Sovereign as the protagonist of these erotic books?"
In this world, due to the speed of cultivating with the New Law, the status gap between cultivators of different realms was not particularly significant.
Foundation Establishment cultivators and Core Formation cultivators might even call themselves brothers and sisters of Qi Condensation cultivators.
However, this was only in the initial few cultivation realms.
As strength increased, breakthroughs became more and more difficult.
A correspondingly larger gap in status also gradually emerged.
Soul Transformation cultivators almost all held important positions in a province, holding a certain level of nobility.
Dao Integration cultivators ruled over a province, determining the lives and deaths of countless cultivators.
In their eyes, Soul Transformation cultivators were mere pawns to be manipulated at will.
From Li Fan's previous experience in Yuandao Province, by witnessing the performance of the black-clothed Dao Integration cultivator and the Blue Feather Immortal Sage, one could glimpse the power of Dao Integration.
Who would be so familiar with everything that happened thousands of years ago in the Great Dao Sect?
It was likely that the book that Li Fan previously regarded as mere entertainment was Senior Sister Zhao's autobiography.
Recalling the content of the book word by word, Li Fan found deeper meaning in many of the previously overlooked passages.
The book used a great deal of internal monologue, describing without reservation the bitterness of Sister Zhao from the initial weakness as an outer disciple, the hard work and hardship in the process of promotion all the way until she became the head of the Great Dao Sect a number of years later, only to find out that everything had changed.
The emotions were delicate and the sense of immersion was extremely strong.
It truly felt like Senior Sister Zhao herself was telling the story.
......
"No wonder there are so many derivative works. The character development is indeed too vivid."
"This Heavenly Sovereign really has unique tastes."
"Or perhaps, it may not be just a simple preference; there may be some special factors involved," Li Fan secretly speculated.
When Li Fan recovered from the shock of Senior Sister Zhao's true identity and once again reminisced about the continuous and unforgettable feelings of the possessed cultivator, he intermittently saw scenes of Senior Sister Zhao entangled with the protagonist.
"The taste of a Heavenly Sovereign..."
"Even if it was in the past, before she became a Heavenly Sovereign, this forbidden pleasure is enough to make people forget about life and death."
"No wonder this person couldn't forget it even after death."
Carefully savoring the remaining thoughts in the memory of the Five Elders Association cultivator, Li Fan couldn't help but sigh.
Happy times were always short-lived.
As the memory fragments of the cultivator came to an end after the protagonist of the book and Senior Sister Zhao separated due to a great battle, the red light gradually dissipated from the memory space.
The soul became no different from an ordinary one.
The wisp of spiritual consciousness returned with the experience to his body, and Li Fan closed his eyes for a long time before completely digesting the information.
"Tsk tsk tsk..." Li Fan sighed once again.
Afterwards, not forgetting the task at hand, he continued to contemplate the existence of the Soul Contract within the soul in front of him.
Unfortunately, no miracle occurred.
Like the hundreds of previous attempts, Li Fan still could not detect its existence.
Chapter 297: Opportunity of the Longevity Fruit
T/N: term change from Yanfa Jue > Technique Derivation JadeThe source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
*****
"I can't compete with talent, and must rely on either lucky opportunities or hard work."
"Unfortunately, I have put in the effort, and haven't encountered any luck this life."
As the last trace of golden light in the Soul Gathering Pearl dissipated without a trace, Li Fan couldn't help but sigh.
No accidents occurred.
Another two months passed, and although Li Fan couldn't say there was no progress, the success rate of identification only increased from one in ten thousand to one in a thousand.
He still couldn't perceive the difference between a normal soul and a soul with a Soul Contract.
The so-called identification was still just a blind guess based on intuition.
Of course, this couldn't meet the requirements for constructing the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation.
"It seems that I can only try again next time."
"The only thing I'm a little reluctant to part with is that in this Huan Yu Courtyard, I can use the Tianxuan Mirror to assist my cultivation at public expense."
Li Fan shook his head, seizing this last time to cultivate for free.
A dozen days later, the monthly assessment arrived again.
Most of the cultivators had already exhausted their Soul Gathering Pearls, so this test also determined who would stay and who would leave.
Li Fan's performance was very stable.
In the part testing formation knowledge, he was still on top.
But in the part testing identifying souls with Soul Contracts, he was still poor.
"Those with an identification success rate of over fifty percent will have the opportunity to continue their studies."
"Those who don't meet the standard will be expelled from the Huan Yu Courtyard starting today."
"And I will inform the relevant people."
Ji Hongdao scanned the young cultivators below and said coldly.
The moment he saw Li Fan, his eyes flickered slightly, but that was all.
It was impossible for him to break the rules for this unfamiliar person.
With these words, among the over one thousand cultivators, nearly a hundred had pale faces, as if attending a funeral.
But at least there were no undignified scenes of crying and begging for another chance.
Only Li Fan had a calm and composed look, and those who didn't know would think he had passed the assessment.
Ji Hongdao waved his hand, and a white light enveloped these eliminated cultivators, including Li Fan.
After a moment, these hundred-plus people appeared in a spacious and empty courtyard.
"Don't be discouraged by your elimination. It is also meaningful to contribute to the development of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance from where you came!" Speaking was a chubby middle-aged cultivator with a conspicuous goatee on his chin.
The chubby cultivator showed a kind smile and patted each of these eliminated young people.
While patting, he explained, "It's not that the organization doesn't trust you, it's just that the confidentiality level of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is a bit high."
The cultivators he patted on disappeared in a flash of light.
Li Fan's heart suddenly rang alarm bells, thinking that this chubby cultivator was here to kill and silence them.
The strength of the other party was unknown, but these young cultivators with Golden Core strength had no resistance in front of him.
Li Fan obviously wasn't his opponent either.
Just as he was about to silently recite [Truth], he heard the other party continue, "Relax, I'm just sealing the parts related to the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation in your memories."
"Don't look at me with such terror. I know what you're thinking. But this is Tianyu City, a vital place of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Who knows how many eyes are watching here. How could such a thing be possible..."
The chubby cultivator muttered while quickly performing his own work.
Li Fan, like the other cultivators, breathed a sigh of relief.
But he didn't completely believe the chubby cultivator's words and still remained vigilant, ready to recite [Truth] at any moment.
"How should I address senior?" When it was Li Fan's turn, he suddenly asked.
The chubby cultivator was stunned, and his movements slowed for a moment.
"You are interesting. I feel like I'll meet you again someday." The chubby cultivator glanced at Li Fan and said, "My name is Huangfu Song."
After introducing himself, his movements didn't delay any further.
A slap landed on Li Fan's body.
With a burst of light, Li Fan's vision blurred for a moment, and he appeared in another courtyard.
In front of him seemed to be the gate to leave this place.
"After signing this confidentiality agreement and handing over the Huan Yu Token, you can leave on your own. I suggest you don't rush back home. It's a rare opportunity to come to our Tianyu Province, and it would be a pity not to tour around."
"I recommend the Discussion Tower in the east of the city. It's extremely lively with cultivators coming and going from all directions. There's also free spiritual tea provided." At the gate, there was a thin cultivator who looked like a bamboo pole.
His face bore a smile uglier than crying, and whenever a cultivator approached him, he would take out a golden contract and hand it to the other party.
Only after signing and handing over the Huan Yu Token would they be allowed to leave.
"Hiss..."
"The Spirit Turtle Violet Fruit, if I remember correctly, isn't on the list provided by Immortal Sage Jicheng, right? Doesn't that mean..."
"Fellow Daoist Lu, you've really encountered great fortune this time!"
"Extending life by 150 years is an extremely remarkable treasure. I don't know where it will rank in the bounty ranking. If you are fortunate enough to rank in the top three..."
"That would be a Law Derivation Jade..."
The breathing of the crowd couldn't help but quicken.
...
Li Fan listened to the conversation of a few other individuals, his expression slightly changing.
Without further ado, he directly booked a separate courtyard in this Discussion Tower, disregarding the remaining food on the table, and moved in.
Sure enough, there was a Tianxuan Mirror in the courtyard.
After some searching, Li Fan immediately understood the ins and outs of the matter.
It turned out that ever since Immortal Sage Jicheng retired from the position of Supreme Commander of the Garrison Court and devoted himself to healing, although his injuries gradually improved, the loss of lifespan couldn't be recovered.
Like all cultivators nearing the end of their lifespans, Immortal Sage Jicheng began seeking various methods of prolonging life.
However, having held a high position for many years, Immortal Sage Jicheng had basically exhausted all the treasures and pills that could grant longevity, rendering them ineffective for him.
Therefore, he issued a three-year bounty for the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance to search for life-extending treasures that were still effective for him.
Those proven to be effective would receive high rewards.
The more they extended his lifespan, the more generous the reward.
And the unique rewards for the top three were enough to make all cultivators in the world excited.
Each was a Law Derivation Decree, allowing one the opportunity to use the Technique Derivation Jade to derive a technique for themselves.
It was well known that techniques were quite rare.
And to customize a technique tailored to oneself was even more difficult.
Although Master Pathweavers could achieve this, the cost was high, and their proficiency varied, resulting in imperfect techniques.
It was only the second-best option.
In the hearts of many cultivators, they dreamed of using a Law Derivation Decree, the number one treasure of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, to create a technique for themselves.
Unfortunately, for the vast majority of cultivators in the world, this was just an unattainable dream.
The Law Derivation Decree was the foundation of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, so it was very precious!
Most people didn't even know what it looked like, let alone where they could obtain one.
Not to mention using it.
Even the average Dao Integration realm cultivator might not have the qualifications to use one.
Immortal Sage Jicheng had controlled the Garrison Court for nearly five hundred years and held a position of great power.
During this time, he had experienced countless wars of all sizes and gained various merits.
Only then could he come up with the reward of three opportunities to use a Law Derivation Decree.
"First place can deduce a Dao Integration realm technique. Second place, Soul Transformation. Third place, Nascent Soul."
Looking at the rewards, Li Fan couldn't help but admit that he was tempted.
He happened to have a longevity treasure.
The Longevity Fruit could extend life by three hundred years.
Furthermore, it happened to not be on the list of treasures that Immortal Sage Jicheng had already used.
For him, this fruit was not very useful.
But if he exchanged it for a reward from Immortal Sage Jicheng...
Leaving aside the superiority of customized techniques, just being able to see the Technique Derivation Jade was worth the price for Li Fan.
"However, this Longevity Fruit comes from the Fallen Immortal Realm. Generally, only Golden Core cultivators can enter."
"I'm just at Foundation Establishment. It seems a bit inappropriate to hand it over now."
"Anyway, it's been less than a year since Immortal Sage Jicheng's bounty was issued. I can wait until I breakthrough to Golden Core before handing it over."
"This way, I can explain its origin openly and aboveboard."
"Hmm... dealing with Immortal Sage Jicheng definitely entails some risks."
"I need to think about it carefully."
For the next few days, Li Fan wandered around Tianyu City.
He also went to see the spectacle mentioned by Shangguan Shi, the Ice Abyss Fire Lotus.
In the depths of an icy abyss, countless flames formed a blooming lotus.
Although it was beautiful, Li Fan couldn't discern anything particularly special about it.
It was said that some cultivators had gained enlightenment here and directly advanced a small realm, but it seemed his insight wasn't enough.
On the way back from the icy abyss, Li Fan's communication talisman suddenly received a transmission from Ji Hongdao.
He was asked to hurry back to the Huan Yu Courtyard.
Chapter 300: Axe Tears Through the Sky
Returning to his own courtyard, Li Fan once again extracted a strand of soul to begin studying.
This time, Li Fan keenly sensed a difference compared to before.
In the vast white space, originally Li Fan could not effectively identify the existence of Soul Contracts, relying solely on intuitive guesswork.
However, after the countless washings of the Resentful Soul Sea, it seemed to have caused some kind of miraculous change in Li Fan's own soul.
After a round of testing, Li Fan was pleasantly surprised to find that his success rate in identification had jumped from two thousandths to three percent.
"It seems that this kind of straightforward method suits me. With a few more times, identifying Soul Contracts won't be a problem." Li Fan couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.
With the assistance of the Dao Transformation Stone and the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra`, the Resentful Soul Sea posed almost no risk to Li Fan.
Instead, it presented a great opportunity.Updated from
Li Fan faintly felt that his soul had become stronger, similar to the time he used the Intent Horse.
This made Li Fan even look forward to the arrival of tomorrow's washing in the Resentful Soul Sea.
In this way, through continuous learning and training, as well as with the washing of souls from the Resentful Soul Sea, Li Fan's success rate in sensing Soul Contracts steadily increased.
It went from five percent to ten percent, and then to fifty percent...
When there were only eight survivors left of the original fifteen, this additional special training finally ended.
At this time, Li Fan's accuracy had also stabilized at a rate of eighty percent.
Ji Hongdao's evaluation was that he was in the middle of the pack: barely acceptable, but with promising prospects.
However, the time limit for the application of the Resentful Soul Sea requested by the Formation Hall had expired.
Li Fan had no more opportunities for special training, and in the future, he could only rely on his own training to improve.
However, after so many days of washing in the Resentful Soul Sea and intimate contact with countless cultivators from the Five Elders Association who had Soul Contracts, Li Fan had already vaguely mastered the method of identifying Soul Contracts.
As long as there was a familiar feeling surging in the soul, then there were probably Soul Contract imprints in it.
Then, after a final screening, the accuracy rate greatly improved.
With his weak point eliminated, Li Fan's ranking among these talented formation experts also steadily rose.
As Li Fan continued his studies in this Huan Yu Courtyard, the 27th year.
Cong Yun Sea. Near the deserted island.
Xiao Heng stood against the wind, his demeanor completely different from before.
A hundred and eight azure water swords constantly rotated beside him, forming a mysterious formation.
He looked at the sea below with a solemn expression. A strange cry came from the depths of the sea. The shadow under the sea surface quickly expanded.
In an instant, it enveloped Xiao Heng.
He ignored them all, just focusing on careful comprehension.
In the end, by observing the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, he comprehended the Law of Clouds and the Law of Emptiness.
Coupled with the Ocean Law and the Sword Law he obtained from cultivating the "Sea Fixing Sword Technique, he finally condensed his Golden Core with these four laws!
Shortly after returning to the deserted island, he encountered Ye Feipeng, who had also broken through to the Golden Core realm. With his greatly improved strength, Xiao Heng couldn't resist the urge to spar with him.
Ye Feipeng readily agreed. Thus, the battle occurred.
When the two fought, despite being mentally prepared, Xiao Heng was still surprised.
Ye Feipeng's "beast transformation" became even more complete. He could completely shed his human form, transforming into a true demonic beast.
In the form of a Kun, his body was incredibly massive, hidden in the sea, and his speed was extremely fast, making him unpredictable.
With just a moment's carelessness, he would leap out from under the sea and swallow everything he touched into his mouth.
In the form of a Peng, his speed increased even further. When his wings spread high, hurricanes would accompany him. With the combined speed and strength, his destructive power was extraordinary.
Xiao Heng's 108 Sea Fixing Sword Technique Formation had been directly shattered by him.
Fortunately, Xiao Heng's mysterious Law of Emptiness allowed him to always evade Ye Feipeng's ferocious attacks.
Seeing that it was the same this time, the fatty became somewhat enraged.
"Calling yourself the sky to my axe? Xiao Heng, you are too confident!"
"Human strength is limited, and you are only a Golden Core cultivator. How can you compare to the real sky!"
"If you are the sky..."
"Then I will devour the sky!"
Amidst the thunderous roar, the already huge body of the Peng expanded once again.
His wings flapped, and countless strands of green wind formed chains, sealing off the sky in front of him.
Then, his big mouth opened, and a black shadow emerged from it.
That shadow seemed to contain endless suction, and the sky's scenery began to distort, moving towards its mouth.
Xiao Heng's face changed slightly as he tried to change his form once again.
But to his horror, he discovered that the previously invincible Law of Emptiness had lost its effectiveness at this moment!
His body uncontrollably flew towards the terrifying monster's mouth. Under the tremendous pressure emanating from all around his body, the flow of spiritual energy within him ceased.
Seeing this, Xiao Heng could only helplessly shout, "I admit defeat! I admit defeat!"
A trace of blood red flashed in the eyes of the Peng, and he showed no intention of stopping.
Fortunately, after a moment, black once again occupied the beast's eyes, and Ye Feipeng regained his senses, stopping his actions.
Chapter 298: Talent is Worthless After Death
"Why am I being called back again? Is there still a spot for me somehow?" With a trace of doubt in his heart, Li Fan returned to Tianyu City.
After some thought, instead of heading directly to the Huan Yu Courtyard, Li Fan first went to a Tianxuan Mirror and entered his exclusive space within the Tianxuan Mirror.
At this time, his clone in the Cong Yun Sea paused his practice of the "Creation Forge Art" and began searching for Heavenly Treasures that could enhance his perception of the soul.
One after another, information on these Heavenly Treasures appeared.
After browsing for a while, Li Fan selected a high-grade Human Treasure, the Ghost Hairpin. Then he sent the Ghost Hairpin into the White Bone Realm.
The main body immediately performed the ritual and absorbed the Heavenly Treasure in the White Bone Realm.
[Truth] slowly transformed in his dantian, becoming both the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart and Ghost Hairpin.
After completing all this, Li Fan returned to reality and hurried towards the Huan Yu Courtyard.
By using the Ghost Hairpin, Li Fan naturally hoped to increase his chance of identifying Soul Contracts.
The reason why Li Fan didn't do this during the closed training before was due to concerns about his own safety.
It was likely that the Huan Yu Courtyard was under surveillance at all times.
If originally, his performance was mediocre, but after exchanging for a Heavenly Treasure, his performance gradually improved... he might attract others' attention.
There was no need to take this risk.
However, outside the courtyard, within the Tianxuan Mirror, there were fewer concerns.
At least, from the current situation, the Tianxuan Mirror could still be trusted temporarily.
When Li Fan entered the Huan Yu Courtyard again, there was no chain formation test; instead, he appeared directly in front of Ji Hongdao.
"Greetings, senior!" Li Fan bowed.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
"Hmm, so soon?" Ji Hongdao was a bit surprised. "At least you can avoid any further complications." He sighed, looking somewhat weary.
"May I ask what happened, senior?" Li Fan asked.
"Ah, it's hard to explain in a few words." As Ji Hongdao redistributed a Huan Yu Token to Li Fan and led him to meet Huangfu Song, he explained the reason Li Fan was summoned back.
"What? Tantai Tao and a dozen others went out to relax, encountered an accident, and died?" Li Fan thought he had misheard, staring at Ji Hongdao in astonishment.
It's not surprising that Li Fan was so startled because this was too absurd.
Tantai Tao was the most outstanding among all the cultivators during training.
As early as the first assessment, he received two top evaluations.
Moreover, his identification rate of Soul Contracts reached an astonishing one hundred percent.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that such a figure would surely achieve extraordinary accomplishments in the future.
"It doesn't matter if you talk nonsense, but if someone takes it seriously..."
"Those guys all had connections and power."
"Even Guan Xingxiu was suspended from his position. I'm even more at risk." Ji Hongdao impatiently said, "Let's stop talking."
Ji Hongdao's position was obviously higher than Huangfu Song's. When he spoke like this, Huangfu Song indeed shut up.
"You should wait in the courtyard first."
"Another Soul Gathering Pearl has been prepared for you. Don't slack off during this time, and try to comprehend." He instructed Li Fan again.
"Thank you, senior." Li Fan thanked him.
Ji Hongdao waved his hand, and Li Fan returned to the familiar courtyard once again.
However, it was hard to say if it was the same room as before.
"Guan Xingxiu."
Recalling Huangfu Song's words, Li Fan's heart stirred, and he began searching for information about Guan Xingxiu.
"Commander of the Tianyu Province Garrison Court..."
"One of the candidates for the next Supreme Commander of the Garrison Court."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, pondering. The so-called accident was almost certainly a pretext. However one looked at it, this matter exuded the smell of conspiracy.
"Immortal Sage Jicheng is stepping down from his post as the Supreme Commander of the Garrison Court."
"I'm afraid the competition for this position has reached a fever pitch."
"At this critical moment, such a major case occurred in Guan Xingxiu's jurisdiction, leading to his suspension..."
"It seems that some people have gone a bit crazy for this position of Supreme Commander."
"Hmm...that's not right."
"The method of framing is too crude, and it can be seen through at a glance. So it's also possible that Guan Xingxiu himself is playing pig to eat a tiger."
"First, withdraw from the center of the storm, fade from view. Then, catch the opponent off guard and win by surprise."
"Of course, it's also possible that the opponent is taking advantage of this mentality to blatantly frame him."
"No matter what the truth is, these so-called geniuses like Tantai Tao, in front of the real wielders of power in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, were easily crushed and turned into a means of attacking political opponents."
"No matter how high your talent is..."
"Once you die, it's all for naught."
Li Fan sighed inwardly and took out the golden Soul Gathering Pearl, skillfully extracting a strand of soul.
Chapter 299: Soul Tempering in the Resentful Soul Sea
Time quietly passed as Li Fan continued to familiarize himself with the soul.
With the Ghost Hairpin as a Foundation Treasure, Li Fan's sensitivity to the soul was greatly enhanced. His success rate of identification almost doubled. From one in a thousand to one in five hundred, it was a huge leap!
"It's indeed useful. Unfortunately, my original foundation was too poor. To improve to a qualified level, I still need to continue training."
As Li Fan wholeheartedly immersed himself in comprehending the soul, the golden light content in the Soul Gathering Bead rapidly decreased.
Seven days later, after fifteen originally eliminated lucky individuals all returned to the Huan Yu Courtyard, the second phase of closed training officially began.
The students more or less heard about the "accidental" deaths of Tantai Tao and others, and their expressions were somewhat subtle.
But everyone understood that this matter was quite deep, and no one openly discussed it.
In addition to studying the inner formation structure of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation, the training in the second phase focused on deepening the accuracy of sensing Soul Contracts.
It was required to reach one hundred percent accuracy.
For substitute members like Li Fan who were originally not up to standard, this was somewhat difficult.
Fortunately, Ji Hongdao also took this into consideration and "thoughtfully" prepared additional special training for these lagging students.New novel chapters are published on
"You were originally eliminated, but due to some changes, you returned here."
"This is your fate. Although your talent is not as good as others, your luck is better than those geniuses."
"Luck... is very important."
"Most of you were eliminated earlier because your sensing of Soul Contracts was inadequate. The wasted Soul Gathering Beads indicates that you all are not proficient in this aspect."
"Since that's the case, to ensure your qualification, we can only try a different method." Ji Hongdao looked at Li Fan and the others expressionlessly, waving his hand.
Suddenly, several golden chains stretched out from all directions in the void, binding their hands and feet.
Ignoring the somewhat astonished expressions of the students, Ji Hongdao said coldly, "This method is extremely dangerous. If you can't hold on, becoming a senseless idiot is the best outcome. Death would be a blessing in the worst outcomes."
"The reason why this method wasn't used before is because for ordinary cultivators, the death rate is too high."
"However..." There was a hint of color in Ji Hongdao's eyes.
"Since your luck is good, then it shouldn't be a problem to hold on." With a gentle clap, the surroundings suddenly changed.
The sound of surging waves came, and Li Fan and the others were bound by golden chains on rocks by the sea.
Glancing at the surrounding cultivators from the corner of his eye, Li Fan saw that one of them couldn't bear it and dissolved directly under the impact of the waves from the Resentful Soul Sea.
Their soul also became part of the seawater.
The rest all had blank eyes.
However, the occasional movements of their eyeballs indicated that their consciousness had not completely faded.
There were only two or three people like Li Fan who had managed to recover under the assault of the soul tide.
However, the terrifying and ferocious expressions on their faces indicated the pain they were currently enduring.
Li Fan didn't have much time to think before the second wave followed immediately.
Sinking, resisting, recovering, and then sinking again in this cycle, it was unknown how long had passed before the seawater finally calmed down.
The chains disappeared, and everyone slumped down, exhausted, and sat on the ground.
"Indeed, all of your fortunes are not bad. Out of fifteen people, surprisingly, eleven managed to hold on," Ji Hongdao exclaimed, somewhat amazed.
"Fate is truly mysterious. Although invisible, it truly exists. You should know that according to our previous statistics, the survival rate of ordinary cultivators under the impact of the Resentful Soul Sea is only one percent."
"Very good!" Ji Hongdao seemed pleased. "Today's special training is over. You all can go back and rest!"
Everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"We will continue tomorrow," Ji Hongdao continued.
Upon hearing this, everyone felt lingering fear and looked grim.
Their ability to hold on today was undoubtedly thanks to luck. Who knew if they could endure tomorrow?
Some couldn't help but consider giving up.
After all, compared to the prospects of becoming a Formation Master, their own lives were more important.
However, all these people were halted by Ji Hongdao's cold statement: "Thinking of quitting now? It's too late."
"The Resentful Soul Sea is precious. It's difficult for our Formation Hall to apply for it. Either endure it or become part of it."
The rejected cultivators looked lifeless.
But Li Fan didn't feel any fear.
Chapter 301: Beast Gradually Devours the Heart
With a loud roar, the colossal creature in front of Xiao Heng gradually shrank, eventually returning to Ye Feipeng's original appearance.
Xiao Pang twisted his neck, and there were crackling sounds from his bones all over his body.
"Xiao Heng, what do you think of my law?" Ye Feipeng asked proudly.
Xiao Heng didn't feel discouraged by his defeat but curiously looked at Ye Feipeng, then flew up and began to touch and pinch him randomly.
"Fatty, what kind of law did you use to form your Golden Core? As a human, how can you transform into a demonic beast? I thought the wings on your back were your limit, but I didn't expect you to go further!"
Ye Feipeng didn't stop Xiao Heng's hands and held his head high, looking disdainfully.
Instead of directly answering Xiao Heng's question, he said with a tilted head, "The power of the holy beast Kun Peng is naturally extraordinary. How about it? Jealous?"
"This time, I awakened a part of my bloodline power again and comprehended a divine ability from ancient memories."
"It is called Bloodline Transference. It can divide a portion of the vigorous Kun Peng essence blood in my body and transfer it to others. After absorbing it, the other party can inherit some of the Kun Peng's divine abilities. Furthermore, my own strength will not be affected."
"It's just like what the Kun Peng did back then to my Ye family ancestor."
"Do you want to give it a try?"
Ye Feipeng said with temptation, "With your current Four Law Golden Core cultivation, if you obtain Kun Peng essence blood, I'm afraid your strength will far surpass mine in no time. Don't you want to give it a try?"
"Holy beast Kun Peng?" Xiao Heng's eyes flashed with a trace of doubt.
Ye Feipeng had always called them "demonic beasts."
Why did he change his terminology to "holy beasts?"
After glancing at Ye Feipeng, Xiao Heng calmly refused, "Haha, it's fine. Your way of fighting is too violent. My Law of Emptiness is more handsome and suitable for me."
Seeing this, Ye Feipeng stared at Xiao Heng for a long time but ultimately didn't insist.
"By the way, how do you interpret the warning from Senior Skull?" After a moment of silence, Xiao Heng suddenly asked.
Dark wings unfolded from behind, and with a slight flap, Ye Feipeng's figure disappeared in an instant.
On the deserted island, Xiao Heng, who was talking with Su Changyu, felt Ye Feipeng's departure. He glanced into the distance, his expression inexplicable.
"Senior Skull has left instructions, and he wouldn't pass us empty rumors. As a precaution, let's leave the Cong Yun Sea."
Su Changyu nodded, agreeing with Xiao Heng's decision.
When they first came to the cultivation world from Dali, there were seven others with Xiao Heng. However, Li Fan had chosen them at random for the sake of show. Over the eighteen years, some fell ill and passed away.
Some couldn't rid themselves of the miasma in their bodies, giving up on cultivation. Unable to endure the hardship on the deserted island, they begged Xiao Heng to send them to nearby mortal islands to live out their lives.
Among the seven, only a man and a woman remained, barely entering the Qi Condensation stage. These two, who had been together day and night, developed feelings for each other and became a couple.
Recently, they had a child named Han Wuyou. Together with the Yin sisters, these were all the people on the desolate island.
The flying boat on the island could still be used, making relocation relatively easy. However... Xiao Heng frowned.
"Yueting and Yuzhen, those two girls seem to be up to something lately, acting mysterious and responding to messages very perfunctorily."
"I'll go see what they're up to and bring them over."
Fortunately, the sisters left their location in advance, making them easy to find. Seven days later, Xiao Heng arrived in front of the sisters.
To Xiao Heng's surprise, there was a Foundation Establishment cultivator with the sisters. With his shifty eyes, he didn't seem like a good person.
Yin Yueting frowned at this moment, looking displeased. "Zhao Erbao, how much more do you need to collect to reproduce the so-called Dao resonance you mentioned?"
"My sister and I have worked so hard this time, and we've brought back a bunch of antiques. You've only picked out a few usable ones? Are you trying to fool us?"
Zhao Erbao hurriedly smiled bitterly, "Miss, how dare I deceive you? These Dao resonance artifacts are hard to find. You've brought back so many in such a short time, which is already amazing!"
"Even if you gave me ten times my guts, I wouldn't dare to deceive you!"
"Dao resonance artifacts?" Xiao Heng listened to their conversation, his eyes narrowing.
Yin Yuzhen transmitted her voice to explain the ins and outs of the matter to Xiao Heng.
Chapter 302: Tianxuan Newborn Mirror
It turned out that the two sisters returned to their hometown, eliminated all their past enemies, vented their anger, and were about to return to the deserted island when they accidentally encountered Zhao Erbao, who was acting strangely.
Yin Yuzhen sensed that this person was involved in a great opportunity.
The two sisters, who had both established their foundations, were no longer comparable to ordinary mortals.
So they chose to secretly follow Zhao Erbao to his lair, caught him off guard, and forced him to submit. Then they chose to interrogate him.New novel chapters are published on
At first, Zhao Erbao was still stubborn, claiming he didn't know anything and was just an ordinary cultivator.
But under the methods of the two sisters, he soon cried and confessed everything.
"Sea Covering Palm, Dao resonance artifacts?" Xiao Heng exclaimed, his expression filled with surprise.
If Zhao Erbao wasn't lying, it would truly be a huge stroke of luck. However, the crisis hinted at by Senior Skull was imminent and couldn't be delayed.
"How many more pieces are needed?" Xiao Heng asked coldly, releasing the aura of a Golden Core cultivator.
Zhao Erbao hesitated, cold sweat dripping, and quickly replied, "A little more than another hundred pieces to form the Dao resonance would be enough for us to comprehend."
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Heng immediately decided, "I'll inform Changyu and the others to help collect them as soon as possible."
"Once the quantity is enough, we'll leave the Cong Yun Sea immediately."
The Yin sisters were stunned at the words. "Leave the Cong Yun Sea?"
Xiao Heng immediately informed them of the warning from Senior Skull. The two sisters' expressions changed slightly, nodding secretly.
Three months later, a flying boat filled with Dao resonance artifacts, carrying the people leaving the Cong Yun Sea, set sail towards the direction of Shilin Province.
At the same time, on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, where Li Fan's clone was located.
"Fellow Daoist Fan Lin? Fellow Daoist Fan Lin?" The communication talisman which had been silent for a long time suddenly received a message.
Waking up from cultivation, the clone sensed it and smiled faintly.
"Is fellow Daoist Fan Lin here? I recently received a tip-off that there may be changes in the Cong Yun Sea."
"If fellow Daoist is still in the Cong Yun Sea, it's best to leave quickly."
"The sales of the Minor Medicine King Cauldron have been stable for the past few years, and I have sold most of them."
Li Fan was also looking forward to it.
This was because according to what Ji Hongdao had said, the final phase of training might be related to one of the greatest treasures of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the Tianxuan Mirror.
On this day, Ji Hongdao summoned everyone with a serious expression. Shangguan Shi also appeared by his side.
"Next, you will see the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array's formation core. I think you all should have guessed that the reason why this formation is named Tianxuan Locking Spirit is because of the role the Tianxuan Mirror plays."
"In fact, the main component of each formation core is a newborn mirror incarnation of the Tianxuan Mirror."
Even though they had been mentally prepared, when Ji Hongdao said it out loud, everyone present couldn't help but reveal a shocked expression.
Ignoring everyone's expressions, Ji Hongdao continued, "Although the Tianxuan Mirror has countless incarnations, the value of these newborn mirrors is incomparable with any normal incarnations."
"As we all know, the Tianxuan Mirror has its own spiritual wisdom."
"For thousands of years, it had been learning and growing like a cultivator."
"The newer the mirror incarnation, the stronger its effectiveness."
"These newborn mirrors were just generated three years ago. Originally, they were planned to be used for..."
"Well, in any case, their value can't be measured by contribution points or spirit stones."
"The opportunity to observe the production process of these formation cores was also difficult for our Formation Hall to obtain."
"You all need to sign a confidentiality agreement."
At that moment, Shangguan Shi, who had been standing still, finally made a move, gently pointing his finger, and countless golden lights dispersed and flew in front of everyone.
Without hesitation, everyone cleanly wrote their names on it.
Ji Hongdao continued, "As the formation core of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array, the newborn mirror plays a crucial role in controlling the overall situation of the formation."
"If you want to construct the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array, you must achieve a hundred percent match between the formation structure and the newborn mirror."
"Before being encapsulated inside the formation, it is in its most primitive and pure state."
"Therefore, only by seizing this rare opportunity can you understand it, thus greatly improving the accuracy and success rate of constructing the formation."
"Without this, building a qualified Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array would be extremely difficult."
Chapter 303: First Look at the Tianxuan Mirror
"This opportunity only comes once, you must seize it," Ji Hongdao's tone was very serious.
The students also understood that such opportunities might only come once in a lifetime. Even with a strong mindset, they couldn't help but feel apprehensive and expectant.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
In front of everyone, Ji Hongdao took out a communication talisman and seemed to be contacting someone. After a moment, he nodded, ending the call. He took out a Tianxuan Minor Mirror from his storage ring.
He threw it up, suspending it high above everyone's heads. Then he took out a silver-colored jade slip and gently crushed it. Instantly, countless jumbled characters emerged from the jade slip.
Ji Hongdao chanted a spell, and those characters flew towards the Tianxuan Minor Mirror in the sky in a specific sequence.
Li Fan squinted his eyes. He saw, on the Tianxuan Mirror, paragraphs of text flashing rapidly one after another.
As the characters continued to change, after absorbing the words from the jade slip, the originally ordinary Tianxuan Minor Mirror underwent a strange transformation.
The outline of the mirror began to dissolve and disappear after emitting a faint light. The mirror surface was no longer constrained and began to expand rapidly in all directions.
In the blink of an eye, a palm-sized mirror turned into a huge gate a hundred feet high and thirty feet wide.
On the towering and wide mirror surface, there was no reflection of the surrounding scenery, only streams of silver light circulating.
As everyone marveled at the changes before them, Ji Hongdao flew to the front of the mirror surface and cast a spell.
A silver beam of light shot out from the mirror surface, enveloping Ji Hongdao. A segment of characters appeared and disappeared on the mirror surface in an instant.
It seemed to confirm Ji Hongdao's identity. The beam of light dimmed, and then a black figure appeared in the center of the mirror surface.
In an instant, it expanded to cover the entire mirror surface. A rectangular spatial passage appeared in front of everyone.
"This is..."
"Any mirror incarnation of the Tianxuan Mirror can be used as a node to activate spatial teleportation?"
"It seems to require both password and identity verification." Based on this scene, Li Fan speculated to himself.
"Follow me. Only after passing the Tianxuan Mirror's identity verification can you enter the passage." After speaking, Ji Hongdao flew in first. With excited hearts, the students couldn't wait to fly closer.
Whenever someone was about to approach the passage, a silver beam of light fell from above, locking onto them.
It felt like it had been a long time since they had last seen color.
When Li Fan saw the churning and twisting colors not far away, he inexplicably felt a sense of nausea and disgust.
Black and white clashed and collided against the colors.
Although no sound was emitted, Li Fan could feel two powerful forces competing and trembling in space.
In the confrontation, part of the colorful mass seemed to be cut off by the gray.
Losing its original colors, it became gray, quietly floating at the edge of space. After a long time, a faint flash of light appeared on it simultaneously.
Originally gray-white, it began to slowly become somewhat crystalline and translucent.
Ji Hongdao didn't speak, but all the students understood that what they were seeing was the birth process of the Tianxuan Mirror's newborn mirror.
They all focused their minds and carefully comprehended.
Li Fan was slightly stunned. First, he looked around, then sensed his own body's condition. He couldn't help but fall into contemplation. Time seemed to be accelerated.
The light continued to flicker, and the gray disappeared completely. One by one, new mirrors were born.
Some stayed in place after being born, while others suddenly disappeared, heading to unknown destinations. But overall, the vast majority floated at the edge of the gray world.
The number of mirrors accumulated more and more.
Eventually, at a certain moment.
Countless black and white threads surged from the gray world towards the newborn mirrors.
Black and white intertwined, like the most exquisite loom, quickly weaving clothes for these newborns. When the mirrors were completely covered by the weaving of black and white threads, black and white merged in an instant.
A smooth ball with chaotic black and white coloration appeared.
"This is the formation core of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array," Ji Hongdao's voice sounded just right.
"Did you all see it clearly?" The voice suddenly drifted away. All the surrounding scenes froze.
They all shattered.
Chapter 304: Crimson Flame Attacks
The next moment...
Li Fan suddenly came to his senses, stopping himself from flying forward.
Looking back, the black "spatial passage" was right behind him.
There was actually no teleportation at all. Everything that had just been experienced was all an illusion that appeared in his mind the moment he passed through the black "spatial passage."
"No, that's not right..."
Li Fan pondered over what he had seen before.
It felt too real!
Comparatively, it was even more real than the Fallen Immortal Realm.
"It's more like direct interaction of consciousness rather than an illusion..." Li Fan squinted his eyes, the blue crystal in his mind flashing continuously.
The scenes from just now replayed in his mind.
But...
The feeling between the recording and the actual experience was vastly different.
The mysterious feeling of black and white lines intertwining and colliding in the gray space was impossible to experience again.
He could only slightly reminisce based on the feeling in his memory.
At this moment, the formation students present also came back to their senses.
Some looked at the gradually shrinking black passage that had already completed its mission with astonishment.
Some even showed a hint of confusion.
"While the feelings from before are still fresh in your mind, go back and comprehend them,"
"Oh right..."
"It may take you all some time to adjust your bodies back."
Ji Hongdao said with a smile.
At Ji Hongdao's words, Li Fan was suddenly startled.
Only then did he realize that the world in his eyes had become black and white.
It had lost all color.
What made Li Fan even more surprised was that without Ji Hongdao's reminder, he didn't even realize this, as if he had always been born this way.
"Assimilation? Influence on thinking?"
"As the foundation of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the Tianxuan Mirror is indeed extraordinary."
If Li Fan had only seen the Tianxuan Mirror as an extremely powerful Heavenly Treasure before.
Then now, in Li Fan's eyes, the Tianxuan Mirror was no different from those powerful figures hiding behind the scenes.
The first time he saw the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan's heart might still have a greedy desire to take possession of the mirror.
But now...
Even if the true body of the Tianxuan Mirror was placed in front of Li Fan, he might not necessarily accept it.
Li Fan watched this scene, squinting his eyes, somewhat surprised.
Crimson Flame squinted slightly, and flames surged on its body.
Under the intense heat, the air became distorted.
The silver chains formed by the arrows also quickly dissipated.
Not only that, but the Crimson Flame flicked its fingers.
In an instant, six tiny flames burst forth and whistled in different directions.
One went towards the star river, dimming it.
One flew towards the sun in the sky, and the flames were intense enough to obscure the sun's brilliance.
One exploded in the void ahead, causing the entangled silver chains to loosen.
The remaining three each struck towards Tian Yang, Hongxi, and Lancang at the same time.
Crimson Flame's figure paused slightly, and its main body exchanged positions with one of the flames, appearing beside True Monarch Lancang in an instant.
The flames surged and formed a palm, about to pinch True Monarch Lancang to death.
In an instant, the situation of offense and defense reversed.
"Why has Crimson Flame become so powerful?" Li Fan was truly surprised this time.
During the twelfth life, Crimson Flame was almost suppressed by these five True Monarchs.
Unexpectedly, in this life, it could easily gain the upper hand.
"Perhaps all five True Monarchs gained something from the war in Tianling Province, becoming stronger than before."
"However, I didn't expect the Crimson Flame's combat power to increase even more..."
"Hmm?"
Li Fan was slightly stunned and thought of something.
"Five True Monarchs whose combat power has increased by a large margin, along with the Soul Transformation Formation Master Zhang Zhiliang, who is waiting for an opportunity to make a move."
"Add to that Ye Feipeng, who has integrated the bloodline of the Kunpeng has the full assistance from the Cong Yun Sea."
"The overall strength of this sea is incomparable to that of the twelfth life."
"Perhaps it's because they're too powerful, surpassing a certain limit."
"The will of heaven and earth has perceived that the original Crimson Flame would be unable to fulfill the task of incinerating the sea, so it has strengthened the Crimson Flame?"
"What exactly is the Heavenly Spirit..."
In the blink of an eye, just as Li Fan was about to make a guess, Crimson Flame's attack was about to fall on True Monarch Lancang.
However, amidst the flames, Lancang's face could be vaguely seen, without the slightest hint of fear.
Space twisted and shattered, and a golden luster was reflected.
In an instant, True Monarch Lancang's figure disappeared in place.
In the sky, only the faint voice of Zhang Zhiliang echoed.
"All True Monarchs can attack with confidence. As long as I am here, it will never be able to harm any of you."
Chapter 305: Plot Against Crimson Flame
Seemingly provoked by Zhang Zhiliang's words, the flames entangled with the True Monarchs, using the opponent's power as fuel, intensified rapidly.
It was like a festering sore, difficult to eradicate.
Even though Zhang Zhiliang activated formations and constantly shifted the positions of the five True Monarchs, it only slightly slowed down the burning speed of the red flames.
"Fellow Daoists, let's attack!" The voice of True Monarch Hongxi resounded. With his words, an upside-down mountain pressed down towards the Crimson Flame. The mountain was as thin as a needle, yet seemed to carry substantial weight.
The flames around the Crimson Flame kept flickering as if being blown by a strong wind. Its body involuntarily sank downwards.
A shockwave erupted from the point of contact between the two, sweeping and spreading in all directions, creating huge waves, continuously spreading towards the outskirts of the Cong Yun Sea.
Passing over the Ten Thousand Immortals Island below, it even caused a slight sway in the Seven-Colored Immortal-Felling Formation. Under the upside-down mountain, the flames flickered. They seemed to disappear for a moment, ready to reappear and change position.
However, the next moment, the Crimson Flame was somewhat embarrassedly forced to reappear in its original position. In the surrounding space, countless rolling mountain ranges could be vaguely seen.
the Crimson Flame seemed to be trapped in a cage formed by the mountains, unable to move! It lowered its head slightly as if pondering something.
Next, everyone saw that the flames that had been constantly flickering on its body suddenly stopped.
Then, they abruptly contracted towards the center.
Before anyone could react, the Crimson Flame had transformed from a humanoid form into a pure red flame.
It was dazzling and fierce, full of destructive power.
The mountains that trapped it began to melt and collapse due to the extremely high temperature. Seeing the Crimson Flame about to break free, the attacks of the other True Monarchs suddenly came.
"Raging River, Endlessly Flowing!" Silver streams of water descended from the sky. Like dragons, they fiercely collided with the flames.
Although the river water evaporated in an instant, the Lancang River seemed endless, never stopping, slowing down the Crimson Flame's escape speed once again.
"Die!" A childish voice full of killing intent rang out.
In the vast river, a black and red figure quietly appeared beside the Crimson Flame.
Without the slightest breath of life, even with the Crimson Flame's perception, it wasn't until he approached that it suddenly realized.
"Tian Yang?" This black and red puppet was no stranger to Li Fan.
Different from the towering giant he saw before, the current Tian Yang puppet was human-sized.
Even Tian Yang's voice was no longer mechanical like before, but instead similar to a human.
Under the scorching temperature of the Crimson Flame, everything that approached would melt. Even the Soul Transformation Tian Yang puppet was no exception. His exterior seemed like snow under the sun, constantly melting.
But despite the destruction of his body, it seemed to have no effect on Tian Yang's combat power.
Even when his solid form completely dissolved and turned into boiling black and red liquid, Tian Yang still unleashed his power.
"Tian Yang's soul..."
"Not weaker than man!" The viscous material surged continuously, resembling water.
Entwining around the red flame, he didn't retreat even in the face of the Crimson Flame's scorching heat, wanting to contain it with himself.
the Crimson Flame was forced to shrink again.
As the Crimson Flame was attacked, the power of the flames that had been burning alongside the True Monarchs also decreased significantly.
Thus, their attacks became more fierce.
Under the siege of the five Soul Transformation True Monarchs, the Crimson Flame continuously compressed itself. Victory seemed within reach. But...
When compressed to the extreme, the flames disappeared.
There was only a red particle emitting a dazzling light, impossible to look directly at, surrounded by the True Monarchs.
Then, the red particle moved.
With a speed surpassing the perception of all present cultivators, it drew a red line on the vast sky.New novel chapters are published on
It pierced through the black and red viscous substance, creating a large hole in Tian Yang's body.
The central substance completely evaporated, and the surrounding viscous material churned, attempting to heal but suppressed by the residual high temperature, unable to recover.
The Lancang River and the upside-down mountain were instantly split in half by the red line. The river dried up, and the mountain collapsed. Two muffled groans sounded simultaneously.
True Monarch Haoxuan continuously fired silver arrows, but the silver lights couldn't match the speed of the flickering red line.
Instead, they were assimilated during the chase, turning into red hot arrows and shooting out again in different directions. The red line kept running wildly across the sky.
Anything blocking its path was evaporated by its destructive power.
Silver light kept flashing as Zhang Zhiliang helped the True Monarchs shift positions and resist the Crimson Flame's attacks. But even so, the True Monarchs' disadvantage kept growing. At this moment, Zhang Zhiliang finally acted again.
One thousand... two thousand... ten thousand...
Densely packed, countless silver cubes suddenly appeared in the sky, blocking the airspace where the Crimson Flame and the five True Monarchs were fighting.
They appeared disorganized, but Li Fan could see that these numerous star-like formation crowns, both real and illusory, were forming a certain formation.
"Gather spirits!" Zhang Zhiliang coldly commanded.
Part of the formation in the sky, along with Zhang Zhiliang's voice, jointly bloomed with silver light. A super large-scale Spirit Gathering Formation composed of countless small Spirit Gathering Formations suddenly appeared.
A strong wind suddenly swept through the Cong Yun Sea, raising towering waves.
Seeing that this battle to exterminate the Heavenly Spirit was about to come to an end, but these two still hadn't made a move, Li Fan was somewhat puzzled.
He flew up slightly, surveying the surroundings, trying to find any possible traces of Ye Feipeng's presence.
"Hmm?" When he saw the surrounding scene clearly, Li Fan's heart jumped.
While all the cultivators' attention was focused on the world-shattering battle in the sky, Li Fan discovered that the surface of the Cong Yun Sea had unexpectedly dropped drastically without anyone noticing.
It was as if countless seawater had disappeared into thin air, and even some slightly shallow areas of the sea bed were exposed.
"He hasn't given up after all." Thinking of Ye Feipeng's comprehension of the Kun Peng's divine abilities, Li Fan's eyes flickered slightly.
Just as Li Fan was observing the surroundings, the Crimson Flame, under the continuous bombardment of the five True Monarchs, finally revealed signs of defeat.
The flames on its body flickered like a candle in the wind, constantly trembling. The final blow of the five True Monarchs was also about to come.
"I'll lend a hand to the True Monarchs!" Zhang Zhiliang's voice sounded out at the right moment. But to Li Fan's ears, there was a hint of coldness.
The tens of thousands of formations that covered the battlefield simultaneously emitted a faint light. Then, they simultaneously extinguished.
The moment they disappeared from the sky, they quietly moved and changed their positions. In an instant, a formation suddenly formed. "Gather spirits!"
Zhang Zhiliang's indifferent voice resounded once again.
This phrase had already appeared countless times on the battlefield before, and the cultivators present, including the several True Monarchs who were currently engaged in battle, had become accustomed to it.
However, unlike before, a tightly closed giant eye appeared in the sky. When the words "Gather spirits" sounded, the eye suddenly opened.
The Spirit Gathering Formation was activated, but the area where spiritual energy was drawn from was no longer the Cong Yun Sea. Instead, it was the battlefield shrouded under the eye!
The density of spiritual energy around them plummeted at a terrifying speed, and the five True Monarchs immediately sensed that something was wrong.
"Zhang Zhiliang, you're courting death!" the voice of True Monarch Hongxi rang out, filled with shock and anger. The upside-down mountain changed its target and smashed towards the eye in the sky. However, the space ahead kept distorting.
That extremely heavy upside-down mountain, which seemed capable of crushing everything, couldn't fly to the eye in the sky.
Not only that, but the furious attacks of the other True Monarchs couldn't penetrate the distorted space either.
All their attacks were in vain.
"The Two Dimensions Formation? Have you broken through to the Soul Transformation realm?"
At this moment, True Monarch Ziyun, who had been silent from the beginning, finally spoke up. The crisp voice made the faces of Hongxi and others change drastically. Zhang Zhiliang remained silent.
On the side, the Crimson Flame, who had been seriously injured, seized the opportunity to attack the stunned Soul Transformation True Monarchs.
Hongxi and the others were forced to fight the Crimson Flame again.
However, not only was spiritual energy greatly reduced within the Two Dimensions Formation this time, they couldn't recover either. Moreover, the eye in the sky would cast its gaze from time to time, freezing their movements.
Before long, faced with the double onslaught of the Crimson Flame and Zhang Zhiliang, the True Monarchs became heavily injured.
"Zhang Zhiliang, you are a dignified Soul Transformation cultivator and a Formation Master. How can you act so despicably?"
"Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by everyone?" True Monarch Lancang rebuked angrily. In response, there was only the deathly stare of the eye.
Even True Monarch Hongxi didn't expect that they would fall into the scheme of this former subordinate.
"Please lend a hand, Senior Golden Sun!" he shouted somewhat anxiously.
After hesitating for a moment in the sky, the great sun finally emitted a beam of golden light. Just as this beam of light was about to fall on the eye, a dark cloud suddenly appeared, blocking the golden light.
"Junior Zhang, don't worry about it! Old Man Golden Sun won't get in your way!"
Zhang Zhiliang finally spoke at this moment. "Thank you, Senior, for your help."
"Black Crow?!" Golden Sun's surprised and angry voice echoed through the sky.
However, facing the dark clouds that covered the golden sun, Immortal Sage Golden Sun fell silent. After a moment, the sun that covered the Cong Yun Sea slowly receded.
"Senior Golden Sun!" Hongxi let out a desperate cry as he fended off the Crimson Flame's attacks.
But there was no response.
Seeing even their strongest support giving up, a streak of starlight suddenly streaked through the sky. True Monarch Ziyun transformed into starlight and tore through space in an instant, leaving without saying a word.
The eye gazed into the distance before withdrawing its gaze after a moment. Zhang Zhiliang chose not to pursue. He just watched the desperate struggle within the Two Dimensions Formation.
For the Crimson Flame, everything before it was an enemy to be destroyed, so the attacks never ceased.
As for the remaining four Soul Transformation cultivators, survival was their instinct. Faced with the Crimson Flame's attacks, it was impossible for them not to counterattack and await death.
However, with several of them already heavily injured and lacking the assistance of Golden Sun and Ziyun, they were no match for the Crimson Flame.
So, even though they were unwilling in their hearts...
They could only fall into Zhang Zhiliang's plan and consume the remaining power of the Crimson Flame with their lives. True Monarch Lancang fell first. Haoxuan and Hongxi followed suit. Only Tian Yang, with the most tenacious vitality, was still struggling.
The moment to reap the harvest and become a Dao Integration Immortal Sage was right before Zhang Zhiliang's eyes. Even with his scheming and cold nature, he couldn't help but feel excited.
Just as he was about to make a move...
He suddenly realized that a shadow covering the entire Cong Yun Sea had enveloped him without him noticing.
As if the heavens and earth had opened up, a terrifying monster of indescribable size suddenly emerged from the depths of the sea.
It swallowed him and the Crimson Flame, who was sealed by countless formations, in one gulp.
Chapter 306: The Kun Devours All Things
Concealed in the seawater, holding his breath and watching the world-shocking battle between the Crimson Flame and the group of True Monarchs above, Ye Feipeng was still a little hesitant.
His current strength was far from comparable to Zhang Haobo's in his previous life's memories.
However, the actual combat power displayed by Crimson Flame and the various True Monarchs was much stronger than in his previous life.
If it were only this, he wouldn't be so conflicted.
The key was, there was another hunter hidden on the battlefield.
Zhang Zhiliang!
This Soul Transformation Formation Master, who knew of his memories from his previous life, would certainly not give up the opportunity to integrate the Dao.
The countless, densely packed silver cubes forming the vast formation involuntarily sent chills down his spine.
How could such a character be content with being just a support!
Sure enough, the subsequent developments confirmed Ye Feipeng's guess.
Zhang Zhiliang was even more despicable than he imagined.
The formation sealed the battlefield, forcing the Soul Transformation True Monarchs to fight Crimson Flame to death while he reaped the benefits.
He even invited another Dao Integration Immortal Sage to help him suppress the battlefield...
If this Immortal Sage Black Crow took action, Ye Feipeng would have no chance of winning.
Should he take the risk and act forcefully?
For a moment, Ye Feipeng, who had already made up his mind, couldn't help but waver again.
But this hesitation disappeared as the trapped True Monarchs fell one by one in the Two Dimensions Formation, Crimson Flame's injuries worsened, and Zhang Zhiliang was about to succeed in integrating the Dao.
A tinge of blood red flashed in his eyes as he looked at the extremely weak Crimson Flame, and his greed surged uncontrollably.
"The arrow is on the string, I have no choice but to release it!"
"At this point, I can no longer retreat!"
"With the cooperation of the Canghai Pearl, using the Kun Devouring divine ability, I have swallowed nearly a third of the Cong Yun Sea."
"Even I don't know what kind of terrifying monster I will become with the full power of the Kun Peng bloodline after Kun Peng Transformation."
"Zhang Zhiliang has read my memories, and with his calculative mind, he must have laid down defenses against me."
"But it's useless!"
"I won't entangle with him at all. Whether it's the Heavenly Spirit, the bizarre formations, or Zhang Zhiliang, I'll swallow them all!"
"Then, using the Peng Soaring ability, I'll swiftly leave the Cong Yun Sea and head to the Southern Abyss Holy Beast Mountain. There, the power of the holy beast bloodline will be multiplied, and I'll find a place to hide and slowly digest them all!"
"In just ten years, no, in just three years, I'll be able to digest everything in my stomach!"
"By then, I will be the new Crimson Flame True Monarch!"
...
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Ye Feipeng's mind.
"It actually swallowed Zhang Zhiliang and the Heavenly Spirit together?! Does that mean this Kun Peng will become the new Crimson Flame Immortal Sage?"
"Alas, it's a pity that Zhang Zhiliang, with all his schemes, ended up in the belly of a beast. In the end, it was all for nothing!"
...
"Could it be that the ultimate victor of this life is Ye Feipeng?"
"With the Cong Yun Sea's support, the Kun Peng bloodline, and enough luck and foresight, he indeed has the capital to integrate the Dao."
"However, after swallowing Crimson Flame, he just fled..."
"It should be that he is too weak to digest it on the spot."
"But then what is the result? Crimson Flame temporarily won't die, so Ink Death won't come?"
"Will the Cong Yun Sea still be destroyed?"
Li Fan, like other cultivators, looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression.
At this moment, the sound of the Kun Peng's loud cry came again into their ears.
It seemed extremely joyful, even proud.
The cultivators sighed and discussed.
Just as the Kun Peng was about to completely disappear from the sky...
A sudden change occurred.
Li Fan's gaze sharpened, and his body stood up suddenly.
Only to see, on the vast sky, a purple aura suddenly came from the west.
Purple clouds and mist swiftly arrived.
In the blink of an eye, it covered the entire sky.
A body entirely composed of faint purple spiritual energy sat atop the clouds, occupying half of the sky.
The purple figure looked towards the direction where the Kun Peng was about to disappear, and snorted coldly.
"Evil demon, dare to come out and die!"
The voice was strange, and it was as if composed of a combination of a tender child's voice and an icy middle-aged man's voice.
But it was extremely majestic, echoing like thunder, spreading throughout the world.
When living beings heard it, they couldn't help but feel a tremor and unease in their hearts.
While speaking, the purple figure gently pointed towards Ye Feipeng.
A royal purple thunderbolt descended from the nine heavens above, striking down abruptly.
It directly hit the Kun Peng!
A painful howl rang out, and the Kun Peng's figure, which was fleeing far away, suddenly stopped.
Then, it lost power and rapidly fell downward.
Chapter 307: Purple Radiance Shines Through the World
As the Kun Peng plummeted rapidly, purple flames ignited on its body.
However, the colossal beast seemed to lose all resistance, unable to struggle.
It could only allow the raging purple flames to engulf and burn its body.
The sounds of its wailing spread throughout the Cong Yun Sea, chilling everyone's hearts.
Descending from the sky like a fallen meteor, the Kun Peng left a vertical line of purple between heaven and earth.
As its altitude decreased, its body continued to shrink.
By the time it was about to land on the sea surface, it had been completely burned to ashes by the purple flames.
Not even ashes remained.
Ye Feipeng was dead!
Seeing the monster subdued, the purple figure in the sky glanced indifferently.
Then, the purple aura dispersed as quickly as it had come.
The purple figure gradually faded away and disappeared.
"Foolish Martial Child? No, that's not right..."
Above the sky, the voice of the Immortal Sage Black Crow sounded uncertain.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
With those words, the one-eyed crow spread its wings slightly and turned into a black streak, chasing after the direction where the purple aura dissipated.
The cultivators of the Cong Yun Sea hadn't recovered from the shock of this change, standing still like petrified statues.
After a moment, the atmosphere on Ten Thousand Immortals Island became frenzied.
"What was that just now?"
"Which powerful being manifested? How could such a terrifying Kun Peng be directly struck dead by a thunderbolt?"
"A Dao Integration Immortal Sage?"
"I think an ordinary Immortal Sage wouldn't be able to do this."
"Above Dao Integration? Impossible!"
...
Like everyone else, Li Fan was also greatly shocked at this moment.
However, he was not shocked by the terrifying power of the purple figure.
He was shocked by his identity.
"Senior Brother Zhang Qianmo?"
Li Fan looked up at the sky where the purple aura dissipated, incredulous.
The cold voice he had just heard, Li Fan had heard many times before, and it was extremely familiar to him.
Coupled with the familiar phrase "evil demon" and the purple thunderbolt that easily killed Ye Feipeng...
One was his original voice.
And the other was a childish voice.
"Martial Fool, a reincarnation of a great power, purple thunder..."
Li Fan squinted his eyes, a past event involuntarily surfacing in his mind.
When he first killed Sikong Yi, a disciple of the Sun Stealing Sect.
He learned from the two remnant souls in the Sun Stealing Token how Sikong Yi's cheap master, Sikong Bo, fled to the Cong Yun Sea.
At that time, Sikong Bo wanted to refine a clone and happened to encounter an extremely talented child with extraordinary luck in a rural mountain village.
He wanted to steal the child's essence blood, but somewhat embarrassingly found that a Nascent Soul cultivator also coveted the child.
Furthermore, that Nascent Soul cultivator was ready to possess the child at any time.
In the midst of a battle between Sikong Bo and the Nascent Soul cultivator, the child suddenly appeared and, without a word, directly refined the Nascent Soul cultivator.
Sikong Bo ran away, but the child was very familiar with the methods of the Sun Stealing Sect.
He couldn't shake the child off no matter what.
Helpless, in order to survive, Sikong Bo had to release all the remnant souls in the Sun Stealing Token.
Although he escaped with his life, all the souls of his predecessors were shattered by a purple thunderbolt that descended from the sky.
"Was the child Sikong Bo encountered back then Senior Brother Zhang?"
"Was he also Martial Fool?"
Li Fan had previously seen information about Martial Fool in Tianyu Prefecture.
He was a child of six or seven years old who was obsessed with martial arts and loved to challenge people.
He had astonishing combat power and was rumored to be invincible in the same realm even though he was only Nascent Soul cultivation.
He could even rival Soul Transformation cultivators in battle.
At that time, Li Fan didn't associate him with the child in Sikong Bo's memory.
Even less did he expect him to be the reincarnation of Zhang Qianmo.
"No, the power of the thunder that just struck down the Kun Peng is not something that Nascent Soul cultivation can achieve."
"What kind of divine ability is Senior Brother Zhang cultivating?"
Just as Li Fan was pondering, the exclamations of the nearby cultivators interrupted him.
"Look! Zhang Zhiliang is still alive."
"Crimson Flame! Crimson Flame is there too!"
Li Fan suddenly looked up and saw in mid-air, where the Kun Peng's body had been burned to almost nothing.
The somewhat embarrassed figure of Zhang Zhiliang appeared again.
Not far away, Crimson Flame stood facing him, flames dancing around him.
Chapter 308: Million Formations Return to One
The gazes of the cultivators in the Cong Yun Sea couldn't help but fall on these two figures.
Seeing that they both appeared heavily injured, a hint of greed couldn't help but emerge in their hearts.
After all, who among the cultivators could resist the temptation of achieving Dao Integration?
Just as the treacherous atmosphere began to spread among the group of cultivators, the two figures that everyone was watching began their battle.
People noticed that without the blockade of Immortal Sage Golden Sun and True Monarch Ziyun, Crimson Flame, which previously seemed like a candle in the wind ready to extinguish at any moment, was rapidly regaining its intense crimson color at a visible speed.
Zhang Zhiliang obviously noticed this at the first moment.
A huge eye appeared above, and its icy gaze stared directly at Crimson Flame.
The flickering flames around Crimson Flame couldn't help but pause slightly, although they immediately returned to normal.
But the onlookers could see that its recovery speed was still affected.
Not willing to sit idly by, the flames around Crimson Flame suddenly contracted, and it instantly returned to the form of a crimson dot.
Turning into a crimson streak in the sky, it instantly appeared in front of Zhang Zhiliang.
At the moment when it was about to pass through his body, tens of thousands of silver cubes completed their formation in the area in front of him.
Dots of silver light flickered incessantly.
The crimson streak continued to extend forward, attempting to kill Zhang Zhiliang.
However, it was as if Zhang Zhiliang was at the end of the world, and could not be reached.
It was the Two Dimensions Formation used to trap the True Monarchs before.
The same trick still worked excellently.
After a moment, Crimson Flame stopped its futile actions and transformed back into human form.
Seemingly roaring towards the sky, in an instant, hundreds of crimson rays burst forth from its body, shooting towards different areas around it.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
Hundreds of silver formation crowns burst open in the flames.
However...
Immediately, replacement formation crowns emerged from the darkness, instantly replacing the damaged formations.
Crimson Flame continued to launch attacks, but the speed at which it damaged the formations couldn't keep up with Zhang Zhiliang's speed of replacement.
Furthermore, Zhang Zhiliang didn't have the habit of just taking hits without retaliating.
When Crimson Flame attempted to break free from the formation, the Spirit Gathering Formation was activated again.
The area was sealed off and experienced another drastic drop in spiritual energy concentration.
Then, countless formation crowns flickered one after another, and one formation after another was set up within the enclosed area.
Instead, they began to merge.
Countless silver cubes became illusory in an instant.
They began to stack upon each other at the position of the first formation crown.
It seemed to only take a moment to complete the fusion.
The brilliant and starry formation crowns in the sky disappeared in an instant, leaving only one.
"Infinite Formation..." Li Fan's clone couldn't help but marvel in his heart as he looked at the glittering formation crown in the sky which was faintly emitting a golden light.
A formation crown is made up of hundreds of formation crowns overlapping each other.
With Li Fan's current level of formation mastery, he could barely create half a formation crown.
Because of this, he could better understand how terrifying it was for someone like Zhang Zhiliang to take tens of thousands of formation crowns, which had each already been overlaid with hundreds of formations and superimpose these millions of formations once more into a single formation crown.
"Zhang Zhiliang's level of formation Dao in this life is unimaginable. Compared to the previous life, his mastery is far beyond."
Li Fan's exclamation flashed through his mind.
In the sky, the golden formation crown emitted an earth-shattering white light.
"Annihilate!"
With Zhang Zhiliang's angry shout, the white light drowned everything in its path.
Even though they were far apart, the crowd could feel the terrifying destructive power in the beam of light and couldn't help but stop their attacks.
"Expending all the millions of formations to launch one final blow. It's a gamble, but judging by the power of that white light, Zhang Zhiliang should have succeeded, right?"
Li Fan stared at the sky intently.
Countless cultivators in the Cong Yun Sea held their breath.
The white light gradually dissipated.
Crimson Flame was nowhere to be seen.
Only Zhang Zhiliang stood with his hands behind his back, standing proudly.
Constantly flickering red flames replaced his originally tattered clothes.
The pressure belonging to a Dao Integration Immortal Sage descended from the sky, demonstrating that Zhang Zhiliang had successfully integrated the Dao!
In the Cong Yun Sea, there was silence.
The eyes of all living beings were now focused on him.
Zhang Zhiliang smiled, his mouth slightly open, about to say something.
At this moment...
His head exploded with a bang.
His headless body slightly turned, as if still trying to see something.
But specks of ink spread from his wounds, devouring everything.
Chapter 309: Ink Death Encounters an Enemy
Above the sky, endless crimson clouds suddenly appeared.
In just a moment, they had enveloped the entire Cong Yun Sea.
"Crimson Flame Immortal Sage Zhang Zhiliang cultivated for six hundred and eighty-three years. He established his foundation with the Heavenly Treasure Sleepless Child, and achieved Golden Core with the Infinity Law."
"He seized the One-Eyed Heavenly Domain and achieved Nascent Soul."
"He sacrificed the Crimson Flame Heavenly Spirit and integrated the Dao with his body."
"Fortunately, he was executed by heaven, and his Dao was destroyed and returned to heaven!"The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
...
Against the backdrop of the fallen Immortal Sage, an ink-black figure quietly appeared.
Zhang Zhiliang's corpse turned into a drop of thick ink and wriggled back into its hands.
Then, its gaze turned towards the Cong Yun Sea below.
At this moment, all the cultivators in the Cong Yun Sea who saw this scene were stunned.
Then an unstoppable fear arose from their hearts.
It caused their bodies to tremble, and their souls to shudder.
"The Heavenly Spirit, Ink Death!"
For some reason, another Heavenly Spirit suddenly descended.
With just one strike, it erased Zhang Zhiliang, who had already succeeded in integrating the Dao.
It seemed that it was not satisfied and targeted all the living beings in the Cong Yun Sea!
Ink Death lightly pointed towards the nearby space.
"Tian Yang..."
Tian Yang, who managed to escape with his life under the Purple Heaven Royal Thunder of Zhang Qianmo, barely uttered his last words before he was swallowed up by the thick ink.
Once again, there was a death announcement in the sky.
However, countless black particles emerged from Ink Death.
These black particles jumped and fluttered as they surged into the sky, obscuring the heavens.
True darkness descended.
The black particles continued to proliferate, like a huge black curtain, shrouding the entire Cong Yun Sea.
They then pressed down towards the ground, devouring everything.
This scene was too horrifying, and the cultivators on Ten Thousand Immortals Island showed their ugly faces under extreme fear.
Similar to the previous world-ending event caused by Ink Death, some completely lost the courage to resist, sitting paralyzed on the ground, waiting for death in despair.
Some were filled with resentment, and like moths to a flame, they constantly launched attacks towards the ink, trying to find a glimmer of hope.
Some cried and laughed, seemingly driven insane by the sight.
"What must come will come."
Li Fan stood out among the crowd of cultivators.
The disturbance continued.
And the rumbling grew louder and louder.
It seemed like something was rapidly approaching under this black curtain.
A thin line cut through the black ocean, accompanied by a whistling sound, and suddenly appeared above the Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
The surrounding black particles were restless, wanting to engulf this arrogant intruder.
However, the twisted darkness around the thin line formed an extremely solid barrier, preventing the black particles, which could swallow everything, from advancing.
"It can actually resist the erosion of Ink Death? What is this?"
Li Fan was shaken, looking towards the thin line that had suddenly appeared.
"Heavenly Calamity Sword?"
In the midst of Li Fan's astonishment, a pitch-black sword exuding a murderous aura revealed its face.
The tip of the sword pointed straight ahead, and substantial killing intent gushed out, forcing all the black particles around it to retreat.
In the direction the Heavenly Calamity Sword was pointing, black particles surged, and Ink Death reappeared.
It stared at the Heavenly Calamity Sword ahead with what seemed to be a grave expression.
"What kind of treasure is this? It can actually compete with Ink Death?"
Jiao Xiuyuan exclaimed in shock.
Li Fan was even more shaken, but also inexplicably excited.
"Ink Death and Heavenly Calamity, who will prevail in the end?"
Carefully observing these two figures, they seemed to be extremely similar, yet fundamentally different.
Ink Death was a pure ink-black, with a profound ability to devour everything.
While the Heavenly Calamity Sword was a twisted and chaotic black, carrying extreme madness and destruction.
The two confronted each other, and the battle was about to begin.
However, Ink Death suddenly glanced down at the Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Countless black particles trembled instantly, and another figure, exactly like Ink Death, suddenly appeared.
Turning into a thin line, it easily shattered the protection of the Seven-Colored Immortal-Felling Formation.
Leading the ink-colored ocean, it eroded everything on the island.
"This is..."
Li Fan was somewhat stunned.
He didn't expect that in such a critical situation, Ink Death would still not forget to carry out its own duty.
The sky gradually pressed down, and the figures of Ink Death and Heavenly Calamity gradually disappeared into the black ocean.
Only the black particles, which rose and fell like waves from time to time, spoke of the horror of the battle above.
Li Fan felt extremely regretful in his heart.
"I actually can't witness the scene of these two battling it out. What a pity."
Chapter 310: Targeting the Five Element Subworlds
Countless black particles surged down from the sky like a tide, eroding everything they encountered.
Within the Cong Yun Sea, on the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, apart from the mysterious Heavenly Calamity Sword, there was no other force that could contend with Ink Death.
As the tide of ink enveloped everything, Li Fan's thoughts turned quickly.
"Why did the appearance of Ink Death in this life alarm the Heavenly Calamity Sword in the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace?"
"When I first entered the cultivation world, there was only the Crimson Flame, which presumably did not affect the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace."
"In the twelfth life, I sent the statue of the Heavenly Doctor to the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, but it attracted the Master. The two battled, and the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace was sealed again. So when Ink Death annihilated the world, it didn't encounter the Heavenly Calamity Sword."
"In this life, because I feared the astonishing mind-reading technique of the Heavenly Doctor, I did not choose to complete the task of submitting the Cloud Water Map. Furthermore, Sikong Yi, the only one who knew the secret of the Cloud Water Map, was killed by me early on. So the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace still hung high above the Cong Yun Sea until Ink Death arrived..."
In an instant, Li Fan understood the reason for the battle between the Heavenly Calamity Sword and Ink Death in this life.
His eyes flickered with brilliance as if his gaze could penetrate the infinite ink sea and reach the battlefield between the two in the sky.
"Ink Death, Heavenly Calamity..."
"If I could witness the battle between the two, it would undoubtedly be a great opportunity."
While Li Fan was pondering, the black particles had already arrived in front of him.
Without showing any fear, Li Fan raised his right hand high and placed his arm in front of the black particles.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
Watching his body disappear into the wriggling ink, Li Fan studied carefully.
There was no pain, not even the slightest sensation.
If he wasn't watching it with his own eyes, he might not even have noticed that a part of his body had disappeared.
"The purest nothingness..."
Li Fan's heart moved slightly.
In an instant, the Creation Forge Art roared into operation.
The hidden potential within his body surged out and rushed towards the black particles eroding his arm.
Li Fan attempted to resist that power of nothingness with this pure force of life.
It seemed to delay it for a moment.
But it also seemed to be just Li Fan's illusion.
The rolling ink then engulfed Li Fan's clone.
...
Tianyu Province, Huan Yu Courtyard.
For Li Fan, his goal had long been set.
It was precisely that which had once caused a tragic battle between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association...
The Five Element Subworlds!
The stronger the subworld plundered by Nascent Soul cultivators, the stronger their strength.
Among these Five Element Subworlds, just the wood attribute subworld was praised by the Tianxuan Mirror as "extremely large in scale, extremely high in wood attribute spiritual energy, and extremely rich in various spiritual plants and herbs."
It was hard to imagine how precious the complete Five Element Subworlds were.
The Nascent Soul formed by it would be incredibly powerful.
Moreover, the Five Elements supported and supplemented each other, giving rise to all things in heaven and earth.
With them as a foundation, coupled with the power of [Truth], there might be other changes.
Seeking the Five Element Subworlds was undoubtedly extremely risky, and for ordinary cultivators, it could only be a fool's dream.
But with the help of [Truth], allowing for countless repeated attempts and the ability of foresight, the Five Element Subworlds would undoubtedly be within Li Fan's grasp.
"To complete the Law of Five Elements, there is no need to personally travel and observe the laws."
"Within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, as long as you have enough contribution points, there are very few things you can't buy."
"Moreover, they're just the insights of Golden Core cultivators, and are not necessarily very valuable."
Li Fan himself made a fortune in the Spirit Mist Grass incident, and later, Jiao Xiuyuan sold the Minor Medicine King Cauldrons and gave him two hundred and sixty thousand contribution points.
So he didn't have to worry about it at all.
Thinking of this, Li Fan immediately searched the Tianxuan Mirror for insights related to the four elements of metal, wood, fire, and earth.
The laws of the Five Elements were the most common laws between heaven and earth.
Therefore, the results were unexpectedly numerous.
The prices also fluctuated depending on the specific element.
They ranged from fifty thousand to over a hundred thousand.
Li Fan looked through them one by one, selecting suitable insights for himself.
It was worth mentioning that what recorded the insights of forming Golden Cores was not some jade slip.
Instead, it was a "Golden Core fragment."
It seemed that these were the remains of the Golden Core of cultivators after death, processed in some way.
Li Fan only wanted to complete the Five Elements, so he didn't have much demand for the other four elements.
Soon, he selected suitable Golden Core fragments.
Chapter 311: Nine Law Golden Core
Golden Core fragments of Roaring Gold, Samsara Wood, and Deep Earth.
As for fire...
Li Fan looked around, compared, and felt that it was more practical to directly use the Law of Crimson Flame.
In this life, the Crimson Flame had been strengthened by heaven and earth, greatly increasing its combat power.
It was no longer an ordinary being.
It was completely feasible for Li Fan to use it as one of the Five Elements Laws to form his Golden Core.
"Forming the core using the Five Elements Laws plus two sets of opposing Laws is a bold attempt."
"There may be some flaws, but it's impossible to achieve perfection in one go."
"Back then, I spent a hundred lifetimes to build the perfect foundation with [Truth]."
"To achieve a perfect Golden Core, it definitely won't be easy."
"Let's give it a try."
With this in mind, Li Fan spent a total of 180,000 contribution points to buy the Golden Core fragments of the three laws.
In an instant, three differently shaped, somewhat incomplete cores appeared in Li Fan's hands.
"Similar to refining Heavenly Treasures, I need to swallow them into the dantian and then extract and comprehend the laws contained within."
Without hesitation, Li Fan swallowed the three pieces of Golden Core fragments.
After devouring them, the Golden Core fragments arrived at the dantian and ended up near [Truth].
Countless suction forces radiated from it, like a black hole.
Bits of golden light floated from the fragments, flying towards [Truth].
Bit by bit, insights into the Laws of Metal, Fire, and Earth emerged in Li Fan's mind.
It was different from what he had heard and seen, or what others had taught him personally.
Instead, this feeling was like forgotten memories that he had suddenly recalled.
"Indeed, they're good treasures and will save me countless effort. The contribution points spent were well worth it."
"Unfortunately, what's circulated are just some ordinary insights. Even if one can easily achieve Golden Core with them, their final achievements will be limited."
"If I didn't just want to complete the Five Elements Laws, and my true reliance wasn't on the four laws of Ink Death, Hidden Potential, Heavenly Calamity, and Azure Flame, I definitely wouldn't have ruined my future like this."
As time slowly passed, the three Golden Core fragments became smaller and smaller.
When they were completely absorbed by Li Fan, his Five Elements Laws were successfully completed.
"Everything is ready, I can form the core now."
Regardless of how the black spiritual energy clashed and attacked, it couldn't break through the blockade of the Azure Flame.
Without the influence of the Heavenly Calamity Sword Intent, the distortion in Li Fan's eyes gradually disappeared.
"The Heavenly Calamity Sword is indeed extraordinary. Even if I just observed a glimpse of its true form, there are signs that I can't control."
"But fortunately, I have the absolutely rational Azure Flame to assist, successfully reversing the danger into safety."
"The Heavenly Calamity and Azure Flame have also reached a balance."
"As the foundation of the four major powers is already in place, next are the Laws of the Five Elements."
Swallowing the four Heavenly Treasures of different attributes in front of him, [Truth] once again transformed into the appearance of the Canghai Pearl.
The powers of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, the five attributes, suddenly gathered in the dantian.
This was an extremely huge force, causing Li Fan's dantian to faintly show signs of being about to burst.
Li Fan's body also gradually began to swell.
With a sinking heart, he separated a bit of his energy, ready to activate [Truth] at any time after failure.
Li Fan concentrated all his remaining mental strength, trying his best to control the balance of power within his body.
However, the complementary forces of the Five Elements, after entering the dantian, not only showed no signs of dissipating but instead grew larger and larger as they united with each other.
"It's still a bit forced."
Li Fan sighed inwardly.
"Could it be that I'm going to fail?"
Just as Li Fan thought so.
Perhaps the rampant behavior of this external force had aroused dissatisfaction from the two pairs of powers before.
The spiral of creation and annihilation and the flaming sword of rationality and chaos jointly launched an attack towards the power of the Five Elements.
It was as if a huge explosion had occurred in the dantian.
"Puff!"
The fierce impact made Li Fan couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood.
But there was no surprise on his face.
Because Li Fan sensed that a huge vortex appeared in the aftermath of the explosion, within the glowing cloud of [Truth].
The powers of the Five Elements, the spiral, and the flaming sword were all swallowed into the vortex.
They mixed in the vortex, yet remained distinct.
At the deepest part of the vortex, a chaotic, black-and-white Golden Core was slowly taking shape.
Chapter 312: Five Elements Annihilation Sword
In the Huan Yu Courtyard, Li Fan appeared to be just meditating peacefully like usual, sitting quietly.
But in reality, profound changes were taking place within his body.
The black-and-white Golden Core engulfed all the different types of power in the vortex of the dantian, strengthening itself.
As time passed, the vortex gradually shrank.
But the Golden Core became more solid and dynamic.
Its shape became more rounded, and the black-and-white colors on its surface flowed more rapidly.
When the vortex was completely consumed, black and white finally merged at this extreme speed.
A wave of energy erupted from it, sweeping through the dantian in an instant, then spreading throughout Li Fan's body.
Wherever the wave passed during the process of core formation, all the turbulent energies remaining in various parts of the body dissipated.
All disturbances were calmed.
This wave swept around and quickly returned.
It was accompanied by the spiritual energy scattered throughout the body and the Karmic Bodies stored in the dantian.
The ball of light of [Truth] also followed this wave, turning into a strand of clear light and diving into the Golden Core.
Completing the final piece of the puzzle, Li Fan's Golden Core finally took shape.
The Golden Core fell into absolute stillness in an instant, and then a dazzling light burst from it.
It shined all over his body, even interrupting Li Fan's internal observation process.
As the light gradually receded, when Li Fan looked again, he saw a seemingly ordinary, plain Golden Core floating quietly in his dantian.
Before Li Fan could even feel any emotion, a majestic spiritual energy gushed out from the Golden Core, flowing through his limbs and bones from the dantian.
This was a completely new power, far exceeding the quality and quantity of Foundation Establishment.
Every cell in his body was bathed in the nurturing spiritual energy of the Golden Core and seemed to emit joyous cheers.
Long-lost vitality and youthful vigor emerged from Li Fan's heart.
"The journey had been arduous and dangerous, with several brushes with death."
"Today, I finally achieved the Golden Core."
"It wasn't easy to come by, a stroke of luck indeed."
Li Fan sighed in his heart, then opened the [Truth] panel to check the changes after attaining Golden Core.
Name: Li Fan
Realm: Early Golden Core
Li Fan was confident that if he returned to the spiritual energy-less Land of Immortal Extinction now, relying solely on the spiritual energy within his body, even if he was constantly in a state of battle consumption, he could still persist for quite a long time.
Furthermore, the existence of the Law of Hidden Potential could also allow Li Fan to quickly recover from his injuries.
The combination of the two made Li Fan almost an existence that could not be exhausted.
The Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit had disappeared and was no longer present in his sea of consciousness. It had become part of the laws of the Golden Core. Now, Li Fan could enter the state of absolute rationality without relying on the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit.
And as for the final Heavenly Calamity and Ink Death...
At the moment of achieving the Golden Core, Li Fan suddenly comprehended and conceived a killing move that merged the characteristics of both.
Driven by the power of the Five Elements, with the destructive power of the Heavenly Calamity and Ink Death as the sword's edge.
Coupled with the unrelenting swordsmanship of the Cong Yun Sea Twenty-Eight Swords.
Li Fan named it the "Five Elements Annihilation Sword".
"Unfortunately, this is my hidden trump card and can not be easily exposed. The Huan Yu Courtyard is under heavy surveillance, and I can't test its effectiveness here."
Thinking about the power of this new divine ability, Li Fan reluctantly suppressed his thoughts.
After summarizing his gains, Li Fan reflected and planned for the future.
"The disharmony of the Five Elements must be resolved sooner or later. Otherwise, even if the Golden Core is intact, when seizing the flawless and self-contained Five Element Subworlds, setbacks will be inevitable."
The New Law of the Immortal Ancestor, while fast in cultivation, would inevitably face the counterattacks of heaven and earth when breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.
Before, he compared peeking into the laws of heaven and earth to copying from a piece of art.
Then seizing a subworld from heaven and earth could be likened to forcibly taking precious paintings from a museum full of treasures.
Naturally, one had to face the countermeasures of the defense system.
The specific details were still unclear to Li Fan at the moment, but he had read some snippets about it before.
"Next, I should cultivate while collecting relevant information."
"Whether it is information about the Five Element Subworlds or the Five Elements Laws comparable to the Hanhai and Crimson Flame, it won't be easy to come by."
"Careful planning is needed."
As Li Fan, in the Golden Core stage, resumed his cultivation, he felt the long-lost sensation of his progress slowing down.
He couldn't help but miss Xiao Heng, He Zhenghao, and Su Xiaomei.
"Xiao Heng should be in Shilin Province by now, and Su Xiaomei hasn't come out of the Chaoyuan Sect ruins yet."
"He Zhenghao has finished his closed-door training, and seems to be busy with his duties and hasn't had much chance to cultivate."
"Well, they have all broken through the Golden Core, and wanting to progress further is not something that can be achieved overnight."
"It seems like it is time to cultivate some new crops."
Chapter 313: Qualified Actor
Subtly returning his aura to the Foundation Establishment stage, in the Huan Yu Courtyard, Li Fan's breakthrough did not attract much attention.
Other than Ji Hongdao, who gave Li Fan a curious glance during a lecture.
Almost no one knew that Li Fan had entered the Golden Core realm.
However, even if these students knew, they wouldn't think much of it.
After all, the Golden Core realm was too ordinary among this group of people.
Compared to cultivation, they valued formations more.
The closed training for the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was coming to an end.
Since the time they saw the Tianxuan Mirror, quite a few of the students seemed to have comprehended something, and their grades soared.
In the final test for compatibility with the formation core, they were at the top.
Li Fan, on the one hand, was slightly distracted because of his concern for the major events in the Cong Yun Sea and his own breakthrough; on the other hand, he didn't have much insight because his talent in formations was quite ordinary.
The combination of these two reasons resulted in his performance almost stagnating in place.
As the saying goes, if you don't advance, you will retreat, and Li Fan's ranking plummeted significantly.
Fortunately, his performance in previous formation structure and Soul Contract recognition tests had been among the best.
Overall, he hadn't dropped to the very bottom.
His ranking was still slightly above average.
On this day, Ji Hongdao announced that the final test would take place in a month and a half.
It would evaluate the actual deployment of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation.
Only enough formation materials for one attempt would be provided, and no one else would assist; each person would deploy the formation alone.
Finally, an assessment would be made based on the actual construction of the formation.
Rankings would be made according to the quality of the performance.
Those with outstanding performance would naturally be rewarded.
However, Ji Hongdao kept the specific prizes a secret.
He only said they were extremely valuable, and even he was tempted and wanted to participate in the competition himself.
Upon hearing this, the students couldn't help but feel excited.
They hurriedly returned to their respective courtyards to prepare adequately for the final test.
Li Fan was also about to leave when Ji Hongdao called him.
"The final test is coming soon, and rationally, I should temporarily conceal this matter."
"Moreover... with such a big event, the discussion is surprisingly low. It seems that the Heavenly Sovereign is at work again."
Such a big event could not be kept secret.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance did not choose to block or shield the news, but instead handled the matter coldly.
At first, the discussion was very heated, and the recording of Ink Death's attack by Jiao Xiuyuan made many cultivators shocked and greedy at the same time.
Apart from sympathy for the unfortunate cultivators of the Cong Yun Sea and questions as to why Ink Death would resort to such brutal means to destroy the Cong Yun Sea directly, the most discussed topic was surprisingly the feasibility of using Ink Death to reach Dao Integration.
As time went by, the number of people discussing the first two topics decreased.
Only the enthusiasts persisted.
"What kind of combat power would one have after integrating with Ink Death? In my opinion, although the cultivation world is vast, there is no cultivator qualified for this."
"I'll mention one, Young Master Jinglun. It is said that he reached the pinnacle of Soul Transformation decades ago, with unfathomable strength. There was even a time when he was faced with the temptation of a Heavenly Spirit, but he resolutely gave up the opportunity to integrate the Dao because that Heavenly Spirit was too weak!"
"Young Master Jinglun is strong, but compared to Ink Death, he is still a bit lacking in my opinion."
"That black particle annihilates everything, and resisting it is extremely difficult. I think if Zhong Shentong advances to the Soul Transformation stage, that infinite Seven-Colored Divine Light might be able to contend with it."
"Zhong Shentong? A Foundation Establishment cultivator? And he is so old. Did you really think any trash can come out and trample on Young Master Jinglun? Even without the Young Master making a move, I could crush him!"
"Oh? This friend is very confident? Do you dare to leave your name and address? I would like to come to your door and ask for advice in person!"
...
Li Fan's face was overwhelmed with grief as he browsed through these messages one by one.
In his heart, however, he thought, "Having suffered such misfortune, even if my final test results are slightly worse, it will still be quite reasonable."
For the next few days, Li Fan stayed indoors and declined all visitors.
He portrayed the image of a cultivator who had suddenly suffered a great change perfectly.
As time passed, Li Fan clearly felt that the memories of the Cong Yun Sea in his mind were becoming more and more faint.
His thoughts were hindered, and he hardly ever actively recalled anything relevant.
If it weren't for the fact that Li Fan had specifically opened up an area in the Dao Transformation Stone designated as a special record, and backtracked every few days...
He would almost have forgotten about the extinction of the Cong Yun Sea.
This only took a little over a month.
"The strength of this Heavenly Sovereign is truly terrifying."
Once again experiencing the influence of the Heavenly Sovereign firsthand, Li Fan couldn't help but sigh.
Just like that, everything returned to peace.
After another ten days, the final test of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation closed training finally arrived.
Chapter 314: The Secret of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation
The final test was different from ordinary tests.
Because the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation's formation core was very rare, it was impossible to mobilize thousands of formation cores to Tianyu Province for a single test.
So this formation construction assessment was not conducted simultaneously for all formation students, but in groups of fifty, tested in order based on their usual comprehensive test scores.
Li Fan ranked slightly above average, so he didn't have to wait for long.
The Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was vast in scale. Even if one was a genius, it would take several years to fully construct it.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
However, this was just a test to assess everyone's formation construction level. It was impossible to really waste so much time.
Thus, the goal was to construct the core structure of the formation as much as possible within seven days.
The final ranking would be determined by the accuracy of the formation.
Li Fan was in the sixth group, so conservatively estimating, it would be more than forty days before his turn.
During the assessment, leaving was strictly prohibited.
Only after the assessment ended were the students allowed to leave the Huan Yu Courtyard and relax in Tianyu City.
However, with the previous lesson, leaving Tianyu City was also not allowed.
While waiting, Li Fan also began studying the small black box Zhang Zhiliang had given him.
Previously, Li Fan had attempted to crack it.
But at that time, Zhang Zhiliang was still alive, and there seemed to be an unknown restriction on the small black box besides the sealing formation. Li Fan tried several times without success, so he temporarily gave up.
Now that Zhang Zhiliang had fallen, Li Fan noticed that the unknown restriction had spontaneously disappeared.
It meant that it was time to open Zhang Zhiliang's legacy.
Without much effort, as a silver thread lit up on the small black box, Li Fan broke the sealing formation.
Inside, the contents were not much different from the twelfth life.
It contained encrypted jade slips of the Infinite Formation, Heart Monkey Incense, Testing Balls, the Inheritance Token, and ordinary jade slips recording Zhang Zhiliang's last words.
Li Fan first read Zhang Zhiliang's last words.
After a moment, with a thoughtful expression, he set the jade slip down.
In the last words, Zhang Zhiliang briefly explained that by chance several years ago, he learned about the impending arrival of the Crimson Flame in the Cong Yun Sea.
The core concept of the Infinite Formation was that the formation could constantly evolve on its own, always in a state of growth.
The most crucial point was the lack of a central core that could provide computational support for the formation's unlimited evolution.
In the twelfth life, due to the limitations of the Nascent Soul realm, Zhang Zhiliang did not clearly state the possible reference objects for this core.
But this time, Zhang Zhiliang was blunt and stated that the most suitable core for the Infinite Formation was the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's supreme treasure, the Tianxuan Mirror.
Whenever countless cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance used the Tianxuan Mirror at the same time, it never experienced any lag.
Not to mention that the Tianxuan Mirror also had to simultaneously regulate prices, control the flow of information, and so on.
It could be seen that its data processing capabilities had reached an unimaginable level.
Moreover, the Tianxuan Mirror had its own spiritual intelligence, making it a perfect fit for the Infinite Formation.
Previously, due to its unique position in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, Zhang Zhiliang had never thought in this direction.
However, after the Battle of Tianling Province, the emergence of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation gave him inspiration.
"The Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is a great attempt to combine the capabilities of the Tianxuan Mirror's abilities with formations."
"Everyone else all thought this attempt is earth-shattering, but in my opinion, it is still somewhat conservative."
"However, the Tianxuan Mirror is too important. Once something goes wrong, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will inevitably fall into severe turmoil. Being cautious is only natural."
"Even so, with the Tianxuan Mirror's newborn mirror as the formation core, the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is qualitatively different to other formations."
"You may have gained some understanding of how to construct it during your closed training in Tianyu Province."
"But you may not be aware of the true power of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation."
"In the Jiushan Province, when the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation first appeared, I personally went to experience it."
"When I saw those pillars of light that pierced through heaven and earth, when I felt the sense of being watched and threatened all over my body, and when the fluctuations of the Tianxuan Mirror swept over my body, a tremor from the depths of my soul arose."
"Ji Hongdao and the others are true geniuses, and are creating true monsters."
"Just think, when one Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation after another is completed, covering all the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, what will happen?"
"Under the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation it's hard for anything was hard to escape its surveillance. Everything that happens in the world, every bit of movement, would be captured without missing a single detail by the Tianxuan Mirror's gaze."
...
Li Fan couldn't help but be disturbed as he read this.
Chapter 315: Tianxuan Secondary Body
As Zhang Zhiliang said, after studying in the Huna Yu Courtyard for a long time, Li Fan had a good understanding of how to construct the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation.
But as for how powerful this constructed Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation actually was, Li Fan wasn't very clear. He lacked quantitative understanding.
It was like how the workers on a weapon production line might not fully understand the lethality of the objects they manufactured.
Initially, Li Fan thought that the main purpose of constructing the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was to mark the Five Elders Association cultivators who infiltrated the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
But with Zhang Zhiliang's reminder, Li Fan realized that perhaps the true purpose was far greater than that.
The Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was indeed extremely effective in distinguishing between enemy and ally cultivators.
But if it was just for this purpose, it would be overkill.
It should be noted that according to the current construction plan, a Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation would be built in every province of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
The quantity of materials required was immense.
Even if the number of Five Elders Association spies doubled, the losses caused by them combined might not be more valuable than these materials.
Not to mention those remote areas of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, where infiltration was almost meaningless.
However, Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formations were to be built everywhere without exception for comprehensive preve
...
Cleaning up spies was one aspect, but achieving a high degree of control over one's own territory was the crucial aspect.
Under the coverage of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation, once a cultivator from the Five Elders Association entered, they would be marked.
This actually meant that everything in the formation was under constant surveillance.
The first time Li Fan saw the Tianxuan Mirror, he had done a test.
After learning about the disappearance of the Liuli Fish on Liuli Island, he first bought a batch of Liuli Beads at the original price and then sold this news to the Tianxuan Mirror.
Afterward, the price of Liuli Beads skyrocketed, and he made a small profit from it.
This also confirmed that the Tianxuan Mirror was not an all-knowing entity. It couldn't know everything that happened outside of the Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
With [Truth] on his body, Li Fan had intentionally avoided the Tianxuan Mirror's surveillance many times to ensure that his secrets were not discovered.
But if the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was established...
The Tianxuan Mirror would compensate for this flaw.
Perhaps all of Li Fan's small actions would be unable to escape its scrutiny.
Thinking how all his future actions would be under the constant surveillance of the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.
For example, there was a kind of secondary body called "Xuanqing Mirror."
The Xuanqing Mirror stored all the knowledge and information that existed in the Tianxuan Mirror before it was detached.
Although it couldn't synchronize with any new information generated in the Tianxuan Mirror after its birth, it was still an immense existence that encompassed everything and couldn't be comprehended by a cultivator in their lifetime.
In Zhang Zhiliang's conjecture, there was bound to be one or even several secondary bodies that had inherited the terrifying computational power of the Tianxuan Mirror.
As long as one of these was obtained, the birth of the true Infinite Formation was not far away.
Even if he settled for second best, any secondary body would be enough to support the rudimentary form of the Infinite Formation.
...
"Tianxuan Mirror's secondary body..."
"With dozens in existence, if one was determined to obtain one, it might not be impossible to succeed."
Li Fan's eyes flickered slightly.
After this, Zhang Zhiliang's specific insights into the Infinite Formation followed.
Indeed, it was much more profound than before.
The formation's self-evolution program was further optimized, greatly increasing efficiency.
While cultivating, Li Fan continued to review the construction of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation and studied the Infinite Formation.
Time passed quietly, and soon it was the day of Li Fan's group assessment.
Following Ji Hongdao's guidance, Li Fan was teleported to a vast and empty space.
A black storage ring fell into his palm, filled with formation materials.
Not far away, the formation core containing the newborn mirror floated quietly in the air.
At the same time, a red timer appeared above his head, representing the assessment time.
Li Fan took a deep breath, steadied his mind, took out the materials from the storage ring, and began his formation construction.
With the assistance of the Divine Transformation Dao, Li Fan's formation construction technique was extremely precise.
His speed was astonishingly fast, and after a short period of adaptation, his efficiency soared.
In just two and a half days, he completed the construction of the central core area of the formation.
Next, he had to perfectly embed the formation core into the core formation area.
However, Li Fan encountered difficulties at this step.
Chapter 316: Golden Core Fallen Immortal Realm
Affinity to the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation's formation core, along with the comprehension of the formation structure and Soul Contract detection, were the three major assessment criteria.
Its significance even outweighed the first two.
When Li Fan personally laid down the core area of the formation and attempted to guide the formation core into it, he never received a response.
He finally understood why affinity was so crucial.
At this moment, the Tianxuan Formation core was like a proud goddess, indifferent to Li Fan's efforts.
No matter how much effort Li Fan exerted, he couldn't move her in the slightest.
Yet the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation couldn't function effectively without her.
Without the formation core, no matter how vast the formation was, it would be nothing but an empty shell.
The central formation could be said to be specially designed for her. Its sole purpose was to perfectly integrate the formation core into the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation.
Now that the palace had been built, the main character refused to move in, leaving Li Fan in a dilemma.
The uniqueness of the formation core made it impossible for Li Fan to forcibly implement it.
After trying many methods, Li Fan still couldn't get the formation core to enter the formation.
Helpless, Li Fan had to try another way.
Since the goddess stayed still and refused to enter the palace, Li Fan decided to build another palace around where she stayed.
He dismantled and rebuilt the already formed central core formation.
With the formation core as the central point, Li Fan spent another two days constructing a new formation structure around her.
"In this way, although it can't achieve perfect integration, it can barely result in a formation."
"There's no hope of a reward in this life, I just hope the results won't be too bad."
After finishing the layout, Li Fan sighed inwardly.
It seemed that Li Fan's persistence slightly moved the formation core.
After moving into the core formation area, looking at this brand-new residence, it gently shifted its body.
Just this tiny movement doubled the compatibility between the formation core and the formation.
Li Fan was overjoyed and immediately attempted to communicate with the formation core again.
However, the previous initiative seemed to be her limit. Subsequently, no matter what Li Fan did, there was no change.
Soon, the seven-day period had ended.
Looking at the formation, which could only be considered barely qualified, Li Fan shook his head inwardly and left the assessment space.
"The construction of the formation should be able to get a passing score. As for the debugging and calibration of the formation core, it's equivalent to leaving the exam paper blank. But this is the limit of what can be done in this life."
"If the formation core is not giving face, there's really nothing I can do."
In this way, Li Fan continued to absorb the warm liquid and occasional calming energy around him.
He felt himself getting stronger continuously.
After an unknown period of time, when there was no liquid left to absorb, an inexplicable feeling surged through his heart.
It was time.
Li Fan suddenly realized.
Driven by instinct, Li Fan began to tap the darkness in front of him with his sharp beak incessantly.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
They were slight pecks, but to Li Fan at this moment, they sounded like earth-shattering thunder.
After trying for a long time, Li Fan felt a little tired.
But there was only a barely visible crack in the darkness.
He felt discouraged.
Just then, that gentle energy reappeared, strengthening Li Fan's body again.
It instantly made fatigue and weakness disappear.
Revived, Li Fan continued his "earth-shattering" endeavor.
When he was tired, he rested a while, and there was immediately a trace of calming energy transmitted to him.
This process continued repeatedly, and more and more cracks appeared in front of him.
But Li Fan could also perceive that the energy that had been supporting him seemed to be weakening.
Fortunately, before the gentle energy was exhausted, Li Fan finally chiseled out a small hole in the endless darkness.
A ray of sunlight pierced through it, dispelling the darkness and shining on Li Fan.
With one breath, Li Fan used his long beak to continue striking.
The small hole gradually expanded and eventually formed a hole large enough for Li Fan to crawl out.
Li Fan shook his head and squeezed into the exit.
Sunlight, gentle breeze, insect chirping, bird singing, fragrance of flowers and grass...
In an instant, a beautiful and vast world appeared before Li Fan.
But he had no time to admire the breathtaking scenery.
Because he felt incredibly hungry.
Looking back at the broken egg he had crawled out of, a sense of clarity surged through his heart.
Without hesitation, Li Fan began to gulp it down.
Chapter 317: Dreaming of the Imperial Beast Sect
"Slow down, slow down..."
Amid a voice full of surprise, Li Fan swallowed all the broken eggshells.
A scorching energy surged from his abdomen, coursing through his entire body.
This power was extremely pure. After a moment, Li Fan, who was still stumbling a bit, could now bounce around.
"Wow... worthy of being a descendant of a divine bird, it's really impressive. He walks on his own shortly after birth! Won't it be a short while before I can ride on it and fly?"
Ignoring the chatter in his ears, Li Fan walked to the water's edge somewhat disheartened, and looked at his reflection.
"So ugly!"
A strange bird with no feathers covered in bare red skin appeared in Li Fan's sight.
"Senior Brother Zhang, I actually miss you a little."
"Hanging out with you, at least I'm also a true disciple of the Purple Heaven Sect. With this new map, I can't even be human anymore, and I ended up turning into such a silly bird."
Perhaps influenced by the possessed bird, Li Fan's thoughts were now more lively and jumpy than his usual calm state.
"Good bird, grow up quickly..." The chattering voice rang out again, making Li Fan even more annoyed.
But then a red plant, resembling both a worm and a grass, was extended in front of Li Fan, instantly dispelling all his unhappiness.
He snatched it and swallowed it in three or two gulps.
An indescribable sense of satisfaction surged, much like the exhilaration of forming the Foundation Treasure in the Qi Condensation stage or creating the Golden Core in the Foundation Establishment stage.
Almost instantly, Li Fan lost the ability to think.
There was only a blank consciousness drifting in an ocean of joy.
After a long time, the transcendent pleasure gradually faded.
Li Fan gradually regained his ability to think.
But the impact of the red plant from before still lingered in his mind, making it hard for him to forget.
Amidst endless reflections, greed inevitably emerged.
"What the hell is this?"
Li Fan was shocked, unable to control his gaze toward the owner of that voice.
"Don't look at me like that. This Thorn Insect Grass was so hard for me to save. Once you eat it, I can't get any more in a short time!"
A boy who looked about twelve or thirteen years old, scratching the back of his head, apologized with a sheepish look on his face.
"No more?" Disappointment and anger surged.
Apart from not having its hunger satisfied, it was more the result of the dependence on humans that surfaced in its heart from time to time that contradicted its instinctive will inherited from its bloodline.
Instinct told the strange bird not to get too close to humans.
But it couldn't control the emotions that welled up in its heart.
This is why it acted so irritable.
"The Imperial Beast Sect indeed has some tricks."
"I wonder if there are any other effects."
While thinking, Li Fan lay on the little boy's head, looking downward.
The vision of the strange bird far exceeded that of humans. Even in the clouds, everything on the ground could be seen clearly.
Among the continuous mountains, there were numerous spiritual fields spread out like terraces.
Some cultivators were using demonic beasts with the bodies of bulls and faces of horses to cultivate the fields.
On the mountaintops not far away, many buildings stood tall.
Further away, there seemed to be a tower.
A familiar and awe-inspiring aura emanated faintly from the tower.
"Not far ahead is the Fire Attribute Spiritual Field."
"Everyone says you're a descendant of the divine bird naturally inclined to fire. Eating things like Crimson Spirit Leaves and Arcane Fire Fruits is definitely beneficial for your body."
The little boy said with a playful smile.
"Coincidentally, my senior brothers have been busy recently for some reason. I'll take you in to sneak a bite, it shouldn't be a problem."
After flying for a long time, the newly born Li Fan became a little sleepy again.
"If you say so..."
Using his slightly hardened claws, he gently scratched the boy's hair, indicating him to send more energy over.
Li Fan yawned and was about to fall asleep again.
Just then, a tiger's roar echoed through the sky, startling Li Fan awake.
Looking up, he saw a blue figure standing on a demonic beast with the body of a tiger and the face of a human, coming from the distance.
It whistled past Li Fan's head and was gone in an instant, heading somewhere unknown.
The surging hurricane-like winds caused even the red-crowned crane ridden by the boy to become a bit unstable.
But the boy showed no complaint, instead, he shouted excitedly, "Look, it's Senior Brother Lu Ya! The demonic beast under him is said to be a descendant of the Water God Beast, especially powerful! It's already comparable to a Golden Core stage cultivator in less than ten years since birth!"
Chapter 318: Fallen Immortal Realm Soap Opera
"Lu Ya? This name seems a bit familiar." Reincarnated as a bird, Li Fan's ability to think quickly was suppressed, but he vaguely felt like he had heard this name somewhere.
He thought for a long time but was unable to recall.
Angry again, he began to scratch the little boy's hair with his claws incessantly. Seeing no reaction from the boy, Li Fan fiercely pecked with his long beak.
"Ouch! That hurts!" The boy's gaze finally returned from Lu Ya's departing figure.
But he mistakenly thought Li Fan was urging him to find food, hastily soothing, "Alright, alright, I know you're hungry, I'll go find food for you."
"Little Red, let's go!" The boy patted the wings of the red-crowned crane beneath him.
The crane obediently flapped its wings, its figure transitioning from stillness to motion once more, continuously zooming through the clouds.
Amidst the whistling wind, Li Fan faintly heard the boy's regretful murmurs, "Senior Brother Lu Ya is handsome and kind. Now his strength has become so strong, he's truly perfect. If the folks in Ningyuan City knew, they would surely be happy. But I don't know why Senior Brother suddenly has such animosity towards Mr. Bai. Not only does he not let me go back, he even forbids me from sending letters..."
The boy frowned, his face carrying a troubled look far beyond his age.
But Li Fan suddenly stiffened.
Ningyuan City, Mr. Bai.
These two terms instantly activated memories deep in his mind.
A yellow-haired, skinny figure suddenly appeared before Li Fan's eyes.
"It's him?"
"The plot of the Imperial Beast Sect follows the events in Ningyuan City previously?"
"The beggar boy from back then can now control such powerful demonic beasts. Just by observing its might, that tiger-faced demonic beast should be at least at the Nascent Soul stage. How many years have passed?"
"However, the techniques of the Imperial Beast Sect have long been lost. It's possible that they are able to control demonic beasts more powerful than the cultivators themselves."
"Mr. Bai... It's this mysterious fellow again."
"Why is everything I experience in the Fallen Immortal Realm related to him?"
"Once is a coincidence, but after two or three times, it's hard not to be suspicious."
Many thoughts surged in his mind, his emotions stirred, and Li Fan felt as if the little energy he had just accumulated was rapidly depleting.
Unable to control his drooping eyelids, just before slipping into slumber, he seemed to see the figure of Mr. Bai again.
...
"As for your strange bird, what is it? At a glance, I can tell it doesn't have any powerful bloodline."
"The saying goes, dragons birth dragons, and phoenixes birth phoenixes, while the son of a rat can only dig holes. Xu Ke, do you think that you can rely on some mongrel bird can turn things around?"
Xu Ke was just a kid. Hearing his demonic beast being insulted, he couldn't help but argue: "My bird is not bad either. Everyone says it's descended from a divine bird and in the future..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was rudely interrupted by Song Yang.
"Descended from a divine bird? What bird? Phoenix? Vermilion Bird? However you look at it, your strange bird doesn't resemble any of them!"
"When say comforting words to you, don't take them seriously, okay? What a fool!"
Song Yang sneered and mocked, and even the two-headed snake hanging on his body mimicked his mocking expression.
"You're talking nonsense!" Xu Ke's face flushed red involuntarily, and his voice raised a few degrees.
But Song Yang seemed to want to deliberately provoke Xu Ke, not stopping at all, but rather intensifying his ridicule.
Above Xu Ke's head, Li Fan, who was already a bit impatient, heard himself being slandered by this skinny bamboo pole in front of him, and his anger flared even more.
Just as he was about to take action, Xu Ke pressed him down.
"Little fellow, don't be impulsive, you can't beat that snake. Besides, according to the sect rules, disciples are prohibited from fighting each other. If discovered, severe punishment will be inflicted. The one who initiates the fight will be punished even more severely."
"Let's just ignore him."
Xu Ke's voice also sounded in Li Fan's mind at the same time.
How could Li Fan, as someone who had reincarnated for a hundred lifetimes, not see that this fellow named Song Yang was deliberately stirring up trouble?
But the nature of the possessed bird was naturally irritable and prone to anger.
It was thanks to Xu Ke using all his strength and effort that Li Fan was barely restrained.
Otherwise, Li Fan would have rushed up long ago.
Ignoring Song Yang's cold sarcasm, Xu Ke paid no attention and left without a care.
Song Yang watched Xu Ke's departing figure, a flash of coldness passing through his eyes.
To appease Li Fan, Xu Ke took him to sweep through several circles of spiritual fields.
With different varieties of spiritual plants filling his stomach, Li Fan gradually calmed down.
For the next period of time, Li Fan spent his days eating, drinking, and growing strong like this.
Chapter 319: Hospitality of Various Demonic Beasts
His body grew rapidly, nearly two or three times larger than when he was just born.
The nest made of Xu Ke's hair was gradually becoming too small for him.
Fortunately, a fine layer of feathers began to grow on Li Fan's bald body, indicating that he would soon be able to fly on his own.
This trip to the Fallen Immortal Realm seemed unusually calm.
He spent all day by Xu Ke's side, and there were neither dangers nor opportunities.
Just when there were three days left that Li Fan could stay in the Fallen Immortal Realm, sudden changes occurred.
One day, a loud dragon roar echoed throughout the territory of the Imperial Beast Sect.
A roiling green light illuminated the sky, and the atmosphere above suddenly changed.
Looking up, Li Fan saw a huge dragon claw faintly visible through the clouds, covering the sky.
Although the dragon claw was far above in the sky, and was not directly targeting Li Fan, the pressure emanating from it unintentionally made the young Li Fan tremble uncontrollably.
It was the suppression of absolute strength, leaving him unable to muster any thoughts of resistance.
As if facing some enemy, the dragon claw fiercely swiped forward into the void.
Li Fan's heart stopped as he watched this seemingly world-shattering strike.
However...
Nothing happened.
As if encountering an absolute barrier, the dragon claw couldn't advance and was trapped in place.
"So this is the hospitality of the Imperial Beast Sect?"
After a moment, a very pleasant voice rang out, resounding throughout the heavens and earth.
It was extremely weak and gentle.
As the voice echoed between heaven and earth, Li Fan, as Xu Ke's companion beast, keenly sensed Xu Ke's body trembling slightly.
It was not because of fear, but because of excitement and doubt.
"Mr. Bai?"
His eyes were somewhat dazed, seemingly incredulous.
As if responding to his words, Mr. Bai's gentle voice sounded again.
"This dragon claw is not bad. I'll bring it back and give it to the children to nourish their bodies."New novel chapters are published on
Before the words fell, a ray of light suppressed the rampant green light.
The pitiful dragon's roar echoed, and that huge, seemingly invincible dragon claw was directly severed, disappearing into the sky.
Vaguely, a figure could be seen standing where the dragon claw had been.
With the dragon claw severed, it seemed to have aroused the anger of the Imperial Beast Sect.
In an instant, the sky darkened.
A phoenix enveloped in flames, a yellow dragon, a winged white tiger, a two-horned qilin, and a ferocious dog...
"That... it can't be Mr. Bai, right?"
"When I left the temple before, he was clearly just a mortal."
"He told me himself..."
Li Fan's reaction wasn't much better.
Seeing beasts thousands of times stronger than himself being slaughtered so easily, his body couldn't suppress the instinctual fear that spread through his heart.
Li Fan's consciousness could only struggle to gain control of his body and look up at the sky to admire that somewhat frail figure.
Just as Xu Ke was sinking into deep self-doubt, a voice rang out, shattering his hopes.
"Stop it, Mr. Bai."
"I know you're here for me."
A blue-clothed Lu Ya appeared in front of the frail figure.
And that figure stopped moving.
Even though the beasts were fleeing in confusion, Mr. Bai didn't attack anymore.
"Lu Ya, it's been a long time." Mr. Bai smiled and said.
Lu Ya remained silent.
"Is it really... Mr. Bai?" Finding it hard to accept this fact, Xu Ke's legs went weak and he fell to the ground.
Then, an even bigger question arose in his mind.
"Why, Mr. Bai? Why did you do this?"
In Xu Ke's eyes, although Mr. Bai was the greatest person in the world, the masters, uncles, and brothers of the Imperial Beast Sect had treated Xu Ke well too.
"Why?"
Xu Ke fell into deep confusion.
In the sky, Mr. Bai and Lu Ya seemed to be discussing something.
Then the two disappeared together.
But below, the Imperial Beast Sect began to descend into chaos.
In an instant, the authority painstakingly established by the elders of the sect was shattered.
Some felt that the Imperial Beast Sect was far weaker than its reputation would suggest and had no future.
Evil thoughts arose in their hearts, and they decided to plunder and escape in the chaos.
Some were completely terrified, hiding in secret rooms and refusing to go out.
And some loyal disciples of the Imperial Beast Sect, who saw that the path they had pursued all their lives had been trampled upon so easily, chose to end their lives in despair.
...
Amidst this chaos, Li Fan suddenly sensed the imminent danger.
At some point, Song Yang and his two-headed snake companion beast quietly approached Xu Ke.
Song Yang stared at Li Fan with greedy eyes.
Chapter 320: The Divine Bird Descends
Locked in by the thin bamboo pole figure's gaze, Li Fan felt a sudden premonition in his heart.
At this moment, Xu Ke, who was spiritually connected with Li Fan, also reacted.
Protecting Li Fan behind him, Xu Ke's face was tense as he said, "Song Yang? What are you planning to do?"
Perhaps it was the rare chaotic scene in the Imperial Beast Sect that gave him confidence. Song Yang stopped acting and directly said viciously, "I really don't understand why a fool like you has such good luck!"
"What do you think I'm going to do? Of course, it's to take back what rightfully belongs to me!" With his ferocity revealed, Song Yang's eyes were full of killing intent.
At his signal, his companion beast, the two-headed black snake, slithered to the ground and slowly approached.
With a look of horror on his face, Xu Ke kept backing away, saying, "Senior Brother Song, have you misunderstood? I haven't taken anything that belongs to you..."
Although he said so, Xu Ke stood in front of Li Fan, trying to block Song Yang's line of sight.
Such small actions naturally couldn't escape Song Yang's notice. With a sneer on his face, he said, "Kid, stop pretending. Transfer the ownership of the Divine Bird to me, and I might spare your life. Otherwise..."
Song Yang snorted coldly, "Don't blame me for not acknowledging my fellow disciple. I'm sure you're aware of the pain of forcibly extracting blood essence and transferring it to a companion beast."
Xu Ke was alarmed when he heard this, "Song Yang! Plundering a companion beast is a major taboo in the sect! How dare you..."
Song Yang interrupted Xu Ke impatiently, "What stupidity. At this point, you're still talking about the sect's rules. Haven't you seen that the Imperial Beast Sect can't even protect itself
It seemed that his patience was also completely exhausted, and he no longer bothered to waste words, ordering directly, "Black Spirit, attack!"
The two-headed black snake had long been ready, and at this moment, following Song Yang's order, its body sprang up.
From the mouth of the snake, a black venom sprayed out.
The black venom was like an arrow, about to fall on Xu Ke.
Xu Ke stepped on the wind, swiftly turning his body and narrowly avoiding it.
As the black water fell to the ground, it made a sizzling sound.
Glancing at it, Xu Ke's face paled involuntarily.
Not only was all the vegetation corroded to nothing, but even the stones underneath couldn't resist the erosion of the venom.
He had not yet learned how to form a barrier using spiritual energy. Once hit, he would probably either die or at least be severely injured.
Thinking of this, Xu Ke pulled out something from his bosom and threw it fiercely towards Song Yang and the two-headed snake.
He also took out a white feather from his bosom, intending to summon a crane to escape.
However, Song Yang seemed to have been prepared long ago.
Before the concealed weapon thrown by Xu Ke exploded, it was caught by a blue light and suspended in the air.
Among the black snake's two heads, the one that had its eyes tightly closed suddenly opened its eyes.
A black light shot out, hitting the crane feather.
Some cultivators, with excellent talent and temperament, ultimately failed on their paths due to a lack of luck.
But the Divine Bird could help its recognized master reverse their fate.
Moreover, as the Divine Bird's strength grew, this ability to gather luck would also become stronger.
In the end, it could even transform from "changing luck" to "changing destiny".
This was the so-called Destiny Within Me.
The master of the Divine Bird was the son of destiny.
Turning misfortune into opportunity and encountering miracles were all commonplace.
"No wonder that thin bamboo pole wanted to catch me so badly."
"So, the possessed strange bird was actually a treasure."
"Luck..."
In his exhaustion, Li Fan forced open his eyes, trying to use his newly awakened ability.
Looking at Xu Ke, a purple-golden light rose from his spirit.
Although there were one or two black wisps of smoke circling around, they couldn't conceal the nobility of the purple-golden light.
"Huh? This kid..."
"It turns out he already carried heavenly fortune. It was me who made a fool of myself."
"And I also expended so much energy."
Angered, Li Fan bit Xu Ke fiercely.
But because he was too weak, it was as painless as scratching an itch.
Xu Ke, who was struggling to escape, didn't care at all.
Because behind him, the pursuing Song Yang was about to catch up.
Just as Xu Ke was exhausted and about to give into despair, he suddenly saw, not far ahead, a bewildered green phoenix standing.
Lying under its feet seemed to be the body of its original owner.
Seeing this, Xu Ke was overjoyed.
He swiftly approached the green phoenix and embraced it while mounting it.
At the same time, he shouted loudly, "Little Green, let's go!"
The green phoenix instinctively spread its wings.
With a gentle flap, it soared into the sky, high into the clouds.
Chapter 321: Dissociation Disks
"Xu Ke!"
Song Yang's desperate and somewhat hopeless voice faintly came from below. Xu Ke, who had escaped death, looked back to make sure Song Yang wouldn't catch up.
After a long time, he didn't see the other party's figure, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Little Green, thank you!"
Xu Ke said to the green phoenix familiarly while casually stroking its neck. The green phoenix flew while lightly chirping in response.
Meanwhile, Li Fan had exhausted too much energy from consecutively using his innate divine ability twice. Furthermore, after being chased by someone, his spirit was highly tense. When he suddenly relaxed, he fell into a deep sleep. And with this sleep, his existence in the Fallen Immortal Realm also came to an end.
When he regained consciousness, he had already returned to the cultivation world.
Reflecting on this journey to the Fallen Immortal Realm, which ended somewhat anticlimactic, Li Fan couldn't help but sigh.
"This is it?"
Unlike when he possessed Li Chen of the Purple Heaven Sect, having an independent consciousness and freedom of movement, the starting point this time was extremely low, just a fledgling bird born from an egg.
He couldn't accomplish anything at all, merely spending his days eating and drinking.
Despite his rapid growth over two months, the Foundation Establishment stage was already the limit. In the ancient cultivation world, this level of cultivation was almost at the bottom.
Even if he wanted to do something, he was powerless.
"Do I need to reveal my true form for freedom of movement?"
"Or..."
Now free of the addled mind he had when he possessed the Divine Bird, Li Fan quickly recalled the incident of Ye Feipeng, who owned the Kun Peng Essence Blood, practicing the Creation Forge Art to activate the Kun Peng bloodline.
"Perhaps, the method of calling upon the body's hidden potential with the Creation Forge Art has miraculous effects on demonic beasts."
"It's worth a try. Hmm..."
"There's no rush. Let's see what changes there will be next time I enter."
Because there were traces of the mysterious Mr. Bai in both Ningyuan City and within the Imperial Beast Sect, Li Fan speculated that the scene within the Imperial Beast Sect was similar to Ningyuan City before: he would be unable to escape without meeting certain conditions.
Otherwise, he would be continuously sent back as in a cycle.
As for whether he was truly trapped again, there was no need to wonder. He would know in about half a year when he would be able to enter again.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
"In order to explain the origin of the Longevity Fruit, the clone must be at the Golden Core realm to enter the Fallen Immortal Realm. In other words, I need to advance to mid-stage Golden Core as soon as possible."
"Relying solely on my own cultivation is a bit difficult. The new crops haven't been planted yet, so I can only hope that Xiao Heng will provide more feedback."
"Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo have been missing in the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect for some time now. During this time, it seems like they have disappeared from this world and haven't given me any cultivation feedback at all. However, through the faint connection of the Mountain Meditation Technique, I sense that Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo are still alive. When they come out, they should bring me some surprises."
Not placing all his hopes on others, after a brief rest, Li Fan resumed his cultivation.
Time flew by. Soon, the final assessment of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation had all ended.
After the results came out, Ji Hongdao sent a message, asking all the students who had gone out to return to the Huan Yu Courtyard. Everyone gathered together again, inevitably feeling a bit nervous.
Ji Hongdao smiled slightly, not rushing to announce the results, but first introducing the rewards for those who performed well in the assessment.
Taking out a jade disk, he said, "This is the little thing that made me envious."
"Or should I say, all Formation Masters will fall in love with it when they learn of its abilities."
"Why don't you guess what it's for?" Li Fan carefully examined the jade disk in Ji Hongdao's hand, finding it somewhat familiar.
After thinking about it, he quickly realized.
This thing was somewhat similar to the "Formation Breaking Disk" he had seen before.
The so-called Formation Breaking Disk was a treasure that could analyze the structure of formations without destroying them, thereby providing reference solutions for Formation Masters to break the formations.
"Could it be that this thing is an advanced version of the Formation Breaking Disk?" Li Fan couldn't help but think so.
Obviously, Li Fan was not the only one who thought so. Many students stared at the jade disk, their expressions excited.
"It seems you've already guessed it, so I won't keep you in suspense."
"The effect of this item is indeed somewhat similar to the Formation Breaking Disk." Ji Hongdao touched the jade disk emotionally.
"But it is far more powerful than the Formation Breaking Disk."
"The original Formation Breaking Disk consisted of one thousand and eighty segments."
"But just one of these small jade disks can break formations several times faster than an entire set of Formation Breaking Disks."
"This is because it is one of the latest secondary bodies born from the Tianxuan Mirror."
"There are a total of nine."
"We named them Dissociation Disks."
Chapter 322: Nine Disk Competition
"Of course, if the only function was breaking formations, it wouldn't make me and my colleagues at the Formation Hall envious."
Just as the students were excitedly staring at the Dissociation Disks and discussing them, Ji Hongdao continued.
"The greatness of the Dissociation Disk lies in its growth."
After saying this, Ji Hongdao deliberately paused, waiting for the students' reaction. As expected, as soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar among the crowd.
It was well known in the cultivation world that if a treasure was able to grow, its value would increase tenfold or even a hundredfold.
Originally, as secondary bodies of the Tianxuan Mirror, the Dissociation Disks were already very precious.
If they could also grow, then their value would be immeasurable! The students stared eagerly at Ji Hongdao, waiting for his explanation.
Seeing that he had whetted everybody's appetite, Ji Hongdao stopped teasing and said, "As Formation Masters, we all have a dream in our hearts to create our own perfect formations. The Dissociation Disks can help us achieve that."
"Every time we break a formation, the Dissociation Disks will absorb and store the formation data within themselves."
"Based on our research and observations, afterwards, the Dissociation Disks will spontaneously deduce the absorbed formations, attempting to repair the loopholes used in the previous breaking process."
"When the flaws are repaired, a brand new formation is born."
"Then, the Dissociation Disks will attempt to break this new formation again. They will then repeat this cycle of breaking, improving, and breaking again."
"In the hands of an ordinary Formation Master, it often takes several years, or even more than a decade, to optimize a formation once."
"With these Dissociation Disks, several optimizations can be achieved in just one year. Of course, this efficiency depends on the difficulty of the formations being broken."
"If it's a formation of the level of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation, then the efficiency of optimizations will naturally be slower."
"However, even so, these Dissociation Disks are more efficient than all of us combined."
Ji Hongdao exclaimed, not the least bit resentful of being surpassed by a spiritual treasure. Unable to resist, he touched the treasure in his hand again and continued, "The more formation data the Dissociation Disks absorb, the stronger their breaking ability becomes. Similarly, their deduction and optimization abilities become even stronger."
"This matter was personally approved by the headquarters of the Formation Hall, so I naturally won't go back on my word."
"However..."
"Things have changed."
At this point, Ji Hongdao's face showed a hint of helplessness. Everyone looked at each other, feeling a sense of unease.
"Initially, there were indeed nine Dissociation Disks. Even now, the quantity remains the same. However, just yesterday, we suddenly discovered that among these nine Dissociation Disks, eight of them have dimmed slightly."
"On the other hand, the remaining one, instead of weakening, has grown stronger."
"Although the degree of this change was extremely subtle, we still noticed it."
"Secondary bodies of the Tianxuan Mirror often have hidden characteristics which only manifest at certain times. So, we didn't realize the true mystery of these Dissociation Disks before..."
"We made a mistake in this matter," Ji Hongdao sighed, his face reddening. However, the students understood the implication of Ji Hongdao's words.
"Master Ji, are you implying that these nine Dissociation Disks will devour each other?" Qi Chengcheng couldn't help but ask.
Ji Hongdao nodded, "After noticing the anomaly and performing a careful study, we discovered that what appears to be nine Dissociation Disks is actually one entity."
"Whenever one of them becomes more powerful, it will seize the power from the other parts to strengthen itself."
"And the weaker ones, if they stay still and don't catch up, will be continuously drained of their power, becoming weaker and weaker until they disappear."
"This is what they call the strong getting stronger and the weak getting weaker."
"In the end, in the continuous competition among the nine Dissociation Disks, only one will survive."
"And it will be the biggest winner, gathering the power of all nine Dissociation Disks."
"The true Disintegration Disk."
Chapter 323: Last Resort Revealed
"Since the birth of the nine Dissociation Disks, besides taking one to study its characteristics, they have been sealed all along."
"Their strengths were in absolute balance, so they have been peaceful so far."
"But not long ago, I thought about how these treasures would be handed over to you juniors in the future, and how I wouldn't be able to explore them myself anymore."
"On a whim, I applied to take one to play with."
"I didn't expect that this would be a mistake and that I would discover its true secret."
Ji Hongdao sighed with some emotion.
As Ji Hongdao slowly explained the cause of the matter, most of the cultivators present didn't have any special reactions.
At most, they were like Li Fan, marveling at the miraculousness of this world, where even treasures had to compete.
Because these Dissociation Disks were rewards for the top performers, it wasn't their concern.
But the cultivators whose names shone brightly on the golden list weren't as pleased.
Anyone who had a treasure that might disappear at any time would surely feel uncomfortable.
Accustomed to and amazed by the miraculousness of the Dissociation Disks, they ultimately could only helplessly watch as they failed in competition and it gradually disappeared from their hands.New novel chapters are published on
Just thinking about it felt extremely depressing.
If it really ended up like this, it would have been better not to have owned one from the beginning.
Otherwise, it would undoubtedly become a persistent heart demon, accompanying them throughout their life.
But looking at it from another perspective, the top nine on the list were all proud talents.
They all had their own pride, so it was impossible for them to give up without a fight.
"No wonder Ji Hongdao showed that expression. The unexpected deaths of Tantai Tao and a dozen others were already a painful loss for the Formation Hall."
"And these top nine cultivators are all outstanding talents as well. Losing any one of them would be unacceptable."
"In the competition of the nine disks, the winner takes all. The other eight losers will naturally be affected and may even decline from then on."
"For the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the greatest use of us students is to build the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation."
"Even if that winner may become a true master of formations, from the perspective of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, they suddenly have lost eight high-end laborers."
"In this world, the determination to build the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is so strong that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will naturally not allow such a thing to happen."
"And this true Dissociation Disk will not be taken back."
"Its ownership still belongs to the winner."
Like a thunderclap, the originally depressed Qi Chengcheng and others had a renewed flash of greed in their eyes.
"I think everyone understands that the reason why treasures such as the Dissociation Disks were offered as a reward in this assessment is because the alliance attaches great importance to the construction of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation."
"Although there have been some minor mistakes in the process, however!"
"Our original intention remains unchanged!"
Ji Hongdao's tone became heavier, his face serious as he said, "To reaffirm the alliance's determination."
"To inspire everyone to strive for excellence."
"After our application received approval from the headquarters, we have decided that the final winner of the nine disk competition will be rewarded to the Formation Master who contributed the most to the construction plan of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation!"
Li Fan's eyes narrowed slightly when he heard this.
Taking a breath, he couldn't help but marvel, "Excellent tactics!"
"All the twists and turns today were for this."
"After several psychological ups and downs, compared to directly announcing this result, the temptation is much stronger."
"They'll be certain that these students will fight desperately for it."
Li Fan could almost foresee that for this true Dissociation Disk, which had the hope of becoming the next Tianxuan Mirror, these Formation Masters would surely reach a terrifying level of competition in the upcoming construction frenzy.
They will probably become even more formidable than cattle and horses in slaving away.
"It seems that in this life, the widespread construction of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation will definitely be much faster than I imagined."
"I don't have much time left..."
"However, I have a vague feeling. For this matter, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance seems exceptionally eager."
"The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has been established for thousands of years, and its rule is as solid as a rock."
"The Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is just another step forward. It should be slowly pursued, without the need for so many means."
"What are they so anxious about?"
Li Fan fell into contemplation for a moment.
Chapter 324: Fresh Crops
Although Li Fan was worrying about the future of the various cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the other students did not have his level of insight.
In the blink of an eye, they were all excited, and eager to try.
"Master Ji, please tell us, how is the 'most contribution' defined?"
"Yes, Senior Ji, there must be specific rules for quantifying this, right? How much contribution can be considered an evaluation standard?"
...
Seeing the enthusiasm of the students, Ji Hongdao couldn't help but show a pleased smile.
With a light cough, he began to explain to everyone.
"The core of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is, in essence, a newborn mirror of the Tianxuan Mirror, and you have all seen it with your own eyes."
"And the construction of the entire Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation starts from the central core area. In other words, from the beginning of the formation's creation, the entire process of construction can be perceived by the formation core and the Tianxuan Mirror."
"The person responsible for setting up each formation unit is surveilled by the Tianxuan Mirror."
"And the final result depends entirely on the data ranking published by the Tianxuan Mirror, eliminating any possibility of cheating. It is absolutely fair and just."
Ji Hongdao spoke eloquently, explaining in detail.
"I know that everyone recommended to study at the Huan Yu Courtyard has their own outstanding qualities. You are all young talents, and who among you would be willing to always be inferior to others? In order for everyone to have a clear understanding of their position and to further motivate you all, in this 'Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation Competition', everyone's contribution to the construction of the formation will be displayed in the form of real-time points."
"And, according to the points, there will be rankings announced by the Tianxuan Mirror, which everyone can check at any time!"
Li Fan, hearing this familiar method, couldn't help but feel shocked in his heart: "They really want these young Formation Masters to push themselves to the limit."
Next, Ji Hongdao also announced the preliminary construction plan for the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation.
It was decided that each cultivator would return to their hometown and, with the assistance of the local Formation Hall and Martial Hall, begin constructing the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation.
And if their progress was faster, after all the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formations in their province were built, they could freely move to neighboring provinces to assist in construction.
Because the Tianxuan Mirror saw everything, there was no need to worry about being having their credit stolen while assisting a different location.
At the moment when all the territories of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had completed the construction of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation, the Formation Master with the highest score would be the final winner.
As Ji Hongdao narrated the details of the competition plan, a subtle sense of self-satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
At this moment, however, he suddenly heard someone calling out.
He should have returned to Cong Yun Sea and then perished in the catastrophe of Ink Death's massacre.
Xue Mu seemed to be experiencing the existence of the Heavenly Sovereign for the first time, and the confusion and fear in his eyes had not yet dissipated.
Ji Hongdao looked at the two of them with a kind face and asked, "Cong Yun Sea has suffered a disaster, and you are homeless. What are your plans for the future?"
Xue Mu pursed his lips, lowered his head, and remained silent.
But Li Fan calmly clasped his hands and respectfully said, "I will be at the command of Senior."
Ji Hongdao seemed somewhat satisfied with Li Fan's response. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Now that the rules of the competition have been set, there is one province for each person. If you are arbitrarily assigned to a province and steal the contribution for constructing the formation, it will definitely cause dissatisfaction among others and be detrimental to you."
"But if you are not allowed to participate in this competition, you will definitely not be satisfied either."
"Hmm..."
He paused, his gaze fleeting for a moment, as if communicating with someone.
After a moment, Ji Hongdao said, "I wonder if you would be willing to do this."
"In addition to the various provinces, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance also has many important subworlds that need to be covered by the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation."
"Originally, these places were to be handled by us old folks."
"But due to special circumstances, if you are willing to be transferred to one of these places, it's fine too."
"It can also help us alleviate some pressure."
Ji Hongdao smiled and continued, "Nowadays, I'm not as energetic as you young people."
"As for the points for constructing the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation, you don't need to worry. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has many subworlds under its jurisdiction, and the scale of some of these subworlds is not smaller than that of a province."
"You can transfer with confidence."
"How about it?"
After finishing his speech, Ji Hongdao looked at Li Fan and asked gently,
The moment when Li Fan heard Ji Hongdao's words, the thought flashed through his mind, "Subworld? I wonder if there is a chance to come into contact with the Five Element Subworlds."
But he didn't dare to speculate further. He just waited for Ji Hongdao's question to finish before replying solemnly, "I will obey your command."
Ji Hongdao nodded in satisfaction and then looked at Xue Mu. "What about you?"
Chapter 325: Hiding to Test the Divine Ability
Xue Mu seemed a bit dazed and a little hesitant.
"I am..."
Ji Hongdao's brow slightly furrowed. "Hmm?"
Xue Mu's body trembled slightly, hastily saying, "I am willing to obey Senior's instructions."
Only then did Ji Hongdao nod slowly, but his expression towards Xue Mu was not as kind as it was towards Li Fan earlier.
"The construction plan for the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formations in various provinces will not officially begin for another year or so."
"I should clarify that although some subworlds have gradually started setting up formations, for the sake of fairness in the competition, I will wait until a year later when the competition begins to apply for your transfer."
Ji Hongdao seemed to recall something, looking at Li Fan, then added, "During this year, I won't restrain you."
"Wherever you want to go, you can."
"In Tianyu Province, there are many wonders and sights. Observing them will greatly benefit your cultivation and skills."
"During your time in Tianyu Province, you haven't had time to tour around, right? This is a good opportunity to do so."
"Just return immediately upon receiving my message."
Ji Hongdao suggested with a smile.
Seeing Li Fan hesitate, he smiled again and said, "No need to worry too much. The unexpected event encountered by Tantai Tao and the others is unlikely to happen again."
Li Fan's heart stirred, but he didn't say much.
"In that case, thank you, Senior!"
"Alright, you two can leave! I've been dealing with you juniors for so long, and I'm a bit tired." Ji Hongdao finished explaining and waved his hand to dismiss the two.
Li Fan and Xue Mu both bowed, and then left the Huan Yu Courtyard.
"Fellow Daoist Li... I wonder what plans you have for this year?" Inside Tianyu City, Xue Mu asked somewhat cautiously.
"Hehe, fellow Daoist Xue, no need to be nervous." Li Fan looked at Xue Mu with a friendly smile and replied, "A year can be both long or short. If I'm in seclusion, it'll pass in the blink of an eye. If I travel around, I might be able to explore all of Tianyu Province."
"Cultivation doesn't need to happen at this moment. Instead, opportunities are fleeting and will not wait. I plan to follow Senior Ji's advice and travel around the nearby provinces."
"What about you, fellow Daoist Xue? Your aura seems to be fluctuating, and you seem to be close to a breakthrough?" Li Fan asked.
Xue Mu was surprised. "Fellow Daoist has keen eyesight. I won't hide it from you. During this period of closed-door training, although it was tough, I also grasped something. The bottleneck that originally left me stuck at the Foundation Establishment stage naturally dissipated, and I can break through to the Golden Core realm at any time."
"Congratulations, fellow Daoist!" Li Fan looked very happy.
"I have other arrangements. Fellow Daoist, you don't need to worry about me, just go on your own!"
Upon hearing this, Xue Mu didn't insist.
He bowed and said solemnly, "Regardless of whether this trip is fruitful or not, I will never forget the kindness of your guidance, fellow Daoist Li Fan."
"Haha, these words are already enough," Li Fan thought to himself.
Of course, he couldn't just say it so bluntly.
The play had to be acted out.
Waving his hand dismissively, he said nonchalantly, "It was just a casual remark, fellow Daoist. You don't need to take it to heart."
However, judging from Xue Mu's expression, he had already firmly remembered Li Fan's "kind words".
"These days, it's rare to see honest people with good talent like this." Watching Xue Mu's figure disappear into the distance, Li Fan couldn't help but sigh.
"Barely half a crop is better than nothing, I suppose."
After Xue Mu left Tianyu City, Li Fan used a teleportation formation to arrive at Liangqu City on the outskirts of Tianyu Province.
He had already investigated beforehand and knew that this area was relatively desolate with a sparse population.
Li Fan concealed his figure and flew low to the ground at extreme speed for two days, finally finding a suitable hiding place.
Underneath a narrow canyon, Li Fan dug out a secret chamber in the mountain, and then sealed the entrance.
This time, during his seclusion outside, Li Fan was trying to escape the sight of the Tianxuan Mirror and test the divine ability he had envisioned.
The Five Elements Annihilation Sword.
After a long time, Li Fan, who had tested it countless times in his mind, opened his eyes.
"The five elements as the foundation," he silently recited in his heart.
The power of the Golden Core circulated, the Five Elements were born from each other, and a huge, endless rotating force emerged from his dantian.
"Heavenly Calamity, Ink Death as the edge."
A hint of madness flashed in his left eye, while a touch of ghostly darkness appeared in his right eye.
The rotating power of the Five Elements slowly converged in the face of the two annihilating forces.
Li Fan lightly pointed towards the ground.
A pitch-black light bloomed from his fingertip.
It shot downwards rapidly.
Chapter 326: A Guest Suddenly Arrives
Black light flashed silently.
Not even the slightest spiritual energy disturbance occurred.
If it weren't for Li Fan being the originator of this black light, witnessing it burst out from his own body, Li Fan would hardly be able to detect it even when it was close to him.
When the black light touched the mountain, there was no earth-shattering explosion.
The sturdy rocks melted away like snow.
Yet, the speed of the black light did not slow down at all, continuously descending deeper into the earth.
Everything that obstructed its path was eroded by the black light, turning into nothingness.
In an instant, a pitch-black void, several fingers wide and seemingly bottomless, appeared in front of Li Fan.
Under Li Fan's observation, the black light continued to penetrate the mountain, descending incessantly.
However, while annihilating everything it touched, it didn't mean the black light was without consumption.
Compared to the initial burst of light, the Five Elements Annihilation Sword, which drilled through the mountain like a tunnel, had already consumed most of its energy in just a few breaths.
"I wonder how my Annihilation Black Light compares to Zhong Shentong's Seven-Colored Divine Light!"
As the black light disappeared within the range of Li Fan's spiritual sense, he looked again at his masterpiece, resembling a small abyss, and couldn't help but think so.
"Zhong Shentong's Seven-Colored Divine Light, when used, floods the sky endlessly, invincible in defense and offense."
"Then let me see now, with the Five Elements as the foundation of my energy consumption, where my limit lies."
Next, he didn't stop, his hands continuing to move.
A streak of pitch-black light, like an arrow of destruction, appeared in the mountain, piercing downwards.
In fact, the Five Elements Annihilation Sword was the manifestation of the power of Heavenly Calamity and Ink Death among Li Fan's Nine Law Golden Core, and it didn't necessarily have to be used with his fingers.
Any part of his body, such as his eyes or feet, could also activate it.
However, this method of attack, flicking out a streak of black light with a finger, was better suited to Li Fan's aesthetics.
Within Li Fan's body, the power of the Five Elements swirled endlessly, providing a continuous source of power for the Five Elements Annihilation Sword.
After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Li Fan had almost hollowed out the mountain in this area, but he felt that he had not yet reached his limit and still had much energy left.
But Li Fan was still forced to stop his mad attack.
Because what was currently limiting him from continuing his assault was not the consumption of internal energy, but...
A violent impulse to destroy everything he saw surged in Li Fan's heart.
Both of his eyes were completely occupied by profound darkness, which looked terrifying.
The fisherman didn't answer, still carefully examining the surrounding void abyss.
Li Fan didn't dare to leave on his own, only patiently waiting.
After a while, the old man clapped his hands and stood up straight.
"Ah, similar, but not quite." He shook his head and muttered softly.
Then he looked at Li Fan with interest and asked, "Young man, do you know me?"
"I have heard of the name of Senior Fisherman," Li Fan replied frankly.
At the same time, in his dantian, on the Golden Core, the image of the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart faintly appeared for a moment.
"Fisherman..."
"If you want to call me that way, it's not wrong."
"After all, most people in this world call me that."
"There is nothing wrong with flowing with the world and not being stagnant."
The old man's expression suddenly became somewhat lonely.
"Unfortunately, I know that this is not my true name."
"But now, I have even forgotten my own name, so what can I ask of others?"
The old fisherman said somewhat self-deprecatingly.
Li Fan, upon hearing this, didn't know what to say and could only remain silent.
The old fisherman seemed to be lost in memories for a moment and then returned to normal. He looked at Li Fan and asked, "Young man, what is the name of the sword technique you just used? And where did you learn it?"
"It's here..." Li Fan's heart trembled, seeing the other party finally getting back to the point.
Not daring to delay, he replied, "This sword technique was created by the junior himself. Based on the characteristics of the sword technique, the junior named it the Five Elements Annihilation Sword."
The old fisherman's eyes lit up. "The Five Elements Annihilation Sword, that's a good name."
"But the grandeur of the name is a bit too far-fetched."
The old man criticized without hesitation.
"But well, young people, it's normal to be proud." As if recalling something again, a hint of confusion flashed in the old fisherman's eyes.
Li Fan had already seen that this old fisherman was indeed as rumored.
There was something wrong with his mental state.
Li Fan did not dare to disturb him and stood quietly aside.
Chapter 327: The Fisherman Wants to Sell Fish
After a while, the confusion in the Old Fisherman's eyes gradually dissipated.
However, he was completely oblivious to his own strangeness and continued speaking.
"I find the aura of your sword technique very familiar."
"It seems extremely similar to what I've been looking for. Just now, I sensed a fluctuation of the aura and thought my lost item was here."
"I got excited for nothing!"
The Old Fisherman shook his head, feeling somewhat emotional.
"Similar... lost item?"
From the information he had previously viewed, Li Fan already knew.
This Old Fisherman had been wandering around the states because he couldn't find something of his own.
And now, he sensed the aura of the Five Elements Annihilation Sword and traced it to Li Fan.
In a flash, Li Fan thought of a possibility.
Heavenly Calamity Sword!
But if this answer was true, then this old man's strength...
The handle of the Heavenly Calamity Sword was on par with the Green Wind and even surpassed it.
Furthermore, the broken body of the Heavenly Calamity Sword could compete with Ink Death.
If the Heavenly Calamity Sword were intact, how strong would it be?
And what cultivation level would this Old Fisherman, who was possibly the master of the Heavenly Calamity Sword, be?
There were two choices before Li Fan.
One was to truthfully disclose the information about the Heavenly Calamity Sword that he knew.
Although he might receive rewards from someone as powerful as the Old Fisherman.
However...
This Old Fisherman had been wandering around the Xuanhuang Realm for hundreds of years.
Why had he lost his memory in the first place?
Why had the Heavenly Calamity Sword become so broken and separated from him?
The implications were too great, and the levels involved were too high.
If he wasn't careful, once he got involved in a conflict, he could be killed permanently.
Even [Truth] might not be able to save him in time.
The second option was to pretend not to know.
Although he would miss this great opportunity, Li Fan could use a clone in the next life, or be even more cautious by having other cultivators inform the Old Fisherman that the lost item was the Heavenly Calamity Sword in the Cong Yun Sea.
Then, he could see if there was any danger to his life, and what changes it might bring later.
If he really could have gained some amazing benefits from it, for Li Fan, it would have been just a delay of two or three lifetimes.
Upon comparing the two options, the second one was obviously the safest.
So...
"Interesting," he showed an interested expression.
The item that even a strong person like the fisherman found interesting was the Sun Stealing Token that Li Fan had detected problems with and left in a corner to eat dust.
Sun Stealing Token.
"If I can make good use of it and exchange a cultivation method from the fisherman's hand, that would be great."
Li Fan's thoughts quickly turned, and he immediately made a very surprised expression, saying, "Senior, is this the thing you lost?"
The Old Fisherman held the token, slightly stunned.
"This?"
"No, no." He quickly shook his head.
"I just think this little thing is very interesting."
"I haven't encountered such a rare thing for a long time."
He looked at Li Fan and asked seriously, "Young man, are you willing to part with it?"
Li Fan said solemnly, "I'm not as discerning as Senior. I've had this item for a long time, but I always thought it was just a token with a storage function."
"In my hands, it's just a precious pearl left in dust. Please take it, Senior!"
Seeing Li Fan agree, the fisherman nodded.
In an instant, the Sun Stealing Token disappeared from his hand, and Li Fan didn't know where it went.
"I won't take your stuff for nothing."
The fisherman carefully looked at Li Fan again, making Li Fan feel a chill.
Then he said, "Hmm, it seems I have something very useful to you."
He brought out the fish basket from behind him, reached in with his right hand, and grabbed something.
"It's her!"
Then he grabbed a figure from it and threw it in front of Li Fan.
Li Fan looked closely, his eyelids jumping.
The person was wearing the standard black and yellow robe of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and was obviously a member of the organization.
As if bound by invisible ropes layer by layer, she could only twist her body like a fish out of water, struggling incessantly.
"After starving for so long, she's still so strong," the fisherman muttered, then reached out and slapped her.
The female cultivator immediately passed out.
"Alright, the deal is done, I'm leaving."
"Young man, we'll meet again if we're destined."
The Old Fisherman put the fish basket back on his back.
Before Li Fan could respond, he stepped out with one foot and disappeared.
Only a faint song rang out, but the specific content could not be heard clearly.
"What a surprise, with unexpected gains."
Glancing at the motionless female cultivator of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance beside him, Li Fan looked in the direction where the fisherman disappeared, with a contemplative look on his face.
Chapter 328: Obtaining a Second Generation Cultivator
"I thought I was being very cautious this time, but unexpectedly, even in such a remote place, it could still attract the Old Fisherman, who is at least in the Dao Integration realm."
"This was an unavoidable accident. Who could have imagined that this somewhat eccentric old man would be related to a broken sword in the Cong Yun Sea thousands of miles away?"
Carefully recalling every scene of the exchange with the Old Fisherman just now, Li Fan discovered that although the sudden appearance of the Old Fisherman startled him, the level of danger throughout the entire contact process was as different as heaven and earth compared to the Heavenly Doctor from before.
Even the pressure brought by the black-clothed Dao Integration expert from the Yuandao Province was far greater than that of the Old Fisherman.
Was it because the Old Fisherman's strength was inferior to that of the black-clothed Dao Integration expert?
Li Fan didn't think so.
The master of the Heavenly Calamity Sword must be far superior to ordinary Dao Integration cultivators.
Even if he had become insane and lost his memory for some unknown reason, he should not be underestimated.
But the feeling he gave Li Fan was so peculiar.
During the time he spent with him, there was no feeling of communicating with a powerful Dao Integration Immortal Sage.
Instead, it was like conversing with an ordinary and friendly elder.
Apart from his own psychological factors, there was not a trace of pressure felt.
Why was this so...
Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Could it be that the Old Fisherman also forgot about the fact that he is a powerful figure?"
Li Fan faintly felt that this might indeed be the case.
Perhaps there were still other secrets behind this, but they should be similar.
"A powerful figure like the Old Fisherman, wandering around the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance in such a crazy manner, is extremely dangerous."
"If he suddenly goes crazy and rampages, the destruction he causes might be no less than the war in Tianling Province."
"Even so, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance actually allows him to roam freely like this, without expelling him."
"There must be some deeper reason behind this."
"This water is too deep. Before I grow stronger, I should try to avoid contact with him as much as possible."
As his thoughts slowly calmed down, Li Fan looked again at the still-unconscious female cultivator from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
With a delicate face, although not quite stunning, she was still definitely a beauty.
Judging from her appearance, she seemed relatively young, but the appearance and age of cultivators were not directly related.
She might be older than Li Fan.
This was because Li Fan couldn't even sense the specific cultivation level of this woman.
This indicated that either she had a precious treasure protecting her body, concealing her aura, or her strength far surpassed Li Fan's, at least at the Nascent Soul or Soul Transformation stage.
"So, I quietly slipped out and found the Old Fisherman."
"I happened to see a cultivator exchange a broken iron piece for a cultivation technique."
"I was interested and wanted to try it out."
"Who knew that this old man would ignore me. I was so angry that I cursed at him."
"And then..."
"Everything went black as if I were locked in a small, dark place."
Lu Xuejing's face was extremely aggrieved, tears streaming down her face.
Her body trembled slightly as she sobbed.
But her speech remained very stable.
"When I woke up, I appeared here."
Li Fan noticed Lu Xuejing's peculiar and contradictory behavior.
In his heart, he thought, "I just asked casually, but she's telling me too much."
Suddenly, as if thinking of something, Li Fan's expression couldn't help but become somewhat strange.
"I won't take your stuff for nothing."
"Hmm, it seems I have something very useful to you."
The Old Fisherman's words echoed in his ears. To verify his guess, Li Fan spoke up, "Fellow Daoist, please stand up."
Lu Xuejing heard the sound and indeed stood up.
Li Fan pondered for a moment and then asked, "How old are you now? What realm are you in? And what cultivation technique are you practicing?"
Asking these questions to a stranger was obviously a very rude thing to do.
Just leaving without a word was already quite restrained, and drawing a sword on the spot was even reasonable.
Yet Lu Xuejing still didn't seem to know the meaning of refusal, calmly answering Li Fan's questions.
"I am twenty-three years old this year, in the late Foundation Establishment stage, and am practicing the Dual Qi God Illuminating Heavens Silencing Technique prepared for me by my mother."
Although she answered the questions truthfully, Lu Xuejing's anxious expression became more apparent.
At the same time, she looked at Li Fan, a hint of resentment flashing in her childlike eyes.
The moment Li Fan heard the name of the technique, his heart skipped a beat.
Then he understood, "So, she's a second-generation cultivator who hasn't experienced much of the world. She went out for fun, disrespected the Old Fisherman, and got caught."
"In the end, she was treated as an item and traded to me."
"So, does that mean this second-generation cultivator is now mine?"
Chapter 329: Chief Formation Master
Thinking of this, Li Fan's eyes showed a strange color.
"Standing on one foot, turn two circles to the left. Then three circles to the right."
To verify, Li Fan ordered coldly again.
If the previous questions were somewhat rude, then Li Fan's current request could be considered quite outrageous.
To make a Foundation Establishment female cultivator whom he met for the first time perform such a bizarre and ridiculous act.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
It was impossible for any normal person to agree.
But unexpectedly, Lu Xuejing really followed each step seriously.
However, she stared at Li Fan fiercely, as if flames were burning in her eyes.
She seemed to want to crush Li Fan into pieces.
But Li Fan, being who he was, couldn't possibly be frightened by a fledgling little girl.
He smiled slightly and said to Lu Xuejing, "It seems you still don't understand your current situation."
"Hmm, daring to be disrespectful to the mysterious Old Fisherman... perhaps you really lack some discipline."
"Continue to turn in circles just like now until I tell you to stop."
Li Fan said coldly.
A hint of humiliation flashed in Lu Xuejing's eyes, but her body remained obedient.
She continued to perform the comical circling.
Li Fan didn't pay attention to her for the time being; instead, he pondered the reason for the current situation.
When the Old Fisherman handed Lu Xuejing over to Li Fan earlier, he described her as an "item."
Clearly, in the Old Fisherman's eyes, this inexperienced young girl belonged to him as an item.
Later, after obtaining the Sun Stealing Token, he exchanged it for this "item" and gave it to Li Fan.
As a result, the ownership of this item fell into Li Fan's hands.
As the owner of the item, Li Fan naturally had the power to control everything about it.
Although he didn't know how the Old Fisherman did it, judging from Lu Xuejing's obedience to Li Fan's orders, it had become an established fact.
"The description of her as an item is correct."
"But where does the great use lie?"
A Foundation Establishment female cultivator, no matter how beautiful she may be, to Li Fan who was solely focused on achieving immortality, couldn't be considered very useful.
"I wonder if..."
Thinking of this, Li Fan didn't let Lu Xuejing stop circling and directly asked, "Tell me about your mother's information."
A hint of hope flashed in Lu Xuejing's eyes as she intermittently said, "My mother's name is Lu Xichan, the Chief Formation Master of the Formation Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, with Dao Integration stage cultivation..."
"Alright, you can go now."
Following her master's orders, Lu Xuejing tucked away the communication talisman.
Without looking back, she flew off into the distance toward the horizon.
Li Fan squinted, watching the girl's figure fade into the distance.
"Seeking the skin of a tiger, although extremely dangerous, once successful, rewards immeasurable benefits if successful."
"As long as I'm a bit more careful, paying attention to any issues and retreating immediately if necessary, I can minimize the risks."
"Perhaps, it's not as dangerous as I imagined. The Old Fisherman's methods are strange, and even I, as the party involved, couldn't perceive them."
"If the girl hadn't been so unpleasant and displayed such obvious signs, I wouldn't have thought such bizarre and unreasonable things could happen."
"Wait a moment..."
In an instant, Li Fan seemed to realize something.
"This feeling, seems a bit similar to anomalies?"
In Li Fan's mind, memories of the anomalies from the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, along with the ox pulling the carriage for the Master, resurfaced.
"The Heavenly Calamity Sword is hidden in the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, and everyone in the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace has transformed into an anomaly."
"Is the owner of the Heavenly Calamity Sword also affected?"
"What exactly happened back then?"
Just as Li Fan was deep in thought, a strange feeling suddenly surged in his heart.
Looking up, he saw Lu Xuejing, who had been flying in the high sky, and had become just a black dot in the distance.
But suddenly, she plummeted straight down like a kite with a broken string.
Breaking many branches, she disappeared from Li Fan's sight.
At the same time, an image suddenly flashed in Li Fan's mind.
Lu Xuejing had an extremely painful expression on her face, with her body contorted as she rolled on the ground.
She was twitching all over.
It was as if she was a mortal without air or a fish out of water.
Struggling in despair.
Watching this scene before him, Li Fan seemed to understand something.
As the owner's item, it could not leave its master without permission.
Although Li Fan had just said it verbally, he hadn't exercised his rights as the owner.
This was because, at that time, he didn't know what privileges he had over his own belongings.
But now, Li Fan had finally felt it firsthand.
Chapter 330: Illusionary Dream Manipulation
Li Fan didn't rush to rescue the girl who was being tortured by pain.
Instead, he slowly comprehended the authority belonging to him as the master by sensing everything happening to Lu Xuejing.
"Mmm... I can vaguely sense the scenes around her body. I can even speak directly in her mind, issuing commands."
"In this case, the communication talisman earlier was redundant, and instead leaves a loophole."
"It's better to take it back."
Li Fan, calm and composed, slowly flew to Lu Xuejing's side.
After enduring prolonged agony, her beautiful face had turned as pale as a sheet of paper.
Her entire body seemed as if it had just been fished out of water, drenched in sweat.
Her exquisite figure was faintly visible beneath her wet, transparent clothing.
Li Fan held her trembling body firmly, circulating his spiritual energy within her body.
The other party's body seemed to be completely defenseless against him.
In the blink of an eye, Li Fan completed his exploration.
There were no more secrets left to reveal in Li Fan's eyes.
When Li Fan saw the Foundation Treasure in Lu Xuejing's dantian, he couldn't help but sigh.
A vast, snowy plain.
Many miniature cities and villages were even faintly visible.
A piece of information suddenly appeared in his mind.
"Earthly Treasure: Winter Crystal."
"As expected of a top-tier second generation cultivator of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, being able to establish a foundation at twenty-three years old and possessing an Earthly Treasure that complements both her physique and cultivation technique."
"Her life's starting point is an existence that ordinary cultivators cannot hope to reach even in a lifetime."
"Unfortunately, she's not very bright..."
Li Fan's gaze was ice-cold, devoid of any pity.
Li Fan continued his examination.
"There's only pure spiritual energy inside her body, without any other foreign energies. There are no traces of formations or restrictions..."
"The source of this pain..."
"It's as if it directly modified the body's underlying settings through the origin."
"Without the master, the foundation necessary for sustaining life is lost."
"This kind of means is beyond comprehension."
Combined with the recent pain akin to being in purgatory still fresh in her mind, Lu Xuejing couldn't muster the courage to resist.
She hesitated for a moment, then flipped over and gracefully knelt down to Li Fan, touching her forehead to the ground.
Without Li Fan's command, she didn't dare to move.
"You may go, patiently cultivate and await my orders," Li Fan finally spoke after a long time.
"I understand, Master." Lu Xuejing bowed her head again.
Then she got up and flew away, showing no signs of panic in her movements, and her face regained its previous proud expression.
"With Lu Xuejing's cooperation, my chances of entering the Five Element Subworlds have increased significantly. Whether I can succeed depends on how things develop."
"However, preparations still need to be made."
Watching Lu Xuejing disappear, after a moment, Li Fan's body also turned into streaks of light and returned to Tianyu City.
Before cultivating, Li Fan searched for information about Guan Xingxiu, the commander of the Tianyu Province Garrison Courtyard.
When Ji Hongdao uncharacteristically let him leave earlier, he had said not to worry about any accidents happening.
At that time, Li Fan had a premonition that the commander's fate might not be good.
At first glance, it was true.
First, he was dismissed and investigated.
Then, a conclusion was quickly reached: he was stripped of a major realm of cultivation and exiled to the remote Lanlin Province in the south.
The punishment was severe.
In addition to Guan Xingxiu, two other commanders were also severely punished.
Although it wasn't as cruel as stripping away cultivation, they were also transferred from their positions and had no chance of becoming the overall Chief Commander of the Garrison Courtyard.
"This is an aggressive method to inform those below that the determination to build the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is firm."
"Whether you're wrongly accused or the person behind the conspiracy, as long as you're involved in this matter, you'll be severely punished."
"For the sake of contending for the position of Chief Commander, using some conspiracies is acceptable."
"But hindering the progress of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation construction is not acceptable."
"..."
"With the unexpected withdrawal of the three candidates, the next inheritor of the position of Chief Commander has been basically determined."
"He was originally the least favored, didn't even take the election seriously before, and could be said to have won without a fight..."
"From Tianyun Province, Lu Junyi."
"Tianyun Province..."
Thinking of He Zhenghao, who was currently working in the Tianyun Province Garrison Courtyard, it seemed that one person's success could lift others to heaven.
Li Fan wondered if He Zhenghao would gain anything from this.
Chapter 331: Changes in Heaven and Earth
After some thought, Li Fan didn't directly ask He Zhenghao.
Instead, he sent a message to Daoist Jingxuan.
As He Zhenghao's immediate superior, Daoist Jingxuan held a higher position.
If Lu Junyi were promoted to become the Chief Commander, he would benefit greatly.
Daoist Jingxuan didn't respond immediately, and Li Fan didn't urge him either.
Next, he checked on the matter of the bounty offered for life-extending treasures rewarded by Immortal Sage Jicheng.
There were only eight months left until the three-year deadline.
According to rumors, apart from the clear winner, the Longevity Fruit which could extend life by five hundred years, competition was fierce.
It had reached the point where professional cultivators were asked to identify the exact time of the life extension, down to the month.
"My Longevity Fruit only extends life by three hundred years..." Li Fan sighed inwardly.
The opportunity to use the Technique Derivation Jade was too tempting, and the competition was beyond imagination.
"It's a bit of a stretch to succeed. But finding another life-extending treasure is impossible now."
"I can only rely on fate."
Closing the information from the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan suppressed his distractions, settled his mind, and began his intense cultivation.
However, shortly after he entered seclusion, Li Fan's progress was unexpectedly interrupted by a surge of feedback in his cultivation.
Though not as abundant as when He Zhenghao and Su Xiaomei broke through to the Golden Core stage, it was still a pleasant surprise for Li Fan, greatly accelerating his progress to the mid Golden Core stage.
"What's this..."
After sensing it for a moment, Li Fan was somewhat surprised.
"Xue Mu?"
"He actually gained something from his visit to the Mortal Transcendence Wall?"
"Judging from the quantity of his cultivation feedback, he's at least a Three Law Golden Core?"
"Interesting. The Mortal Transcendence Wall is indeed well-deserving of its reputation. It seems worth taking a look after dealing with the current matters."
While Li Fan was silently pondering, Xue Mu's ecstatic message arrived.
"Haha, fellow Daoist Li Fan, I've done it!"
"I really have to thank you. If it weren't for the miraculous spectacle you recommended, how could I have achieved the Three Law Golden Core?"
"I'll never forget your kindness, fellow Daoist!"
...
Li Fan smiled faintly without responding.
"Your diligent cultivation is the best repayment to me."
Li Fan said to himself inwardly.
Even many cultivators who had been trapped in bottlenecks for many years broke through realms inexplicably.
"Cultivation seems to have become easier."
Many cultivators said so.
Because there were too many low-level cultivators, many cultivators had not yet broken through.
Thus, the vast majority of people just regarded their words as showing off after a successful breakthrough.
They did not take it seriously.
But Li Fan didn't think so.
"Could it be that the eagerness of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance to build the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation has something to do with this matter?"
Li Fan couldn't help but link these two things together.
The number of cultivators could not be too many or too few.
Through the task of hunting the red-haired beasts on the island before, Li Fan understood that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance deliberately controlled the number of cultivators under its command.
The rush to build the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation meant that something that could influence, or even subvert, the rule of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was about to happen.
In order to maintain their stability, they had to take such extreme measures.
"Heaven and earth are experiencing strange changes, and the number of cultivators is about to go out of control?"
Li Fan squinted his eyes.
If the speculation was true, then it could be foreseen that in the near future, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association would definitely start to drastically reduce the number of cultivators through various means.
A plain massacre was probably impossible.
It could be another war.
Or it could be...
As if thinking of something, Li Fan's heart suddenly felt cold.
He stood up straight, as if in a harsh winter.
In the propaganda of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the establishment of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was to expose the spies lurking from the Five Elders Association.
The actual effect of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation had been fully verified in the Jiushan Province.
Cultivators had great trust in its miraculous effects.
And when the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was completed, with the appearance of those pillars of light that penetrated the heavens and earth, all spies would have nowhere to hide.
But...
The formation core of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was the Tianxuan Mirror that had consciousness.
What if the Tianxuan Mirror intentionally marked pure Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators as Five Elders Association cultivators?
Under the cover of the pillars of light, would other cultivators believe that you were innocent?
The more Li Fan thought about it, the colder his heart became.
A plain massacre might be imminent.
Chapter 332: Leader of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance
Four years ago, on the 24th year.
When Zhang Zhiliang was explaining the matter of the Tianyu Province's formation training, he mentioned that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance planned to cover every inch of territory within its domain with the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation within thirty years.
In other words, as early as that time, had the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance already sensed the impending changes in heaven and earth?
From his few encounters with the top experts in this world, Li Fan didn't think it was an exaggeration.
"The ducks are the first to know when the spring river flows warm. Those who have reached the Dao Integration realm and even the Longevity Immortal realm have already have the strength to contend with the heavens and earth. It's normal for them to sense the changes in heaven and earth early."
"The policy has been set, but not everyone can understand the deeper meaning behind it."
"Most think it as just an unusual infrastructure task. That's why, for the position of the Chief Commander of the Garrison Courtyard, they used Tantai Tao and the others as pawns in their conspiracies."
"However, they clearly underestimated the importance of the widespread dissemination of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation."
"As a result, they brought disaster upon themselves. The position of commander of the Garrison Courtyards in the Tianyu, Tianchen, Tianshu, and Tianquan provinces is not low. Still, they do not understand the true meaning behind the policy."
"So, who exactly is the policy maker of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?"
From what Li Fan currently knew about the several departments of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, such as the Government Hall, the Martial Hall, the Formation Hall, the Heavenly Secrets Hall, and the Garrison Courtyard, they all had their own responsibilities.
They were the specific executors of policies.This chapter is updated by
As for the mysterious and transcendent Law Enforcement Hall, they were only responsible for maintaining the integrity of the techniques.
Who represented the true will of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?
Who decided the fate of countless cultivators in a turn of a thought?
Was it the Immortal Ancestor?
Li Fan had consulted countless secret documents and knew that now, whether it was the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance or the Five Elders Association, it was a recognized fact that the whereabouts of the Immortal Ancestor were elusive and he had long ceased to care about worldly affairs.
This was not something that needed to be avoided. A quick check would reveal it.
So, besides the Immortal Ancestor, did the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance have another Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign?
If it was only Dao Integration realm cultivator, how could they convince everyone?
Li Fan also thought of the mysterious and unpredictable Heavenly Doctor.
His strength was above the Dao Integration realm.
But he seemed to travel outside the system of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Otherwise, there was no need to issue a bounty mission for the "Cloud Water Map".
Why not just issue a decree?
"Outside of the public eye, there must be a group of unknown people. They are the true leaders of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
"Even..."
Li Fan frowned slightly, a somewhat absurd thought suddenly emerging in his mind.
As other cultivators had said, the bottlenecks between each realm had all become as fragile as paper.
With a surge of spiritual energy, Li Fan successfully entered the mid-Golden Core stage.
"Successful breakthrough, so now I can start making my clone."
This clone was still meant to be used as a cover-up.
Li Fan even planned to send the clone to Yuandao Province in the 29th year to find out what had happened during the missing ten years.
Furthermore, he would experience being both inside and outside Yuandao Province.
Li Fan naturally didn't need to spend much effort on this destined cannon fodder.
Li Fan left Tianyu City again, flew in a random direction for more than ten days, and found a remote area.
Just like before, he dug out a secret room and sealed the entrance.
"There shouldn't be such a big disturbance this time. I hoped I won't be unlucky and be found again."
Li Fan muttered softly and began to refine the clone.
Beginning with the Heaven Crystal Spirit Sand, he skillfully added the materials into the flesh and blood of the clone one by one.
He also added a medium-grade Human Treasure, the Furious Flying Butterfly, as the Foundation Treasure.
He then threw in a Golden Core Fragment containing insights into the Law of Water for core formation.
The Furious Flying Butterfly was previously purchased at the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce in Jiushan Province for the Immortal Revival Organization.
The buyer, Fan Lin, had disappeared from the world along with the Cong Yun Sea.
There was no need to worry about tracing.
As for the Golden Core Fragment...
There were countless cultivators in the world who formed pills with water-based laws, and it was impossible to trace them.
All preparations were complete.
Li Fan concentrated his mind and began to condense the clone.
Seven days later.
"Slash!"
Li Fan used his fingers as a sword to sever the fate of the clone from its surroundings.
A trace of vitality emanated from the clone.
A brand new clone, with the strength of the early Golden Core stage, was born.
"Let's call you Xiao Fan!"
After dressing him, Li Fan looked at the clone for a few moments and said with satisfaction.
Translator’s Note
Hey everybody,
Thank you all very much for your generous support these past few months; I hope you have all enjoyed My Longevity Simulation as much as I have, and I'm very grateful for the unbelievably positive reception. Unfortunately, I've lost all the motivation I had when I first began, and translation has become a chore for me. Because of this, it no longer really made sense for me to continue translating, as this was always a passion project and was never really a good use of my time financially. As such, I've decided to stop translating. If you want to continue reading, there are two MTL versions on webnovel I'll link below as well as my raw source (note the chapter number might be off by 1-2). Thanks again for everything!
***
Admin Note: The above mentioned MTL's are collected in the MTL section - https://ranobes.top/mtl-reader/1206224/index/
Also, the novel began to be translated into " under the name - My Simulated Road to Immortality
Spoile
Chapter 333: Heaven Feather Pill
Admin Note: Starting from this chapter, the translation is from "UnToldChapters".
***
The appearance of the avatar Xiao Fan was completely different from the ordinary appearance of the avatar Lin Fan.
Li Fan deliberately crafted him to be eight feet tall, with sword-like eyebrows, fair skin, and exceptionally handsome.
“The more eye-catching, the better. Go claim the reward from Immortal Sage Jicheng, then lead everyone’s attention to Yuan Dao Province.”
“Let’s see if the monster looming over Yuan Dao Province is truly undetectable.”
The avatar Xiao Fan smiled and nodded.
Transforming into a blue light, he left the secret room.
Li Fan didn’t leave immediately
Instead, he stayed in place for more than a month, until the time reached the 29th year anchor point, before leisurely returning to Tian Yu Province.
During this time, the avatar only did one thing: obtain a legitimate identity within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
After cultivating to the Golden Core stage, it wasn’t as easy as before to simply find someone for a referral to join the alliance.
After all, cultivation was arduous, and reaching the Foundation Establishment stage as a rogue cultivator was already extremely difficult.
Rogue cultivators reaching the Golden Core stage were rarely seen.
Although it wasn’t as rigorous as joining the established system, there were still inquiries and some test missions required.
Fortunately, Li Fan had already investigated the process in advance.
Although there were some twists and turns, he ultimately successfully joined the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
He also happened to meet Zhou Luo, the town guardian of Ju Yu City in Tian Yu Province.
Zhou Luo was a late-stage Nascent Soul, but because the avatar Xiao Fan was young and still a rogue cultivator, having reached the Golden Core stage, he was relatively polite towards the avatar.
After exchanging communication talismans, the avatar then used a teleportation array to first arrive at Tian Yu City for transit.
Then he headed straight to Tian Quan Province.
The location for participating in the reward for Immortal Sage Jicheng was there.
As the name implied, Tian Quan Province had a close connection with the word “authority.”
Many high-ranking cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would set up industries and construct subworlds in this province.
Their relatives and subordinates often followed suit.
Therefore, the land prices in Tian Quan Province were skyrocketing, making every inch of land extremely valuable.
Unlike other provinces with vast wilderness, here in Tian Quan Province, as far as the eye could see, the vast province was covered with one private array after another, indicating habitation.
Those who could reside within Tian Quan City were the elites among the elites.
The Heavenly Extreme Court of Immortal Sage Jicheng was located in the heart of Tian Quan City.
At this moment, Immortal Sage Jicheng, who had been silent throughout the situation, finally spoke.
“The so-called internal designation is purely fictitious.”
“For fairness and justice, to gain people’s trust. The selection of Longevity treasures this time is not participated by the Heavenly Extreme Court, but displayed publicly through the Tianxuan Mirror to avoid any possibility of manipulation.”
Hearing that the Tianxuan Mirror directly assessed and ranked the treasures, the cultivators all calmed down.
Naturally, the Tianxuan Mirror would not be fake.
Immortal Sage Jicheng then made another promise. Even if the participating cultivators offering treasures didn’t make it to the top three,
he would still reward them at twice the market price.
With the personal promise of this old Immortal Sage, the cultivators participating in the reward finally increased again.
Seeing that the three-year deadline for the reward was approaching its end, they didn’t leave after offering up their Longevity treasures.
Instead, they stayed in the hall, keeping an eye on the rankings displayed on the Tianxuan Mirror.
Li Fan also looked at the rankings on the list. He couldn’t clearly see the name of the first cultivator, but he already knew the name of the treasure: Longevity Fruit, extending life for 500 years.
And the second place was far behind.
“Wan Yu, Green Wood Longevity Pill. It can extend life for 286 years.”
Seeing this, Li Fan couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
“I didn’t expect my Longevity Fruit to rank second. It’s truly lucky.”
As Li Fan continued to look down the list, he saw various Longevity treasures that he had never heard of before.
“Immortal Sage Jicheng has consumed too many Longevity treasures. Only these almost unique and difficult-to-replicate treasures are effective.”
Just as he was lost in thought,
Another cultivator entered the hall.
He paid no attention to the surrounding cultivators, walked straight to the center under the Tianxuan Mirror,
and took out a purple wooden box, slowly opening it.
“I have a Heaven Feather Pill, which can extend life for 800 years, offered to Immortal Sage Jicheng!”
Although his voice was soft, it sounded like thunder in everyone’s ears, causing them to stand up in surprise and scrutinize the newcomer.
Li Fan couldn’t help but also cast his gaze on the newcomer.
“Heaven Feather Pill? From Yuan Dao Province?”
“Wait, this person... seems a bit familiar.”
In an instant, Li Fan recognized the identity of this cultivator.
He was Han Yi, who, at the end of Year 16, won the first prize in the Cong Yun Sea, with an impressive contribution of 1.56 million.
Chapter 339: Finally Seeing Pearl of Derivation
“I will wait for you to come out here.”
“Pearl of Derivation needs to be used in sequence. I don’t know who goes first and who goes last.”
“Anyway, after the technique derivation, we’ll meet here.”
The black-robed cultivator said concisely.
Seeing the passage ahead taking shape, Han Yi simply nodded, responded, and eagerly rushed in
Li Fan bowed to the black-robed cultivator and then stepped in slowly.
Ximen Yue followed Li Fan’s lead and entered the black stone tablet last.
The black-robed cultivator watched as the colorful light on the stone tablet gradually submerged into blackness again. He remained motionless, becoming like a statue, standing in front of the black stone tablet.
...
“User applying for Pearl of Derivation: Xiao Fan.”
“Serial number: 17. Authorization level: Nascent Soul.”
“Please wait patiently here. The estimated remaining waiting time is seven days and six hours.”
A lazy voice gradually returned to Li Fan’s ears.
Looking around, Li Fan found himself in a sealed space.
The space was not spacious, and the decoration was quite simple.
There was only a set of tables and chairs, a few potted plants, and a bookshelf.
On one wall, Li Fan’s application information and the countdown were displayed.
Han Yi and Ximen Yue were nowhere to be seen. Li Fan speculated that each applicant was in their own separate space.
Within this space, spiritual energy remained dormant in the body, unable to be cultivated.
Seven days was not a short time.
With nothing else to do, Li Fan walked to the bookshelf and began to look through the books placed on it.
Unlike jade slips that could be read with spiritual consciousness, these books seemed to be purely paper products, requiring manual flipping.
However, Li Fan was originally a scholar, so reading was not difficult for him.
He took several books and began to read slowly.
《Guide to Using Pearl of Derivation》, 《Ten Principles of Technique Derivation》, 《Distinguishing between Technique Derivation and Cultivation for Cultivators》
...
Time slowly passed as Li Fan immersed himself in reading.
With several books finished, he also gained a rough understanding of Pearl of Derivation that he was about to see.
As a precious treasure of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, located in the Law Enforcement Hall, Pearl of Derivation had the responsibility of creating and deriving new techniques.
Every moment, brand new techniques that had never existed before were derived.
And this process of technique derivation was not to be interrupted.
As someone who could barely be considered a half-fledged Weaving Master, at this moment, he found the process quite intriguing and not at all boring.
Time passed quickly.
Soon, the same elevating sound rang out again.
“Cultivator Xiao Fan, it’s almost your turn. Please prepare yourself.”
Li Fan put the book back on the shelf, took a deep breath, and felt a surge of energy.
The countdown on the wall slowly reached zero.
Everything in the space became illusory.
Turning into dots of light, drifting towards a certain direction.
Li Fan floated in the space, slightly stunned.
Looking around, he found himself in a vast void.
In an instant of enlightenment, Li Fan followed the previous dots of light and flew forward.
Before long, he saw a huge sphere composed of countless characters.
Every moment, the characters on the sphere were constantly changing.
Occasionally, the entire set of characters on the sphere would pause for a moment, then emit a dazzling light and disappear.
Then it would begin an endless cycle of changes and derivations.
Beneath this huge sphere, a desk floated in the void.
A loli who looked only five or six years old was lying on the desk.
She looked listless as she watched the characters continuously appearing on the table.
“Is she Pearl of Derivation?”
Li Fan slowly flew closer, but found that after reaching a certain distance, he could no longer approach.
Seeing that the little loli didn’t even notice him, he could only cough lightly.
“May I ask...”
“What kind of technique to derive, what requirements the technique has, whether it’s ‘creation from nothing’ or ‘blueprint creation’.”
“Write it down yourself.”
The little loli didn’t even lift her head, speaking in a childish voice.
Then she clapped her chubby hands on the desk, and after a flash of light, a piece of paper appeared instantly.
The little loli picked up the paper and threw it in front of Li Fan.
Li Fan looked at Pearl of Derivation and felt even more strange, but he didn’t delay. He grabbed the paper, and the thoughts in his mind immediately appeared on the paper in lines of text.
“Blueprint technique ‘Thousand Mechanisms Golden Chapter’, ‘Sun Stealing Token Method’, reference secret art ‘Appearance Changing with Heart’.”
“To derive a technique that can completely transform into the technique of others.”
Chapter 334: Three Giants Meet the Immortal Ancestor
“Is it him?” The proud face of the cultivator in front of Li Fan overlapped with the image of the youth who seemed crazy in his memory.
Li Fan was somewhat stunned.
“He’s actually alive? Not only did he evade the calamity of Ink Death Annihilation, but it seems he also had another encounter in Yuan Dao Province?”
“This kind of fortune...”
Li Fan suddenly became interested in this Han Yi.
Upon closer inspection, he was completely different from the image of ragged clothes and messy hair from before.
The present Han Yi wore a purple-golden robe, with a faint radiance circulating on it, obviously not ordinary.
On his left hand, he wore a green jade finger ring, besides its storage function, it also showed traces of formation fluctuations.
At first glance, he exuded an extraordinary aura, either rich or noble.
His own cultivation was also remarkable.
Thirteen years ago, he hadn’t broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage yet.
Now, however, like Li Fan, he had achieved the level of Golden Core cultivation.
“Interesting.” Li Fan’s eyes flickered, a hint of a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Amidst the attention of the crowd, a silver light shone on the Tianxuan Mirror in the center of the hall, reflecting on the purple wooden box in Han Yi’s hand.
After a moment, the purple wooden box disappeared.
And the writing on the Tianxuan Mirror’s list changed slightly.
At the top, it turned out to be “Han Yi, Heaven-Divine Feather Pill. Can extend life by eight hundred and six years.”
The cultivators in the hall immediately erupted into a commotion.
“Is it actually true? Did this kid not talk big?”
“Just a mere Golden Core cultivator, his luck is too good, right? To actually find a treasure that can extend life by eight hundred years? I’m so jealous!”
“Heaven-Divine Feather... Doesn’t this name sound familiar?”
“Isn’t it the cultivation technique of the late Blue Feather Immortal Ancestor from before Yuan Dao Province? It’s said that now within Yuan Dao Province, there’s a fierce competition for this supreme technique, resulting in the demise of many cultivators. I wonder what connection this Heaven-Divine Feather Pill has with the Blue Feather Immortal Ancestor.”
The crowd discussed eagerly, their gazes towards Han Yi filled with various meanings.
Facing the gazes of many cultivators whose cultivation far surpassed his, Han Yi remained calm and composed, his expression unchanged.
He even elegantly bowed to the various cultivators, smiling and saying, “Thank you for your generosity! As expected, the first place in this reward will belong to me.”
With these words, the expressions of the cultivators in the hall turned unpleasant.
However, Han Yi didn’t care at all
Leisurely fanning himself, he found a place to sit down, waiting for the final result.
Han Yi’s sudden appearance made the atmosphere in the Tianji Court hall considerably heavier.
The fervor of discussion was not as intense as before.
The first two positions were almost determined.
The countdown on the Tianxuan Mirror slowly reached zero.
And only the top three positions remained on the mirror’s ranking list.
A blue-robed cultivator suddenly appeared in the hall.
He loudly proclaimed, “Han Yi, Ximen Yue, Xiao Fan, please follow me.”
“The rest of the cultivators stay here; someone will be responsible for verifying and distributing the rewards later.”
Han Yi, upon hearing this, took the lead without hesitation.
When Li Fan stood up, he made a gesture of invitation towards the second-placed Ximen Yue.
After hesitating for a moment, Ximen Yue softly thanked him and followed Han Yi out.
Li Fan, on the other hand, walked behind the three.
Under the envious gazes of the other cultivators, the three of them followed the blue-robed cultivator out of the hall, turning right and heading deeper inside.
Passing through more than a dozen gates, they finally arrived at a courtyard with a large tree.
This big tree seemed to have once been lush, with branches spreading out, almost covering the entire courtyard.
But now, it seemed to have undergone some kind of calamity, with all its leaves fallen off.
Even the trunk of the tree bore yellowish marks.
Beneath the tree stood an old man with white hair.
His body was slightly hunched as he caressed the tree in front of him, which was also on the verge of death.
There was a sense of desolation about him.
“Greetings, Immortal Ancestor!”
Li Fan and the others immediately understood the identity of this old man upon seeing him, and they quickly saluted.
Even Han Yi put away his arrogance and became respectful.
The Immortal Sage Jicheng slowly turned around, looking at the three young individuals with a hint of nostalgia and sadness in his eyes.
“You’ve done well,”
the Immortal Sage Jicheng said slowly, each word deliberate.
“To be honest, the effectiveness of the longevity treasures you’ve handed over far exceeds my original expectations.”
“Thanks to your blessings, I can still stand up and move around for a while.”
“For matters after I’m gone, I need to make some arrangements.”
The Immortal Sage Jicheng spoke slowly, with a hint of deathly aura on his face.
“Does it mean, Immortal Ancestor, that you’ve already consumed all these longevity treasures?”
“But why?”
At this moment, Ximen Yue couldn’t help but ask.
Chapter 338: Guardian Black Stone Stele
The black-robed cultivator paused for a moment, sweeping a cold gaze over Li Fan and the others before saying, “Each cultivator’s experiences and state of mind vary, so the illusions they see also differ.”
“Mostly, they are grand scenes related to the former Immortal Sage and the transmission of techniques.”
“However, it’s only like this the first time.”
The tone of the black-robed cultivator carried a hint of regret: “After staying here for a while and getting used to the aura of the Immortal Sage, wanting to see the illusions again becomes a luxury.”
Han Yi and Ximen Yue were still reeling from the impact of the illusions, merely nodding at his words.
Meanwhile, Li Fan remained cautious, still gazing ahead.
While masking his inner fear, he attempted to recall the familiar sensation that had just emerged from nowhere.
The black-robed cultivator observed their reactions without concern.
He didn’t rush but waited patiently.
In his view, the astonishment and shock displayed by these newcomers were entirely normal.
As a guide, he was already accustomed to it.
After a while, seeing that the three had gradually shaken off the influence of the illusions, he continued with his duty.
“I’ve been entrusted by the Immortal Sage Jicheng to lead you to the Law Enforcement Hall
“Follow closely behind me, and don’t wander.”
“Although those who can enter the headquarters have already undergone identity verification and generally won’t encounter any problems.”
“However, this is the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, a highly confidential area. There are cultivators secretly guarding at all times.”
“If you go where you shouldn’t and are captured and killed, no one will seek justice for you.”
The black-robed cultivator warned in a cold voice.
Li Fan and the others nodded in understanding.
Following behind him, Li Fan took the opportunity to observe the scenery of the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
In the endless void, many towering buildings floated.
Arranged in different directions above the void, they resembled countless stars in the sky.
And their current position was at the very bottom of the entire architectural complex.
Silver rays streaked across the sky above.
Moving between the floating buildings, within the rays, one could faintly see some blurry figures.
Advancing unhurriedly, occasionally encountering cultivators with solemn expressions and hurried steps.
And the floating land underfoot seemed to serve only as an external entrance and checkpoint.
Apart from the vegetation planted along the sides of the road, there weren’t many other buildings set up.
Setting foot on the land again, Li Fan looked ahead and saw a towering black stone stele not far away.
There was only one wide road, straight towards the stone stele.
There weren’t any vegetation or other decorations along the sides of the road.
Compared to the floating lands seen earlier, this place seemed somewhat simple and solemn.
The black-robed cultivator remained silent, leading the way on the straight road.
The surface of the road seemed to be made of some kind of greenish stone. Walking on it, Li Fan was somewhat astonished to find that his spiritual energy suddenly quieted down.
It seemed as if it had lost its vitality, as no matter how Li Fan tried to mobilize it, he couldn’t stir it in the slightest.
As a result, even the early Gold Core stage clone, when walking on this road, became no different from an ordinary person.
Han Yi and Ximen Yue also noticed this.
The three exchanged fearful glances, dared not discuss further, and hurriedly followed the black-robed cultivator who had already gone far ahead.
The tall black stone stele seemed not far away, right at the end of the straight road.
But as Li Fan and the others relied solely on their physical bodies, each step felt like a slow journey, and the road seemed to stretch endlessly.
In Li Fan’s perception, it took almost half a day’s effort before they finally arrived at the end, somewhat exhausted.
During this process, they encountered cultivators leaving from the black stone stele.
However, they seemed unaffected and could still fly low above the straight road.
“It should be a restriction for outsiders. Members of the main branch of the Law Enforcement Hall seem to be able to rely on some kind of secret technique to avoid the suppression of spiritual energy,” Li Fan thought to himself.
Arriving at the foot of the black stone stele, Li Fan keenly felt its towering height.
The towering top was already beyond the range of vision, entirely black like a profound sense of oppression.
What surprised Li Fan was that the entire stele seemed like a single entity.
There was no sign of an entrance or exit.
At this moment, the black-robed cultivator who had led them here spoke up.
“Alright, this is it. Show me your Exquisite Law Jade Tokens.”
Li Fan and the others heard this and quickly took out their Exquisite Law Jade Tokens.
The colorful light on the jade tokens shone on the black stone stele, making the dark surface become colorful.
The halo dispersed, and the solid stone stele seemed to dissolve in these colorful hues.
A colorful passage appeared on the stele.
“You may enter. Without an Exquisite Law Jade Token, I cannot enter the Law Enforcement Hall unauthorized,” the black-robed cultivator said.
Chapter 337: Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance Headquarters
“Hehe, the Blue Feather Treasure Box, also known as the Blue Feather Legacy.”
“It is said to be the treasure left by the Blue Feather Immortal Lord of the Yuan Dao Province before his fall, stored in various blue boxes. They were scattered across the Yuan Dao Province, left for those with fate.”
“And I, naturally, am one of those fated individuals.”
Han Yi’s face was full of excitement as he recounted to the two.
“You might not believe it if I tell you. At that time, when I just arrived in Yuan Dao Province, I was completely clueless.”
“Suddenly, a blue box fell from the sky and landed in front of me.”
“I thought it was some treasure of another cultivator and was startled. After regaining my composure, no one appeared for a long time.”
“So, I gathered my courage and opened the box.”
“Who would have thought...”
Han Yi seemed to be amazed at his own luck, reminiscing about the experience with endless admiration.
“Are you saying... this precious treasure came to you on its own?” Ximen Yue stared, pointing at Han Yi, his finger trembling slightly.
“Hehe, Sima Daoist friend, there’s no need to be so surprised. It’s just stumbling upon a treasure while on the road. Nothing too extraordinary, right?” Han Yi extended his folding fan, moving Ximen Yue’s pointing hand away.
Sighing, he continued, “In my life, there have been ups and downs. I’ve experienced highs and lows. Now, I can look at such things with equanimity.”
Ximen Yue opened his mouth to speak but found himself speechless.
Instead, he turned his head away, no longer looking at Han Yi’s face.
Li Fan suddenly remembered that when Han Yi was caught by the Zhen Fish in the Cong Yun Sea, he heard that all of Han Yi’s family’s belongings were swindled by a Foundation Establishment Grandmaster, leaving him in a pitiful state.
“It seems he’s not naturally lucky. What could have caused his sudden change of fortune?”
“Or is it more than just luck?”
As Li Fan pondered, he added Han Yi to the list of people to observe closely in the next life.
He didn’t show any expression on his face but instead comforted Ximen Yue, “Daoist Ximen, you don’t need to be so disheartened. Obtaining the Longevity Fruit means you also have extraordinary luck!”
“Extending life for five hundred years is also a remarkable treasure.”
“By the way, I wonder where you obtained this Longevity Fruit?” Li Fan asked casually.
“Does it matter?” Ximen Yue seemed somewhat disheartened, very frustrated.
“My Longevity Fruit was a perilous adventure, found in the ruins of Li Ling in the Tian Hua Province
“Doesn’t that make you mad?” Ximen Yue was about to say something else.
But a sudden appearance of a black figure made him stop involuntarily.
A black figure, its features obscured, as if shrouded in a veil of darkness.
But the chilling aura emanating from him sent a strong sense of danger to Li Fan.
Han Yi and Ximen Yue’s expressions couldn’t help but become serious in an instant.
Fortunately, he managed to suppress it with great determination.
It took him a long time to calm down and think rationally.
Li Fan kept reminiscing, pondering where the fear had come from.
It was a spontaneous warning from his body and soul, a pure subconscious reaction.
Although he didn’t understand it, Li Fan chose to trust his intuition.
Slowly, Li Fan seemed to sense something.
But the answer he received was somewhat unbelievable.
Because, when he suddenly saw this lifelike Transcendent Master statue, a sense of familiarity surged within him.
It felt as if he had seen it before, triggering his body’s instinctive warning.
It made him feel as if he were falling into a deep cold, unable to control himself.
“A sense of familiarity?”
“How is that possible?”
“Where did it come from?”
The astonishment on Li Fan’s face was no longer feigned.
He forced himself to overcome his fear and once again observed the Transcendent Master statue, seeking the source of the familiarity.
However...
When he looked again, the towering Transcendent Master statue seemed to be nothing but an illusion, completely disappearing from his sight.
Just as Li Fan became increasingly suspicious, he suddenly heard Han Yi’s admiring voice.
“When the Transcendent Master imparts the law, all beings bow down. What a magnificent scene! Those cultivators who were present at the time were so fortunate!”
Li Fan’s heart stirred.
“The Transcendent Master imparting the law?”
“Could it be that Han Yi and I didn’t see the same scene?”
At this moment, Ximen Yue’s words timely confirmed Li Fan’s judgment.
“With the establishment of the new law, the sky rains black blood, and all things weep together. What a cruel yet beautiful scene...”
“I wish I could have lived ten thousand years earlier to experience it personally.”
And at that moment, the black figure from before appeared beside them, seemingly out of nowhere.
“There’s a trace of the Transcendent Master’s aura lingering in this space. First-time visitors here often have illusions.”
He explained softly.
Chapter 336: Han Yi’s Strong Heavenly Fortune
Chapter 336 Han Yi’s Strong Heavenly Fortune
“Friend Xiao! Friend Xiao!”
Voices calling echoed in Li Fan’s ears, and he paused for a moment, realizing they were calling for him.
On one hand, it was because he was still unfamiliar with the name of his clone.
On the other hand, he was just pondering the advice given by Immortal Sage Jicheng.
Undoubtedly, Immortal Sage Jicheng’s insight far exceeded Li Fan’s current level.
His insightful guidance was indeed worth careful consideration.
Originally, Li Fan intended to derive the “Mountain Meditation Technique” to the Nascent Soul realm using the Pearl of Derivation.
Because the original “Mountain Meditation Technique” was only a Golden Core cultivation method, and now that Li Fan had cultivated to the Golden Core realm, advancing further would render it unable to be cultivated.
However, the characteristics of the “Mountain Meditation Technique” were extremely suitable for Li Fan, and he was reluctant to give it up.
But Immortal Sage Jicheng’s words did awaken Li Fan.
For him now, Nascent Soul cultivation methods were truly tasteless but a pity to discard.
Anyway, for a considerable amount of time in the future, the “Mountain Meditation Technique” would still be his main cultivation method.
And he had the ability of 【Truth】to start anew
Then, he would directly derive the Dao Integration version of the “Mountain Meditation Technique.”
“Try to let the Pearl of Derivation derive those techniques with special effects,” Li Fan thought, and several plans flashed through his mind in an instant.
“Specifically, I’ll make plans after seeing the Pearl of Derivation.”
“The only thing that makes people doubtful is why would Immortal Sage Jicheng give me guidance?”
“Is it because a dying person tends to speak kindly, or is it just because I recognized that Qingyun Willow?”
“The ‘Heavenly Doctor’s Scriptures’ clearly state that this kind of willow tree is very common. It is distributed in almost every province. Being able to recognize it shouldn’t be a very special thing.”
For these strong individuals standing at the top of the food chain in the Xuanhuang Realm, Li Fan had always been reluctant to speculate on them with the worst intentions.
“The likelihood of doing good for no reason is very small. Perhaps there was a mistake somewhere...”
In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan’s main body suddenly opened his eyes, searching for information about the “Qingyun Willow.”
After a moment, his expression became somewhat strange.
Li Fan shook his head, smiling, “I have traveled around Tianyu Province for a while. I also tried to pass through the Elemental Qi Devouring Mist Barrier at the border of the province.”
“It seems that these four states are closely adjacent, and there shouldn’t be anything else in between.”
“Of course, maybe it’s because of my low strength that I can’t recognize it even if we meet.” Li Fan didn’t insist on his words.
Han Yi, upon hearing this, showed a look of surprise: “Oh? Is that so?”
Ximen Yue then said, “Within our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance territory, there are countless subworlds. It is very likely that the headquarters is established in one of the small worlds within these four states.”
Li Fan listened, smiled faintly, neither affirming nor denying it.
In his heart, he thought leisurely, “Everyone knows that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has a headquarters. However, where exactly this headquarters is located, very few people know.”
“It’s truly mysterious. Having the opportunity to find out is indeed fortunate.”
Han Yi snapped open his fan, somewhat disdainful of Li Fan’s preoccupation with this question: “Why bother worrying about it? We’ll know when we go there ourselves later.”
“That’s not necessarily true.” Li Fan thought so in his heart, but nodded with a smile, without arguing.
Instead, he started teasing Han Yi: “Speaking of which, when I found the Longevity Fruit in the Falling Immortal Realm before, I thought I could at least get second place in this Immortal Sage’s reward. I didn’t expect that there are always stronger contenders out there.”
Li Fan shook his head, admiringly looking at Han Yi: “Friend Ximen Yue possessing a Longevity Fruit for five hundred years is already unimaginably precious.”
“I didn’t expect that Friend Han would actually find a treasure that can extend life for eight hundred years, truly...”
Ximen Yue was also curious at this moment, asking on behalf of Li Fan, “Regarding the Heavenly Feather Pill, Friend, where did you find it?”
“Is it related to the Immortal Sage Lan Yu from Source Dao Province?”
Li Fan also stared at Han Yi eagerly, very much looking forward to his answer.
Being looked at with envy by the two people beside him, Han Yi couldn’t help but feel a bit lofty.
With a smirk, he elegantly waved his fan and said, “It’s nothing much. Since the treasure pill has already been handed over, there’s no harm in telling you both now.”
“Have you ever heard of the Blue Feather Treasure Box?”
Han Yi’s voice carried a hint of pride as he slowly asked.
“Blue Feather Treasure Box?” Ximen Yue repeated, his eyes somewhat bewildered.
Li Fan, on the other hand, seemed pensive.
However, he didn’t speak, but instead shook his head, watching Han Yi’s performance.
Chapter 335: The Beginning of Lifes End
“Why does it seem like it’s not very effective?” Immortal Sage Jicheng smiled as he voiced the question for Ximen Yue.
Ximen Yue quickly bowed apologetically.
However, Immortal Sage Jicheng waved his hand, unconcerned: “The Heaven Feather Pill grants 800 years of life. The Longevity Fruit, 500 years. The Life Extending Fruit, 300 years.”
“These are all extremely rare treasures. Among the countless treasures I’ve seen in my past 3,612 years, the value of these few is definitely remarkable.”
“But now, they’re all cheap for someone like me, who is nearing death.”
Immortal Sage Jicheng somewhat self-mockingly said.
“Together, they can add 1,600 years of life for an ordinary cultivator.”
“But when used on me...”
“Hehe, guess, what’s the effect?”
Immortal Sage Jicheng asked.
At this moment, Han Yi, seeing Immortal Sage Jicheng seeming quite approachable, became a bit bolder.
He answered first: “500 years?”
Immortal Sage Jicheng chuckled lightly and shook his head repeatedly.
“200 years?” Ximen Yue guessed.
Immortal Sage Jicheng still shook his head.
“20 years?” Li Fan suddenly spoke up.
The guessed number was a bit outrageous, causing both Han Yi and Ximen Yue to look at him.
“Although your courage is already quite significant, you’ve still overestimated!” Immortal Sage Jicheng laughed heartily, raising a finger with his right hand
“Ten years.”
“That’s the deadline I can strive for.”
“And this is the result even when considering other cultivators’ offerings of life-extending treasures.”
Immortal Sage Jicheng’s voice was heavy, but he smiled.
However, Li Fan and the others all showed expressions of shock at his words.
“How could this be?” Ximen Yue’s face was full of disbelief. “Could it be that the appraisal effect of the Tianxuan Mirror is also fake?”
Li Fan and Han Yi, too, had extremely serious expressions, looking at Immortal Sage Jicheng, trying to get answers from him.
Immortal Sage Jicheng, however, didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pointed to the big tree in front of them and asked the three, “Do you know what kind of tree this is?”
After looking at it for a while, both Han Yi and Ximen Yue shook their heads, not recognizing it.
Li Fan, on the other hand, didn’t hesitate to say, “It’s a Qingyun Willow, a common spiritual wood with no value other than ornamental.”
The old man’s voice gradually lowered, and Li Fan and the others could no longer hear clearly.
“May I ask, Immortal Sage, does this mean that these life-extending treasures aren’t actually as precious as imagined?” After a long time, Han Yi couldn’t help but ask.
Immortal Sage Jicheng glanced at the three of them and chuckled lowly.
“The younger you are, the more precious they are.”
“The older you are, the more useless they become.”
“Do you understand?”
Upon hearing this, the three of them wore pensive expressions.
“Well, seeing you energetic young people today is a rare occurrence for me to talk a bit more.”
“Now it’s time to give you your rewards.”
Without any visible action from Immortal Sage Jicheng, three jade plaques emitting colorful light suddenly appeared and flew towards Li Fan and the others.
Li Fan received the jade plaque, only to see mysterious patterns carved around it, with the character ‘法’ (law) encircled in the center.
“This is the ‘Observing Law Jade Plaque’. With this token, you can go to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the Law Enforcement Hall, and apply to use the Pearl of Derivation.” Immortal Sage introduced to the three.
As if remembering something, Immortal Sage Jicheng reminded again, “Remember, each ‘Observing Law Jade Plaque’ only has one application opportunity.”
“After the application is made, you may have to wait a long time before it’s your turn. And, each technique derivation also has a time limit.”
“Don’t be too greedy and miss out.”
“Hehe, back in the day...”
Immortal Sage Jicheng’s voice grew smaller and smaller, until it was barely audible.
At this moment, the blue-robed cultivator who had led them in quietly reappeared beside them.
“Let’s go.”
He transmitted the message.
Li Fan and the others put away the ‘Observing Law Jade Plaque’ and slowly exited the courtyard.
“Young man, let me give you some advice. Your jade plaque can only apply for techniques at the Nascent Soul level. If it’s just used to derive the main techniques of cultivation realms, it’s a bit wasteful.”
“You can try using the Pearl of Derivation to derive techniques with special effects. Even at the Nascent Soul level, it may still be effective.”
Just as Li Fan stepped out of the courtyard, he suddenly heard the voice of Immortal Sage Jicheng.
Li Fan couldn’t help but look back, only to see Immortal Sage Jicheng, as he had seen before, touching the withered Qingyun Willow.
A lonely figure.
Li Fan saw a man, walking towards the end of life.
He bowed respectfully to him and left quietly.
Chapter 340: Technique Derivation Divine Achievement
Thousand Mechanisms, Jade Sphere, Golden Chapter, discovered by Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi at the border of Shilin Province in the Hundred Stone Cave of the Tianji Sect. Although it’s only at the Nascent Soul stage, it has the effects of distinguishing Qi movements and understanding cause and effect. Li Fan’s comprehension of the Formless Killing Intent makes the Jade Sphere, Golden Chapter technique indispensable.
Sun Stealing Token Formula, obtained by Li Fan from Sikong Yi, a descendant of the Sun Stealing Sect. Capable of seizing life destinies and creating avatars, living up to the name of the Sun Stealing Sect.
As for the secret technique, Changing Appearance at Will, it comes from the intelligence agent of the Five Elders’ Association, Zhou Qing’ang, stationed at the Tai’an Island. Paired with the extraordinary item, Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart, it can change appearances, even deceive the testing of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s White Jade Questioning Heart Platform.
Qi movements, life destinies, appearances.
Theoretically, when these three are combined, one can completely transform into another cultivator.
Li Fan had considered such a plan before.
However, they are all elusive existences, and with Li Fan’s current theoretical accumulation, even if he were to meditate for hundreds of years, he might not be able to create a new technique based on them.
Now, with the opportunity to utilize the Pearl of Derivation, and considering that soon the Heavenly Sealing Spirit Array will become widespread, cultivators across the world will have no privacy.
For Li Fan, the ability to have another identity at any time is quite important.
Therefore, without hesitation, Li Fan immediately wrote down the contents of the two techniques and one secret technique on a blank sheet of paper.
Though it was just one page, as the handwriting continued to fill it, the characters became smaller and smaller.
No matter how much content, it could accommodate it all.
In an instant, Li Fan stopped contemplating, and the blank paper was filled with countless tiny characters.
“Is it done?”
The little girl, still propping her chin with both hands, looked down at the table with lifeless eyes, not even lifting her head as she asked.
“Yes...” Li Fan nodded slightly, but before the word “done” could leave his mouth, the blank paper in his hand turned into streams of light, floating towards the desk where the little girl was leaning.
On the table, numerous characters instantly appeared.
Seeing this, the little girl pouted, somewhat displeased: “You have such high demands, completely transforming into someone else.”
“With the blueprints for changing Qi movements, life destinies, and appearances, what about flesh, consciousness, and soul transformations?”
Hearing this, Li Fan wasn’t embarrassed, just truthfully admitted: “Collecting existing techniques has already been my utmost effort. The methods for flesh, consciousness, and soul transformations are extremely rare and beyond my capabilities.”
Only these three words flashed through his mind, and Li Fan suppressed all other thoughts, silently calculating the passage of time.
Aside from that, he didn’t want anything else.
When the derivation by Pearl of Derivation had passed more than two hours,
A dazzling light burst from the huge sphere above his head.
At the same time, the little girl seemed to wake up from a dream.
Rubbing her eyes, she looked as if she hadn’t fully woken up, weakly saying, “It’s done.”
Countless small characters surged on the table, turning into a blank sheet of paper, reappearing in Li Fan’s hand.
Li Fan squinted his eyes and read it seriously.
“Mysterious Spiritual Transformation.”
“With the mysterious and unpredictable power, replicate all life fluctuations of the target and make corresponding changes.”
“If there is no target, random transformations can also be generated.”
“When targeting a living being for the first time, a small part of the target’s life tissue is required.”
“If there is no target, no materials are needed.”
“Only life traces can be replicated, and it’s impossible to replicate cultivation realm.”
“Only life forms at the Nascent Soul and below cultivation levels can be targeted. After transformation, regardless of the previous cultivation level, the transformed entity will only retain the highest Nascent Soul cultivation.”
Li Fan slowly memorized the technique’s content in his mind, and the characters on the blank paper gradually dissipated.
“Truly worthy of Pearl of Derivation, the effects of this Mysterious Spiritual Transformation technique are even better than I expected. I just don’t know how it will actually perform in practice.” Li Fan became more and more delighted as he read, unable to help but ponder the technique’s content repeatedly.
Although it’s only at the Nascent Soul level, the limitations are only reflected in the selection of transformation targets and the strength restrictions after transformation.
But there’s hardly any discount on the ability of “transformation” itself.
<>
Chapter 342: Museum of Divine Treasures
“When facing the transmission of the Longevity Realm from the Immortal Sage during my Dao Integration, there should be some resistance, right? I suppose...” Li Fan thought to himself.
Sorting out his thoughts, Li Fan suppressed his wandering thoughts and began cultivating the technique, Mysterious Spiritual Transformation.
“The true spirit of a person is like the flowers of a tree. Thousands of trees, myriad blossoms, forming the extraordinary in the profound.”
“Profound and unpredictable, changing at will.”
...
Li Fan first read through it entirely, then closed his eyes to practice.
Not long after, he opened his eyes, frowning slightly.
When he first read Mysterious Spiritual Transformation, he was attracted by the content of the technique, feeling excited.
However, he only discovered when he began practicing that this technique was somewhat too obscure and difficult to understand.
His feeling was that it was even more difficult than when he first cultivated the Thousand Machine Jade Sphere Gold Chapter.
But it was natural to think about it.
For such techniques involving fundamental changes in life essence, if Li Fan could easily cultivate them, he would probably doubt the effectiveness of the technique.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan took out a “Enlightenment Pill” from his storage ring.
Although it looked plain and unremarkable with its black and white colors, it could rival the accelerated cultivation mode of the Tianxuan Mirror.
This pill was purchased by his clone Lin Fan when he went to the Jiushan Province to buy techniques.
Due to its limited supply, each person could only purchase a limited amount.
He only had six of them on him.
He had been reluctant to use them before, but now it was just the right time to use them.
“The effective duration of one Enlightenment Pill is basically around a month. I hope to get started on Mysterious Spiritual Transformation within six months.”
Li Fan thought to himself and then swallowed the Enlightenment Pill.
Then he entered the enlightened state of the Tianxuan Mirror.
With the two combined, in an instant, Li Fan felt that the inside of the Tianxuan Mirror seemed to brighten up.
With a slight movement of his thoughts, the words he had just read from Mysterious Spiritual Transformation surfaced in his mind.
Every word, every sentence, spontaneously compared and confirmed with similar parts from past secret texts he had read.
This is called making lateral connections.
In just a few breaths of time, the words in Li Fan’s mind, from the original single chapter of True Spirit Transformation, expanded several times over.
《Invincible From Offering Sacrifices to Ancestor Master》
“So if Dao Friend Xiao Fan really wants to try his luck, there’s no harm in it.”
“There’s such a strange thing?” Ximen Yue rubbed his chin, his face full of puzzlement.
Li Fan smiled and said to Han Yi, “I don’t expect to have such good luck as Han Dao Friend. For me, just finding a Blue Feather treasure box would be a great fortune.”
Han Yi quickly said, “Dao Friend doesn’t need to be modest. In my opinion, your luck is also extraordinary...”
He stopped abruptly halfway through his words, his face somewhat embarrassed.
Li Fan’s heart moved slightly, but he didn’t delve into it.
Instead, he took the initiative to resolve it for him: “What about you, Han Dao Friend?”
After hesitating for a moment, Han Yi still replied, “Although Tianyu Province is good, it’s not where I should stay.”
“I...”
He squinted his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.
After a few breaths, he resolutely replied, “I still want to return to the Yuandao Province.”
Li Fan and Ximen Yue glanced at each other, their faces showing some inexplicable expressions.
But they both maintained tacit understanding and didn’t inquire further.
Ximen Yue looked at Li Fan and Han Yi, jokingly said, “Then the two of you can accompany each other on the way?”
Li Fan nodded slightly, while Han Yi agreed, “Naturally.”
Just as the three of them were chatting, the black-robed cultivator who was leading them finally recovered from his petrified state.
“Alright, since everything has been taken care of, let’s not delay. I’ll take you out now.”
The three of them quickly stopped chatting and followed the black-robed cultivator back the way they came.
As they transformed back into beams of light, shuttling from top to bottom towards the exit,
Sharp-eyed Li Fan saw that there were hundreds of young cultivators gathered on the suspended land under the Law Enforcement Hall for some reason.
Some of them even looked like children in their teens.
Obviously, this group of people were not personnel from the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Li Fan couldn’t help but ask the black-robed cultivator, “Senior, what place is that?”
The black-robed cultivator apparently understood what Li Fan was asking and casually replied, “That’s the Museum of Divine Treasures.”
“Inside are collected historical items of commemorative value.”
Chapter 343: Unknown Existence
“For example, the remains of the first Dao Integration cultivator to fall in the wars between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders’ Assembly, the remains of Immortal Sage Qinglian.”
“Heh, over the years, the Five Elders’ Assembly has put in a lot of effort to retrieve Immortal Sage Qinglian’s remains.”
“Another example is the ancient Heavenly Sword Sect’s ‘Ceasefire Stele.’ It is said that there were two giant steles in front of the Heavenly Sword Sect. One inscribed with ‘Stop for the Idle,’ and the other with ‘Ceasefire of Destiny.’ Just these two steles were as effective as an impregnable mountain-protecting array, exuding unparalleled might.”
“Unfortunately, the Museum of Divine Treasures only managed to collect the ‘Ceasefire Stele,’ while the ‘Stop for the Idle’ stele is nowhere to be found.”
Hearing this, Li Fan couldn’t help but think of his own ‘Stop for the Idle’ fragment.
He wondered if it was the same as the Heavenly Sword Sect’s ‘Stop for the Idle’ stele.
As Li Fan was lost in thought, the black-robed cultivator’s words forcibly brought his attention back.
“Speaking of the Museum of Divine Treasures, we must mention the remains of the first cultivator infected by the Immortal-Mortal Miasma. You might not know, but these seemingly ordinary remains are highly sought after by many cultivators. Their value is absurdly high. The skull of this cultivator is placed at the center of the Museum of Divine Treasures.”
“When I first saw it, I thought it was the remains of some ancient powerful figure. To my surprise, it was just a poor fellow.”
“I really can’t understand why those people find such things worth collecting.”
Talking about the Museum of Divine Treasures seemed to excite the black-robed cultivator, who started to introduce various collections inside to Li Fan and the others.
Han Yi and Ximen Yue were quite interested and listened attentively.
Li Fan, on the other hand, felt a stir in his heart.
“The remains of the first cultivator infected by the Immortal-Mortal Miasma...”
“I still have one of his ribs in my storage ring. It survived when Master Yin self-immolated.”
Li Fan couldn’t help but become interested in the skull placed in the Museum of Divine Treasures.
Taking advantage of a pause in the black-robed cultivator’s speech, Li Fan asked, “Senior, how can one visit the Museum of Divine Treasures like those people we just saw?”
The black-robed cultivator smiled, “The Museum of Divine Treasures is generally not open to outsiders. No amount of contribution points can grant you access. If you want to apply for a visit to broaden your knowledge without any connections, the simplest way is to become a dedicated guide for the Museum of Divine Treasures, just like I did.”
Li Fan was slightly stunned and exchanged glances with Han Yi and Ximen Yue.
“Why does the Museum of Divine Treasures need dedicated guides?” Ximen Yue asked, puzzled.
The black-robed cultivator chuckled, “Why wouldn’t it need guides? Do you think just placing a sign in front of each exhibit would be enough?”
“First, the Museum of Divine Treasures, like the main avenue you walked through in front of the Law Enforcement Hall, has all its spiritual energy in a dormant state. Even divine senses can’t leave the body. All exhibit information is only briefly marked. To know their backstories, a guide is essential.”
“Secondly, do you have any idea how vast the Museum of Divine Treasures is?” The black-robed cultivator laughed softly.
“It houses the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s collection from thousands of years. When I left, the number of exhibits was thirty-eight million, four hundred seventy-five thousand, six hundred eighty-four. Without a guide, an ordinary person visiting would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, unable to find what they want to see. Having a complete, enjoyable visit within the limited time would be a fantasy.”
Li Fan thought deeply, finding merit in both arguments, and played the mediator.
After some discussion, the three did not delve further.
They thanked and bid farewell to Immortal Sage Jicheng, then went to the Dao Discussion Building in Tianquan Province, where Han Yi treated them to a grand feast.
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.
The three parted ways afterward.
Ximen Yue stayed in Tianquan Province.
Li Fan and Han Yi headed to Yuandao Province together.
Time passed quickly, and half a year later...
In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan finally mastered the basics of “Mysterious Spiritual Transformation.”
“Now that I haven’t yet refined my clone, let’s see the effect of this divine technique.”
Suppressing his excitement, Li Fan disguised himself and headed outside Tianyu City.
He dug a secret chamber, prepared all the materials, and began the ritual.
After a while...
A mass of flesh exploded.
“Hmm? Why did it fail?”
Li Fan was puzzled.
He tried again.
And failed again.
“?”
Li Fan frowned deeply.
“Wait, could it be...”
“There’s already a clone in the world?”
Li Fan was instantly startled.
Chapter 341: Kidnapping the Pearl of Derivation
Although the Pearl of Derivation appeared as a little girl, Li Fan did not treat her as a child.
The Pearl of Derivation had existed since the Wasteland Era when the Immortal Sage re-established the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
If his assumptions were correct, the Pearl of Derivation had been working tirelessly for at least five to six thousand years.
This was enough to make Li Fan show her due respect.
The little girl glanced at Li Fan and nodded, “Yes, deriving techniques is very exhausting.”
Suddenly, she widened her eyes and asked, “You still have one-third of an hour left. Will you stay a bit longer or leave now?”
Li Fan, naturally, was very considerate.
“I will leave when my time is up.”
“Being able to spend time with you is an honor for me.”
The little girl immediately showed a very satisfied expression.
“Great, I can rest for another third of an hour,” she said with a bit of excitement.
During the remaining time, Li Fan did not just stand idly by.
Under the seemingly nonexistent supervision, Li Fan began to tentatively ask the Pearl of Derivation a few questions.
“Are you a cultivator?”
“A long time ago, I was. But people need rest and can die. Later, the Immortal Sage fused me with the Pearl of Derivation,” the little girl lazily answered, lying on the table, looking indifferent.
“Now I won’t die. I just get tired occasionally.”
“How long have you been deriving techniques without resting?”
“How long? I don’t remember. It’s always been this way. No rest is allowed until all techniques are derived. But I can steal a bit of rest occasionally,” the little girl said helplessly. “I really want to finish early and go out to relax.”
...
Li Fan and the Pearl of Derivation communicated smoothly.
The presence in the dark did not stop Li Fan from asking increasingly bold questions.
Thus, Li Fan gained a preliminary but relatively detailed understanding of this top treasure of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Reluctantly, Li Fan’s allowed time finally ran out.
“Alright, time to say goodbye,” the little girl waved her hand, bidding farewell to Li Fan.
“I hope to see you again,” Li Fan bowed respectfully.
Then he felt the surrounding light dim.
After a moment of darkness.
When he opened his eyes, he had returned outside the black stone monument of the Law Enforcement Hall.
The black-robed cultivator who led them was still waiting.
Ximen Yue was also beside him, meditating, seemingly studying a newly acquired technique.
Han Yi was still nowhere to be seen.
Li Fan did not disturb the two, standing quietly aside.
Based on speculation, the guardian was at least at the Dao Integration stage.
Therefore, the first step in Li Fan’s plan was to cultivate to the Dao Integration stage within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and then become the Pearl of Derivation’s guardian.
Second, develop feelings for the Pearl of Derivation through daily interactions.
Third, when the time is right, activate the Truth, return to the anchor point of one year, and during preservation, choose the third option: the memory of a person closely related to oneself.
Fourth, repeat the actions of the previous life, return to the Pearl of Derivation, and let her inherit the memory of the previous life.
These decades or even centuries of memories would naturally include the process and results of the Pearl of Derivation deriving techniques in the previous life.
With these memories, the Pearl of Derivation would no longer need to derive techniques painstakingly.
When needed, she could just take out the techniques derived in the memory of the previous life.
Using this great gift, deepen the relationship with the Pearl of Derivation.
Fifth, activate the Truth again. Repeat the third and fourth steps.
The repeated reincarnation memories would definitely push the intimacy between Li Fan and the Pearl of Derivation to the highest level.
Li Fan would make the Pearl of Derivation recognize him as her master.
The final step, activate the Truth, choose to preserve one item: the Pearl of Derivation.
According to past experience, unique treasures of the world would not have identical duplicates.
If there was a conflict, the weaker one would disappear, and the stronger one would remain.
With countless cycles of memories, Li Fan’s Pearl of Derivation would undoubtedly be stronger than the one anchored at one year.
So, the final result would be the disappearance of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s Pearl of Derivation.
Li Fan’s Pearl of Derivation would remain.
This was Li Fan’s initial plan to kidnap the Pearl of Derivation.
Although the process would undoubtedly encounter various problems.
For example, becoming a Dao Integration cultivator of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and infiltrating the Pearl of Derivation’s side was currently very far for Li Fan.
Also, the Pearl of Derivation should have some backhand left by the Immortal Sage, making it impossible for her to easily recognize someone else as her master.
But...
In the face of countless reincarnations, these were nothing.
As long as there was a theoretical possibility, for Li Fan, it was a certainty.
The Pearl of Derivation was the foundation of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
And the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was the foundation of the Immortal Sage.
Although the Immortal Sage now lived in seclusion, indifferent to worldly matters,
from the statement “The number of cultivators should not be too many or too few,” it could be seen that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, at least, was a means to maintain a stable number of cultivators for the Immortal Sage.
Li Fan was very curious. If the foundation of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was uprooted,
how would this elusive Immortal Sage react?
Chapter 344: Unforgettable Memories
“When was the clone refined?”
Li Fan felt like he had forgotten something extremely important.
His brows furrowed, thoughts racing in his mind.
But try as he might, he couldn’t recall any related memories.
Even scanning the storage in his mind’s Dao Crystal was futile.
“And, my cultivation technique...” Li Fan suddenly realized something, his expression turning grim.
“Immortal Sage Jicheng offered longevity treasures, with the use of the Pearl of Derivation as a reward. ‘The Mystical Transformation of True Spirits’ should have been derived from the Pearl of Derivation.”
“I’ve always been cautious, so the true body wouldn’t have taken such a risk personally. Thus, it should have made a clone to handle this. But...”
“To have absolutely no recollection?”
“Is it once again the method of that venerable who causes forgetfulness?”
Li Fan closed his eyes in contemplation, attempting to recollect once more, but to no avail.
“No, that’s not it.”
After a long while, Li Fan opened his eyes, wearing a pensive expression.
“Rather than saying I forgot, it’s more like, the experiences of the clone were completely erased.”
“Events that never happened naturally leave no traces.”
“What could it be?”
The fear of the unknown almost prompted Li Fan to immediately seek Truth, to rid himself of this influence and explore further.
But he restrained himself.
“Regardless, I must record this. After this world’s end, perhaps atop the Disintegration Peak, I might remember what disappeared.”
“However, this method of vanishing from memory inadvertently is truly insidious. To prevent even the possibility of forgetting this in the future, it must be documented in advance.” With this thought, Li Fan prepared to retrieve a blank jade slip from his storage ring to record his forgotten memories.
“Huh? What’s this?” Suddenly, he noticed three jade slips placed in a corner of his storage ring.
“When were these placed there? Why do I have no recollection?” Li Fan blinked in slight confusion, then his heart stirred as he took out the jade slips to examine them one by one.
Strangely, one of the jade slips was completely blank, with no records at all.
While the other two jade slips, one of them had only a single Dao character written on it.
No, he had indeed acquired a new body.
Summoning a water mirror in front of him, Li Fan observed his reflection.
It was a face he had never seen before, and the height, demeanor, and initial impression it gave differed greatly from Li Fan’s true self.
If not for the fact that every movement of the figure in the mirror corresponded to Li Fan’s own, he would find it extremely difficult to believe that it was himself.
With a thought, he operated the technique once again.
Soon after, another face appeared in the secret chamber.
Like a child with a new toy, Li Fan continued to transform incessantly.
With each transformation, the time required grew shorter amidst increasing familiarity.
Eventually, he could complete a transformation almost in the blink of an eye.
“The Mystical Transformation of True Spirits, truly unpredictable and mystical. In my opinion, it’s almost like divine magic!” Li Fan couldn’t help but sigh after the experiment.
Now, he had only just begun to cultivate this miraculous technique.
Thus, the ability to transform was only available with his current Qi Refinement cultivation.
However, he had already grasped all the essentials, and from now on, it was just a matter of accumulating practice over time.
With the proficiency in multitasking granted by the Divine Dao, he believed he could soon elevate the Mystical Transformation of True Spirits to the level matching his own Golden Core cultivation.
Surveying the messy secret chamber, Li Fan used the Grand Five Elements Annihilation Sword to erase all traces.
Then, he quietly returned to Tianyu City.
With a mindset of experimentation, Li Fan began searching for information related to the terms ‘Source of Dao’ and ‘Dao of Source’ in the Tianxuan Mirror.
As expected,
After browsing for a long time, he found nothing suspicious, only ordinary fragments of information.
“It seems I’ll have to set this matter aside for now.” Li Fan felt helpless and had to give up.
“It’s already mid-year in Anchor Point 29. The one-year preparation period for the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Array Popularization Plan has come to an end. It won’t be long before I receive a summons from Ji Hongdao.”
“Following him to set up the spirit lock arrays in the subworlds, I’m afraid I’ll have little freedom for quite some time.”
“However, I have a secret pawn, the daughter of the chief formation master of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance
Chapter 345: Demon Lord Changing Faces
Li Fan sensed it again.
“I can enter the Fallen Immortal Realm again now. Since there’s still some time, I should explore it again.”
“But before that, let’s see what major events have occurred in the past six months.”
Having foresight is his advantage. Every valuable piece of information could mean a great opportunity in the next life.
Naturally, Li Fan wouldn’t disregard this. He immediately started searching in the Tianxuan Mirror.
Countless strange occurrences flashed before his eyes.
However, two things caught his attention the most.
Firstly, the old fisherman, who hadn’t appeared for a long time, showed up again. This time, he stayed in the Tianchen Province. But unlike before, the old fisherman was accompanied by a seven or eight-year-old girl. Dressed similarly to the old fisherman in a raincoat, she carried the fishing basket on her back, almost the same size as herself. It looked quite comical.
Some bold cultivators tried to get close to the little fisher girl but were sternly rebuked by her.
Although she appeared to be at the Foundation Establishment Stage, she spoke to Nascent Soul cultivators with the tone of educating juniors.
It’s worth noting that the old fisherman has been wandering around for a long time, appearing and disappearing mysteriously, and no one has ever been able to follow him.
This little girl immediately aroused the curiosity of many cultivators.
The cultivators speculated about the identity of this little fisher girl, but with various guesses, there was no definite conclusion.
When Li Fan saw this news, for some reason, he suddenly thought of the Sun Stealing Token he traded to the old fisherman back then.
“Sikong Yue?” Li Fan squinted his eyes, speculating in his mind.
When he initially obtained the Sun Stealing Token and learned about its origin, he had a vague guess in his mind.
The creator of this token, the 38th generation heir of the Sun Stealing Sect, Sikong Yue, might have turned himself into the token through some secret method to survive in that extremely bloody dark era.
When later cultivators attempted to integrate with the token through the Sun Stealing Technique, merging their body and soul with the token.
She could secretly absorb power and eventually achieve the resurrection of “Sun Stealing.”
So, Li Fan has always been wary of this token.
After obtaining it, he always kept it in a corner of his storage ring, without provoking it.
When the fisherman demanded this item, he handed it over without hesitation.
Now it seems that his premonition may indeed be correct.
“I wonder what method the old fisherman used to awaken it. However, after sleeping for thousands of years, it’s not easy to revive, but being forced to act as a follower fisher girl, I guess the taste wouldn’t be pleasant.” Li Fan thought to himself, then he pondered over the second matter that he was very concerned about.
After being locked for a period of time, cultivators at the Dao Integration realm can break free with their own strength.
However, in the eyes of many cultivators, having some effect is better than having no countermeasures at all and passively waiting to be slaughtered.
Moreover, formations can be improved and strengthened.
It’s not possible to deal with Dao Integration cultivators now, but through continuous improvement, it should be achievable eventually, right?
In any case, due to the existence of the spy from the Wulao Meeting, referred to by the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance as the “Thousand-Faced Demon Lord,” the public’s attitude towards the popularization of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array.
From initial opposition to later acquiescence, it has now turned into hope and support.
The popularization of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array is now a trend.
Not only is the official attitude resolute, but the masses also eagerly welcome it.
Although there are some dissenting voices in the face of this tide,
they are swiftly suppressed before they can attract attention.
Meanwhile, the incompetence of the Yanwu Hall in the face of the invasion of the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord has also stirred considerable dissatisfaction among many cultivators.
Some cultivators believe that the current Yanwu Hall is no longer able to adapt to the increasingly fierce competition with the Wulao Meeting.
It’s better to emulate the existence of the Central Garrison Institute in the central hinterland and reorganize a completely new martial force organization to guard the security within the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
This idea has received strong support.
The official statement of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance also expresses that they will fully consider and respect the opinions of the vast cultivators.
Relevant matters are currently under negotiation, and specific measures will be announced soon.
The rare proactive response from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has greatly cheered many cultivators.
They believe that this change may be a sign of better days to come.
However, for cultivators like Li Fan, who truly discern some clues, at this moment, they can only maintain silence amidst a cold heart.
“It’s truly a brilliant move.”
“The emergence of the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord not only greatly accelerates the popularization of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array.”
“Even when the formation is fully established, it will be used even more cleverly.”
“Spies will eventually be caught.”
“But the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord is cunning, so no matter how hard you try, you can’t catch him.”
Chapter 346: Fate Follows Changes
Does the Thousand-Faced Demon Sovereign really exist?
This question isn’t actually important.
Since the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and many cultivators have already reached a conclusion, then regardless of his past,
From now on, he is just a ghost wandering within the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Selecting victims at will, making it impossible for people to guard against.
Anyone could be the unforgivable Thousand-Faced Demon Sovereign.
And the ultimate authority to interpret his identity lies in the hands of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, which possesses the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array.
This is the most important thing.
Li Fan could almost foresee that when the Soul-Locking Array is completely constructed, cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will face an even more perilous cultivation environment.
“When it reaches that point, the situation can be considered thoroughly collapsed. As a mere Golden Core cultivator, I’m afraid it will be extremely difficult for me to protect myself. Perhaps by then, I can return to the Truth earlier...”
Enemies will come when barriers are erected, and troubles will arise when defenses are heightened. The popularization of the Soul-Locking Array is still at least more than ten years away. Any further concerns for Li Fan at this moment are just needless worry.
Take one step at a time and see how things develop.
Li Fan suppressed the miscellaneous thoughts in his mind and began the ritual to enter the Fallen Immortal Realm.
“Fortune-bestowed Xuanhuang Immortal Sovereign!”
The blurry scene in front gradually became clear.
The whistling wind constantly echoed in his ears.
It seemed like he was rapidly flying in the sky, surrounded by bone-piercing coldness, causing Li Fan’s body to tremble slightly.
“Huh? This time it’s actually different from Ningyuan City. We’re not starting over in an egg?” Li Fan, who had regained a bit of self-awareness, was somewhat surprised.
But soon, he recalled the time frame when this scene took place.
The little boy Xu Ke was tightly hugging the neck of the Green Phoenix, while Li Fan was hanging on his neck.
The Green Phoenix rushed towards a certain direction as directed by the little boy
Isn’t this the scene from the last time he left the Fallen Immortal Realm?
This feels like a real continuous drama?
Li Fan felt somewhat strange.
Although he lost the opportunity to endlessly explore opportunities, he didn’t feel restless because of constantly repeating a certain period of time.
It can be said to have advantages and disadvantages.
Thus, the Divine Bird and its owner can be said to complement each other and mutually complete.
“It seems like following this kid isn’t a bad idea after all,” Li Fan greedily sucked in another breath of invisible purple-gold qi, couldn’t help but think so.
“Hey, kid, where are you going now?” After absorbing this strand of qi luck, Li Fan felt himself grow stronger.
With a thought, he immediately attempted to communicate with Xu Ke.
Of course, not verbally, but silently in his mind.
“Wow! Xia Hei, you actually learned telepathy!” Instantly, Xu Ke’s voice echoed in Li Fan’s mind.
“Xiao... Hei? Who are you talking about?” Li Fan suddenly grabbed Xu Ke and scratched him fiercely.
“Ouch, it hurts.” Xu Ke rubbed his head and said innocently, “Xianhe is Xiao Hong, Green Phoenix is Xiao Qing. You’re all black, so calling you Xiao Hei isn’t wrong, is it?”
Li Fan pecked him several times in a row, “I am the mighty Heavenly Mandate Divine Bird! How can you use such vulgar names?!”
“Okay.” Xu Ke, feeling the pain, had to compromise.
“Then I’ll call you Xiao Xuan.”
Although Li Fan was still a bit unhappy, at the moment, he was incarnated as a beast, and his brain was not fully developed.
With insufficient brain capacity, he couldn’t come up with a better name for the time being.
“You still haven’t answered my question, where are we going now?” Li Fan asked.
Seeing Li Fan acknowledge the name he gave, Xu Ke burst into silly laughter.
At the same time, he answered in his mind, “We’re going to find Senior Lu Ya.”
“The whole sect is still in chaos now, all because Mr. Bai was too ruthless, scaring everyone.”
“Many senior brothers and sisters don’t want to stay in the sect anymore, feeling that there’s no future.”
“Some ran away, some escaped. Even the senior uncles and senior brothers, as well as many elders, don’t know where they’ve gone. No one has come out to maintain order.”
“This has led to increasingly severe chaos.”
“It’s really dangerous. If we encounter someone like Song Yang again, we might not be so lucky.”
“So, let’s go find Senior Lu Ya. He’s so strong, it’s definitely safer to stay by his side.”
“Maybe we’ll even get to see Mr. Bai on the way, hehe.”
Xu Ke’s thoughts flowed quickly as he rattled off.
“How do you know where your Senior Lu Ya is?” Li Fan asked, somewhat surprised.
Chapter 347: All-Knowing Emperor Three Miao
“Of course I know!”
Xu Ke’s voice sounded somewhat proud.
“I’ve said it before, Senior Lu Ya is very kind.”
“When he brought me to the Imperial Beast Sect, with the sect being so vast, he knew I was mischievous and liked to wander around. So, for the convenience of finding me, he gave me a jade pendant.”
“I can sense my location at any time.”
“And this function is two-way, I can also find him at any time.”
“Hehe, actually, I know that Senior Lu Ya was afraid I’d be bullied when I just entered the sect, so he left this jade pendant for me.”
As Xu Ke responded, he showed Li Fan the jade pendant hanging from his chest.
Li Fan looked over and saw that the jade pendant resembled somewhat the exotic beast Senior Lu Ya had ridden before.
But looking at Xu Ke’s smug look, inexplicably, a sense of annoyance arose in his heart.
Then he coldly retorted, “Since the jade pendant is two-way, Senior Lu Ya must have known when you approached him.”
“Now he’s with Mr. Bai, and he didn’t want you to meet Mr. Bai before. So this time, he’ll definitely avoid you too.”
Xu Ke didn’t care, foolishly saying, “Xiao Xuan, you’re overthinking it, for sure...”
However, before he could finish his words, he suddenly froze: “What’s going on? The sensing actually disappeared suddenly?!”
The Green Phoenix bird beneath him hadn’t reacted yet, still flying towards the direction Xu Ke had indicated earlier.
Xu Ke lamented with a gloomy face, complaining, “Xiao Xuan, you’re such a jinx. Good things don’t work out, but bad things are spot on...”
Li Fan sneered and gave him a slap.
Xu Ke rubbed his head, but didn’t give up on finding Lu Ya’s whereabouts.
His eyes lit up with an idea.
“Xiao Xuan, since you’re the legendary Tianming Xuan Bird, your abilities must be great, right?”
“So, can you help me find Senior Lu Ya and Mr. Bai’s current location?”
Li Fan raised his head slightly, looking proud.
Seeing this, Xu Ke immediately said many flattering words, promising to help Li Fan find three stems of Jingchong Grass.
The taste of that rare red insect grass still lingered deeply in the soul of the Xuan Bird.
Enticed by delicacies, coupled with Li Fan’s genuine desire to try it, whether he could see that mysterious and unpredictable Mr. Bai.
So, with a leap, he arrived above Xu Ke’s head.
Activating his innate supernatural powers, he gazed into the distance.
Whether it was Lu Ya or Mr. Bai, their aura must be different from ordinary people.
The white-bearded old man didn’t answer directly, but smiled and asked back, “Lu Ya, do you believe in what Mr. Bai said?”
Lu Ya suddenly fell silent.
The white-bearded old man shook his head. “People always make mistakes. Sometimes, openly admitting one’s mistakes is not a shameful thing.”
But Lu Ya bluntly said, “I only believe in my own eyes.”
“Many times, what you see may not necessarily be the truth,” the white-bearded old man sighed softly.
However, he seemed to also know Lu Ya’s temperament, not easily persuaded.
So, he didn’t linger on this topic anymore, but turned to say, “A great calamity is approaching, and our Imperial Beast Sect may be hard to escape.”
“But amidst the bleakness, I see a glimmer of hope.”
“This glimmer of hope is related to Mr. Bai’s mission, and also to this little friend here.”
The white-bearded old man’s gaze turned to Xu Ke, who was standing still, bewildered.
“Him?” Lu Ya turned to look at Xu Ke, his expression inexplicable.
“None other than him.” The white-bearded old man nodded.
Lu Ya shrugged. “Although Senior, you are known as the all-knowing wisdom beast, Di San Miao, if the only hope of the Imperial Beast Sect rests on this kid... it’s really too far-fetched.”
“I don’t believe it anyway.”
Di San Miao didn’t argue, but smiled and said, “In the river of destiny, who dares to claim full knowledge? The so-called ‘all-knowing’ is just a misunderstanding of me by outsiders.”
“However...” Di San Miao paused. “The fact that this kid barged in today and has a mysterious connection with Mr. Bai and you, on the contrary, makes me more confident in my judgment.”
“After all, I only believe in my own eyes.”
The smile on Di San Miao’s face suddenly disappeared, replaced by an extremely solemn expression.
Seeing this, Lu Ya could only nod slightly.
“Anyway, there is still some time before Mr. Bai’s mission ends, which is enough for this kid to grow.”
“But, what about those troublemakers in the sect?”
“Are we really just going to let them be?”
“Our Imperial Beast Sect hasn’t perished yet, right?”
Lu Ya frowned, his tone displeased.
“Let those who want to leave go.” Di San Miao, however, showed no anger.
“With the great calamity looming, every additional disciple to protect will require more effort.”
“It’s not a bad idea to streamline things while we have the chance.”
Chapter 348: The Undying Longevity Beast
The conversation between the two in the room entered Xu Ke’s ears, seemingly causing a great shock to his young mind.
Eyes widened, mouth slightly agape, struggling to speak.
While Li Fan wasn’t as shocked by the ruthless judgment Emperor Sanmao had for the inner disciples of the Imperial Beast Sect, what frustrated him considerably was the faint aura emanating from the white-bearded elder, which instilled a sense of dread from the depths of the soul into the possessed Divine Bird.
Under the pressure of the innate superiority of the higher-ups, the Divine Bird’s thoughts seemed momentarily frozen, with only its body trembling instinctively, unable to make any other movements.
From the inherited memories of the Divine Bird’s bloodline, Li Fan immediately understood the esteemed status of this intelligent beast among the other beasts.
In the ancient era when the beast clan was not yet thriving, Emperor Sanmao had already served as the prophet of the clan, leading the clan forward with his unparalleled wisdom.
He walked his own path, often transforming into human form despite being a beast.
Unlike many other beasts who shunned contact with humans, he reportedly traveled in the human world for centuries, making many human friends.
He urged the beasts to unite and contribute like humans
After researching many human techniques, he separately improved the cultivation methods of various races at that time, greatly enhancing the cultivation speed of the beasts.
From being secluded to spreading across the world, Emperor Sanmao undoubtedly played an indispensable role in the rise of the beast clan.
However, that was many years ago.
Yet the face before them now was exactly the same as what the ancestors of the Divine Bird had seen.
Generation after generation, the Divine Bird flourished, but Emperor Sanmao remained the same Emperor Sanmao.
An intelligent beast, also a beast of longevity.
Because of living long enough and experiencing enough, it possessed wisdom beyond the reach of ordinary beings.
It’s just that a long time ago, Emperor Sanmao seemed to have rarely appeared.
Disappeared without a trace, whereabouts unknown.
Never did they expect that he had quietly arrived at this Imperial Beast Sect, which was most hated by the other beasts.
It seems that Emperor Sanmao’s status in the Imperial Beast Sect is not low, considering himself as a leader.
The white-bearded elder exchanged a few words with Lu Ya, then turned to look at the Divine Bird possessed by Li Fan.
Li Fan didn’t immediately set off, but first inquired about Xue Mu.
“Friend Xue, where are you now? Have you received Master Ji’s summons?”
After about a cup of tea’s time, Xue Mu replied, “Friend Li Fan, I am currently in the Tianchen Province. Recently, it is said that Old Fisherman has been staying here, and he seems to be more interested in things than before. Three lucky individuals have already obtained benefits from him successively. So, I also wanted to try my luck.”
“Unfortunately, luck was not on my side this time. By the time I arrived, he had already disappeared without a trace. I wanted to explore a bit more, but then I received Master Ji’s message.”
Li Fan replied, “Opportunities and such cannot be forced. The task of building the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array is related to our future. We cannot delay. Friend, you should return quickly. I’ll wait for you in the city, and we’ll go together.”
Xue Mu’s surprised voice came immediately, “Okay, what you said is right, I’ll come back right away.”
In the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, there were teleportation arrays everywhere, so the journey was swift.
Just half a day later, Xue Mu returned to Tianyu City.
“Let’s go.” Li Fan glanced at Xue Mu, who looked a bit dusty but much more spirited than before, and nodded.
“Friend, I’ve kept you waiting.” Xue Mu looked guilty.
“Not at all.” Li Fan waved his hand, unconcerned.
“Friend, you just broke through to the Golden Core stage a year ago, but from observing your aura, it seems like you’re not far from another breakthrough?” Li Fan observed Xue Mu for a moment, somewhat surprised, and asked.
Xue Mu nodded, “Friend has sharp eyes. It’s strange, though. I haven’t put much effort into cultivation recently. Most of the time, I’ve been touring the wonders of the world in the nearby provinces. I haven’t deliberately pursued cultivation advancement, but under the magnificent rhythm of the heavens and earth, my cultivation has grown significantly.”
“But strangely, the effect of my own cultivation hasn’t been as good as I imagined.”
He rubbed his head in embarrassment, “I don’t know what’s going on.”
Suddenly, he paused, saying uncertainly, “Perhaps, it’s because the influence of that ‘Mortal Transcendence Wall’ hasn’t disappeared yet?”
“So miraculous? What did you see on that wall?” Surprised by this answer, Li Fan couldn’t help but ask.
As they spoke, they had already arrived outside the Realm Boundary Academy.
Entering successively, there were no consecutive arrays greeting them this time. Instead, they arrived directly at a picturesque courtyard.
No one was in the courtyard. Li Fan and Xue Mu found a place to sit down and continued their previous conversation.
Chapter 349: One Step to God Transformation
Xue Mu took out a scroll from his storage ring and handed it to Li Fan.
“This is a scroll I drew based on the scenes in my memory.”
“Although it has been revised hundreds of times, it still retains one ten-thousandth of its divine charm
“Even so, every time I calmly redraw it, it purifies and benefits my body and mind.”
“I didn’t realize it before, but just now, after hearing what you said, I realized.”
“During this time, I have made rapid progress, perhaps because I often review the scenes I saw back then.” Xue Mu said solemnly.
“Mortal transformation into god...” With curiosity, Li Fan took the scroll and unfolded it. In an instant, it seemed as if there were changes in the sky. A slender figure, dressed in white clothes, looked up at the sky.
The figure was so small, yet it seemed to stand opposite the entire world. In the sky, clouds continuously rolled, transforming into different shapes. Layer upon layer, they pressed down.
The wind rose, lifting the clouds like snow. The white clothes fluttered, facing the pressure from the sky, the slender figure remained unmoved. Faced with the oppression of heaven and earth, he not only did not fear, but his momentum increased with time. Suddenly, he took a step forward. Then the white clouds rolled back, unable to form an army. He took another step forward. The clouds dispersed, and the sky became clear.
Then, strange phenomena occurred between heaven and earth. Countless golden lights appeared, accompanied by continuously falling strange flowers. Various auspicious beasts flew from the horizon, emitting joyful cries. On the ground, flowers bloomed as if spring had arrived in the blink of an eye.
That slender figure seemed to emit a light smile. Then he walked forward with his hands behind his back. With this step, he reached the sky. Merged with the vast sky, he disappeared. Xue Mu watched Li Fan in a trance and said somewhat shyly, “My skills are limited, and my work may seem crude to you.”
“What you actually saw is tens of thousands of times stronger than what I drew.”
“But it’s just the residual image of the wall of transformation into god. I really don’t know how magnificent the scene was when this mortal transformed into a god.” Xue Mu sighed.
“Xue Daoist’s painting skills are impressive, making one feel as if they are there.” Li Fan replied politely, but his eyes never left the scroll in his hand, staring closely at the white figure in the painting.
There was some uncertainty in his heart.
Although it was only a record of the shadow wall, the actual scene might be completely different. But the feeling emanating from him made Li Fan vaguely feel somewhat familiar.
“Mr. Bai?”
Li Fan had encountered this mysterious strongman several times in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
But they always passed by each other, only able to see his vague figure.
Because of this, when he saw this copied painting, he recognized it at a glance.
In Mr. Bai’s realm, what mattered was the spirit, not the appearance.
Once you’ve seen him, it’s hard to mistake him.
Moreover, Li Fan’s intuition was always accurate.
Li Fan responded with some surprise instead of anger: “So it’s Senior Huangfu Song, I didn’t expect you to still be alive?”
“Previously, I heard Master Ji say that there was no need to worry about the incident where Dantai Tao was attacked again. I thought you had...”
“Senior Huangfu’s relationship is indeed profound, and the junior admires it.” Li Fan said solemnly.
Seeing Li Fan mentioning his previous slip of the tongue again, Huangfu Song’s face turned liver-colored: “Kid, why are you talking nonsense again.”
“The incident of Dantai Tao being attacked has absolutely nothing to do with me.”
Li Fan nodded quickly, looking like he understood and would absolutely not spread rumors.
Huangfu Song almost laughed out of anger: “You kid, your acting skills have really reached the pinnacle. I don’t know if you’re pretending to be stupid or if you’re really stupid.”
Xue Mu looked at the two of them somewhat bewilderedly, not knowing what riddle they were playing.
Just then, the voice of Jihong Dao suddenly sounded.
“Alright, Huangfu. You’re so grown-up, why bother with these juniors.”
“Quickly bring them over, we’re about to set off.”
Jihong Dao still had some authority over Huangfu Song.
Huangfu Song dared not neglect, snorted coldly, and grabbed Li Fan and Xue Mu with his left and right hands respectively.
With a flicker of light and shadow, they appeared on a flying boat.
Jihong Dao was standing on the bow of the ship, waiting for them.
After being put down by Huangfu Song, Li Fan and Xue Mu hurriedly saluted Jihong Dao.
Jihong Dao just nodded slightly, but his eyes were fixed on the front, not knowing what he was looking at.
“Master Ji, what is this flying boat?”
After a moment, Li Fan boldly asked.
“Originally, the plan was to take you and the other array masters from Tianyu Province to meet at the Strategist Hall and go to the Hidden Dragon Cave for array construction.”
“But I suddenly received an appointment and need to rush to the Abyss of Roars.”
“There has been a little accident there and manpower is needed, so I’m taking you along.” Jihong Dao said somewhat casually.
TL Note: Chapter 111 was a short author note about them publishing officially and thanking their readers, which is why it was skipped
Chapter 259: Three Undersea Faults
"Hahaha, I'll try my best to live up to Fellow Daoist's kind words."
He Zhenghao laughed heartily and couldn't wait to fly to the destination.
"We're here!"
After a short half-day, He Zhenghao suddenly stopped, then plunged into the sea.
Li Fan followed, diving all the way to the depths of the sea.
With his spiritual consciousness, he scanned the three major faults formed by the countless rugged mountain ranges below.
"Indeed, the atmosphere is extraordinary, with a unique charm as compared to mountains found on land."
Li Fan couldn't help but think to himself.
He Zhenghao stood on the bottom of the sea and closed his eyes, seemingly searching for something.
Above his head, the "Hundred Veins Formation Diagram" suddenly appeared.
In an instant, as if there was an inexplicable fluctuation emanating from the continuous mountain range below, faintly resonating with the formation diagram.
He Zhenghao continuously adjusted his position, determining the optimal location.
Li Fan quietly observed on the side.
After a while, He Zhenghao suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a gleam.
Above his head, the "Hundred Veins Formation Diagram" grew rapidly.
In an instant, it became the size of a hundred miles.
The sharp-eyed Li Fan also noticed that the appearance of mountains and rivers in the formation diagram kept changing.
Surprisingly, it gradually became more similar to the underwater mountain range shrouded below.
The resonance fluctuation became stronger and stronger.
When the scenery in the diagram completely matched the actual scene, He Zhenghao shouted loudly.
The formation diagram emitted a dazzling white light, then seemed to completely merge into the lower mountains, disappearing from view.
He Zhenghao pinched his fingers and continuously pointed. Beside him, the mountain and river formations subtly changed.
It seemed to form a large formation, guarding He Zhenghao in the center.
"Hundred of veins, mountains, and rivers, all incorporated together as a formation... What a great treasure."
Li Fan had once peeked into He Zhenghao's "Interpretation of the Hundred Veins Formation Diagram," so he was not unfamiliar with this method of transforming mountains and rivers into a formation.
"Please, fellow Daoist, guard me!" He Zhenghao said solemnly to Li Fan.
Afterward, he gathered his thoughts and officially began core formation.
Although this place was quite remote, and rarely visited by cultivators, Li Fan remained vigilant.
He flew above He Zhenghao, overlooking his core formation process, while also monitoring the surroundings to act as a guard.
It was different from the majestic scene of Sword, Water, and Wind laws dominating the sky and earth when Zhang Haobo formed his core.
In the beginning, there was only silence.
No anomalies occurred, and He Zhenghao sat cross-legged above the Three Undersea Faults, silent and motionless.
If Li Fan hadn't faintly perceived that something seemed to be brewing beneath the sea bed, he might almost have thought He Zhenghao was just in closed-door cultivation.
Li Fan patiently waited.
The process of accumulating strength took even longer than he had imagined.
The Earth Veins and the Mountains and Rivers complemented each other.
Heartbeats and breaths echoed constantly in his ears.
The three undersea faults below gave an increasingly obvious sense of "vitality."
Blue-green and earth-colored light continuously emerged from the seabed.
It seemed to have attracted some cultivators to come and observe.
Most of them could tell that a cultivator was breaking through the Golden Core stage.
Later, Li Fan revealed his identity as a Formation Repairer of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
These cultivators, seeing that a member of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was standing guard, dispelled their thoughts and chose to keep a distance.
However, there were still some stubborn and unscrupulous cultivators lurking in secret.
Most of them were nameless loose cultivators.
Their strength was all below the Golden Core stage.
Li Fan didn't hold back and directly captured them with his Insect Binding Technique, throwing them far away.
After three days like this, the spectacular scene gradually began to converge.
The heartbeat sound gradually diminished.
The breathing sound became lighter.
The laws of Earth Veins and Mountains and Rivers gradually converged.
The sense of "vitality" also slowly faded away.
It reverted to the appearance of a normal underwater abyss.
However, Li Fan could clearly feel it.
This was hiding, not disappearing.
A mysterious and obscure energy concealed all the anomalies, making them difficult to perceive.
If Li Fan hadn't witnessed all the changes from beginning to end and meticulously observed from the Vision of Heaven and Earth, he probably wouldn't have understood the inexplicable changes here.
When Li Fan witnessed the abyss below, it was as if he was staring directly at an ancient ferocious beast ready to devour someone at any moment.
Occasionally, waves of indescribable palpitations surged in his heart.
"Law of Hidden Abyss..."
"Wonderful!"
"The three laws are completed. It seems that fellow Daoist He is not far from completing the core formation!"
Li Fan thought to himself.
The seabed returned to its previous quiet appearance.
It was another seven days later.
However, He Zhenghao still hadn't succeeded in forming his core.
The laws of Earth Veins, Mountains and Rivers, and Hidden Abyss had all stopped fluctuating.
According to reason, he could complete the core formation at this point.
But He Zhenghao had yet to make a move.
It didn't seem like a failure.
It was more like he was waiting for something.
Chapter 350: Devils Sound from the Abyss
“Shouting Abyss? What kind of place is that?” The name itself exuded a sinister aura, prompting Li Fan to inquire.
Ji Hongdao turned his head to glance at Li Fan, smiling, “It’s no use telling you now. You’ll know when we get there.”
“Although it’s a bit dangerous, you don’t need to worry too much.”
“With us old folks around, nothing major will happen.”
Ji Hongdao evidently had confidence in himself and waved off any concerns.
Since Ji Hongdao spoke this way, Li Fan naturally didn’t continue to inquire and retreated with Xue Mu to the side.
Before long, Shangguan Shi, the thin man Li Fan had met in the Universal Courtyard, also brought five others onto the ship.
These five individuals were not part of the previous training group. They wore the standard robes of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, had matured features, and behaved professionally.
They seemed to have been on this flying ship before and were very familiar with its structure.
After exchanging greetings with Ji Hongdao, they went straight to the cabin.
As they passed by Li Fan and Xue Mu, they nodded in acknowledgment.
Xue Mu didn’t immediately realize their identity and stood still.
Li Fan, however, greeted them just as familiarly.
As their figures disappeared from view, Xue Mu earnestly asked Li Fan through voice transmission.
“Li Fan, it seems you know them? Do you know their identities?”
Li Fan shook his head hastily, “I don’t know. But we’re all members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, like a family. It’s normal to greet each other when we meet.”
Xue Mu was dumbfounded for a moment, unsure how to retort.
Fortunately, the chubby Huangfu Song came to his rescue.
“Let’s go, don’t just stand there like a fool. Almost everyone is here, so we’ll probably depart soon.”
Huangfu Song glanced at Li Fan, snorted, and ordered.
Li Fan, with the demeanor of a junior respecting his elders, followed behind Huangfu Song.
Passing through the cabin corridor, Li Fan noticed that many people had already gathered on the flying ship.
Xue Mu heard about this for the first time and couldn’t help but feel nervous and serious.
Li Fan thought for a moment, not being intimidated by Huangfu Song’s words, and spoke up, “Although the number of cultivators physically crossing the White Mist Barrier each year isn’t many, it’s definitely not few either.”
“It’s likely that what the senior said, the vast areas within the White Mist Barrier, are only a tiny fraction,”
“Otherwise, if it’s really as dangerous as Senior described, it would have been noticed long ago.”
Huangfu Song’s words were suddenly halted by Li Fan’s revelation, feeling a bit embarrassed.
But immediately he sneered and retorted, “I don’t know how many cultivators have disappeared in the White Mist without return, harboring the same thoughts as you.”
“If you’re not afraid of death, you can boldly try it.”
“Although it seems only a step away, it’s like a heavenly trench, impossible to cross. We call these locations within the White Mist Barrier ‘Maze Realms’.”
“I can’t disclose the number of confirmed Maze Realms at the moment, but it’s definitely far beyond what you imagine.”
Seeing Li Fan’s nod of agreement, Huangfu Song stopped being stubborn, feeling relieved.
He continued, “The destination of our trip, ‘Shouting Abyss,’ is one of the Maze Realms discovered a long time ago.”
“As the name suggests, it’s an area that extends infinitely downwards in space, unfathomable and endless.”
“Every once in a while, there are inexplicable sounds of astonishment, desperate screams, and faint murmurs emanating from the depths of the abyss.”
“Ordinary cultivators and those with unstable minds, once tempted by the sounds, may fall into demonic ways and regress in cultivation.”
“In severe cases, they lose their sanity, transforming into inhuman monsters solely driven by slaughter.”
Huangfu Song seemed to recall something, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.
“Because this Maze Realm is too bizarre, once discovered, it’s heavily monitored by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”
“So, due to this influence, the Eternal Immortal Stronghold set up outside the Shouting Abyss has been forced to constantly relocate upward over the years.”
“However, in order to contain the influence of the devilish sounds within the Shouting Abyss, that stronghold has reached its limit.”
“So, a hundred years ago, the alliance began to experiment with special methods to counter the devilish sounds emanating from the depths of the abyss.”
“Special methods? Could it be...” Li Fan suddenly remembered something, his heart stirring.
Chapter 351: The Immortal Stronghold in the Enigmatic Domain
Anchor Point for 9 years, Li Fan once received a meritorious mission.
Assist the Conqueror’s Martial Hall of the Cong Yun Sea in clearing out the Red-Haired Beasts on Wanlai Island.
Those beasts feed on sound and reproduce rapidly.
They can also merge with each other, forming monsters with strength far exceeding the average individual.
After a fierce battle, the martial team successfully eradicated a certain number of Red-Haired Beasts and completed the mission smoothly.
Li Fan asked Jiang Zhengji in surprise why they didn’t completely eradicate the beasts on Wanlai Island.
Jiang Zhengji told him that the Conqueror’s Martial Hall headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had a mission to collect and submit a certain number of sound-absorbing treasures from various places every year.
And the required quantity is increasing.
At that time, Li Fan just felt that this mission was quite strange.
Now it seems that it’s to deal with the roaring abyss?
Sure enough, just as this thought popped into Li Fan’s mind, he heard Huangfu Song say with some emotion, “The demonic sounds coming from the bottom of the roaring abyss are extremely terrifying. The alliance has tried various methods, but none can stop it.”
“Silencing spells, soundproof materials, none of them work.”
“It wasn’t until later that a cultivator used a stone clam treasure that could absorb and emit sound, discovering the effectiveness of this type of treasure.”
“Perhaps because these treasures have no consciousness or complex thoughts, the demonic sounds that are fatal to cultivators have greatly reduced effects on them.”
“It’s truly one thing against another!”
“The alliance has collected many such treasures, finally holding the line against the roaring abyss. And for safety’s sake, the Eternal Immortal Stronghold was relocated to its original position, suppressing the roaring abyss.”
“So, are we going there this time because something happened to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold?” Li Fan asked.
Huangfu Song shook his head, “The Eternal Immortal Stronghold is guarded by a great figure and has accumulated many treasures. The defense line is almost unshakeable.”
“In fact, this incident occurred outside the roaring abyss...”
Huangfu Song was about to continue, but his expression changed slightly.
He glanced out the window and ordered, “Get ready, we’re about to depart.”
“Xue, drink your tea. Crossing through the white mist consumes quite a bit of lifespan. This is compensation for you, it won’t be available if you miss it.”
With that, he shifted slightly, sitting upright on a circular seat below him.
Seeing this, Li Fan also mimicked his posture and sat properly.
With a slight sensation, in an instant, it seemed like they entered another space, separating from the cabin.
Xue Mu just finished drinking the spirit tea when the flying boat suddenly shook violently. He staggered, almost falling to the ground.
But this sudden acceleration of the flying boat had no effect on Li Fan and Huangfu Song.
Meanwhile, his mind felt empty, as if something was quietly slipping away unnoticed.
Xue Mu’s face turned pale, and although Huangfu Song’s complexion remained unchanged, the fleeting fear in his eyes didn’t escape Li Fan’s notice.
Li Fan opened the Truth Panel and saw that his physiological age had unexpectedly turned 50 in a short time.
Fortunately, his mental age remained steadfast, keeping him fearless.
However, he couldn’t show it. Li Fan pretended to be very nervous and asked, “Have we entered the depths of the Devouring Primordial White Mist?”
Then he looked out the window.
Sure enough, it was all white, nothing could be seen.
Huangfu Song nodded, “The location of the roaring abyss is not far from the edge of the white mist. We’ll be there soon.”
“The closer we get to the domain, the stronger the Primordial White Mist’s ability to devour lifespan.”
“It’s okay inside this Dust Crossing Boat. But without protection, even a thousand years of lifespan wouldn’t be enough if you enter the domain alone.”
“Remember to carry the Black Death Talisman with you in the domain.”
“Otherwise, with your mere Golden Core cultivation, I’m afraid it will only take the time of an incense stick for you to turn into piles of bones.”
Huangfu Song solemnly instructed, then remembered something and added, “Hmm, this thing will be distributed uniformly to you before we disembark.”
“Remember to retrieve it before leaving.”
Unexpectedly, the mission location this time is so dangerous.
Xue Mu, who was originally not good with words, became even more silent at this moment.
Although he tried to appear calm, he couldn’t hide the anxiety in his heart.
Li Fan also continued to display a mixture of fear and composure.
Huangfu Song had finished explaining what needed to be said, and at this point, the cabin fell into silence.
But the silence didn’t last long.
Shortly after, rustling sounds suddenly appeared in Li Fan’s ears.
“Heal...”
“The heavens...”
Li Fan’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at the two beside him.
“Did you hear something?” he asked.
(End)
Chapter 352: Ancient Celestial Lords Palm
Intermittent cries, sometimes faint and sometimes clear, echoed constantly in Li Fan’s ears.
Ever since Li Fan noticed the existence of these sounds, they seemed to have a target to spread to.
They swarmed one after another, entwining around Li Fan.
In an instant, it felt like falling into a hell where evil spirits gathered, and Li Fan felt surrounded by these terrifying sounds from all directions.
And he wasn’t sure if it was an illusion.
From these inexplicable murmurs, Li Fan seemed to always hear the words “heaven” and “doctor.”
And the more he thought so, the louder the sound of “heavenly doctor” became.
Like rising tides, waves upon waves surged, wanting to completely engulf Li Fan.
Just then, within the Dust Crossing Boat, a burst of fiery red brilliance shimmered.
Above the cabin, a twelve-petaled red lotus blossomed gracefully.
As the lotus petals bloomed, the sounds around Li Fan suddenly cleared.
At this moment, Huangfu Song’s voice came somewhat belatedly: “It... should be just a surge of sound occasionally erupting from the depths of the abyss.”
“There is a Pure World Red Lotus Array protecting us within the Dust Crossing Boat, ensuring our safety.”
Li Fan, back to normal, nodded at the words, but his mind was recalling the sounds he had just heard.
“Senior Huangfu, do the sounds from the Abyssal Roar Abyss sound the same to everyone? Or do they vary according to each person?” Li Fan asked.
This question was crucial, and Li Fan stared at Huangfu Song, awaiting his answer.
Huangfu Song was somewhat surprised, but after a moment of contemplation, he explained: “The abyssal devilish sounds are indescribable. Once they leave the Abyssal Roar Abyss, their nature doesn’t change. However, the ability of each cultivator to endure these devilish sounds varies, naturally resulting in vastly different perceptions.”
“The adult who guards the Abyssal Roar Abyss year-round is said to even comprehend profound dao techniques from these devilish sounds.”
Hearing this, Li Fan breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that the howling of “heavenly doctor” he had heard from the abyssal devilish sounds earlier was probably just a hallucination triggered by the heavy psychological shadow left by the heavenly doctor initially.
“Stirring up the fear deep within one’s heart?” Even the sound surges passing through the outer layers of the abyss were so terrifying. It’s really hard to imagine what kind of terrifying situation awaits at the bottom of the abyss.
No wonder the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance values it so much.
“It seems that this mission won’t be so easy.” Li Fan looked at the red lotus pattern above his head, flickering between brightness and darkness, and couldn’t help but think.
Just as he was pondering, the Dust Crossing Boat suddenly trembled as if passing through some barrier, shaking violently.
Li Fan looked out the window, and the white mist was no longer as thick as when he first saw it.
“We’re almost at the Eternal Immortal Stronghold.”
“Let’s get ready to disembark.”
“Kid, it’s not that the Eternal Immortal Stronghold was meant to be shaped like a severed palm. It’s that the entire Eternal Immortal Stronghold was transformed from this severed palm,” Shangguan Shi said.
“How come you don’t even know this common knowledge now that we’ve reached our destination?”
“Brother Huangfu, it seems your teaching isn’t quite up to par,” Shangguan Shi mocked slightly.
However, Huangfu Song didn’t get angry, just smiled in response, “Then I’ll trouble Brother Shangguan to explain it again to these two kids. I’m also happy to take it easy.”
“You...” Shangguan Shi’s eyes flashed with a hint of anger.
But then he thought of something and didn’t erupt.
With a cold snort, he briefly explained to Li Fan and Xue Mu the origin of this severed palm.
In the vast devouring elemental white mist, there were mazes everywhere.
In addition to the Abyssal Roar Abyss where they were currently located, there were many other eerie existences.
This severed palm was discovered by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance in a certain maze outside the devouring elemental mist.
It seemed to have drifted here after passing through numerous barriers of white mist.
After some research, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance discovered that this severed palm was actually the corpse of a fallen powerhouse.
The cultivation technique of this unidentified powerhouse was extremely unique. After his death, his body not only did not decay but instead became like green stone.
Extremely hard, able to withstand various magical attacks without any effect.
Moreover, it was naturally able to resist the erosion of the devouring elemental white mist.
In the spirit of making the most of everything, after decades of transformation, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance finally succeeded in using it as a basis to build a fortress that could freely navigate through the white mist.
...
“Alright, there’s no need to be surprised. He’s just a fallen ancient celestial lord. Even if he was powerful in the past, isn’t he just a tool for us now?”
When Xue Mu was shocked once again, the voice of Ji Hongdao rang out.
“Ancient Celestial Lord?”
“Eternal... Celestial Lord?”
Ji Hongdao’s indifferent words didn’t make Xue Mu’s shock disappear, but instead made him more horrified.
He couldn’t help but exclaim.
Not only him, but all the other cultivators who arrived on the deck one after another and heard this for the first time were shocked one after another.
“Even the Eternal Celestial Lord can fall?”
Some cultivators couldn’t help but ask in confusion.
Chapter 353: Using All Living Beings as Material
“The Longevity Immortal, not the Eternal Life Immortal. Naturally, they would fall.”
Ji Hongdao shook his head, lightly smiling.
“Moreover, the owner of this broken blue stone palm is none other than the Ancient Immortal who achieved the position of Longevity Immortal through ancient methods.”
“Achieving the position of Longevity Immortal through ancient methods is not as harsh as it is today, requiring the understanding of the principles of heaven and earth.”
“Strength naturally weakens considerably.”
“Being killed by someone, encountering calamity and perishing, all are possible.”
Without leaving much time for the cultivators present to be shocked, Ji Hongdao seemed to only mention a trivial matter, then proceeded to instruct: “This mission is urgent, there isn’t much time for rest. Today, Emperor Fu and Shangguan will familiarize everyone with the precautions within the Eternal Immortal Stronghold.”
“We will officially begin construction tomorrow.”
“In the first phase of the mission, outside the Abyss of Roars, we will construct the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array.”
“After we have completed the migration of the newly discovered maze, we will rush to construct the second Locking Spirit Array.”
“Once the two locations are built, we can return.”
“Oh yes...”
Ji Hongdao paused, then took out a small Tianxuan Mirror from his bosom, projecting a beam of light above everyone’s heads.
“Let me tell you, the mass distribution of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array has officially begun.”
“Although most of you are not participating in the competition, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will not let your hard work go to waste.”
“Escort, transport, cooperation, every effort will be meticulously recorded and transformed into points. When the final Great Array is built, these points can be used to exchange for techniques and treasures within the alliance.”
“Moreover, the construction of each Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array will be considered a meritorious task of the highest rank.”
“Once the formation is completed, rewards corresponding to the contributions will be given out.”
“Real-time distribution, no delay.”
Before Ji Hongdao finished speaking, the cultivators present were already in an uproar.
Evidently, they had just learned of this news as well.
Tasks of the highest rank are usually extremely dangerous and difficult.
Ordinary cultivators have no hope of completing them.
And now, as long as they diligently construct the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array, they can obtain them.
How could this not drive them crazy.
Ji Hongdao smiled faintly: “Everyone, do you want to obtain techniques, to elevate your authority level?”
“This time, it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“If you miss this, I’m afraid in the future, the price to obtain equivalent rewards will be several times more.”
Ji Hongdao seemed unsurprised by his appearance, not even turning his head, just calmly saying, “Old-fashioned, but effective.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Among all cultivators in the world, who can truly resist great benefits placed before them without being tempted?”
“Even someone as ‘noble’ as you, Shaojun, if there were no gains to be had, how could you willingly guard the Abyss of Roars for decades without moving an inch?”
Shaojun snorted coldly, not retorting.
After a moment of silence, he spoke up: “Being able to gain something from the abyss is my skill. Why don’t you let others try?”
“I won’t mention the merits of guarding such a dangerous place.”
“Why do we even need to construct the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array on our side now?”
“You and I are both well aware of what it is.”
“We cultivators...”
Ji Hongdao suddenly turned around, his expression unprecedentedly serious, staring at Shaojun.
Shaojun’s words also stopped abruptly.
“The Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array is the trend of the times,” Ji Hongdao emphasized each word, “Anyone who dares to oppose it is on a path of death.”
“I advise you, Shaojun, not to attempt to challenge the will of the Law Transmitters.”
Seeing Shaojun still looking displeased, Ji Hongdao sighed and persuaded, “The situation is urgent now, to the point where there is no time to lose.”
“For some reason, the heavens and earth suddenly lifted the restrictions on cultivation, seemingly throwing caution to the wind, as if they want us all to perish together.”
“At the Five Elders’ side, after numerous attempts, they still couldn’t locate the whereabouts of the Law Transmitter. They are getting restless.”
“The Law Transmitters have also observed signs of the reversal of the principles of heaven and earth.”
“What that signifies, I believe you are well aware.”
“At this moment, only with the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array, using the lives of half the creatures in the Xuanhuang Realm as materials, can we get through this difficult time.”
“Then we can slowly search for a way out of this predicament.”
Shaojun obviously couldn’t accept Ji Hongdao’s words.
He retorted, “Using all living beings as ants, how do you know you’re not one yourself?”
Ji Hongdao shrugged it off, “We are naturally above all living beings.”
Shaojun snorted coldly, “Perhaps.”
“Let’s wait and see.”
With that, his figure shook and disappeared.
Chapter 354: Formation Building Difficulty
Ji Hongdao seemed oblivious to the disappearance of the other party and continued on as if talking to himself, “What Young Master should be concerned about is simply being trapped within the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array, nothing more.”
“In terms of safety, there’s no need to worry.”
“As the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has always proclaimed, cultivators who have achieved Dao Integration have already surpassed the capabilities of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array.”
“With Young Master’s strength, you shouldn’t feel fearful towards a mere array, right?”
“If a bit of freedom can be exchanged for sufficient benefits, I believe Young Master would be more than willing.”
“Beneath the abyss, beyond the mist, isn’t Young Master curious about what lies there?”
After Ji Hongdao finished speaking, the distorted figure of the Young Master reappeared on the Dust Crossing Boat.
Without a word, he just stared coldly at Ji Hongdao, waiting for his next words.
Ji Hongdao wasn’t surprised by his departure and return, “Once the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array is fully constructed, the Tianxuan Mirror will also undergo another refinement.”
“By then, there might be a great chance to resolve the unfinished matters from two hundred years ago.”
“Furthermore, if the refined Tianxuan Mirror wants to advance further, apart from encroaching on the territory of the Five Elders Council, it will inevitably explore beyond the boundaries
“As a breakthrough point, the Devouring Origin White Mist will naturally not give up easily.”
“As long as it expends its energy, the Devouring Origin White Mist will surely be unable to stop it. It’s just a matter of how much time it will take.”
“What Young Master needs to do is to patiently wait.”
“So many years have passed, does it matter now?”
Young Master seemed unaffected by Ji Hongdao’s words, his voice tinged with sarcasm, “Ji Hongdao, you really haven’t changed at all.”
Without waiting for a response, his figure disappeared once again.
Ji Hongdao slowly turned his head, looking back at the busy cultivators within the distant immortal stronghold, a faint smile playing on his lips.
...
The next day, Li Fan’s arduous task of commanding the construction within the Devouring Abyss officially began.
Aside from Xue Mu, the formation masters responsible for collaborating to construct the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array included five cultivators from the Tianyu Province Formation Pavilion.
Unlike in ordinary provinces where they only needed to consider the construction of the array, here, outside the Devouring Abyss, building the Locking Spirit Array was extremely challenging and required the combined efforts of multiple departments.
First, the garrison stationed at the Eternal Immortal Stronghold, known as the “Azure Mystery,” under layers of protection, painstakingly carved out a blank passage in the white mist where formations could be laid.
Fortunately, the Azure Mystery army was professional in dealing with the Abyssal Demonic Sounds.
During these critical moments, they remained calm and composed.
They guarded Li Fan in the center while each took out treasures capable of devouring sound.
One such treasure was a peculiar black stone riddled with holes,
bearing only a faceless figure with two ears.
There were also green grasses that danced with the sound, among many other varieties.
Li Fan even encountered the red-haired exotic beasts from the Myriad Sound Island several times.
The effects were extremely significant.
Once activated, the overwhelming demonic sounds would immediately disappear.
However, Li Fan keenly observed that after devouring a certain amount of demonic sound, these exotic beasts and treasures seemed to undergo some kind of transformation.
The beasts became more restless and difficult to control, while the treasures occasionally emitted eerie sounds on their own.
Therefore, the Azure Mystery army generally replaced these treasures periodically.
When the reserves were depleted, they needed to replenish supplies at the Eternal Immortal Stronghold.
In addition to sound-suppressing treasures, there were also consumables like the “Black Death Talisman,” which sustained the stronghold and allowed cultivators to survive in the Devouring Origin White Mist.
If, for some reason, the provisioning was delayed, the construction would be forced to halt.
In short, constructing the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array within the vast white mist was many times more difficult than in ordinary provinces.
Perhaps for this reason, despite the slow progress, Li Fan’s ranking on the Gold List hadn’t fallen far behind.
But what was more eye-catching than the top performers was the last place among the seven hundred and eighty-three cultivators.
The Golden Core cultivator, Guo Yezhong.
It had been nearly a year since the official start of the Grand Competition, yet his score remained at zero, unmoving.
He was the only one on the entire list like this, making him stand out more than the first place.
Cultivators speculated one after another that Guo Yezhong either disappeared and was trapped somewhere or he had simply defected.
Chapter 355: Lost Anchor Point
Inside Anchor Point, Li Fan looked at the golden list projected by the Tianxuan Mirror.
「This Guo Yezhong is quite an interesting character. If there isn’t a special reason, then he’s blatantly causing trouble under everyone’s gaze. This is practically slapping the face of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”
Recalling the ordinary appearance of Guo Yezhong during the initial training, Li Fan couldn’t help but marvel.
“If he still has zero points at the end of the competition, I’ll respect him as a man.”
Once again, a faint murmuring of resentment echoed in his ears, something Li Fan had grown accustomed to over the past year.
He calmly lit a glass lamp inside the room, and eerie black flames illuminated, instantly dissipating the abyssal noise.
“This Silencing Glass Lamp is really useful,” Li Fan couldn’t help but praise.
The Silencing Glass Lamp, a new type of sound-suppressing treasure delivered by the Martial Hall two months ago.
Hailing from the Western Ethereal Province.
After igniting the Silencing Cord within the lamp, it emitted black flames that turned all surrounding sounds into nothingness.
Simple to use, with outstanding effects.
Moreover, unlike other treasures that absorb demonic sounds, it doesn’t risk mutation after prolonged exposure.
This lamp remains unaffected until it burns out completely. It can be extinguished when not in use, extending its lifespan.
Among all sound-suppressing treasures, the Silencing Glass Lamp is the most outstanding.
Unfortunately, it’s said that the critical component, the Silencing Cord, requires special craftsmanship, making production cycles long and extremely precious.
So only Li Fan, Xue Mu, and other array masters would carry it with them.
Under the Qingxuan Army, it’s only brought out in times of crisis.
However, Li Fan lighting the Silencing Glass Lamp at this moment isn’t extravagant.
Since fifteen days ago, when the sudden surge of abyssal sounds erupted, this Anchor Point, along with other points and the Eternal Immortal Stronghold, lost contact.
Communication talismans, spell transmissions, and even the Tianxuan Mirror couldn’t connect with the outside world.
In fact, the list Li Fan lazily glanced at just now was frozen data from before the surge erupted.
According to the Qingxuan veteran and Yuanying cultivator Cold Yingyi, the strength of this surge is unprecedented, occurring once every hundred years.
Based on Cold Yingyi’s experience, the duration of the abyssal surge is almost directly proportional to its power.
The sudden eruption of the surge was beyond everyone’s expectations.
The resources within the point, including the vital **Black Death Talisman** that sustains survival in the devouring white mist, are running low and need timely replenishment.
So, Cold Yingyi, along with three subordinates, braving the risk of falling, returned to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold to seek supplies during the empty period after the abyssal surge erupted.
In today’s cultivation world, where character isn’t highly valued, it’s almost useless.
Moreover, Li Fan’s willpower is exceptionally strong, and he hardly ever encounters mental disturbances.
So for Li Fan, the efficacy of the Refining Heart Mantra is almost negligible.
If it weren’t for his intuition and the ranking of the Refining Heart Mantra as the first technique in the Anchor Point panel, it indirectly indicated the value of the mantra,
Li Fan might have abandoned it long ago.
After all, no matter how powerful a dragon-slaying technique is, if there are no dragons in the world, it’s just a useless skill, not worth wasting time on.
“Refine the heart, refine the heart.”
“How to refine, I already know like the back of my hand.”
“But what to refine into, what’s the ultimate goal, I have no clue.”
“Perhaps this is why my progress in practicing the Refining Heart Mantra has always been inconsistent over the years.”
“What am I refining for?”
...
This question may be too profound.
Even Li Fan, who considers himself to have decent insight, momentarily fell into a dilemma.
Time passes slowly in this process.
There are limited effects to fumbling in the dark.
On the thirty-sixth day after the eruption of the abyssal surge, Li Fan, who had been unable to find an answer, temporarily stopped practicing.
He simply strolled around the point, listening, observing, feeling, and contemplating.
Compared to a dozen days ago, changes quietly occurred within the Anchor Point in a short period of time.
The enclosed environment, the unknown future, the occasional onslaught of abyssal sounds.
The gradually depleting survival resources.
As the cultivators in the point lived through each day feeling like years, an inexplicable emotion began to slowly breed in their hearts.
Although it hasn’t reached the point of complete despair yet, Li Fan, who can see through people’s hearts, was the first to sense it.
“Apart from me, three Yuanying stage cultivators, six Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.”
“My strength is the weakest, but if I play the pig to eat the tiger, sit back and reap the benefits, it shouldn’t be a problem in the end.”
This was the thought that first popped into Li Fan’s mind.
Chapter 356: Reversing the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra
But then, as Li Fan sought answers regarding heart refinement, a flash of insight crossed his mind.
A clarity emerged, observing like a passerby, analyzing with reason.
“Is this my instinct?”
“Facing such a crisis, some might choose to risk entering the white mist, seeking a slim chance of survival within the dire situation.”
“Some might opt to kill their allies to strengthen themselves, using scheming methods to eliminate others first.”
“While some would rather die than harm their companions.”
“And I, subconsciously, choose to hide and wait, silently reaping the benefits after others finish their strife.”
“...”
“This is the optimal strategy based on the current situation, also influenced by my past experiences.”
“Each person’s choice is different. In my view, there’s no superiority or inferiority in character.”
“This is the essence of human nature.”
“Heart refinement, heart refinement...”
Li Fan pondered, murmuring to himself.
Forgetful of the imminent crisis outside the stronghold of Anchorage, forgetting the impending peril within the stronghold.
As if ensnared in a trance, completely immersed in thoughts, not even the minor assaults of the demonic sounds could affect him.
Time passed swiftly in Li Fan’s contemplation.
Thus, it was the fiftieth day after the outbreak of the upheaval.
Leng Yingyi still hadn’t returned, striving to prolong her endurance as much as possible.
After discussion, the group decided to abandon most of the area within Anchorage.
Only retaining some basic structures.
This way, the consumption rate of the Annihilation Black Light could be reduced by nearly half.
Although the area for activity decreased significantly.
Compared to having more time alive, squeezing a bit was insignificant.
But the once familiar group now seemed slightly more guarded towards each other.
They maintained a courteous facade outwardly, but what they were truly thinking remained known only to themselves.
Undercurrents surged, hidden intentions lurked.
When Li Fan noticed the gradually unsettling atmosphere, he finally began to awaken from his daze under the instinctual alertness of his body.
With a slight sweep of his senses, Li Fan understood the current situation.
From ancient times to the present, such a scenario of being trapped in a dilemma, mutually killing for survival, was not uncommon.
Even Li Fan himself, upon understanding his current predicament, felt the emergence of killing intent.
This killing intent was his own will.
Not belonging to distractions, even the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra couldn’t eliminate it.
Li Fan carefully pondered the incessant thoughts surging in his mind.
“Survival is a human instinct. Killing for survival is following one’s will.”
“Following one’s will, following one’s will...”
Suddenly, Li Fan’s mind froze, repeatedly chanting this phrase inwardly.
After a long while, a strange light flashed in his eyes.
“Heart refinement, heart refinement. Always smooth sailing, how can it truly refine the heart?”
“To refine the Dao heart, perhaps one needs to endure adversity.”
“Adversity, opposition...”
As if lightning piercing through the mist, in an instant, Li Fan understood something.
“To attain longevity, one must defy the laws of heaven and earth.”
“And to refine the Dao heart...”
“One must defy one’s true intentions.”
“Perhaps I’ve been cultivating wrongly all this time.”
Li Fan’s eyes gradually brightened.
“To act as one pleases, to shatter all distractions, at best, it only reaches the level of the Clear Heart Mantra.”
“To truly cultivate the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra, one must refine the heart itself.”
“To resist one’s instinctual choices?”
At this thought, Li Fan felt a sudden clarity, sweeping away the knots in his heart.
What you, Li Fan, are saying so resolutely, isn’t it an attempt to incite us to our deaths?
Could it be that you would risk your life and personally take action?
All the cultivators present thought so.
However, it hadn’t reached the point of open confrontation yet. They glanced at each other, and Kong Yu cleared his throat, intending to persuade again.
However, what Li Fan said next made them all stand up in astonishment.
“Captain Leng, in order to protect us all, has probably already perished within the Annihilation Black Light.”
“I have long been hesitant.”
“I also know seeking help is extremely perilous. If any of you were to fall because of me, I would be even more ashamed to face everyone.”
“Alone, I will go to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold to seek help.”
“If I don’t die, I will surely find a way for you all!”
Li Fan’s words were decisive, his expression determined.
Kong Yu, He Chen, and others never expected this young formation master to make such a decision.
They looked at each other, doubting if they had misheard.
But seeing Li Fan’s firm gaze and expression, they had no more doubts and were instead shocked.
As the master who built the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation, Li Fan, although only in the Foundation Establishment Stage, held the highest position within Anchorage Base.
Because all the cultivators present, whether from the Qingxuan Sect or other departments like the Martial Hall, came here to assist Li Fan in building the formation.
If he were to insist on sending out more cultivators for help, citing “the construction of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation cannot be delayed, and if I were to fall, it would inevitably delay the progress of the formation,” then in the end, most of them would have to comply.
But now, he didn’t do that.
Instead, he voluntarily took on this almost suicidal mission to seek a way out for everyone.
Putting personal life and death aside, selflessly...
Is there really such a person in the world?
Isn’t this what the sages of ancient times were like?
After spending so much time with him before, they couldn’t believe they hadn’t noticed?!
It seems that only in times of life and death can one see a person’s true nature.
And as they recalled their own despicable thoughts, they couldn’t help but feel ashamed.
Under this self-reproach, they earnestly tried to persuade him.
“Master Li, why go this far! Although the situation is dire, it’s not to the point where you need to risk everything.”
“Yes, Master, please think twice. Dealing with both the Annihilation Black Light and the white mist is too dangerous! The odds are against you!”
...
Facing everyone’s dissuasion, Li Fan resolutely said, “My mind is made up, you needn’t say more.”
“You’ve been in the Abyss of Roaring Depths for years, so you have rich experience in surviving amidst the Annihilation Black Light and the white mist. If you really care, why not tell me all the precautions I need to take on the road, so I have a better chance of coming back alive?”
Li Fan said nonchalantly.
The others pretended to be reserved and tried to persuade him again, but seeing that they couldn’t change Li Fan’s determination, they could only sigh.
While feeling relieved, they also eagerly shared their survival experiences in the Abyss of Roaring Depths.
Li Fan listened attentively and remembered them all.
Then, carrying the supplies needed to survive twenty days alone in the white mist, under the reluctant gazes of everyone, he set foot on the lonely road to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold.
It is worth mentioning that perhaps moved by Li Fan’s righteousness, He Chen, a guardian soldier from the Qingxuan Sect, decided to accompany him.
However, after praising the other’s noble intentions, Li Fan still refused his kindness.
In the other’s eyes full of admiration and touched emotions, Li Fan put on the Annihilation Black Light symbol, identified the position of the Broken Palm Immortal City in the vast white mist, and turned into a stream of light, disappearing into it.
The other cultivators in Anchorage Base watched Li Fan’s disappearing figure, their faces showing various expressions.
“I never expected that in today’s cultivation world, there would still be such a person of high integrity. It’s truly embarrassing for us.”
“I’ve lived for three hundred and forty-eight years. It’s only today that I’ve seen such a person, which is a great regret.”
“If Master Li doesn’t die, from now on, I will surely look up to him.”
...
After a moment of silence, everyone couldn’t help but express their heartfelt admiration.
“Hmph!”
Only He Chen looked disdainful, gave everyone a disdainful look, and left in a huff.
The faces of the others were more or less embarrassed.
Like birds and beasts dispersing.
Chapter 358: Mist Covers the Cemetery
Li Fan recalled the various anecdotes about the maze that Emperor Fu Qi had recounted.
“Some are purely vast and boundless spaces, devoid of any other existence.”
“While some are like the Roaring Abyss, hiding many strange and dangerous things.”
“But everything is concealed in the vast white mist, and cultivators who mistakenly enter it are as blind as if their eyes were open, making it extremely difficult to perceive the whole picture.”
“The supplies I brought can last for about fifteen days. Whether I can cross this maze depends on the circumstances of my fate in this world.”
Gathering his thoughts, Li Fan did not continue to advance in the direction of the Eternal Immortal Stronghold.
Instead, he marked it as “front” and flew downward in the opposite direction.
In the usual White Mist Barrier, there is land present.
It’s just a flat and silent land, with no traces of any other life or structures.
Even normal undulations are rarely seen.
It is said that walking on it will suppress the instinctive yearning for life in one’s heart, leading to various impulses of self-termination
And the maze is an independent, entirely new space.
Whether there is a “bottom” depends on the specific situation of the maze.
The Roaring Abyss has no bottom in sight.
Li Fan must explore this maze to know.
As for why he went “down” instead of flying directly out of the maze...
That’s because Emperor Song had previously mentioned to Li Fan that entering the maze is equivalent to entering a boundless paradise.
It’s basically impossible to fly out of the maze by just flying.
Only by finding the connection between the maze and the normal space, the so-called “exit,” can one leave.
Let’s use the Roaring Abyss as an example.
Outside the city of Broken Palm Eternal, as long as a member of the Qingxuan Army accidentally falls into the abyss and enters its territory, even if it seems to be only at the edge of the abyss, just a step across can return them to safety.
But even with such a short distance, because they are not in the same space, even if one flies until death, they may not be able to cross.
Since the establishment of Broken Palm Immortal City, no cultivator who accidentally fell into the Roaring Abyss has been able to return alive.
So, generally speaking, the scenery near the maze is different, and as long as one approaches, even if it’s covered by white mist, it can still be sensed.
This is also where Li Fan’s hope lies for escape.
Operating the Purple Sky Escape Art with all his might, Li Fan continued to descend, and roughly half a day passed.
As Li Fan was flying, his expression suddenly changed.
Sensing with his divine sense, not far ahead of him and within reach, it seemed like something was blocking there.
However, in the devouring white mist, the distance of divine sense perception greatly decreased.
“What exactly is this place...”
Without relaxing his vigilance, Li Fan carefully searched around.
The scene before him, even for Li Fan, who was accustomed to bloodshed, couldn’t help but feel scalp tingling.
Within a radius of a hundred meters, there were collapsed and damaged architectural ruins everywhere.
And in every corner of the ruins, many bodies lay scattered.
They still retained their appearance and expression from before their death.
As if they had seen something they deeply hated and feared, their faces were filled with despair and resentment.
Time froze at the moment of their death.
It’s as if a disaster suddenly struck, and everyone in the ruins lost their lives at the same time.
No wounds, no bloodstains.
But they died like this.
Just like when Li Fan accidentally stepped on that corpse earlier, as long as they had contact with this outsider Li Fan, they would turn into flying ashes in an instant and disappear completely.
What frightened Li Fan was that these people’s identities were obviously not ordinary.
The storage rings they wore and the various treasures they had just taken out but hadn’t had the chance to use all indicated their identity as cultivators.
However, in the face of the unknown existence, they could only wait for death powerless, just like ordinary people.
Li Fan approached one of the bodies, trying to remove the storage ring from his hand.
To see if he could find any clues about these inexplicably dead cultivators.
Unfortunately, it was the same with those corpses.
As soon as Li Fan touched them, they immediately dispersed into smoke and disappeared.
He tried several times, and the result was the same.
Li Fan had no choice but to give up.
Suppressing the chill in his heart, he continued to explore outward.
The scene remained unchanged.
The continuous ruins had become a giant cemetery.
Burying countless bodies that had died who knows how long ago.
So much so that Li Fan began to feel a bit numb.
He increased his flying speed and quickly rushed out of the range of these ruins.
“This seems to be some kind of gathering point. Some of these cultivators have similar clothes, while others are different.”
“Different sects, for some reason, have gathered here.”
Chapter 359: Strange Turn of Events Mournful Echoes
Outside the remnants, finally, there was no trace of corpses.
Instead, there was desolation and silence.
Li Fan didn’t forget his objective. After briefly searching the remnants again without finding any useful information,
he marked the site, chose a direction, and flew off again, skimming the ground.
Two days later, Li Fan found a new ruin in the sea of mist.
The scale of this ruin was several times larger than the first one.
Correspondingly, the scene of countless corpses stacked was even more tragic.
The lively expressions on their faces made Li Fan feel like he was witnessing the scene firsthand.
Suppressing the agitation in his heart, Li Fan searched around as usual.
Although he didn’t find any valuable information, the corpses in the sea of corpses caught his attention.
Most of the cultivators in the first and second ruins died instantly.
Apart from the expressions of terror and despair on their faces, they didn’t leave any information behind.
However, among so many people, there were still one or two whose cultivation was relatively stronger.
Before their deaths, they stared resentfully and unwillingly in a certain direction.
It seemed that the existence that took their lives was there.
Even after several years of death, they still maintained this posture.
This inadvertently pointed out the direction in the white mist for Li Fan.
So, Li Fan followed the instructions of the corpses and swiftly flew for a day, finding the third ruin.
Following the murderer’s path, Li Fan proceeded.
The fourth, fifth, sixth...
Until there was only enough supplies left to last three days.
Li Fan had encountered eleven ruins filled with corpses.
While rushing towards the twelfth ruin,
something strange happened.
He, who had been flying rapidly forward, unexpectedly returned to the eleventh ruin shortly after.
After finding the previous markings, Li Fan confirmed it wasn’t his illusion.
So, he set off again.
The result remained the same.
After circling around, he returned to the starting point.
Li Fan pondered for a moment, not panicking.
He attempted a third time.
This time, he slowed down, constantly sensing the direction of the eleventh ruin while flying.
Finally, he figured out what was going on.
When he reached a certain position during his flight,
he encountered something.
Making Li Fan’s forward direction, in an instant, and without any trace, turned into backward.
During the first two times, Li Fan was completely unaware, thinking he was still flying forward.
In reality, he had turned around.
Naturally, it didn’t take long for him to return to the original starting point.
At this moment, with a solemn expression, Li Fan stood in front of the area that brought about the change.
Entering it, his body position remained unchanged.
But the eleventh ruin, which he had sensed behind him, had somehow appeared in front of him unconsciously.
Li Fan furrowed his brow slightly, turned around, and flew backward, trying to distance himself from the eleventh ruin again.
But before long, the direction became confused again.
However, Li Fan already had experience and kept the eleventh ruin constantly behind him.
Constantly adjusting the direction, he moved forward.
After such twists and turns, and spending two more days, he finally arrived at the twelfth ruin.
This ruin was the largest in scale among all the ruins.
But on the periphery, there was no trace of corpses.
When things are abnormal, they are demonic.
Li Fan gathered his spirits and explored towards the center of the ruin.
All around was silent.
In this separate realm of the maze, even the demonic sounds from the abyss couldn’t reach.
Aside from the sounds he made himself, Li Fan hadn’t heard any other sounds for a long time.
But when Li Fan approached the center of the twelfth ruin, the sudden rustling noises made his hair stand on end.
Through the somehow thinner white mist, Li Fan saw on the ground not far away.
A cultivator lying face up, but with limbs strangely twisted downward.
The hands and feet were irregularly broken.
The toes and fingers were twisted together like twists.
But with these seemingly creepy limbs, the cultivator crawled slowly and painfully in circles.
Unflagging.
For who knows how long, it seemed like it would never stop.
Li Fan looked at the monster ahead, which had survived for an unknown amount of time in the white mist, his scalp tingling, his heart stopping suddenly.
Holding his breath, he slowly retreated.
However, the perception of this twisted monster seemed extremely sharp.
It immediately sensed the arrival of a stranger.
The drooping head snapped onto its belly with a click.
Then it turned directly one hundred and eighty degrees, using its face to stare tightly at Li Fan.
The face of the twisted monster fell into Li Fan’s eyes, instantly making his heart jump.
Chapter 357: New Domain Beyond the Abyss
“Fearless in the face of death, sacrificing oneself for others?”
“If it weren’t for my 【Truth】, the ability to start anew at any time, I would never make such a choice!”
“It truly leaves a sour taste in one’s heart!”
In the vast sea of mist, Li Fan deployed the Purple Sky Divine Thunder Escape, transforming into a purple stream of light, swiftly heading towards the Eternal Immortal Stronghold.
The stifling and depressive feeling lingered in his heart for a long time.
And the previously unstoppable Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra unexpectedly operated extremely slowly.
It was like a heavy millstone, sucking in the inner thoughts and slowly grinding them away
Unlike before, where Li Fan’s incorrect cultivation methods would ruthlessly crush everything.
At this moment, the Heart Refinement Mantra refined these rebellious emotions generated from going against the Dao Heart, transforming them into strands of coolness that flowed into Li Fan’s body and mind, nourishing him.
The cool sensation slightly relieved his restless mood.
Reversing the Dao Heart is actually actively seeking the ‘Difficulty in Understanding the Mind’.
This naturally made Li Fan, who had always been willful, feel extremely uncomfortable.
Fortunately, the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra did not disappoint Li Fan.
Sensing the effect of the coolness on his body, Li Fan’s mind suddenly shook.
“This feeling...”
“It’s so similar to when I took the 【Mind Horse】 back then?!”
“Before, the Clear Mind Mantra could strengthen the divine sense, and now the correct cultivation of the Heart Refinement Mantra can actually strengthen the soul?”
Li Fan’s heart was suddenly filled with waves of shock.
“No wonder its cultivation level is even higher than the Cloud Water Dream Technique, which is a Dao Integration level technique.”
“Methods that strengthen the divine sense, I’ve seen one or two of them in the special exchange list of merits in the Tianxuan Mirror.”
“But those that can strengthen the soul...”
“It’s truly unheard of.”
The soul is internal, and the divine sense is external.
If the soul becomes stronger, the divine sense will naturally also become stronger.
The divine sense is like muscles, which can be continuously strengthened through postnatal training and cultivation.
But the soul is like bones, predetermined at birth. Only when one’s own realm undergoes a breakthrough, which is almost a change in life form, or by using treasures like the 【Mind Horse】, can it be strengthened.
Initially, the Nascent Soul cultivator Zhang Zhiliang also said that the 【Mind Horse】 that can strengthen the soul is extremely precious.
However, as good as the Mind Horse is, its enhancement effect is limited.
But the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra’s enhancement of the soul has no apparent limit!
As long as one continues to reverse the Dao Heart, it seems that the soul can endlessly strengthen!
It’s worth noting that when the soul becomes strong enough, it can be directly used as a means of annihilation against enemies.
For example, the extremely terrifying Thousand-Faced Demon Ancestor officially announced by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, discarded his physical body and directly existed as a soul.
Relying on his powerful soul, he freely engaged in body snatching.
“As I cultivate the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra and continuously strengthen my soul, one day, even if the Thousand-Faced Demon Ancestor truly exists, he may not be my opponent.”
“Moreover...”
“【Truth】 and I are actually one. After each reincarnation, everything in the world returns to the chosen anchor point.”
“If the threat is only at this level, Lengyingyi couldn’t possibly have an accident.”
“What has he encountered by delaying his return?”
“And where is this increasing sense of unease in my heart coming from?”
Li Fan gradually became vigilant, releasing his divine sense to probe the surroundings.
However, within the fog sea devoid of the Demon Tide, it was silent.
After searching for a long time, he still couldn’t find the source of the threat.
Li Fan could only adapt and continue flying towards the direction he sensed Eternal Immortal Stronghold.
Two more days passed like this.
Li Fan, who was flying swiftly, suddenly stopped.
His face turned unsightly.
“Finally, I understand why Lengyingyi hasn’t returned. So that’s it.”
At his speed, flying intermittently.
Originally, it should have taken no more than two days to reach the Eternal Immortal Stronghold.
But now, four days have passed since Li Fan left the Jiaxu Base.
In his perception, the Eternal Immortal Stronghold is indeed not far ahead.
However...
Despite the short distance, no matter how he flies, he can’t cross it.
“Clearly it seems to be just a short distance away, but it’s like a heavenly chasm that I can’t cross. We call these locations within the white fog barrier ‘Maze’.”
Huangfu Song’s words echoed in Li Fan’s ears.
He temporarily gave up flying and stood in the void, his expression changing constantly.
“Unbeknownst to anyone, a maze has unwittingly formed on the path between the Jiaxu Base and the Eternal Immortal Stronghold beyond the Abyss.”
“Silent, and unknown.”
“Lengyingyi must have gotten lost in this maze.”
“Now, it’s the same for me.”
Looking ahead, Li Fan seemed to see a huge green stone palm not far away.
But he couldn’t reach it.
“A short distance but a world away...”
Li Fan sighed softly.
However, although he inadvertently fell into a desperate situation, Li Fan would not immediately use 【Truth】.
There are still many unfinished matters in this world, so giving up so easily would be a pity.
This also fits Li Fan’s character of never giving up until the Yellow River runs dry.
So Li Fan decided to see if he could find a way to cross this newly formed maze before his resources were depleted.
After all, a maze is ultimately just an extremely vast space.
It’s not an absolute deathtrap.
“`
Chapter 361: Chaos-sealed Maze
It seemed that with the passage of time, this piece of rubble had lost its original power.
Li Fan paused for a moment, then held his breath and approached slowly.
Until he reached the rubble, he didn’t feel any changes in himself.
However, Li Fan’s vigilance remained high.
This maze was filled with various bizarre phenomena, so one must not take it lightly.
Without touching the rubble, he observed it carefully from a distance.
The rubble was half-buried in the soil, roughly forming a square about the length and width of a person’s outstretched arms.
There were obvious signs of breakage on its edges.
It seemed to have been deliberately cut from a larger stone.
“Chaos.”
“The area centered around this circular pit, with its disoriented directions and even the bizarre phenomenon of human mutation, could it be related to this character?”
“If indeed a single character triggers many anomalies...”
“What does this ‘Chaos Stone’ have to do with the Heavenly Doctor?”
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan decided not to bother with it for now, but to check around for any signs of an “exit”.
Unfortunately, apart from the sticky, unidentifiable substances covering the bottom of the circular pit,
there was only this chaotic stone.
“The aberrant monsters now only act on instinct, they shouldn’t be trying to deceive me.”
After some thought, Li Fan returned to the side of the rubble, activated his spiritual power, and lifted it from the ground.
It wasn’t as heavy as some heavenly treasures, weighing the same as ordinary stones.
And after pulling it out, there was no expected exit beneath the rubble.
No abnormal situation occurred.
“Strange...”
Li Fan put down the Chaos Stone and rubbed his chin.
With little time left, Li Fan didn’t search for other possibilities.
Instead, he stared closely at the stone in front of him, pondering where the exit might be hidden.
With not much time to waste, after a moment, Li Fan pointed his finger and shot out a black light towards it.
As he stepped back, he observed the changes that occurred when the Annihilation Sword collided with the Chaos Stone.
The black sword light flew to the front of the rubble in an instant.
Just before the collision, the black light suddenly distorted.
Writing stroke by stroke.
The brush strokes flowed swiftly, forming in an instant.
A faint golden light flashed and disappeared.
The chaotic character on the rubble seemed to regain some of its luster.
What amazed Li Fan was that the moment the chaotic character reappeared,
the spiritual energy within him was instantly depleted.
If it weren’t for the Nine Laws Golden Elixir sensing the danger and instantly transforming, the power of the Five Elements turned into a continuous supply of spiritual energy to replenish his exhausted body,
he might have been drained directly.
Even so, Li Fan felt his vision darken and nearly fell to the ground.
Fortunately, after absorbing all of Li Fan’s spiritual energy, the Chaos Stone also underwent a mysterious change.
The characters seemed to come to life, naturally emanating a terrifying aura.
The entire stone became ethereal.
It emitted a dream-like glow.
Even the life-devouring mist was forced back by the radiance emitted from the Chaos Stone, forming a vacuum zone around it.
Seeing this, Li Fan quickly hid inside to avoid excessive loss of lifespan.
Perhaps because the Chaos Stone activated this time by absorbing the spiritual energy within Li Fan’s body,
Li Fan did not sense its effect on himself after approaching the rubble.
However, he continuously heard creaking sounds from the surroundings. The sticky substances underground seemed to have come to life, beginning a bizarre twisting motion.
And Li Fan keenly noticed that the motionless mutated corpses standing in the circular pit were trembling slightly, as if they were about to come alive in the next second.
As the instigator of all this, Li Fan couldn’t help but feel his hair stand on end.
“This is not a place to stay for long.”
Observing the flickering light and the shifting reality of the Chaos Stone, Li Fan vaguely felt a sensation in his heart.
It was as if it were a gateway, one he could enter at any time.
His spiritual sense did not detect any danger ahead, but rather the only vitality was inside.
Without further hesitation, Li Fan flew towards it.
As Li Fan had expected, the stone seemed to be nonexistent.
Li Fan passed straight through it.
His vision blurred, endless white mist filled his eyes.
Finally, Li Fan left behind that treacherous maze and returned to the normal barrier of white mist.
Chapter 362: Loss and Gain
Suddenly breaking free from the entanglement, yet the crisis was far from over.
The devouring white mist continuously consumed Li Fan’s lifespan, even more fiercely than within the maze.
Within the vast white mist, Li Fan once again sensed the location of the Broken Palm Immortal City.
In the next moment, he unleashed the Purple Sky Escape Technique to its utmost and flew towards it swiftly.
Just as Li Fan gradually distanced himself from the maze where the chaotic characters were, a strange, seemingly familiar ripple emanated from behind him.
Even the endless expanse of white mist seemed to ripple.
“Hm?”
Without turning his head, Li Fan could still feel that the maze of chaotic stones seemed to be gradually disappearing.
Or perhaps, hiding.
But Li Fan couldn’t afford to pay attention to it for the time being.
There was still a considerable distance to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold from here.
And under the relentless consumption of the devouring white mist, Li Fan’s age was increasing rapidly.
As he moved towards the Abyssal Roar, the speed of his lifespan being devoured also accelerated.
156, 178, 193...
Li Fan stared at the constantly changing numbers on the Truth Panel, and a long-lost sense of weakness surged in his heart.
The instant aging made him feel as if he had returned to being the elderly Grand Master Da Xuan.
The Eternal Immortal Stronghold was within reach, but Li Fan estimated that with the remaining lifespan, it would be extremely difficult to cross the distance ahead.
With determination in his heart, without the slightest hesitation, Li Fan took out the Life-Extending Fruit from his storage ring and swallowed it in one gulp.
A majestic vitality surged from his abdomen.
In an instant, like a rushing river, it spread throughout his body.
The feeling of aging and weakness suddenly disappeared, and Li Fan’s physiological age limit changed from the original 599 to 899.
With a burst of energy, Li Fan, like a purple thunderbolt, tore through the vast white mist.
Straight towards the Broken Palm Immortal City.
“Although Senior Zhang’s Purple Sky Divine Thunder Escape is much faster than the escape techniques I’ve seen in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, it’s still too slow!”
“Without the True Manual of the Purple Sky Divine Thunder Technique, it’s still somewhat lacking.”
“It’s usually not a big deal, but the importance of escape technique speed is evident at critical moments like this.”
264, 378, 492...
As his age rapidly increased, Li Fan gradually transformed from a youthful scholar appearance into that of a middle-aged man.
Yet, his mind remained extraordinarily calm, unaffected by the passage of life.
“If there’s a chance, I must find a superior escape technique.”
“Aside from the Pearl of Derivation, Zhong Shentong’s Seven-Colored Divine Light seems to be quite good.”
“To surpass the speed of the Yuanying Stage during the Foundation Establishment Stage...”
While recalling the deeds of Zhong Shentong, Li Fan was getting closer and closer to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold.
567, 689, 734...
But his consciousness was incredibly clear.
This was a highly contradictory state.
But just as he now felt both the strength of rejuvenation and the weakness of aging simultaneously.
It was indeed a real existence.
The weakness naturally stemmed from the fact that this body of his in this world was on the brink of exhaustion, not far from its end.
While the strength came from the aspect of the soul.
After Li Fan had experienced various hardships, survived numerous life-and-death situations.
He finally arrived at the Eternal Immortal Stronghold.
And he actually completed the requirements of the “Reverse Cultivation of Dao Heart” operation.
The stifling and indignant feeling in his heart suddenly dissipated.
In the great grinding mill of heart refinement, an unprecedented source of nourishment also arrived.
Drops of icy coolness nourished the soul.
A sense of growth emerged in Li Fan’s heart, comparable to breaking through realms.
And the growth of the soul was not just a one-time occurrence.
It was like a continuous trickle, never-ending.
“With every action, there’s a reward. This is the reward for the Reverse Cultivation of Dao Heart operation.”
“But I’m afraid we have to wait until we truly rescue the people inside the Jiaxu Base before the entire reverse cultivation action can be considered truly concluded.”
“Even though there was a special bonus the first time, the effect of this Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra is still too terrifying.”
Li Fan carefully felt the continuous growth of his own soul.
It even made him feel like he could discard his body and exist directly as a soul.
After an unknown amount of time.
Sensing someone approaching beside his sleeping body.
Li Fan’s mind moved, controlling his body to gradually awaken.
The sensation of his body once again took the upper hand, and a sense of powerlessness surged into his heart.
With a light cough, Li Fan struggled to sit up.
“Fellow Daoist, awake?!” A member of the Qingxuan Army hurried over to support Li Fan.
“Fellow Daoist Li Fan, we have verified your identity with the Strategy Hall.”
“What exactly happened? At this moment, you should be inside the Jiaxu Base, why did you return to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold?”
“And you even turned into this...”
He seemed to be full of questions, firing off a barrage of questions.
Li Fan, however, noticed that at the moment he woke up, a shadow suddenly appeared in the corner of the room.
Although it was almost imperceptible, with Li Fan’s strengthened soul, he could clearly sense it.
Without changing his expression, Li Fan slowly recounted his experience.
Chapter 363: Li Fans Reversal
Li Fans eyebrows furrowed. What? Anchor Point, code-named Jiaxu, is running out of supplies, teetering on the brink of life and death, and urgently needs reinforcements?
How could this be? Didnt Cold Response just receive a batch of supplies?
They actually let you, a mere magician, take such risks. What a bunch of incompetence!
There was a new-born maze blocking the way on the journey? No wonder
You actually managed to escape from such a maze, youre quite lucky.
Ah, its just a pity. Im a bit slower, and there isnt much life left.
Amid the continuous exclamations of the cultivator in the azure robe named Hao Hui, Li Fan roughly recounted his experiences along the way.
Except for concealing some details possibly related to the Heavenly Doctor within the chaotic stone maze, everything else was told truthfully without any embellishment.
After learning of Li Fans actions, looking at this cultivator with white hair, serene face, and an aura of calmness despite the dire circumstances,
Hao Huis eyes flashed with a trace of respect.
A cultivator of such high integrity was extremely rare, even within the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
His expression solemn, Hao Hui said softly, Friend, rest assured and recuperate. I will immediately dispatch personnel to Anchor Point, code-named Jiaxu, and will certainly not let down your desperate plea for help.
Li Fan coughed lightly and nodded slightly.
Everything that needed to be done had been done. Clearly, this body could no longer withstand any further strain.
If he wanted to function normally again, he needed proper recuperation.
Hao Hui withdrew, closing the door behind him.
At the same time, Li Fan felt the shadow in the corner of the room also disappear.
There are still 57 years of remaining time in this world. Although I can use some longevity treasures again, my situation is somewhat similar to Immortal Sage Jicheng now. We are both nearing the end of our lives, and the effect of longevity may not be as good as imagined.
Even if there isnt much time left to live, it doesnt necessarily mean I cant achieve my goals.
Just as Li Fan was lost in thought with closed eyes,
At the forefront of the Broken Palm Immortal City, in a hidden place facing the abyss.
Countless demonic sounds gushed out from the nearby void abyss, pouring into this space continuously through a gap, without any hindrance,
As if the indescribable voices from the deepest layer of purgatory were constantly echoing and raging here.
The powerful and pure demonic sounds seemed to even affect the structure of space.
One distorted and terrifying face after another kept forming here.
And before these inexplicable faces, there sat a figure.
His appearance was unclear, but his body shape was strangely undulating like the flowing waves of a river, constantly flickering.
The demonic sounds, which would usually cause a change in expression in ordinary cultivators, seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.
Moreover, those twisted faces formed by the reverberating demonic sounds, after approaching him, seemed to be directly captured, merging into his body.
However, Lord Shaokun did not blame him: Originally, letting him intentionally spread rumors was to rectify the atmosphere within the Immortal Fort.
Now that we have such a good publicity target, his role is dispensable.
Let him down tomorrow.
Send a Soul Recovery Pill to him and let him rest well.
The black-robed cultivator showed joy on his face and said, Thank you, Lord Shaokun.
He then quietly disappeared in this secret chamber.
For Lord Shaokun, the conversation just now seemed to be a trivial episode.
As the cyan stone gate fell again, the raging demonic sounds surged back in.
His body began to sway and undulate again.
Under Lord Shaokuns promotion, within half a day, Li Fans desperate plea for help spread throughout the Eternal Immortal Fort.
There were doubters, but there were also deeply touched believers.
And as those like He Chen who were trapped in Anchor Point were rescued and brought back for investigation,
The truth of the incident was confirmed.
Although there were still a few cultivators who stubbornly believed that all of this was a staged act,
But the vast majority chose to believe.
While marveling and admiring Li Fans righteousness, they couldnt help but feel sorry for him having only a few decades of life left.
As for Li Fan himself, after receiving wave after wave of visitors, he finally welcomed a rare moment of tranquility.
After some recuperation, Ive managed to barely adapt to this aging body.
Although I can transform into a younger appearance, apparently its not as attention-grabbing as my current appearance.
Completing the perfect conclusion of his initial reversal of cultivating Dao, the growth of his divine soul made Li Fan relish it.
So, Li Fan was preparing to start his second reversal plan.
For the Tianxuan Soul Locking Grand Competition, my original intention was to pass by casually, just to go through the motions.
But now, Im going to do the opposite.
Ill invest all my limited remaining life into the construction of the array.
For the popularization of the Tianxuan Soul Locking, Ill burn every ounce of my strength.
Until death.
Just thinking like this, Li Fan felt goosebumps all over his body.
Suppressing the discomfort in his heart, Li Fan put on a determined expression.
With slow and steady steps, he walked out of the room.
Chapter 364: Pushing Waves and Assisting Ripples
What? Do you want to return to the base and continue the construction of the Tianxuan Soul Locking Array?
Youre crazy?
Seeing the aged Li Fan suddenly appear before him, Hao Hui was startled.
And when he heard Li Fans request, Hao Huis face first showed disbelief, thinking he had misheard.
After confirming repeatedly, he laughed incredulously and firmly refused.
Friend Li, youve done enough already.
Leave the rest to other array masters.
Your current situation is not suitable for continuing the construction of the array.
After hesitating for a moment, Hao Hui still suggested, Friend, youve been trapped in the Devouring Yuan White Mist for too long, your lifespan is running out.
For now, you should seize every moment to cultivate.
See if you can break through to the Yuanying Realm before your lifespan ends.
With your talent, I dont think theres no chance to defy fate.
Although Hao Huis words were very much to Li Fans liking, he still shook his head against his will and said, Friends goodwill, I understand. However, one should know their own limitations. With my remaining lifespan, its absolutely impossible for me to cultivate to the Yuanying Realm!
Rather than wasting time on such meaningless things, its better to contribute my last bit of strength to the construction of the Tianxuan Soul Locking Array while I can still move.
If, in my lifetime, I can witness the Tianxuan Soul Locking Array enveloping the entire territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Even if I die, I will have no regrets!
Li Fans expression was solemn, his words righteous.
If the rest of my life can only be spent aimlessly, waiting for death in confusion, I wont be able to close my eyes even in death.
I hope my friend can fulfill this!
Looking at Li Fan, who was serious beyond measure, Hao Hui was speechless.
Instinctively wanting to refuse, but seeing the extremely sincere gaze of the other party, there was an indescribable feeling in his heart.
Alright, friend, wait for me for a moment. Ill go ask for instructions.
Seeming afraid to face Li Fan again, Hao Hui hurriedly left.
Li Fan remained calm, patiently waiting.
After a while, Hao Hui returned with a complicated expression.
Friend Li, your request has been approved. After this demonic sound tide subsides, our Qingxuan Army will send someone to escort you back to the front lines.
In that case, thank you, Brother Hao. Li Fan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, nodding in thanks.
Friend Li Fan Seeing the relieved look on Li Fans snowy hair, Hao Hui couldnt help but ask.
With everything at his disposal, all orders would be completed with one hundred and twenty percent efficiency.
Coupled with Li Fan reversing his own will, from being idle to becoming a workaholic who forgot to rest.
The speed of array construction increased by nearly double compared to before.
Due to the impact of the previous demonic sound tide, array construction was forcibly halted.
Li Fans ranking on the Great Ranking Board had already dropped to the bottom, hovering around six hundred or so.
But as everyone began to rebuild, his ranking steadily rose, catching up with determination.
The rapid rise in Li Fans ranking didnt attract much attention.
The most eye-catching figure on the entire list was still Guo Yezhong, with zero points.
This person seemed to completely disregard the so-called Great Ranking.
Cultivators discussed it one after another, but the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance didnt take any special measures.
It was only rumored that Guo Yezhong was still within the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, not having defected.
And he hadnt given up the fight. When asked by others, he simply responded, Who wins and who loses is still unknown.
As Li Fan threw himself wholeheartedly into the construction of arrays, feeling the torment in his heart.
The anecdotes about him began to spread rapidly outside the Broken Palm Immortal City under the indication of interested parties.
Especially his touching deeds of continuing to construct the Tianxuan Soul Locking Array despite undergoing tremendous changes and his lifespan running out.
They were glorified.
Soon, almost every cultivator outside seclusion in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance knew about Li Fans actions.
Whether to believe it or not was another matter.
Li Fans communication talisman was the first to explode.
He Zhenghao, the Oracle Child, and acquaintances from the former Universal Pavilion all sent messages inquiring.
There were too many, so Li Fan had to set up an automatic reply, briefly explaining the situation.
Naturally, his friends lamented and admired Li Fan extremely.
A few even promised to find longevity treasures for Li Fan.
Li Fan thanked each one.
Then he continued to throw himself tirelessly into the construction of arrays.
In this way, two years passed.
One day, a colorful light tore through the white mist and headed straight for the Broken Palm Immortal City.
Chapter 365: Creation Bell Divine Ability
Creation Bell Divine Ability? He wants to see me?Fiind updated novels at novelhall.com
In the vast white mist, Li Fan paused from his work.
Listening to He Chens report, Li Fan furrowed his brows slightly, feeling somewhat puzzled.
He had only met him briefly in the Contemplation of Dao, and they had never formally met in the real world.
Seeing Li Fans expression, He Chen lowered his voice and said, According to this Creation Bell Divine Ability, he has a method to extend Master Lis lifespan. But he insists on seeing you in person.
Although this person only has the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Stage, his body emits a colorful divine light, which is truly mysterious and extraordinary, even able to resist the Devouring Elemental White Mist. The elders in the Immortal Stronghold also speak highly of him.
Moreover, this Creation Bell Divine Ability has a wide circle of friends. This time, he was introduced and guaranteed by a Nascent Soul cultivator before the Immortal Stronghold agreed to let him come over.
Master Li, theres no harm in meeting him, He Chen suggested.
Among the cultivators rescued by Li Fan two years ago in the Jiaxu Base, He Chen was the most grateful to him.
Even when Li Fans lifespan was nearing its end, he continued to strive at the forefront of constructing arrays.
He Chen admired Li Fan to the point of fervor, even obeying his words unquestioningly.
Li Fan nodded slightly, saying, Very well, then lead me to meet this Creation Bell Divine Ability.
But in his heart, he thought, It seems like someone comes knocking when youre about to fall asleep. Setting aside whether this so-called method of extending lifespan is true or false, its good to probe into the origin of his colorful divine light.
Returning to the Jiaxu Base, in the meeting hall, an old man with white beard and hair, dressed in Daoist robes, had been waiting for some time.
As Li Fan stepped in, the Creation Bell Divine Abilitys gaze instantly focused on him.
After exchanging glances, Li Fan bowed first, saying, Friend Zhong, Ive heard much about you!
The Creation Bell Divine Ability also sighed, Under the great reputation lies no falsehoods. The rumors outside actually turned out to be true. Friend, indeed, you are at the brink of lifes end with rapidly declining vitality.
At these words, He Chens gaze turned somewhat hostile.
But Li Fans heart stirred, signaling He Chen to leave for now.
Once they were alone in the hall, he clasped his hands and said, Friend, your words seem profound?
Creation Bell Divine Ability stroked his beard and nodded, It is precisely because I have experienced a situation similar to Friends that I can be so certain.
To be honest, when I was in the outside world, upon hearing about Friends deeds, I actually didnt believe it, he admitted.
Creation Bell Divine Ability? He wants to see me?
In the vast white mist, Li Fan paused from his work.
Listening to He Chens report, Li Fan furrowed his brows slightly, feeling somewhat puzzled.
He had only met him briefly in the Contemplation of Dao, and they had never formally met in the real world.
Seeing Li Fans expression, He Chen lowered his voice and said, According to this Creation Bell Divine Ability, he has a method to extend Master Lis lifespan. But he insists on seeing you in person.
Although this person only has the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Stage, his body emits a colorful divine light, which is truly mysterious and extraordinary, even able to resist the Devouring Elemental White Mist. The elders in the Immortal Stronghold also speak highly of him.
Moreover, this Creation Bell Divine Ability has a wide circle of friends. This time, he was introduced and guaranteed by a Nascent Soul cultivator before the Immortal Stronghold agreed to let him come over.
Master Li, theres no harm in meeting him, He Chen suggested.
Among the cultivators rescued by Li Fan two years ago in the Jiaxu Base, He Chen was the most grateful to him.
Even when Li Fans lifespan was nearing its end, he continued to strive at the forefront of constructing arrays.
He Chen admired Li Fan to the point of fervor, even obeying his words unquestioningly.
Li Fan nodded slightly, saying, Very well, then lead me to meet this Creation Bell Divine Ability.
But in his heart, he thought, It seems like someone comes knocking when youre about to fall asleep. Setting aside whether this so-called method of extending lifespan is true or false, its good to probe into the origin of his colorful divine light.
Returning to the Jiaxu Base, in the meeting hall, an old man with white beard and hair, dressed in Daoist robes, had been waiting for some time.
As Li Fan stepped in, the Creation Bell Divine Abilitys gaze instantly focused on him.
After exchanging glances, Li Fan bowed first, saying, Friend Zhong, Ive heard much about you!
The Creation Bell Divine Ability also sighed, Under the great reputation lies no falsehoods. The rumors outside actually turned out to be true. Friend, indeed, you are at the brink of lifes end with rapidly declining vitality.
At these words, He Chens gaze turned somewhat hostile.
But Li Fans heart stirred, signaling He Chen to leave for now.
Once they were alone in the hall, he clasped his hands and said, Friend, your words seem profound?
Creation Bell Divine Ability stroked his beard and nodded, It is precisely because I have experienced a situation similar to Friends that I can be so certain.
To be honest, when I was in the outside world, upon hearing about Friends deeds, I actually didnt believe it, he admitted.
Chapter 360: The Original Culprit of the Tragedy
Thud! Thud! Thud!
It seemed that the mention of the words Heavenly Doctor from Li Fans mouth thoroughly triggered the emotions of the Twisted Monster. It forcefully banged its head against the ground repeatedly, creating cracks in the hard, desolate earth.
At the same time, it continuously emitted intermittent sobbing sounds, with blood tears streaming down its face.
Despite the monsters repulsive appearance, this scene unexpectedly made Li Fan feel a strange sense of pity for it. Did the Heavenly Doctor really commit the massacre here?
In an instant, an image of a kind, neighborly old man surfaced in Li Fans mind. On the surface, he appeared benevolent and kind, with a smiling face, but his actions were horrifying.
Li Fan felt a shiver of fear. He recalled the scene in the Yunshui Celestial Palace when the Qin Hall members howled in anger upon seeing the statue of the Heavenly Doctor. It seemed that the fall of the Yunshui Celestial Palace was indeed related to the Heavenly Doctor.
But where is this place? Why did it become a spatial fragment within the white mist barrier? And why did the Heavenly Doctor indiscriminately slaughter these cultivators?
Li Fan calmed his shock and looked at the Twisted Monster, still kowtowing incessantly. It had survived the Heavenly Doctors massacre and lived alone in this lost domain for so long. Li Fans proud Great Five Elements Extinction Sword couldnt even scratch its surface, indicating its immense strength.
Yet now, it seemed like a commoner suffering a great injustice, kneeling before Li Fan, who seemed like a just official.
As an official for many years, Li Fan was quite familiar with such scenes. Why was this happening? It was not because Li Fan was stronger than the Twisted Monster. Instead
If the Fisherman Elder retrieves the Heavens Fiend Sword and seeks him out during the battle between the Heavenly Doctor and the Confucian Scholar Li Fans eyes gleamed as he quickly devised a rough plan, drawing from his experiences in several lifetimes.
With a cold laugh, he temporarily set the matter aside and turned his attention back to the Twisted Monster. The Black Death Talisman can last another day; perhaps the hope of escape lies with it.
Retracting the Heavens Fiend Power, Li Fan tried to calm and communicate with the monster, expressing that he had been deceived and trapped here by the Heavenly Doctor and was searching for an exit to seek revenge outside. It took nearly half a day for the monster, with its lost intellect, to understand Li Fans meaning. It stopped kowtowing, became quiet, and its head rotated continuously as if pondering something. Soon after, it crawled away, occasionally turning its head to indicate for Li Fan to follow.
In the chaotic domain near the Twelfth Relic, disorienting forces still prevailed. In Li Fans perception, the leading Twisted Monster occasionally appeared behind him or suddenly flashed forward, continuously changing positions unpredictably. Li Fan closely followed, adjusting his direction according to the monsters movements.
After half a day, the Black Death Talismans black light had grown increasingly faint, as if it might extinguish at any moment. Following the Twisted Monster deeper, Li Fan seemed to reach the center of the lost domain. In a round pit, as if struck by a meteor, many figures stood. They were lifeless corpses, but unlike those Li Fan had seen before, these bodies had undergone eerie transformations.
Some had turned to stone, resembling statues. Others had turned to jade, glowing brightly. Some had become like trees, covered in cracked bark. The most horrifying were those that had undergone insect transformation. Though appearing normal at first glance, a closer look revealed they were hollow, composed of countless tiny black maggots, still wriggling after many years.
The closer Li Fan got to the center, the more pronounced the transformations became. No longer were there standing corpses but instead, strange substances adhered to the ground.
The Twisted Monsters pace slowed, its body trembling subtly, indicating its fear of something ahead. It stopped at a certain point, refusing to move forward. After calming it, Li Fan ventured alone, his guard up.
Contrary to his expectations, there was no fearsome monster in the pits center, only a broken stone lying quietly. The stone once bore inscriptions, now barely visible. However, Li Fan could make out traces, hinting at the character Chaos.
Chapter 366: The Mysteries of Life and Death
Between life and death lies great terror!
But also great opportunities!
Ordinary people, when faced with the threat of death, will unleash powers far beyond the norm. What more for cultivators like us?Geet latest novel chapters on novelbj/n(.)c/om
Zhong Shentongs expression became serious, and he said solemnly,
The greater the pressure, the greater the drive. What pressure is greater than death?
By leveraging the brink of death, cultivation speed and perception will be a thousand times greater than usual.
This is my personal experience, absolutely true!
If a fellow Daoist can grasp this power, they can cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage before their lifespan ends. Its definitely not difficult!
Zhong Shentong pledged firmly.
If what Daoist friend says is true, then why are there cultivators in the world who are trapped for a lifetime, unable to break through even in death? Li Fan said somewhat helplessly.
Zhong Shentong was momentarily surprised, but after careful thought, he quickly came up with an answer.
That must be because they arent afraid enough of death!
I understand! Daoist friend, you now transcend worldly concerns, treating life and death as insignificant. You worry that you cant utilize the pressure of the brink of death for cultivation, right? Zhong Shentong suddenly realized.
Dont worry, in my cultivation technique Mysteries of Life and Death, theres a section called Sensation of Life and Death. After studying it, one can fully comprehend the preciousness of life and the horror of death.
Li Fan carefully observed the old Daoist in front of him.
He felt that Zhong Shentongs way of thinking was somewhat different from ordinary people.
Could it be that practicing this Mysteries of Life and Death has damaged his brain? He directly talked about his own cultivation technique the first time he met someone?
He replied seriously, Daoist friend, your technique is profound, I admire it.
However, different techniques cannot be cultivated together. Although I admire your technique, I am not fortunate enough to benefit from it
Zhong Shentong interrupted Li Fan nonchalantly, Thats why I came to seek Daoist friend.
Please, teach me how to treat life and death as insignificant.
How can I, like Daoist friend, not fear death?
If I can overcome the fear of death, then surely I, old Daoist that I am, can find liberation! Zhong Shentong said urgently.
Li Fan was stunned by his words.
Zhong Daoist, you
Zhong Shentong waved his hand, I know Daoist friend may not understand. But its true. I really dont want to live anymore.
I have lived in this world for a hundred and sixty-eight years, witnessing all kinds of joys and sorrows.
Everything in the world, to me, has lost its pleasure.
For techniques, treasures, territories, and lifespan, people fight endlessly
Between life and death lies great terror!
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly looked relieved, as if he had suddenly realized something.
However, a dangerous multicolored light suddenly appeared around the old Daoist.
Instead, Zhong Shentong coldly chuckled, Still trying to scare me. I have already understood.
Its all an illusion, death is life, only by dying can there be life!
The multicolored divine light spun faster and faster. Li Fan felt something was amiss and quietly retreated.
Discerning everything, foreseeing the truth!
Zhong Shentong raised his right palm, his face determined, about to strike down on his own head.
Zhong Daoist! Sensation of Life and Death!
Li Fan shouted.
Zhong Shentongs movement immediately stopped.
With a light flick, a jade slip flew towards Li Fan.
Haha, Li Fan Daoist, Ill go first!
After speaking, Zhong Shentong continued to strike down fiercely.
But at that moment, his left palm, uncontrollably, suddenly stretched out and blocked in front of his right palm.
Zhong Shentongs face suddenly became fierce.
Dare to obstruct my path? Die!
A multicolored divine light shot out from his right palm, heading straight towards his left palm.
At the same time, another radiance also timely shot out from his left palm.
The two radiance collided, canceling each other out.
However, Zhong Shentong himself did not stop, muttering curses under his breath.
At the same time, it was as if there were two mortal enemies inside him, fighting each other with every move.
The multicolored divine light flew horizontally, stirring up the defensive array inside the stronghold.
Meanwhile, outside, He Chen, upon hearing the commotion, hurriedly rushed in.
Seeing the frenzied Zhong Shentong, he looked at Li Fan somewhat puzzled.
Li Fan shrugged, gesturing for him not to act rashly.
As time passed, the battle between the two personalities inside Zhong Shentong became increasingly intense.
The small Jiaxu stronghold could no longer contain him.
Amidst the continuous flashing of multicolored radiance, he disappeared into the depths of the devouring elemental mist.
Inside the stronghold, people who witnessed the scene were discussing excitedly.
Meanwhile, Li Fan quietly arrived at the cultivation chamber and began to read the jade slip that Zhong Shentong had handed over earlier.
Chapter 367: Life and Death Can Refine the Heart
Practicing like this, who wouldnt go crazy?
After reading the entire jade slip, Li Fan couldnt help but sigh.
Recorded in the jade slip is naturally what Zhong Shentong said before, the Mystical Art of Life and Death he cultivated.
Half a scroll, origin unknown.
The essence of the technique is even more incredible.
The first chapter of the technique clearly states:
Believing that everything in the world will ultimately face death.
From birds, beasts, plants, humans.
To cultivators, demonic beasts, and even the heavens and earth themselves.
No one can escape this fate.
If one wishes to transcend death, they can only do so before their own death arrives.
Attain a state of neither life nor death, both alive and dead.
This is also the highest realm envisioned by the technique.
To achieve being in both life and death requires an unparalleled comprehension and understanding of the essence of life and death.
The Sensory Chapter of Life and Death is a method in the technique used to comprehend life and death.
From the initial attachment to life and fear of death to abandoning life and forgetting death, and then to being in both life and death.
The Mystical Art of Life and Death is such a peculiar technique practiced with the power of life and death.
Because of its lofty ideals, the content of the technique is extremely profound and obscure.
Compared to the Mystical Transformation of True Spirits, it is even more profound.
Perhaps it is because the founder of the technique did not reach the realm of being both alive and dead.
The latter part of the cultivation content of the technique is mostly speculative and conjectural.
With a rough glance, Li Fan could see one or two contradictions Only
The technique is not bad, but its a pity its incomplete. If it were complete, it could still be somewhat useful. For now, it can only serve as a reference.
Moreover, its a pity that Zhong Shentongs Seven-Colored Divine Light seems to have no connection with this Mystical Art of Life and Death.'
Li Fan shook his head slightly.
Folding up the jade slip, Li Fan pondered for a moment, trying to operate the Sensory Chapter of Life and Death.
This chapter is a prerequisite method that one must cultivate in order to enter the Mystical Art of Life and Death, even ordinary people can practice it.
Naturally, Li Fan had no problem with it.
Every word and sentence silently flowed through Li Fans mind.
After three days and three nights.
As Li Fan meditated with closed eyes, his mind suddenly fluctuated.
Countless scenes appeared before his eyes in an instant.
He seemed to have vaguely returned to Da Xuan, experiencing the spiritedness during the Triple Unity, the wanton behavior in the Empress Dowagers palace, the arrogance of dominating the world
And later, he experienced dangers, broke through the Immortal Absolute Formation, and finally arrived in the cultivation world.
But I am different.
No matter what the situation, I always have a lifeline.
That is my Truth.
When the Sensory Chapter of Life and Death reaches its extreme, facing the substantial threat of death, I will instinctively call upon Truth, to start all over again
Wait
In an instant, Li Fan thought of something, his expression changing slightly.
The instinct for survival
The Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra
Standing up suddenly, Li Fans thoughts turned quickly.
Walking back and forth, contemplating feasibility.
To reverse the cultivation of the Dao Heart, I need to resist the instincts within me.
And for me, the greatest instinct is, at the moment of death, to invoke Truth.
If I were to reverse cultivate the Dao Heart in this way, the harvest would surely be unimaginable.
But its impossible to truly abandon the plan of invoking Truth at the moment of life and death.
By using the Sensory Chapter of Life and Death, this problem disappears.
Li Fans gaze flickered, and after a moment, he steadied his mind.
He began to operate the Sensory Chapter once again.
When, this time, all the beauty of life was shattered, and the threat of death descended once again.
Li Fan still couldnt shake off the habit that seemed to have been carved into his soul, and still called upon Truth.
The second attempt failed.
Undeterred, Li Fan persisted, the third time, the fourth time
Until after fifty-six attempts.
Facing the face of the Heavenly Doctor, Li Fan activated the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra.
At the same time, with extreme willpower, he temporarily suppressed the instinctive urge to invoke Truth.
But the threat of death did not disappear with Li Fans restraint.
Instead, it became more and more real.
The Heavenly Doctors face became clearer before his eyes, and the spiritual sense in Li Fans heart continued to warn frantically.
In the end, Li Fan was still drenched in sweat, breaking free from the cultivation of the Sensory Chapter of Life and Death.
Perhaps, this Sensory Chapter can only truly confront death without harming oneself after reaching the stage of abandoning life and forgetting death.
Li Fan was well aware that if he had persisted just now, even if he hadnt perished on the spot, the outcome would definitely not have been good.
This technique is indeed somewhat sinister.
However, in just that brief moment, the harvest was also immense.
In the Heart Refinement Grand Millstone, compared to the previous events of traversing the white mist and risking his life to seek help, there was a little more coolness, which he swallowed down wholeheartedly.
Chapter 368: Fresh Blood Condenses the Dao Path
Like drinking a bowl of ice water during the hottest days of summer, Li Fan felt refreshed both physically and mentally.
His divine soul continued to grow at a perceptible speed.
“It really works!”
“The Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra, combined with the Life and Death Sensing Chapter, indeed has miraculous effects!”
His speculation proved true, and Li Fan felt a sense of joy.
“In this way, the enhancement speed of my divine soul might reach a terrifying level.”
Just as Li Fan was about to redouble his efforts and retry the Life and Death Sensing Chapter,
Unexpectedly, the result deviated from his expectations.
Perhaps it was due to the recent shock, leading to psychological adaptation.
Even though Heavenly Doctor’s face was almost touching Li Fan’s, there was still no trace of fear in his heart.
Occasionally, thoughts like “Forget it, just let it be. Kill me and get it over with” even flashed through his mind.
“If the heart is fearless, what fear is there in death?”
Li Fan seemed to have gained some understanding, shook his head, and stopped cultivation.
“I finally understand why Master Zhong Shentong chose to end his life. It seems to be the influence of this Life and Death Profound Technique.”
“However, despite its flaws, it would be a pity to give up the cultivation method that complements the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra.”
“After all, completing a full reverse cultivation of the heart is quite troublesome.”
“With the assistance of this Life and Death Sensing Chapter, the feedback is almost immediate.”
“And both can be combined and used simultaneously.”
“After this world’s adaptation period, I will try cultivation again to see the results.”
“In the next life, perhaps I can complete the Life and Death Profound Technique with the assistance of the Pearl of Derivation.”
To him, the flaws of the technique were not a problem at all.
As long as there were benefits, they could be utilized.
Perhaps, when he collected enough techniques, he could use the Pearl of Derivation to derive a set of his own, a true “Heavenly Net Divine Technique.”
...
Zhong Shentong’s sudden visit made Master Li, who was known for his diligence, take a rare few days off from seclusion
But the other cultivators of the Jiayin Sect had no objections.
They even hoped that Li Fan could rest for a while longer.
If Li Fan really died suddenly from exhaustion while on duty, then these people would probably be pointed at for the rest of their lives.
However, the cultivators’ hopes were doomed to be dashed.
When Li Fan emerged from seclusion, he immediately resumed the construction of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array without a moment’s rest.
“Moreover, where did they get their techniques and subworlds?”
“It seems they’ve gained quite a bit from the Chaoyuan Sect.”
Perhaps because of the deep mist and the distance from the Jiushan Province, even with the Spirit Shocking Array left to them, they couldn’t sense anything from that area for the time being.
Instead, guests were welcomed back to the long-unused Bone Pioneer Realm.
As the owner of the Bone Pioneer Realm, Li Fan felt something.
He gestured for everyone to rest temporarily, returned to the Jiayin base, and went into the secret room to perform a ritual.
By the time he entered, there was no trace of the visitor in the Pioneer Realm.
But judging from the remaining aura, the visitor was undoubtedly Su Xiaomei.
After scanning around, Li Fan quickly noticed a pile of odd-shaped objects near the place where the “skull” predecessor was sleeping according to the settings.
There were all sorts of strange objects.
Thinking of the instructions given before, Li Fan’s heart skipped a beat.
He stepped forward and grabbed one of them, carefully examining it.
“Discovering rechargeable items, would you like to absorb them?”
As the prompt popped up, Li Fan chose to proceed, and the anchoring charging progress flickered slightly.
In the end, there was no change.
“Heavenly treasures?”
Li Fan looked at the broken “junk” in front of him with a strange expression.
“These are all damaged heavenly treasures that were released from the bodies of deceased cultivators.”
And the quantity...
Li Fan counted quietly, suddenly feeling a little overwhelmed.
Three thousand seven hundred and sixty-two items.
There was no doubt that these were all obtained by Su Xiaomei from the remnants of the Chaoyuan Sect.
Li Fan picked up another item and observed it carefully.
Unlike ancient artifacts that had been around for a long time, they seemed more like they had just been extracted from the bodies of deceased cultivators.
There was even a strong smell of blood lingering around them.
“Techniques, subworlds, and so many heavenly treasures...”
“What exactly did Shuofeng and Su Xiaomei encounter in the remnants of the Chaoyuan Sect?”
Despite the myriad of doubts in his mind, Li Fan didn’t delay in absorbing the heavenly treasures.
After absorbing thirteen treasures in a row, the anchoring charging progress finally flickered for a moment.
It went from 2% to 3%.
Chapter 369: Sword Opening Towards the Yuan Sect
“It seems that it’s not that rare items of heaven and earth can’t increase the charging progress, but rather their effects are too poor.”
“More than ten of them can only increase by 1%.”
“However, with this many items in front of me, I should be able to unlock another anchor point again, right?”
Li Fan felt slightly delighted in his heart as his hands kept moving.
After a while, all 3,762 damaged rare items of heaven and earth were completely absorbed.
The number of anchor points on Li Fan’s Truth panel changed to 4.
The charging progress for anchoring reverted back to 0%.
“What a pity...”
As the charging progress continued to increase, the number of items needed gradually increased as well.
From adding 1% with every ten items to later needing more than twenty or thirty.
Until unlocking the fifth anchor point, Li Fan absorbed all the remaining damaged items without increasing the progress by even 1%.
“It seems that higher-grade items are needed to unlock the fifth anchor point.” Li Fan thought to himself.
Li Fan had long guessed what items would be needed next.
Rare items of heaven and earth were the convergence of the laws of heaven and earth.
But damaged items, or even the extraordinary things of ordinary people, were no longer enough to satisfy Truth’s appetite.
So it was obvious that substitutes from higher realms were needed.
Either rare items of the earth or sky, or perhaps the golden pills condensed by cultivators could be tried.
For rare items of the earth, Li Fan could try absorbing the Canghai Pearls in the next life to see the effect.
Rare items of the sky were too rare to be considered.ViiSit for latest novels
As for previously, Li Fan had tried to purchase some “Golden Dan Fragments”, but facing these defective products, Truth was completely indifferent.
Complete Golden Dan Tianxuan Mirrors were not available for sale either.
In short, for the time being, Li Fan shouldn’t think about unlocking additional anchor points.
“The fourth anchor point must be used in a crucial place.”
After pondering for a while, Li Fan walked out of the secret room.
Instead of immediately diving back into work, he first borrowed the Tianxuan Mirror from the base and searched for information about the ruins of the Yuan Sect.
Currently, there weren’t many discussions among people, but there was already a momentum to cause a huge sensation.
Not long ago, within the ruins of the Yuan Sect, which had been almost deserted for several years, sudden anomalies occurred.
Blood rain fell from the sky, and those occasional, wandering phantoms also experienced startling changes.
“It seems that it’s not that rare items of heaven and earth can’t increase the charging progress, but rather their effects are too poor.”
“More than ten of them can only increase by 1%.”
“However, with this many items in front of me, I should be able to unlock another anchor point again, right?”
Li Fan felt slightly delighted in his heart as his hands kept moving.
After a while, all 3,762 damaged rare items of heaven and earth were completely absorbed.
The number of anchor points on Li Fan’s Truth panel changed to 4.
The charging progress for anchoring reverted back to 0%.
“What a pity...”
As the charging progress continued to increase, the number of items needed gradually increased as well.
From adding 1% with every ten items to later needing more than twenty or thirty.
Until unlocking the fifth anchor point, Li Fan absorbed all the remaining damaged items without increasing the progress by even 1%.
“It seems that higher-grade items are needed to unlock the fifth anchor point.” Li Fan thought to himself.
Li Fan had long guessed what items would be needed next.
Rare items of heaven and earth were the convergence of the laws of heaven and earth.
But damaged items, or even the extraordinary things of ordinary people, were no longer enough to satisfy Truth’s appetite.
So it was obvious that substitutes from higher realms were needed.
Either rare items of the earth or sky, or perhaps the golden pills condensed by cultivators could be tried.
For rare items of the earth, Li Fan could try absorbing the Canghai Pearls in the next life to see the effect.
Rare items of the sky were too rare to be considered.
As for previously, Li Fan had tried to purchase some “Golden Dan Fragments”, but facing these defective products, Truth was completely indifferent.
Complete Golden Dan Tianxuan Mirrors were not available for sale either.
In short, for the time being, Li Fan shouldn’t think about unlocking additional anchor points.
“The fourth anchor point must be used in a crucial place.”
After pondering for a while, Li Fan walked out of the secret room.
Instead of immediately diving back into work, he first borrowed the Tianxuan Mirror from the base and searched for information about the ruins of the Yuan Sect.
Currently, there weren’t many discussions among people, but there was already a momentum to cause a huge sensation.
Not long ago, within the ruins of the Yuan Sect, which had been almost deserted for several years, sudden anomalies occurred.
Blood rain fell from the sky, and those occasional, wandering phantoms also experienced startling changes.
Chapter 370: Intense Competition for Ranking
“Let me oversee the construction of the core area?”
Inside the Anchor Point, Li Fan looked at the suddenly visiting Xue Mu and others, slightly stunned.
Just after a brief thought, he decisively refused.
“I’m not being modest. During the assessment at the Langhuan Academy, my affinity with the Tianxuan Mirror was just ordinary.”
“On this point, Friend Xue Mu can testify for me.”
“I appreciate your kindness, but I’m truly limited in ability and can’t bear such a heavy responsibility.”
“Senior Jiang’s array skills far surpass mine, and he is highly respected. I see no one more suitable than him.”
Li Fan sincerely said.
The array master named Jiang Qigui, looked at the surrounding cultivators with some unfriendly eyes, hurriedly responded: “Friend Li Fan is joking. Your contributions are obvious to all. How could I dare...”
Before he could finish, Li Fan smiled and interrupted him: “Friend Jiang, don’t misunderstand, every word I said was sincere.”
“As everyone knows, the final construction process of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Array requires communication with the central array hub for continuous debugging in the future.”
“This is indeed not my forte, and I’m not deliberately declining.”
Seeing Jiang Qigui’s hesitation, Li Fan added: “I understand your concern, Senior Jiang. Contributing more to the peripheral and internal arrays requires a lot of effort but relatively less recognition.”
“However, taking over the management of the central core area, while it may not require much effort, yields significantly more recognition.”
“Taking on this responsibility now may seem like plucking peaches forcefully. Are you afraid of being criticized in the future, or not?”
Seeing Li Fan openly express his thoughts, Jiang Qigui’s old face turned slightly red.
Just as he was about to explain, Li Fan continued: “Let everyone know, I’m already halfway to the grave.”
“As for the so-called grand ranking...”
Li Fan paused, dispelling the slight resentment in his heart.
With a calm expression, he said: “I simply don’t care at all.”
“The only thing I hope for is to make as much contribution as possible before my demise.”
“All I’m considering is the most efficient way to construct the array.”
“So, Senior Jiang, there’s no need to refuse.”
“Who else but you for such an important task?”
With that, Li Fan scanned around to express his intentions.
After hearing Li Fan’s heartfelt words, Jiang Qigui’s face flushed.
Huangfu Song finally relaxed, took out a square crimson wooden box from his bosom, and put the copper mirror inside.
However, as the copper mirror entered the wooden box, the previously substantial wooden box transformed into a red phantom in front of everyone’s eyes.
Then, converging towards the center, it turned into a red light spot and flew to the center of Huangfu Song’s forehead, where it settled.
Without explaining his recent actions, Huangfu Song spoke solemnly to the crowd, “Until the central array hub is fully placed, I will be overseeing it.”
“Jiang Qigui, how long do you think this process will take with everyone’s combined efforts?”
Without hesitation, Jiang Qigui replied, “Within seven days, with everyone’s combined efforts, we should be able to complete it.”
Huangfu Song nodded slowly, “Time is of the essence. After the formation is completed here, I still have to rush to other places.”
With that, he looked at Li Fan, his expression somewhat relieved, “Thanks to the hard work of Li Fan, your progress in constructing this formation is already one of the fastest batches.”
“As far as I know, the current top-ranked Tianchen Province has not yet completed the entire formation and should still be in the process of constructing the central core area.”
“If you put more effort into it, you might be able to overtake them...”
Just as Huangfu Song was encouraging everyone, a cry of surprise suddenly came from outside the council chamber, from the direction where the Tianxuan Mirror was located.
“What’s going on? How did the first-ranked suddenly increase their points so much?”
“Now the gap between them and the second-ranked has widened!”
As these words fell into the ears of the cultivators present, their gazes towards Huangfu Song became somewhat strange.
“Heh... You’re a step too late. But aiming for second place is still hopeful.” Huangfu Song had quite a thick skin and spoke as if nothing had happened.
“Alright, no time to waste, let’s move quickly.” He instructed.
Just as everyone was preparing to head to the central area of the formation to complete the final work,
Another cry rang out, attracting the attention of Li Fan and the others.
“Huh? Look, Guo Yezhong, who has always been ranked last, is finally moving!”
“Indeed, although his points are pitifully low, he is still ranked last, but at least he’s finally starting to work.”
...
Li Fan, Xue Mu, and Jiang Qigui looked at each other.
They all felt something was amiss.
Did Guo Yezhong gain points at the same time the first Tianxuan Spirit Lock Array was completed?
Is there any connection between them?
Li Fan turned his gaze to Huangfu Song, seeking answers.
The chubby man just shrugged, looking like he absolutely had no idea.
Chapter 371: Locking Spirit Formation First Completed Emperor Fu Song Ming knew that there was no answer, and Li Fan and others were helpless.
But it was just out of curiosity, without much entanglement.
Gathering around the established central area of the Locking Spirit Formation, they walked towards it.
The final division of labor had been discussed long ago.
Xue Mu was responsible for inspecting the previously built formation units, while Jiang Qigui was responsible for fixing and debugging the formation hubs.
Li Fan, on the other hand, remained in the middle, moving as needed.
Wherever help was needed, he went.
Jiang Qigui’s formation level was still trustworthy.
And Xue Mu had always been diligent and rarely made mistakes.
With Li Fan as the coordinator, the three worked together, completing the construction of the Locking Spirit Formation over two days faster than originally planned, shrouding the depths of the abyss with imminent completion.
As a precaution, they chose the low tide period after the outbreak of the Demon Sound Tide to perform the final steps.
After confirmation that everything was correct.
The Locking Spirit Formation hub flew out from Emperor Fu Song’s forehead, turning into a constantly flickering red phantom.
Jiang Qigui’s expression was extremely solemn as he guided the hub into the prepared core formation.
There was no sign of Li Fan’s indifference when testing the hub.
The red phantom cooperatively flew into the midst of the dense formations.
At the moment of its return, the intense green light completely enveloped the red one.
Starting from the central singularity, countless rays of light bloomed, connecting with numerous formation units around the Locking Spirit Formation.
Penetrating the white mist and spreading outward, each formation structure was lit up one by one.
Thus, amidst the vast white mist, such a strange scene appeared.
In the white mist, blue light emanated from the central singularity, spreading layer by layer along the veins of the Locking Spirit Formation.
In an instant, a magnificent circular blue giant web emerged, covering the entire abyss.
The devouring white mist and occasional demonic sounds couldn’t obscure its magnificent and majestic figure.
Most of those present were the builders of the formation.
At this moment, watching their creation, which they had labored over for years, finally come to fruition, they were filled with mixed emotions.
Li Fan, on the other hand, stared at the brightest blue spot in the center of the formation and sighed, “Only with the Tianxuan can spirits be locked.”
Emperor Fu Song, who had maintained his composure, couldn’t help but twitch his face when he heard Li Fan mention Dantai Tao again.
Suppressing his impulse, he coldly snorted after Li Fan’s inquiry and proceeded to answer.
“It’s not really a secret, and there’s no harm in telling you,” Emperor Fu Song began.
“As the name suggests, the new maze in the Lost Battlefield is a relic of an ancient great war.”
“Spanning over a thousand and six hundred miles, countless cultivators perished within it.”
“Not only has the thick smell of blood not dissipated, but the fallen cultivators also seem to remain frozen in the moment of their deaths.”
“It’s as if this brutal battle occurred just recently.”
Emperor Fu Song squinted his eyes, as if reminiscing about the sights in the Lost Battlefield.
“What’s even more bizarre is that we can’t distinguish the main parties involved in the conflict.”
“Some wore the same faction attire, some may have perished together in mutual slaughter, while others may have jointly confronted formidable enemies, perishing heroically together.”
“It’s more like a chaotic brawl where distinctions blur, rather than a traditional battlefield.”
Hearing Emperor Fu Song’s description, Li Fan couldn’t help but recall the previously seen Maze of Chaos.
It seemed as if time had frozen there, with corpses still vividly lifelike.
The culprit there was the Heavenly Doctor. Who could be responsible for this Lost Battlefield?
While he was pondering, Xue Mu couldn’t help but ask, “Senior Fu, you just said that this Lost Battlefield is extremely dangerous. Why is that?”
“Could it be that the deceased cultivators will come back to life and launch attacks?”
Emperor Fu Song shook his head, denying, “They are already dead and cannot die again. A light touch will turn them into ashes.”
“The real danger comes from the maze itself.”
“When Director Ji led a team into it for the first time, they fell under its influence.”
“While they were awestruck by the scene of the ancient brutal war, Director Ji suddenly found himself besieged by fellow cultivators accompanying him.”
“Besieged?!” Xue Mu couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.
“Lost... Could it be?” After a moment, he immediately realized, his face filled with horror.
Emperor Fu Song nodded slowly, “Yes, those cultivators were Director Ji’s trusted aides, absolutely loyal and dependable.”
“But even so, once they entered that maze, they lost their minds.”
“Treating Director Ji as a mortal enemy, they attacked without reservation.”
Chapter 372: Credit Where Its Due
“Where’s Director Ji? Has he lost his senses?” Li Fan keenly sensed the crux of the issue and spoke up.
Huangfu Song glanced at Li Fan and cleared his throat. “Director Ji’s cultivation is profound and unfathomable, naturally he wouldn’t lose his self-will.”
“Unfortunately, those accompanying cultivators, each with considerable cultivation levels. When they joined forces, Director Ji found it somewhat difficult to withstand.”
“For the sake of self-preservation, Director Ji had no choice but to eliminate them all.”
Huangfu Song appeared deeply regretful.
Li Fan and others were taken aback by his words.
Subsequently, they seemed to have some realization but dared not delve deeper.
“Indeed, it’s too dangerous. No wonder it had to be temporarily sealed.” Li Fan nodded in agreement.
Huangfu Song gave Li Fan a warning glance and transmitted, “Kid, what needed to be told to you has been said. Don’t push it.”
Li Fan just pretended not to hear.
“I’ll be heading to other regions tomorrow to oversee the construction of formations.”
“If any of you have needs, you can come find me before that.”
Upon reaching the Eternal Immortal Stronghold, Huangfu Song wore a smile as he addressed Xue Mu and Jiang Qigui
As for Li Fan, he didn’t even spare them a glance before leaving with a swish of his sleeves.
Li Fan didn’t mind.
After years of hard work, success finally came.
The first thing everyone did upon returning to the Severed Palm Immortal City was to check their rankings on the leaderboard.
Within these five days, there had been earth-shattering changes in the points leaderboard.
Jiang Qigui’s contribution soared due to his management of the Tianxuan Array Pivot.
Li Fan, on the other hand, relied on his previous advantages, having only a slightly higher total points.
But both of them had dropped out of the top ten, nearing around the twentieth position.
“Looking at it this way, in these past few days, many places have completed the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array. Even some unfamiliar faces have appeared in the top rankings.”
“I find it somewhat unfair. Building arrays above the Abyssal Roar is much more difficult compared to ordinary domains. Master Li should have earned more points.”
“Is it possible that the points have been increased due to the difficulty? After all, while the Abyssal Roar is perilous, it may not necessarily be the most dangerous place in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”
...
“Li Fan, look, Guo Yezhong has actually jumped to the three hundredth position!”
Amidst the discussions, Xue Mu transmitted to Li Fan.
“Hmm, I’ve noticed too. What’s your opinion, friend?” Li Fan inquired.
“Living out the rest of my life leisurely, isn’t that good?”
“Still thinking about competing on the leaderboard? What are you thinking?”
In front of Huangfu Song, Li Fan no longer showed the selflessness and integrity as seen by outsiders, but changed his rhetoric.
“It’s precisely because the end is near that I must strive harder.”
“Only then can I seek life amidst death and regain a glimmer of hope.”
Li Fan’s words were resolute.
“Oh? How so?” Huangfu Song became interested.
“Being trapped in the Great Tide of Demonic Sounds and the Devouring Elemental Mist was indeed unexpected. Almost depleting my lifespan for help was also beyond my expectations.”
“I still have less than a hundred years in this world. Facing death, how can I accept it?”
“Naturally, I want to stay alive.”
“But those longevity treasures are too precious for me. Even if I exhaust my remaining years, I may not be able to obtain one.”
“To stay alive, I naturally have to resort to other methods, a roundabout way to save myself.”
“Although there’s no absolute certainty, it’s definitely worth the gamble.”
The gleam in Li Fan’s eyes was incongruent with his extremely aged appearance.
Huangfu Song became even more curious: “A gamble? What are you gambling on?”
Li Fan’s expression was serious as he said, word by word: “I’m gambling...”
“On the fact that the Alliance won’t let down those who have contributed!”
“Especially in the matter of constructing the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array!”
Huangfu Song stared at Li Fan in astonishment, then drank the Green Dragon Whiskers tea in front of him.
Li Fan continued, eloquently, “Both you and I know the importance of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array.”
“And my desperate efforts to build the formation have spread throughout the world.”
“Whose handwriting it is, naturally, needs no further explanation.”
“Before all the formations are completed, is it better for me, a ‘worldwide role model’, to die miserably, or for the Alliance to come forward and save my life?”
“Compared to the hard work of inspiring formation masters worldwide, a few longevity treasures shouldn’t count for much.”
“So, as of now, not only am I not afraid of imminent death, I even feel that I have too much remaining lifespan!”
“Senior Huangfu, that cup of tea you just had almost cost me my life.”
“How do you intend to compensate?”
After saying this, Li Fan looked quietly at Huangfu Song.
Chapter 373: Seemingly False, Actually True
Huangfu Song heard Li Fan’s somewhat rogue words and couldn’t help but feel not annoyed, but rather showed a somewhat approving expression.
“When I heard about your deeds before, I thought you had been possessed.”
“How come, you have nothing to do with the words ‘self-sacrifice’ and ‘selflessness’.”
“It’s just that your actions are seen by everyone, and they cannot be faked. I’ve been puzzled for a long time.”
“Today, your words have dispelled my doubts.”
Huangfu Song looked at Li Fan and nodded slightly: “You, little brat, are ruthless!”
Li Fan remained unchanged: “Senior, you praise too much! I wonder how this compensation will be.”
Huangfu Song patted his stomach and sneered: “You just want to know from me where to compete most efficiently next. Why bother with all these twists and turns.”
With that, he pointed in front of Li Fan.
In an instant, the construction of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array, which covered most of the current territories of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, and the information of the corresponding array masters, densely and meticulously, entered Li Fan’s sight.
Not only were the points rankings of each array master on the current big competition leaderboard marked, but even the predictive abilities of each player’s future competition were intimately addressed.
Huangfu Song proudly said: “This is the top-secret list that was newly released yesterday. Although a day has passed, the points will change again. But it can definitely be used as a reference.”
“Ordinary people want to see it, they have to pay a price.”
Li Fan quickly scanned the contents of the list.
After a moment, he frowned slightly.
Huangfu Song saw Li Fan’s expression and was somewhat surprised: “What, Li kid, aren’t you satisfied?”
“Senior Huangfu, it seems that some places are missing from this list?” Li Fan asked, his gaze piercing.
“Missing? Impossible! I...”
Before Huangfu Song could finish his retort, Li Fan interrupted directly: “What about the Five Elements Great Cave?”Cheeck out latest novels at novelhall.com
Huangfu Song froze in place.
But Li Fan continued incessantly: “As the fuse that caused the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders’ Heavenly Spirit Province to have a great battle thousands of years ago, and now the main source of countless resources within the alliance, such an important place, it’s impossible not to set up a Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array, right?”
“And what about the Endless Sea? A training holy land that countless cultivators dream of, once crossing the sea, they can reach the peak of the current realm in one go. I didn’t see it on the list either.”
“Xingzhu Yuan, Jieshi Tian...”
“Although I’m ignorant, I’ve still heard of these places,” Li Fan said, in order to conceal his true intentions, he mentioned many secret and important places in succession.
Li Fan remained composed and returned to his own residence.
Li Fan wasn’t sure whether the untimely death of Dantai Tao and the others was really related to Huangfu Song.
However, when Li Fan initially casually mentioned Dantai Tao to tease Huangfu Song, he noticed a hint of strangeness in his somewhat overreacted expression.
He even faintly felt a killing intent directed towards him.
Although it was almost imperceptible, Li Fan, who had mastered the “Formless Killing Intent”, was extremely sensitive to murderous intent.
It could be basically confirmed that at that moment, Huangfu Song did indeed have the thought of killing Li Fan.
This made Li Fan somewhat curious.
So, from then on, Li Fan continuously used the death of Dantai Tao to test Huangfu Song’s bottom line.
What surprised him was that whenever Li Fan mentioned Dantai Tao, Huangfu Song really became somewhat more agreeable.
And because of this, his attitude towards Li Fan was also different from that towards other disciples.
Until today, Huangfu Song’s question.
It was considered to confirm that there was indeed some connection between him and the deaths of Dantai Tao and the other disciples.
The possibility of him personally taking action was unlikely, otherwise, he should have been dealt with long ago.
However, it was still possible that he had done things like revealing information about Dantai Tao and the others.
This was also why Huangfu Song was somewhat sensitive to the three words “Dantai Tao”.
Because he couldn’t stand serious investigation.
Although time had passed, and the names of Dantai Tao and the others had been almost forgotten by the vast majority of people.
But Li Fan always brought it up in front of Huangfu Song every once in a while.
And indeed, it made him somewhat uneasy.
Li Fan naturally understood the principle of moderation.
Since Huangfu Song had made his intentions clear today, it would be impossible for Li Fan to pretend to be ignorant as he did before.
The conveyed meaning was also very clear: as long as you help me one last time.
Then from now on, I will never mention this matter again.
Li Fan had already obtained plenty of information from Huangfu Song, and it wouldn’t be good to push him too far.
Li Fan made this statement without any reluctance.
Chapter 376: Chief Lu Arrives
Many buildings were erected above the turquoise river.
Supported only by several stone pillars.
The giant whale beast expelled a stream of air, gently placing the Dust Crossing Boat on a spacious platform.
Then it leaped into the river below.
A bizarre scene unfolded.
Despite its immense size, the beast jumped into the Qing River without splashing a drop of water.
Only rippling circles emerged, indicating that the whale’s leap was no illusion.
Dongfang led everyone off the Dust Crossing Boat, walking along the corridor towards the nearby cluster of buildings.
Walking on the Qing River, everyone felt somewhat scared.
Fearing the collapse of the pillars below and falling into the river.
This turquoise river seemed to be of the same origin as the Spirit Stone.
Countless rivers converged, suppressing spiritual energy to its limit here, causing Li Fan’s internal strength to completely dissipate.
Devoid of cultivation support, Li Fan, nearing his limit, felt the effects of aging more pronounced.
Even walking a few steps became somewhat wheezy.
It seemed like he might collapse any second.
Amidst the shock, Li Fan tried to call upon Truth and found it still responsive.
Only then did he relax.
“This ghostly place is only suitable for people like you.”
“Even if it’s not the first time here, I still can’t get used to it.”
After walking for a while, they finally arrived at a hall.
Huangfu Song wiped the sweat from his forehead, sighing.
“There’s no other choice. The quantity of Life Pearls is limited. Constructing the grand formation is urgent and cannot be delayed.”
“They’re all distributed to subordinates to expedite progress, with none to spare.”
“Otherwise, I could’ve given one to Brother Huangfu for emergencies,” Dongfang said with a smile.
Huangfu Song waved his hand: “The mission is urgent, the mission is urgent.”
“Finish the tasks quickly, then leave this ghostly place.”
Dongfang nodded, about to say something when his expression suddenly changed.
A streak of blue light suddenly flew in from outside, stopping directly in front of him.
Li Fan looked over, surprised to see a small, blue bird.
Fluttering its wings incessantly, chirping, as if conveying a message.
Dongfang seemed to understand this “bird language.”
With the blue bird’s chirping, he abruptly stood up, his expression turning more solemn.
“I understand, you may go now,” Dongfang said.
The bird transformed into blue light, disappearing instantly.
Such blatant retaliatory actions not only did not provoke opposition.
Instead, they gained strong support from the highest decision-making level of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Then, her series of vigorous reform measures, as well as several severe punishment methods.
All made the formation masters of the Formation Hall silent.
Even Huangfu Song once heard Ji Hongdao mention casually that the widespread dissemination plan of the Tianxuan Soul Locking Formation was proposed by this Chief Lu.
Countless rumors about her in the past kept surfacing in Huangfu Song’s mind.
Huangfu Song’s forehead was dripping with cold sweat.
This was such a big shot.
How could this unremarkable, seemingly unfounded little guy in front of him know her whereabouts days in advance?
What did this imply?
Even if his backing wasn’t Chief Lu herself.
He must be very close to Chief Lu.
...
Thinking of this, Huangfu Song couldn’t help but feel a little dry in his mouth.
“No wonder every time I look at this kid, I feel his aura is extraordinary, far from ordinary.”
“So he really has a powerful backing, and it’s so solid!”
Memories of Li Fan’s experiences flashed through Huangfu Song’s mind one by one, and he suddenly realized.
“No wonder he was so indifferent even when fighting for the rankings, despite being on the verge of death.”
“So he’s fearless.”
“No wonder his selfless dedication spread so quickly, almost throughout the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”
“So it was premeditated.”
“All this self-sacrifice, it turns out he was just seizing this opportunity for personal gain.”
...
Several thoughts flashed through his mind, cursing inwardly.
Regardless of his inner complaints, Huangfu Song still put on a bright smile.
“Li Xiao...”
“Uh huh, Li Fan, my young friend, truly a hidden gem!”
“With such a relationship, why bother hiding it? You’re treating me like an outsider!”
Li Fan remained unchanged: “Senior Huangfu, I wonder what you’ve guessed.”
“But, I’m sure you’ve misunderstood.”
“Junior, there’s absolutely no powerful backing behind me.”
He said seriously.
“Acting, still pretending here. Just afraid of negative influence, that’s all.”
Thinking like this inwardly, but Huangfu Song immediately nodded solemnly, “I understand, I understand!”
Chapter 375: Green River Deep Gorge
It seemed that Li Fan’s extensive knowledge was already taken for granted.
Li Fan could pose such a tricky and peculiar question, and Huangfu Song was not surprised in the least.
Instead, he smirked and retorted, “If you ask me, who should I ask?”
“If you’re really curious, why not experience it yourself later?”
Being teased by Huangfu Song, Li Fan didn’t mind.
From his limited understanding, since the Tianxuan Mirror had a thousand threads of connection with the ancient treasure of the Xuantian Sect, the Xuantian Treasure Mirror, then the Spirit Transformation Stone and the Immortal Stone were very likely the same thing.
Huangfu Song’s words actually hit the nail on the head and were not wrong.
He had used the Immortal Stone in the Fallen Immortal Realm before.
When he sees the Spirit Transformation Stone again later, he will naturally know whether these two are the same thing or not.
...
Thousands of miles of blazing flames, truly a vast expanse of land.
After flying swiftly for several days on the Dust Crossing Boat, all Li Fan saw was the unchanging desolation of the apocalypse.
Only the scorching heat endured between heaven and earth, with no traces of any other life.
During this journey, there were also occasional bursts of molten fire erupting from the ground suddenly.
Like dark red dragons leaping into the abyss, they stirred up chaos and turmoil in the surrounding space.
Facing such terrifying circumstances, the Dust Crossing Boat had no choice but to detour.
Danger came not only from underground.
Deadly crises could also descend from overhead at any moment.
Irregularly, meteors would suddenly fall from the sky like flowing stars, colliding with the ground and erupting with terrifying energy that devastated everything.
Li Fan once saw a huge fire meteor falling in the distance.
The shockwave it brought along with the scorching fire blew the Dust Crossing Boat like a floating duckweed in the wind, losing control and tumbling incessantly.
“What kind of place is this...”
In the thousands of miles of blazing flames, every step was perilous; a slight carelessness could mean death.
Li Fan, seeing such a dangerous territory for the first time, couldn’t help but feel a bit solemn.
Fortunately, the helmsman Huangfu Song was experienced and had been here before.
After a total of five days, the group finally arrived safely at their destination: the Spirit Transformation Gorge.
Even without Huangfu Song’s notification, Li Fan knew from a distance.
It was simply because the Spirit Transformation Gorge was too conspicuous and unique in the thousands of miles of blazing flames.
A long and winding green ravine abruptly spanned the red earth.
From him, Li Fan also didn’t sense any trace of spiritual energy fluctuations.
Just now, when he leaped from the deep gorge below onto the Dust Crossing Boat, it seemed entirely accomplished through his physical body alone.
Although his body seemed somewhat frail, the sharp and distinct muscle lines revealed the explosive strength contained within.
This was the first time Li Fan had encountered someone with such a strong physique.
“Brother Huangfu, rest here for a few days. At most half a month, the grand formation here will be completed.” Dongfang said to Huangfu Song.
After speaking, a strange cry suddenly emanated from his throat.
Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling that the sound was somewhat familiar.
Suddenly, the “earth” beneath his feet, where the Dust Crossing Boat was located, began to shake.
A distant and loud roar echoed from the earth.
Subsequently, this piece of land began to move and fly.
Continuing downwards, it plunged deep into the Spirit Transformation Gorge.
“This is...”
“Boundary Rupture Whale?”
Li Fan was slightly startled.
Amidst the exclamations of the people on the boat, he finally saw that what was carrying the Dust Crossing Boat was not land at all.
It was a huge black beast.
From its appearance, it was extremely similar to the Boundary Rupture Whale that Li Fan had seen before, which sealed off mortal worlds.
“The airflow that just prevented the Dust Crossing Boat from crashing seems to have also come from this beast.”
As the giant beast continued to dive deeper, Li Fan observed carefully, lost in thought.
“It’s not a Boundary Rupture Whale, it’s much smaller in size. It just looks similar.”
The Spirit Transformation Gorge seemed bottomless, and even after flying for a long time, the giant beast still hadn’t reached the bottom.
On the cliffs on both sides, many exposed green stones could be seen.
Some cultivators dressed in peculiar clothing were suspended in mid-air.
Holding hammers and nails made of unknown materials, they were mining the Spirit Transformation Stones.
Occasionally, one could also encounter formation masters wearing the standard attire of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, hurriedly passing by the giant beast.
They seemed unaffected by the Spirit Transformation Stones and could still use the spiritual energy within their bodies.
After all, the Spirit Transformation Gorge was not a true bottomless abyss.
After about half a day’s time, with a cheerful roar from the whale-like creature, everyone finally arrived at the bottom of the Spirit Transformation Gorge.
A long river of green traversed the deep gorge.
Chapter 374: Ten Thousand Miles of Burning Sands
Li Fan and Huangfu Song had vastly different levels of strength and status. Naturally, threats carried risks. However, due to the strange phenomena that occur after a cultivator’s death, it was difficult to kill and silence someone without being discovered. Moreover, Li Fan had now become a role model for the world, living under the spotlight. Even if Huangfu Song wanted to act, he had to consider the consequences. Huangfu Song was certainly not prepared or determined to exchange his life for Li Fan’s. Compromise was inevitable.
Therefore, although this move seemed dangerous, it was well within Li Fan’s plan.
“The Great Five Elements Subworld...”
Li Fan pondered for a moment, closed his eyes, and began to connect with Lu Xuejing, whom he had not contacted since he subdued her. The Fisherman’s methods were indeed incredibly mysterious. Even in the thick white fog, he could communicate with his subordinate from an unknown distance at any time.
“Master...”
Feeling Li Fan’s summons, after a moment, Lu Xuejing’s timid voice sounded. Without any small talk after a long time of no contact, Li Fan directly inquired about her recent situation. After understanding her general circumstances, Li Fan thought for a while and then asked about her mother’s whereabouts. The loyal Lu Xuejing told him everything truthfully.
“My mother has been very busy recently, constantly patrolling various subworlds.”
“These are places I’ve never heard of. Sometimes she even loses contact for a long time...”
Listening to this, Li Fan slowly formed a plan. Before ending the contact, Li Fan comforted and praised the young girl. Lu Xuejing was extremely excited, her soft voice very pleasing to the ear. After instructing her on the planned matters, Li Fan reluctantly ended the communication.
“Whether the plan succeeds or not depends on my luck,” Li Fan thought to himself. Fortunately, Li Fan’s luck was not bad. The next day, when Huangfu Song was about to depart from Duanzhang Immortal City on the Dust Crossing Boat, Li Fan received a message from Lu Xuejing. A gleam of light flashed in Li Fan’s eyes as he flew onto the Dust Crossing Boat.
“What do you want now, boy?” Huangfu Song’s expression was unfriendly as he looked at the intruding Li Fan. He dismissed the others and took Li Fan to a closed cabin. His cold eyes fixed on Li Fan, waiting for his explanation.
“To compete for rankings, I want to make a desperate effort. Other aspects have been taken care of, but now I need senior’s help one more time.” Huangfu Song was stunned, “So soon?” He narrowed his eyes, observing Li Fan carefully. After a moment of thought, he asked, “What do you want me to do?”
The sudden change of destination for the Dust Crossing Boat surprised the cultivators on board. However, since it was Huangfu Song who commanded it, they did not dare to voice any objections. The Dust Crossing Boat turned into a red light, piercing through the devouring white mist and moving rapidly. After leaving the white mist barrier, it first flew to the nearest Quyang Immortal City and used the teleportation array there to reach a barren land filled with scorched earth. Then, it continued to speed towards its goal.
“This is the Ten Thousand Miles of Burning Sands, and Green River Deep Gorge is deep within,” Huangfu Song explained as he noticed Li Fan curiously observing the outside scenery.
Even with the array’s barrier, Li Fan could still feel the intense heat from the outside. It was a pure, destructive force that seemed to burn everything in its path. The sky and earth seemed to be filled with dark red energy. The ground was cracked, and the sky seemed to be burning with flames.
“A thousand years ago, this place was also a good place. Unfortunately, it has now turned into this hellish sight,” Huangfu Song sighed, moved by the desolate scene. “If it weren’t for the uniqueness of Green River Deep Gorge, the alliance would have abandoned this area long ago.”
“What is special about Green River Deep Gorge?” Li Fan asked, following up on Huangfu Song’s words.
“You don’t know?” Huangfu Song was genuinely surprised. “Then why are you in such a hurry to go there?”
Li Fan showed an innocent expression, making Huangfu Song’s face twitch. However, his good temper kept him from getting angry. Instead, he explained again, “Green River Deep Gorge itself isn’t special. But it produces a greenish stone that has a strong suppressive effect on spiritual energy.”
“For us cultivators, without special countermeasures, approaching it would cause all our spiritual energy to be suppressed, making us as weak as mortals.”
“This stone is called Spirit Transformation Stone by the alliance.”
Upon hearing this, Li Fan felt that the stone seemed familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before. But he couldn’t recall it. Li Fan realized that it might be related to the vanished avatar’s experiences, so he didn’t dwell on it.
After thinking for a while, Li Fan asked again, “I once read about an ancient stone called Juexian Stone. It seems to have similar effects to the Spirit Transformation Stone.”
“Are they the same thing?”
Chapter 377: Catalyzing the Spirit Pearl
Li Fan, seeing the situation, just smiled and didn’t explain further.
Huangfu Song, however, didn’t intend to let him off so easily, even though the two hadn’t had much interaction.
But that didn’t stop him from acting as if he were very familiar with Li Fan, enthusiastically engaging him.
“Senior Huangfu, how often do you usually see Chief Lu?”
Li Fan responded casually, and seeing Huangfu Song’s incessant chatter, he couldn’t help but interrupt and ask.
Huangfu Song couldn’t help but be stunned.
With some embarrassment, he replied, “Chief Lu’s status...”
Before he could finish speaking, Li Fan meaningfully interjected, “In that case, the opportunity is right in front of you. Senior Huangfu, why not take the opportunity to make a good impression?”
Huangfu Song was momentarily taken aback, then as if awakened from a dream.
He exclaimed, “You’re right. If I have the chance to enter Chief Lu’s eyes, the road to success is right in front of me!”
“Hehe, you can tell me these words. But in front of others, it’s better to be cautious,” Li Fan reminded again.
“Understood, understood,” Huangfu Song nodded quickly.
He then hurriedly left the place to find an “opportunity to perform.”
Only then did Li Fan find peace.
Being able to know Chief Lu’s whereabouts in advance was naturally through Lu Xuejing’s secret communication.
However, it stopped there.
He didn’t ask her to do more.
It’s not that Li Fan suddenly became kind-hearted, but he deeply understood that in front of Chief Lu, such a top-notch expert in the world,
Any slight abnormality in behavior might be noticed.
The fisherman’s methods were indeed mysterious, but whether they could withstand the scrutiny of the top powers of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was still unknown.
When it came to his own safety, Li Fan naturally had to be extremely cautious.
The so-called layout was not even worth mentioning.
With Golden Core cultivation, attempting to scheme against Dao Integration Immortals was simply seeking death. Li Fan wouldn’t be foolish to that extent.
What he did was merely creating an “encounter” opportunity with Chief Lu.
As for what would happen after the meeting, as Li Fan had said before,
Whether it succeeds or not, it all depends on fate.
“Oh, one more thing. Before leaving this Hualing Gorge, either wait for the Spirit Pearl’s effect to completely disappear, or directly expel the Spirit Pearl.”
“Don’t forget. Otherwise, there’s a risk of spiritual energy explosion. Of course, if you have a physique as strong as Senior Dongfang Yao’s and aren’t afraid of spiritual energy turmoil, then just ignore what I said.”
The child left no detail unaddressed, having said what needed to be said.
He bowed to everyone and then, in full view of everyone, transformed into a single-footed white bird and flew away.
With the assistance of the Spirit Pearls, everyone regained their vitality and immediately threw themselves into the construction support of the formation.
With a practiced hand, they quickly blended into the atmosphere of the Hualing Gorge.
And so, a day passed.
Li Fan, who was conducting a check on the formation units, suddenly felt something and stopped his work, looking up.
He saw a rainbow crossing the sky, tearing through the dark red of the Burning Ember Wasteland for thousands of miles, heading straight for the Hualing Gorge below.
The calm green river seemed to sense something, waves rippling without wind.
The suppression suddenly rose by a level, catching the cultivators who could only move freely with the help of the Spirit Pearls off guard.
The imbalance of spiritual power nearly caused them to fall from the sky.
At this moment, Li Fan saw countless transparent patterns emanating from the rainbow.
Expanding outward continuously, like a sky-covering curtain, it instantly enveloped the entire Hualing Gorge.
“Formation?”
Li Fan looked up, his eyes flashing with brilliance.
The patterns flickered, and in an instant, a large formation took shape.
The calm green river seemed to be heavily pressed down, instantly becoming tranquil, with the surface of the river even slightly lowering as a whole.
The cultivators within the formation all felt a sense of relief.
The suppression effect of the Hualing Gorge seemed to disappear in an instant.
Under the escort of more than ten black-clad cultivators, Lu Xichan, dressed in white, stepped on the rainbow light.
She descended in front of everyone.
“Greetings, Chief!”
Dongfang Yao and Huangfu Song hurriedly flew forward, bowing respectfully.
Lu Xichan swept her gaze over the two, her expression cold.
“Let’s go, take me to see the progress of the formation construction.”
TOC |
Next Chapte
Chapter 378: The Hidden Mystery of Tianxuan
After Li Fan and the others disappeared from the sight of the crowd, the cultivators present were extremely excited.
They communicated with each other using their spiritual senses.
“We knew a big shot was coming, but we never expected it to be Senior Disciple Lu!”
“Excuse my ignorance, but who exactly is this Senior Disciple Lu?”
“Are you kidding me, brother? Which province are you from if you don’t even know the name of our Chief Formation Master from the Array Hall?”
“With Senior Disciple Lu’s mastery in Dao Integration, she can sweep through the entire Hualing Gorge with just a thought. Does she really need to inspect each place separately?”
“You don’t understand. It’s necessary to maintain appearances. If she just comes and goes without seriously inspecting any place, wouldn’t it seem...”
“Brother, watch your words!”
...
Li Fan did not participate in this lively discussion.
He simply proceeded with the examination of the formation units as if nothing had happened.
Because he faintly sensed a vast spiritual sense continuously scanning above the Hualing Gorge.
“Everyone knows they need to keep up appearances, yet they foolishly discuss under others’ noses using their spiritual senses. Do they really think spiritual communication is absolutely safe?” Li Fan shook his head inwardly.
He maintained his composure, refusing to engage in such reckless behavior.
After the initial excitement, an order was issued, causing everyone to groan in misery.
The Senior will depart in two days.
Before that, everyone needed to work harder.
They had to complete the construction of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array thoroughly.
Although the original progress was almost sufficient, now they had to compress the schedule forcefully into two days.
The suddenly increased workload was nearly tripled.
But since the command came directly from Dongfang Yao, the wording was extremely stern.
People knew Senior Disciple Lu was present, so they didn’t dare to complain.
They could only work desperately.
Fortunately for Li Fan, continuous work without rest was just ordinary for him.
His expression remained unchanged, without any variation.
To prevent mistakes during the busy period, Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao also appeared from time to time to check the progress.
As for Senior Disciple Lu herself, after showing herself that day, she never appeared in front of everyone again.
No one knew what she was busy with.
But the massive spiritual sense enveloping the Hualing Gorge never left for a moment.
So Li Fan diligently continued his work, showing no signs of abnormality.
Time flew by amidst everyone’s dedicated efforts.
In the blink of an eye, two days had already passed.
As the first Dao Integration formation master to propose the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array plan,
Lu Xichan undoubtedly had the ability to do so.
But her motives left Li Fan puzzled.
“Is it to prevent the potential loss of control of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array in the future? So, she took this action.”
“Or is there another purpose?”
“Once the Tianxuan Locking Spirit becomes widespread, mastering it means holding supreme power.”
“Even the Chief Formation Master of the Array Hall is just a formation master.”
“There is still quite a distance from reaching the pinnacle of real power.”
“Perhaps, leveraging the Tianxuan Locking Spirit, one could achieve a qualitative leap.”
“Or even catch a glimpse of the Immortal Realm.”
As Li Fan’s thoughts continued to diverge,
The Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array, which had been completely formed due to Senior Disciple Lu’s personal operation, elicited thunderous applause from the cultivators inside the Hualing Gorge.
Lu Xichan also rarely showed a hint of a smile.
With a gentle expression, she looked down at the cultivators below.
As her gaze swept over the face of an old man with snowy white hair, her eyes suddenly froze.
Where had she seen this person before?
Lu Xichan felt somewhat surprised.
But he was just a Golden Core cultivator, unlikely to catch her attention.
Her thoughts raced, memories flooding her mind incessantly.
In an instant, they stopped at a few years ago, when her daughter, Lu Xuejing, disappeared for a while before returning.
Due to her reckless arrogance, Lu Xuejing had been kidnapped by an old fisherman.
Fortunately, a cultivator managed to retrieve her using the items he carried.
Her daughter, saved from a perilous situation, wanted to express her gratitude to the cultivator.
But he seemed to be in a hurry and left abruptly.
She didn’t know anything about her savior’s life, only remembering his face.
At that time, her daughter had described the appearance of the cultivator to her using the Water Mirror Technique.
She had memorized it immediately.
It should be this person.
But why had he aged so much in just a few years?
“Who is that person?”
Lu Xichan transmitted her voice to Dongfang Yao.
“As expected!”
Seeing both Senior Disciple Lu and Brother Dongfang look towards Li Fan simultaneously, Huangfu Song secretly commented in his heart.
Chapter 379: Conflict Amongst Transmission Masters
There was a slight nervousness in Dongfang Yaoyao’s heart: “This person’s name is Li Fan, he is...”
Being concise, she briefly introduced Li Fan’s life to Luxi Chan.
Although Huang Fusu did not actively mention this person’s information, Dongfang Yaoyao sensed something unusual in his gaze towards Li Fan that day.
Knowing well what kind of person her brother was, Dongfang Yaoyao immediately investigated secretly.
Whether it was the various extraordinary actions rumored about Li Fan, or the astonishing deeds spreading rapidly,
Dongfang Yaoyao believed that this person was not simple.
Perhaps the reason Huang Fusu came unexpectedly might be because of Li Fan.
And when Chief Luxi suddenly asked, it indeed confirmed her speculation.
However, there were some things, even if guessed, couldn’t be spoken.
Dongfang Yaoyao naturally understood this very well.
As a subordinate, the key was to cooperate well with the leader.
If one acted too clever and disrupted someone’s plan above, having no future prospects would be a minor issue.
It’s just that one might end up dying inexplicably.
Thinking of this, Dongfang Yaoyao dared not be negligent and meticulously recounted the surface information she had gathered.
Luxi Chan noticed that these two subordinates seemed to have some ulterior motives.
However, she didn’t intend to delve deeper.
Because there weren’t many things in this world worthy of her attention, and these two Nascent Soul Formation Masters obviously weren’t among them.
It was her daughter’s unexpected savior who caught her attention.
She had heard of Li Fan’s name before.
Being able to risk his life to save others in danger was indeed very rare in today’s era.
What’s more important was that even at the end of his lifespan, he could still hold the frontline in formation construction, which was worthy of being touted and celebrated.
Perhaps this person was truly a saint by nature, with high morality; or perhaps the techniques he cultivated were special, and this action was purely profitable.
For the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, it didn’t matter.
What mattered was that he really did those things.
What mattered was that the majority of cultivators in the world believed in him so much.
For the name of a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator to reach her ears,
There must be some familiar hands behind the scenes.
Luxi Chan was not surprised by this.
When it was almost enough, Luxi Chan nodded, “He has made so many sacrifices for the spread of the Tianxuan Soul Lock formation, yet there has been no corresponding reward within the alliance. It really shouldn’t be.”
“Continuing like this, wouldn’t it disappoint cultivators throughout the world?”
Huangfu and Dongfang were both astute individuals.
Hearing Luxi Chief’s implication, they were surprised but dared not speak up.
They only heard her continue, “If I were unaware, it would be fine. But now that I have personally seen it, I definitely can’t ignore it.”
“However, this is ultimately a matter of stepping in for someone else. It would be troublesome if it causes misunderstandings and rumors.”
“At this critical moment, our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance should be united from top to bottom.”
“Do you two have any good ideas?”
Suddenly, the two remembered some rumors they occasionally heard, and after a little thought, they understood the meaning behind Luxi Chief’s words.
However, such high-level struggles were not something they, as small pawns, could get involved in.
They felt helpless.
Feeling the continuous scrutiny from Luxi Chan, both of them felt an indescribable pressure.
It’s unreasonable to remain silent when the leader asks.
With sweat breaking out on their foreheads, at a critical moment, Huangfu suddenly remembered his conversation with Li Fan before.
With a sudden inspiration, he gritted his teeth and said, “To let the Chief know, subordinates have had several heart-to-heart conversations with Li Fan before. Although his lifespan is nearing its end, he is still willing to dedicate himself until his last moment.”
“Our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has never mistreated those who have merits. However, despite his efforts, he is still ranked around forty to fifty. If we were to give him special treatment, other cultivators ranked higher than him might have objections.”
“If his ranking were slightly higher, it would be more reasonable.”
Huangfu paused for a moment, then continued, “This person once mentioned to me privately that although he has no regrets in death, he regrets not being able to explore the many wonders of our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance...”
This sudden remark seemed to come out of nowhere.
However, Luxi Chan and Dongfang Yaoyao, who were familiar with the rules of the Great Comparison Golden List, naturally understood the hidden meaning behind his words.
“That’s actually a good idea.” Luxi Chan nodded slightly, acknowledging Huangfu’s suggestion.
Huangfu couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Before he could relax, he heard Luxi Chief ask again.
“Do you have any recommended places to go?”
Huangfu’s heart tensed up again for a moment.
In a split second, recalling Li Fan’s words from before, Huangfu had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, “The Five Elements Grand Celestial, Endless Sea, and other secret realms, subordinates believe these are good choices.”
TOC |
Next Chapte
Chapter 380: Changes in the Five Heavenly Realms
TL Note: Translation will go down to a chapter daily. I will be editing previous chapters to ensure quality translation.
“The Five Elements Great Heavenly Realm...”
This term is too sensitive.
So much so that Lu Xichan subconsciously ignored Huangfu Song’s words behind her.
After pondering for a moment, she did not express her stance on the spot.
Just as her gaze was withdrawn from below, amidst the gazes of many cultivators in the Spirit Transformation Gorge, she turned into a rainbow light and returned to her resting place.
Huangfu and Dongfang wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads and hurriedly followed.
“Congratulations, Brother Huangfu, for being able to strategize in front of Chief Lu. Your future prospects are boundless!” Dongfang Yao transmitted his voice while flying.
“Don’t use this to butter me up, Dongfang. Who is Chief Lu? Does he still need my advice? It’s just being cautious. When it comes to future backlash, it’s convenient to push me, who will offer suggestions, out as a scapegoat.”
“How could you not see through it?” Huangfu Song snorted coldly, extremely unhappy.
“Brother Huangfu, many people want to be Chief Lu’s scapegoat, but they haven’t had the chance yet. Moreover, considering Chief Lu’s character, I don’t think he will...”
“Hehe...”
Dongfang Yao felt bored with himself, but his tone changed, sighing, “There have been rumors before that the disputes between the Law Transmitters and the newly emerging Dao Integrators of thousands of years have become extremely intense
“I didn’t expect to see it today, but it’s true.”
Huangfu Song also sighed slightly, “Being forced to take a stand today, I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse. If successful, naturally, there will be great wealth and prosperity in the future. If it fails...”
The two looked at each other and fell silent.
...
In the Spirit Transformation Gorge, after Lu Xichan and the others left.
Li Fan also followed the returning team back to their residence.
When Chief Lu’s gaze fell on him, Li Fan knew she had successfully recognized him.
However, what surprised Li Fan a bit was that she only paused for a moment, and this Dao Integrator powerhouse no longer paid attention.
“At least you’re the lifesaver of your daughter. You’ve finally met, and you just leave like this?”
Li Fan honestly felt a little surprised.
But later, noticing the expressions of Huangfu and Dongfang, Li Fan knew that perhaps his plan had not failed.
However, Dao Integrator powerhouses, especially those with heavy responsibilities, may need to be more “reserved” in their actions.
So he remained calm and patient, waiting.
“After sending people to investigate, the results were almost unbelievable.”
Huangfu Song paused, seeming to ease the shock in his heart.
Then he continued, “These spiritual fluctuations are present in five places.”
“After repeated confirmations.”
“It’s a sign of a new heavenly realm, being reborn!”
Li Fan’s eyes flashed with excitement as he stared at Huangfu Song.
“A new heavenly realm?”
“A new Five Elements Great Heavenly Realm?”
His words trembled slightly, full of undisguised shock.
Huangfu Song nodded.
“This... how is that possible?” Li Fan was slightly stunned.
With his limited knowledge, the formation of any heavenly realm was supposed to be the result of fortuitous encounters and the passage of time.
For Tianling Province to give birth to five complementary heavenly realms was already a miracle among miracles.
However, after the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance moved the entire Five Elements Great Heavenly Realm away.
How could new Five Elements Great Heavenly Realms be reborn in the original location?
“What about the current Five Elements Great Heavenly Realm? Has anything unusual happened?”
Thinking of Huangfu Song’s so-called special mission, Li Fan asked immediately.
“There are signs of the Five Elements merging, and it’s irreversible.” Huangfu Song’s tone was somewhat heavy.
“Five Elements merging?” Li Fan frowned slightly.
“Is this a good thing or a bad thing? What will happen after the merger?” he couldn’t help but ask.
Huangfu Song shook his head: “Such a thing has never happened before. Chief Lu herself was astonished and shocked upon hearing this news.”
“However, what can be confirmed at the moment is that after the Five Elements merge, the current five heavenly realms will not completely disappear.”
“Instead, they will merge into a completely new heavenly realm.”
“As for whether there will be drastic changes during the merging process, turning from a heavenly realm rich in various resources into a barren wasteland, no one can predict.”
“Regardless, the plan to build the Spirit Locking Array remains unchanged.”
“With the sudden turn of events, Chief Lu has already taken the lead to investigate on-site.”
“We will have someone lead us there later.”
Chapter 381
“Even a Golden Core cultivator can drive it, and its speed far surpasses that of ordinary Nascent Soul body flight.”
“Moreover, it can absorb external spiritual power as an energy source, so there’s no need to worry about depleting one’s own energy. In the spiritual energy-rich Five Elements Cave Heaven, its effectiveness is even more outstanding.”
As Qi Buyi spoke, the black and gold Soaring Shuttle in her hand flickered and split into identical replicas.
They transformed into streaks of black light and flew to everyone.
“The Soaring Shuttle’s wonders can be explored by yourselves later.”
Li Fan grasped the flying treasure in front of him, feeling a cool and refreshing sensation.
When his divine sense touched it, a crisp mechanical voice appeared in his mind.
“Permission confirmed.”
“Sub-unit 016 has been activated.”
“Current driver: Li Fan.”
The moment the Soaring Shuttle activated, instructions on its usage and various precautions appeared in Li Fan’s mind.
Li Fan’s eyes lit up, impressed yet slightly regretful.
“What a treasure. In terms of speed, it might be even faster than Zhong Shentong’s Seven-Colored Divine Light.”
“But it’s just a sub-unit, with many functions restricted.”
“Moreover, I fear the Soaring Shuttle’s operating status, location information, and everything happening inside it will be monitored.”
Li Fan speculated privately.
Before everyone could fully grasp the Soaring Shuttle, Qi Buyi took out several dozen rectangular jade tablets and distributed them.
Li Fan received one, and a black dot appeared on the palm-sized tablet.
“Qi Buyi.”
When his divine sense touched it, he sensed these three words.
Then options like “Communication,” “Marking,” “Transmission,” and “Sharing” appeared.
“This is the Heavenly Overseer’s Record, equipped by the alliance for your convenience in cooperation.”
“It already contains a complete map of the Five Elements Cave Heaven.”
“After logging your information into the Heavenly Overseer’s Record, your real-time location can be synchronized and shared.”
“Anyone holding a Heavenly Overseer’s Record can check it at any time.”
Qi Buyi explained dutifully to everyone.
...
After giving instructions, Li Fan received his mission target.
Since the Five Elements Cave Heaven was about to merge, the Spirit Locking Array’s construction plan slightly differed from other regions.
The main array structure was set up outside the cave heaven’s void.
Inside the cave heaven, only key nodes had corresponding connection array units built.
Then, they were protected with special materials.
The protection material was said to be Eternal Tribulation Gold, capable of withstanding chaos destruction.
Such a treasure would naturally be arranged by key personnel.
Li Fan’s task was the same as before in the Chizha Abyss and Hualing Ravine.
He was just a laborer building the foundational structure units of the array.
However, he had few complaints. After Qi Buyi announced the start of the operation, Li Fan took out the Soaring Shuttle and mentally commanded it.
The black and gold object instantly seemed alive, flowing like liquid and enveloping Li Fan.
In the blink of an eye, it formed a droplet-shaped armor around him.
“Soar!”
At Li Fan’s command, his figure turned into a streak of black light under the Soaring Shuttle’s wrap.
He streaked across the sky.
“Personal spiritual power consumption is almost negligible. As long as there’s some external spiritual energy, this speed can be maintained indefinitely.”
Li Fan experienced the driving feel of the Soaring Shuttle.
During flight, the black and gold fluid around him gradually became transparent, allowing Li Fan an unobstructed view of the surrounding scenery.
Friction and even sound were isolated.
He hardly felt he was flying at high speed.
Only the rapidly changing and slightly distorted scenery due to extreme speed indicated his current speed.
The coexistence of extreme speed and tranquility made Li Fan slightly uncomfortable.
But soon, a prompt from the Soaring Shuttle suggested adjusting the external sound volume.
After tuning the sound to let in a bit, rather than complete silence, the discomfort vanished immediately.
Locking onto the marked location on the Heavenly Overseer’s Record, Li Fan flew straight towards his target.
Chapter 382: Chaos of the Five Elements
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“Is this for secrecy?”
Li Fan glanced at Huangfu Song and found him looking nonchalant as usual.
Tapping the table happily, he finished the Ling Tea that had just emerged.
“The Ling Tea of the Ten Thousand Immortals, this is quite something. It’s said to be an ancient formula passed down from ancient times. After drinking it, there will be a slight increase in spiritual soul.”
“One cup per person limit, why not taste it, young friend?”
With the Ling Tea in his stomach, Huangfu Song patted his belly, took a deep breath, and beckoned to Li Fan.
Following Huangfu Song’s lead, Li Fan drank the Ten Thousand Immortals Ling Tea in front of him.
Compared to the effect of the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra, it was not in the least inferior.
“What a treasure!” But he still showed great joy.
Just as he put down his teacup, Li Fan felt the Dust Crossing Boat beneath him sway slightly, and it slowly came to a stop.
“Could it be that something happened?” Li Fan looked somewhat surprised as he glanced at Huangfu Song, who was slowly getting up.
“Don’t just sit there, we should have arrived at the Five Elements Grand Cave.” Huangfu Song said.
“So fast?” Li Fan was slightly stunned, then inevitably somewhat surprised.
It should be noted that in his perception, it had only been a moment since they departed.
Li Fan was also well aware of the maximum speed of the Dust Crossing Boat.
So, does this mean that the Five Elements Grand Cave is not far from the Zhu Pi City?
As if sensing Li Fan’s thoughts, Huangfu Song smiled and said, “Forget it. This Dust Crossing Boat not only shields our perception of the external space but also affects our perception of time.”
“Do you think it’s only been half a day?”
“In fact, it could have been seven or eight days.”
“Of course, it’s also possible that it’s only the time you perceived.”
“It’s to keep you guessing.”
“After the previous incident with the Purple Dome Immortal, the alliance has become more cautious.”
As Huangfu Song shook his head, he walked towards the deck.
“Affecting the perception of time passing.” Li Fan felt a sinking feeling. This was his first encounter with time-related techniques within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
“But it could also be just a simple distortion of perception.”
Suppressing his thoughts, Li Fan followed Huangfu Song onto the deck.
Stepping out of the cabin, he was met with an almost substantial water attribute spiritual energy, unlike anything he had ever seen before.
But after encountering the spark, it unexpectedly started burning fiercely.
Under the gaze of everyone, it burned brighter and brighter.
Eventually, it formed a lump of black scorched earth.
Li Fan could see clearly that this bizarre phenomenon was not caused by the strength of the spark.
It was because the “water” had changed its nature.
It had become flammable.
“Is this still water?”
“Wait, there’s so much water in this cave. If it were all ignited at once, what would happen?”
Everyone on the Dust Crossing Boat looked at each other, deeply concerned.
Qi Buyi seemed to perceive everyone’s worry and said, “The changes you see only occur when the water is taken out separately.”
“When it exists as a whole within the entire cave, it won’t be ignited and turn into earth.”
Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“As for why this phenomenon occurs, there is currently no clear answer.”
“That’s also why we’re here.”
“The abnormalities occurring in this cave are different from the usual convergence of the Five Elements.”
“The alliance is very interested in this. According to previous estimates, the convergence of the Five Elements will be completed within five years at most.”
“And with the process accelerating, this number is likely to decrease significantly.”
“What we need to do is to ensure that before the complete convergence of the Five Elements, the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation covering the Five Elements Grand Cave is completed.”
“In addition to the group of pioneers who have already arrived, there will be reinforcements arriving one after another.”
“We are part of it. Mainly responsible for the coverage area of the water attribute cave.”
Qi Buyi explained the purpose of this mission very professionally to everyone.
“Even though it’s just a cave, it’s extremely vast.”
“It’s even larger than the territory of a province in our Xuanhuang Realm.”
“Most areas here have not yet set up teleportation arrays. Relying solely on flying is too slow.”
“For the convenience of future work, the alliance has prepared some special tools for you.”
With that, Qi Buyi took out a black-gold droplet-shaped object and displayed it in front of everyone.
“This is the Heavenly Escape Shuttle, a flying treasure specially crafted by the alliance.”
“Speed...”
“Extremely fast.”
TL Note: If you want to support the translations, go to Patreon
Chapter 383: Records of the Hundred Matters Guiding the Heavens
TL Note: If you want to support the translations, go to Patreon
“Even Golden Core cultivators can control it, and its speed can far surpass that of ordinary Nascent Soul flying techniques.”
“Moreover, it can absorb external spiritual energy as a power source, without worrying about self-consumption. Its effects are even more outstanding within this spiritually abundant Five Elements Subworld.”
Qi Buyi spoke, and in her hand, the black-golden Escape Shuttle shimmered, instantly splitting into identical replicas.
Transforming into strands of black-colored light, they flew in front of everyone.
“The miraculous aspects of the Escape Shuttle, everyone can explore later.”
Li Fan took the flying treasure in front of him, feeling a cool sensation in his hand.
As his divine sense made contact, clear mechanical sounds appeared in his mind.
“Authorization confirmed.”
“No. 16 sub-body activated.”
“Current controller: Li Fan.”
At the moment the Escape Shuttle activated, information about its usage methods and various precautions appeared sequentially in Li Fan’s mind.
Li Fan couldn’t help but brighten his eyes, feeling both impressed and somewhat regretful.
“Good treasure. In terms of speed alone, it’s probably faster than Zhong Shentong’s Rainbow Light.”
“But it’s only a sub-body, all functions need to be restrained.”
“Not only that, I’m afraid the operation status of the Escape Shuttle, location information, and everything that happens inside it will be monitored.”
Li Fan speculated inwardly
Before everyone could fully grasp the Escape Shuttle, Qi Buyi took out dozens of rectangular jade pieces and distributed them.
Li Fan received them, but black dots immediately appeared on the palm-sized jade pieces.
“Qi Buyi.”
As divine sense made contact, the three words were instantly sensed.
Then, options such as “communication,” “marking,” “transmission,” and “sharing” emerged.
“This is the Records of the Hundred Matters Guiding the Heavens, specially equipped for everyone in the alliance for convenience in cooperation.”
“A complete map of the Five Elements Subworld has already been drawn inside.”
“After registering personal information in the Records of the Hundred Matters, real-time location synchronization can be achieved.”
“Those who possess the Records of the Hundred Matters can view it at any time.”
Qi Buyi continued to explain diligently.
“Not only that, if encountering special circumstances, everyone can also explain their current location through marking on the map for information exchange.”
Because the Five Elements Subworld was about to converge, the plan for constructing the soul-locking formation differed slightly from other areas.
The main formation layout was arranged outside the Subworld’s void.
Inside the Subworld, corresponding connection formation units were only built at key nodes.
They were then protected using special materials.
It ensured that even after the convergence of the Five Elements, the formation would remain intact.
The protective material was said to withstand the test of chaos and destruction, the Eternal Chaos Gold.
Such treasures naturally required key figures to personally arrange them.
What Li Fan needed to do was no different from what he had done before in the Abyss of Roars Gorge and the Spirit Transformation Gorge.
Just acting as a laborer to build the foundational structure of the formation.
However, there were hardly any complaints. Once Qi Buyi announced the start of the operation,
Li Fan took out the Escape Shuttle and silently chanted.
The black-golden object instantly seemed alive, flowing like liquid, enveloping Li Fan’s body.
In the blink of an eye, a droplet-shaped armor formed around Li Fan’s body.
“Escape!”
With Li Fan’s command, his figure, enveloped by the Escape Shuttle, turned into a black streak.
Tearing through the sky.
“The consumption of spiritual power is almost negligible. As long as there is some spiritual energy outside, this speed can be maintained indefinitely.”
Li Fan experienced the sensation of driving the Escape Shuttle.
During the flight, the black-golden fluid around him gradually became transparent, allowing Li Fan to observe the surrounding scenery without hindrance.
Friction resistance and even sound were isolated outside.
There was hardly any sensation of rapid flight.
Only continuous changes in perspective and slightly distorted scenes due to the excessive speed proved Li Fan’s current speed.
Extreme speed and extreme tranquility, both contradictory situations, appeared simultaneously.
It made Li Fan feel slightly uncomfortable.
However, soon a message came from the Escape Shuttle in his mind, indicating that he could adjust the external volume.
After reducing the ear’s sound to a trace, not completely silent,
the discomfort immediately disappeared.
In his mind, he locked onto the position marked on the Records of the Hundred Matters, and Li Fan flew straight toward the target.
TL Note: If you want to support the translations, go to Patreon
Chapter 384: Li Fan Sets Up the Formation
TL Note: If you want to support the translations, go to Patreon
Looking at the map, the distance between Li Fan and his destination almost spanned half of the Water Cave Heaven.
Li Fan estimated that if he relied solely on flying, it would take at least a month or two to reach there.
However, with the Escape Sky Shuttle, it wouldn’t even take a day.
After just over seven hours, Li Fan arrived at the marked location.
His speed gradually slowed down, and the black-golden fluid around his body slowly recovered.
When Li Fan stopped, it reverted back to a small droplet-like object and was stored in his elixir field.
Li Fan surveyed his working environment for the next period of time.
Below was still an endless expanse of blue water.
Above, it seemed within arm’s reach.
A giant tree branch extended from the sky, making intimate contact with the water-attribute heaven.
However, what surprised Li Fan was that the vibrant trees should have flourished even more after contact with water.
But the huge tree branch in front of Li Fan was completely desolate and decaying.
The gray-yellow trees were incomplete, riddled with many hollows.
They seemed like they could break and fall at any moment.
Whether it was an illusion brought about by Li Fan staring at them for a long time or not,
From those dead branches that had been gnawed on, he actually saw many fragmented human figures.
When he withdrew his gaze and looked again later,
That feeling disappeared.
Li Fan shook his head and took out the Heavenly Supervisor Record, carefully studying the construction plan again.
Just when he inspected the surroundings a moment ago, the plan had already been updated.
Five more cultivators had been added as his assistants, bringing along logistical supplies.
Li Fan didn’t wait for them.
The Heavenly Supervisor Record emitted a radiance, pointing towards the sky.
After confirming the coordinate nodes, Li Fan immediately began constructing the Soul Locking Formation.
Unlike the time in the Abyss of Roars when he needed to guard against the devouring white mist and the abyssal demonic sounds,
There was hardly any danger in this water-attribute heaven.
The spiritual energy was dense, which was even more conducive to the formation construction.
Unrestricted, Li Fan was able to act freely.
After years of heavy training, Li Fan’s speed in setting up formations in a normal state had once again improved.
As if it were an instinct engraved in his soul, there was no need for him to think at all.
With just a casual movement, wherever his intention went, the formation instantly formed.
But they didn’t dare to have the slightest complaint.
And so, a year quietly passed by.
When the area covered by the completed formation extended to a radius of five thousand miles from the initial node,
The tasks originally assigned to Li Fan and his group were almost completed.
“Originally planned to be completed within three years, I didn’t expect it to be finished in just one year,” said Yan Hang, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator among the five, as he looked at the formations in the sky.
“Finally, we can take a good rest,” he said, filled with exhaustion and weariness etched on his face.
The others nodded incessantly, in full agreement.
However, when Li Fan finished the final formation construction,
He paused in the air for a moment but showed no sign of resting.
Instead, he continued to extend the array towards the outer periphery.
“Master Li, what are you doing? That area is clearly no longer within our scope of work!” exclaimed Yan Hang, who had already prepared to relax.
“This...”
“Quick, look at the Heavenly Supervisor Record, the work plan has been updated!”
“Master Li actively requested assistance to help the surrounding formation masters set up formations?!”
“We must cooperate to the best of our ability and not slack off?”
With each person speaking, the hearts of the group sank.
Despair showed on their faces.
After a while, they finally recovered.
Yan Hang gritted his teeth and encouraged everyone, “If Master Li is working so hard, we have no reason to refuse.”
“Brothers, let’s hold on a little longer.”
One of them sighed, “We have no choice but to do so. If we retreat now, it’ll be a disgrace.”
“I don’t mind. What I’m worried about is Master Li. Haven’t you noticed that he seems to be aging more rapidly?”
After this reminder, the others suddenly realized.
They carefully observed the figure not far away, still standing tall despite its aging appearance.
Everyone was shocked.
“It does seem to be the case.”
“He didn’t have many years left to begin with, and now, with such intense effort, his lifespan is being depleted even faster.”
“What should we do?”
They exchanged glances.
“No, we can’t just watch Master Li perish before our eyes.”
“Report this situation immediately!”
Yan Hang said in a deep voice.
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Chapter 385: Wood Water Generates Decay
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“Biological Age: 882/899.”
Working tirelessly, Li Fan glanced at the Anchor Point panel.
The consecutive selfless efforts were not without cost.
When Li Fan emerged from the state of complete immersion, akin to enlightenment, in the formation process.
An uncontrollable sense of weakness surged up.
Under extreme pressure, his biological age increased rapidly.
Now, Li Fan truly reached the end of his life.
“It’s time to rest.”
This thought involuntarily popped into his mind.
But immediately, he regarded it as the main material for the Reverse Training Dao Heart.
Suppressing all slackness and exhaustion.
“If I don’t push myself harder, how can I seek transcendence in this extremely dangerous cultivation world?”
Li Fan said to himself inwardly, then rallied his spirits, forcing his aging self to burn the last moments of his life, once again engaging in the formation work.
The expressions and reactions of Yan Hang and others below were all within Li Fan’s expectations.
In fact, they didn’t need to report to him.
When Li Fan applied to cross-regional work with the Recording Tablet just now, he had already explained his current physical condition to Qi Buyi.
After Qi Buyi’s unsuccessful persuasion, he readily agreed to Li Fan’s request.
“Theoretically, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance should extend my lifespan. But nothing is absolute, I also need to prepare for the unexpected moves of the Alliance.”
“Fortunately, I have contributed enough, and there is still a Longevity Fruit left. When necessary, whether to buy or exchange, I can also find some life-extending items. Striving for a bit more time in this world.”
...
After Yan Hang and the others submitted their report, it seemed to sink without a trace, without any ripples.
While the Five-Person Group was puzzled and disappointed, Li Fan himself seemed unaffected, earning their increasing admiration.
So, amidst the calmness, another half year passed.
On this day, the serene Water Subworld suddenly underwent a drastic change.
The azure water world unexpectedly trembled violently without warning.
Caught off guard, Li Fan’s formation process was forcibly interrupted.
Subconsciously wanting to observe what was happening around, but feeling like the whole world was spinning, dizzy and unable to do so.
Fortunately, Yan Hang and the others reacted very quickly.
Thus, combat became inevitable.
Although the bodies of these monsters resembled withered wood, their texture was unexpectedly hard.
Even the full force of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator’s attack could only leave superficial wounds on them.
Fortunately, their method of combat was rather crude, and their numbers were relatively scarce.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance usually operated in groups of several people, engaging in collective actions.
Relying on numerical superiority and excellent equipment to suppress them.
By expending some time, they could eliminate the monsters without much danger.
After each battle, Yan Hang and the others would meticulously report the process through the Recording Tablet.
After collecting numerous data, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance also compiled the tactics for fighting these monsters and distributed them to every cultivator.
In various Subworlds, due to the different attributes involved in the fusion, different types of monsters appeared.
The type of monster encountered by Li Fan and his group, where wood and water were merged with wood dominating, was named “Decaying Wood”.
There were two most effective methods to deal with Decaying Wood.
One was fire-attributed techniques. Under the scorching flames, burning wood and boiling water would turn Decaying Wood into flying ashes.
The second was separation-type techniques.
Completely separate the flowing blue water from the body of Decaying Wood.
Decaying Wood would then collapse on its own, transforming from a terrifying and ferocious monster into pure wood and water energy in the blink of an eye.
The separation technique was not only useful against Decaying Wood but also remarkably effective when dealing with monsters of other merged attributes.
Unfortunately, it was too obscure, and only a few cultivators mastered it.
So, everyone had to rely on conventional techniques of various attributes to cope.
With the summarized battle strategies, the cultivators became more adept at dealing with the monsters generated in the Subworlds.
However, most cultivators still remained anxious.
On this day, another batch of withered wood debris fell, transforming into monsters resembling both humans and beasts, attacking Li Fan and his group.
Quickly, the Yan Hang Five-Person Group rushed to meet them.
While Li Fan set up formations, he observed the battle between the two sides.
“Compared to the initial encounters, these Decaying Woods have indeed made significant progress in their combat methods and techniques.”
“These individuals separated from the inverted tree seem to possess a collective consciousness.”
Watching the intense battle not far away, Li Fan couldn’t help but feel a sense of astonishment.
“This is just a fusion of wood and water attributes. If another one or even several more attributes are added, wouldn’t the monsters become even more formidable?”
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Chapter 386: External Threats and Internal Worries
It was evident that Li Fan was not the only one who noticed this.
After the battle ended, Yan Hang and the others didn’t show any excitement as they watched Decaying Wood turn to ashes in the raging fire.
“Damn, these monsters seem to have grown stronger again.” Yan Hang glanced at the dried wound on his arm, his face ugly as he cursed.
The other four also had varying degrees of injuries.
“Quickly report the situation of this battle. Hopefully, they will come up with a solution soon. Otherwise, I’m afraid we won’t last much longer,” sighed a cultivator named Li Shifeng among the four.
Yan Hang snorted coldly but didn’t retort.
He opened the Records of Hundred Matters and closed his eyes to report.
Li Fan was also checking the Records of Hundred Matters.
Compared to when they first entered the Five Elements Subworld, the information recorded in it was much richer now.
“Overall progress of the grand formation is 78% complete.”
“It’s progressing faster than initially expected.”
“But obviously, things here are getting somewhat out of control
“I wonder what measures the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will take next.”
Li Fan’s eyes flickered, his hands moving incessantly.
Could the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance really complete the construction of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Formation on schedule?
Li Fan could almost be certain that they would.
Currently, the main force inside the Five Elements Subworld consisted mostly of Nascent Soul stage cultivators.
But the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was not lacking in Nascent Soul stage cultivators.
Obviously, they hadn’t fully exerted their efforts yet.
If it’s found that the current strength is insufficient to accomplish the mission, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will naturally increase its input.
As for whether the cultivators inside the Five Elements Subworld at this moment could hold on until the reinforcements arrived, that was another matter.
...
As Li Fan had expected, the constant increase in strength of the subworld’s monsters caused widespread anxiety.
Qin Buyi quickly came out to reassure everyone.
Firstly, she explained to everyone that due to the principle of mutual restraint among the Five Elements, they believed that monsters merging with all five attributes wouldn’t occur.
The most extreme situation would only give rise to monsters merging with four attributes.
But this extreme situation would only happen at the end of the process of “Five Elements Return to One”.
What everyone mainly needed to deal with were monsters merging with two or three attributes.
It’s unclear what happened, but these cultivators, who had unanimously expressed absolute support for the construction of the Soul-Locking Formation not long ago,
suddenly changed their stance and clearly expressed their opposition.
Moreover, their opposition was not just for the sake of opposition, but rather had ample arguments and reasons.
This was their viewpoint:
It is well-known that no matter how exquisite a formation is, there will always be a day when it can be penetrated and cracked.
In the past, there have been many instances where protective formations leaked, catching the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance off guard.
This is also why protective formations must be completely replaced at regular intervals.
Now, after the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has painstakingly and at great cost constructed the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Formation covering all its territories, can it guarantee that the formation will remain effective forever? If it’s analyzed and cracked by the Five Elders Association shortly after completion, wouldn’t that be a huge joke?
In addition, these individuals also harbor doubts about whether the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Formation can achieve the effects as advertised.
Because the notorious Thousand-Faced Demon Lord, who has been haunting the territories of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, has become more rampant lately.
Many high-ranking cultivators within the provinces have fallen victim to him.
Even in the provinces where the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Formation has been completed, it only slightly delays his killing spree.
In the end, he still manages to slip away.
Furthermore, even if he is captured, what then?
Since the Five Elders Association can cultivate one Thousand-Faced Demon Lord, they can certainly cultivate two or three.
The original purpose of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Formation, as advertised, was to make it impossible for any Five Elders Association cultivator within its borders to escape detection.
And now?
While others wreak havoc openly in your territory, you are powerless.
What use is this Tianxuan Soul-Locking Formation?
It must be said that these people’s viewpoints are quite reasonable.
So much so that when they raised their doubts to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters, it resonated with quite a few people.
As the opposition intensified, the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, instead of punishing these dissenters as usual, fell into a strange silence.
It is in this backdrop that the whereabouts of the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord became increasingly elusive, and his massacres grew more ferocious.
In addition to external threats and internal worries, Li Fan also heard an interesting story.
Amidst the escalating tensions, in the border region between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association, the Nine Mountain Province, an organization called the Myriad Spirit Sect has recently gained momentum.
It has truly attracted the attention of many cultivators.
All because the Myriad Spirit Sect possesses a peculiar technique.
A technique where the more people cultivate it, the faster the cultivation speed.
Chapter 387: Man Can Overcome Heaven
From the creation of a new law by the Heavenly Sage, it was not long before cultivators relied on the technique of Heaven Grasping Cultivation Technique for cultivation.Visitt for the latest updates
The heavens and earth reacted, bringing about drastic changes.
The more people practiced a certain technique simultaneously, the slower their cultivation speed.
This is what is known as the impossibility of cultivating multiple immortal techniques concurrently.
This is the present truth of the world, and it is the fundamental reason why techniques are so precious.
However, now, in an obscure organization, a technique contradictory to the principles of the heavens and earth has emerged.
Who would believe it?
At first, cultivators dismissed it as a joke and paid it no attention.
However, there were those who sought immortal techniques but had no access to them. With a mentality of giving it a try, they crossed mountains and rivers to explore the situation in the Jiushan Province.
After joining the Myriad Spirit Sect and officially beginning to cultivate the “Myriad Spirit Technique,” something shocking happened.
Indeed, all members of the Myriad Spirit Sect were practicing this technique.
From Qi Refining to Soul Transformation, practitioners were at various stages.
Most importantly, the absolute truth that one cannot cultivate multiple techniques simultaneously seemed to be ineffective with the “Myriad Spirit Technique.”
There was simply no occurrence of cultivation slowing down due to an excessive number of practitioners.
The facts were undeniable.
No matter how incredible it seemed, that’s how it happened.
Soon, news of this extraordinary technique in the Myriad Spirit Sect spread throughout the entire cultivation world.
The initial reaction of the public was that only an extraordinary Heavenly Sage could create such an effect by reversing the principles of the heavens and earth.
However, the understanding of the Heavenly Sage was shallow among the people.
Basically, they only gleaned a bit from the “Five Spirit Qi Sensing Technique,” which stated, “Reversing the principles of the heavens and earth to achieve longevity.”
How to reverse, what constitutes a reversal, and to what extent one must reverse to achieve longevity... These questions were all mere unreliable speculations.
It was not unreasonable for them to make such conjectures about the miraculous effects of the “Myriad Spirit Technique.”
Clearly, this speculation was wrong.
After reading through the “Myriad Spirit Technique,” the venerable Haiung Yue of Tianqing Province finally revealed the truth.
The absolute truth of the heavens and earth, that techniques cannot be concurrently cultivated, had not been reversed at all.
The reason why cultivators practicing the Myriad Spirit Technique seemed unaffected was simply due to the inherent characteristics of the technique itself.
Simultaneously, the more people practiced the Myriad Spirit Technique, the faster their cultivation speed.
This is the effect of the Myriad Spirit Technique.
Of course, they didn’t openly announce it.
They just covertly opposed the situation under the guise of dealing with monsters.
Regarding this, Qi Buyi was a bit helpless.
She couldn’t just ask the two sitting Ancestors to unleash a killing spree, right?
Not to mention that the formation masters within the subworlds all had quite prestigious backgrounds.
If she really did that, forcibly pressuring them might just backfire and lead to the construction of the Five Elements Cave formations directly grinding to a halt.
This was a rare situation for Qi Buyi, and for a moment, she felt somewhat at a loss.
She could only report the situation to Chief Lu while trying her best to appease everyone.
To prevent a worse riot from happening.
As for the storms outside, although Li Fan himself didn’t care much, his efficiency in setting up formations inevitably suffered.
Yan Hang and the other five were gradually struggling against the monsters, so he also had to allocate some mental energy to pay attention to the battle.
At critical moments, Li Fan would even participate in the battle.
Of course, only in an auxiliary capacity with formations.
Just as the situation was gradually deteriorating, a thorough white light pierced through the entire Five Elements Cave.
The reinforcements had finally arrived.
An extremely massive Dust Crossing Boating Boat spanned outside the void of the cave.
Occupying most of the sky.
Cultivators flew towards various subworlds like densely packed black dots, orderly.
And Li Fan, who had been staying in the water attribute subworld, also got a glimpse of the overall situation of the Five Elements Cave for the first time.
It seemed like interconnected rings, yet also like a mixed palette of colors.
Clear and distinct, yet hard to distinguish from each other.
As the light column gradually dimmed, the illusory scenes of the metal, fire, and earth subworlds also slowly disappeared.
At the same time, the collaborative operation list in the Heavenly Record almost doubled.
When Li Fan looked through it, he even saw many familiar names.
They were the young formation masters who had trained with Li Fan in the Universal Institute and then returned to various provinces to participate in the Grand Competition.
“It seems that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is really short-handed now.”
“Even the reserves have been pulled over.”
Chapter 388: Are You Unconvinced?
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Around two and a half years ago, the most efficient array masters had already completed the construction of their respective Soul Locking Arrays.
Some chose to rest.
While others, for the sake of gaining points in the grand competition, went to support areas where the array formation remained incomplete.
However, for secretive places like the Five Elements Great Immortal Realm, these young array masters still didn’t have the qualifications to enter.
Li Fan, too, relied on Chief Lu’s relationship and the sudden change in the void of Tian Lingzhou to have the fortune to come here.
Who would have thought that after two years, the place Li Fan painstakingly managed to reach would become accessible with just a simple application.
“Isn’t this Fellow Daoist Li Fan? It’s an honor to meet you!”
A young array master named Xiang Liu warmly greeted Li Fan.
“Since two years ago, Fellow Daoist, your ranking has soared, steadily holding a position in the top three, causing quite a stir and numerous discussions.”
“Although everyone knows your deeds, there are still many Fellow Daoists who are no less dedicated than you if we talk about working hard.”
“At that time, people speculated that you must have been responsible for constructing formations in some extremely important subworld.”
“And it turns out, it’s true!”
Xiang Liu looked at Li Fan with deep emotion, but there was no trace of jealousy in his eyes.
On the other hand, Gu Youguang, another array master, couldn’t hide his envy: “Fellow Daoist must have a profound background to have the opportunity to come to such a critical place.”
“The points obtained within the Five Elements Great Immortal Realm are more than triple those outside!”
Li Fan coughed lightly, pretending to be extremely weak: “Hehe, Fellow Daoist misunderstood. My presence here is also just a coincidence, benefiting from Senior Huangfu Song’s grace.”
“Moreover, my end is near, and I will return to heaven soon. What use do I have for so-called points and rankings?”
“Regardless of where I am, the difference is negligible to me.”
“As long as I am engaged in constructing the Soul Locking Array.”
Hearing this, Xiang Liu and Gu Youguang both put away their playful expressions, becoming extremely serious.
“Fellow Daoist’s actions are truly admirable.”
Xiang Liu and Gu Youguang’s array skills were not inferior to Li Fan’s.
With their assistance, the progress was greatly accelerated.
Moreover, along with their support, there were also many cultivators from the Garrison Hall.
They all carried a kind of glass bottle-shaped magic treasure that could release the “Dual-Element Glass Light” from the bottle.
This mysterious light had a purifying function that worked wonders against the fusion monsters within the Five Elements Great Immortal Realm.
With no external threats, the overall construction progress of the Tian Xuan Soul Locking Array increased day by day.
However, four months later, the progress reached 99%.
At the same time, the process of the Five Elements merging into one was about to reach its final stage.
In the sky, the giant upside-down tree had countless branches deeply inserted into the azure waters.
Strangely enough, when the Wood and Water elements initially made slight contact, there would be continuous strange monster occurrences.
Now that the true fusion of the Wood and Water attributes was occurring, those bizarre creatures never appeared.
But as Li Fan looked at the green branches tainted by the blue water, the incomplete figures reappeared before his eyes.
“Fellow Daoist Li Fan, it’s time to withdraw.”
Xiang Liu looked at Li Fan, who seemed lost in thought, and reminded him.
Li Fan nodded slightly, unfurled the Sky Escape Shuttle, and headed towards the enormous Dust Crossing Boatboat reappearing in the sky.
Their work was no longer needed.
As countless cultivators returned to the Dust Crossing Boatboat, dark figures flew against the crowd, heading towards various array nodes that had been previously constructed.
They would use the “Eternal Punishment Essence Gold” to protect the crucial structures of the Soul Locking Array.
When everything was ready, and the Tian Xuan Mirror was in place, the Soul Locking Array covering the Five Elements Great Immortal Realm would be considered completely constructed.
“I hope there won’t be any more flaws.” Li Fan thought to himself as he returned to the Dust Crossing Boatboat.
“Master, what do you think this subworld will become after the Five Elements merge into one?” A curious voice of a young child sounded in his ear.
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Chapter 389: Five Elements Heaven Secret Realm
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“Master?” Hearing this term, Li Fan felt a bit bewildered.
In the current cultivation world, cultivating oneself is not an easy task. Who would still bother with passing on teachings and solving doubts?
Ever since he embarked on the path of cultivation, over these years, he had never seen a genuine master-disciple relationship.
Curious, Li Fan looked towards the direction of the voice.
He saw an old man and a child standing at the edge of the gigantic Dust Crossing Boat, both dressed similarly and emitting similar auras as cultivators.
Both of them wore green robes. The old man had white hair but a youthful face, his complexion rosy. The child, on the other hand, looked weathered, with a demeanor as if he had seen through the world.
What astonished Li Fan was that the tender voice he just heard actually came from the mouth of the white-haired old man.
He looked puzzled, gazing down at the child beside him who asked.
The child appeared to be only about five or six years old, but the words coming from his mouth were far beyond a child’s speech.
“Everything starts from nothing and returns to nothing.”
“The Five Elements return to One, merely reverting to their original state.”
The child in green robes replied with a smile.
After pondering for a moment, the old man suddenly realized the answer and said excitedly, “I understand now, Master. You mean, before long, this place will return to a state of chaos and emptiness, just like what we saw before. Am I right?”
The child chuckled, looking at the old man with kindness. “You’re correct. If left to evolve freely without external intervention, that’s indeed what will happen.”
“But if one day, outsiders intrude and take away some of the materials inside this paradise, then it’s hard to say.” The child looked at the Five Elements Subworld below with a hint of lament.
Upon hearing this, Li Fan was slightly taken aback, squinting his eyes to carefully examine the master-disciple pair before him.
It was as if the old man and the child completely ignored Li Fan’s presence.
The old man furrowed his brows, seemingly pondering his master’s words.
After a moment, he suddenly enlightened, “This paradise, where the Five Elements circulate and blend seamlessly, flawless and perfect. It can either divide into five or merge back into one. But if outsiders take a portion from each element, it will cause imbalance. And then...”
After a moment, the child in green robes spoke again, “At that time, it was said that the Heaven Sword Sect needed a vast amount of Taiyuan Essence Gold to forge the legendary ‘Boundary-breaking Divine Weapon.'”
“This Taiyuan Essence Gold is extremely rare, usually randomly found within metal ore veins, not something you can easily come by. The Heaven Sword Sect has already searched almost every possible source on the market, but they’re still far from what they need.”
“It’s said that within the Five Elements Heaven secret realm of the Five Elements Sect, there might be a large stockpile. So, the sect leader of the Heaven Sword Sect personally went to plead.”
“That notorious old man was so arrogant, yet he actually bowed to the Five Elements Sect. Lan Xiangfeng, the former sect leader, was suddenly overjoyed, feeling like he couldn’t find his way.”
“Moreover, the Heaven Sword Sect offered a ridiculously high price, persuading all the elders of the Five Elements Sect.”
“So, the Five Elements Sect began to dig extensively for Taiyuan Essence Gold within the secret realm. Just this action alone wouldn’t have led to the tragedy that followed.”
“But unfortunately, they were tempted by someone’s persuasion, saying that since various metal ores were unearthed during the excavation, they shouldn’t go to waste and should be sold. Other sects also heard about the abundance of metal ores in the Five Elements Sect and came to purchase them.”
“Blinded by greed, the Five Elements Sect’s excavation of metal veins became increasingly frenzied.”
“Finding themselves short-handed, they even hired wandering cultivators.”
“Finally, one day, the massive loss of metal elements led to an imbalance in the Five Elements Heaven.”
“Irreversibly, it evolved into a state of annihilation, heading inevitably towards the unity of the Five Elements.”
“And then, when the missing metal elements couldn’t satisfy the unity of the Five Elements, the remaining wood, water, fire, and earth elements began to collide chaotically, endlessly...”
“The ultimate result was a massive explosion that completely destroyed the Five Elements Heaven.”
“The entire Five Elements Sect suffered losses that can’t be described as anything but devastating. Their core strength was almost wiped out, and they never recovered from that blow.”
As the conversation ended, the child in green robes sighed incessantly.
Listening in, Li Fan suddenly felt a chill in his heart.
Wasn’t the plight of the ancient Five Elements Heaven just like what’s happening in the present Five Elements Subworld?
In that case, after the unity of the Five Elements, wouldn’t there be a catastrophic explosion here too?
Cursing inwardly, Li Fan looked back at the ancient Dust Crossing Sect master and disciple, only to find their figures becoming more and more blurry.
The words uttered from their open mouths became indistinct.
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Chapter 390: Time Mirage
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Although Li Fan didn’t know why there would be ancient illusions at the moment when the Five Elements merged into one.
And only he could see it.
But Li Fan believed that the conversation between Master and Disciple were not groundless.
“Could the sudden convergence of the Five Elements in this Great Five Elements Subworld be due to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance exploiting the resources of a certain attribute subworld?”
Li Fan’s thoughts quickly turned, and after a moment of contemplation, he decided not to sit idly by.
Even if a major explosion occurred, it might not be safe on the Dust Crossing Boat.
Li Fan quickly contacted Qi Buyi using the Records of Hundred Matters and told her about the strange scene he had just witnessed.
To his surprise, Qi Buyi, upon receiving the news, showed no signs of panic.
“Oh, it turns out to be a ‘Time Mirage’! Friend, you’re lucky...”
“Huh? I remember you only have Golden Core cultivation, right? You can sense it too?”
“It seems that Friend has a strong soul, far beyond ordinary people.”
After some explanation, Li Fan finally understood what this so-called ‘Time Mirage’ was all about.
Just like the ‘Mortal Transcendence Wall’ in Tianyun Province once recorded the scene of Mr. Bai’s mortal transcendence, ascending in one step.
When certain conditions are met, phenomena that are recorded in the world will occur and then repeatedly appear at specific times.
And when the Five Elements merge into one, heading from being to nothingness, it is very easy to trigger the phenomenon of a ‘Time Mirage’.
Several years ago, when the Five Elements merged into one in the Great Five Elements Subworld, a pair of Master and disciple from the Dust Crossing Sect passed by.
The Master explained to the disciple.
This scene happened to be recorded by the ‘Time Mirage’.
Now, after countless cycles, the convergence of the Five Elements once again occurred.
The scene of the Master enlightening the disciple reappeared, and was sensed by Li Fan, who had a strong soul due to practicing the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra.
...
Although Qi Buyi’s explanation calmed Li Fan about the origin of the illusion.
It didn’t completely ease his mind.
Li Fan frowned and asked, “Senior Qi, will the explosion mentioned in this mirage really happen?”
“Shouldn’t we take some defensive measures?”
Qi Buyi smiled and replied, “Don’t worry, it’s just a small matter. After we learned about the signs of the Five Elements merging into one, we predicted various possibilities. Including this explosion, it’s all within our plan.”
“Friend, just watch quietly.”
“Besides, the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation is almost completed now. Why bother adding unnecessary actions to make defensive measures?”
There was no response from Qi Buyi’s side, but her words made Li Fan sink into deep thought.
“Is the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation enough to ignore the imbalance caused by the merging of the Five Elements?”
A trace of doubt flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
At this moment, the abnormality in the void below also attracted the attention of other cultivators.
While they gathered to watch, there was no expression of worry on their faces.
Evidently, they had great confidence in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
The colorful dyeing tray spun faster and faster, finally reaching its limit at a certain moment.
A highly dangerous aura suddenly erupted from below.
Li Fan subconsciously took a step back.
Like the light of creation, it illuminated the dark void.
An extreme whiteness was thus born, carrying the power to destroy everything around.
Just at this moment...
Outside the void, a hint of green light suddenly appeared.
Then, along the nodes of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation built by Li Fan and the others,
it expanded rapidly.
Its speed was several times faster than the white light caused by the explosion.
In an instant, countless intersecting green threads formed a huge network, completely shrouding the explosion area within.
Then, before the cultivators could react,
countless green threads jetted out from the main network autonomously.
Endless, continuous.
In the blink of an eye, the dazzling white light had disappeared.
In its place, appearing before the eyes of the cultivators, was a huge cocoon enveloped in green light.
With a slight movement, the cocoon suddenly shrank slightly.
And the green color on the main network of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation became even brighter.
Like a beating heart, continuously transmitting energy.
Amidst the stunned gaze of the onlookers, the green cocoon became smaller and smaller.
Until it disappeared completely.
And the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation, which easily resolved the imbalance explosion of the Five Elements, was blooming with its own green brilliance in the dark void.
“Is this the power of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation?”
Li Fan was also somewhat dumbfounded.
He was very sure.
Even in the ancient cultivation world where powerful individuals abounded, it would be impossible to resolve such a terrifying explosion so easily.
But now, with the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had effortlessly accomplished this.
Suddenly, a chill rose in Li Fan’s heart.
If defense was already this strong, could the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation also possess offensive capabilities?
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Chapter 391: The Genesis of Tianxuan
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A crisis vanished without a trace.
After the calm, thunderous applause erupted on the colossal Dust Crossing Ship.
The formation masters and many collaborative constructors, witnessing the formidable power of the creation they had labored over for years, couldn’t conceal their excitement.
Li Fan also joined in applauding, his face filled with contentment.
However, a thought surfaced in his mind, one he couldn’t suppress.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had meticulously constructed the awe-inspiring Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array.
( TL Note: Everyone I am using Soul-Locking and Spirit Locking interchangeably. They are the same thing.)
But after it was completed, would the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance really let Li Fan and the other formation builders live?
It wasn’t that Li Fan was overly suspicious.
“Wars bring peace, but generals never see it” is nothing extraordinary throughout history.
When mortal emperors built tombs, they would exterminate all the craftsmen involved to prevent leaks.
Li Fan had little confidence in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
If they were only monitoring the grand formation, perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope for survival for the formation masters like them.
But now, with the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array showing such power...
It was hard to imagine how much the formation might be hiding in the shadows.
The stronger the actual power of the Soul-Locking Array, the more bleak the prospects for the formation masters.
“Perhaps the delay in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance fulfilling my longevity wishes is related to this.”
“Since we are all destined to die eventually, why bother with such extra efforts.”
Li Fan thought, feeling increasingly cold inside.
Just as he pondered on future strategies, the exclamations of the crowd redirected his attention to the void below.
After the great explosion, apart from the azure giant web of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array, the location of the Five Elements Subworld was now empty.
However, at this moment, visible surges of energy were spewing out from various nodes of the Soul-Locking Array.
“Is that... the Five Elements energy?”
After careful sensing, Li Fan’s expression changed slightly.
Using the void as a canvas and the various attribute energies previously absorbed as pigments,
Looking at the excited crowd of cultivators discussing, Li Fan thought for a moment, feeling that it shouldn’t be time to face execution just yet.
While pondering, Li Fan suddenly sensed some movement from an item inside his storage ring.
Without showing any signs, he quietly entered the Dust Crossing Ship and found an unmanned cabin, retrieving the item.
It was the key to controlling the Bone Pioneer Realm, the Left Hand of White Bone.
A faint ripple emanated from it.
Li Fan sensed it slightly, his expression becoming somewhat absent-minded.
“Fellow Daoist, I haven’t been able to contact you through ‘Jade Slips’ for a while, so I can only inform you through this method.”
“The thirty-year lease period has expired. Does the Bone Pioneer Realm need to renew the lease?”
“If necessary, please contact me before the expiration date.”
“Otherwise, the previous key will become ineffective, and you won’t be able to enter the White Bone Pioneer Realm anymore.”
“The items and scenes left behind in the Bone Pioneer Realm will be temporarily preserved for you for three months.”
“After three months, I will proceed with clearance.”
A somewhat familiar voice sounded in Li Fan’s mind.
It was the true master of the Bone Pioneer Realm, the cultivator who claimed to be the Purple Mists Immortal Venerable.
At 9th year, Li Fan rented the White Bone Vanguard Realm for thirty years from him in order to deceive the people leaving the realm.
Now, nearing the end of the 38th year, the lease period was up.
The Purple Mists Immortal Venerable sent an inquiry message.
“The construction of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array began 29th year. I didn’t expect ten years to pass so quickly.”
After some thought, Li Fan didn’t immediately reply to the Purple Mists Immortal Venerable.
As the Dust Crossing Ship returned to Tianchen Province and cultivators indulged in feasting and celebration at the Thousand Stars Academy, Li Fan came alone to the Dao Discussion Tower within the city.
Renting a secluded courtyard, Li Fan casually set up protective formations and entered the White Bone Pioneer Realm.
Leaving behind four miniature Medicine King Cauldrons, he then activated the Five Elements Annihilation Sword, damaging all his arrangements.
Using his permissions, he left behind an image in the Vanguard Realm.
Returning to the real world, Li Fan destroyed the Left Hand of White Bone, completely severing the last connection with the Bone Pioneer Realm.
“Clone handled the purchase of the Bone Pioneer Realm in this world.”
“From now on, no matter what happens, they shouldn’t trace it back to me.”
TL Note: For now, I am going along with this thinking: Realm < Subworld < Great Subworld.
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Chapter 392: Ten Years Lost
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“So many years have passed. If things go as expected, the Medicine King True Cauldron in the Cangwu Abyss should have appeared by now.”
“I hope Su Xiaomei and the others can hold onto these four small cauldrons, so that I can peek into the secrets of the Medicine King Cauldron.”
Before leaving the Dao Discussion Tower branch, Li Fan once again checked the Tianxuan Mirror.
Firstly, he checked the rankings of the Grand Competition Gold List.
He still firmly held the unshakable second position.
After more than two years of crazily accumulating points within the Five Elements Subworld, he had already opened up a considerable gap with the third place.
If nothing major happened next, it was likely that he would end up with this title.
As for the first place, Guo Yezhong, due to his insurmountable and unique points deduction, was far ahead of Li Fan.
Currently, there seemed to be no hope of surpassing him.
Li Fan stared closely at Guo Yezhong’s name: “Dissolution Disc...” (TL Note: Not sure what this means. Any ideas?)
“Perhaps the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance never intended to send it out at all.”
With a cold snort, Li Fan closed the rankings and checked the messages he had received over the years.
Due to being in various secret realms, communication talismans couldn’t communicate with the outside world.
The vast majority of messages were sent to the Tianxuan Mirror space.
Mostly, they were just greetings from He Zhenghao, Jing Xuandao, and others, without anything important.
Li Fan swept through them.
Finally, he checked his own merit level.
“Derivation Thirty-One.”
Seeing this number, Li Fan couldn’t help but feel a jump in his heart.
“Indeed, it’s the thousand-year plan of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. I only participated in the construction of three major formations, and my merit level skyrocketed to thirty-one.”
“If one were to leisurely complete merit tasks, I’m afraid it would take a lifetime to reach this height of Golden Core cultivation.”
Participating in the construction of the Tianxuan Soul Lock Formation had merit rewards.
And after completing each formation, real-time settlement would be conducted.
This was clearly explained by Ji hong dao when mobilizing earlier.
After reaching a merit level of Thirty-One, new privileges were unlocked.
Firstly, there were some small benefits.
One could apply for free visits to certain famous places in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, such as the previously seen Divine Treasury Museum.
Furthermore, one could apply for cross-regional, same-level transfers of duties.
If He Zhenghao had had this privilege from the beginning, he wouldn’t have had to trouble the Oracle Sons and Jing Xuandao; he could have directly transferred to Tianyu Province.
After Li Fan took it and examined it, he was somewhat surprised.
“How can the construction progress be so fast?”
Compared to what he had seen from Huangfu Song over two years ago,
the current construction progress of the Spirit Lock Formation was almost entirely completed.
The overall progress was close to 95%.
“It’s all because of those voices of opposition causing trouble.”
Gu Youguang shrugged: “Recently, the waves of opposition against the Tianxuan Soul Lock Formation have been getting stronger and stronger. In some places, there have even been incidents of using force to stop the construction. Although they were immediately suppressed, it also indicates the danger of the situation.”
“To avoid too many complications, everyone has been going all out and not resting for a moment during this time.”
Xiang Liu also sighed deeply: “I really don’t understand why some people have such strong opposition.”
“If they were to see the performance of the Spirit Lock Formation in the Five Elements Subworld, they would definitely change their minds.”
Gu Youguang said earnestly, “It’s a pity that Senior Qi has already instructed that it’s top-secret information and cannot be leaked. Otherwise, we could just tell them.”
Li Fan nodded in agreement on the surface, but inwardly he scoffed: “If those opponents were to see the power of the Spirit Lock Formation with their own eyes, they would probably stop it at all costs, even at the risk of their lives.”
“It doesn’t matter. When the Tianxuan Soul Lock Formation is truly popularized, all doubts will be dispelled without effort.”
Just as the three of them were speaking, suddenly, the voice of Qi Buyi came from nearby.
Li Fan and the others were startled and quickly bowed to her.
Qi Buyi waved her hand, her face slightly flushed, seemingly having drunk quite a bit of spirit wine.
She said to Li Fan, “Rest assured, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will never mistreat those who have contributed. The matter of extending your life has been approved, and treasures will be delivered soon. If nothing unexpected happens, the extra lifespan will be enough to sustain you until you break through the Nascent Soul Stage.”
Xiang Liu and Gu Youguang were both overjoyed at the news.
Li Fan also showed a grateful expression and thanked Qi Buyi.
As they were talking, a ray of sunlight shone into the Qianxing Branch.
“Hmm, it’s dawn.”
“Just like this dark night will eventually pass.”
“Under the Tianxuan Soul Lock, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will surely usher in an incomparably bright future.”
Qi Buyi’s gaze was unfocused, but her tone was incredibly firm.
Li Fan and the others nodded in agreement.
Just then, many pieces of information appeared in Li Fan’s mind out of nowhere.
It was the sight of the mysterious disappearance of his previous clone.
“Yuandao Province, ten years of disappearance...”
In an instant, Li Fan’s expression couldn’t help but change.
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Chapter 393: Mysterious Heavenly Fate
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“Friend Li Fan, are you alright?”
Qi Buyi and the others noticed that Li Fan’s expression suddenly became somewhat unpleasant, and asked with concern.
Li Fan: Li Fan showed a forced smile, “Maybe I’m just getting old and not used to the lively atmosphere here. Suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.”
Gu Youguang felt a bit guilty, “I shouldn’t have bothered you during rest!”
Li Fan waved his hand slightly, “Brother Gu, don’t worry about it. I’ll go back and rest.”
Xiang and Gu nodded repeatedly.
Before leaving, Qi Buyi looked at Li Fan and suddenly asked, “Can you tell me, in the past few years, although you have known that your time is running out, how did you maintain such an optimistic and fearless state?”
Xiang Liu and Gu Youguang also looked curious.
Li Fan: Li Fan paused for a moment and said calmly, “Treat every day as the last day, and then there’s no fear of death.”
“Just that.”
There was a strange light in Qi Buyi’s eyes, nodding slowly.
“Next, before the end of the grand competition, I will arrange for you a slightly easier but still important task for the construction of the Soul Locking Array.”
“Consider it something you deserve.”
After a while, Qi Buyi spoke again.
Li Fan showed no excitement on his face, just calmly said, “In that case, thank you, Senior Qi.”
Then bid farewell to everyone and returned to the small courtyard rented at the Dao Pavilion.
In the secret room, Li Fan sorted out the sudden reappearance of the memories of the avatar in his mind.
And also recalled some of the countermeasures his main body had taken earlier.
Taking out the blank jade slip from the storage ring, sure enough, the content was restored.
When the avatar Xiao Fan and Han Yi left the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, they decided to travel together to the Yuandao Province.
At that time, it was close to anchoring for 29 years, and the “Ten Years Disappearance of Yuandao Province” incident was about to occur.
To test the influence of the “it” lurking above the Yuandao Province, Li Fan recorded this matter in a cryptic manner on the jade slip only he knew about.
For comparison, Li Fan also inscribed the words “Dao” and “Source” on two blank jade slips respectively.
As Li Fan had expected.
When the time entered the 29th year of anchoring, Li Fan unconsciously lost all memories related to the Yuandao Province and everything associated with it.
Even the existence of the avatar in the Yuandao Province was forgotten by himself.
When the critical moment arrives, one can then burst out the accumulated fortune all at once.
Thus, achieving almost a state of achieving whatever one desires.
Of course, side effects are inevitable. After the outburst, there will be a long period of decline.
During this time, it can be said that even drinking cold water would feel like having one’s teeth stuffed, and everything would go wrong.
The solution is to find someone with strong fortune and follow them closely.
Use their fortune to resolve the crisis.
However, the avatar Xiao Fan could not know Han Yi’s thoughts.
At the moment when the disappeared ten years were restored, the experiences shared from his main body flooded into his mind.
But his senses did not perceive any loss of time.
The tremendous contrast brought about a sense of dislocation, making the avatar feel extremely uncomfortable.
However, he didn’t show it in front of Han Yi.
He remained calm and flew alongside him.
Xiao Fan: “It’s nothing, just suddenly remembered some past events.” With that, the avatar looked up at the sky, his expression inexplicable.
Han Yi: “Oh? Friend Xiao, have you also been to this Yuandao Province?” Han Yi asked curiously.
“Hehe, that’s something from a long time ago.”
As they chatted, the two with their own agendas set off towards the remnants of the Heavenly Capital once again.
Meanwhile, at Li Fan’s original body in the Tianchen Province, after realizing the feelings of his avatar, he also pondered.
“Although ‘it’ has temporarily disappeared, its influence remains. The beings in the Yuandao Province are completely unaware that ten years of their time have been consumed.”
“Even though the avatar knew the established facts, he still couldn’t detect anything unusual.”
“The power of distorted perception is so formidable.”
“The reason I was able to quickly perceive it is not because I have freed myself from its influence, but because...”
“My perception is based on the experience of being consumed by ten years of time in the twelfth return, not in this life.”
“Although ‘its’ power is strong, it cannot penetrate time.”
With these thoughts, Li Fan deeply exhaled a breath of turbid air.
The slight shadows brought by ‘it’ in his heart gradually dissipated.
“For now, it seems that as long as I eliminate the traces left by it on me, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”
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Chapter 394: Insights into Chaos
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“At this moment, it’s not urgent. Wait until you return to the peak of Dissociation Mountain, and during the nine years waiting for Truth to fully recharge, it will be the perfect time to do this.”
“As for what is hovering above Yuandao Province, perhaps only when I achieve the status of Immortal Sage in the future, will I be able to explore its true nature.”
“Before that, it’s best to avoid it.”
One worry was temporarily resolved.
As this world was nearing its end, Li Fan sorted out his current situation.
In over a decade of uninterrupted days of setting up formations, Li Fan, with the secret technique of “Dao of the Divine One,” did not neglect other matters.
He finally finished reading the “Immortal Medical Classic.”
From this magnificent masterpiece, Li Fan could also glimpse the thoughts of the Heavenly Doctor.
The Heavenly Doctor believed that everything in the world could be healed.
From stones, plants, and animals, to people, mountains, lakes, and even the world itself.
In the eyes of a true “doctor,” there was no essential difference.
Practitioners, from small to large, constantly progressed.
Perseverance would lead to the transformation from healing people to healing the world.
Although the “Immortal Medical Classic” did not mention cultivation methods, there seemed to be many mysteries hidden between the lines.
“It’s a pity my talent is still lacking. If I were a true genius, I might have been able to comprehend a technique from it.”
“Perhaps I can use indirect methods.”
Li Fan squinted his eyes as a difficult thought flashed through his mind.
Immediately, he suppressed it.
“Forget it, the risk is too high.”
“The Heavenly Doctor is mysterious and unpredictable. If he were to discover that the ‘Immortal Medical Classic’ is circulating in the world, who knows what kind of upheaval it might cause.”
“Studying it myself will just take a little more time.”
Combining the understanding of sentient beings from the Immortal Medical Classic, Li Fan also continued to modify and improve the “Creation Forge Art.”
“Master Tianyang’s ‘Eternal Remembrance’ still has one last chance of use. Currently, I don’t have much confidence in successfully breaking through. I’ll give it one last try when my life comes to an end.”
“Zhang Zhiliang’s ‘Infinite Method,’ I’ve gradually mastered its essence over the years. With continuous formation setups, my mastery of formations has made remarkable progress. Theoretical knowledge combined with practical application, now even an ordinary Nascent Soul Formation Master may not surpass me.”
“Then there’s the ‘Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra’ and the ‘Life and Death Mystery Technique,’ the combination of the two can rapidly increase the strength of the soul. Although I’m still in the process of recovery since the last trial, time is the one thing I’m not lacking.”
...
A blue crystal in Li Fan’s sea of consciousness emitted a deep blue light.
First, he asked about his recovery, then let him go to the Thousand Star Monastery.
Li Fan did not interrupt the process of insight, he just separated a strand of consciousness to control his journey.
“Next, you don’t have to work so hard and personally participate in the construction of the array.”
“Just follow the responsible person for inspection.”
Qi Buyi smiled and said to Li Fan.
“The one you’ll be teaming up with is Huangfu Song. Since you’re acquainted, it’ll be convenient for you.”
“Your points won’t be much less than those who construct the array, and you can maintain your second position.”
“Normally, this position wouldn’t be assigned to competitive formation masters like you. But if it’s you, I believe others won’t say much.” She spoke and handed over another Records of Hundred Matters.
The previous Records of Hundred Matters and Escape Shuttle had been handed over when leaving the Five Elements Cave, but this time it was different.
There was no distribution information for various supplies, only a rough map of the states in the Xuanhuang Realm.
It was very similar to the glimpse seen in the space of long-distance transmission arrays.
“You can check the details of the work and your colleagues through the Records of Hundred Matters.”
Qi Buyi still diligently explained to Li Fan.
Most of Li Fan’s mind was focused on comprehending dao, so he seemed somewhat absent-minded as he nodded along.
Seeing this, Qi Buyi could only sigh inwardly: “He’s deteriorating more and more.”
“It seems like his downfall is not far off. I wonder when those longevity treasures will be sent over.”
After bidding farewell to Qi Buyi, Li Fan contacted Huangfu Song through the Records of Hundred Matters.
Fatty’s tone became even more polite.
After the two met at the Tianchen State’s Transmission Array Square, they used the transmission array to arrive at the nearly completed Soul Locking Array in Lanlin State.
This state was located in the extreme south of the Xuanhuang Realm and was relatively remote.
They encountered several barriers along the way before finally arriving.
Passing through countless white mist barriers made Li Fan, who was already aging, even more miserable.
His eyes looked dull and lifeless.
Although Li Fan was actually immersed in the comprehension of dao, it didn’t prevent others from misunderstanding him.
At least Huangfu Song was somewhat nervous, fearing that Li Fan might die right beside him.
“Hehe, you can rest as much as you want later, my friend.”
“Leave everything to me.”
Huangfu Song said so.
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Chapter 395: Flames Rising from the Abyss
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Although Lanlin Province was located in a remote area, its natural scenery was quite peculiar.
Towering stone pillar-like peaks hung in mid-air, resembling a forest of a thousand needles.
Beneath the floating mountains, the deep valley was a terrifying forbidden zone entirely composed of black ash. Even at this moment, flying thousands of feet above, Li Fan could still sense the unsettling aura emanating from below.
Huangfu Song stood on the Dust Crossing Boat, surveying the scenery below, his expression couldn’t help but change slightly: “Truly a desolate place.”
“Compared to this ghostly place, the Ten Thousand Miles of Burning Sands we saw earlier is nothing dangerous.”
Hearing this, Li Fan also looked towards the bottom of the deep valley.
In the ocean of black ash, one could still see faint dark flames that had not been extinguished.
From time to time, a gentle breeze would pick up a strand of black ash from the ocean, continuously fluttering and rising, crashing onto the Dust Crossing Boat where Li Fan was.
The seemingly weightless ash, upon colliding with the protective barrier of the Dust Crossing Boat, caused violent fluctuations.
As if hit by a great impact, a small hole appeared on the crimson light barrier.
Then, wave after wave of ripples spread outwards.
Even though only a bit of his consciousness was controlling his body, Li Fan was still stunned by the scene before him.
He couldn’t help but ask, “What the hell is this black ash?!”
Huangfu Song first controlled the Dust Crossing Boat to fly upwards, avoiding the rising ash from the deep valley, then explained, “This is the residue left after the burning of the ‘Silent Extinction Flowing Fire.’ All traces of life have disappeared, leaving only the power of extinction lingering.”
“It’s quite sinister, it’s better to avoid it as much as possible.”
Before he could finish his words, the Dust Crossing Boat accelerated, rushing towards the central area of Lanlin Province.
Looking at the seemingly endless, pitch-black, and desolate world below, Huangfu Song couldn’t help but feel emotional, “Fortunately, we used tens of thousands of peaks as an array to control the ‘Silent Extinction Flowing Fire’ within Lanlin Province. Otherwise, the surrounding areas would have met the same fate.”
“Silent Extinction Flowing Fire?” The aura of the black ash permeating the air made Li Fan, who was already at his limit, feel even more uncomfortable. He furrowed his brows and thought to himself.
He seemed to have seen this name somewhere.
In his sea of consciousness, the fragments of memory flashed with Dao patterns, and after a moment, snippets of phrases he had read before suddenly surfaced.
“Cangwu Province, twenty-eight mountains and rivers.
One night, in a certain year and month, it disappeared overnight, leaving only a bottomless abyss.
The strange object of the earth, the Cangwu Mountain and River Map, originated from this.”
...
After the disappearance of the mountains and rivers in Cangwu Province for the ninth year, black water-like flames surged from the abyss.”
Holding a palm-leaf fan, he would occasionally fan it a few times.
“Long time no see, Senior, you’re as splendid as ever!” Huangfu Song bowed in respect.
Li Fan also followed suit and said, “Greetings, Senior Guan!”
“Your name is Li Fan, right? I’ve heard about you.” Guan Xingxiu glanced at Li Fan, a playful expression on his face. “Your perseverance is much stronger than mine.”
Li Fan’s heart skipped a beat, and he replied modestly, “Hehe, Senior is too kind.”
Huangfu Song chimed in at this point, “Although Li Fan is diligent, compared to Senior, he still falls short. Who in Tianyu Province doesn’t know...”
Before he could finish his sentence, Guan Xingxiu interrupted him.
“Kid, heroes don’t dwell on past glories. I’m now down and out like this, yet you’re here to boast about my past achievements. What’s your intention?” Guan Xingxiu’s gaze swept over Huangfu Song, his expression showing displeasure.
Huangfu Song didn’t expect his flattery to backfire, he awkwardly said, “Senior, you know me.”
“Even if you lend me your courage, I wouldn’t dare oppose you.”
Guan Xingxiu snorted coldly, but his expression returned to normal.
With a somewhat bored tone, he said, “You kid, you’re really boring.”
“Alright, I haven’t seen old friends in this place for a long time. It’s not bad that you came to visit.”
“I already understand what you mean, so go ahead boldly.”
“With me here, Lanlin Province’s small piece of land won’t be turned upside down.”
Finishing his words, Guan Xingxiu lightly waved the palm-leaf fan in his hand. Suddenly, a small golden sword appeared and flew into Huangfu Song’s hand.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve shown myself to everyone. I want to see if there’s really someone who wants to test whether my sword is sharp.” Guan Xingxiu said with great joy.
Huangfu Song was overjoyed and quickly said, “Thank you, Senior!”
“By the way...” As he put away the golden flying sword, Huangfu Song wanted to say something else.
But he was stopped by Guan Xingxiu.
“I’ve seriously considered Senior Ji’s opinion. But now I’m just a Nascent Soul cultivator, and I won’t be of much help even if I go. Besides, the former leader has passed away, and the position of commander has been settled.”
“I have no intention of competing for anything anymore.”
“You can go now!”
With that, Guan Xingxiu waved his palm-leaf fan.
After a gust of wind, Li Fan and Huangfu Song found themselves outside the courtyard.
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Chapter 396: Reunion After Ten Years
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Although there was some regret on Huangfu Song’s face, it was apparent that the purpose of this trip had been achieved.
“Let’s go, with the Guan Xingxiu’s Falling Star Divine Sword protecting us, we’ll definitely be safe on this journey,” he said.
He summoned the Dust Crossing Boat again, unable to contain his joy.
Recalling the conversation between the two in the courtyard just now, Li Fan pondered, “Has the resistance movement in the area become so serious?”
“Do we really need to seek protection?”
Huangfu Song said, “Better safe than sorry. Anything can happen in this remote place.”
“If things go awry and we’re both implicated, we can just throw everything into the abyss and claim it was an accident.”
“What else can we do?”
“With Guan Xingxiu protecting us, it’s different.”
Huangfu Song looked pleased, “Although he only has the cultivation of Soul Transformation now, falling from the Dao Integration realm to the Soul Transformation realm makes him much more powerful than ordinary Soul Transformation cultivators.”
“At least, in Lanlin Province where there’s no Dao Ancestor sitting in power. With the Falling Star Divine Sword, Guan Xingxiu can suppress everything.”
The chubby man took out the golden sword again, fondling it lovingly.
Li Fan stared at the Falling Star Divine Sword, faintly feeling a soaring momentum from it.
Recalling the lazy appearance he had just seen, he couldn’t help but feel emotional.
“A generation of Dao Integration experts, yet he ended up in such a state just because he failed to see the situation clearly.”
Then he remembered Guan Xingxiu’s words and couldn’t help asking, “Earlier, Senior Guan said that the old leader had passed away. Does that mean Immortal Sage Jicheng has fallen?”
“Yes, not long ago.”
“He eventually died quietly in his own Heavenly Extreme Courtyard, along with that willow tree.”
The aged face of Immortal Sage Jicheng appeared in Li Fan’s mind.
“If it weren’t for Truth, I’m afraid I would be waiting for death in fear, just like him, before long.”
“What does it matter if one reaches the level of Dao Integration? Without achieving longevity, it’s all futile.”
As if the emotions brought by the fall of the old Dao Integration expert had opened the floodgates, Huangfu Song put away the Falling Star Divine Sword and sighed, “Perhaps Guan Xingxiu’s despair is also related to this matter.”
“Despite controlling the foundation of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s garrison for five hundred years, Immortal Sage Jicheng still had no hope of longevity. It shows how difficult it is to defy the laws of heaven and earth.”
“For Guan Xingxiu, who has been stripped of his cultivation and wants to start again from the Soul Transformation realm, it’s even more difficult.”
“You know, to achieve Dao Integration again, one must rely on a similar heavenly and earthly essence as before.”
“Such essence is rare, and if there are specific requirements for its nature, it becomes almost impossible.”
...
In the chat with Huangfu Song, the Dust Crossing Boat reached the central core area of the Locking Spirit Array, where the designated position for the Tianxuan Array Hub was to be placed.
The formation was not yet fully constructed and would require some time to complete.
Except for the formation masters from the Universal Branch Academy, the other cultivators were not very friendly towards Huangfu Song and Li Fan upon their arrival.
At least it seemed so.
However, after Huangfu Song released the Falling Star Divine Sword, these cultivators had to restrain themselves.
At the same time, in Shilin Province, near the former Cong Yun Sea, now the Cong Yun Abyss.
Zhang Haobo looked at the endless void not far away, his face filled with sorrow.
Although he had seen this scene more than once, he still found it hard to accept.
His hometown, the ocean that was once azure and full of life.
Seeing it again, it had turned into this.
“Haobo, my condolences,” Xiao Heng came over, patting his shoulder and consoling him.
“What happened back then? How could the vast Cong Yun Sea suddenly become like this?” Zhang Haobo couldn’t help asking again.
Xiao Heng shook his head, “I don’t know either. When Senior Skull suddenly warned that the Cong Yun Sea might face a catastrophe, shortly after you left for Jiushan Province, I also left the Cong Yun Sea.”
“But Ye Feipeng seemed to know something and insisted on not leaving with me.”
“I originally thought he was hiding something from me, but since then, he has never appeared again.”
“I think he should have long passed away by now.”
“If I had known, I should have advised him back then.” Xiao Heng’s eyes showed a trace of sadness.
After a long silence, he continued.
“In recent years, I have tried to inquire about the changes in the Congyun Sea. But what surprised me is that, in less than a year, most cultivators have almost no impression of the Congyun Sea.”
A smile appeared at the corner of Su Changyu’s mouth.
A transparent giant palm had formed high in the sky at some point.
It completely enveloped the battlefield where the two were.
Then it pressed down.
“Boom!”
The earth sank, raising dust.
A huge handprint landed on the ground.
And Su Xiaomei, hiding within it, could no longer hide.
She was grabbed out by the illusory fingers and suspended in mid-air.
“Let go of me!” Su Xiaomei roared.
Her eyes turned crimson, and the fingers she clenched slightly loosened, showing signs of breaking free.
Su Changyu stretched out his right hand and squeezed it from a distance.
Another illusory giant palm appeared.
It overlapped with the previous transparent palm.
As a result, Su Xiaomei was once again suppressed.
“Ah! So annoying!”
Su Xiaomei’s innate divine power continued to surge.
Her hair gradually turned reddish, and the surrounding air twisted due to the heat.
But no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t break free from the suppression of the giant palm.
“I surrender!”
With Su Xiaomei’s roar, an inexplicable red sun appeared in the sky.
The illusion of the giant palm dissipated under the burning of the red sun.
Although Su Xiaomei regained her freedom, there was no joy on her face. She retracted her own [Red Sun Cave] domain.
Scratching her head, she flew to Su Changyu’s side.
“Brother, how did you become so powerful?”
She asked curiously.
“I suppressed my cultivation to the Golden Core realm. Now, you’re no match for me,” he replied.
She asked with some curiosity.
“When we left the Cong Yun Sea, the Yin Yueting sisters discovered remnants of ancient Dao runes.”
“After these years of recovery, I have been able to experience a complete strand of Dao runes. Just now, this move, [Suppression Palm], was what I comprehended from the Dao runes. Little sister, your comprehension far exceeds mine. I believe you can comprehend even stronger divine abilities from it.”
...
“When we left the Cong Yun Sea, the Yin Yueting sisters discovered remnants of ancient Dao runes...”
As Su Changyu spoke, an identical voice echoed simultaneously.
Creating a strange echo.
But as he slowly closed his eyes, the other echo grew weaker and weaker.
Until it was barely audible.
Su Changyu explained that this was due to his special cultivation technique, which Su Xiaomei and the others had gradually become accustomed to.
“Great! I want to comprehend this divine ability too!” She heard Su Changyu’s words and clapped her hands happily.
Even without opening his eyes, Su Changyu could clearly see the appearance of his long-lost sister in front of him.
Although she had reached the Nascent Soul realm, she still seemed like a child who hadn’t grown up.
Thinking of this, Su Changyu affectionately rubbed Su Xiaomei’s head.
“After more than a decade apart, everyone is finally reunited.”
Xiao Heng, who was watching the scene, couldn’t help but feel relieved.
Suddenly, he sensed a slight fluctuation from the bone ring that hadn’t been used for a long time, and his face lit up with joy.
Ever since the warning from the skull senior, which saved everyone’s lives, it had fallen into a deep sleep again.
Could it be that it was finally waking up now?
Without delay, Xiao Heng eagerly entered the realm of White Bone Pioneer.
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Chapter 397: The Inheritance of Returning to Immortality
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“Huh?!”
After a bout of dizziness, Xiao Heng, who finally saw the surrounding scenery clearly, was greatly shocked.
The surroundings of the Bone Pioneer Realm were in a mess, with traces of battles everywhere.
The once magnificent scenery now appeared somewhat ruined.
“Senior Skull...”
Xiao Heng’s heart tightened, hastily rushing towards the resting place of the Senior Skull.
However, the closer he got, the more prominent the traces of battle became.
The smooth white bones were now pockmarked all over.
An ominous premonition grew stronger, and when Xiao Heng arrived, he couldn’t help but freeze completely.
As if a violent explosion had occurred, there was no trace of the Senior Skull.
Only a pitch-black deep pit remained, telling of the recent fierce battle that seemed to have taken place here.
“What on earth happened?”
Xiao Heng’s expression became somewhat unsightly.
“Could it be that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has caught up?”
Recalling the instructions from the Senior Skull before his slumber, Xiao Heng subconsciously thought.
Xiao Heng, who had been wandering in Shilin Province for more than a decade, was no longer the ignorant youth he once was in the cultivation world.
It was precisely because of this that his heart grew even colder.
When he was at the Qi Condensation stage, he dared to utter the heroic words of “overthrowing the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and reviving the glory of Reclaiming Eternity, which is our unshirkable duty.”
But now, as a Golden Core stage cultivator, he dared not boast so recklessly anymore.
“The senior’s instructions were, if he couldn’t be contacted, it meant this place had been exposed. For safety’s sake, destroy the Hand Bone as soon as possible and cut off all connections with this place.”
Although he felt somewhat reluctant, Xiao Heng was not a vacillating person.
Before leaving, he thoroughly searched the Bone Pioneer Realm one last time.
To Xiao Heng’s surprise, the bone altar in the secret realm seemed to have not been completely destroyed.
There were still faintly familiar fluctuations emanating from it.
Xiao Heng’s heart stirred, calling out according to the method he had prayed before.
“Senior Skull!”
After a moment, the figure of the Senior Skull did appear above the ruins of the altar.
Xiao Heng was extremely excited, but in an instant, he calmed down.
Because what stood before him was just an illusion.
“Xiao lad, I didn’t have time to bid you farewell.”
“I didn’t expect that, hiding here for so long, they still wouldn’t give up on their plans against me.”
“If you can see this image, it means I have met an unfortunate end.”
Even though he was mentally prepared, hearing the Senior Skull speak these words personally, Xiao Heng’s eyes still reddened involuntarily.
“...Although I led them away before I fell into slumber, avoiding your exposure.”
“But it’s not safe here anymore.”
“After you go back, cut off the connection with this place and never come back.”
...
“I left four little Medicine King Cauldrons for you in the altar.”
“They are keys to entering the true Medicine King Cauldron.”
“Thousands of years ago, the Lord of the Medicine King Sect, Liu Ruchen, led all the members of the Medicine King Sect to break through the boundaries. But more than ten years ago, I sensed that they had returned to the Xuanhuang Realm. It was that fiery meteor that ultimately fell into the Abyss of the Cangwu.”
“If everything goes as expected, something must have happened to the Medicine King Sect. However, I sensed a great opportunity within the Medicine King Cauldron.”
“If you have the chance, you can explore it.”
“Remember, there should be other little Medicine King Cauldrons scattered outside. Perhaps others can use secret methods to sense their locations through these little Medicine King Cauldrons.”
“Be extremely careful of your own safety. If it’s impossible, selling the little Medicine King Cauldrons for a good price is also a good way out.”
“Oh, there are some materials I scavenged back then stored in the little Medicine King Cauldrons. Remember to retrieve them.”
“Consider it my final gift to you.”
“Remember, endure, lie low...”
Su Xiaomei chuckled, unconcerned.
The others just nodded symbolically.
Only Han Wuyou, with his eyes wide open, was full of hopeful light.
“Xiao Heng, didn’t you say that the Senior Skull left you four small cauldrons?”
“Hurry up and show them to me, let’s see what treasures they are.”
Amidst the awkward silence, it was still Su Xiaomei who came to the rescue.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Heng took a deep breath and took out the four small Medicine King Cauldrons, placing them in front of everyone.
Su Xiaomei picked up one and examined it carefully.
“Is this it? It’s shabby and doesn’t look like anything good.”
“Huh, there seems to be something hidden inside.”
After a moment, Su Xiaomei exclaimed.
“Wow! So many spirit stones! We’re rich!”
“And there are so many herbs!”
“Haha, this is good stuff!”
Su Xiaomei tossed the small Medicine King Cauldron aside and happily put on a silver necklace.
Then she showed several identical ones to everyone.
“Come on, everyone gets a share.”
Seeing this, Zhang Haobo’s eyes lit up.
“Is this a necklace inscribed with an instant teleportation array?”
Su Xiaomei nodded repeatedly, “That’s it. During our time in the Chaoyuan Sect, we escaped death several times because of it.”
As Su Xiaomei and the others put on the silver necklaces...
Far away in Lanlin Province, Li Fan’s eyes flashed with a light that others would hardly notice.
“With the help of the updated array, I can finally sense them again.”
He thought to himself.
Under the surveillance of the Formless Killing Intent, the scene of the gathering and discussion of the people in the other realm suddenly appeared in Li Fan’s mind.
“Xiao Heng, what do you think of the opportunity that the Senior Skull mentioned about the Medicine King True Cauldron?”
Su Changyu took back the small cauldron that Su Xiaomei had thrown to the ground, rearranged it neatly, and asked in a deep voice.
Xiao Heng hesitated for a moment upon hearing this.
But Su Xiaomei, always one to enjoy the excitement, didn’t think it was a big deal.
“Why even think about it? How can you give up when the opportunity is right in front of you?”
“If it weren’t for the adventures in the Chaoyuan Sect, Hao Bo and I would still be in the Golden Core Realm!”
Zhang Haobo squinted, nodding in agreement.
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Heng said slowly, “The Senior Skull accurately predicted the drastic changes in the Cong Yun Sea before his death.”
“I believe the opportunity of the Cangwu Abyss Medicine King Cauldron must be genuine.”
“But...”
For some reason, Xiao Heng became somewhat hesitant.
Seeing this, Su Xiaomei immediately became exasperated, “Xiao Heng, you’re not going to back out again, are you?”
“Last time, when Hao Bo and I wanted to go to the Chaoyuan Sect, you didn’t agree.”
“If you do this again, I’ll be really angry!”
“Xiao Heng, I...” Xiao Heng smiled bitterly, about to explain.
But Su Changyu calmly interjected, “If what the Senior said is correct, then this small Medicine King Cauldron is the key to entering the Medicine King True Cauldron.”
“It would be best for all four of us to go together.”
Su Xiaomei nodded repeatedly.
But Su Changyu’s tone changed, “However... we cannot all go.”
“Wuyou is still young and needs someone to take care of him.”
“Zhao Erbao and the Yin sisters are out searching for treasures, and useful things come back from time to time.”
“These things need someone to take care of them.”
TL Note: Reclaiming Eternity will be changed to Rebirth Immortal
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Chapter 398: Depths of 300,000 Feet
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Su Changyu still had something he hadn’t said.
Exploring opportunities wasn’t without risks.
If they all went together, and ultimately ended up wiped out.
Wouldn’t the legacy of the [Rebirth Immortal] be cut off forever?
This was the point that weighed most heavily on Xiao Heng’s mind.
But Su Changyu could see that, at this moment, everyone present besides Xiao Heng didn’t place much importance on the [Rebirth Immortal].
At least, compared to their own cultivation, the so-called [Rebirth Immortal] legacy was simply not worth mentioning.
Xiao Heng might not be unaware of this point in his heart.
However, he had his own principles and did not force others.
So it was not easy for him to say it directly.
Although Su Changyu’s eyes had remained closed, he was aware of the thoughts of everyone in the field.
So he took the initiative to break the ice, “How about this, Xiao Heng, Little Sister, and Zhang Haobo, you three go together to the Cangwu Abyss.”
“As for me, I’ll stay here.”
Before Su Xiaomei could object, he continued to explain, “The cultivation method I practice is special. The so-called opportunities are actually of little use to me.”
“So you don’t have to worry about it.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Heng gave Su Changyu a grateful look.
Su Xiaomei, however, turned her head away in a fit of pique, refusing to look at Su Changyu.
However, Little Sister still trusted Su Changyu’s words.
Now that he had made the decision, the matter was practically settled.
“Then there’s just one more Little Medicine King Cauldron. Could it be that, as the senior said, we should sell it?” Zhang Haobo asked, frowning.
“No,” Su Changyu shook his head in denial.
“Carrying the Little Medicine King Cauldron is already a crime. If we expose our knowledge of this true Medicine King Cauldron for the sake of a little profit, it would be unwise.”
“It’s better to keep it, and when the time is right, throw it out as bait to distract the enemy.”
Xiao Heng also agreed with Su Changyu’s words.
“Although it’s a bit of a pity, this is also the most stable approach.”
“Whatever! You guys decide anyway!” Su Xiaomei snorted, no longer objecting.
She grabbed Han Wuyou and went outside to play.
“The journey to the Cangwu Abyss is long. We are not Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators, so we cannot use the teleportation array.”
“If we fly with our physical bodies, it would take too long, and we might have unforeseen accidents along the way.”
“We need to come up with a good plan...”
Xiao Heng stroked his chin, frowning as he spoke.
“That...” Zhang Haobo hesitated.
“What?” Xiao Heng looked at Zhang Haobo with some surprise.
Shuofeng’s jade token really worked.
Even though they were not Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators, Xiao Heng and the others were able to enter the Shilin Immortal City without any obstacles.
Xiao Heng tightly held back Su Xiaomei, who was very curious and wanted to go sightseeing.
With some trepidation in his heart, he activated the teleportation array.
They teleported to the border of Shilin Province, crossed the white mist barrier, and arrived in Yuandao Province.
Then, they continuously used the teleportation array to head towards the Cangwu Abyss, in the southwestern corner of the Xuanhuang World.
Thus, after more than half a month.
When Li Fan began to inspect the Tianxuan Soul Locking Formation in Lanlin Province, Xiao Heng and his group finally reached their destination.
“It seems that Lanlin Province is indeed not far from the Cangwu Abyss. Even without using the sensing formation, my Formless Killing Intent can sense the scene.”
With the help of their eyes, Li Fan was finally able to see the Cangwu Abyss, which had been famous for so long, with his own eyes.
Unlike the Congyun Abyss, which had completely turned into nothingness.
This Cangwu Abyss was more like a wasteland of the Great Xuan.
Below towering cliffs was an endless valley.
Above the valley, crimson clouds swirled, their ends nowhere to be seen.
Many birds and beasts soared through the clouds.
And on the cliff walls, at intervals downward, there were many buildings built against the mountain, extending deep into the mountain.
“The Cangwu Abyss was formed many years ago when the mountains and rivers of the Cangwu Province all disappeared, creating this unique landform.”
“Therefore, the abyss has its own boundary, shaped like a footprint.”
“It has been explored down to about 300,000 feet, but the bottom is still far from sight.”
“The Cangwu Abyss is not empty, but has its own appearance.”
“The first layer, from the ground to 30,000 feet underground. Many strange beasts inhabit the Cangwu clouds and the cliffs of the abyss.”
“These beasts can swallow gold and spit lightning, and they are very powerful. They are fearless of death and travel in packs. You must be careful to avoid them.”
“The second layer, from 30,000 feet to 80,000 feet underground.”
...
Su Xiaomei read aloud from the jade slip that was given for free outside the Cangwu Abyss, her eyes wide with wonder.
“So big, so deep.”
“Then even if the Medicine King Cauldron is really in this Cangwu Abyss, we won’t be able to find it, right?”
She sent a voice transmission.
But Xiao Heng’s heart stirred.
He used the Little Medicine King Cauldron in his storage ring to sense.
Sure enough, in a certain location at the very bottom of the abyss, something was echoing with the Little Medicine King Cauldron.
Next Chapter
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Chapter 399
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“Senior Skull’s words were indeed true. These broken cauldrons are indeed the keys to entering the Medicine King True Cauldron!”
When Xiao Heng informed Su Xiaomei of this discovery, she couldn’t help but smile with joy.
“Now, this is good. As long as we follow the guidance, we should be able to find it soon.”
The three exchanged glances and then, sticking close to the edge of the abyss cliff, discreetly flew towards the depths below Cangwu Abyss.
Once they descended to about two hundred zhang above the ground, the scenery inside the abyss began to change drastically from the surface.
Due to the perennial presence of clouds and mist above, the further down they went, the darker the surroundings became.
The cliff walls were no longer bare rocks but were rooted with many strange plants.
There were luminous fine willows, predatory pines disguised as rocks,
and even lurking like giant pythons, waiting to attack when prey approached, were the withered black tall trees.
Accompanying these plants was the previously mentioned exotic beasts that needed to be guarded against.
Most of these exotic beasts were pitch black, making them difficult to discern in the dim abyss.
Their appearances were extremely bizarre, completely different from surface creatures.
They didn’t seem naturally evolved but rather forcibly pieced together from fragments of various creatures.
Long worms that split in the middle and preyed with open mouths,
strange apes with heads retracted into their stomachs,
and bizarre birds with countless wriggling worms as wings.
...
All sorts of grotesque forms chilled the observer.
Moreover, within this abyss, there seemed to be some mysterious force.
It suppressed the sensing range of cultivators’ divine consciousness.
This force became more prominent as they descended deeper.
During the cultivators’ descent, these strange creatures would suddenly emerge either from the abyss cliff walls or from the void in the center of the abyss.
They would launch attacks in groups at the cultivators as if they harbored deep enmity towards outsiders.
These attacks from the anomalies would only cease upon their complete death.
Fortunately, although there were numerous beings below the abyss, their strength was equivalent to the late Foundation Establishment stage at most.
For Su Xiaomei’s group, whose lowest strength was at the Golden Core stage, they posed no real threat.
With no major obstacles along the way, after nearly half a day, they finally approached a huge boundary monument embedded in the cliff wall.
Written on it in strikingly glowing red characters were the words “Thirty Thousand,” visible from afar.
Mid Foundation Establishment and below, once they enter, they will become no different from mortals.
Their spiritual power cannot be mobilized, and they lose the ability to fly.
There’s only one outcome: falling to the bottomless abyss without resistance, becoming food for the strange creatures along the way.
This means that at least cultivators at the late Foundation Establishment stage can survive on the second level of Cangwu Abyss.
However, in reality, as the depth increases, the creatures in the abyss are becoming stronger.
While cultivators’ strength continues to be suppressed.
This also leads to the exploration becoming increasingly difficult as they descend.
Xiao Heng and his group proceeded with even more caution into the second level, the Spirit Language Forest.
The trees deeply rooted in the abyss cliff walls extended their branches toward the void of Cangwu Abyss in an unreasonable manner.
Forming a primitive forest that stretches endlessly, occupying a space of fifty thousand zhang vertically.
In addition to the increasingly diverse and powerful dangerous creatures,
the murmurs emanating from the forest from time to time were even more lethal.
These sounds would induce various illusions in cultivators, causing them to lose their minds.
Those with weak wills would fly towards the center of the Spirit Language Forest as if they had lost their souls,
ultimately unable to return.
Xiao Heng and his group were all outstanding individuals with equally strong wills.
Moreover, their strengths were indeed formidable, so it took them almost a day to successfully traverse the second level.
They descended to a depth of eighty thousand zhang.
Here, the dense forest suddenly became sparse.
There seemed to be another source of light below, and the visibility suddenly became clear.
Instead of standing stone monuments like before, the boundary marker was now a giant eyeball growing on the cliff wall.
The pupil in the center of the eyeball was replaced by the two blood-red characters “Eighty Thousand.”
This eyeball seemed to be alive, constantly rotating and peering.
At this moment, sensing someone’s arrival from above, it instantly focused its gaze on Xiao Heng and his group.
A tremendous pressure came, causing Xiao Heng’s body to tense up in an instant.
Fortunately, the giant eye only glanced at them briefly before shifting its gaze away, no longer paying them much attention.
“Phew...”
Xiao Heng let out a sigh of relief.
“The second resting point of Cangwu Abyss, the Giant Eye City.”
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Chapter 400
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“It is said that this Giant Eye City was built by a senior who explored the Abyss. He killed a monster that emerged from the bottom of the Abyss, took its eyeball, embedded it in the cliff, and hollowed it out to build the city.”
“The giant eye can see into the extreme depths below, effectively monitoring the Abyss of Cangwu for any disturbances.”
The three slowly descended from the side of the Giant Eye City, their hearts filled with unspeakable shock.
“Just an eyeball, and it’s this big.”
“It’s unimaginable how big the monster that emerged from the depths of the Abyss of Cangwu was.”
The moment their bodies crossed the 80,000-zhang boundary, Xiao Heng felt his strength diminish by a few points.
“Even at the late stage of Qi Refinement, one cannot stand here.”
“Only with Foundation Establishment cultivation can one barely continue descending.”
The pressure from the Abyss was beginning to show.
“The third layer is not as vast as the Forest of Spirit Language, it’s just between 80,000-zhang deep to 100,000-zhang deep.”
“But the danger level is several times higher.”
As they continued to descend, from afar, Xiao Heng and the others heard rumbling sounds faintly coming from below.
Xiao Heng looked into the distance, in the vast white mist, there seemed to be two huge figures standing in mid-air, wielding sharp blades, battling each other.
“The third layer, the Puppet Gorge.”
“There are two giant stone puppets from ancient times fighting in this area.”
“The two puppets are in a strange state between reality and illusion. If you fly close to check them out, they appear like illusory figures, untouchable.”
“But their influence on the surrounding area is real.”
“The puppets are nearly 20,000 zhang tall, and their strength is said to be close to Dao Integration.”
“Even from a distance, you could be injured by the aftermath of their battle.”
Boom! Boom!
In the hazy white mist, the two stone puppet figures appeared and disappeared.
The three were stunned by this fantastic sight.
After a long time, Xiao Heng spoke, “Alright, let’s continue down.”
“It’s best to be cautious.”
During the descent, they had to constantly pay attention to the movements of the two giant stone puppets, avoiding possible energy impacts.
The strength of the strange creatures appearing in the thick fog was also becoming increasingly formidable.
Therefore, their progress was even slower.
It took them two whole days to reach the lower boundary of the Puppet Gorge.
“Ahead is the fourth layer.”
“The good news is, the Medicine King True Cauldron seems to be not far below.”
Xiao Heng once again manipulated the Small Medicine King Cauldron, sensing for a moment, then let out a sigh of relief.
“That being said, we can’t let our guard down.”
Zhang Haobo frowned slightly and transmitted his voice, “Alright, hurry up. I’m getting impatient to see that treasure.”
Su Xiaomei pursed her lips and entered the fourth layer first.
There was no foothold provided for cultivators between the third and fourth layers.
Then, they headed straight for the Medicine King True Cauldron.
After flying for another half a day, they finally reached the sensed location.
“Huh?!”
Xiao Heng looked around in confusion, unable to see any sign of the Medicine King True Cauldron.
“This should be the right place.”
“Let’s split up and search.”
Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo nodded, then dispersed.
Not long after.
“Nothing?”
Xiao Heng furrowed his brows deeply.
“It shouldn’t be.”
Xiao Heng searched again, still to no avail.
Su Xiaomei took the Small Medicine King Cauldron out of her storage ring, held it in her hand, and sensed again.
But there was no change.
“What do we do?”
After several attempts without success, the three gathered back together to discuss.
“Something’s strange.”
“I feel like the Medicine King True Cauldron is here, but it’s nowhere to be seen.”
Xiao Heng looked around, his face full of confusion.
“Maybe it’s hidden.”
Zhang Haobo narrowed his eyes and said suddenly.
With that, he activated his spiritual energy and sent a spiritual blade towards the location where he sensed the Medicine King True Cauldron.
As if hitting something, the air distorted for a moment.
The spiritual blade disappeared without a sound.
Then, the fluctuating scene returned to normal.
“Wow! That’s really the case!”
Su Xiaomei clapped her hands excitedly.
She flew towards that abnormal point.
However, it was as if it was an illusion. She passed through it unimpeded.
Not believing it, Su Xiaomei tried several times, but the result was the same.
“It’s infuriating! What’s going on?!”
Xiao Heng was calmer, carefully touching the nonexistent barrier with his hand.
“The Small Medicine King Cauldron is the key to entering the Medicine King True Cauldron.”
Xiao Heng thought thoughtfully.
“This Small Medicine King Cauldron, it can hold people, right?”
He suddenly asked.
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Chapter 401
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“These few small Medicine King Cauldrons have their own space inside, with abundant spiritual energy.”
“If they can be used for growing spiritual plants, it should be safe for people to stay inside for a while.”
Zhang Haobo immediately understood.
“You mean we might be able to use the cauldrons to break through this invisible barrier?”
Xiao Heng nodded.
“Then let’s try it quickly!”
As soon as Su Xiaomei finished speaking, she took out a small Medicine King Cauldron from her storage ring.
“Be careful!” Xiao Heng hadn’t finished speaking when he saw Su Xiaomei transform into a streak of light and enter the small cauldron.
“Come on in, everyone!” Su Xiaomei’s voice came from inside the cauldron.
Seeing this, Zhang Haobo and Xiao Heng also entered the cauldron.
The ancient-looking Medicine King Cauldron spun in the air for a moment before hurtling forward.
The moment it hit the transparent barrier, a layer of green light appeared.
The small cauldron seemed about to penetrate the barrier successfully.
Suddenly, there was a change.
The light wall disappeared abruptly, and the small Medicine King Cauldron missed its target.
Failing to enter the real Medicine King Cauldron, Xiao Heng and the others had to fly out of the small cauldron again.
“Strange, why didn’t it work?” Su Xiaomei was a bit frustrated.
“Maybe it’s because there are too many of us?” Xiao Heng speculated.
“The senior prepared four cauldrons for us, so it seems we can’t take any shortcuts,” Zhang Haobo agreed.
“Let’s try again!” Su Xiaomei decisively entered the small cauldron again and directed it towards the barrier.
Xiao Heng and Zhang Haobo stayed outside, watching the transparent barrier closely.
As expected, when the small Medicine King Cauldron touched the barrier, it neither passed through directly nor was it blocked.
Instead, it rippled and disappeared into the barrier as if it melted into water.
“It works!”
Xiao Heng and Zhang Haobo exchanged excited glances.
“Let’s go!”
Not wasting any time, the two of them each took a small cauldron and charged towards the barrier.
Meanwhile.
In Lanlin Prefecture, Li Fan and Huangfu Song had just completed the inspection of the Tianxuan Soul Locking Array.
After bidding farewell to Guan Xingxiu, they were heading west to Qinghuang Prefecture.
It must be said that the remote areas in the south were all struggling similarly.
Most of them were at the bottom of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s rankings.
But completing these inspections together saved Li Fan and his team from running around too much.
“Blood Sea Cave Heaven, who would’ve thought someone as good-natured as Zhang Haobo would have such a terrifying Nascent Soul Cave Heaven,” Xiao Heng took a deep breath.
Even though it wasn’t the first time he saw this scene, the sight of the boundless blood sea filled with murderous intent still made Xiao Heng’s heart race.
Blood waves surged, and countless blood-colored swords flew out from the sea.
Zhang Haobo pointed, and the swords howled towards the bronze door.
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
Explosions echoed continuously, and the bronze door and the entire space seemed to tremble.
After a while.
Zhang Haobo retracted his Blood Sea Cave Heaven.
Seeing the unchanged bronze door, he frowned and said, “It’s useless. The protection here isn’t something a Nascent Soul cultivator can break through.”
Even the usually hot-tempered Su Xiaomei didn’t argue.
She stood there, lost in thought.
Xiao Heng was also pondering solutions.
For a moment, an eerie silence enveloped the surroundings.
“I know!”
Suddenly, Su Xiaomei exclaimed.
“What do you know?” Xiao Heng looked at her curiously.
“The cauldron, the cauldron,” Su Xiaomei urged Xiao Heng.
“You still have a small cauldron left. Look at this door; it must be a mechanism like the barrier outside, recognizing allies and enemies.”
“Back then, disciples of the Medicine King Sect could enter by using their sect’s cultivation method.”
“We can’t do that. But we can trick it with the small Medicine King Cauldron like we did outside.”
Su Xiaomei said seriously.
Xiao Heng nodded at first.
Then his expression changed dramatically. He quickly backed away, face darkening, and shouted, “You’re not Su Xiaomei! Who are you?”
Su Xiaomei was stunned.
Then her face turned bright red.
“Xiao Heng! You’re courting death!”
A blazing sun appeared above her head.
Moments later.
Xiao Heng, bruised and swollen, solemnly apologized to Su Xiaomei.
“Xiaomei, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what? Do you think I’m that dumb?” Su Xiaomei snorted and turned away from him.
“Uh...” Knowing he was at fault, Xiao Heng felt awkward and didn’t know what to say.
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The Medicine King Sect cultivator was astonished to see Xiao Heng and the others address him respectfully as “senior”.
He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, “Fellow Daoists, why are you saying such things? Are you trying to make fun of me?”
“We are all Nascent Soul cultivators, we can address each other as equals,”
He said to Zhang Haobo and Su Xiaomei.
“Nascent Soul cultivators?”
Upon closer inspection, Xiao Heng and the others realized that the cultivator who had been asleep for thousands of years was indeed only at the Nascent Soul stage.
However, the feeling he gave off was vastly different from present-day Nascent Soul cultivators.
This was why they hadn’t been able to discern it initially.
Regardless, an ancient Nascent Soul cultivator surviving until now was no ordinary being.
Xiao Heng and the others didn’t let down their guard, pondering how to continue the conversation and extract some information.
They heard the other party, like a chatterbox, blurt out a lot of words in one go.
“My name is Linghu Chang, an inner disciple of the Medicine King Sect.”
“When I fell into the Xuanhuang Realm, I remember the Sect Master sealed the entire Medicine King Cauldron and sent out a distress signal to the outside world.”
“Fellow Daoists, you are able to enter the Medicine King Cauldron, so the rescue from the Ten Immortal Sects has arrived?”
“How are the other fellow disciples doing? Has the Sect Master awakened?”
Linghu Chang spoke, excitedly wanting to walk towards the open door.
But when he noticed the strange expressions on Xiao Heng and the others, he was startled.
“Could something have happened?”
After saying that, he rushed out of the room.
Seeing this, Xiao Heng and the others quickly followed.
“Hmm? What’s going on? Why is the ‘Great Dream Spring and Autumn’ Formation still running?”
“It’s just me who has awakened prematurely?”
“Where are the rescue cultivators from the Ten Immortal Sects?”
...
Linghu Chang’s voice, filled with doubt and confusion, echoed through the empty Medicine King Cauldron.
“The Gate of Life and Death has fallen? What happened to the Sect Master?”
“What on earth is going on?”
His voice was tinged with suppressed panic. After scanning the surroundings, he flew back to Xiao Heng and the others.
He stared at them and asked, “Who are you three, and how did you get into my sect’s Medicine King Cauldron?”
Xiao Heng pondered for a moment before saying slowly, “This matter is a bit complicated. Fellow Daoist, you might need to prepare yourself mentally.”
Linghu Chang narrowed his eyes and listened intently.
“Actually, Fellow Daoist, you have been asleep for thousands of years. The Medicine King Cauldron broke through and left this realm, that was an event from the ancient times...”
Before Xiao Heng could finish, Linghu Chang waved his hand to interrupt him.
He burst into laughter, “Nonsense! Do you think my Medicine King Sect’s ‘Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation’ is just for show? You can’t even tell how long someone has been sleeping?”
“You’re turning twenty-four years into thousands of years, if you want to deceive someone, at least make it sound plausible!”
Linghu Chang’s expression turned unpleasant. With a light clap, a gourd appeared in his hand.
“No wonder I felt something strange about you from the first moment I saw you. You are demonic cultivators, trying to deceive me.”
“Die!”
With Linghu Chang’s words, dozens of green rays instantly shot out from the gourd.
Sharp as blades, swift as lightning.
In an instant, they reached Xiao Heng and the others.
“Xiao Heng, be careful!” Zhang Haobo’s face turned pale, realizing that Linghu Chang was going to kill them without hesitation.
His Blood Sea Cave Heaven suddenly appeared above his head, blood waves rolled, and blood-colored light shot out, colliding head-on with the green rays.
“Boom, boom!”
Amidst the violent explosions, Linghu Chang glanced up at the endless Blood Sea above, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
However, he became even more convinced of his judgment.
He stood tall and righteous, roaring, “You are indeed demonic cultivators, surrender...”
Before he could finish, several voices, speaking in unison, came from all directions.
“You’re really annoying. Since just now, you’ve been saying all sorts of nonsensical things that nobody understands.”
“Are you still not awake from your long sleep?”
Linghu Chang looked up and saw that, unknowingly, many faceless blood figures had already surrounded him.
“It’s okay, we’ll help you wake up.”
The faceless blood figures tilted their heads, emitting strange laughter.
Then they vanished from their positions, simultaneously rushing towards Linghu Chang.
Linghu Chang’s heart tightened, but he didn’t panic.
He spat out a small Medicine King Cauldron, which hovered above his head.
Then, light poured down like a waterfall, forming a protective shield.
At the same time, he patted the gourd.
The green gourd revolved rapidly in the air, and willow leaf-like rays, sharp as knives, instantly poured out like a torrential rain.
They attacked Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo.
Xiao Heng knew that with his current strength, he couldn’t interfere in a battle between Nascent Soul cultivators.
If he forced himself into the fight, he would only be a burden.
So, he quietly retreated, wanting to stay away from the battlefield.
At that moment, he suddenly smelled an unusual fragrance.
Thinking of the other party’s title as a disciple of the Medicine King Sect, he couldn’t help but be startled.
“Be careful, this fragrance seems strange.”
He hurriedly sent a voice transmission to warn them, and at the same time, held his breath to resist the fragrance.
But this fragrance worked through some unknown means, and Xiao Heng couldn’t resist it at all.
The fragrance grew stronger and stronger, and Xiao Heng felt a wave of dizziness, even his body became weak.
In contrast, Zhang Haobo and Su Xiaomei only paused for a moment before returning to normal.
The willow leaf-like green rays from the gourd seemed endless, and the small Medicine King Cauldron’s protection was impenetrable.
Zhang and Su’s attacks only caused the cauldron to shake slightly, and they couldn’t break through its defense for the time being.
“Haobo, don’t hold back!” Su Xiaomei seemed to be enraged.
A blazing sun rose, leaping above the Blood Sea.
Countless blood faces, torn to shreds by the green rays from the gourd, instantly recombined into an angry face.
The grotesque giant face, illuminated by the blazing sun, suddenly ignited.
Emitting strange laughter, it crashed towards Linghu Chang, protected by the small Medicine King Cauldron.
Linghu Chang’s killing intent gradually rose again.
At that moment, he suddenly heard the other party say, “Oh, there’s a very simple way to verify it.”
“After the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth, Immortal Arts cannot be cultivated together.”
“If Fellow Daoist doesn’t believe me, you can try to cultivate your own techniques.”
“The result will be obvious.”
Linghu Chang felt absurd when he heard this.
It wasn’t like the legendary Longevity Fruit, where there was no reason why techniques couldn’t be cultivated together.
But hearing Xiao Heng’s sincerity, Linghu Chang, with a try-it-and-see attitude, started to circulate the Medicine King Sect’s true inheritance, the ‘Saving the World and Achieving Longevity Sutra’.
The next moment, he was completely dumbfounded.
After circulating the spiritual energy for several cycles, it was like doing useless work.
Not only was there no increase in cultivation, but a voice sounded in his mind.
“Saving the World and Achieving Longevity Sutra: Dao Integration Technique.”
“Current number of cultivators: 462.”
“What is this?”
His face turned pale, and beads of sweat began to drip from Linghu Chang’s forehead.
“No, no. I must be under some kind of illusion.”
He couldn’t believe it at all.
Taking several pills, Linghu Chang swallowed them whole.
Like he was possessed, he once again began to circulate his techniques.
Over and over again, after a hundred cycles.
Not only did his cultivation not change, but he felt a bit more uneasy in his heart.
He even had a strange sensation in his mind.
He could clearly sense the locations of the other 461 fellow disciples who were also cultivating the ‘Saving the World and Achieving Longevity Sutra’.
“Kill them! Kill them all!”
A thought suddenly arose in his mind.
But he immediately reacted and shivered.
“How could this be, how could this be...”
His current experience was beyond his previous understanding.
Although he didn’t want to admit it, Linghu Chang knew in his heart.
What those three people outside said was very likely true.
They had merely slept for a while, not even as long as a retreat.
But thousands of years had passed in the Xuanhuang Realm.
“But...”
“How could this be?”
In his fear, Linghu Chang fell into endless confusion.
Hearing that there was no sound from the room, Xiao Heng and the others walked in.
“Fellow Daoist, what we said, is it not true?” Xiao Heng asked softly.
Linghu Chang didn’t respond.
“Actually, we are also very curious about what happened to the Medicine King Sect back then.”
“Why don’t you tell us in detail, what happened after Liu Sect Master used the cauldron as a vessel and broke through to the void?”
“Perhaps by pooling our knowledge, we can figure out the reason for all this.”
Xiao Heng continued to persuade.
After a long silence.
Linghu Chang said in a confused voice, “Actually, I’m not quite sure what happened either.”
“It’s like I had a dream.”
“At that time, Liu Sect Master, with his great divine powers, broke through the shackles of the Xuanhuang Realm, controlling the Medicine King Cauldron and sailing towards the depths of the void.”
“The original plan was to find the rumored other cultivation realms, but...”
Linghu Chang paused, as if recalling the scene from back then.
“Not long after, alarms sounded from various parts of the cauldron.”
“It said that we were being drawn by an unknown force, and the direction of travel was out of control.”
“We were told to return to our respective rooms, prepare to enter the ‘Great Dream Spring and Autumn’ Formation and fall asleep.”
“Later, the Medicine King Cauldron shook more and more violently. Even the activation of the ‘Great Dream Spring and Autumn’ Formation was affected and failed.”
“Then...”
Linghu Chang narrowed his eyes.
“The Sect Master sent a voice transmission, saying that the plan to break through the realm had failed and we had to return to the Xuanhuang Realm.”
“The Medicine King Cauldron was severely damaged and could no longer be controlled.”
“In order to preserve ourselves, we used all the remaining power to protect ourselves.”
“We let the Medicine King Cauldron fall freely back to the Xuanhuang Realm.”
“After that, the important functions of the cauldron were shut down one after another, and the fellow disciples were forced to fall into slumber.”
“I was in the alchemy room refining pills at the time. When I got back to my room, the door hadn’t been fully closed yet.”
“The Medicine King Cauldron was shaking even more violently.”
“Amidst the intense tremors, I lost consciousness.”
“When I woke up...”
“I saw you.”
Linghu Chang said slowly.
Xiao Heng and Zhang Haobo exchanged glances, bewildered by this strange situation.
Su Xiaomei, however, spoke up, “No, according to your story, you were just outside the Xuanhuang Realm for a short time and were forced to return?”
Linghu Chang nodded, “That’s right.”
“You entered slumber after you were about to fall back into the Xuanhuang Realm?”
Su Xiaomei asked again.
“Yes.” Linghu Chang confirmed.
“Yes, yes!” Su Xiaomei’s voice suddenly grew louder.
“In our view, the Medicine King Cauldron has been outside the Xuanhuang Realm for thousands of years. It only returned here recently.”
“At that time, all the cultivators in the world could see the Medicine King Cauldron falling from the sky as a fireball.”
“That should have been twenty-four years ago.”
Having said that, Su Xiaomei froze.
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Chapter 404
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“So, counting from the moment you returned to the Xuanhuang Realm from your Medicine King Sect, the time is right. Twenty-four years.”
Xiao Heng immediately realized it.
“But Daoist Linghu clearly said that the Medicine King Cauldron only spent a short time outside the realm before returning. How could such a short time have passed thousands of years here?” Zhang Haobo frowned deeply.
“A thousand-fold difference in the flow of time? Is that really possible?”
No one present could answer this question, and they all fell silent.
“Perhaps there is a way to figure out what happened back then.” After a moment, Linghu Chang, as if remembering something, suddenly said.
“When it fell towards the Xuanhuang Realm, the Medicine King Cauldron exhausted all its energy and eventually fell into silence.”
“But you just said that you were able to enter here through the sensing of the little Medicine King Cauldron.”
He looked at Xiao Heng: “Normally, the connection between Medicine King Cauldrons is one-way. That is, only the holder of the True Medicine King Cauldron can sense the location of the other little Medicine King Cauldrons.”
“Holding the little Medicine King Cauldron, but being able to sense the location of the True Cauldron. This often only happens when the Sect Master summons nearby sect cultivators.”
“This means that either the Sect Master has also awakened. Or, after all these years, the Medicine King Cauldron has recovered its energy and started to execute its orders automatically, seeking help from the outside world.”
“In any case, we must go inside the 【Life and Death Gate】 to check on the Sect Master’s situation.”
Linghu Chang said in a deep voice.
“Life and Death Gate? Is it the gray stone gate at the end of the corridor? We tried, but we couldn’t open it.” Su Xiaomei replied.
“Of course. The Life and Death Gate falls, separating life and death. Even Dao Integration cultivators can’t shake it even a little. If you could destroy it, that would be a big problem.” Linghu Chang said nonchalantly.
“You have a way?” Su Xiaomei said, a little unconvinced.
“Hmph.” Linghu Chang snorted coldly without speaking.
He flew towards the depths of the passage.
Su Xiaomei, the three of them exchanged glances and followed closely behind.
Before long, they arrived in front of the gray stone gate.
They saw that Linghu Chang had already sat down cross-legged, with the little Medicine King Cauldron appearing above his head, releasing a protective light shield.
And the surrounding ground was also shimmering with golden light, with many symbols engraved on it.
He then took out a talisman and stuck it on his forehead.
Twenty-four golden needles circled around him.
Four jade plaques were placed in front and behind him.
After taking these defensive measures, Linghu Chang politely said to Xiao Heng and the others: “Please, Daoist friends, provide me with protection.”
“I don’t know what you are showing off for.” Su Xiaomei mumbled.
Time slowly passed in the waiting.
One day, two days...
Linghu Chang, who had entered the gate, seemed to have disappeared, completely out of contact.
“Could something have happened to him?”
Xiao Heng and the others couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
Until five days later, the Life and Death Gate suddenly opened.
The Nascent Soul returned.
After a moment, Linghu Chang’s body swayed slightly as he slowly stood up, his face filled with sadness.
“Daoist Linghu, what happened?” Zhang Haobo asked.
“Follow me.” Linghu Chang put away his protection and entered the stone gate.
The three of them thought for a moment, increased their vigilance, and followed in.
It was as if they had suddenly arrived in the endless void, with countless stars twinkling in the background in the distance.
“The Sect Master, a thousand years ago, in order to protect us, has already ascended.”
At this time, Linghu Chang’s voice came, filled with sorrow.
“This is the scene recorded by the Medicine King Cauldron back then.”
The scene around Xiao Heng and the others quickly moved from stillness.
Countless streams of light were stretched out, forming strange curves.
And below, a huge, hazy ball of light was moving away from them.
A sigh sounded.
“Xuanhuang Realm...”
Another old voice appeared: “Sect Master, you don’t need to feel guilty, a great calamity is about to come, we have no fault in escaping to seek a glimmer of hope.”
“Even so, the Xuanhuang Realm is after all our homeland...”
“The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. Our Medicine King Sect is nothing more than a small sect, we can’t even take care of ourselves, how can we still care about others. Dealing with the calamity and saving the Xuanhuang Realm is still left to the Ten Immortal Sects.” The old voice clearly had dissatisfaction with the Ten Immortal Sects.
“Old Huang... forget it, let’s not talk about this.” Liu Ruchun paused, but then brought up another matter.
“Speaking of which, the Ten Immortal Sects’ attitude this time is really a little strange. According to their usual way of doing things, hearing that we are going to flee as a whole sect, they would definitely come out to reprimand us. But I don’t know why, this time they didn’t stop us at all.”
Old Huang said nonchalantly: “When disaster strikes, everyone flies for themselves. There are more than just our Medicine King Sect who are fleeing. Maybe there are too many, they can’t manage them all.”
Liu Ruchun remained silent.
After a moment, Old Huang said excitedly again: “But outsiders will never think that we, the Medicine King Sect, have a 【Dao Mark】 of another cultivation realm.”
“Relying on the Dao Mark’s guidance, we can cross the endless void and go to a new world.”
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Chapter 405
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Hey Guys, Would you like to have a smaller tier ($5) on Patreon with 7 Advance chapters? Let me know your thoughts on this.
Also a small request, I hope you can read this novel on translator’s site (untoldchapters) and comment. Comments really motivates me to translate. Enjoy!
“Back then, our ancestor, with a selfless act, left behind a path for us...”
“Hmm?”
Liu Ruchun’s voice suddenly became filled with astonishment.
“What is it?” Huang Lao couldn’t help but ask.
“Strange, why has the trajectory of the Medicine King Cauldron deviated?” Liu Ruchun’s voice was filled with confusion. “Could it be that the Dao Marker’s sensing is malfunctioning?”
Moments later.
“The Medicine King Cauldron is functioning normally.”
“Then what exactly...”
Before Liu Ruchun could find an answer, Huang Lao’s panicked voice came through. for new novels
“Sect Master, something doesn’t feel right.”
“Why does it feel like we’re not moving forward, but upward?”
The surrounding scenery abruptly shifted.
Their perspective continuously narrowed. Xiao Heng and the others saw that shortly after leaving the Xuanhuang Realm, the Medicine King Cauldron, which had been flying straight ahead, inexplicably changed its course.
As if something above was attracting it.
The Medicine King Cauldron traced a curve in the dark void.
Helplessly, it slowly drifted upwards.
Its speed grew increasingly faster.
There wasn’t a single star in sight, only endless darkness.
Yet, at that moment, it felt like a ferocious beast, opening its maw, waiting for its prey to arrive.
Liu Ruchun’s heart turned ice-cold.
Gazing at the luminous cloud below, representing the Xuanhuang Realm, which was growing smaller and smaller, he felt as if he saw a mocking gaze coming from it.
In that instant, Liu Ruchun understood everything.
Why did the Ten Immortal Sects know they were trying to escape, yet didn’t stop them?
Because they already knew.
There was no way to escape.
“Ten Immortal Sects...” Liu Ruchun gritted his teeth.
The Medicine King Cauldron’s speed had already surpassed its limit, causing it to violently shake.
“Sect Master!”
Creaking sounds echoed from all directions. Huang Lao’s voice was filled with panic.
Just a few breaths later.
“Sect Master, you...”
First, Huang Lao let out an incredulous scream.
“Disciples of the Medicine King Sect, listen to my orders...”
Following that, Liu Ruchun began issuing commands to the disciples within the Medicine King Cauldron.
Linghu Chang’s voice was low, as he spoke slowly.
“And the Ten Immortal Sects back then, knowing this truth, watched as we were sent to our deaths, without offering any warning...”
Linghu Chang clenched his fists, his nails digging into his flesh.
“Immortal Ruins...” Xiao Heng and the others muttered, their hearts filled with indescribable terror.
“We... will this world be completely sucked up?” Su Xiaomei opened her mouth, asking with confusion.
Linghu Chang let out a cold laugh. “Back then, the Ten Immortal Sects were still engaged in open and covert struggles, constantly conflicting.”
“But suddenly, from a certain point, they became incredibly united, speaking with one voice.”
“I suppose the Xuanhuang Realm being able to survive until now is thanks to their efforts back then.”
Xiao Heng and the others felt slightly relieved upon hearing this.
However, the lingering sense of unease in their hearts couldn’t be easily dispelled.
...
Just as Xiao Heng and the others finally became aware of the Xuanhuang Realm’s true predicament, Li Fan, who was still oblivious to all this, had completed the final inspection of the Soul-Locking Array in the last province.
The Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array was about to completely cover the entire realm, and all the array masters who had participated in its construction received invitations from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters.
“Go to Tianling Province to witness the Soul-Locking Array’s debut?”
“What does this mean?”
Li Fan looked at the black and gold jade-like invitation in his hand and asked Huangfu Song.
“Perhaps it has something to do with the void in Tianling Province,” Huangfu Song whispered.
“Anyway, it’s almost certain that the Five Elders Association will start another war.”
“So, the Alliance decided to take advantage of the Soul-Locking Array’s debut and give them a severe lesson.”
Li Fan nodded slowly upon hearing this.
Looking at the jade token, for some reason, a sense of unease suddenly welled up in his heart.
“Let’s go, many people have already arrived.”
“We can’t miss such a grand event.”
Huangfu Song piloted the Dust Crossing Boat towards Yanghua Immortal City.
Then, they used the teleportation array to continuously travel towards Tianling Province.
On the way, Li Fan suddenly stopped.
“Senior Huangfu, you go ahead.”
“I have something to do and need to go to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters first.”
After a moment, Li Fan said to Huangfu Song.
He also gave him a “you know what I mean” look.
“Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters?” Huangfu Song was surprised, but quickly understood.
“Then congratulations to you, my friend!”
Looking at Li Fan with envy, Huangfu Song shook his head silently and left first.
After Huangfu Song left, Li Fan’s expression remained unchanged.
But in his heart, he was recalling the message that Lu Xuejing had just sent him.
“Danger.”
“It seems my premonition was right, there is indeed something wrong with Tianling Province.”
Li Fan secretly made plans.
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Chapter 406
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Lu Xuejing was not aware of the specific dangers that awaited her in Tianling Province.
It was only during her conversation with her mother, Lu Xi Chan, that she noticed a subtle sense of unease in her mother’s cold demeanor when mentioning matters related to Tianling Province.
In the past, whenever Lu Chief displayed such an expression, it signified an impending storm of bloodshed.
“Could it be that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is about to get rid of us after we’ve served our purpose?”
Li Fan felt a tinge of doubt in his heart.
If this were indeed the case, it seemed rather too hasty.
After the completion of the Locking Spirit Array, wouldn’t they even bother with a pretense of rewarding us? Or were there hidden motives at play?
“Regardless, Tianling Province is not a place I can go to.”
“Based on the power I witnessed in the Five Elements Great Subworld, the might of the Locking Spirit Array must surpass even Dao Integration.”
“With the situation unclear, it would be unwise to risk my life.”
“Besides, to understand what’s happening in Tianling Province, there’s no need for me to go myself.”
Li Fan’s eyes flickered with a subtle gleam as he settled down in the Transmission Plaza.
This was the mandatory transit point for anyone traveling to Tianling Province.
Most of the invited array masters would pass through here.
Sure enough, not long after, Li Fan spotted a suitable target from afar.
Le Wan, a Golden Core array master and one of the participants in the Locking Spirit Array competition.
Unaware of Li Fan’s hidden presence, Le Wan hurriedly activated the transmission array, intending to reach his destination.
Before he could leave, Formless Killing Intent had already silently locked onto him.
Li Fan trailed behind, maintaining the maximum distance required for Formless Killing Intent to remain active.
After half a day, Le Wan arrived at Tianling Province.
From afar, he saw a colossal Dust Crossing Boat suspended in the sky.
Cultivators were constantly flying towards it from all directions.
Le Wan’s face lit up with excitement as he flew forward, soon reaching the edge of the Dust Crossing Boat.
Holding a black-gold invitation, a beam of light swept across his body.
Le Wan was granted access through the protective barrier and landed on the Dust Crossing Boat.
“Le Daoist!”
As soon as he landed, acquaintances greeted him warmly.
Le Wan responded in kind.
The boat was already bustling with cultivators, mostly familiar faces.
Besides the contestants of the array competition, many first-rate construction and support personnel who had made significant contributions to the widespread use of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array were also invited aboard the Dust Crossing Boat.
“Everyone, be at ease. This must be a strategy to lure them in.”
...
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s inaction in the face of the Five Elders Association’s invasion caused an uproar among the cultivators on the Dust Crossing Boat.
However, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance did not disappoint them.
Soon, the Locking Spirit Array in the sky began to act. Among the thousands of beams of light that were locking onto the Five Elders Association cultivators, streaks of golden light suddenly appeared.
The golden light was extremely thin. It flowed down from the sky along the beams, like sharp flying swords, ready to behead the Five Elders Association cultivators.
However, the Five Elders Association cultivators remained calm.
Just as the golden light was about to reach their heads, it abruptly stopped, suspended in mid-air.
The golden light flared up, emitting a disgruntled hum as it struggled to break free from its constraints.
But on the battlefield, it was as if an invisible giant hand was holding it down, preventing it from moving.
The golden light was rendered immobile.
“This...”
The Dust Crossing Boat fell silent in an instant.
The young array masters, witnessing the Locking Spirit Array’s attack being effortlessly blocked, all wore expressions of disbelief.
Some cultivators, as if realizing something, suddenly turned pale, their eyes darting around in panic.
They seemed ready to flee the scene.
At that moment, a deep voice echoed across the battlefield.
“Heavenly Venerate, please retreat.”
“According to our agreement, you should not be here.”
As the words rang out, Ji Hong Dao’s figure gradually emerged, standing before the Five Elders Association cultivators.
“Oh?”
A silver bell-like laughter echoed across the heavens.
“Is there anywhere in this world I cannot go?”
Only the voice could be heard, not the speaker. But all the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators on the scene were filled with fear.
“Longevity...”
“Heavenly Venerate?”
The thousands of Five Elders Association cultivators, however, showed no change in expression. It was as if they had known all along that the Longevity Venerate would appear.
They all wore the same expression, cold and emotionless, as they gazed ahead.
Li Fan, who was observing this scene from afar using the perspective of the heavens, was shaken to his core.
“That voice is...”
“Zhao Shijie?”
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Chapter 407
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Li Fan, who had once had a close encounter with Zhao Shijie in forbidden literature, instantly recognized her voice.
“【One Heart Heavenly Venerate】, is that her name? Or does it represent her defiance of the laws of heaven and earth?”
“Why would she show herself?”
Several thoughts flashed through Li Fan’s mind in a split second.
Just as Li Fan was filled with uncertainty, the One Heart Heavenly Venerate’s voice rang out again.
“The agreement was made with the Law-Bestowing Heavenly Venerate.”
“Now I am here, where is the Law-Bestowing Heavenly Venerate?”
The voice was clear and spread throughout the heavens and earth.
All the cultivators in the Tianling Province looked at each other in astonishment.
Most of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance members knew that the Law-Bestowing Heavenly Venerate had long since transcended the world, no longer interfering with worldly affairs.
But everyone assumed that the Law-Bestowing Heavenly Venerate was simply living a carefree life, too lazy to bother with these mundane matters.
That was why he hadn’t appeared for so many years.
And he was undoubtedly still alive in the world.
But what did the One Heart Heavenly Venerate mean by her words today?
“Where is the Law-Bestowing Heavenly Venerate?”
A terrifying thought arose in the minds of everyone present.
“No, no, it can’t be.”
Everyone’s eyes were filled with suppressed fear.
“Where is the Law-Bestowing Heavenly Venerate?”
The One Heart Heavenly Venerate asked again.
Her voice was like thunder, echoing through the Tianling Province.
It had the tendency to cross the white mist barrier and spread to other provinces.
In the sky, strands of green light appeared, like a giant net.
They blocked the sound.
The One Heart Heavenly Venerate’s voice gradually faded.
“【One Heart Heavenly Venerate】, please leave.” Ji Hongdao said again.
His face was as cold as ice, devoid of any expression.
“If I don’t leave, what will you do?” Zhao Shijie’s voice, laced with amusement, rang out.
The thousands of Five Elders Association cultivators below all took a step forward in unison.
Ji Hongdao took a deep breath, “After the achieving Heavenly Venerate, she should no longer participate in the disputes of the mundane world.”
“This is the agreement between the Law-Bestowing Heavenly Venerate and the Five Elders Association Heavenly Venerates of that time.”
“Are you truly going to break it now?”
“Boom!” The thousands of Five Elders Association cultivators, who had formed a battle formation, took another step forward in unison.
It showed the One Heart Heavenly Venerate’s determination.
“Very well.”
“If that’s the case...”
A flicker of hesitation crossed Ji Hongdao’s eyes.
But he quickly suppressed it.
His eyes now reflected an icy coldness and unwavering determination
Ji Hongdao looked up at the sky, bowing and bending his body.
One after another, green lines appeared in the sky.
They rapidly spread from the center to the surroundings, forming a giant net that enveloped the entire Tianling Province in an instant.
Both were shaking.
His heart pounded rapidly, as if he had encountered a fatal threat.
Li Fan abruptly stood up, his face grave as he looked towards the heavens.
“This is...”
A meaningless roar echoed faintly from the sky.
The entire world trembled slightly.
At this moment, all the living beings in the Xuanhuang Realm.
All instinctively raised their heads, gazing at the sky.
Great fear was born in their hearts.
The feeling of doomsday approaching, with nowhere to escape, surged through all living beings.
The trembling lasted for a long time before finally stopping.
All living beings showed expressions of relief, as if they had survived a catastrophe.
But they were clueless about what had happened.
The Tianling Province.
Before the survivors had recovered.
“【One Heart Heavenly Venerate】, please leave.” Ji Hongdao said again.
After a long silence.
“Hahaha...”
“Haha...”
“Interesting. Whose idea was this?”
“Staying in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is truly a waste of your talents. Why don’t you join me instead!”
Zhao Shijie chuckled, revealing her figure, asking with amusement.
She looked exactly like the image Li Fan had seen in the forbidden book.
And she was exactly as depicted in the legends.
She wore a white robe, her figure alluring.
Ji Hongdao closed his eyes, not daring to look directly at her.
“Please leave, Heavenly Venerate!”
Cold sweat streamed down his forehead, but he remained resolute.
Zhao Shijie stared at him for a moment.
Then she looked up at the sky.
“You have some nerve.”
Before her voice had faded, she had vanished.
The instant the One Heart Heavenly Venerate disappeared.
The thousands of golden rays of light that had been suspended in the air, blocked by her, fell to the ground.
They killed all the Five Elders Association cultivators who had come to invade.
Strangely, these cultivators showed no fear in the face of death.
And there were no signs of cultivators falling from the heavens.
“【One Heart Heavenly Venerate】...”
Ji Hongdao looked in the direction where Zhao Shijie had left, muttering for a moment.
Then he turned around, his expressionless face facing the formation masters on the Dust Crossing Boat.
“Let’s go.”
“The feast is over. It’s time to have a good talk with you.”
Chapter 408
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Chapter 408
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“This world... there’s something wrong.”
In the Tianling Province, after Ji Hongdao departed with the massive Dust Crossing Boat, Li Fan lost the sensation of the Formless Killing Intent.
It didn’t matter, as his initial goal had been achieved. He successfully learned of everything that had happened in the Tianling Province.
As he recalled the events he had witnessed, many questions arose in his mind.
The disappearance of the Heavenly Venerate and the probing action of the One-Heart Venerate were still within the realm of logic.
However, what happened afterward was completely baffling.
“Ji Hongdao activated the Locking Spirit Array, instantly killing all cultivators in the province.”
“This was a declaration. It demonstrates that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, under the coverage of the Locking Spirit Array, possesses the power to annihilate the vast majority of cultivators in an instant.”
“This serves as a threat, demanding that Zhao Shijie retreat.”
“And as the Longevity Venerate, she actually just left.”
“Would a Longevity Realm being care so much about the lives of ants? After transcendence, shouldn’t it be ‘Your life or death is none of my concern’?”
Suddenly, Li Fan recalled his enlightenment from years ago.
“The number of cultivators cannot be too few....”
“It seems that ensuring the existence of a certain number of cultivators is even more important to the Longevity Venerate than I imagined.”
“But why?”
What bothered him even more was the strange phenomenon that occurred in the Xuanhuang Realm after the cultivators of the Tianling Province died instantly.
It was as if the end of the world was approaching, with the entire world trembling.
All living beings in the world felt a nameless fear.
Even Li Fan, who possessed the 【Truth】 and could rewind time at any moment, was no exception.
The contradiction between the Xuanhuang Realm and cultivators was so sharp that it seemed impossible to reconcile.
Logically speaking, the more cultivators died, the better it should be for the world.
Now it seemed that this was not the case at all.
What was the reason for this?
He pondered repeatedly, but due to the lack of clues, Li Fan couldn’t find a reasonable answer at the moment.
He thought back to the 【One-Heart Venerate】 he had seen.
This was the first time he had witnessed the existence of a Longevity Realm strongman with his own eyes.
She effortlessly blocked the attack of the Spirit Locking Array.
Ji Hongdao, a Dao Integration powerhouse, didn’t even dare to look at her directly.
Indeed, she was unfathomably strong.
“One-Heart, should be similar to 【Transmission】, representing the Dao that Zhao Shijie has reversed.”
“What is One-Heart?”
Li Fan frowned.
“One-Heart implies focused attention, unity of hearts.”
This was one of the benefits of his current level 30 derivation authority.
Soon, his application was approved, allowing him to choose the time of his visit within a year.
Li Fan immediately chose to visit right away.
After receiving the message that a 【Guide】 would be coming to pick him up shortly and that he should wait patiently in the Heavenly Judgment City,
Li Fan breathed a sigh of relief.
He wasn’t actually in the mood to visit the various treasures preserved in the Museum of Divine Treasures at the end of his life.
Instead, he was looking for a safe place to take refuge.
Although Ji Hongdao hadn’t been ruthless in the Tianling Province and had spared the lives of those young formation masters,
after witnessing the slaughter of all cultivators in the province and knowing the secret structure of the Spirit Locking Array,
their fate wouldn’t be good.
And those formation masters who hadn’t been present for various reasons would undoubtedly be eliminated one by one.
Li Fan could directly rewind time.
But he still needed some time to wrap things up in this life.
At the very least, he had to wait until Xiao Heng and the others came out of the True King’s Divine Cauldron.
For Li Fan at this moment, there was no place safer in the world than the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Firstly, the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had its own defense mechanisms, and Ji Hongdao and the others would likely not make a move directly inside.
Secondly, it would create a false impression.
I’m already at the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, practically a sitting duck. Are you afraid of me running away?
This would undoubtedly make Ji Hongdao and the others relax their vigilance and eliminate the remaining targets first.
Then they would deal with Li Fan.
....
While Li Fan waited for the 【Guide】,
in the True King’s Divine Cauldron, within the Abyss of Roars,
Xiao Heng and the others were helping Linghu Chang open one sealed room after another.
They took out the corpses inside and buried them.
Back then, Liu Ruchen, in order to save the True King’s Divine Cauldron from falling into the 【Immortal Ruins】, had not only sacrificed himself and Elder Huang.
He had also used the lives of hundreds of disciples who had fallen into a deep slumber as fuel.
This was how he pulled the True King’s Divine Cauldron out of the abyss.
Looking at the shriveled corpses of his former fellow disciples, Linghu Chang’s face was filled with uncontrollable grief.
He took all the valuable items from their bodies.
After burning the corpses, Linghu Chang said solemnly, “I will rebuild the True King Sect.”
Xiao Heng and the others exchanged glances and couldn’t help but say, “Fellow Daoist Linghu Chang, times have changed....”
Linghu Chang raised his hand to interrupt him, “I know. Nowadays, the Dao cannot be cultivated together.”
“So for now, those fellow disciples and senior members of the sect who are still asleep and practice the same cultivation method as me, I won’t wake them up.”
Chapter 409-410
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“As far as I know, apart from our sect’s fundamental technique, the ‘Ji Shi Longevity Scripture,’ there were several senior brothers who practiced other techniques back then.”
“If I awaken them in advance, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Wait until I gather enough techniques...”
Linghu Chang muttered to himself, but he noticed strange looks from Xiao Heng and the others.
He couldn’t help but stop and asked, “What’s wrong, Friend Xiao? Is there something wrong with my plan?”
Xiao Heng sighed, “Friend Linghu, I’m afraid the current situation in the cultivation world is not as simple as you imagine.”
Xiao Heng then explained the rough situation of the two colossal entities, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders’ Association, which almost monopolized all techniques in the world.
Linghu Chang’s complexion instantly turned extremely pale.
“How could this be?”
If these people weren’t lying, then the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders’ Association were terrifying entities even more formidable than the ten major sects of the Immortal Dao in the past.
Su Xiaomei hurriedly added, “The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is not a group of good people. If they learn about the current situation of your Medicine King Sect, they won’t spare you for the sake of treasures and techniques.”
Zhang Haobo also nodded, “The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s control over techniques is truly formidable. Especially the ancient technique you, Friend Linghu, are cultivating, it’s undoubtedly exceptional. It shouldn’t be a problem to reach the Dao Integration. With the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s style, they won’t let such a true technique remain outside. Once they get wind of it, they will definitely send Law Protectors to recover it.”
The three of them vividly described the terror of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance according to their own impressions.
Although Linghu Chang didn’t fully believe it, he understood the principle that innocent people shouldn’t be blamed for the sins of the guilty.
Joining the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and handing over the lives of hundreds of sleeping senior brothers to others was something he couldn’t do, entrusted by Lian Ruchen in his dying moments.
After thinking about it, he solemnly bowed to Xiao Heng and the others.
“I’ve been away from the Xuanhuang Realm for thousands of years, and the changes in the world are unfamiliar to me in many aspects. For the sake of the future well-being of my Medicine King Sect, I will trouble you all for assistance.”
Xiao Heng repeatedly said it was his duty.
After dealing with the matters inside the cauldron, Linghu Chang and the three others flew out from the Medicine King Cauldron.
Linghu Chang put away the Medicine King Cauldron.
Then, they planned to return to Shilin State along the same route.
Throughout the journey, everyone flew discreetly.
Seeing the magnificent heavenly cities along the way and the numerous cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance within, Linghu Chang became more convinced of his judgment, becoming more cautious.
...
Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance Headquarters.
Museum of Divine Treasures.
Guided by the attendant, Li Fan had already arrived at this magnificent building.
At this moment, his steps in the tour slightly paused.
The guide looked at him somewhat puzzled.
“Is there a place to rest here?”
Li Fan said with some apology.
A guide in black clothes looked at Li Fan, who was white-haired and looked old, with an understanding expression.
Then, he led him to a closed space.
Although simple in decoration, it had all the necessary furniture.
“You can rest here. If you want to visit again, just contact me through this jade card, marked with the year ‘Bing Yin.'”
Handing the jade card engraved with the words ‘Bing Yin’ to Li Fan, the guide quietly left.
Li Fan took a deep breath, digesting the information transmitted from Xiao Heng and the others.
“Immortal Ruin?”
His eyes narrowed.
“Extremely attractive, devouring everything.”
“Even capable of distorting time and space. Approaching it, a moment could be equivalent to a thousand years.”
“What is this...”
“A black hole?”
“Or rather, a force very similar to a black hole.”
“Does the mysterious existence above Yuandao Province have any connection with the Immortal Ruin?”
While Li Fan was organizing the information, he suddenly froze.
“Wait a moment, the Immortal Ruin, the Xuanhuang Realm below that can be attracted and devoured at any time.”
“As well as the anomalies in the Xuanhuang Realm after the death of cultivators.”
...
In an instant, combining the observations from Tianling Province
All the clues formed a line.
A logically consistent conclusion appeared in Li Fan’s mind.
Enough to rationally and completely unravel the doubts in Li Fan’s mind.
“To avoid the fate of the entire Xuanhuang Realm being swallowed by the Immortal Ruin above, it needs to maintain a certain ‘weight’ itself.”
“And cultivators are also a crucial part of this ‘weight’...”
“When numerous cultivators die, the Xuanhuang Realm becomes lighter.”
“It’s a bit terrifying to think about, but it’s become commonplace in the Xuanhuang Realm.”
Li Fan recalled the scene recorded by the Medicine King Cauldron when it broke through the world’s barriers.
Leaving the protection of the world, the Medicine King Cauldron, attempting to cross the void, was like a moth drawn to a flame, inevitably falling towards the Immortal Ruins.
“Immortal Ruins...”
The greatest fear is the fear of the unknown.
Why did the ancient Immortal Realm passage become the devouring entity it is now?
Does the former Immortal Realm still exist?
If the Immortal Realm no longer exists, what caused its destruction?
The more he thought about it, the more instinctive fear surged within Li Fan.
After a moment, Li Fan took a deep breath and suppressed his myriad thoughts.
These were still too distant for him right now.
At the very least, he would need to consider these issues after achieving the Longevity Immortal Sage.
Putting these thoughts aside, Li Fan pondered his own situation.
“Although the world I’ve transmigrated to is on the verge of destruction at all times.”
“But if you think about it, this situation is actually better for me.”
“After all, even the lofty Longevity Realm cultivators are essentially no different from ordinary beings in the Xuanhuang Realm, just grasshoppers on the same boat.”
“On this sinking ship of the Xuanhuang Realm, even the Longevity Immortal Sages have to be cautious in their actions. They can’t be completely reckless.”
“If it were a world completely controlled by such powerful beings, where they could refine and obliterate all living beings within the world with a single thought without any burden, then that would be truly hopeless. Even with the help of the ‘Truth’, there would be nothing but helplessness.”
“It’s fortunate amidst misfortune!”
Li Fan thought this, and his heart gradually calmed down.
“The Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation is equivalent to the ‘nuclear deterrent’ that existed in my previous world.”
“Before the Five Elders Association finds a way to break it, large-scale wars are unlikely to occur. There might only be occasional small-scale skirmishes.”
“But it does confirm the disappearance of the Heavenly Venerate. It’s hard to say what the future holds.”
Li Fan summoned the ‘Truth’ interface.
“Biological Age: 884/899.”
“As the saying goes, you can see further from a higher vantage point. In the past, I could only live for a maximum of 50 years before being forced to return to ‘Truth’. 50 years of foresight was enough for ordinary people. But in this unpredictable Xuanhuang Realm, it’s not enough.”
“Perhaps in a certain life, I could try doing nothing and just observe the changes in the Xuanhuang Realm. With the passage of time, I might find more valuable information.”
...
With his thoughts sorted, to avoid suspicion, Li Fan took out the jade token given to him by the guide Bing Yin and resumed his tour of the Museum of Divine Treasures.
In fact, at this point in his current life, Li Fan could have simply returned to ‘Truth’. However, the Museum of Divine Treasures was a significant location for the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, and it was not easy to visit.
Since he was here, it wouldn’t hurt to expand his knowledge. Li Fan had been very interested in the head of the first cultivator infected by the Immortal Mortal Miasma, located in the center of the Museum.
According to the guide Bing Yin, the Museum of Divine Treasures was divided into several areas based on the nature of the exhibits.
The area Li Fan was currently in was the first area that all cultivators visiting the Museum had to see.
The ‘Golden Age’.
“What is this?” Li Fan asked, intrigued, as he looked at the giant ball of light floating before him.
The ball of light was composed of several areas displaying different scenes. The images flashed at an incredibly fast pace, only allowing one to vaguely make out the fleeting glimpses within.
Not only were there buildings of various styles, but also many figures flashing through them.
However, it was clear that the different areas had distinct landscape styles.
“This is the ‘Age’,” Bing Yin explained dutifully to Li Fan.
“It’s a concrete manifestation of various periods in the history of the Xuanhuang Realm, derived from a Dao Integration Stone as its core.”
“This desolate wasteland, covered in ruins, is the former Wasteland Age.”
“This area, filled with blood and killing intent, is the Great Darkness Age.”
“Here, where many figures flash by, is the Great Plague Age. Hmm, it seems to be simulating the period of the Great Migration, when cultivators forcibly relocated ordinary people.”
As Bing Yin spoke, the areas of the Age that were mentioned would enlarge, allowing Li Fan to vaguely see the details changing rapidly within.
“Dao Integration Stone...” Li Fan stared at the ball of light for a while, then asked, “What exactly is the so-called Golden Age?”
Bing Yin smiled, “The Dao Integration Stone is a peculiar object from the ancient Tai Yan Sect, with the ability to derive Heavenly Secrets and predict the future.”
“The results it derives are indistinguishable from reality, extremely illusory and nearly real.”
“Perhaps for us outsiders, the various different time periods simulated within the ‘Age’ are simply illusory existences.”
“But for the countless living beings within, everything they experience is undeniably real.”
“And when we project a strand of our divine sense, or even a portion of our Nascent Soul into it, we can personally experience these events that once truly occurred in history.”
Bing Yin first explained the background of the ‘Age’ before continuing, “We once conducted an experiment with one million blank Nascent Souls that had their memories erased.”
“We sent them into different periods, simulating for five hundred years, and then tallied the final results, ranking them.”
“And our age, the age controlled by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, undeniably ranks first.”
“Whether it’s the survival rate of cultivators or the overall cultivation level of cultivators, it surpasses all other periods.”
“The name Golden Age is well-deserved!”
Bing Yin said proudly.
Chapter 413
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“Hurry and devour this Eternal Remnant, then Truth, run!”
“To be placed in the center of the Museum of Divine Treasures, this skull must be extraordinary. Quickly devour its remnant, you will surely uncover the secrets it holds!”
“Act quickly!”
“Take it and leave, no one can stop you!”
...
Amidst Truth’s increasingly urgent urging, thoughts arose one after another, surging within Li Fan’s mind. They whispered in his ear, constantly tempting him.
For a moment, Li Fan was truly on the verge of succumbing, about to act. But ultimately, with immense willpower, he forcibly suppressed this urge.
He recalled the scene when he absorbed Tian Yang Zhenren’s Eternal Remnant. First, he felt the surrounding space becoming somewhat illusory. Then, Tian Yang’s skeletal remains were decomposed into a brilliant white light, gradually absorbed by him. His mind was jolted violently, and he lost consciousness. After seemingly experiencing Tian Yang’s long life firsthand, Truth’s prompt finally arrived. Finally, the Eternal Remnant was fully absorbed.
Based on his experiences, Li Fan quickly made his judgment. Absorbing an Eternal Remnant would cause a considerable commotion. Not only would it result in the disappearance of the remnant’s host, but the white light representing the Eternal Remnant would also precisely mark Li Fan, the culprit, as the one who absorbed it.
Li Fan found the other’s words familiar. “He is a symbol of longevity and wisdom. We revere him as Emperor San, the Immortal Sage.” Bing Yin said slowly.
Li Fan’s expression shifted slightly, he thought to himself, “Emperor San...貘 (貘, Mo, a mythical beast)?”
Bing Yin, however, didn’t notice Li Fan’s change, continuing to extol the virtues of the old Curator, how learned and wise he was. After they arrived at the rest room, he was still somewhat reluctant to stop. But seeing Li Fan’s poor physical condition, he wisely refrained. “Rest assured and relax here.”
“The Museum of Divine Treasures is vast, you won’t be able to see it all in a short time.” “This is a dedicated resting place for visitors, don’t worry about being disturbed.” Bing Yin gave his instructions and, seeing Li Fan gradually recover, left behind the control jade token and departed.
Li Fan manipulated the jade token, activating the restriction to completely seal the rest room. Deep within the secret chamber, the strange skull also disappeared from his perception, his trembling body finally calming down. It felt like the aftermath of a great battle, Li Fan felt his body drained.
His already aging body was now even worse. “Eternal Remnant...” Li Fan, now calm, pondered the reason behind Truth’s unusual behavior. Humans feel hungry because they need to eat to replenish the energy necessary for survival. But Truth actually had a desire to eat. This could only mean that something useful to Truth could be obtained from the Eternal Remnant.
Let’s set aside the skull in the Museum of Divine Treasures for now. What in Tian Yang Zhenren’s remnant would Truth need?
“Special: Eternal Remnant (Tian Yang) (Usable times: 1)”
Li Fan looked at the information on Truth’s panel and made a decision. He took out materials from his storage ring and set up a ritual to enter the Fallen Immortal Realm, using it as a diversion. Then, Li Fan consumed the last use of the Eternal Remnant, activating Truth’s mimicry function. After a bout of dizziness, a voice rang in Li Fan’s ears: “Tian Yang, it’s time for your medicine...” The voice of his master, Guang yangzi, echoed in Li Fan’s ears.
Chapter 414
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After swallowing the medicine, Li Fan felt a little more energized.
Using the medicinal effect as a springboard, he activated a trace of hidden power within his body.
“Pu!”
He coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood, which startled his master, Guang Yangzi.
At the same time, the Creation Forge Art began to circulate.
Guang yangzi hurriedly went back to prepare more medicinal herbs for Li Fan.
Li Fan, taking advantage of this opportunity, carefully examined his physical condition.
Recalling the relevant case records in the Heavenly Doctor’s Immortal Scripture, he pondered countermeasures.
His body was incredibly weak, and after only a short while, he felt dizzy and lightheaded.
He had no choice but to clear his mind and rest.
Once he regained a bit of strength, he continued to contemplate.
This went on for three days.
Li Fan, drawing on the Heavenly Doctor’s Immortal Scripture, modified the prescription he had taken during the second stage of his “擬化” (Imitation).
After much persuasion, he finally convinced Guang yangzi to change the medicine.
The new prescription proved to be exceptionally effective.
Coupled with the Creation Forge Art continuously improving his physique, within two months, Li Fan was able to walk with difficulty.
“Little Junior Brother, you are truly amazing! The prescription actually worked! How did you know about it?” His second senior brother, Lingxiao, asked as he helped Li Fan to his feet.
“It just appeared in my mind!” Li Fan said with wide eyes, filled with innocence.
“Little Junior Brother is extraordinary! Perhaps he is the hope for the revival of our Body Transformation Dao!” Their third senior brother, Lian chang, couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
Li Fan chuckled foolishly.
“The first step has been successful.
The key now is to become stronger than Senior Brother Si Xing within the next six years, before the arrival of the Summoning Immortal Order.
To replace him in the war and prevent him from witnessing the tragic sight of the Body Transformation Dao disciples dying one after another.
This is the obsession of Tian Yang.” Li Fan thought to himself.
“Senior Brother Si Xing is at the Golden Core stage. To surpass him within six years, relying on conventional cultivation would be a fool’s dream.
I have to find another way.” Li Fan’s eyes flickered.
One day, he privately approached his master, Guang Yangzi.
“Self Body Transformation?” Guang Yangzi’s expression changed drastically when confronted with his junior disciple’s question.
“Where did you hear that? Did Lingxiao, that little rascal, start spreading rumors again?” Guang Yangzi fumed, his beard bristling and his eyes narrowed.
“Master, I came up with it myself,” Li Fan said earnestly.
“The Body Transformation Dao’s cultivation technique, “Transforming into Others at Will,” is extraordinary in its ability to utilize external objects.
But I suddenly wondered, what exactly constitutes an external object?
Senior Brother’s sword, Second Senior Brother’s brush, Third Senior Brother’s bell, these are all external objects.
So, can this frail body of mine be considered an external object?
Through continuous refinement with the technique, the “Transformed Objects” of my senior brothers become increasingly powerful. If I can treat my own body as a “Transformed Object,” wouldn’t that mean I can change my physique?
I won’t be as weak as I am now.” Li Fan stated each word clearly.
Guang Yangzi’s expression also shifted continuously.
After a long silence, he sighed.
“Tian Yang, you are truly a genius! At such a young age, you have such insight. You are truly...”
Guang Yangzi stroked Tian Yang’s head, his voice filled with a hint of relief. “Having a disciple like you, our Body Transformation Dao will surely prosper!”
“Indeed, cultivating the “Transforming into Others at Will” technique can achieve “Self Body Transformation.”
But...” Guang Yangzi’s expression suddenly turned serious as he looked at Li Fan, his voice heavy. “However, my disciple, you must never try it.”
Li Fan tilted his head up to look at his master, his young face filled with confusion. “Why, Master?”
Guang Yangzi’s expression seemed to wander, as if lost in thought for a moment. Then, he explained to Li Fan, “The most important aspect of “Transforming into Others at Will” is “Unification of Self and Object.”
“Self Body Transformation, in theory, is indeed feasible. It’s the most perfect choice of the technique.
But...”
Guang Yangzi sighed.
“It’s too difficult! Too difficult!”
“Compared to ordinary objects, the human body is incredibly complex.
Objects can be continuously experimented with to achieve a higher degree of compatibility with the self. If mistakes occur during cultivation, only the transformed object is damaged.
But with Self Body Transformation, you must constantly use your own physical body as the experimental ground.
The slightest error will result in serious injury.
Physical damage is one thing. The most terrifying aspect is the damage to the spirit.
Guang Yangzi’s eyes flashed with a hint of sadness. “Once, I had a brilliant senior brother. His talent was unmatched, the highest I had ever seen.
He was considered the “First Person of the Body Transformation Dao in a Thousand Years,” with great expectations placed on him by our master.
However, he was arrogant and believed he could succeed in cultivating “Self Body Transformation.”
He ignored everyone’s advice and forcefully cultivated.
The result...”
Guang Yangzi paused.
“Initially, he was just a bit erratic, and everyone was trying to heal him.
But later, his madness worsened. He couldn’t distinguish between reality and fantasy.
One night, he went on a rampage.
The number of casualties was countless.
From that day forward, our Body Transformation Dao declined...”
Speaking of this, Guang Yangzi shook his head slightly.
“So, my dear disciple, remember this. You must never try it!” Guang Yangzi warned with utmost seriousness.
Li Fan nodded repeatedly. “Yes! I understand, Master!”
After bidding farewell to Guang Yangzi, Li Fan returned to his room.
After much deliberation, Li Fan abandoned his plan to forcibly cultivate Self Body Transformation.
Just like “Self-Foundation Establishment,” this Self Body Transformation was not something ordinary people could achieve.
Judging from Master Tian Yang’s later situation, he also did not choose this path.
“Puppet...”
Recalling the Nascent Soul puppet from years later, Li Fan gradually formed a plan in his mind.
The next day, Li Fan approached his senior brothers and told them he wanted a puppet.
“Don’t worry, Little Junior Brother. Leave it to me! Lately, I’ve been overflowing with inspiration, my penmanship is superb, and I’ve written several books. They are the pinnacle of my career!” Second Senior Brother Lingxiao assured him, thumping his chest. “I’ll go to the market and sell them, then choose the most handsome puppet for you!”
...
A few days later, Li Fan got his wish and obtained a mechanical puppet.
Lingxiao beamed with pride. “Little Junior Brother, this puppet is said to be at the Golden Core level. It took me a lot of effort to buy it from someone!”
“Senior Brother, you are amazing! Thank you, Senior Brother!” Li Fan complimented him before grabbing the puppet and dashing off without a trace.
“Little Junior Brother’s body seems to be recovering better and better!” Lingxiao remarked with a sigh.
Inside his private chamber, Li Fan placed the puppet in front of him and cut a wound on his hand.
He dripped his fresh blood onto the puppet.
Simultaneously, he activated the “Transforming into Others at Will” technique, refining the puppet while sensing the subtle changes occurring within it.
Executed with the puppet’s massive body, it had a sense of overwhelming power.
“Such divine power!”
Senior Brother Si Xing exclaimed in excitement.
“I have a move as well. Please enlighten me, Junior Brother!”
“Heavenly Will Like Water, Formless and Supreme!”
“Sword Name: Heavenly Form!”
The water swords flowing beneath the Overturning Heaven Palm instantly vanished.
But Li Fan felt a strange sense of danger.
“Swoosh!”
Invisible sword energy flashed.
Before the giant hand could press down, a thin cut appeared on its back.
Li Fan fixed his gaze on the surrounding space.
But he couldn’t find Si Xing’ trace.
Another sword cut emerged.
Li Fan channeled his spiritual energy, attempting to heal his injury.
However, he discovered that the sword cut seemed to have invisible sword energy attached to it, preventing the wound from healing.
The sword cuts appeared faster and faster.
In an instant, Li Fan’s body was covered in wounds.
“Little Junior Brother, surrender!”
Senior Brother Si Xing’s voice echoed from all directions.
But he remained invisible.
“Senior Brother’s divine powers are truly amazing!”
Li Fan sincerely praised him.
“But...”
Li Fan suddenly raised his voice.
“I have one more move. If Senior Brother can block it, I’ll surrender immediately!”
“Good! I’ll be waiting!” Si Xing replied.
Li Fan suppressed his momentum.
After a moment, he said to his second senior brother, Lingxiao, “Senior Brother Lingxiao, please lend me your brush!”
“Ah?” Lingxiao was initially stunned.
“Oh, alright!” Then, a brush flew towards him, which Li Fan grasped.
He poured his spiritual energy into it, and with a single stroke, he wrote in the air.
It was...
The character “乱” (Chaos).
The moment the character descended, terrifying cracks suddenly appeared on Li Fan’s body.
He could no longer maintain the form of a giant hand and reverted back to his humanoid puppet form, falling to the ground.
“This kind of consumption...”
Li Fan was slightly horrified.
The hard body made of special stones was disintegrating.
Many parts were shattering directly.
This was the divine power Li Fan had comprehended from the “Chaos Stone” in the Maze. Its power far exceeded his expectations.
The caster was suffering such terrible side effects.
Not to mention Senior Brother Si Xing, who was directly facing the “Chaos” character.
His Heavenly Form state retreated, and he emerged clumsily.
But in the face of “Chaos,” he was unable to move.
His spiritual energy went berserk, beyond his control.
His transformed object, the green blade, was also flying around like a headless chicken.
“Pu!”
Si Xing’s arm bent in an unnatural direction, and a look of horror flashed in his eyes.
Because he realized that this change was about to happen all over his body.
“Enough!”
At that critical moment, Guang Yangzi finally intervened.
His transformed object was a willow tree.
The green willow stood in front of Si XIng, its branches wildly whipping around.
After a long time, everything gradually calmed down.
The willow tree disappeared, and the back of Guang Yangzi’s hand, which was hidden behind his back, trembled slightly.
Si Xing looked at Li Fan, who was also severely injured and lying on the ground, his eyes filled with a mixture of emotions.
“You won, Junior Brother,” he said softly.
Li Fan breathed a sigh of relief.
“Tian Yang, that move you just...” Guang Yangzi looked at his junior disciple, unable to finish his sentence.
After a moment, he sighed and gave up asking.
“Never mind. I can see that you have a big secret.
But you’re willing to join our Body Transformation Dao, which is a blessing for our declining sect.”
Guang Yangzi, disheartened, waved his hand and left.
Si Xing, for a while, didn’t know what to say.
Only Second Senior Brother Lingxiao was shouting and fussing, hurriedly treating Li Fan’s wounds.
...
A puppet body, as long as there were enough materials, could easily heal from even the most serious injuries.
Lingxiao went back to the market and returned shortly after, and Li Fan was healed.
Under the gaze of Master Guang Yangzi and his three senior brothers, Li Fan, accompanied by the Summoning Immortal Envoy who had come to urge him on, left the Body Transformation Dao.
He set off for the battlefield.
The surrounding scenery suddenly froze.
Then, like shattered glass, it exploded.
Turning into specks of light, they all poured into Li Fan’s mind.
Thousands of years ago, Tian Yang True Man’s memories, clear and vivid, surfaced.
Including the “Transforming into Others at Will” technique, the puppet-making methods, and even the “Earthfire Ascending Yuan Formation” for refining and upgrading puppet levels, all of them were as if he had experienced them personally, firmly imprinted in his memory.
But Li Fan had no time to examine these things at the moment.
Because his mind was completely captured by the prompt from “Truth.”
“Though dead, still alive, true spirit undying.”
“Transforming into Objects, traversing the ages.”
“The “Overhaul” function has been unlocked.”
Next Chapter
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Chapter 415
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Li Fan’s heart pounded with excitement.
After fulfilling the last wish of the Tian Yang, not only had he gained a lot himself, but 【Truth】 had also unlocked new functions.
No wonder 【Truth】 had felt a sense of hunger when he encountered the Eternal Remnant.
Li Fan immediately began to carefully study this so-called 【Overhaul】.
Moments later, his brow furrowed slightly.
“Consumes 100% of the Overhaul Charge progress, abandons the physical body’s existence, and completely entrusts one’s true spirit to an object...”
“After becoming an object, one cannot retain autonomous consciousness, only a trace of 【Spirituality】 will remain.”
“Correspondingly, the duration of existence will be greatly enhanced.”
“When the duration of existence reaches its limit, the 【Truth】 function will automatically activate, returning to the previously set anchor point.”
“...”
“What’s the use of this?”
Li Fan was initially a little disappointed.
However, after careful consideration, he vaguely understood the usage of 【Transformation】.
The most basic use was that when one’s lifespan was about to end and death was imminent, they could still use the method of body transformation to remain in the world and collect information.
Although they might not be able to know the specific details of many events clearly, understanding the general trend of the world’s affairs shouldn’t be difficult as long as they entrusted the task to a reliable person.
Moreover, according to 【Truth】’s feedback, if Li Fan activated 【Overhaul】 now, it could last for nearly three thousand years.
Even if the lifespan might be shortened due to damage to the transformed object, it was still enough to greatly enhance Li Fan’s ability to see into the future.
This would allow him to better plan for his next life.
Those who could leave their mark on history for a thousand years were definitely not ordinary people.
They were true heroes.
He would remember their names and invest in them when he returned.
This was far more efficient than Li Fan’s previous method of slowly gathering talented individuals within a single province, relying solely on his own contacts and hearsay.
Li Fan was secretly excited.
“For example, I could use this to understand what will happen to the Xuanhuang Realm under the cover of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array...”
To be cautious, Li Fan once again confirmed the many details of 【Transformation】.
“【Body Transformation】 and 【Void Transformation】 are powers of the same level. After Body Transformation, as long as one cannot resist the Void Transformation power of 【Truth】, then they cannot distinguish the trace of true spirit entrusted to the object.”
“After Body Transformation, the Overhaul Charge progress will still increase automatically, and the upper limit will be increased to 1000%, greatly enhancing self-defense capabilities.”
“Besides the duration of existence reaching its limit, when the transformed object encounters the danger of complete destruction, it will also trigger automatic Truth Return.”
...
As long as Li Fan stayed inside and didn’t go out, Ji Hongdao and the others couldn’t do anything to him.
Before 【Overhaul】, Li Fan checked the situation on his clone’s side.
Han Yi was exploring the Tian du Ruins with him, full of hope.
Not only did they find nothing, but they also encountered many inexplicable dangers along the way.
Both of them were seriously injured and returned to Yuan dao City to recuperate.
On the way back, Han Yi kept looking at the clone Xiao Fan with suspicion, several times wanting to say something but stopping himself.
“Too bad, I thought I could gain something through this person’s luck.”
Li Fan thought this, shaking his head slightly.
Then he controlled his clone, returning alone to the Tian du Ruins he had explored before.
He found a restriction and willingly sent himself to his death, ending the clone’s life.
...
“With this, I can carry out my next plan.”
Li Fan’s eyes flickered.
As 【Overhaul】 activated, a trace of true spirit entered the 【Formation Breaking Disc】 in his storage ring.
Li Fan’s consciousness suddenly went black.
At the same time, his aura quickly weakened.
At the same time, He Zhenghao in Tianyun Province and Huangfu Song in Tianyu Province both received Li Fan’s last message.
“A su*cide note?”
Huangfu Song’s face changed, full of disbelief.
He hurriedly contacted Ji Hongdao.
Half a day later, when Qi Buyi and Huangfu Song rushed over, they saw Li Fan’s corpse.
“He just died like that?”
Huangfu Song was stunned.
Qi Buyi looked serious and went forward to examine the body, nodding.
The two looked at each other, speechless.
“I noticed he wasn’t looking well before. He said he was fine and just needed to rest. But...” Tour guide Bing Yin shook his head and sighed.
Huangfu Song transmitted his voice, “What do we do now?”
“The person is dead, what else can we do?” Qi Buyi looked at him with displeasure and left with a flick of his sleeve.
( )
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Chapter 422
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In the darkness of the void, several Realm-Splitting Whales were chasing each other, playing playfully.
If you looked closely, you could see that one of them had a black-feathered, red-tailed bird standing on its back.
The bird was strolling leisurely on the vast fish, seemingly at ease.
The Realm-Splitting Whale was completely oblivious to its presence.
This black-feathered, red-tailed bird was, of course, Li Fan.
He effortlessly passed through the Immortal Extinction Great Array and, seeing the group of Realm-Splitting Whales, had a sudden whim.
He wanted to test the actual deceptive effect of the “Crucible of Ten Thousand Forms”
This was how this scene came to be.
“Realm-Splitting Whales are extremely sensitive to external energy. Even mortals can be tracked by them for thousands of miles,” Li Fan said to himself.
“I am so close, yet they show no reaction. It seems they see me as no different from a real bird.”
Li Fan was very satisfied with the test results.
He spread his wings and flew swiftly away from the Realm-Splitting Whales, heading towards the entrance to the Xuanhuang Realm at the bottom of the Abyss.
“If Great Xuan truly escaped the Xuanhuang Realm thanks to the efforts of the Realm-Splitting Whales, would it be directly captured by the Immortal Ruins? Just like the Medicine King’s True Divine Cauldron?”
“Who was behind these Realm-Splitting Whales back then?”
“It shouldn’t be the Ten Great Immortal Sects. They know of the existence of the Immortal Ruins. Letting the Realm-Splitting Whales dig out small worlds would be digging their own graves.”
The light of the cultivation world was not far ahead. Looking back at the Realm-Splitting Whales, which seemed to be working tirelessly, a thought suddenly flashed in Li Fan’s mind.
It was just a fleeting thought, and his figure did not pause for a moment.
The next moment, Li Fan reappeared above the vast ocean.
The sky and sea were one, and the salty wind blew gently.
Li Fan took a deep breath and sighed.
“The blue sky is still the most beautiful.”
After spending hundreds of years in the oppressive world under the Xuan Net, Li Fan, returning to his original self, finally understood the preciousness of this freedom.
Instead of joining the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance first, Li Fan checked his direction and flew towards the border between the Cong Yun Sea and Shilin Province.
His destination was the Tianji Sect ruins in the White Stone Subworld.
This was where Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi had found the “Jade Chapter of a Thousand Mechanisms” in the past.
In his previous life, Xiao Heng, with the help of Linghu Chang, had unearthed several other cultivation techniques from the ruins, besides the Jade Chapter.
These included the secret technique “One Hand Covers the Sky.”
Li Fan naturally couldn’t miss out on this
Although he was just a common bird on the outside, Li Fan’s flying speed was not slow at all.
A deep hole appeared on the stone wall of the tunnel.
A bluish-grey figure flashed past, about to escape into the depths of the wall.
“Bind Insect!”
Li Fan suddenly activated his Divine Ability, capturing it.
A plump, bluish-grey giant insect, the size of a baby, instantly appeared in front of Li Fan.
It was unable to move, and it let out a series of rapid chirps.
Li Fan lightly tapped it, producing a dull sound.
The Stone Spirit Insect’s entire body trembled, and it immediately became obedient under Li Fan’s warning.
Li Fan infused his spiritual energy into its body and closed his eyes to sense the Stone Spirit Insect’s structure.
Although it could devour Earth Vein Stones, its physiological structure was even less complex than the ordinary bird Li Fan had transformed into before.
Not long after, Li Fan released the restraint.
The next moment, he was enveloped in golden light and transformed into the form of a Stone Spirit Insect.
The original fat insect fell to the ground with a thud. It didn’t even care about its new companion, Li Fan, and hurriedly burrowed into the ground to escape.
The hole it had dug out didn’t last long. Under Li Fan’s gaze, it slowly healed up.
“This place is truly strange. The Primordial Clam is dead but not gone. Without a special method, exploring it would be quite troublesome.”
“But now...”
Li Fan shook his insect body and plunged into the stone wall.
He felt as if these incredibly hard rocks had turned into crunchy delicacies.
Li Fan effortlessly carved out a path.
With the general location of the Tianji Sect ruins in mind, Li Fan proceeded straight towards it.
Seven days later.
An underground chamber sealed on all sides.
A rumbling sound faintly emanated from the stone walls.
Soon, Li Fan, in the form of a Stone Spirit Insect, violently emerged from the wall.
He crashed to the ground with a bang.
He lay on his back, motionless.
Only when the Earth Vein Stones in his body were completely digested into energy did Li Fan return to his human form.
“I actually overate.”
Li Fan shook his head, speechless to himself.
(To be continued)
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Chapter 423
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Li Fan carefully examined the hollow space.
Above, numerous buildings seemed to grow from the top of the stone cave, hanging upside down in midair.
Li Fan also saw stone statues that resembled cultivators.
Their feet were fused with the buildings, also hanging upside down, their desperate and helpless hands reaching out as if seeking rescue.
But their bodies were eternally frozen at this moment, their faces filled with terror.
“This should be a mountain peak of the Tian Ji Sect, coincidentally swallowed by this Primordial Clam.”
“Judging by the appearance, it seems they were petrified as a whole before being swallowed.”
Li Fan raised his guard, leaping to the top of the hollow.
Ignoring the petrified cultivators, he traversed the ruins, heading straight for the most prominent stone tower.
“The Sky-Gazing Tower, the crucial location for the Tian Ji Sect to peer into the secrets of Heaven.”
Standing before the stone tower, Li Fan discovered that even after thousands of years, a faint glimmer still emanated from its surface.
“The restrictions are still present, but they are merely a facade.”
As if unimpeded, Li Fan entered the interior of the Sky-Gazing Tower.
“Hmm?”
The moment he stepped inside, Li Fan’s expression changed.
He felt a malevolent gaze directed towards him.
Following the direction of the gaze, Li Fan saw a cultivator standing ahead, his hair disheveled.
His face was contorted, one of his eyeballs bulging as if about to pop out, fixedly staring at Li Fan.
The cultivator’s lower body was also petrified like the other Tian Ji Sect disciples, turned into stone.
However, his upper body seemed to be in the midst of the petrification process, presenting a grotesque mixture of flesh and stone.
“Dead or alive?”
Li Fan didn’t dare to delay, immediately unleashing a Five Elements Annihilation Sword.
“Bang!”
The black light sword struck the cultivator’s body.
After piercing through him, the cultivator’s body shattered into pieces, scattered across the floor.
Only the half-petrified eyeball remained floating in the air, its pupil still locked onto Li Fan.
Li Fan slowly approached, constantly changing his position.
He discovered that the eyeball seemed to sense his presence, always keeping him in its sights.
Standing before the petrified eyeball, he waited for a while, but it didn’t react further.
Li Fan took it into his hand and examined it closely.
“It’s not a real eyeball, but something this deceased cultivator implanted into his body before his death.”
“Strange, I don’t remember Xiao Heng’s group having this...”
“Did they not discover it? Or did Linghu Chang hide it?”
Li Fan played with it for a while, but found no use for the eyeball.
Afterward, he thoroughly scoured the ruins inside and out.
He ultimately found four more cultivation techniques in several separate subworlds.
Three were Golden Core techniques, and one was a Nascent Soul technique.
This Nascent Soul technique was precisely the “Jade Chapter of a Thousand Mechanisms.”
“This subworld on the edge of the ruins must have been accidentally revealed decades later, which is how Kou Hong and his brother discovered it.”
“But these two brothers were truly unlucky. If they had just searched a little more carefully, they would have discovered the true ruins of the Tian Ji Sect not far away.”
“As a result, Kou Hong got greedy upon seeing the Nascent Soul technique and missed out on the treasure trove.”
Understanding the reasons behind it, Li Fan couldn’t help but feel a sense of absurdity.
With his bountiful harvest, Li Fan no longer lingered.
He transformed back into the Stone Spirit Worm, carving a passage from the resealed stone wall.
Leaving the Hundred Stone Subworld, he headed towards the Cong Yun Sea.
...
Glass Island.
He Zhenghao was troubled, confused, and anxious.
“Go or not?”
He Zhenghao frowned, letting out a long sigh.
He didn’t know why, but while cultivating the “Sitting Mountain Technique” a while ago, he suddenly felt a connection.
For some reason, another person cultivating the “Sitting Mountain Technique” had appeared in the world.
The “Sitting Mountain Technique” was already incredibly slow to cultivate, and now someone else was cultivating it alongside him.
How could this be? It was basically impossible to cultivate.
This sudden change in his primary cultivation technique left He Zhenghao unsure of what to do.
He had discovered the “Sitting Mountain Technique” while exploring a subworld in his youth, and had never revealed it to anyone.
How did the other party know about it?
This matter was strange, and He Zhenghao, who was never very bold, didn’t dare to approach the other party to investigate, fearing for his safety.
He could only hide in the protective array of the island, constantly worrying.
At this moment.
“Who are you, you scoundrel! How dare you steal my sect’s cultivation technique!”
“Get out here!”
A thunderous voice echoed through the sky above Glass Island, reverberating endlessly.
He Zhenghao was stunned for a moment, about to go out to check the situation.
Then, he immediately reacted.
“Is this the other party coming to find me?”
Sensing the other party’s powerful aura, He Zhenghao’s face turned pale.
“Golden Core stage?”
Chapter 424
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“How could this be?”
“Not only are we practicing the same cultivation technique, but his cultivation is actually higher than mine?”
He Zhenghao was speechless, instantly falling into a deep state of self-doubt about his life.
“This is a disaster...”
In an instant, countless thoughts flooded He Zhenghao’s mind.
But in the end, he still decided to temporarily seek refuge on the Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Just as he was about to activate the teleportation formation.
“I know you’re hiding inside, why don’t you come out and see me?” The other party’s angry roar rang out again, his voice like thunder.
The entire Glass Island seemed to tremble under the sound of his wrath.
He Zhenghao’s face twitched, he dared not speak, but hastily activated the teleportation formation.
Who would have thought that the other party would have discovered his actions as if he had foreseen them.
“Want to escape? Humph!”
A ripple instantly enveloped the airspace above Glass Island
He Zhenghao was horrified to discover that the teleportation formation on Glass Island had lost connection with Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
“Spatial lockdown?!”
Cold sweat instantly dripped from his forehead.
But in a flash, He Zhenghao realized.
“No, it’s just that I don’t know what method was used to temporarily affect the connection of the teleportation formation nodes...”
Just as he was secretly letting out a sigh of relief.
He suddenly discovered that the cultivator who had suddenly appeared had transformed into a streak of light, rushing straight towards the protective formation of the island below.
He Zhenghao’s heart surged with joy: “So he’s just a reckless brute! My Mountain and Star Formation isn’t something to be trifled with, even if he’s at the Golden Core stage...”
Just as he was thinking this, something that made his jaw drop happened.
The other party, as if treating the formation as nothing, flew straight in.
His flight path seemed random, yet it always followed the weakest points of the formation’s defenses.
Moreover, his speed was extremely fast. In a blink of an eye, before He Zhenghao even had time to react.
He landed in front of him.
The man coldly stared at him, his eyes filled with killing intent: “You’re the little brat who stole my sect’s cultivation technique?”
He Zhenghao’s mind went blank.
He didn’t have time to think about why the other party could so easily break through his proud Mountain and Star Formation.
A terrifying killing intent, as tangible as substance, enveloped him. He Zhenghao’s heart beat wildly against his will.
“Misunderstanding! It’s definitely a misunderstanding!”
“Fellow Daoist, please don’t act rashly!”
Faced with the threat of death, He Zhenghao shouted repeatedly.
“My cultivation technique actually produced a mysterious connection?”
“Heaven and Earth seem to have become different...”
He Zhenghao was even more convinced of his guess.
He immediately described to him in detail everything that had happened in the Xuanhuang Realm after the Heavenly Venerate’s teachings and the arrival of the Great Calamity, including the current state of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
The other party’s expression changed repeatedly as he listened.
And through He Zhenghao’s constant probing, he finally gradually learned the other party’s identity.
His name was Li Fan, and he was an ancient cultivator of the Tian Ji Sect.
He had fallen into a slumber due to an accident.
When he woke up, not only had his cultivation regressed to the Golden Core stage.
But he also felt a mysterious connection in his heart.
Without knowing the reason, Li Fan followed the connection to Glass Island.
And when he discovered that He Zhenghao, who was also practicing the Sitting Mountain Technique, wasn’t a disciple of the Tian Ji Sect, he had the questioning scene that had just taken place.
“How did Senior recognize that I’m not a disciple of the Tian Ji Sect?”
Although He Zhenghao lamented his misfortune in his heart, he still had doubts.
Li Fan let out a sneer: “After a thousand years, have cultivators become so ignorant?”
“Your question is like asking why cultivators can tell at a glance that a beast isn’t human.”
“We cultivators of the Tian Ji Sect emphasize the unity of Heaven and Man, and our sect’s cultivation techniques are all inseparable from the flow of Qi. Naturally, I have secret techniques to discern.”
He Zhenghao’s old face turned slightly red as he listened to the other party’s dismissive tone.
Just as he was about to say something else, he saw Li Fan suddenly fix his gaze on him.
“Senior, you...” He Zhenghao couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.
“How long have you been practicing the Sitting Mountain Technique?” Li Fan asked.
He Zhenghao was slightly taken aback: “Over a hundred years...”
“The Sitting Mountain Technique is such a divine cultivation technique, how come you’re only at the Foundation Establishment stage after cultivating for so long?”
Li Fan looked at He Zhenghao with suspicion: “Could it be that you’ve also fallen in cultivation due to an injury?”
Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao’s face instantly turned crimson.
“Senior doesn’t know, this Sitting Mountain Technique...”
He was about to explain himself, but then he suddenly remembered that this person was the ancestor of the Sitting Mountain Technique.
For a moment, he was speechless.
He stammered and stood there dumbfounded.
However, it was Li Fan who saved him.
As if he had remembered something, he suddenly realized: “That’s right, you can’t sense the Heavenly Mechanism. No wonder your cultivation is so slow.”
“Just relying on [Sitting Mountain], without [Mountain Ascension]. Difficult, difficult, difficult!”
(To be continued...)
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Chapter 431
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It wasn’t that Li Chenfeng had stopped flying.
Rather, between him and Li Fan, an uncrossable chasm seemed to appear out of thin air.
Though close in proximity, they were worlds apart. No matter how enraged Li Chenfeng became, no matter how rapidly the two pairs of wings on his back flapped,
He couldn’t escape this invisible cage.
The Two-Yi Dust Array!
Although Li Fan had only set up a simplified version, it was more than enough to contain Li Chenfeng, who was only at the Qi Refinement stage and relied on his formidable physique combined with his beastly transformation.
“The Binding Insect actually failed.” Li Fan looked at Li Chenfeng, whose face was contorted with rage, with a look of great interest.
Taking a step forward, Li Fan’s figure instantly appeared within the array, behind Li Chenfeng.
Before Li Chenfeng could react, Li Fan swung his Great Five Element Annihilation Sword, slicing off a large piece of the armor-like keratin from one half of Li Chenfeng’s body.
Li Chenfeng let out a painful and furious howl, about to retaliate, but Li Fan had already left the Two-Yi Dust Array, making his attack go astray.
Ignoring Li Chenfeng’s resentful roar, Li Fan held the keratin he had cut off, examining it carefully.
It was still warm to the touch, but the texture was remarkably hard.
Li Fan controlled the spiritual energy within his body, condensing a Water Blade and shooting it at the keratin.
“Clang!”NewW novels updates at novelhall.com
After a crisp sound, the Water Blade was actually deflected.
The keratin only had a faint, shallow mark, and it quickly disappeared as the flesh around the edge of the keratin squirmed.
“Comparable to the attack of a normal Golden Core mid-stage cultivator, it can’t even break through the defense.” Li Fan was somewhat surprised.
“It’s still very active, and it seems to have its own independent consciousness. Perhaps if it’s given enough nutrition and time, it could grow into another complete body.”
He had never seen anything like it before. This time, Li Fan’s gaze towards Li Chenfeng and the others was completely different.
“The small world that can control one hundred thousand Realm Breaking Whales, it’s not going to be that simple.”
“Now, let me see how far your empire has developed.”
Li Fan’s divine sense suddenly enveloped Li Chenfeng and the other three.
Cloud Water Dream Technique, activate!
Li Chenfeng, who was still struggling, instantly fell silent.
The keratin layer of the external beast slowly receded, returning to his original harmless, handsome young man appearance.
His eyes were closed, and his facial expressions kept changing.
On the other hand, the Foundation Establishment Master and the man with the surname Xiao were already immersed in beautiful dreams, unable to extricate themselves.
Time slowly passed.
Three days later, Li Chenfeng finally let down his guard and all three of them showed contented smiles.
Li Fan slowly opened his eyes.
“This is...”
After countless attempts that cost many lives, the empire’s pioneers finally crossed the Xian-Banishing Array and came to the Xuanhuang Realm.
Unfortunately, the news they found out was disappointing.
To cultivate Xian arts, one must have spiritual energy.
The world where the empire was located did not have the so-called spiritual energy.
Moreover, there was a restriction that prohibited the simultaneous cultivation of different arts.
For the empire’s people, who found it incredibly difficult to even obtain a single Immortal cultivation technique, cultivating immortality seemed like an unattainable dream.
But the tenacious empire’s people did not give up.
Instead, they continuously sent people to infiltrate the Xuanhuang Realm to gather more information.
At the same time, they formed think tanks to study possible methods of cultivating immortality.
Thus, through the efforts of generations, a plan that seemed like a fantasy was proposed.
First, there was the issue of spiritual energy.
The solution to this problem was purely accidental.
The empire’s holy land, where the head of the Divine Bird was located.
At the point where the six heads were severed, there were still traces of the sword that had once slain the Divine Bird.
This sword was incredibly powerful.
For thousands of years, the sword energy continued unabated, suppressing the vengeful spirit of the Nine-Headed Bird.
All beasts would sense it and instinctively avoid the sword energy.
Once, an empire citizen violated the law and visited the sword mark, secretly bringing his pet beast with him.
Unexpectedly, he triggered the sword energy.
The citizen was unharmed, but the sword energy instantly killed the beast.
While the empire’s guard captured the citizen, they accidentally discovered that a luminous crystal core remained from the beast that should have been turned into nothingness by the sword energy.
If they hadn’t had contact with the Xuanhuang Realm before, the empire’s people might not have known what this crystal core was.
However, those who had once practiced Dao arts were shocked to discover that the energy in this crystal core could actually replace spiritual energy for their cultivation.
Later, through the empire’s research, they found that only some beast species had crystal cores.
Fortunately, a species called the Flying Sphere Beast bred extremely quickly and was easy to tame.
After the first large-scale breeding, the empire harvested hundreds of thousands of crystal cores.
Among them, they discovered a mutated, refined version.
A Qi Refinement early-stage Dao practitioner successfully broke through to Qi Refinement Perfection with the help of these crystal cores.
Unfortunately, due to the restrictions of Immortal art cultivation, they couldn’t progress further.
However, even so, it gave the empire a glimmer of hope for cultivating immortality.
The next problem to solve was the need for various mediums for cultivating Immortal arts and the restriction against cultivating different arts simultaneously.
( )
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Chapter 432
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After thoroughly understanding the history of the Xuanhuang Realm and carefully researching and verifying it with the few cultivators in the Empire, the think tank reached a bold conclusion.
These restrictions were very likely only effective within the Xuanhuang Realm.
Because the cultivation techniques stolen by the Empire’s fraudsters, while also subject to the restriction of “laws cannot be cultivated together,” did not have the same clear perception of the location of those who cultivated the same techniques as in the Xuanhuang Realm.
In other words, the restrictions were weakened.
This was probably due to the fact that the Empire was not in the Xuanhuang Realm itself, but rather in an affiliated small world.
So, the solution to this problem was obvious.
That was to break free from the shackles and leave the Xuanhuang Realm.
To become an independent small world.
For ordinary mortal civilizations, this might be an impossible task.
But for the Empire, which could control the power of beasts, it was definitely worth a try.
When the first generation of fraudsters crossed the Immortal Extinction Great Array and went to the Xuanhuang Realm.
The group of Realm Breaking Whales hovering in the void had already caught the Empire’s attention.
After hundreds of years of trying and countless sacrifices of warriors, the Empire finally succeeded in capturing a lone Realm Breaking Whale.
And subsequently, they achieved large-scale breeding of Realm Breaking Whales.
Unlike other exotic beasts, Realm Breaking Whales reproduced through a peculiar method called “solitary reproduction.”
Any individual in the population seemed to be able to produce offspring simply by absorbing unknown energy from the void.
However, before this, the Empire had not considered using Realm Breaking Whales to escape the Xuanhuang Realm.
Those numerous and massive Realm Breaking Whales were primarily used as food in the Empire.
Realm Breaking Whale meat was delicious and had the effect of improving one’s physique if consumed consistently over a long period
It was very popular in the Empire.
But since the plan to leave the Xuanhuang Realm was established, the Empire ordered the protection of Realm Breaking Whales and banned private consumption.
The entire nation mobilized its resources to cultivate Realm Breaking Whales.
Furthermore, they once again dispatched elite fraudsters to the Xuanhuang Realm to steal cultivation techniques.
Before this, the Empire’s highest level of cultivation technique was the Nascent Soul realm.
Considering that they would be completely cut off from the Xuanhuang Realm in the future, it would be extremely difficult to independently deduce realms from scratch without reference to cultivation techniques beyond the Nascent Soul realm.
Therefore, the Empire decided that it would be best to acquire Dao Integration realm cultivation techniques.
If that wasn’t possible, then at least Soul Transformation realm techniques.
To achieve this goal, the Empire sent a total of more than a dozen extremely loyal warriors to sneak into the Xuanhuang Realm.
To avoid a complete wipeout, they formed small groups of a few people each, and besides their group members, they were unaware of each other’s identities.
The experience they had just had—their successful theft of cultivation techniques, the Empire’s escape from the Xuanhuang Realm, the development of their own lineage...
It was all just a dream.
“You’re quite bold.”
Li Fan’s light words, but to their ears, they were like thunder.
Li Chenfeng and the others immediately turned pale with fear, their hearts filled with despair.
Their own deaths didn’t matter.
The only thing they feared was that their homeland would be implicated.
At that time, if an Immortal were to unleash their wrath, it wouldn’t just be a matter of thousands of deaths.
But tragically, they couldn’t even commit suicide now.
However, to their surprise, the powerful cultivator in front of them said something that was completely unexpected.
“Very good! I admire you.”
Li Fan nodded in satisfaction and released Li Chenfeng and the others from their restraints.
The three of them exchanged glances, but they still didn’t dare to act rashly.
Zhu Shaotang cautiously asked, “Senior, are you planning to let us go?”
Li Fan chuckled, “I never intended to hold you accountable. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance losing cultivation techniques has nothing to do with me.”
“On the contrary, it was you who were aggressive. If I didn’t have a few skills, I might have carelessly lost my life here.”
Li Fan’s lips curled into a smile as he looked at Li Chenfeng.
Li Chenfeng took a deep breath and hurriedly said, “It was my fault for being reckless. Please forgive me, Senior.”
As he spoke, Li Chenfeng actually knelt down on both knees and was about to kneel before Li Fan to apologize.
Li Fan shook his head and stopped him.
“There’s no need for that formality in front of me. Come, let’s go to your secret room. I have something to tell you.”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Shaotang and the others all looked uneasy.
They never expected that their supposedly secret arrangement would be so easily seen through by this person.
Their hearts filled with anxiety, the three of them followed Li Fan into the secret room in the courtyard.
Li Fan’s next words instantly dispelled the anxiety in their hearts.
Instead, they were filled with the joy of a reprieve from death.
“To be honest, I am also from a small world outside the Xuanhuang Realm.”
Li Fan said slowly.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 433
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“My home, called the Dali.”
“Unlike yours, the Dali has a towering volcano at its center.”
“Every once in a while, the volcano erupts, taking countless lives with it.”
“And in recent years, its activity has become increasingly frequent.”
“It’s clear that the Dali’s ultimate fate is to be completely swallowed by the volcano’s lava.”
“Hundreds of years ago, I ventured alone to the Xuanhuang Realm, seeking a way to save my home.”
Li Fan, his eyes filled with reminiscence, spoke to Li Chenfeng and the others.
“Unfortunately, although I found a temporary way to suppress the volcano, to completely eradicate the hidden danger, my current cultivation is still insufficient.”
“But that’s not the point.”
Li Fan abruptly changed the subject.
“During my time in the Xuanhuang Realm, I came into contact with many mortals like myself, who had smuggled themselves out of their small worlds.”
“They often lived extremely difficult lives. Out of sympathy, I would always try to lend a helping hand.”
“It was because of this that I was able to join the organization I’m a part of now. And that’s also why I’m here to see you today.”
Li Chenfeng and the others were stunned: “What organization?”
Li Fan spoke with utmost seriousness, “An organization dedicated to uniting all the outer realms to launch a counterattack against the Immortal Realm.”
“Counter...attack the Immortal Realm?” The three of them were utterly shocked.
Li Fan stood with his hands behind his back, nodding slightly.
“That’s right!”
“A thousand years ago, we were driven out of our homes, filled with pain and resentment.”
“Over the long years, the memories of our homelands have faded for most.”
“But there are still a select few who have kept everything in their hearts.”
“They vowed that one day, they would return. They would reclaim what was rightfully theirs.”
Li Fan activated his Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart, using a voice filled with persuasion.
“The Xuanhuang Realm, compared to our small worlds, is so vast.”
“It’s teeming with life, abundant in resources.”
“But it’s occupied by those damned cultivators. We, however, are forced to live in barren, cramped territories, struggling to survive.”
“How unfair!”
Li Fan declared indignantly.
Li Chenfeng, along with the others, compared the world their empire occupied with the Xuanhuang Realm.
They couldn’t help but nod in agreement.
He snorted coldly, “I didn’t want to tell you this, but it seems you’re still clinging to that laughable escape plan.”
“Such weak escape-ists...”
Li Fan said coldly, “To be honest, your plan to use one hundred thousand Boundary-Breaking Whales to escape the Xuanhuang Realm is completely impossible.”
“The moment you leave the Xuanhuang Realm, it will be the day your empire perishes!”
Li Chenfeng and the others were completely dumbfounded.
“Senior, what do you mean by that?”
“See for yourselves!”
Li Fan pointed a finger at the three of them.
In an instant, Li Chenfeng felt the surrounding scenery disappear. It was as if he was in endless void.
In the distance, a giant orb flickered.
A stream of light flew out from the orb, attempting to escape.
But strangely, after it had flown a certain distance from the orb, it changed its course and flew upwards irreversibly.
There, as if some terrifying beast had opened its jaws, it was drawn in to be devoured.
...
Li Chenfeng, along with the others, were drenched in cold sweat, falling to the ground in utter bewilderment.
“What is that?”
He stared at Li Fan, his eyes filled with terror.
“Why do you think we fight tooth and nail to counterattack the Immortal Realm?”
“Because we have nowhere to escape.”
Li Fan spoke with a mocking tone.
“That’s the ‘Immortal Ruins,’ an unknown and terrifying existence that has its sights set on the entire Xuanhuang Realm.”
“The Xuanhuang Realm is vast and mighty. Perhaps it can withstand the Immortal Ruins for a long time.”
“But our small worlds are a different story.”
“And let’s not forget about your empire’s ridiculous plan, which you worked so hard on.”
Li Fan kept hitting Li Chenfeng with the truth.
The three of them from the empire realized the fate that awaited them if they were to leave the Xuanhuang Realm.
Their faces turned pale as death.
“Therefore, joining us is the only way out.”
Li Fan said plainly.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 426
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“Go back on my word? What a joke! I, Li Fan, never break my promises.” Li Fan said with an air of pride.
“Then it’s settled. If I lose, I will voluntarily give up practicing the Sitting Mountain Technique. And if you lose...”
Li Fan looked at He Zhenghao coldly: “I won’t make things difficult for you. Besides immediately changing your cultivation technique, you’ll have to give me half of your assets!”
He Zhenghao’s face changed drastically: “This...this...this...”
“Senior! How can you gamble like that?!”
“Hmm?” Li Fan’s eyes flashed with a hint of killing intent, scaring He Zhenghao, who immediately shut his mouth.
“Does the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance have something like a legal contract nowadays?” Li Fan casually asked. “We can’t just rely on verbal agreements, can we? What do you think?”
How could He Zhenghao dare to disagree? He had no choice but to bite the bullet and purchase a commercial contract from the Tianxuan Mirror.
Li Fan took the contract, pretending to be seeing it for the first time, and carefully studied it, showing a thoughtful expression.
Then he wrote down the agreed terms on it and handed the contract to He Zhenghao.
He Zhenghao looked at the extremely harsh terms on the contract and couldn’t help but hesitate.
“Seven or eight days, from 150,000 into 250,000. This is almost impossible to achieve. My chances of winning are pretty good.”
“Now I’m at the mercy of others. I might as well gamble!”
He Zhenghao’s expression kept changing, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and signed his name on the commercial contract.
Two golden lights entered Li Fan and He Zhenghao’s bodies respectively.
The contract was sealed.
Li Fan then said: “Alright, kid. Quickly hand over the 150,000!”
He Zhenghao was confused: “What 150,000?”
Li Fan glared at He Zhenghao and said matter-of-factly: “Of course it’s your 150,000 contribution points! I just woke up, I’m not a member of your Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”
“Where am I going to find that many contribution points to complete the bet?!”
“Naturally, you’ll have to borrow my contribution points for use.”
He Zhenghao was stunned at first, then completely panicked
You see, if he lost the bet, he would only lose half at most.
But if his investment failed, it was possible to lose everything!
This was a lesson He Zhenghao had learned through blood and tears over the years.
Even in the face of Li Fan’s killing intent that was as substantial as the real world, he still resolutely refused.
After all, the two parties who signed the commercial contract could not harm each other before the contract was completed.
He Zhenghao was sure of this point and refused to take out his life savings no matter what.
“Obsidian Jade?” He Zhenghao frowned and searched in the Tianxuan Mirror.
After a while.
He replied: “There is such a thing. It’s a rare refining material. Although it’s precious, it doesn’t have many uses.”
“Senior, why are you asking about this?” He Zhenghao felt a little puzzled.
“Fifteen contribution points, buy all of it!” Li Fan said decisively.
He Zhenghao was shocked: “Why?”
Li Fan impatiently said: “Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed, just buy it! How much you can earn with 150,000 contribution points, it all depends on this one investment!”
He Zhenghao finally realized and said in disbelief: “Is this your investment strategy, Senior?”
Li Fan looked down at him with disdain and sneered: “Kid, you were still a nobody when I was cultivating the Sitting Mountain Technique! How dare you question me now?”
He Zhenghao opened his mouth but ultimately, under Li Fan’s intimidation, he dared not retort.
However, as a qualified investor, He Zhenghao didn’t rush to buy according to Li Fan’s instructions. Instead, he silently and carefully checked the information about the ‘Obsidian Jade’.
“The biggest and only use of this stone is to forge the ‘Obsidian Boat’ that can travel freely through the earth veins.”
“The amount in existence and the circulation volume are both relatively small, and the price fluctuation is also relatively small.”
“Although it might not make a profit, it should be unlikely to lose money.”
“I’ll listen to him for now. There are still four days left before the bet ends. I don’t believe this thing can really skyrocket in price in such a short time.”
Seeing Li Fan impatiently urging him from the side, He Zhenghao thought for a moment and made a decision.
“Alright, since Senior insists, then I have no choice but to do as you say.”
The price of Obsidian Jade was 280 contribution points per pound.
He Zhenghao bought it while saying to Li Fan: “Senior, you’ve been asleep for a long time, you must know that the world today is different from ancient times.”
“Our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has the Tianxuan Mirror, a treasure that regulates the market, and prices are generally very stable.”
“There might be minor fluctuations, but Senior, you want to get rich by this method...”
He Zhenghao shook his head slightly.
Li Fan snorted coldly: “What are you rambling about, just wait and see!”
“A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, how can you know the divine abilities of my Tian Ji Sect?!”
He Zhenghao was unconvinced but still closed his mouth.
He held a grudge in his heart and was waiting to see Li Fan’s joke.
Until two days later.
Before his very eyes, he witnessed the price of ‘Obsidian Jade’ skyrocket.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 427
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It only took half a day.
Due to the overwhelming demand, the price continued to rise, showing no signs of stopping.
“How is this possible?”
He Zhenghao looked at Li Fan in shock again.
Li Fan, however, looked solemn and began calculating with his fingers, ignoring him.CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m
He Zhenghao could only look back at the Tianxuan Mirror.
The number representing his contribution points was constantly jumping.
Three hundred and one thousand eight hundred.
Three hundred and two thousand eight hundred and six.
...
His wealth was increasing at a visible rate.
He Zhenghao pinched himself hard, making sure he wasn’t dreaming.
His long-held desire had been so easily fulfilled?
He had spent decades accumulating the first one hundred and fifty thousand.
But the next one hundred and fifty thousand had been earned in less than five days.
Is this the way of investment that Senior Li Fan practiced?
If I could learn this skill...
He Zhenghao felt a surge of blood, his excitement overwhelming him.
He couldn’t wait to brag to his brothers.
Just then, Li Fan’s voice suddenly rang out, dousing him with cold water.
“It’s time to cash out! Sell everything now!”
He Zhenghao froze on the spot. “But the price is still rising...”
“Hmm?”
Li Fan looked at him sideways.
He Zhenghao’s breath hitched.
With a heavy heart, He Zhenghao sold all his Obscure Jade at 630 contribution points per pound.
333,900 contribution points!
“I’m rich!”
He Zhenghao, who had suddenly become wealthy, stared intently at the Tianxuan Mirror, muttering to himself.
He was already fantasizing about how to spend this huge sum.
“Hmph, I told you it would be easy, you wouldn’t believe me.” Li Fan’s voice came, interrupting He Zhenghao’s reverie.
“The Heavenly Energy is constantly changing, and ordinary people may not be able to perceive it.”
“But disciples of the Ancient Tianji Sect can use secret methods to understand it.”
“The way of wealth is the same.”
He Zhenghao’s eyes lit up. “There is such a divine ability? It’s so easy to double the investment, if it happens a few times a year...”
Li Fan chuckled, “It’s not that easy.”
“When cultivators peek at Heavenly Secrets, Heaven is also watching them.”
“Perceiving Heavenly Secrets doesn’t always work.”
“Moreover, you have to face the backlash from the will of Heaven, and you can’t use it too many times.”
“This time it was so smooth because I haven’t used this technique for a long time.”
Hearing Li Fan’s explanation, He Zhenghao couldn’t help but feel a little regretful.
But soon he was cheered up again. “Even if it’s only once a year, it’s still incredibly amazing!”
Thinking about 88,000 contribution points he had left after buying the cultivation technique, an idea popped into his mind.
However, he was afraid of offending Li Fan, so he hesitated.
“What are you thinking about?”
Li Fan seemed to see through him and asked directly.
He Zhenghao decided not to hide it anymore and asked cautiously, “Senior, after you join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, could you spare some time to guide me again?”
Li Fan looked at him with a smile.
He Zhenghao knew his request was a bit excessive, but for the sake of contribution points, he still said with a thick face, “Senior’s divine ability is truly unbelievable.”
“We have to rack our brains and worry constantly to make a profit.”
“Unlike Senior, who is so carefree...”
He Zhenghao tried his best to flatter Li Fan.
However, until he received the notification to go to Ten Thousand Immortals Island for the alliance procedures, Li Fan had no intention of agreeing.
Watching Li Fan disappear, He Zhenghao was full of regret and sighed.
However, thinking about the Mountain River Hidden Dragon Technique he had exchanged for, and the remaining contribution points, he couldn’t help but feel a little proud.
“It’s truly a blessing in disguise, who would have thought that a deadly劫 would turn into such a great opportunity for me?”
He was increasingly proud of himself, and he even forgot about cultivating, instead choosing to brag to his friends who usually discussed investment strategies with him.
...
Ten Thousand Immortals Path, deep within the Administrative Hall.
In the same space where countless tall red wooden cabinets stood, Li Fan stood on the white jade Heart Examination Platform, listening to the questions of the elderly man with white hair before him.
“You say you are a cultivator of the Ancient Tianji Sect, and that you fell into a deep slumber due to an accident?”
Li Fan nodded. “That’s right.”
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 428: 429
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“It is indeed so!”
Li Fan’s loud voice echoed through the space.
The White Jade Heart Examination Platform remained quiet, without any response.
The old man took another careful look at Li Fan and continued to ask, “May I know where you were in slumber and approximately when you awoke?”
Li Fan showed a displeased expression but still answered in a deep voice, “On the outskirts of Congyun Sea, in an underground cave. As for the time, it should be about twenty-six days ago.”
“Please wait a moment.” The old man said with a smile, then closed his eyes.
Li Fan waited patiently on the Heart Examination Platform.
After a full day had passed, Li Fan began to show signs of impatience.
“Is it not done yet, old man?!”
“Each generation is worse than the last. Back in the day, our Tianji Sect selected disciples without such hassle...”
He muttered softly.
Soon after, the old man opened his eyes.
“Upon verification, a few days ago, there was indeed a cultivator flying out from the Hundred Stone Cave.”
“However, please be patient, there is one last procedure to complete.”
The old man smiled apologetically. As he spoke, a simple bronze mirror appeared above Li Fan’s head.
It emitted a faint green light, enveloping Li Fan.
“It’s here...”
Li Fan’s heart stirred, but he remained unafraid.
In the past, with the Crucible of Ten Thousand Forms combined with the secret technique [One Hand Covers the Sky], he could deceive the upgraded version of the Tianxuan Mirror, the [Xuan Net].
Now, with the addition of the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart, and only a clone of the Tianxuan Mirror here for verification, the risk of exposure was minimal.
As expected, after a moment, the Tianxuan Mirror retracted its green light and disappeared.
The old man’s expression became even more amiable. “Welcome, fellow Daoist, to our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance!”
“As time flows and everything changes, many significant events have occurred during your years of slumber.”
“If you have any needs, we can assign a specialist to help you quickly adapt to the present life...”
Li Fan waved his hand. “I appreciate the kind offer! However, before coming here, I had some interactions with He Zhenghao from Glass Island, so I am already quite familiar with the affairs of your alliance.”
The old man nodded. “That’s even better. Your identity information has been recorded, and you are now free to move around.”
Upon hearing this, Li Fan strode away.
“By the way, remember, you should change your wording. From now on, it’s not ‘your alliance’ but ‘our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’.” The old man said with a meaningful smile.
Li Fan paused briefly, said nothing, and left directly.
He left the central area of the Ten Thousand Immortals Island and arrived before the Tianxuan Mirror.
Looking at the seemingly ordinary, harmless mirror, Li Fan couldn’t help but recall the green web that covered the entire Xuanhuang Realm in the future.
After staring for a long time, Li Fan took a deep breath and walked into the mirror.
“Ancient cultivator Li Fan, welcome to the future!”
The familiar mechanical voice of the Tianxuan Mirror sounded.
Then followed a series of introductions and explanations about the Tianxuan Mirror.
Li Fan pretended to listen attentively and tried out each function.
After a long time, the voice of the Tianxuan Mirror disappeared.
Li Fan looked at his contribution points balance.
“10,000 points.”
“Such generosity is surprising. I remember when I reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, I only received 1,000 points.”
“Or maybe ancient cultivators get special treatment?”
Shaking his head, he put this insignificant matter aside.
After searching through the technique list in the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan took out a pile of jade slips from his storage ring and requested to sell them.
They were the various techniques he had obtained from the Hundred Stone Cave.
Fortunately, these techniques were all unique copies.
There were originally twenty Golden Core techniques and ten Nascent Soul techniques.
Li Fan kept three of each for future use.
He sold all the rest.
The Tianxuan Mirror offered an average of 13,000 points per Golden Core technique and 85,000 points per Nascent Soul technique.
Li Fan didn’t haggle and sold them directly.
In an instant, his account balance became 826,000 contribution points.
“Trading techniques is really fast money, much easier than my years of teaching at Mingyue Palace.”
“Demand is truly high.”
Li Fan couldn’t help but sigh.
“With more than 800,000 contribution points, it’s enough to last for a while. But it’s still not enough...”
Currently, Li Fan was in the mid-Golden Core stage.
In eight years, or 16 years as the anchor point, the Five Elements Great Subworld would be discovered and then moved to the core area of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
In 36 years as the anchor point, the Void of Tianling Continent would reappear, drawing the attention of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
This meant Li Fan only had 20 years.
Time was tight, and Li Fan had to reach the peak of the Golden Core stage within eight years.
Only then would he be qualified to plot for the Void of Tianling Continent.
Eight years to advance from mid-Golden Core to peak Golden Core.
Given Li Fan’s cultivation aptitude, it was challenging.
So, he naturally had to use some methods.
Li Fan looked at his reflection in the mirror.
It wasn’t his original twenty-year-old appearance.
Instead, he looked like a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties.
This was achieved through the [Mystical Transformation of True Spirits] technique.
“Disguising oneself and not showing the true face gives a unique sense of security in this perilous Xuanhuang Realm.”
“If things go wrong, it’s just a matter of changing identities.”
Li Fan smiled faintly and purchased the materials needed for refining a clone from the Tianxuan Mirror.
Then, through the teleportation array, he arrived at Taian Island.
After using the Formless Killing Intent to lock onto Zhou Qingang, the spy of the Five Elders Association, who guarded Taian Island.
Pretending to leave Taian Island, he didn’t go far but lurked underwater.
After waiting for more than a month, he finally got the chance when Zhou Qingang went out to sea alone.
Following him to a deserted sea area.
He suddenly activated the Binding Insect divine power and captured him.
Taking him to the seabed, he dug out a secret chamber as usual.
“How so?”
Li Fan said: “This fellow cultivator of mine has connections above!”
“I reported to you before that I had befriended He Zhenghao, the guardian of Liuli Island, right? This person, like me, is at the Foundation Establishment realm. Not long ago, he was complaining to me about how hard it is to accumulate contribution points, saying he wanted to change his cultivation method but didn’t know how long it would take.”
“Who would have thought, after not seeing him for a few days, he had already switched to an Nascent Soul cultivation method!”
Li Fan narrated with an exaggerated tone.
“Such an anomaly naturally caught my attention. I went to great lengths to find out...”
By now, the face had been somewhat drawn in by what Li Fan was saying.
Seeing him suddenly withhold information, he immediately scolded: “Hurry up and speak!”
Li Fan chuckled: “This He Zhenghao is no simple character!”
“On the surface, he seems just an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. But in reality, his background is frighteningly powerful!”
“He has a daughter called He Xinxin. Hmph, in fact, she should be called Heng Xinxin!”
“Boss, have you heard of the Heng family from Tianyu Prefecture of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?”
“The apple of the Heng family’s eye, Heng Ruoshui, who became a Nascent Soul Weaving Master at a young age, is actually He Zhenghao’s old flame!”
“Who would believe this if it were said? But it turns out to be true!”
“Previously, it seems that because He Zhenghao’s cultivation level was too low, he was forced to cut ties with the Heng family. That’s why he was living quite poorly.”
“But recently, it seems that things have taken a turn for the worse.”
Li Fan paused, looked at the human face, and continued, “He Xinxin has already reached adulthood, and she is very reluctant to let go of her old father when she knows that he is leading such a pitiful life. But if she helps openly and honestly, she is afraid of being discovered by her family.”
“So she had to change the way, quietly delivering the news she overheard to He Zhenghao.”
“It was by relying on his own daughter’s help that He Zhenghao was considered to have completely turned over!”
Li Fan’s tone was a bit excited and envious: “He knew in advance about the news that [Obscure Jade] was going to skyrocket, so he dumped his savings money and purchased it in one full swoop.”
“After the price doubled, it was immediately sold off.”
“In one go, he made over a hundred thousand contribution degrees!”
“Over a hundred thousand ah! Head! This has to be enough to fund me for how many years!”
“He Zhenghao was also afraid that word would leak out and be unfavorable to his daughter. So he made up a set of nonsense about how he relied on the guidance of the ancient Tian Ji Sect cultivators and spread it around.”
“I pooh! Truly treating us as fools!”
“Boss, fortunately, I was quick-witted and pestered him by all means and softly, and only then did I get the truth out of his mouth.”
Li Fan took credit with a confident face.
“The source of the leaked test questions for this entry exam is likewise from He Xinxin.”
“Boss, do you think it’s reliable?”
The silhouette on the broken stone didn’t move in anger this time, but remained silent, seemingly looking for something.
After a long time, the human face voices came one after another.
“Heng Ruoshui does have a daughter, it’s just that the identity of the father has always been a mystery.”
“But many years ago, she once returned home in the company of a youth. But not long afterward, the youth was nowhere to be found.”
“Let me see what he looks like. ......”
“Sure enough, it’s He Zhenghao!”
The human face was shocked.
“There’s also this ......”
“Before Obscure Jade skyrocketed, there was an unusual trading record. Someone went on a buying spree and later dumped it at a high point.”
“The timing of the grasp is just too good, making it hard to believe that it wasn’t known in advance as insider information.”
“The purchaser ......”
“It’s still He Zhenghao!”
A loud sound similar to slapping a table with force came from the side of the face.
“In that case, the test questions for the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s Entrance Examination are most likely true?”
The other party’s breathing couldn’t help but become rapid.
Li Fan couldn’t help but nod his head, “That’s why I hurriedly came to find you, Boss! You should know that the Grand Entrance Examination will be held soon.”
“If we can get the test questions in advance before then ......”
“Then we’ll be able to put nails in more key positions in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance!”
The face obviously understood the seriousness of the matter and hurriedly asked, “What did he say?”
At this time, Li Fan, however, suddenly became somewhat hesitant.
Swallowing, he said, “Boss, He Zhenghao’s price this time is a bit high ......”
The face angrily rebuked, “Just say it when I tell you to say it! It’s just a little bit of spirit stone, how can you compare it to the entry exam questions?”
Li Fan stretched out his hand and gestured, “He wants this amount?”
“Half a million contribution degrees? It’s not like you can’t ......” The human face hadn’t finished his words.
Li Fan hastily shook his head and cut him off, “No, it’s five million.”
The face instantly froze.
“Five million? He’s crazy, right?!” His voice trembled a little.
But soon, the human face reacted.
His face suddenly darkened, and there was a hint of murderous aura in his voice, “You’ve been exposed?!”
“Facing an individual, who is still only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he definitely wouldn’t have offered such an outrageous price.”
“Unless, he already knows that behind you, is an organization ......”
The image on the broken stone flickered, seeming to disappear at any time.
The face stared at Li Fan dead in the face, waiting for his answer.
Li Fan, on the other hand, was somewhat speechless, “Boss, in your mind, am I that unprofessional?”
“I just told him that I have someone behind me as well.”
“
“Anyone working in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has connections. You can’t get a job there without some personal ties.”
“Don’t worry head, even if He Zheng Hao has some speculations, he would never be right to think of me towards the aspect of a spy.”
“In reality, He Zhenghao is just casting a wide net. He also knows the risks of selling entry test questions, so he’s only doing a one-shot deal.”
“He only deals with one party, and limits the number of people who know the questions to no more than ten who will take the entrance exam.”
......
Only after listening to Li Fan’s explanation did the human face gradually ease up.
The screen became bright and clear again, and the human face carefully analyzed it for a while and said, “Fifty thousand per person, although the cost is a bit high, but it’s still acceptable.”
“It’s just that the number is huge after all. If the test questions given by this He Zhenghao are fake ......”
Li Fan was unimpressed and said, “He Zhenghao, he said that there are seven days for the big entrance exam anyway. He can give us the first day’s exam questions for free first. After it’s determined to be correct, then we’ll make the final deal.”
Hearing this, Man couldn’t help but thump his heart.
(Hey Guys I forgot about the wife? What was she? Nascent Soul Weaving Master came out in the translation I am not sure what weaving master mean.)
Next Chapter
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Chapter 430
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However, five million contribution points was not a small sum. The face did not make a decision immediately.
After pondering for a moment, the face said cautiously: “This matter still needs to be carefully considered. We will meet again after seven days.”
After transmitting a coordinate location to Li Fan, the face quietly disappeared.
But in an instant, it reappeared.
“By the way, no matter what, this person He Zhenghao has a very high value to be cultivated.”
“You must maintain a good relationship with him. Even if this test question is fake, just because of his relationship with the Heng family of Tianyu Province, it is worth us spending a fortune.”
“Previously I heard you report that this person is most fascinated by formations?”
“Perhaps we can start from this aspect.”
The face gave a few more instructions before finally leaving.
After glowing yellow, the smooth piece of broken stone shattered inch by inch, falling to the ground.
Li Fan stepped forward to examine it, discovering that it had been completely destroyed.
Standing on the spot and pondering for a moment, Li Fan, still in the guise of Zhou Qingang, quietly flew away.
After flying far enough and ensuring that no one was following or monitoring him along the way, Li Fan transformed back into his original middle-aged appearance in the shadows.
“The bait has been laid, let’s see if the Five Elders Association takes the hook.”
While flying, Li Fan recalled Zhou Qingang’s memories about the Five Elders Association.
“Land of Carefree Bliss...”
“Presumably, the one who controls this domain is the Longevity Venerable who can make people forget disasters.”
“But what’s with that Land of Truth? The laws of Heaven and Earth that the Longevity Venerable of Tranquility has reversed should pretty much cover the entirety of the Xuanhuang Realm.”
“But ‘Unable to Lie’ clearly does not affect other areas, only taking effect in specific regions.”
“Sister Zhao’s ‘One Heart’ seems to be the same.”
“Tranquility and Transmission should be one level higher than these two...”
“No wonder the Five Elders Association, with five Longevity Venerable, still fears Transmission.”
“Even if they try to test, they are extremely cautious.”
Li Fan thought thoughtfully.
This connection with the Five Elders Association was not a whim on Li Fan’s part.
Besides maximizing the use of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s entry exam questions for profit.
In the future, to prevent the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array from purifying towards the ‘Xuan Net’ direction, the balance of the Five Elders Association is also crucial.
Having a clone as a spy for the Five Elders Association would make future actions much easier.
Next, Li Fan did not return to the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, but flew towards the southeast sea area of the Congyun Sea.
The secluded small island in the center of the sea area was Li Fan’s destination.
After half a day, Li Fan saw the complex courtyard on the island from afar.
In the courtyard, five cultivators were sitting cross-legged.
An old man with rosy cheeks and white hair, looking very energetic, was pacing back and forth by the cultivators.
He kept muttering about profound and obscure words that were difficult to understand.
The changes before him were beyond Li Fan’s expectations.
He stared at Li Chenfeng, realizing that this strange beast-like body could actually achieve a certain degree of divine sense shielding.
This six-foot giant, when sensed by divine sense, was only the size of a flying insect.
“Senior, please spare our lives. Pretend you didn’t see us, okay?”
Li Chenfeng’s words rang out, a mixture of two voices.
But before Li Fan could answer, his massive body vanished from where he stood.
He appeared behind Li Fan.
His giant claws raised high, about to tear Li Fan’s head apart.
Li Fan’s face slightly changed.
Because he discovered that the Binding Insect technique was useless against Li Chenfeng.
This was the first time since he learned it from the Worm Apprentice.
However, he remained calm, instantly setting up several formations around him.
He flipped his hand, striking out with a palm.
The azure giant palm collided with the dark golden giant claw, causing a deafening roar.
Li Fan took this opportunity to pull back, and at the same time, a blue water sword illuminated the sky.
The Cloud Water Sword pierced through Li Chenfeng’s body, splitting him in two.
Countless blood rained down, but Li Fan did not relax his guard.
Because Li Chenfeng’s body, which had been cut in half, instantly healed its wounds.
Then, one on each side, they charged towards Li Fan.
Just then, the formations Li Fan had set up earlier silently activated.
After flying forward for a while, Li Chenfeng seemed to freeze in mid-air, unable to move forward another step!
(To be continued...)
TL Note: This Chapter was very very hard to translate. I made some changes in the chapter 407 related to Longevity Immortal. Transmission Immortal is same as Law Bestowing Immortal.
I will list some glossary in this page. Do comment if I got it wrong.
This is the cultivation method I got.
Qi Transformation
Foundation Building
Golden Core
Nascent Soul
Soul Transformation
Dao Integration -> Immortal Sage
Longevity Immortal -> are called Longevity Venerable or just Venerable
?? ??
So far we know Longevity Immortal => Transmission/Law Bestowing Venerable, Tranquility
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Chapter 434
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“Of course, if you don’t believe me and insist on testing the might of the 【Immortal Ruins】, I won’t stop you.”
“After all, good advice is wasted on the dead.”
“The organization doesn’t absolutely need your help.”
Li Fan said nonchalantly.
The three were after all elites selected by the Empire, with extraordinary determination. After a moment, their pale faces gradually relaxed.
Li Chenfeng replied, “Senior, this matter is of great importance, we can’t make the decision...”
Li Fan readily said, “I’ll give you two months.”
“After two months, I will come back here and need your clear answer.”
Li Chenfeng smiled wryly and could only reluctantly agree.
“Involving the secrets of the organization, just in case, we need to take some small measures.” Li Fan looked at the three and flicked his finger.
Li Chenfeng felt a chill enter his body, instantly disappearing and becoming undetectable. However, they dared not say anything and nodded in agreement.
Before leaving, Li Fan took out a hundred standard high-grade spirit stones from his storage ring and gave them to the three from the Empire.
“This is the organization’s rule. For the first meeting, there has to be some gifts.”
“But with ten thousand contribution points, you guys may not be able to look at it is all.”
Li Fan looked towards the few Foundation Establishment cultivators who were still asleep outside the secret room.
“Foundation Establishment masters. Hmph, good method. Although each Qi Refinement cultivator can only be squeezed for a limited amount of resources, but like gathering sand into a tower, when the quantity is large enough, it becomes quite considerable.”
Zhu Shaotang’s face was red with embarrassment, not knowing how to answer.
“However, there are no lies that can’t be broken forever. Once you join the organization, stop it.”
“If you want contribution points, the organization will help.”
Li Fan came suddenly and left quickly. After speaking those words, he soared into the sky and disappeared from the three’s sight. Only the deathly silence remained in the secret room.
“What’s the use of contribution points, we can’t leave the Xuanhuang Realm, wanting to establish our own lineage is simply impossible.” After a long time, Xiao Jin said dejectedly.
Zhu Shaotang looked at Li Chenfeng and asked, “Master Li, what do you think? How much of what that person said was true and how much was false?”
“Junior Brother, Junior Brother?”
Li Fan opened his eyes and his heart stirred. In front of him was Brother Zhang’s concerned face.
“Zhang Qianmo...”
Having already known Zhang Qianmo’s future achievements, Li Fan’s gaze towards his senior brother was completely different now.
“Did I become handsome again? Why do I feel your gaze is strange, Junior Brother?” Zhang Qianmo touched his chin and asked with a smile.
Li Fan suppressed his own strangeness and chatted with his senior brother as he had tried to do in the past. When Zhang Qianmo once again talked about his three great aspirations, Li Fan didn’t remain silent in shock as he had in the previous life.
Instead, he clapped his hands and exclaimed, “If I met another cultivator who dared to be so arrogant with only Foundation Establishment cultivation, I would definitely strike him down with a purple thunderbolt.”
“But when these words come out of your mouth, Senior Brother, for some reason, I feel like it’s justified!”
Zhang Qianmo laughed heartily and patted Li Fan’s shoulder, “Junior Brother, when did you learn to flatter? But I like what you said!”
Li Fan continued to chat with his senior brother, subtly flattering him.
After a while, Li Fan pretended to ask casually, “By the way, Senior Brother, if one day your aspirations are all fulfilled, what will happen?”
Zhang Qianmo was stunned. After thinking carefully for a moment, he replied, “Things in the world are often fickle. Even dead ashes can be revived. It’s normal.”
“Take the matter of exterminating demons, for example, even if I truly achieve it at some point, there’s no guarantee that demons won’t appear again on the earth in the future.”
“With my personality, I would most likely leave behind a 【Grand Aspiration Dharma Body】 to serve as an eternal suppression.”
Li Fan couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Senior Brother, what is this Grand Aspiration Dharma Body?”
Zhang Qianmo smiled, “It’s just an unrealistic fantasy. You can think of it as a body that turns into a law of heaven and earth and exists forever.”
“If it’s triggered by specific conditions, the Dharma Body will appear in the world.”
“For example, after demons are exterminated, if a great demon reappears, the 【Extermination】 Grand Aspiration Dharma Body will manifest and kill it.”
“In this way, it can ensure that it remains unchanged for generations and the aspiration continues forever.”
“Junior Brother, what do you think of my method?”
Zhang Qianmo asked.
“Senior Brother, you are truly a prodigy!” Li Fan praised sincerely.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 435
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Zhang Qianmo burst into laughter again, finding his junior disciple increasingly likeable.
Of course, Li Fan admired his senior brother, but he still had to go through the motions.
He used the same method as in his previous life.
He went to Mr. Bai’s basement and crafted a Absolute Immortal Stone nails.
Then, he lured his senior brother there.
Taking him by surprise, he sealed his meridians with the stone nails, pretending to interrogate him about the Purple Elixir Nirvana Technique.
Zhang Qianmo stared at Li Fan with an incredulous look, as if he wanted to remember him forever.
Then, he committed suicide.
After dealing with his senior brother, Song He and Song He’s followers in Ningyuan City could no longer cause any trouble.
With the experience from his previous life, Li Fan efficiently resolved the event of the Ningyuan City’s destruction during the fight between cultivators.
The surrounding scenery instantly blurred.
Li Fan once again saw Mr. Bai standing dazedly in the bloody ruins.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard Li Fan tried, he could not see his face clearly.
Finally, the screen went black.
Li Fan exited the Fallen Immortal Realm and returned to the real world.
Sensing his gains, Li Fan couldn’t help but feel a little regret.
“The clearance reward for [Fetching Longevity Fruits from Ningyuan City], three Rebirth Longevity Fruits that can extend life by three hundred years, still exists.”
“It’s just that after defeating Senior Brother Zhang, I didn’t get any new techniques.”
However, Li Fan soon felt relieved.
“Senior Brother Zhang is still alive in the world, and I don’t need his techniques.”
“If I really bring him here, it would be even more troublesome.”
Li Fan analyzed this trip to the Fallen Immortal Realm.
“So far, it seems that the Fallen Immortal Realm can’t detect my past life experiences after I reincarnated.”
“But one thing is certain, I am very special in the Fallen Immortal Realm.”
“It’s like some kind of guidance, making me go through fixed events.”
“First, it was [Fetching Longevity Fruits from Ningyuan City], next, it’ll be [Change in the Imperial Beast Sect] right?”
“Interesting...”
Li Fan didn’t know what caused this special situation.
But since the Fallen Immortal Realm couldn’t sense the effect of ‘Truth,’ he had nothing to fear.
“Huh?!” The Stone Face was stunned, then he understood.
“No wonder your expenses are so high! You’ve been spending it all on this?” He was furious.
Li Fan could only remain silent.
After a while, the Stone Face’s anger subsided.
After thinking for a moment, he said, “Forget it, considering your contribution this time, I won’t hold it against you.”
“How about the Carefree Crystal Lattice of the Carefree Paradise? It’s like floating in the clouds, ascending to the Paradise of Bliss. Haven’t you been nagging me about it for a long time?”
Li Fan felt a wave of helplessness in his heart.
After thinking for a moment, he could only find an excuse and said tactfully, “Head, here’s what I think.”
“Didn’t you tell me to get close to He Zhenghao? But since he switched to the Nascent Soul technique, his cultivation has been rising rapidly, one level a day.”
“It won’t be long before he breaks through to the Golden Core stage.”
“And I’ve been stuck at the Foundation Establishment stage for a long time. If I can’t break through soon, with my Foundation Establishment cultivation, it will be difficult to befriend him.”
“After all, this person...”
Li Fan clicked his tongue, shaking his head repeatedly.
“Huh? You’ve finally learned your lesson?” The Stone Face looked at Li Fan in surprise.
But after thinking for a moment, he felt that what he said made sense.
He nodded immediately, “Not bad, He Zhenghao is very important. He is one of the key people you need to win over.”
“Also, you can try to get the structure of the Heavenly Yuan Transformation Formation from him.”
After a pause, the Stone Face continued, “Well, the task is arduous. It seems that we have to improve your cultivation to the Golden Core stage as soon as possible.”
“You can exchange for a technique yourself in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, we can’t provide help in this regard.”
“But I can give you a few bottles of Enlightenment Pills.”
Li Fan was overjoyed.
He had experienced the miraculous effects of the Enlightenment Pills.
But it was difficult to obtain them, even if he paid a lot of money, he couldn’t buy many.
If he could get some from the Stone Face, it would be the best.
“Just a little bit, it’s not enough!”
However, Li Fan still pretended to be greedy.
“Head, you know my aptitude, no matter how miraculous the Enlightenment Pills are, they won’t be of much use to me!”
The Stone Face said impatiently, “Don’t bother me, I’m thinking!”
(End of Chapter)NewW novels updates at novelhall.com
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Chapter 438
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Li Fan glanced at his storage ring.
Five thousand standardized top-grade spirit stones were neatly stacked inside, their brilliance captivating. Five million contribution points – the largest sum Li Fan had ever seen in his countless rebirths and reincarnations.
Even a complete waste, with the blessing of the new law, could use this enormous contribution points to defy fate and reach at least the Nascent Soul stage.
Yet, Li Fan only cast a casual glance, showing no sign of excitement.
He took out a spirit stone, twirling it in his hand, and said casually, “Good quality!”
Such calmness in the face of immense wealth.
And it wasn’t a facade. He truly didn’t seem to care, or perhaps he was used to it?
Just what kind of background does this fellow have?
Standing opposite Li Fan, the Five Elders Association cultivator scrutinized him, his heart filled with doubts.
However, he decided to probe further.
He coldly said, “Kid, still acting so cocky here? Don’t you worry that we’ll just kill you?”
Li Fan appeared unconcerned, “Scared? Absolutely terrified! Who wouldn’t be afraid of death?”
He challenged the other with a glance, not looking the least bit afraid.
“But I’m just a errand boy, a disposable life. What good would killing me do?”
“Besides, I understand. You wouldn’t dare touch me.”
Li Fan put away the spirit stone, sat upright, and adopted a serious expression. “Oh? Why is that?” The Five Elders Association cultivator asked with interest.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? Someone who can spend five million contribution points to buy test questions must be loaded.”
“They wouldn’t risk their reputation for a mere few contribution points. They wouldn’t go back on their word and kill me.”
“Sure, killing me would get you the entrance exam questions for free this time. But what about next time, or the time after that?”
“Can you guarantee that you’ll find another reliable source like us?”
Hearing Li Fan’s words, the Five Elders Association cultivator gradually shed his playful demeanor and became serious.
“Besides, aside from the entrance exam questions, wouldn’t you want other, more confidential things?”
Li Fan squinted his eyes and asked.
“More confidential things?!” The Five Elders Association cultivator was instantly surprised and delighted.
He hurriedly asked, “Like what?”
He spoke sincerely.
“When you’re in business, you have to uphold the word ‘trust’! Since you offered such a high price, you have to deliver!” Li Fan stood up and patted his clothes.
“Can I leave now?” Li Fan asked.
“Hold on!” The Five Elders Association cultivator hurriedly stopped him.
“Hm?” Li Fan’s expression changed, about to erupt, but then he heard the other’s explanation.
“You’ve been here for so long, Daoist friend. Please accept this small token as a token of our appreciation.” Saying that, the Five Elders Association cultivator handed him a small vial.
“This is.............” Li Fan took it, his divine sense scanning it. Inside, he found nineteen Enlightenment Pills.
He pretended to ponder for a moment, then looked at “Zhou Qingang” and the Five Elders Association cultivator again.
But he didn’t say anything more, instead, he burst out laughing.
“Interesting, it seems we’ll be seeing each other often.”
“I’ll take this!”
Li Fan put away the Enlightenment Pills, stepped out of the secret room, and left Youlan Island.
“Zhou Qingang” pretended to be confused, asking, “What did he mean by that?”
The Five Elders Association cultivator snorted, turning his head to look at Li Fan’s clone, “Your intelligence gathering this time has been a major failure!”
“It’s very likely that you’ve been deceived by He Zhenghao all along. This person is not as simple as he seems.”
Li Fan’s face changed, looking somewhat bewildered, “Why do you say that?”
“We weren’t the only ones trying to get the test questions from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance this time.”
“But this time, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was incredibly secretive. Our usual channels were useless, and only we succeeded.”
“And the accuracy of the test questions was terrifyingly high...”
The Five Elders Association cultivator’s tone was deep.
“He Zhenghao’s background is probably not just the Heng family.”
“Is that so?” Li Fan was shocked.
The Five Elders Association cultivator glared at him, looking like he was disappointed in him.
“You can tell from that person’s behavior just now. Clearly, this isn’t the first time they’ve done this.”
( )
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Chapter 416
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“This...”
Li Fan’s bold words from his gamble in the Abyss of Roars seemed to still echo in everyone’s ears. But this cultivator, who was brimming with ambition and seemed to have a powerful background, had died so suddenly.
He only had time to leave behind an incomplete letter before he passed away.
Thinking of this, Huangfu Song felt a wave of emotion, followed by a surge of confusion.
“This fellow, doesn’t seem like someone who would die so easily...”
His eyes narrowed as he approached Li Fan’s body.
He carefully examined it once more.
A moment later.
“He’s truly dead.”
Huangfu Song’s face was complex.
“Good thing he’s dead. It saves those above the trouble of figuring out what to do with him.”
His gaze fell upon the storage ring on Li Fan’s hand, and recalling the contents of Li Fan’s transmission, Huangfu Song couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.
“My cultivation journey has spanned a mere hundred years, and I have only met two or three true friends.”
“He Zhenhao is one, Xue Mu is another, and Huangfu Song counts as half.”
“Though my body now lies still, I leave behind a million contribution points, a Transformation Longevity Fruit, and some spirit stones and artifacts.”
“Fellow Daoists may take them as you please.”
...
“This little fellow’s wealth is truly frightening.”
“A million contribution points is fine, but that Transformation Longevity Fruit is truly a good thing.”
A flash of greed crossed Huangfu Song’s eyes, and he entertained the thought of keeping it all for himself.
At that moment, a commotion and cries of grief came from outside the secluded chamber.
“Brother Li Fan, how could you die so suddenly! How am I to repay the kindness you showed me all those years ago!”
A figure arrived beside Li Fan’s corpse. After taking a moment to confirm, they lunged forward, embracing the body and wailing.
This person was dressed in the attire of the Garrison Corps, and the other cultivator beside him was someone Huangfu Song also recognized.
The Garrison Corps Commander of Tianyun Province, Daoist Jing Xuan .
This person was a direct subordinate of the former commander, Lu Junyi.
After Lu Junyi was promoted to the position of Garrison Corps General Commander of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, this person also rose quickly through the ranks.
Although his position was higher than Huangfu Song’s, the Garrison Corps and the Formation Deployment Hall were not under the same department.
Huangfu Song had no fear of him.
Out of courtesy, he bowed.
Jing Xuan nodded, gazing at Li Fan’s body and letting out a sigh.
With the Garrison Corps involved, Huangfu Song’s selfish ambition of keeping Li Fan’s inheritance for himself was dashed.
According to procedure, the items within Li Fan’s storage ring were inspected, and no abnormalities were found.
They also claimed to be acting on the behest of the deceased.
After much deliberation, Xiao Heng assumed it was a legacy from the Skull Elder, so he accepted it.
As for He Zhenghao, according to Li Fan’s will, this group of Offworlders had not only not joined the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, but had also seemingly joined a mysterious organization.
To avoid any connection to them, He Zhenghao simply delivered the inheritance and left in a hurry.
Thus, in the year 41, Li Fan’s transformed “Formation Breaking Disc” successfully reached Xiao Heng through He Zhenghao.
None of the Offworlders were proficient in formations.
They simply treated it as an ordinary formation breaking artifact and left it in their storage rings.
In the year 45, Han Wuyou came of age and successfully established his foundation.
Xiao Heng gave Han Wuyou the Formation Breaking Disc and two other artifacts as gifts.
Han Wuyou was very fond of the Formation Breaking Disc and kept it close by, nourishing it with his heartblood day and night.
In the year 46, Han Wuyou and the “Formation Breaking Disc” established a strange connection.
A flood of formation knowledge suddenly surged into his mind.
After informing Xiao Heng about this, the Offworlders investigated but couldn’t find any reason for it.
They simply instructed Han Wuyou to keep it safe.
In the year 48, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance announced to the world that within ten years, all cultivators within their territory who had not joined the alliance must join. Those who refused would face the consequences.
The news sparked discontent among many independent cultivators.
The Offworlders, however, received a message from Shuo Feng instructing them to cooperate.
In the year 49, the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord attacked Shilin Province.
Although the Soul Locking Array quickly locked onto its target, it was still not captured.
It rampaged for half a month, killing hundreds of cultivators before calmly withdrawing.
In the year 50, Han Wuyou broke through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
In the year 51, a roar of rage, filled with resentment, suddenly echoed across the distant Yuandao Province.
“Who dares?!”
The reverberations continued for days.
People were horrified to discover that the voice belonged to the long-deceased Blue Feather Immortal Venerable.
Seven days later, the voice dissipated. Blue Feather Immortal Venerable never appeared again.
In the year 53, Linghu Chang of the Medicine King Sect was persuaded by Xiao Heng to join “Rebirth Immortal.”
Linghu Chang and Xiao Heng, along with the others, discovered a former site of the Tianji Sect in the Hundred Stones Cave on the outskirts of Shilin Province.
They obtained several cultivation techniques from it.
In the year 55, an unnatural phenomenon occurred.
Green threads densely covered the sky.
It lasted for three months before disappearing.
People were terrified but did not understand what it meant.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 417
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Year 57, Han Wuyou broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, Late Stage.
Year 58, the ten-year period had arrived.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance dispatched a group of black-clad cultivators to begin purging all unallied loose cultivators across the land.
Loose cultivators rose up in resistance, but they crumbled at the first touch.
While the loose cultivators were indeed not very strong, the battle prowess displayed by the black-clad cultivators was truly formidable.
Although their individual strengths were not high, most were at the Nascent Soul Stage, they were incredibly terrifying in actual combat. They could simultaneously engage in combat against ten or more cultivators of the same realm without falling behind.
Their attacks were ruthless, leaving no survivors.
No matter where the loose cultivators hid, the black-clad cultivators could always precisely pinpoint their location, leaving them with nowhere to escape.
For a time, blood flowed endlessly across the land.
After barely repelling a group of black-clad cultivators, the offworlders gathered and decided to join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
After practicing the secret technique, “One Hand Covers the Sky”, obtained from the Tianji Sect’s ruins, and through the efforts of Shuo Feng, they successfully passed the Jade Heart-Testing Platform’s test.
They temporarily lay dormant within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Year 60, the war concluded.
Within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s territories, there were no longer any loose cultivators.
Year 61, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance issued a decree:
Maintaining the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array was everyone’s responsibility.
All cultivators within the alliance were required to practice a technique called “Mending the Heavens”.
While this technique did not increase one’s cultivation base, it generated corresponding “Heavenly Gifts” within the Tianxuan Mirror based on the progress achieved.
Similar to Contribution Points, Heavenly Gifts could be exchanged for various techniques and resources.
Despite some grumbling, most cultivators reluctantly followed the requirements and began practicing “Mending the Heavens”.
Year 63, Han Wuyou broke through to the Golden Core Stage.
In the same year, during a secluded cultivation session, he comprehended the “Heavenly Doctor Immortal Scripture” from the Breaking Formation Jade Plate.
Year 65, rumors spread. It seemed as if a barrier had appeared in the world, preventing cultivators from fully absorbing the cultivation base they gained.
A small portion of it disappeared, its whereabouts unknown.
The rumors were quickly suppressed.
The offworlders held a secret meeting, exchanging and verifying information, confirming the truth of the rumors.
Xiao Heng instructed everyone not to spread the word.
The day after the meeting, the offworlders were warned by a group of black-clad cultivators.
Year 69, the Five Elders Association suddenly launched a surprise attack on the Eight Directions Province.
This time, they seemed to have discovered a method to temporarily shield themselves from the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array’s detection.
They swept through the province like a storm, conquering most of its territory within a single day.
Year 86, the number of Sky Warlocks steadily increased.
Year 90, a natural phenomenon occurred.
Blood rained down across all the provinces, and cries of anguish echoed throughout the heavens.
It continued for months.
Year 91, a Sky Warlock with the power of Dao Integration intervened, suppressing those involved in a plot to overturn the Soul-Locking Array.
Year 101, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance established a clear quota for cultivators practicing “Mending the Heavens”.
Year 139, Han Wuyou received a secret message from Xiao Heng. After arriving at an underground base thirty thousand zhang deep, Han Wuyou learned that in recent years, “Rebirth Immortals” had gathered a large number of like-minded cultivators under the banner of overthrowing the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array.
At the same time, Han Wuyou learned even more shocking news.
Over the past century, countless cultivators had mysteriously disappeared. They were neither seen nor heard from again.
Plenty of evidence pointed to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance as the culprit.
Han Wuyou learned an upgraded version of the “One Hand Covers the Sky” technique, which could interfere with the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array’s surveillance within a certain range.
Year 150, news emerged of an impending merger between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association.
The world was stunned.
Year 159, the Xuanhuang Realm was unified.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association were collectively known as the “Heavenly Alliance”.
A group of Sky Warlocks began constructing the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array within the former territories of the Five Elders Association.
Year 160, Han Wuyou broke through to the Golden Core Stage, Late Stage.
Year 163, during the construction of the Soul-Locking Array, the “Rebirth Immortals” attempted to assassinate the array masters and obtain the Soul-Locking Array’s structural blueprint.
But their attempt failed, and seventy-eight of them were killed.
Afterwards, the Heavenly Alliance launched a brutal purge.
Many innocent cultivators were killed.
The “Rebirth Immortals” went into complete hiding.
Year 171, the construction of the Soul-Locking Array was completed throughout the entire Xuanhuang Realm.
From that point onwards, the sky permanently took on a green hue.
The Xuanhuang Realm entered a period of relative peace that lasted nearly a century.
The number of Sky Warlocks continued to grow.
However, cultivators’ cultivation speed slowed down drastically.
Their overall numbers also steadily declined each year.
Beneath the apparent tranquility of the Xuanhuang Realm, undercurrents swirled.
Year 260, Han Wuyou broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage.
Year 263, a “Declaration to Cultivators of the World” spread throughout the Xuanhuang Realm overnight.
It marked the beginning of a war between cultivators and the Soul-Locking Array.
Chapter 418
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In a manifesto spanning ten thousand words, cultivator Gu Xinghan revealed to the world:
Using formations to replace Heaven, stealing its authority.
Like a shadow that follows, monitoring the world.
Draining cultivation, to nourish Tianxuan.
The masses are like cattle and horses, the Dao has no path forward.
...
The manifesto enumerated the evils of the Spirit-Locking Formation, pointing out that the core of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Formation was actually the former Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s treasure, the Tianxuan Mirror.
The Tianxuan Mirror, seeking to attain Dao transcendence, was using all the cultivators in the world as sacrifices.
Gu Xinghan called upon all cultivators to unite, shatter the Spirit-Locking Formation, and restore the Xuanhuang Realm to its former glory.
Although the Heavenly Alliance immediately issued a denial, refuting the claims and issuing a “Heavenly Execution Order” against Gu Xinghan.
But over the past hundred years, the strange changes that had occurred in the world since the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Formation became widespread were undeniable.
The Heavenly Alliance’s denials could not silence the voices of the cultivators.
For a time, cultivators were stirred with anger.
However, the Heavenly Alliance had ruled the Xuanhuang Realm for thousands of years, its authority still strong.
Those who responded to Gu Xinghan’s call and dared to truly stand up in resistance were few and far between.
They were like scattered stars, quickly suppressed by the Heavenly Alliance’s dispatched Sky Warlocks.
But Gu Xinghan was never caught.
His efforts were not entirely in vain.
The seeds of doubt had been sown.
Cultivators became more wary of the Tianxuan Mirror and the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Formation.
Cultivators across the Xuanhuang Realm began to secretly research methods to avoid the Tianxuan Mirror’s surveillance.
The Heavenly Alliance itself began to experience internal divisions.
News spread of Heavenly Alliance officials privately expressing dissatisfaction with the Spirit-Locking Formation, only to be subsequently arrested and severely punished as a warning to others.
In year 268, an image was projected onto the green sky of the Xuanhuang Realm.
Although it was quickly blocked, preventing any further viewing, the brief moment it appeared before everyone was enough to completely ignite a wave of resistance among the cultivators.
A towering wall, its location unknown, piercing the clouds.
Countless cultivators were suppressed and slumbered within its walls.
On the wall, only faces with tightly closed eyes and eerie smiles were visible.
“Fellow Daoists, this is the Eternal Immortal Wall. All the cultivators who have gone missing over the past hundred years have been imprisoned here by the Heavenly Alliance...”
In year 315, it was discovered that the cultivators who had returned previously were not in any danger, and more cultivators chose to return.
In year 324, the Heavenly Alliance commenced an unclear construction project in various provinces. Immense golden obelisks rose from the ground, standing tall in the center of each province.
In year 369, Han Wuyou broke through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage. Under the alias He Buyou, he returned to the Heavenly Alliance and went into hiding again.
Han Wuyou discovered that the Heavenly Alliance was now led by Sky Warlocks.
The Heavenly Alliance continued to provide cultivation resources to those who surrendered.
The price, however, was the requirement to practice the “Mending the Heavens” even more.
In year 370, Han Wuyou temporarily halted his own cultivation and began to immerse himself in studying the “Mending the Heavens.”
In year 393, due to his consistent and focused practice of the “Mending the Heavens” for twenty years, contributing a large amount of “Celestial Dew Points,” Han Wuyou was rewarded by the Heavenly Alliance.
He was granted the rank of 4th-grade Sky Warlock and appointed as a “Sky Official,” responsible for managing and supervising the “Mending Heaven” work of over a thousand cultivators.
In year 404, across the Xuanhuang Realm, massive beams of light erupted from the tops of the obelisks, shooting straight towards the heavens.
The earth and the sky trembled.
The obelisks’ energy burst lasted for seven days.
In year 412, after nearly forty years of research, Han Wuyou, combining the knowledge of formations he had gleaned from the Breaking Formation Disc, deciphered the function of the “Mending the Heavens.”
The Tianxuan Soul-Locking Formation, stealing Heaven’s authority, was attempting to usurp its place.
But the core of the Spirit-Locking Formation, the Tianxuan Mirror, had overestimated its abilities.
It could only barely maintain the normal operation of all the Spirit-Locking Formations while in an overloaded state.
Therefore, it needed external assistance to share some of the burden.
Only cultivators could establish a connection with “Heaven and Earth.”
This was why the Heavenly Alliance required cultivators to practice the “Mending the Heavens,” while Sky Warlocks could not.
Han Wuyou vaguely saw a glimmer of hope in overthrowing the Spirit-Locking Formation.
But he also had some concerns.
Because if the Tianxuan Mirror achieved transcendence and completed its transformation.
It would no longer need cultivators to practice the “Mending the Heavens.”
Without making a fuss, Han Wuyou kept this matter to himself, continuing to lie in wait, biding his time.
In year 434, Han Wuyou was assigned, along with a team of Sky Warlocks, to investigate a “strange” incident in Tianpan Province.
During casual conversation, Han Wuyou learned that strange occurrences had been spreading in the world in recent years.
In year 459, the obelisks once again emitted beams of light.
Roaring sounds continuously echoed from the heavens.
( )
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Chapter 437
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Three days later.
As the sun set.
Li Fan sat cross-legged on the seabed, eyes closed, cultivating.
Suddenly, he sensed a yellow light flashing on the broken stone, and Li Fan abruptly opened his eyes.
He rose and asked, “Head? How is it? Are the test questions authentic?”
“Haha, you little rascal, you’ve done a great service this time!” The voice of the human face was filled with uncontainable excitement.
“The test questions are real! The compartments are not wrong!”
“I’ve always heard that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is outwardly glamorous, but in reality, it’s already rotten to the core. It’s even worse than the rumors!”
“Such a major event as the entry exam, which concerns the future and fate of the organization, is actually being used for personal gain!”
“This is just the Heng family in Tianyu Province!”
“What about those with even more power, I dare not even imagine!”
The human face seemed to be in a state of shock, repeatedly clicking its tongue, filled with disbelief.
Li Fan then interjected, “Isn’t this better for us? The faster the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance dies, the sooner our Five Elders Association can unify the Xuanhuang Realm.”
The human face nodded in agreement, “That’s right! Victory will ultimately belong to our Five Elders Association!”
He paused, his excited mood gradually calming down.
His expression turned solemn as he instructed, “Time is of the essence, go contact He Zhenghao immediately and get the remaining test questions. The transaction location will be within the Wancang Pavilion.”
“I’ll send someone, you’re responsible for the reception.”
“By the way, to prevent the remaining test questions from being incorrect, you must wait until the exam is over and you receive notification before letting him leave.”
The human face carefully instructed Li Fan on various precautions, then explained the contact method before disappearing.
As usual, Li Fan destroyed all traces of the scene before returning to Tai’an Island.
Deep within the protective formation, Li Fan and his clone sat facing each other.
“Wancang Pavilion...”
Li Fan had been to this place before.
It was where He Zhenghao, in his twelfth life, had stored his legacy, the “Detailed Explanation of the Hundred Meridians Formation,” before his death.
Located on Youlan Island in the Congyun Sea.
And in his previous life, Zhou Qing’ang had obtained the spirit stone supply for the human face through this place.
“It seems that this place might be a secret base of the Five Elders Association.”
Li Fan pondered for a moment, then immediately cast the “One Hand Covers the Sky” secret technique, wearing the “Concealing Qi Talisman,” masking his clone’s cultivation, and waiting for the Five Elders Association’s people to arrive.
His main body, however, randomly transformed into another appearance, and through the teleportation array, he arrived on Youlan Island ahead of time.
After a short while, when his main body had secretly lurked in the waters outside Youlan Island.
A cultivator suddenly appeared in the teleportation array on Tai’an Island.
“He Zhenghao sent me.”
As these words left his mouth, both the Five Elders Association cultivator and Li Fan’s clone turned pale.
He first glanced at “Zhou Qing’ang,” then his face darkened, and he coldly asked, “What do you mean, Fellow Daoist?”
Li Fan, on the other hand, looked unconcerned and said, “What do I mean? Of course, I’m here to make a transaction.”
“Why isn’t He Zhenghao here himself?” The Five Elders Association cultivator hesitated for a moment before asking.
Li Fan chuckled, “Such a dangerous matter, how could he possibly come in person? If things go wrong, wouldn’t he be implicated?”
“It seems you don’t know this person very well.”
The Five Elders Association cultivator looked at “Zhou Qingang” again.
He continued to ask, “If you’re caught, won’t it implicate him? Five million contribution points, does he really trust you so much?”
Li Fan became completely impatient, “That’s none of your concern. The question is, are you going to trade or not?”
“If you don’t, I’ll leave. What are you afraid of? You’re so timid!”
Li Fan looked at them with dissatisfaction.
“Besides, who you trade with is your business, as long as the test questions are real, right?”
His voice boomed, without any concealment.
The Five Elders Association cultivator slightly changed color, subconsciously observing the surroundings.
After thinking for a moment, they felt that what the other party said was not unreasonable.
Glancing at “Zhou Qingang,” they said in a deep voice, “Alright, keep your voice down.”
“Follow me.”
Then, they took the two of them into the Wancang Pavilion.
The staff in the Wancang Pavilion all acted as if they hadn’t seen Li Fan and the others.
They reached the deepest secret chamber without any obstruction.
Closing the secret chamber, the Five Elders Association cultivator said in a low voice, “The test questions?”
Li Fan countered, “The five million?”
“Money in hand...”
“Goods in hand.”
Both spoke in unison, looking at each other for a moment.
They faced each other for a while before exchanging their storage rings.
“You can’t leave yet,” the Five Elders Association cultivator said coldly.
“I know, I know! You’re afraid the test questions are fake, right?” Li Fan looked like he had nothing to fear.
“Look at you guys, never seen the world before.”
He showed a hint of disdain, sat down boldly, and crossed his legs.
“It’s fine, I’ll just wait here until the exam is over.”
Chapter 425
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“[Sitting Mountain], without [Mountain Ascension]...”
He Zhenghao’s eyes lit up. He seemed to have gleaned some incredible information from Li Fan, this senior. He was eager for Li Fan to elaborate, but the latter suddenly clammed up.
This made He Zhenghao anxious. He hesitated several times before speaking.
“What’s the matter? We’re both cultivating the same technique now. It’s good enough that we’re not drawing swords at each other. You still want me to guide you?” Li Fan sneered.
He Zhenghao could see that this senior was just a little intimidating in appearance. He wasn’t truly a villain.
He quickly said, “Senior, your eyes are like torches, you’ve seen through me. The Sitting Mountain Technique (坐山訣) is a divine technique, but my cultivation is too slow. I’ve already thought about changing techniques.”
“Please rest assured, Senior. I will absolutely not compete with you for the technique.”
Hearing He Zhenghao’s statement, Li Fan’s expression softened slightly.
“You’re a smart kid. It saves me from having to commit more bloodshed.”
He Zhenghao tentatively asked, “However, I’ve cultivated the Sitting Mountain Technique for over a hundred years, pouring my heart and soul into it. I know I might have been practicing it wrong, but I don’t know the correct way to cultivate it. It’s truly frustrating.”
“I hope Senior can enlighten me.” He Zhenghao said earnestly.
Li Fan carefully scrutinized him. He Zhenghao felt the same nervousness he had as a mortal when he first encountered a cultivator.
“Forget it. We were originally separated by thousands of years, but we can cultivate the same technique. It’s truly a deep connection. The Heavenly Secrets are unpredictable. Perhaps it was fate that I met you after I woke up.”
After a long silence, Li Fan sighed lightly.
“The subworld where you obtained the technique is also...”
Li Fan shook his head, abruptly stopping. He said seriously, “Since you’re also cultivating the Sitting Mountain Technique, you naturally know that the essence of the technique lies in the four words: ‘坐享其成’ (Sit and Enjoy the Benefits).”
He Zhenghao nodded repeatedly.
Li Fan continued, “But the changes in the world happen over thousands of years. Just relying on ‘Sitting Mountain’, cultivation is too slow. In truth, it might not even be considered a third-rate technique.”
He Zhenghao agreed even more.
“Therefore, if you want to cultivate the Sitting Mountain Technique quickly, you have to rely on ‘Sitting Immortal’!” Li Fan said emphatically.
“Help cultivators who are in dire straits. Once their luck turns around and they soar to great heights, their cultivation will advance rapidly. We will naturally benefit greatly.”
“Furthermore, the feedback from one person may be small, but with a wide net, little by little, it will accumulate and become a towering structure. How can cultivation be slow?”
“However...”
Li Fan’s voice changed, “The crux lies here. Although there are many cultivators in the world, ultimately only a small percentage can cultivate from the Qi Refinement Stage, Foundation Establishment Stage, all the way to the Golden Core Stage and Nascent Soul Stage.
“If you lack special methods and blindly invest, not only will it be inefficient, but more often than not, it will be a waste of effort.”
“All in all, I should have... fifteen or sixteen hundred thousand.” He carefully glanced at Li Fan.
To his surprise, Li Fan didn’t get angry. He simply nodded and said, “Hmm, you’re still short 100,000 Contribution Points.”
“Give you a month, that should be enough, right?”
He flicked his finger. He Zhenghao felt a cold sensation enter his body. When he tried to sense it again, he couldn’t detect it.
Li Fan said coldly, “This is the Tian Ji Sect’s secret technique ‘Soul Locking Binding’ (鎖靈縛). No one can undo it except the person who cast the spell.”
“Once the time is up, if the Soul Locking Binding isn’t removed, you will only be reduced to ashes, death and destruction!”
He Zhenghao’s face turned pale at these words.
“Kid, remember! Within a month, change techniques on your own. Otherwise...”
Li Fan glanced at He Zhenghao and was about to flee.
He Zhenghao couldn’t help but lament, “Senior, you’re being too unreasonable! 150,000 into 250,000 in a month! How is that possible! You might as well kill...”
Li Fan suddenly returned and landed in front of He Zhenghao.
He Zhenghao stopped abruptly.
“You little brat, why are you so noisy? I’ve already been merciful by giving you so much time.”
“You can’t turn 150,000 into 250,000 in a month?”
“Then what are you investing in?” Li Fan said impatiently.
He Zhenghao mumbled, looking like he was angry but didn’t dare to say anything.
Li Fan suddenly became furious, “What kind of expression is that?”
He Zhenghao had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, “It’s not that Junior is shirking responsibility, it’s just...”
Li Fan waved his hand, “You kid are just a piece of useless mud. Such a simple matter, it’s as if you’re being asked to give your life.”
“If I were to do it, I wouldn’t need a month. I could do it in seven or eight days.”
The expression on He Zhenghao’s face spoke volumes.
Li Fan sneered, “What? You don’t believe me?”
“How about we make a bet?”
He Zhenghao was unusually tough this time, “Bet on it! But Senior can’t go back on your word if you lose!”
(To be continued)
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Chapter 436
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The image on the broken stone abruptly fell silent.
Li Fan didn’t urge, patiently waiting.
After a long time, the human face responded: “Found it! There’s something that’s perfect for you!”
“Oh? What is it?” Li Fan acted somewhat excited.
“The [Devouring Heaven and Earth Great Technique]!” The human face said with a smug look.
“Devouring Heaven and Earth?” Li Fan squinted his eyes, thinking for a while, but couldn’t find any related information in his memory.
Fortunately, the human face didn’t intend to test Li Fan, directly explaining: “It’s a cultivation method left behind by an infamous cultivator from ancient times.”CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m
“This person took a unique path, not absorbing spiritual energy from the heavens and earth, but instead directly devouring spiritual veins and earth veins for cultivation.”
“Although his progress was extremely fast, he didn’t know how to restrain himself, acting recklessly, and in a short time, caused the spiritual energy of several provinces to dry up and mountains to change shape.”
“Eventually, he was discovered and suffered the fate of being skinned, his bones extracted, and his soul scattered.”
“However, his secret technique was preserved after being interrogated.”
Li Fan thought for a moment, thoughtfully saying: “Head means, let me use the [Devouring Heaven and Earth Great Technique] to secretly absorb the spiritual veins and earth veins of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?”
The human face nodded, with a look of “You’re a quick learner”: “Most of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s strongholds are built on top of earth veins.”
“You, as the guardian of Tai’an Island, just be careful, absorb a little each time, and it will surely not be discovered.”
“And this little bit of earth vein energy, for a Foundation Establishment cultivator like you, is already a great supplement. In this way, you will be able to quickly advance to the Golden Core realm.”
Li Fan exclaimed with joy: “Head, you are truly wise and valiant!”
The human face, however, didn’t fall for Li Fan’s flattery, coldly snorting: “Go and get the first day’s exam questions from He Zhenghao. Wait for the results to come out and confirm them before we conduct the transaction that night.”
“At that time, I will send someone specifically. You just need to handle the handover.”
“I’ll also have him bring you the [Devouring Heaven and Earth Great Technique] by the way.” Li Fan wasn’t surprised by the human face’s decision.
After all, five million contribution points was no small sum. It wouldn’t be possible to hand it over to him, a Foundation Establishment cultivator on the surface, to manage.
So, he nodded repeatedly in agreement.
“You go now,” the human face instructed.
“We’ve been meeting frequently recently, be careful on the way. At crucial moments, don’t expose any flaws.”
“Head, you can rest assured,” Li Fan patted his chest and guaranteed.
After agreeing on the location for their next meeting, the broken stone gradually lost its luster, turning into dust.
“Cultivating by devouring earth vein energy...” Li Fan suddenly remembered something.
Time passed slowly.
During this period, to avoid any suspicion, Li Fan invited He Zhenghao to Tai’an Island several times as a guest.
He sealed the formation and chatted with him late into the night.
Li Fan, who knew He Zhenghao’s temperament well, naturally had a pleasant conversation with him.
After several times, He Zhenghao increasingly treated “Zhou Qingang” as a confidant.
And in casual conversations, He Zhenghao boasted several times about being guided by a “cultivator from the ancient Tian Ji Sect.”
He had made a significant investment and completely turned his life around, changing his destiny from then on.
After cultivating the Nascent Soul technique, he was now on the verge of reaching the Golden Core realm.
Li Fan pretended to be extremely envious on the surface.
He repeatedly flattered He Zhenghao, begging him to remember him the next time he had a chance to make a fortune.
He Zhenghao couldn’t resist Li Fan’s persistent pleading and readily agreed.
Li Fan then put on a relieved smile.
Other than that, the Cong Yun Sea was calm and peaceful, with no other unusual events occurring.
Soon, three days were left before the official start of the recruitment exam.
After meeting He Zhenghao again for a long conversation and letting him leave, Li Fan suddenly stood up: “It’s time.”
He quietly flew towards the meeting location he had agreed upon with the human face on the broken stone.
Following the same steps as before, he found the meeting place for this time.
After verification, the human face suddenly appeared.
“How is it? Did you get the exam questions?” A rare hint of nervousness and anticipation could be heard in the human face’s voice.
Li Fan couldn’t hide his excitement either.
He nodded, took out the jade slip engraved with the first day’s exam questions, and placed it on the broken stone.
Yellow light enveloped the jade slip, and the human face’s image became blurry.
After a moment, the human face said: “Good! Wait here. In three days, you’ll know the outcome.”
Before Li Fan could respond, the human face hurriedly disappeared.
The yellow light dimmed, but this time, the broken stone didn’t shatter.
Li Fan looked at the broken stone, his eyes filled with a deep meaning.
(End of Chapter)
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Hidden Assassin
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Aug 1: Dropping My Longevity Simulation. I got a job, so I will be dropping this web novel. Patreons Will be Refunded.
June 27: I am moving advance chapters to Patreon. Some commented they saw inconsistent translated terms. I am using a plugin to replace frequent mistranslated words, however, it seems the plugin might be causing errors.SGB Chapter 98SGB Chapter 97SGB Chapter 96SGB Chapter 93SGB Chapter 92SGB Chapter 95Chapter 428 – 429Chapter 438Chapter 437Chapter 436Chapter 435Chapter 434Chapter 433Chapter 432Chapter 431Chapter 430Chapter 427Chapter 426Chapter 425Chapter 419Chapter 415Chapter 414Chapter 424Chapter 423Chapter 422Chapter 421Chapter 420Chapter 418Chapter 417Chapter 416Chapter 413Chapter 412SGB Chapter 91SGB Chapter 90SGB Chapter 89SGB Chapter 88SGB Chapter 87SGB Chapter 86SGB Chapter 85SGB Chapter 84SGB Chapter 83SGB Chapter 82SGB Chapter 81SGB Chapter 80SGB Chapter 79SGB Chapter 78SGB Chapter 77SGB Chapter 76SGB Chapter 75SGB Chapter 74SGB Chapter 73SGB Chapter 72SGB Chapter 71SGB Chapter 43SGB Chapter 70SGB Chapter 69SGB Chapter 68SGB Chapter 67SGB Chapter 66SGB Chapter 65SGB Chapter 64SGB Chapter 63SGB Chapter 62SGB Chapter 61SGB Chapter 60SGB Chapter 59SGB Chapter 58SGB Chapter 57SGB Chapter 56SGB Chapter 55SGB Chapter 54SGB Chapter 53SGB Chapter 52SGB Chapter 51SGB Chapter 50SGB Chapter 49SGB Chapter 48SGB Chapter 47SGB Chapter 46SGB Chapter 45SGB Chapter 44HA Chapter 91HA Chapter 90Chapter 411HA Chapter 88-89Chapter 409-410SGB Chapter 42SGB Chapter 41SGB Chapter 40SGB Chapter 39SGB Chapter 38SGB Chapter 37SGB Chapter 36 (Free)SGB Chapter 35SGB Chapter 27SGB Chapter 26SGB Chapter 34SGB Chapter 33SGB Chapter 32Chapter 408
Chapter 439
"The fact that you could easily obtain even the entrance exam questions, not to mention other more confidential information..."
The words of the Five Elders Association's cultivator gradually became low and contemplative, clearly lost in thought and speculation.
After a moment, he snapped back to reality and looked at "Zhou Qing'ang."
"Although there were some minor flaws, overall, being able to connect with the organization behind He Zhenghao is a great achievement on your part."
He tossed over a storage ring.
"Inside, you'll find the *Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique* you wanted, along with some Enlightenment Pills."
"In addition, there's also fifty thousand contribution points worth of spirit stones as a reward for your achievement."
Upon hearing this, Li Fan received the storage ring and checked its contents, his face showing delight.
"Fifty thousand contribution points? Why is the boss being so generous!"
The Five Elders Association cultivator snorted, "Since there is merit, there will naturally be rewards. From now on, while you continue to stay undercover, make sure to maintain your relationship with He Zhenghao."
"If possible, try to extract some information from him about the mysterious organization behind him."
"Of course, if that's not possible, don't force it. Just being able to connect with them and exchange spirit stones for secrets is enough."
Li Fan nodded repeatedly.
"Alright, you can go back now."
"You've been in contact a bit too frequently lately. For the time being, avoid meeting with the boss to prevent any slip-ups."
"If anything unusual happens, you'll be contacted again."
After carefully instructing him, the other person left Youlan Island.
Only then did Li Fan's clone leisurely make his way back.
On Tai'an Island, Li Fan's main body had been waiting for a long time.
"Five hundred and fifty thousand contribution points, three bottles of Enlightenment Pills, the Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique..."
"This harvest isn't bad at all."
After tallying the items from both the main body and the clone's storage rings, Li Fan nodded slightly.
"With such a large amount of contribution points, whatever I plan next will be much easier."
After just a glance, Li Fan no longer paid attention to the pile of spirit stones.
Once it reaches a certain level, even more just becomes a string of numbers.
Moreover, for someone like Li Fan, who can continuously *reincarnate* and start over, the more cycles he goes through and the more information he gathers, the easier it becomes to acquire contribution points.
Li Fan first began reading the *Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique*.
To be safe, his clone Zhou Qing'ang inspected the jade slip.
The language style was vastly different from the techniques that could be exchanged in the Tianxuan Mirror of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
It wasn't so straightforward and to the point, focusing directly on key cultivation aspects.
Instead, it was filled with many mysterious and obscure phrases, making it somewhat difficult to understand.
Li Fan carefully checked again and confirmed that he had not made any mistakes in his cultivation. He then attempted it once more.
This time, he unleashed more power, increasing the suction force.
The earth vein's energy trembled slightly but seemed to be an interconnected whole, unmovable.
The delicacy was right in front of him, but he couldn't enjoy it.
The clone's eyes grew even redder.
He became anxious and relentlessly intensified the Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique's suction.
The earth vein continued to resist.
As the two forces clashed, the entire Tai'an Island began to tremble slightly.
If this continued, the disturbance would undoubtedly arouse suspicion from others.
But the clone didn't care at all and showed no signs of stopping.
It wasn't until the main body, who had been observing, intervened and slapped "Zhou Qing'ang" unconscious that the shaking on Tai'an Island ceased.
"This Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique is a bit sinister..."
Li Fan frowned slightly.
The main body and the clone share the same consciousness, so theoretically, there shouldn't be a situation where the clone loses control.
But just now, under the influence of the "eating" desire, Li Fan's consciousness felt as if it had split in two.
When the clone looked at the main body, there was even a fleeting thought of devouring it.
But at that time, it was still controllable.
When the "eating" was obstructed, and the desire was not satisfied, the clone became completely bewitched.
Even though he knew the consequences of forcibly absorbing Tai'an Island's earth vein, he just couldn't stop himself.
"No wonder the creator of this technique couldn't restrain himself; it's not that he didn't want to, but that he simply couldn't."
Li Fan couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.
Not for the creator's fate, but for the fact that this secret technique couldn't be fully utilized by him.
"But there's no need to be overly concerned. I have the *Mountain Sitting Technique*, and Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique would only be an added bonus."
"Besides, I could still let others practice this technique and then reap the benefits."
...
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan set the matter aside.
His gaze penetrated through layers of obstacles and looked at the earth veins beneath Tai'an Island.
"The original Mountain and River Formation had already interconnected the earth veins of the world. Although the formation has now been replaced by the *Heavenly Origin Vitality Formation*, the effect remains."
"Even if I wanted to devour heaven and eat earth, it wouldn't be as easy as it was in ancient times."
"The once terrifying forbidden technique from thousands of years ago, after the passage of time, now seems so weak."
"No wonder the Five Elders Association handed it over so easily to a Foundation Establishment spy."
Li Fan shook his head and sighed.
Chapter 440
"Come to think of it, this Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique is quite similar to the [Returning Origin Shell]."
"Both can consume the earth’s veins and have no sense of restraint."
"It seems that many techniques from ancient times were created by mimicking mythical beasts."
Li Fan recalled the sights he witnessed in the [Clash Of Ten Thousand Laws] section of the Divine Treasures Museum, lost in thought Only
"Unfortunately, while deriving techniques from the traits of mythical beasts, their flaws were also inherited."
"However..."
"If the flaw of losing one's mind could be eliminated through improvements using the Dao Derivation Stone, it could still be considered a powerful divine ability."
Thinking of this, Li Fan shook his head.
"I fear there is no chance in this world. I am about to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, and the 'Sitting Mountain Art' has reached its limit. Pushing it to a higher level is the most urgent task."
The image of a young cultivator's carefree face suddenly surfaced in Li Fan's mind.
It was Han Yi from his previous life, who, with the help of the Heavenly Feather Pill that extended life by 800 years, successfully earned the qualification to derive the Derivation Law Beads into the Dao Integration Stage technique.
"If I want to elevate the 'Sitting Mountain Art' to the Dao Integration Stage in one go, I need to steal this person's fortune."
"However, something seems off about this person. No matter how I look at him, he doesn't seem like someone blessed with great fortune."
"In my previous life, my clone explored the Heavenly Capital Ruins with him, and not only did we find nothing, but we also encountered constant danger, almost losing our lives."
"I could say that even my clone, which had almost no fortune, was far superior to him."
"But it is true that he obtained the Heavenly Feather Pill and treasures like the fixed fish head lottery."
Li Fan frowned slightly.
"I remember that before his sudden wealth, he was once deceived by a Foundation Establishment master."
"When the time comes, I should pay extra attention to him."
"Let’s see how he turned his life around from being penniless to prosperous."
After contemplating for a long time, his clone finally awakened.
Li Fan put away all the spirit stones and Enlightenment Pills, leaving the clone to continue guarding Tai'an Island.
He then changed his appearance again and headed to the north-eastern most corner of the Congyun Sea through the teleportation array.
His destination was naturally Yin Yin Island, where the Master Yin resided.
In the entire Congyun Sea, there weren't many people Li Fan cared about.
Master Yin was definitely one of them.
It wasn't just because of the [Foundation Establishment of Self] technique he comprehended, which was verified by Su Changyu in his previous life and was indeed feasible.
It was still slightly flawed and needed to be perfected.
Even Brother Zhang's wish to suppress the ancient times with his Dharma Body and Mr. Bai, who ascended to godhood as a mortal in an instant—these were all figures capable of being remembered for a hundred lifetimes.
But none of them gave Li Fan the same eerie feeling as this Foundation Establishment Master Yin.
Li Fan spied on Yin Yin Island for several days.
Master Yin was like an unrelenting machine, experimenting, recording, thinking.
Then repeating the experiments.
There was no sign of fatigue on his face, only deep immersion.
Li Fan also noticed that whenever Master Yin was deep in thought,
The expressions of "contemplation" on the faces of the hundreds of corpses in the basement became more pronounced.
"It's like having hundreds of versions of himself pondering the same problem simultaneously..."
Li Fan realized.
"Perhaps that's why he was able to unravel the mystery of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma."
Li Fan then recalled the words of Master Yin to Su Changyu in his previous life when he was possessed.
"Yes, where did these corpses come from?"
"Ah! I remember now!"
"It was a huge rainstorm! Countless corpses fell from the sky like raindrops, and I took the opportunity to collect a few..."
Li Fan squinted slightly: "So, these hundreds of corpses picked up from the rain were all versions of himself?"
"Truly a bizarre matter."
After pondering for a long time, he couldn't find any related examples from the secret records of the Xuanhuang Realm he had read.
Li Fan had no choice but to put the matter aside for now.
He continued to observe from the outside for a few more days until Yin Yin Island ran out of mortal materials.
Master Yin needed to go out to find more mortals as test subjects.
Only then did Li Fan quietly leave.
"I'll keep monitoring him for now. With the [Transformation of Unified Divine Dao] secret technique, it won't affect my regular cultivation."
Li Fan took one last deep look at Master Yin hurriedly departing figure, returned to his "Heavenly Mechanism Sect Cultivator" appearance, and made his way back to Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
He consumed an Enlightenment Pill and entered the [Spiritual Enlighten] state.
Li Fan temporarily secluded himself to focus on cultivation.
With the dual boosts, even though Li Fan was practicing the extremely difficult "Mountain Sitting Art," his progress was swift.
More than two months later, with a surge of pure cultivation feedback suddenly appearing in his dantian,
Li Fan finally awoke from his seclusion.
Chapter 441
"This is..."
"Has He Zhenghao broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage?"
Li Fan was somewhat surprised after sensing this.
"In just over two months, this speed is even faster than in his previous life."
"What happened?"
After reviewing the surveillance images of He Zhenghao stored in the Transformation Dao Stone, Li Fan couldn't help but smile.
Recently, He Zhenghao has indeed been riding high.
The news that he had changed his fate through the guidance of a 'senior from the Heavenly Mechanisms Sect' had spread like wildfire throughout the Congyun Sea.
Previously, due to practicing the "Mountain Sitting Art," He Zhenghao had begun establishing connections and developing his network early on.
And because of his natural talent in formations, he maintained decent relationships with the formation masters in the Formation Strategy Hall.
So even though He Zhenghao was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his network of connections was not to be underestimated.
In his previous life, it was He Zhenghao who helped Li Fan secure a position in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance!
This time, through a stroke of luck, He Zhenghao switched to a Nascent Soul technique that was extremely compatible with him.
It was clear to anyone with eyes that, barring any major mishaps, He Zhenghao's achievement of the Nascent Soul stage was practically a certainty.
A formation master at the Nascent Soul level, and one skilled in social interactions.
With this, He Zhenghao's status in the eyes of others changed dramatically.
People came to visit him constantly, and He Zhenghao welcomed them all with a warm smile.
He received so many gifts that his hands grew tired, and he felt incredibly happy.
His cultivation advanced rapidly, and he soon broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage.
During this process, the visiting cultivators inevitably began to inquire about the so-called 'ancient Heavenly Mechanisms Sect cultivator.'
After all, who wouldn't be envious of such an opportunity to double one's fortune overnight?
If they could also latch onto this person...
At first, He Zhenghao managed to brush them off with excuses like, "I haven't been in contact for a while" or "I haven't seen this senior again."
But as more and more cultivators of increasingly higher status asked, He Zhenghao began to feel the pressure.
Because he refused to reveal any information about the Heavenly Mechanisms Sect cultivator, some cultivators began to express dissatisfaction.
Accusations that He Zhenghao was 'hogging the benefits' began to spread.
Even Chu Ming, the Nascent Soul cultivator from the Administration Hall who had helped Li Fan join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance at He Zhenghao's request, began to question He Zhenghao after being unable to reach Li Fan.
He stared at the veiled woman sitting not far away and asked, "Who is this?"
"I am here at the request of the Imperial Princess to see if this so-called 'Immortal Ruins' are real." The woman in blue referred to herself as old, but her voice was clear and youthful, like that of a teenage girl.
"Oh? In that case, what have you found?" Li Fan asked with interest, eyeing the device in front of her.
In the center, a golden sphere remained still, while many differently colored spheres moved in irregular orbits around it.
The woman in blue sighed and shook her head, "Something seems to be concealing the existence of the 'Immortal Ruins,' making it impossible to detect."
"However, it's true that this place has become even more unusual."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly, "More unusual?"
The woman in blue waved her hand, putting away the device.
"This is the 'Void Coordinator Locator,' a device the Empire spent thousands of years crafting. It can mark and lock the position of one's location within the endless void and map the surrounding environment."
"It was originally intended for navigation through the void after leaving the Xuanhuang Realm."
"Now, using it to detect the 'Immortal Ruins' can be considered putting it to good use."
Li Fan listened quietly as the woman in blue explained.
"In this place, the Xuanhuang Realm's main world..." A hint of nostalgia flashed in the woman's eyes.
"The Locator's data is all scrambled."
"It's as if there's a massive distortion field nearby, affecting space-time and interfering with the mapping results."
"From a theoretical standpoint, the observation results align with what you've said about the existence of a devouring 'Immortal Ruins.'
Li Fan coldly replied, "I have no reason to deceive you in this matter."
The woman in blue smiled gently, "No, you did deceive us."
Li Fan's eyes narrowed as his heart tightened.
"What do you mean?"
The woman in blue gazed at the Xuanhuang Realm's sky and slowly said, "Because even if the 'Immortal Ruins' do exist, our Empirewill not be swallowed by it after leaving the Xuanhuang Realm."
"Not just us; all the small worlds captured by the Ten Great Immortal Sects back then won't suffer that fate either."
Li Fan remained silent.
The woman in blue continued, "Because we aren't in the same space-time as the Xuanhuang Realm at all."
"We're only connected by the Immortal-Severing Passage."
"If we sever the connection with the Xuanhuang Realm, we will gain complete freedom."
"And the Xuanhuang Realm wil eventually meet its end."
Chapter 442
Is the Small World not located in the same space-time as the Xuanhuang Realm?
As the woman in the green dress looked at Li Fan with a half-smile, his thoughts were racing.
Is it true, or false?
Is this a test, or a fabricated lie used as a bargaining chip?
In a flash, Li Fan quickly analyzed the situation.
If the other party had already figured out that he was a complete fraud, they wouldn’t waste time explaining anything.
Instead, the logical choice would be to either run away or set a trap to capture him and force a confession.
This meant that, to a large extent, the woman in green was still unsure of his identity.
After all, in the history of the Xuanhuang Realm, there really had been instances where the Small Worlds united to launch a counterattack against the Cultivation Realm.
If the Small World and the Xuanhuang Realm were not in the same space-time, and if he were truly an emissary of the "Messenger of the Federation of All Worlds", he would definitely be aware of this.
Given that the future of the empire was at stake, the Saint Master would not fabricate a lie that could be easily exposed.
Therefore, what she said might very well be the truth.
At the very least, it was true in the eyes of the woman in green.
A question naturally arose.
Since the Small World and the Xuanhuang Realm are not in the same space-time, then why, when faced with the threat of the Immortal Ruins, didn’t the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm choose to escape to the Small World through the Path of Immortal Severance and sever all ties with the Xuanhuang Realm?
If Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, and Dao Integration stage cultivators might struggle due to the lack of spiritual energy in the Small World and inability to cut off the passage, then for Longevity Immortal, these limitations should be negligible.
So why didn’t the Longevity Immortal escape?
The answer to this question could only be one of three possibilities: they were unafraid, unwilling, or unable.
Unafraid?
In his past life, the The One Unified Heart Heavenly Sovereign retreated in the face of the spirit-locking formation’s threat of mutual destruction. This indicates that even Longevity Immortal couldn’t survive the Immortal Ruins.
Thus, this possibility could be ruled out.
Unwilling? Righteous and resolute, they would rather die than leave. Following the Xuanhuang Realm to fall into the Immortal Ruins?
Judging from the current cultivation paths of the cultivators in this realm, this wouldn’t be the choice of the present Longevity Immortal.
This leaves only one answer.
The Longevity Immortal are unable to leave the Xuanhuang Realm?
As this thought crossed his mind, Li Fan found it absurd and laughable.
The strength of Longevity Immortal-stage cultivators was terrifying.
How could it be possible...
But Li Fan suddenly froze.
What if... What if it were true?
For a long time, Li Fan had a question.
Why does going against the principles of heaven and earth lead to achieving longevity?
All living beings have a finite lifespan.
This was one of the reasons why the number of cultivators couldn’t be too large.
Li Fan thought back to when the Ten immortal Sects offered a reward for the Xuantian Treasure Mirror.
They claimed that anyone who possessed this mirror could exchange it for a seat as a Longevity Immortal.
"It seems that in ancient times, the Longevity Immortal stage might also have been achieved by some means of stealing the original principle of longevity from the world."
Li Fan mused.
After this line of reasoning, Li Fan felt a slight sense of disappointment.
The Longevity Immortals of the Xuanhuang Realm seemed to fall short of his ideal of "longevity."
They merely borrowed the power of the world to gain a lifespan that wasn’t truly their own.
"Fake longevity, huh..."
"But strictly speaking, it’s not something particularly unacceptable."
"After all, the 'Longevity Immortal Stage' in this realm was merely an attempt by cultivators to extend their lives after the Immortal Path was severed in the Xuanhuang Realm."
"And it might not be impossible to go further."
Li Fan thought of the Dao Transmission Heavenly Sovereign who disappeared in his past life.
"This pioneer of new methods might have already broken free from the world’s constraints."
"No wonder in the last life, the Heavenly Sovereign Of Dao Transmission didn’t appear for thousands of years. And even when wars broke out from time to time, the Sovereigns of the Five Elders Association never intervened."
"Because in the eyes of the Five Elders Association’s Sovereigns, if the Longevity Immortals stage can’t leave the Xuanhuang Realm, then the Dao Transmission Sovereign must still be somewhere."
"They were held back merely by an agreement on a piece of paper."
"Until later, when they realized something was wrong, they became desperate to act personally..."
The effects of the Enlightenment Pill hadn’t completely faded.
In a sudden flash of insight, through a fact inadvertently revealed by the woman in green, Li Fan deduced a possible and logically consistent truth about the Xuanhuang Realm.
...................................................................
[New TL Notes: I'm disappointed to see that "My Longevity Simulation" has been dropped again, this time by another translator. As one of my favorite ongoing xianxia novels, it's disheartening to see it without a reliable English translation. Many of you have been eager to read this story in well-translated English but were forced to rely on mtl or raw chapters. I believe this story and our community deserve better!
I'm Taking on the Challenge!*
I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be translating "My Longevity Simulation"!
But Please note that I'm already working on another novel, "The Path of Immortality: Starts with Creating Water Bear Gu." I hadn't planned on adding another project until I caught up with the raw chapters, but my love for "My Longevity Simulation" won me over, and I also think of this as opportunity to reread and refresh my memory as I read it many months ago.
Some Important Details To Note*
As the third translator of this novel, I would like to bring to your attention that there may be slight variations in wording, terminology, techniques, and naming conventions compared to previous translations. This is a natural consequence of the translator's changing midway, where different interpreters may choose to express using different terms and styles.
In the event that you notice any discrepancies or have differing opinions on specific translated words or phrases, please do not hesitate to share your feedback in the comments section below. Your input is invaluable in helping me refine the translation and ensure its accuracy.
Just a heads up - you might notice some weirdness with names and stuff at first, but don't worry, it gets easier as you keep reading! The more you dive in, the more familiar everything will feel.
Since many chapters have already been translated by previous translators, I'll start translating from chapter 439, right after the previous translation ended.
Your Support Means Everything!*
To keep myself motivated and post daily chapters, I need your support. You can help me by visiting my Patreon page: /SpiritStonetranslation) and of course, Patreon supporters will receive an extra chapter.
Thank you for your support, and I look forward to sharing this amazing story with you!]
Chapter 443
Back in the Fallen Immortal Realm, the wise Beast Emperor Sanmo once told Lu Ya, "Even when you see something with your own eyes, it may not always be the truth."
Similarly, the conclusions Li Fan has deduced now may not be absolutely correct.
It's like the story of the blind men feeling an elephant—what they perceive might not be the whole picture.
But it's still part of the truth.
In his mind, the crystal of the Dao Derivation Stone emitted a bright blue light, instantly recording all the countless thoughts that crossed his mind.
Next, Li Fan needed to consider how to deal with the woman in green.
Shortly after she finished speaking, Li Fan shook his head and replied, "The power of the [Immortal Ruins] is beyond what ordinary people can imagine."
"A force that can even distort space-time brings consequences that are hard to predict."
"You say that once the Immortal Realm Passage is severed, you will be free from all restraints and completely liberated."
"But that's only in theory. Who can guarantee what will actually happen?"
As Li Fan spoke slowly, he subtly observed the woman in green's expression.
"After all, those places that left the Xuanhuang Realm before have all gone silent, and there's no way to contact them anymore."
"Are they truly free, or have they already been destroyed in the Immortal Ruins? Who knows?"
"Otherwise, why would our [Federation Of All Worlds] be able to recruit so many members?"
"Even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance of failure, it's still too risky for an entire civilization."
Li Fan spoke with a slight tone of sarcasm.
The woman's smile gradually faded as she stared at Li Fan, seemingly trying to discern something from his face.
But Li Fan remained composed, showing no signs of weakness.
The woman in green finally said, "You're right. That's also why I've returned to the Xuanhuang Realm this time."
"Currently, very few people within the Empire know about the existence of the Immortal Ruins. But there's no such thing as a secret that can't be discovered. Once the conservatives learn of this, the resistance to the plan to leave the Xuanhuang Realm will only increase."
"At that time, even the thousand years of prestige accumulated by the Imperial Family may not be enough to peacefully implement this plan."
Li Fan asked, "So, are you here to seek help?"
As the saying goes, "The more skills you have, the fewer worries you'll face." Perhaps in some future cycle, this ability to control exotic beasts would come in handy.
Without much hesitation, Li Fan quickly made up his mind.
He would trick the Empire into handing over all its technology.
Feigning a hesitant yet interested look, Li Fan pondered for a moment before saying, "This is a significant matter, beyond my authority to decide."
"Allow me to report back, and I'll give you an answer."
Li Fan's response was within the woman in green's expectations.
"The sooner, the better," she urged.
Li Fan cupped his hands in farewell and quickly left.
In the secret chamber, only the Empire's group remained.
"Saint Master, do we really have to use the core technologies the Empire has developed over so many years as bargaining chips?" Li Chenfeng asked reluctantly.
The woman in green did not immediately respond. Instead, she frowned and looked up at the sky.
After laying down several layers of restrictions, she turned to Li Chenfeng and scolded, "Have you forgotten what I taught you?"
"Survival is the primary objective of civilization."
"Only by surviving do technology and culture have meaning."
"If the civilization itself is destroyed, what use are these achievements, no matter how glorious?"
Li Chenfeng was still somewhat dissatisfied, "But..."
The woman in green cut him off with a wave of her hand, "We've already discussed this with the Imperial Princess and reached a final decision. No more arguments!"
Seeing this, Li Chenfeng had no choice but to bow his head in resignation.
"That person just now, I couldn't see through him. And he's just a messenger. It seems that this [Federation Of all Worlds] truly has some depth," the woman in green murmured as she watched Li Fan's figure disappear into the distance.
Li Chenfeng was startled, "Saint Master, even with your cultivation, you couldn't discern his background? What is that man's true strength?"
The woman in green was also puzzled, "On the surface, his realm doesn't seem very high, but I could always sense a faint trace of danger from him."
Chapter 444
“Besides, it seems that he has many secret techniques concealing him, making it difficult for others to see through him, like looking at flowers in the mist,” the woman in the green dress said slowly.
Hearing this, Li Chenfeng and Zhu Shaotang exchanged glances, their hearts filled with shock.
They were well aware that the Empire's two Saint masters, [Qing] and [Hong], were powerful beings who had survived since ancient times.
The two Saint masters had personally witnessed the Empire's development from a mere gathering of mortals to the vast Empire it is today.
Their guidance had been indispensable in this process.
In the eyes of the Empire's people, the two Saint masters were the absolute embodiments of power and wisdom.
But now, the Saint master [Qing] actually said that she couldn’t see through the envoy who had just arrived?
Recalling their previous rash behavior in front of this person, Li Chenfeng couldn't help but feel a wave of fear.
“Perhaps it's because I haven’t returned here for so long. I’m somewhat unaccustomed to it,” Qing sighed with a hint of sadness, allowing Li Chenfeng to breathe a little easier.
Hundreds of miles away, Li Fan was secretly surprised as he sensed the intermittent, blurry images transmitted by the Formless Killing Intent.
"It seems this Saint master is not simple. She can vaguely sense and counteract my Formless Killing Intent."
"Fortunately, my skills are superior."
Li Fan was more than willing to exchange contribution points for the Empire's technology, such as the [Beast God Armor].
But if a true collaboration were to be established and the play continued, he feared he alone wouldn't be able to hold the stage, making it easy for others to see through him.
Moreover, managing five million contribution points was somewhat difficult.
"It seems it's time to advance my original plan."
With that in mind, Li Fan sensed the location of He Zhenghao.
While heading toward Liuli Island, he once again transformed into the appearance of an [Ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect Disciple].
...
He Zhenghao had been feeling troubled lately.
He had locked the communication talisman, which was constantly receiving inquiries, inside a storage ring to gain some peace.
At present, he didn’t even dare step out of Liuli Island.
As the legend of his overnight wealth spread, more and more people wanted to gather information about Li Fan through him.
Some were skeptical and wanted to personally verify the Master's credentials.
Others merely wanted to latch onto him and replicate He Zhenghao's meteoric rise.
Some even approached him with bizarre propositions, attempting to engage in strange deals.
He was overwhelmed and exhausted by all the attention.
He had to pretend to be in seclusion, hiding within the mountains and stars formation on Liuli Island, unable to meet anyone.
He Zhenghao’s expression grew more miserable, but seeing that Li Fan hadn’t flown away immediately, he knew there was still hope.
So he quickly said, “The reason these friends are pestering me is merely because they want to gain the Senior’s guidance, just as I did, and profit from it.”
“Senior, you can use your divine ability to sense the secrets of the heavens and then...”
Li Fan’s face turned cold, “Nonsense! Why should I help them when they are neither kin nor acquaintances?”
“Moreover, using divine abilities comes with the risk of heavenly backlash. What’s in it for me?”
With a wave of his sleeve, Li Fan looked dissatisfied and was about to leave.
He Zhenghao hurriedly blocked his way and had a sudden inspiration, saying repeatedly, “Mountain Sitting Technique! Mountain Sitting Technique!”
“When I broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, did you sense the feedback in your cultivation?”
Li Fan was slightly stunned and, after a while, slowly said, “It does seem like there was something like that.”
He Zhenghao slapped his thigh, “Exactly! Senior, think about it: in the current Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, all techniques are exchanged for contribution points.”
“And when you help us earn contribution points, we use them to purchase techniques and cultivate.”
“Doesn’t this mean you’re indirectly bestowing us with techniques?”
“You must know, in the current cultivation world, nothing is more significant than bestowing techniques!”
“As you practice the Mountain Sitting Technique, such a blessing will surely yield strong cultivation feedback.”
“Furthermore, there are many who have come to seek your aid.”
“If you help them all...”
“Accumulating bit by bit, how much cultivation power would that add up to?”
“With this, Master, you should soon recover your strength from before your slumber, right?”
He Zhenghao seemed to have an epiphany and became more excited as he spoke.
Li Fan slowly nodded, “There’s some logic to that!”
“But...with so many people, my ability to use divine power is limited. How can I help them all?”
After thinking it over, Li Fan still rejected the idea.
At that moment, He Zhenghao had a sudden flash of insight.
He blurted out, “We can pool together the contribution points of those who want your help and manage them collectively.”
“Then, when Master uses your divine power to find suitable investment methods and earn contribution points, you can return them.”
Li Fan was very pleased, thinking to himself, “Very good, He Zhenghao, you’ve learned to respond quickly.”
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Chapter 445
However, Li Fan's face was full of doubt. "Would others really transfer their contribution points so easily? I don't think so."
"It would be better if they don't! This way, we can use it as an excuse to get rid of some of them, so they stop pestering me!" He Zhenghao thought to himself, but he said aloud, "Senior, don't worry. Too many cultivators have been chasing me recently to ask about this. Even if only a small portion is willing to transfer their contribution points for you to handle, it will still be a considerable amount."
"Moreover, once Senior displays his divine abilities and returns the contribution points with interest, the results will speak louder than words. Afterward, there will definitely be more and more people willing to rely on Senior."
He Zhenghao was full of confidence.
Li Fan pondered for a moment, pretending to think it over.
Not long after, he slowly nodded, "It just so happens that I've been seeing many new and interesting techniques in the Tianxuan Mirror recently, and I'm itching to try them out. Moreover, in this era of cultivation, it's true that everything relies on contribution points."
"If you can really gather a significant amount of contribution points, I don't mind making it grow several times over."
Hearing Li Fan's casual words, He Zhenghao's eyes lit up.
He thought for a moment and quickly urged, "No need for so much, no need for so much!"
"You must know, if it can increase by half in a year, people will flock to hand over their contribution points to Senior!"
"As for the rest, Senior can keep it for yourself as a reward."
"Of course, if you could share some of the profits with me as a token of appreciation, that would be even better!"
He Zhenghao said happily.
"Satisfied with just a 50% return in a year?" Li Fan was initially surprised, then nodded, "That works too."
"Let's tentatively decide on this for now. You go and contact your friends."
"Remember, you must choose those who you know well. Contribution points from cultivators with unknown backgrounds should not be accepted."
After giving a few more instructions, He Zhenghao excitedly took out the sealed communication talisman and began replying to each person.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, there's a great opportunity for wealth in front of you. Would you like to give it a try?"
...
"The first batch of contribution points probably won't be much, but that's okay."
"If they don't believe it the first time, they might hesitate the second time."
"By the third or fourth time, when they see others making a fortune while they miss out on the opportunity."
"By the fifth time, they'll be begging to hand over their contribution points."
Watching the busy He Zhenghao, Li Fan thought to himself.
Don't misunderstand.
Although what Li Fan is doing in this world looks very much like some kind of scam, in reality...
Li Fan really does have the ability to lead everyone to make big money.
He solemnly transferred the 230,000 contribution points to Li Fan through the small Tianxuan Mirror.
He also didn't forget to transfer another 100,000 contribution points from his own small vault.
"Senior..."
He Zhenghao opened his mouth to say something but eventually held back.
He simply looked at Li Fan with a burning gaze.
"50,000 contribution points in a year is no big deal. Rest assured!" Li Fan said as he tossed a communication talisman to He Zhenghao. "If there's anything urgent, I'll contact you. Otherwise, don't disturb me!"
He Zhenghao nodded repeatedly, excitedly holding onto the communication talisman.
Li Fan waved him off and returned to Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
"There shouldn't be any problems..."
He Zhenghao muttered to himself.
Now that the initial excitement had passed, a more rational He Zhenghao couldn't help but feel uneasy.
But now that the matter has been settled, he can only pray that this senior from the Heavenly Mechanism Sect won't make any mistakes.
Inside the Tianxuan Mirror.
Li Fan released several scrolls of Lan Xiao's posthumous works.
While procuring the necessary materials for the empire, he patiently waited.
Sure enough, three days later, the Oracle contacted Li Fan to express his gratitude.
"I still have some rare books here, but I need Senior to do me a small favor." Li Fan said with a smile.
"Oh?" The Oracle was slightly surprised but still listened with interest to Li Fan's request.
"Interesting." It seemed that this fellow was involved in something shady.
But the Oracle didn't care about that.
In this world, who doesn't have some secrets?
With a gentle wave of his dust whisk, the Oracle concealed his aura and quietly arrived at Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
After meeting with Li Fan, the two flew directly toward the island where the empire's people were located.
In a secret chamber, the Empire's imperial Saint Master, [Qing], who was concentrating on drawing something, suddenly stood up and looked in the direction where Li Fan was coming from, her expression serious.
When Li Fan and the Oracle landed on the island, her face changed slightly.
"The Federation Of All World's indeed has some weight."
Chapter 446
Before [Qing] could speak, the Oracle swung his dust whisk.
The sky darkened, and a talisman filled with golden characters appeared instantly above the island.
It blotted out the sky and the sun, as if it was about to suppress everyone in the Empire the next moment.
Qing's expression changed drastically. Two blue beams of light shot up into the sky like sharp blades.
They collided with the massive talisman.
The golden talisman was torn apart, revealing the sky once again.
However, the golden characters on the talisman didn't disappear.
Instead, they floated down, drifting towards the ground.
Blades of light continuously emerged from Qing's body.
One by one, the characters were dispelled.
It was clear that both sides were extremely restrained in their exchange.
The phenomena they triggered were confined to the area around the island, not affecting bystanders like Li Fan, Li Chenfeng, and others in the slightest.
After a moment, when Qing had fully suppressed the Oracle's golden talisman,
She forced down her anger and was about to question his intentions.
But she noticed that the mysterious person who had cast the talisman had already spoken something to Li Fan and left on his own.
Qing narrowed her eyes slightly but did not stop him.
She watched as Li Fan approached boldly.
"What does your Federation of All World's mean by this?"
Only then did Qing ask coldly.
Li Fan shrugged. "We mean no harm. But since we're going to cooperate, it's only natural to test your strength and see if you're worth it."
"Fortunately, you've barely gained recognition from above."
Qing snorted coldly, staring at Li Fan Only
Li Fan remained unfazed, smiling as he said, "The Federation has agreed to your previous proposal for cooperation."
"We'll help the Empire accelerate its plan to break away from the Xuanhuang Realm, but in return, you need to allocate some of your forces to join the Federation."
"However..."
Li Fan paused slightly. "Considering the current situation of both sides, the organization believes that we can gradually implement the cooperation plan."
"How do you plan to proceed gradually?" Qing's tone softened.
Li Fan tossed a storage ring over. Qing caught it and, after checking it, was taken aback.
Inside were all sorts of resources the Empire needed.
Green Spirit Crystals, Ten Thousand Flower Jade Silk, Arm of Profound sage...
Although the quantities were small, each type was present.
Having been away from the Xuanhuang Realm for thousands of years, she didn't know the current market prices.
But Qing also knew that the value of the materials in this storage ring was certainly not insignificant.
"Hmm? The ten veins of Taihua Mountain? I remember in previous lives there were only nine veins of Taihua."
"It seems the casualties this time were quite severe."
Li Fan pondered but didn't delve deeper.
He simply marked it as a priority and continued browsing other important news.
Afterward, Li Fan separately searched for the latest information on "Old Fisherman," "Martial Madman," "Zhong Shentong," and "Shuo feng."
The Old Fisherman was still wandering near the central four prefectures of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Martial Madman and Zhong Shentong had not yet made a name for themselves.
Shuofeng had not yet restarted his cultivation, still renowned as a Nascent Soul True Lord.
Li Fan, based on his experiences from previous lives, speculated on the likely timing of their encounters with opportunities.
...
A month later, Li Fan woke up from his seclusion.
Feeling that the time was right, he directly transferred 500,000 contribution points to He Zhenghao.
"This time, I was lucky. I quickly sensed the opportunity and completed the goal early."
Li Fan spoke lazily.
A moment later, He Zhenghao's voice, filled with ecstatic surprise, came through.
"Senior's divine abilities are truly incredible!"
"Heh. The sect's secret technique still carries unavoidable backlash. The next recruitment will still be at the previously agreed time. Make sure to explain this to them clearly."
After giving some instructions, Li Fan stopped paying attention to He Zhenghao and swallowed a Enlightenment Pill, going back into seclusion.
Time flew by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was year 9 since the starting of Anchor.
During this period, Li Fan's plans began to show initial results.
More than twenty strands of feedback, of varying amounts, began to appear in Li Fan's dantian one after another.
Coupled with nearly a year's worth of arduous cultivation under the dual effects of the Spirit Awakening and Dao Enlightenment Pills,
Li Fan reached the peak of the mid-stage Golden Core and, fortunately, was only troubled by the 'Heaven's Calamity' bottleneck for a little over ten days.
Then, he smoothly advanced to the late stage of the Golden Core.
Li Fan slowly exhaled, pausing his cultivation.
"From now on, whether it's to intimidate the people of the Empire or to explore the void of Tianling Prefecture, it's hard to manage everything alone."
"Perhaps it's time to find some assistance."
Li Fan pondered for a moment, then quietly left Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
He headed straight for Tian yang Cave Mansion.
Along the way, he tried dozens of times and finally managed to barely create a face that resembled the Second Senior Brother of Tian yang, Ling Xiao.
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Chapter 447
Nine years have passed, and the Tianyang Cave Mansion has yet to be revealed.
It remains deeply hidden within an underwater volcano, known to no one else.
After much effort, Li Fan was able to determine the location of the cave mansion using the "Earth Fire Return To Origin Array" he acquired from Tianyang's remnant thoughts.
After activating several protective talismans, Li Fan carefully infiltrated the cave mansion.
Currently, Lord Tianyang is in a peculiar state, neither fully alive nor dead.
From the Eternal Remnants Memories, Li Fan learned that when the Reestablishing the Body and Transforming into the Dao was initiated, everyone except Tianyang participated in an ancient battle and never returned.
Tianyang, however, firmly believed that his master and senior brothers would return. Afraid they wouldn't find him upon their return, Tianyang stayed in the cave mansion, refusing to leave.
But years later, outsiders broke into the cave mansion. Tianyang wanted to resist but was no match for them. He barely managed to survive thanks to the magical artifacts left behind by his senior brothers before they departed.
After that, young Tianyang began a wandering life in the world of immortal cultivation.
Through trials and tribulations, he gradually realized that his potential was far from being as exceptional as his senior brothers had claimed. He wasn’t the hope for the revival of the Reestablishing the Body and Transforming into the Dao.
He couldn’t even match ordinary Golden Core cultivators, let alone his senior brothers.
But despite this, his master and senior brothers placed their last hopes in him.
Whenever he remembered their words—"Tianyang, your potential is not inferior to anyone in this world. Recover quickly, as the 'Reestablishing the Body and Transforming into the Dao' depends on you"—he couldn't help but feel immense hatred toward his own incompetence.
But reality doesn't change with emotions.
Tianyang estimated that without any extraordinary encounters, reaching the Golden Core stage would be his limit.
To fulfill the expectations of his master and senior brothers, Tianyang decided to risk everything and use a method of discarding his physical body to fully transform himself into a puppet, in an attempt to defy fate.
His entire later life was spent preparing for this.
He searched for suitable locations to set up the "Earth Fire Return To Origin Array", collected materials, and crafted puppets...
Once everything was ready, Tianyang resolutely completed his transformation into a puppet.
He then entered a deep sleep within the earth's veins, intending to use the power of the earth fire to temper the puppet, allowing it to evolve.
If everything went as planned, Tianyang would have completed his transformation within five hundred years, becoming a powerful entity on par with Soul Transformation True Monarch.
But fate had other plans...
Over five hundred years, the world changed drastically. Shifting earth veins caused the Earth Fire Return To Origin Array to lose much of its effectiveness, and the materials Tianyang initially used to craft the puppet were ordinary at best.
This resulted in the puppet's evolution process being exceptionally slow.
The anticipated five hundred years turned into several thousand years.
As time passed, even in his sleep, Tianyang's consciousness gradually eroded. He lost most of his will, leaving only the obsession of "Tianyang's Life is Not Weaker Than Others."
Li Fan guessed that the "Heaven-Flipping Palm", which had turned the Congyun Mountain Range into the Congyun Sea, might have been the cause of Tianyang's failure.
"Tianyang's life was unfortunate..." Li Fan shook his head and arrived at the plaza outside the cave mansion.
Li Fan patted Tianyang's shoulder and said, "Come on, let Senior Brother take you home!"
The Tianyang puppet was stunned.
A roaring sound came from the depths of the sea, and the ground trembled as if something was about to break through.
Li Fan chuckled, "Junior Brother, don't be so excited. The outside world is still full of bad people."
"It wouldn't be good if they found us."
As if understanding Li Fan's words, the puppet nodded after a long pause.
In an instant, the seabed returned to silence.
With Li Fan's help, it took three days for Tianyang to retrieve all the broken body components buried deep underground.
They were reassembled into one, and he quietly followed Li Fan.
Li Fan used a secret technique to conceal their auras.
He also took Tianyang's remains, which carried Eternal Remnant Memories, from the cave mansion.
The two of them traveled quickly and arrived at the nameless deserted island where the people who left the world in the previous life lived.
It took more than ten days for Li Fan to create a simple cave mansion, modeled after the original Reestablishing the Body and Transforming into the Dao sect.
After setting up concealment and protective formation, Li Fan looked at Tianyang and instructed, "Little Junior Brother, wait for me here. I'll be back soon."
Tianyang obediently nodded.
After Li Fan left, Tianyang went to his original room and quietly sat down.
Inside the Tianxuan Mirror.
"Waking up Tianyang a few years earlier does have some drawbacks."
"He hasn't fully completed his tempering, so there's still a bit of a gap before reaching the peak of Soul Transformation."
"But I can help him complete it."
After researching for a while, with the purchase of rare materials, contribution points were spent like flowing water.
Two days later, Li Fan returned to the nameless island with several storage rings full of supplies.
"Gray Mysterious Diamond, Willow-Touched Mysterious Stone, Scarlet Spirit Copper..."
"Little Junior Brother, these are materials your body can absorb to strengthen yourself."
"As for your daily routine, stay within this Return to Origin Formation. It will aid in your tempering..."
Li Fan carefully guided Tianyang.
Tianyang listened attentively.
Chapter 448
At this moment, the Tianyang Puppet was still acting purely on instinct.
It took Li Fan quite some effort to teach it how to use the Return to Origin Formation to temper and strengthen itself.
Fortunately, Tianyang was entirely obedient to his senior brother, Li Fan.
Even the most clumsy student will eventually learn with enough practice.
Seeing Tianyang gradually become more proficient, Li Fan felt a sense of relief.
"If someone comes to disturb you, don't kill them. Just capture and imprison them, and wait for me to return to deal with it."
"If you encounter someone you can't defeat, don't be reckless. Slip away quietly and meet up with me later to discuss our next move."
...
After giving Tianyang a few instructions, Li Fan flew out and sealed the cave.
"The strongest combat forces on the surface of Congyun Sea are just a few Soul Transformation True Monarch."
"Now that I have Junior Brother Tianyang backing me up, I can do a lot more."
Looking down at the unnamed island below, Li Fan smiled faintly. "From now on, I'll call you Shenhua Island."
"Once Tianyang completes his own repairs, I can also have him help refine mechanical puppets."
"If materials aren't scarce, creating a few Nascent Soul-level puppets shouldn't be too difficult."
"Although mechanical puppets can't be compared to true Nascent Soul cultivators, they are advantageous in that they don't tire and can overwhelm with sheer numbers."
The more Li Fan thought about it, the happier he felt.
After a while, he calmed himself and retrieved Tianyang's remains from his storage ring.
He still received the prompt that [Truth] could absorb it, but that familiar hunger was no longer there.
After considering it, Li Fan ultimately decided not to absorb it.
"I've already obtained everything I can from Tianyang's remnant memories. Absorbing it again wouldn't be very meaningful."
"It's better to keep it. Who knows, it might come in handy later."
Cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm surely have ways to utilize Eternal Remnants Memories.
However, even in his previous life, when he reached the Level Thirty authority level, he hadn't found any relevant information.
Speaking of Eternal Remnants, Li Fan couldn't help but think of the skull of the first cultivator infected by the Mortal-immortal Plague that he had seen in his previous life.
"Maybe it was precisely because it was attached to an Eternal Remnant that it was placed at the center of the Divine Treasury Museum."
Collecting his thoughts, Li Fan did not return to Ten Thousand immortal Island but instead quietly arrived outside Liuli Island.
Finding the giant Liuli Fish, Li Fan concealed his aura and descended to the seabed.
He didn't act immediately but waited for something.
But Chen Ying was thoroughly intrigued.
He insisted on meeting Li Fan in person and even offered to give him some Ice Intent Heartless Pills for free.
Feigning reluctance, Li Fan eventually agreed.
They arranged to meet at Chen Ying's residence on Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
It was well known that cultivators could purchase caves on Ten Thousand Immortal Island to live in.
However, the price was not cheap.
None of the Congyun Sea cultivators Li Fan had befriended in previous lifetimes had indulged in such luxury.
Even Zhang Zhiliang hadn't splurged on a residence to enjoy himself.
"It seems alchemy is more profitable than formations," Li Fan mused as he arrived in front of Chen Ying's cave.
Sensing Li Fan's arrival, a green door suddenly opened.
What seemed like a simple, small residence from the outside turned out to be an entirely different world upon entering.
It was like stepping into a valley, where many different kinds of herbs and spiritual plants grew in the extensive spirit fields.
The concentration of spiritual energy in the valley wasn't particularly high, and Li Fan didn't see anyone tending to the plants.
Yet all these spiritual herbs and plants were thriving.
Li Fan guessed that it might have something to do with the layers of different colored restrictions that enveloped the spirit fields.
"Ah, Daoist Li Fan, you finally made it!" Chen Ying's hearty laughter echoed from afar.
Li Fan looked over and saw him emerging from a patch of crops taller than a person.
Ignoring his somewhat disheveled appearance, Chen Ying flew straight toward Li Fan.
"Eight Mystical Grass... but the ordinary kind isn't usually this tall."
"I've heard that Chen Ying is not only skilled in alchemy but also very adept at cultivating spiritual plants. Seeing it today, his reputation is well-deserved."
Li Fan's mind became more active.
"Daoist Chen Ying, it's a pleasure to meet you!" He greeted warmly with cupped hands.
Suddenly, his expression changed, and he stared intently at Chen Ying.
Chen Ying was taken aback and touched his face, feeling puzzled.
"What's the matter, Daoist Li Fan?"
Seeing Li Fan's serious expression, he couldn't help but ask.
"I observed your face and feared that you might face a bloody disaster in the near future!" Li Fan shook his head and said in a deep tone.
Chapter 449
"Bloody Disaster?" Chen Ying was taken aback, watching Li Fan's serious expression.
"Where did you get that idea?" Chen Ying asked, half-believing, half-doubting, as he had not expected this ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect cultivator to give him such a surprise upon their first meeting.
Li Fan didn't immediately answer. Instead, he closed his eyes, furrowed his brows, and started calculating with his fingers.
Seeing this, Chen Ying stood aside, not daring to disturb him.
The divination lasted for as long as it takes an incense stick to burn.
Li Fan's breathing was erratic, and his face grew paler by the minute.
This made Chen Ying nervous as well.
Suddenly, Li Fan opened his eyes and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Fellow Daoist Li Fan, are you alright?" Chen Ying was startled and stepped forward to check on him.
"It's nothing serious, just a little backlash," Li Fan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and waved his hand.
Before Chen Ying could react, Li Fan looked at him intently and asked, "Fellow Daoist Chen, are you planning to go on a long journey soon?"
Chen Ying was first stunned, then shocked.
Not long ago, he had indeed received orders from headquarters to go to a newly discovered wood-element cave.
But he hadn't mentioned this to anyone yet, so how did Li Fan know?
Could it be that he really saw something through his divination?
Chen Ying quickly took out a Vital Qi Consolidation Pill and handed it to Li Fan.
"Fellow Daoist, please take this pill; it can help alleviate your injuries."
After Li Fan swallowed it and his complexion improved, Chen Ying asked solemnly, "It's true; I do have to leave Congyun Sea soon. Is the blood calamity you mentioned related to this journey?"
Li Fan slowly nodded, "If you return early, it should be fine. The longer you stay outside, the more dangerous it will become."
Chen Ying's heart sank.
This mission would definitely take at least ten years, if not longer, to complete.
Does that mean that if he goes, he is doomed to face great danger?
The thought of defying orders crossed Chen Ying's mind.
But it was only a thought.
The orders from the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance were not something a small Nascent Soul cultivator like him could refuse.
Is there no escape, only a path to death?
No wonder he'd been feeling uneasy recently but couldn't pinpoint the reason.
It turned out to be this!
Chen Ying hurriedly stopped him.
"Fellow Daoist, you came in such a hurry; how can you leave in such a hurry? Your life-saving grace will be repaid later. For now, let me show you some hospitality!" Suppressing all his conflicting thoughts, Chen Ying took Li Fan on a tour of his cave dwelling.
After introducing him to the unique forbidden method he had developed for nurturing spiritual plants, Chen Ying personally refined a batch of pills in front of Li Fan.
During their conversations, Chen Ying discovered that this man truly was an ancient cultivator.
His knowledge was vast, and although he didn't specialize in alchemy, his understanding of herbal properties was profound, with some insights even benefiting Chen Ying.
Li Fan stayed in Chen Ying's cave dwelling for seven days before finally taking his leave, much to Chen Ying's reluctance.
Before departing, Chen Ying generously gifted a bottle of Insight Enlighten Pills to Li Fan.
This pill was specially refined by him and had remarkable effects when used during the breakthrough from the Golden Core to the Nascent Soul stage.
The materials were rare, and the success rate was extremely low.
Chen Ying himself didn't have much in stock and usually didn't sell them, instead using them as gifts in special circumstances.
He only gave it to Li Fan because he noticed that Li Fan's cultivation had recovered to the late Golden Core stage and that he was about to form his Nascent Soul again—a gesture of reciprocation.
"This man is not a fraud; he truly has real knowledge."
After sending Li Fan off, Chen Ying pondered to himself.
"A blood calamity..."
"It's just some contribution points. If I lose them, I can earn more. At worst, I'll just have to work harder and refine more pills."
"But if I die, everything is over."
"It's better to believe in it than not."
With this in mind, Chen Ying made up his mind.
He opened the Tianxuan Mirror in his cave dwelling and began searching.
...
"I wonder if Chen Ying will survive."
After leaving the cave dwelling, with multiple restrictions in place, the formless killing intent lost its ability to track Chen Ying precisely.
It could only faintly sense his presence.
"It's all up to him now."
Li Fan stopped thinking about it, left the residential area on Ten Thousand Immortal Island, and returned to the Tianxuan Mirror.
"If I didn't know that the entire Congyun Sea would disappear soon, I would definitely buy a cave dwelling myself."
Feeling the relatively cramped space in the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan couldn't help but have this thought.
Chapter 450
It wasn’t purely for enjoyment but rather to better align with the identity of the [Heavenly Mechanism Sect Cultivator] as an investment master.
After all, with your ability to double the capital every two years, it wouldn’t make much sense to be crammed into the Tianxuan Mirror like an ordinary cultivator.
Though it could be explained by claiming a reclusive nature.
However, considering the possible publicity effect of "purchasing a cave on the the Ten Thousand Immortal Island shortly after joining the the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance", Li Fan really had the idea of purchasing a cave dwelling.
After searching for a while, he had no choice but to give up.
The reason was simple—contribution points alone weren’t enough.
Not only was there a requirement for a certain level of Authority requirement within the the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, but one also needed to obtain a [Residence Permit] issued by the Administration Hall of the Island to be eligible to purchase a cave dwelling there.
This residence permit is generally only granted to cultivators who have made special contributions to the local branch of the the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
However, it is said that there are additional channels through which one can privately purchase such a permit, though it’s unclear whether this is true.
“It’s better to stay in the Tianxuan Mirror for now.”
Li Fan dismissed the idea.
He took out the [Insight Enlighten Pill] that Chen Ying had just given him, swallowed it in one go, and carefully felt the changes occurring within himself.
Its effect was somewhat similar to the Enlightenment Pill.
However, the Enlightenment Pill is more comprehensive, aiding in the comprehension of cultivation techniques, deduction of secret arts, or breakthroughs in cultivation levels.
This insight Enlighten Pill, on the other hand, only shows its effects when Li Fan wants to make a breakthrough in his cultivation.
“It’s like a low-end, specialized version of the Enlightenment Pill.”
“Enlightenment Pills are hard to come by within the the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, so this Insight Enlighten Pill isn’t bad either.”
To avoid wasting the pill’s effect, Li Fan seized the time it lasted and began cultivating.
It was unclear how much time had passed before Li Fan was abruptly awakened by an inexplicable sensation in his heart.
It turned out that the restrictions on entering the Fallen Immortal Realm had lifted, and he could go there again.
"It seems like this retreat was more immersive than usual. I only felt like I closed my eyes for a moment, but so much time has passed."
“There’s indeed some value here.”
“Such talent... I hope he can survive this calamity.”
With this thought, Li Fan began setting up a ritual in the surroundings.
"Blessings to the Heavenly Venerable Xuanhuang!" he murmured. The next moment, the world spun around him, and Li Fan found himself descending back into the Fallen Immortal Realm.
As expected, his entire body was enveloped in a mysterious liquid, surrounded by darkness.
He had once again become the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird still inside its eggshell.
Fatigue and weakness pervaded him.
Li Fan tried his best to absorb the surrounding liquid, striving to stay awake.
Letting out a loud cry, Li Fan clawed at the eggshell.
Fine cracks spread out, and then light appeared.
Li Fan broke through the shell.
After devouring the broken eggshell, Li Fan looked at the stunned Xu Ke beside him, fluttered his wings, and made a home in his hair.
"Oh no, oh no, I haven't completed the Spirit Beast Art's bonding, and it's already hatched?"
"Did I raise it to be useless?"
Xu Ke lamented, muttering to himself.
Li Fan unceremoniously gave him a claw, conveying the message that he was hungry.
Xu Ke yelped in surprise and had no choice but to take Li Fan into the forest to search for food.
As Li Fan practiced the Creation Furnace Technique, he also sensed the connection between himself and Xu Ke.
A thread of cold energy subtly flowed through his body, beyond his control, and seemed to resonate with Xu Ke beneath him.
Had it not been for Li Fan’s practice of the Creation Furnace Technique and the initial control over his body it provided, he might never have noticed it.
It was this thread of cold energy that made Li Fan feel a slight sense of closeness to Xu Ke.
However, since Li Fan had independently broken out of his shell in this life, the kind of unbreakable bond had not yet formed.
"So this is the Beast Taming Art?"
Li Fan mused.
He then gave Xu Ke another hard claw, causing him to cry out in pain.
Li Fan resumed his cultivation of the Heaven's Mandate is Mine divine power.
As he absorbed the luck that overflowed from Xu Ke, Li Fan felt invigorated.
Under the dual enhancement of the Creation Furnace Technique and the Heaven's Mandate is Mine, although he was just born, Li Fan's strength rapidly increased.
Moreover, perhaps due to the reversed cultivation path in his previous life, which had strengthened his soul and will, Li Fan was now less influenced by the emotions and nature of the Mystical Bird.
At least, he no longer experienced uncontrollable behavior.
More than a month later, while Xu Ke was not paying attention, Li Fan tested his abilities on some wild demonic beasts in the mountains.
Ordinary demonic beasts in the Qi condensation stage were no longer his match.
One day, as Xu Ke was foraging with Li Fan as usual, they were suddenly stopped by an uninvited guest.
It was none other than Song Yang, who had been eyeing the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird.
Sensing the gaze of the black two-headed snake coiled around Song Yang’s neck, Li Fan sneered.
A faint killing intent solidified and rushed toward it.
The black two-headed snake immediately trembled and curled into a ball.
Chapter 451
Song Yang immediately noticed the abnormality in his companion spirit beast and was instantly horrified.
He hadn't expected that the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird, which had just been born, could suppress the two-headed black snake merely through its aura.
Watching the bird nestled in Xu Ke's thick hair, Song Yang's eyes gleamed with greed.
However, he knew better than to rely on the black two-headed snake; it seemed he would need to find another way.
With a cold snort, Song Yang calmed his spirit beast and turned away.
Having turned a crisis into nothing, Li Fan yawned and curled back into his "nest."
Meanwhile, Xu Ke scratched his head, looking puzzled and confused.
Time continued to flow, and the power of the bird that Li Fan had transformed into kept growing.
Soon, it reached its first point of transformation.
Its pitch-black feathers had grown all over its body, and perhaps due to absorbing Xu Ke's fortune since childhood, a strand of purple-gold was mixed in.
Because of the training in the Creation Furnace Cultivation technique, which allowed for control over its body, it didn't grow in size, remaining small enough to sleep in Xu Ke's hair.
Relying on its physical body alone, it could already go toe-to-toe with late-stage Foundation Establishment demon beasts.
It had long unlocked a psychic connection with Xu Ke, but Li Fan had always ignored him.
As a result, Xu Ke, naive as he was, never noticed.
On the contrary, Li Fan took the opportunity to constantly probe Xu Ke's mind, trying to extract the foundational technique of the Beast Taming Sect, the Beast Taming Art.
Unfortunately, the kid's thoughts were too erratic, like a wild horse, impossible to pin down.
Moreover, the Beast Taming Art seemed to have some sort of restriction preventing spirit beasts from prying, so Li Fan had never succeeded.
One day, as Li Fan lay in Xu Ke's hair sunbathing and dozing off, he suddenly felt a sense of foreboding. He stood up, his expression solemn.
"Judging by the time, today should be the day Mr. Bai appears."
To avoid drawing attention, Li Fan quickly shrank back and hid inside, secretly observing.
Half a day later, with a resounding dragon's roar echoing through the heavens and earth, Mr. Bai made his official entrance.
Just as in his past life, the entire Beast Taming Sect found no one who could stand against Mr. Bai.
Sky-Soaring Azure Dragons, Twin-Winged White Tigers, Two-Horned Qilins...
Many exotic beasts were slain, their organs taken by Mr. Bai as "gifts for the children."
Painful wails echoed throughout the Beast Taming Sect.
The disciples of the Beast Taming Sect stood in stunned silence, trembling with fear.
At that moment, Li Fan moved.
Suppressing his inner terror, he transformed into a streak of black light and shot toward the sky through the rain of blood from the demon beasts.
He was plunged into absolute stillness.
He didn't know how much time had passed, or if it was just a moment later.
The confinement around him suddenly vanished, and Li Fan regained the ability to move.
"So this is the power of a top-notch expert..."
Li Fan was horrified.
He finally understood why those who had slain Crimson Flame and successfully achieved Dao integration in the past looked foolish and as if they were waiting to die when facing Ink Death.
It wasn't that they didn't want to resist or flee.
They simply couldn't!
The only reason Li Fan was able to break free from Mr. Bai's grip was not due to his own power.
It was because of a faint shout from below—Xu Ke's voice.
"Little Black!"
Li Fan believed that everything within the Beast Taming Sect couldn't escape Mr. Bai's notice.
With Xu Ke's shout, Mr. Bai naturally noticed the connection between the bird Li Fan had possessed and Xu Ke.
So, Mr. Bai didn't harm Li Fan and even allowed the daring bird to approach him.
At such close range, Li Fan finally saw Mr. Bai's appearance clearly.
Even with the experience of a hundred lifetimes, Li Fan couldn't help but be stunned.
He finally understood why, back in Ningyuan City, people had said that Mr. Bai was extraordinarily good-looking.
He exuded a slightly frail aura, but his face seemed flawless, breathtakingly beautiful.
It was as if all the love of the heavens and earth had been bestowed upon him. Li Fan's mind was filled with thoughts like, "How could someone be this good-looking?" and "It's a pity he's not a woman."
Mr. Bai looked at the bird, standing dumbfounded in the air, and smiled slightly.
At that moment, Li Fan felt as if the sky, which had been shrouded in dark clouds, suddenly cleared up.
Mr. Bai glanced at Li Fan and shook his head slightly, "You silly child, why are you practicing recklessly?"
With a gentle wave of his finger, Li Fan felt a torrent of information flood into his mind.
This is...
Li Fan was stunned.
Then, his heart began to race uncontrollably.
It was all the secrets of life and the various paths to evolution and transcendence...
It was the perfected version of his cultivation technique, the Creation Furnace Technique!
Chapter 452
"Cloud and Water Illusion Dream Art," "Mystic True Spirit Transformation," "Stealing the Sky and changing the Sun Technique"...
Li Fan had once practiced these techniques, which could be considered peerless and extraordinary.
But compared to the "Creation Furnace Technique" he just obtained in his mind, all of them paled in comparison and were hardly worth mentioning.
Li Fan was deeply immersed in the beautiful words, as if he could glimpse the true mysteries of the universe through this technique.
He even had a premonition that in this era where there are no restrictions on cultivation, this single technique could allow even someone without any cultivation potential to refine, evolve, and transcend themselves step by step, eventually becoming extraordinary and ascending to immortality!
What is called the supreme profound skill? What is the ultimate orthodox method?
This is it!
It truly deserves the term "Creation."
Li Fan eagerly read and comprehended the "Creation Furnace Technique," unable to suppress his joy.
"To hear the Dao in the morning, and die in the evening without regret!"
His mind was completely immersed, not even realizing when he returned to Xu Ke's side.
He didn't know how long it had been when he finally came to his senses, and Mr. Bai had already disappeared without a trace.
The Beast Taming Sect had become chaotic, just like in his previous life. The disciples of the Beast Taming Sect, who witnessed their elders being slaughtered wantonly, were filled with despair.
At this moment, Xu Ke was cautiously leading Li Fan, trying to avoid the crazed actions of his senior brothers, attempting to follow the guidance of the jade talisman given by Lu Ya to find Mr. Bai.
Peering into Xu Ke's thoughts, Li Fan was surprised to find that Xu Ke's memory completely lacked the scene of him transforming into a mystical bird, flying to Mr. Bai's side, and receiving his guidance.
After a moment of thought, Li Fan immediately understood.
"A person without guilt may incur guilt by possessing a treasure."
The "Creation Furnace Technique" passed down by Mr. Bai could be considered the ultimate miraculous method. If it were to fall into the hands of a mere Foundation Establishment-level demon beast, it would undoubtedly arouse the covetousness of others.
No matter how mystical the technique, it would be useless if he couldn't practice it. Mr. Bai must have considered this, so he erased the memories of everyone present. In this way, Li Fan wouldn't face danger because of this technique and would have enough time to practice it slowly.
"Mr. Bai was very thoughtful!" Li Fan couldn't help but sigh.
After seeing Mr. Bai in person, Li Fan was now certain that he was definitely not [Heavenly Doctor].
Not only did they not resemble each other in appearance, but their temperaments were also vastly different.
Unlike the method Li Fan had previously devised himself, which involved brute force bombardment of his internal reserves and then seizing the overflow of reserve power for cultivation, the "Creation Furnace Technique" refined by Mr. Bai used the Heavenly and Human Induction technique to resonate with the universe's great furnace and the human body's internal furnace.
Under the unity of Heaven and Man, one could freely manipulate the reserve power for transformation and cultivation.
It also promoted the evolution of the body's internal furnace towards the universe's great furnace, truly a wondrous and profound method.
With each moment of cultivation, Li Fan felt the mystical bird he was possessing undergoing transformation.
What jolted him from this indescribably marvelous cultivation process, of course, was none other than that loathsome Beast Taming Sect disciple, Song Yang.
He still harbored evil intentions towards Li Fan, the [Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird].
After failing in his previous attempt, this time he returned with even greater force, having spent a fortune to borrow a Golden core stage Ink Immortal Tiger for assistance, swearing to capture Li Fan.
The Ink Immortal Tiger roared and strutted arrogantly, while Li Fan, who had been disturbed, was extremely displeased.
The furnace in his body roared, and the reserve power surged out.
Li Fan flew into the sky, his body expanding, and in an instant, he transformed from a small bird the size of a palm into a fierce beast with a wingspan of three zhang, two or three times larger than the Ink Immortal Tiger.
Like catching a chick, Li Fan grabbed the Ink Immortal Tiger with one claw.
Before it could struggle, a dark profound light emitted from Li Fan's mouth, giving birth to a suction force, and Li Fan swallowed the Ink Immortal Tiger in one gulp.
Xu Ke was instantly dumbfounded.
As for Song Yang, he was terrified out of his wits, fleeing in panic.
There was still a faint stench lingering in the air.
Li Fan snorted coldly, disdainful of pursuing.
He withdrew his reserve power, returning to his original size, and landed back on Xu Ke's head.
The forced transformation seemed to have drained some of his strength, but his body, like a furnace, refined the Ink Immortal Tiger he had swallowed into pure energy.
Warm currents coursed through his entire body, and Li Fan suddenly felt a wave of fatigue.
He then uncontrollably fell into a deep sleep.
Leaving Xu Ke with a face full of disbelief, he stretched out his hands, touched Li Fan, and stood there like a wooden statue.
Chapter 453
In the Tianxuan Mirror.
Li Fan sat in a daze, his expression vacant.
Even though he had long known that the items and knowledge obtained in the Fallen Immortal Realm could only be brought back if one resolved their desires, it was still hard to accept.
This time, when he returned to the real world and couldn’t recall a single word of the "Creation Furnace Technique" taught by Mr. Bai, Li Fan found it difficult to maintain his composure.
Having experienced the wonders of such supreme Daoist methods firsthand, Li Fan found his own crude techniques even more unacceptable.
The gap was too vast, like the difference between the stars in the sky and the plants on the ground.
The stark contrast left Li Fan feeling a bit unbalanced.
Especially since the treasure he once possessed vanished like smoke in an instant, never to be seen again.
Even someone as mentally resilient as Li Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.
"Mr. Bai, the Creation Furnace Technique..."
"If I can try endlessly, surely one day I can bring this true skill back."
After a long while, Li Fan took a deep breath and slowly suppressed the negative emotions in his heart.
Based on his experience in "Retrieve the Ningyuan’s Longevity Fruit," to bring an item out, one must fulfill the lingering wish of the item's owner.
What could Mr. Bai's lingering wish be?
For now, Mr. Bai was still too mysterious for Li Fan. He could only keep trying slowly in the future.
After a brief moment of sensing, Li Fan realized that the next time he could enter the Fallen Immortal Realm would be in half a year.
Unfortunately, this time limit was a bit longer than usual, so Li Fan sighed and kept it in mind.
At this time, Li Fan checked his communication talisman and discovered a message from Chen Ying.
Chen Ying mentioned that he had already headed to the destination and was fully prepared.
If he managed to survive this ordeal, he promised to repay Li Fan generously.
Li Fan chuckled and thought that if this were true, he could use it as a typical case to widely promote.
"But the major battle in Tianling Prefecture is not set to occur until 16 years later. The focus before that should be on the Lingwu Grass incident."
"If it weren't for the clear declaration from the Tianxuan Mirror, the Five Elders Association wouldn't make a big fuss over an unknown cave."
"And without Jiao Xiuyuan's instigation, the Lingwu Grass incident wouldn't have spread as far as it did in the previous life."
After careful consideration, Li Fan decided to visit Jiao Xiuyuan first.
"What is this?" Jiao Xiuyuan squinted his eyes and couldn't help but ask.
Li Fan, with a hint of nostalgia in his voice, said, "This is a relic of my late senior brother. He has passed, and this item is now useless to me. It only brings sadness when I see it. So, I want to pass it on to someone else who is fated. Unfortunately, the Tianxuan Mirror didn't recognize its value and offered a low price. It's an insult to my senior brother."
"So I deduced the heavenly secrets and searched for someone qualified to take it. That's how I ended up here with you," Li Fan explained slowly.
Li Fan wasn't lying.
In the Tianji Sect ruins in Baishi Cave Heaven, besides techniques and scriptures, Li Fan had two other gains.
One of them was the eyeball in his hand.
The Tianxuan Mirror identified it as the "Illusion-Breaking Stone Eye," a kind of unique existence that gathers the rules of heaven and earth.
It is said that if a cultivator absorbs and refines it, they will gain the ability to see through illusions and foresee the future.
In theory, such a treasure should be incredibly valuable.
But unfortunately, this "Illusion-Breaking Stone Eye" had already been refined once by a cultivator.
The pure laws of heaven and earth had been tainted by the cultivator's aura and karma.
Moreover, thousands of years had passed, the world had undergone great changes, and the laws of heaven had significantly altered from ancient times.
Due to these two factors, the Illusion-Breaking Stone Eye's divination ability was greatly diminished.
If it worked once out of ten times, one could count themselves lucky.
Therefore, the Tianxuan Mirror offered a recovery price of only 60,000 contribution points.
Although this item was of little use to Li Fan, who could already foresee the future, he wasn't lacking those 60,000 points, so he kept it with him.
Now, it was the perfect time to use it to establish a connection with Jiao Xiuyuan.
"So, Friend Jiao, do you recognize this item?" Li Fan deliberately asked.
Jiao Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment, then sneered, "How could I not know? It's just the Eye of Truth."
He pondered for a moment and said, "To be honest, the low price given by the Tianxuan Mirror has its reasons."
"Although this item is rare, if you want to sell it at a good price, you’ll need to find the right buyer."
Li Fan responded, "I understand that, of course. That's why I came to you."
Li Fan casually tossed the Illusion-Breaking Stone Eye to Jiao Xiuyuan and said, "I trust you can find it a suitable new owner."
"Please do me this favor. Half of the proceeds will go to you. How about it?"
Jiao Xiuyuan's eyes lit up: "I’ll take this deal!"
Chapter 454
Seeing that Jiao Xiuyuan agreed so readily, Li Fan nodded, “Then, I’ll leave this matter to you, Daoist Jiao. I look forward to your good news!”
After saying that, he threw a communication talisman to Jiao Xiuyuan and left without mentioning anything about leaving a receipt.
"This person really trusts me," Jiao Xiuyuan muttered to himself as he tossed the Illusion-breaking Stone Eye in his hand.
In the next moment, the Stone Eye vanished into thin air, its destination unknown.
The puppet on ten thousand immortal Island returned to its previous lazy state.
Jiao Xiuyuan never imagined that it wasn't trust Li Fan had in him, but rather that the Illusion-Breaking Stone Eye was merely a pretext for Li Fan to establish a connection with him. Even if Jiao Xiuyuan couldn’t sell it or decided to keep it for himself, it wouldn't matter to Li Fan. What Li Fan truly cared about was the "big business" that was coming next.
Back in the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan recalled the other object he had discovered in the Heavenly Mechanism Sect ruins.
It was an entire layer of a pagoda that he had cut out and brought back.
His intuition at the time had been correct.
According to the Tianxuan Mirror’s assessment, the entire layer of the stone pagoda was actually a magical artifact called the [Heaven and Earth Divination Dice].
When mortals roll dice, they get numbers like five or six.
But when cultivators roll the dice, they get the number of the celestial mystery.
The ancient cultivators of the Heveanly Mechanism Sect used these Heaven and Earth Divination Dice, relying on sufficient information and using qi sensing as a driving force, to deduce countless possibilities of the future.
The reason why Li Fan saw only an empty void was that the Heaven and Earth Divination Dice were frozen in the scene where the deduction was completed.
“A void.”
“I wonder what the Heavenly Mechanism Sect cultivators were deducing back then to arrive at such a result.”
Li Fan stretched out his hand, and a crystal-clear icosahedral dice appeared in his palm.
If you looked closely, it seemed that each side flickered with a different image.
Although Li Fan had tried several times before to use these Heaven and Earth Divination Dice to deduce the future, to see if it aligned with his previous experiences, he only obtained fragmented and meaningless images, probably due to improper usage. These images were of no practical use.
Even so, Li Fan didn’t sell it. He had a gut feeling that keeping it might be of great use in the future.
After playing with it for a while, Li Fan put away the Dice and shifted his focus to his clone, "Zhou Qingang."
These days, he had been staying on Taian Island, only occasionally using a communication talisman to contact necessary people.
He wasn't just idly daydreaming but was researching how to overcome the side effects of the [Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique].
It wasn't the technique originally practiced by the spy Zhou Qingang.
Instead, it was the [Heavenly Fate Xuanji Technique], a Nascent Soul technique from the Hevenly Mechanism Sect.
This ancient technique was known for being extremely slow to cultivate. But now, with the unrestricted acceleration provided by the Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique, it was progressing at a frightening speed.
The power of the earth's veins flowed endlessly, and Li Fan's clone absorbed it without restraint.
What should have been a phenomenon that shook the entire surrounding sea was quietly neutralized.
In just an instant, the clone's cultivation reached the peak of the early Golden Core stage.
Due to the existence of Heavenly Calamity, no matter how fast the Heavenly Fate Xuanji Technique operated, his cultivation could not advance any further.
Li Fan frowned slightly but did not stop devouring.
Even though the power of the earth’s veins he was devouring was being wasted, he didn’t mind at all.
The spiritual energy transformed by the Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique continued to accumulate in the clone’s body, completely filling every part of it.
As the clone’s body was about to burst, Li Fan patted his chest, and his hand emitted a powerful suction force.
He began to absorb and transform the excess spiritual energy within his body.
In the ancient times before the "Heavenly Calamity", such a situation wouldn’t have occurred, as the speed of obtaining spiritual energy would never outpace the growth of cultivation.
But the existence of cultivation bottlenecks trapped Li Fan in this strange predicament.
The energy from devouring was all used to accelerate the cultivation technique.
Yet, no progress could be made.
The technique operated at a terrifying speed, like a turbulent tide crashing against an indestructible dam again and again.
Li Fan carefully observed and recorded everything happening within his body.
Compared to the immense power of the earth's veins, the strength of a small Golden Core cultivator was insignificant.
But this force, which should have at least advanced a Golden Core cultivator to the Nascent Soul stage, was being continually consumed in the process of overcoming the Heavenly Calamity.
However, it turned out that Li Fan’s efforts were not in vain.
After countless impacts, the bottleneck finally showed a sign slight loosening.
Chapter 455
Li Fan’s eyes flashed with a glimmer as he increased the intensity of his devouring.
The earth vein energy, which had traveled millions of miles to reach him, completely flowed into Li Fan's body.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Li Fan seemed to faintly hear the sound of collisions and roaring explosions coming from within his body.
In the midst of this internal struggle, it felt as if something was slowly shattering.
A crisp cracking sound seemed to echo in his ears.
Moments later, Li Fan's cultivation surged forward, with his aura constantly rising. In the blink of an eye, he advanced from just recently breaking through the mid-stage of the Golden Core to rapidly moving toward the late stage.
At this moment...
Li Fan suddenly sensed that the dim light at the bottom of the sea had completely disappeared.
It wasn't just darkness in his vision, but a suffocating feeling of space being sealed.
Without pausing his devouring technique, Li Fan simultaneously looked up.
He saw a gigantic palm above his head, its origin unknown.
It obscured everything and pressed down on him.
Before this immense palm, Li Fan was as insignificant as an ant.
"Damn!"
Seeing this powerful being appear out of nowhere, Li Fan cursed inwardly.
However, his clone was currently operating the "Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique," making him fearless, as if he had the courage of a bear or leopard. Faced with this terrifying giant palm, he was not afraid at all.
On the contrary, he opened his mouth, wanting to devour the giant palm as well!
And the result...
Naturally, it was predictable.
In the next moment, Li Fan lost contact with his clone.
The only fortunate thing was that this mysterious being did not seem intent on pursuing the matter further.
They didn't follow the trail to find Li Fan's true body.
Otherwise, he would have been forced to reveal himself again.
Li Fan carefully recalled the timing of the giant hand’s appearance.
"It seems that it was triggered because I forcefully broke through the Heavenly Calamity?"Th.ê most uptod/ate novels a/re published on n(0)velbj)n(.)c/o/m
"Is it a countermeasure from the heavens, or..."
Frowning slightly, a blue light emitted from the Dao Deviation Stone crystal in Li Fan's mind.
Just before his clone was crushed, using the "Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique," he managed to absorb a trace of energy from that giant hand.
If the opponent had been a cultivator, Li Fan would not have been able to do this at all.
As he repeatedly savored the taste of that energy, Li Fan began to ponder.
"It feels more like a pure force of rules."
Soon, it was time for his second investment meeting with He Zhenghao.
Since the previous meeting had gone well, He Zhenghao had made some decent gains this time, raising a total of 550,000 contribution points.
After confirming with Li Fan, He Zhenghao immediately transferred the contribution points over.
He also added his own 100,000 contribution points.
"One year later, one million contribution points," Li Fan stated concisely.
He Zhenghao was overjoyed, and a stream of flattery spilled from his lips.
Li Fan couldn't be bothered to listen and directly cut off communication.
He then began reviewing the list of contributors this time.
What caught his attention was that a cultivator named Zhou Peng still held the largest share.
"Interesting. He has such confidence in me? Not afraid that I’ll take the money and run?"
"And how does a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him, just like He Zhenghao, have so many contribution points?"
Li Fan had heard of this person from He Zhenghao in his past life.
He was a friend who often gathered with He Zhenghao to discuss investment strategies.
It seemed he had a close relationship with a certain cultivator from Tianji Hall, making him well-informed, often leading others to small profits.
Thus, he held considerable influence within their small circle.
In past lives, when He Zhenghao planned to speculate on Lingwu(Spirit Mist) Grass, this person had played a significant role.
"Hmph, whatever the scheme, I'm not afraid. Let's just watch and see."
Li Fan looked at his balance of over six million contribution points and sneered.
With so many contribution points, he could keep up the charade for a while longer.
Besides, the Lingwu Grass incident was approaching.
These contribution points would multiply several times over.
"The only concern is that such a large transaction might attract the attention of those with ulterior motives."
"It's time to check on how Junior Brother Tianyang is recovering."
With this in mind, Li Fan quietly entered the Dao Formation.
Tianyang sat quietly within the formation, absorbing energy to restore himself.
He made no defensive moves against Li Fan's arrival.
Li Fan checked on the progress.
"Almost there."
"A Nascent Soul-level strength should be safe within the Congyun Sea."
"But outside the Congyun Sea, it might not be enough."
"Crimson Flames burning the sea..."
Li Fan glanced at Tianyang, a trace of hesitation flashing in his eyes.
Chapter 456
Based on Li Fan's experiences from his previous lives, in the Crimson Flame Sea Incineration incident, any cultivator who attempted to merge with the Crimson Flame ultimately met with death.
Ink death, who had inherited the Heaven's Mandate to destroy the world, was simply too terrifying.
A newly merged cultivator stood no chance against Him.
"Junior Brother Tianyang's actual combat power is likely even lower than Zhang Zhiliang's in the previous life, so I won't let him go to his death."
"A puppet body is different from a mortal one. To improve combat strength, breaking through cultivation levels isn't the only way."
"Although costly, once the Cloud Sea is destroyed and I flee with the money, it'll definitely be enough for me."
After some thought, Li Fan ultimately abandoned the plan to have Tianyang risk merging and instead focused on observing and protecting him.
Fifteen days later.Ne/w novel chapters are p/u/blished on
As the materials within the Return to Origin Formation were completely exhausted, Tianyang also completed his final transformation.
His puppet body was perfectly reinforced, and his cultivation level stabilized at the peak of the Soul Transformation stage.
"Junior Brother Tianyang relies almost entirely on brute strength in battle. He still needs to find ways to refine it."
With his cultivation complete and nothing to do, Tianyang stood silently and followed behind Li Fan.
Li Fan took out the prepared clothing from his storage ring and dressed Tianyang.
At the same time, he taught him the secret technique Sky-Shrouding Palm.
"Junior Brother, from now on, you'll study this secret technique. Once you master it, you can follow me in action," Li Fan instructed.
Tianyang nodded solemnly and began studying earnestly.
With only a trace of instinct left, the secret techniques of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect were still somewhat complex for Tianyang. Fortunately, with Li Fan's careful guidance and Tianyang's focused mind, he would eventually master it through gradual study.
[TL: Lingwu Island and Lingwu Grass will now be translated as Spirit Mist Island and Spirit Mist Grass]
As Tianyang diligently improved himself under Li Fan's guidance, Li Fan shifted his attention to Spirit Mist Island.
He made a brief visit to Spirit Mist Island and silently locked down the island's defenses with a formless killing intent.
Then, he returned to the Tianxuan Mirror and began quietly acquiring Spirit Mist Grass while patiently waiting.
Soon, the day arrived when the Dragon Whale Beast was supposed to attack Spirit Mist Island, as it had in the previous life.
However, for some unknown reason, the dragon whale had yet to appear by sunset.
"Should I disguise myself as a beast to act? Or should I borrow the power of the Five Elders Association?"
"The chances of exposure are high in both scenarios."
"Perhaps I don't necessarily have to insist on the Spirit Mist Grass. As long as I meet the conditions of stable demand and plants that only grow in certain special regions, it should suffice."
"Let's see if there's anything similar."
Li Fan had a sudden thought and began searching through the Tianxuan Mirror.
There were indeed many targets that met the criteria, but after adding further restrictions, specifically looking for those with unusual recent price fluctuations, only a few remained.
Li Fan carefully examined each one, finally setting his sights on a spiritual plant known as Samantabhadra True Leaf.
This herb had a relatively long growth cycle and wasn't commonly used.
Its primary use was in the creation of a talisman known as Wise Discernment.
In the era before the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation was invented, the Five Elders Association's spies were pervasive.
Most of them, like Zhou Qing'ang, mastered secret art of shape-shifting techniques that could even deceive the White Jade Inquiry Platform.
When the Wise Discernment Talisman was first invented hundreds of years ago, it played a significant role in rooting out many Five Elders Association spies.
Because of this, it became an unwritten rule that entry into certain classified areas of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance required verification by the Wise Discernment Talisman.
Although the Five Elders Association later learned from their mistakes and improved the concealment techniques of their spies, rendering the Wise Discernment Talisman largely ineffective, its use had become a habit.
The Five Elders Association, naturally, couldn't openly announce that the Wise Discernment Talisman was no longer effective.
And no one in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had made a decision to stop using the Wise Discernment Talisman.
Moreover, an interest chain had formed behind the production and manufacturing of the Wise Discernment Talisman.
Due to these various factors, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance continued to require a significant amount of Samantabhadra True Leaf each year.
But for some unknown reason, the once stable price of Samantabhadra True Leaf had recently begun to decline abnormally.
Li Fan frowned slightly.
He recalled that in his previous life, as the price of Spirit Mist Grass skyrocketed, it also drove up the prices of other spiritual plants and herbs in the market.
Samantabhadra True Leaf, however, was an exception.
Chapter 457
The price of the Samantabhadra True Leaf has always been quite stable.
There was even a rare occurrence where its price fell despite market trends.
Even when the Spirit Mist Grass caused a market crash in most spiritual herbs after the announcement by the Tianxuan Mirror, its price remained steady, showing no significant fluctuations.
“Samantabhadra True Leaf...”
As Li Fan searched through his memories, the Dao Deviation Stone in his mind emitted a faint blue glow.
Moments later, Li Fan showed a trace of interest.
According to his recollection, after the Spirit Mist Grass incident, as abundant byproducts from the Five Elements Cave Heaven began to flood the market, the prices of most spiritual herbs and plants drastically dropped.
However, the Samantabhadra True Leaf was an exception.
In the following decades, the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf steadily increased.
It was just too obscure to attract much attention from cultivators.
So, when Li Fan made a fortune from the speculation surrounding the Spirit Mist Grass and then devoted most of his energy to constructing the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation, he naturally overlooked it.
Now, seeing that the Spirit Mist Grass incident was unlikely to occur, Li Fan needed a substitute, and the unusual nature of the Samantabhadra True Leaf caught his attention.
“In my previous life, I remember that after the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation became widespread, the Wise Discernment Talisman was gradually phased out. However, its price remained high, indicating that it must have had some unknown uses.”
“All these anomalies suggest that someone is manipulating the market behind the scenes.”Ne/w novel chapters are p/u/blished on
Li Fan carefully considered the feasibility of his plans to either attack Lingwu Island to artificially inflate the price of Spirit Mist Grass or use the Samantabhadra True Leaf as a substitute.
“Whichever method I choose, the end result will surely cause significant upheaval. The Tianji Hall will undoubtedly investigate.”
“Judging from how things were handled in my past life, manipulating the market by buying low and selling high within the allowed rules was acceptable.”
“But if someone intentionally disrupts the market or the economy, it could be deemed a threat to the stability of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.”
“Even with my Sky-Shrouding Palm Secret Art, I might not escape scrutiny.”
“...”
After careful consideration, Li Fan made a decision.
“However, I still need to see if the Samantabhadra True Leaf is viable.”
He immediately took action.
Li Fan sold off all his previously acquired Spirit Mist Grass at any cost and began purchasing Samantabhadra True Leaf instead.
In the Tianxuan Mirror, the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf was currently stable at around 280 contribution points per leaf.
Li Fan made a massive purchase worth a million contribution points, sweeping up all available stock.
“Fellow Daoist Jiao, forget about these small transactions. I’ve got a big deal for you this time!”
Li Fan said seriously.
Jiao Xiuyuan, recognizing Li Fan, thought he was here to inquire about the sale of the [Illusion-Breaking Stone Eye]. A trace of embarrassment appeared on his dark face.
“Ah! So it’s Daoist Li Fan! My apologies, but that Illusion-Breaking Stone Eye, maybe...”
Li Fan waved his hand to interrupt and pulled Qiao Xiuyuan closer, speaking in a low voice: “Forget about that for now. Fellow Daoist Jiao, I’m serious about what I just said.”
“If you miss this opportunity, your Dao Heart may shatter, and your puppets may suffer significant damage!”
Hearing Li Fan’s ominous warning, Jiao Xiuyuan’s expression instantly changed.
He put away his playful demeanor and looked at Li Fan with a serious expression before closing the doors of Qianli Hall.
“Daoist Li Fan, what do you mean by this?” he asked.
“The Samantabhadra True Leaf. Daoist Jiao, do you know about it? Recently, its price has been behaving unusually. Take a look for yourself,” Li Fan replied.
Jiao Xiuyuan, upon hearing this, closed his eyes to think.
Moments later, his brows furrowed slightly.
At that moment, Li Fan explained the series of tests he had just conducted.
“What do you think?” Li Fan asked, with a hint of appraisal in his tone.
After a moment of contemplation, Jiao Xiuyuan said, “If I’m not mistaken, the other party might have borrowed a certain quantity of Samantabhadra True Leaf from somewhere.”
“And they probably have some extra stock on hand.”
“So they plan to temporarily lower the price by flooding the market, thus reducing their repayment amount and making a profit.”
Jiao Xiuyuan offered his analysis.
Li Fan clapped his hands, saying, “Great minds think alike. I thought the same.”
Jiao Xiuyuan frowned, somewhat dissatisfied: “Is this the big deal you mentioned? I don’t see how it’s a big opportunity.”
Li Fan revealed a mysterious smile.
“What if, and I’m just saying, what if...”
“When the time comes for them to repay the borrowed Samantabhadra True Leaf, the combined market supply isn’t enough for them to fulfill their obligation. What would happen then?”
Jiao Xiuyuan was momentarily puzzled by Li Fan’s words.
He was stunned for a moment.
After a while, a spark of realization flashed in his eyes.
Chapter 458
Jiao Xiuyuan said excitedly, "You mean, when the time comes, even if someone offers them the Samantabhadra True Leaf at an absurd price, they'll have no choice but to buy it to fulfill their commitments?"
"And if we preemptively take up the majority of the market share of Samantabhadra True Leaf, forcing the other party's hand..."
"Couldn’t we easily make several times the profit?"
"Brilliant!" Jiao Xiuyuan exclaimed, slapping his thigh as he figured out the crux of the plan.
"Daoist Jiao, you truly are a business genius!" Li Fan nodded and praised him.
However, Jiao Xiuyuan didn't dwell on Li Fan's compliment. His expression changed as he furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment.
The excitement on his face gradually faded as he shook his head and said, "Your idea is indeed brilliant, but it seems a bit too idealistic."
"What if, when the other party borrowed the Samantabhadra True Leaf, the contract they signed included a clause allowing them to repay with equivalent contributions?"
"What if they choose to breach the contract, risking backlash, but refuse to buy back the Samantabhadra True Leaf?"
"There are too many uncontrollable factors, too much risk."
Li Fan was a bit dismissive as he said, "Is there any business in the world without risk? Considering the potential profit, I think it's worth a try."V/\IssịT for the b/est novel reading experi/en/ce
Jiao Xiuyuan's expression shifted slightly as he was about to respond, but then he heard Li Fan say, "Besides, I believe that even if the other party abandons the struggle with us and voluntarily withdraws, we would still profit from the large amount of Samantabhadra True Leaf Leaves we've acquired."
"What do you mean by that?" Jiao Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, somewhat skeptical.
A faint smile appeared on Li Fan's lips as he extended his right index finger.
In an instant, a translucent icosahedral die appeared in mid-air, spinning rapidly and reflecting numerous fragmented images.
Jiao Xiuyuan froze for a moment before recognizing the treasure in Li Fan's hand and exclaimed, "The Heaven-Earth Divination Die?!"
Just as he was about to take a closer look at the images on the die, Li Fan quickly put it away.
"I've deduced this, and it should be nearly accurate." Li Fan said seriously.
Seeing Li Fan's confidence, Jiao Xiuyuan hesitated for a moment.
"Let me investigate further." With that, the puppet in front of Li Fan suddenly lost its guiding consciousness and became completely still.
Li Fan wasn't in a hurry. He stood quietly by the side, patiently waiting.
Jiao Xiuyuan snorted, his eyes flashing with disdain, "Even though the profits from this business are already ridiculously high, they are still not satisfied."
"They privately used it as collateral, exchanged it for a huge amount of contribution points, leveraged the situation, and stirred up trouble in the market."
"And these people have deep backgrounds and are well-informed, so they are always successful and reap significant profits. They don't even care about the interest from Qingfeng Hall."
"Not to mention, almost all of the Samantabhadra True Leaf in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance are in their hands. Manipulating the price is easy for them, and exploiting unsuspecting cultivators is a piece of cake."
Li Fan slowly nodded, understanding the methods of Tantai Can and his group.
In essence, they were embezzling the strategic resources of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to exchange for contribution points.
Then, through insider information, they bought low and sold high to profit for themselves.
"Such a crime is not minor. Daoist Jiao, it’s impressive that you could uncover all this; your abilities must be near divine!" Li Fan regained his composure and clicked his tongue in admiration.
Jiao Xiuyuan waved his hand, "It's just that these people are too arrogant! Not only do they not keep it strictly confidential, but they also use it as bragging material in casual conversations. That's how I found out."
"Otherwise, how could I have known such a private matter!"
Li Fan chuckled and didn't dwell on this, instead discussing with Jiao Xiuyuan the feasibility of striking against Tantai Can's group.
"In this case, my previous concerns are no longer an issue."
"No matter what, they will have to recover the Samantabhadra True Leaf. Even if it means losing everything, they must do so."
"Otherwise, if the truth comes to light, not even the backers behind them will be able to protect them."
"At that point, it won't just be a matter of bankruptcy. Death and complete annihilation will be the least of their worries."
Jiao Xiuyuan's face turned cold as he spoke with unwavering determination.
"Excellent!" Li Fan applauded, his face showing approval.
"My only concern is that we are two against many, and we might not be able to match them."
"If we can't deliver a decisive blow and they catch wind of our plan, we might lose everything."
Jiao Xiuyuan suddenly said.
Chapter 459
"This is the time, Daoist friend, when your countless puppets will prove their worth."
Li Fan smiled mysteriously and whispered for a moment.
Upon hearing this, Jiao Xiuyuan's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly.
At the same time, in the fortified cities of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and within the various sect ruins in the wilderness, countless identical faces began to tell stories to those around them.
The protagonist of the story is an ancient cultivator from the Heavenly Mechanism Sect, who had been asleep for a thousand years and had just awakened.
This person possesses the secret techniques of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect, holding a treasure called the Heaven-Earth Divination Dice. This artifact can communicate with yin and yang and understand the mysteries of creation.
It can even see through time and foresee the future.
If one were to receive guidance from this person, countless opportunities would be within reach.
Not to mention defying fate, becoming rich overnight would be a trivial matter.
He Zhenghao from Congyun Sea is a living example.
If you don't believe it, just inquire, and you'll know!
In Jiao Xiuyuan's description, Li Fan was portrayed as possessing god-like skills, comparable to the ancient, all-powerful beings.
Such exaggerated words were naturally met with skepticism by most cultivators.
They shook their heads, dismissing it as just another attempt by some young immortal to create a name for themselves.
However, a small number of cultivators became intrigued by Li Fan.
They began to inquire about the details from Jiao Xiuyuan.
But at this point, Jiao Xiuyuan stopped talking.
Having their curiosity piqued, they couldn't easily let it go. Their curiosity became unbearable, leading many cultivators to inquire with their friends from Congyun Sea.
They were shocked to discover that perhaps this was not just baseless talk.
In Congyun Sea, there really was a group of cultivators who had made huge profits under Li Fan's guidance.Ne/w novel chapters are p/u/blished on
Unable to contact Li Fan, they turned to He Zhenghao and other cultivators who had participated in Li Fan's first recruitment.
At this point, He Zhenghao was a bit overwhelmed, as countless inquiries flooded in, leaving him at a loss for how to respond.
He could only reply instinctively.
The other cultivators who participated in the recruitment did the same.
Thus, the information was confirmed.
Some were greatly disappointed, as the first round of recruitment had only a mere 200,000 contribution points.
This seemed like an obvious scam, just a simple scheme to rob Peter to pay Paul, something they themselves could easily pull off.
But others, after researching the list of participating cultivators, were secretly delighted, thinking they had found a rare opportunity.
Clearing his throat, Jiao Xiuyuan spoke in a deep voice: "Daoist Li Fan has said that to prove he is not a fraud, and to defend the honor of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect, he is willing to sacrifice his lifespan to activate a secret technique. He has successfully foreseen the future once again!"
Jiao Xiuyuan paused slightly, holding the crowd's attention.
After a moment, he loudly declared: "He saw that, not long from now, an item called Samantabhadra True Leaf will experience a massive price increase!"
"It will even cause a stir throughout the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent.
Before the crowd could react, Jiao Xiuyuan swiftly retreated into the Qianli Hall.
With a bang, the doors slammed shut.
No matter how much the crowd outside called out, there was no response.
"Samantabhadra True Leaf? What is that? A price surge? Is this for real..." Most of the onlookers were puzzled, unsure whether to believe it.
However, some quick thinkers had already rushed back to the Tianxuan Mirror to check its price.
They were astonished to find that at the moment Jiao Xiuyuan made his declaration, the price of the Samantabhadra True Leaf had suddenly surged from 265 points.
"Everyone, stay rational! The price surely rose because too many people bought it at once," one knowledgeable cultivator analyzed calmly, trying to persuade the others.
"But this guy named Li Fan is obviously a scammer who must have hoarded a large stockpile of it beforehand. He’s just waiting for everyone to drive the price up so he can sell!"
However, the price increase was happening right before their eyes.
If the price were to drop later, as long as they sold before it fell, they could still make a small profit, right?
More people, seeing the rising price of the Samantabhadra True Leaf, couldn't resist and bought a small amount.
Though individual purchases were not large, the number of cultivators was considerable.
As a result, the price increase of the Samantabhadra True Leaf accelerated.
In a short time, it had risen from 265 points to 300 points.
Li Fan and Jiao Xiuyuan were frantically buying up the stock
In a courtyard Somewhere in the Tianxu State:
"Daoist Tantai! Disaster! Look at the price of the Samantabhadra True Leaf! It's 310..."
"No, it's 320 now!"
And by the time Tantai Can realized it, the price had already reached 340 points.
"This is bad!"
"Forget the price! Quickly buy up all the Samantabhadra True Leaf available on the market!"
He shouted in frustration.
Chapter 460
To better manipulate prices and reap profits, Tantai Can and his associates released nearly half of the Samantabhadra True Leaf into the market, creating a false impression of supply. This was done to attract unsuspecting cultivators, who would then be harvested by them.
However, at this moment, the Samantabhadra True Leaf, which once brought them profit, had become their death warrant.
The moment the Samantabhadra True Leaf were snapped up by frantic cultivators, Tantai Can realized that if they didn't take immediate action, they would soon face a disastrous situation.
Thus, Tantai Can made a decisive order: to spare no expense in retrieving the Samantabhadra True Leaf.
Stimulated by this, the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf skyrocketed, reaching an incomprehensible level for the cultivators.Upstodatee from
In an instant, the price surged from over 300 points to 400 points, and it seemed to have no limit in its rise.
This extremely abnormal situation left the observing cultivators speechless.
"Something is off!" This thought involuntarily surfaced in everyone's mind.
"Could it be that Samantabhadra True Leaf has some unknown use?"
Caught up in their imaginations, the cultivators who had already bought in were secretly celebrating, excitedly watching the price continue to soar.
Those who previously believed that Li Fan's prediction was merely a scam, although still skeptical, were tempted to join the buying frenzy as they saw those who took action getting rich in an instant.
As Tantai Can and his group watched the madness unfold, many of them began to look grim.
If this continued, they might lose all the profits they had gained over the years!
"Tantai Daoist..."
Tantai Can waved his hand: "We have no choice but to take the loss this time! Keep buying!"
"As long as we survive this ordeal, we can always find a way to recover..."
A hint of ferocity flashed across his handsome face.
The others, hearing this, could only grit their teeth and continue competing with the increasingly frantic cultivators.
As time slowly passed, their contribution points were spent like flowing water, but the deficit they faced was enormous.
It was like trying to fill a bottomless pit.
Even though they were all wealthy, they gradually found themselves running out of resources.
But seeing that Tantai Can still hadn’t changed his mind, they wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads and nervously continued to repurchase the leaves.
The tension in the air was palpable.
"In my earlier calculations, I saw not only the price surge of Samantabhadra True Leaf. I also foresaw that the impact of this turmoil would be so great that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would eventually be forced to intervene to stabilize the situation," Li Fan explained slowly.
"And it won’t be long before this happens."
"Oh? You mean that soon, the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf will fall back down?" Jiao Xiuyuan quickly understood.
"However, the exact timing is hard to predict; it could be at any moment. If we haven’t sold all our Samantabhadra True Leaf before the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance intervenes, the extra stock might end up worthless," Li Fan continued.
"Therefore, it would be wise to negotiate a favorable price with Tantai Can and sell all our stock to them."
"This way, we reduce our risk, make another substantial profit, and even gain a favor from Tantai Can."
Li Fan’s explanation was clear.
Jiao Xiuyuan's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily, "Daoist Li Fan, you are truly a business genius!"
"Let’s do it your way!"
He immediately closed his eyes, clearly eager to reply to Tantai Can.
Li Fan, meanwhile, stared at the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf still climbing in the Tianxuan Mirror, calculating how to respond to the upcoming turmoil.
A short time later, Jiao Xiuyuan emerged from his trance.
"It’s done. Tantai Can has agreed to buy all our Samantabhadra True Leaf at 1,300 contribution points per leaf."
"Moreover, he promised to fulfill three of our requests within his capabilities."
"I believe that’s the limit of what he can bear, so I took the liberty of signing the contract," Jiao Xiuyuan explained.
"No problem, it’s a minor issue," Li Fan replied nonchalantly, handing over the Samantabhadra True Leaf to Jiao Xiuyuan to complete the deal.
Li Fan glanced at the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf in the Tianxuan Mirror.
930 points per leaf, and it was still rising, with no sign of stopping.
"On the surface, it seems Tantai Can and his group have profited. But..."
Li Fan smirked inwardly, waiting for the final result from the Tianxuan Mirror.
Shortly after Jiao Xiuyuan reported the completion of the transaction, a familiar, cold, and mechanical voice echoed in the minds of all cultivators in front of the Tianxuan Mirror.
It was exactly as Li Fan had heard in his past life.
"Due to the abnormal and significant price fluctuations of Samantabhadra True Leaf in recent days, to ensure the stable and harmonious development of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the following announcement is made."
Chapter 461
What happened next was entirely predictable.
Amid the chaos caused by cultivators desperately fleeing for their lives, the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf leaves plummeted rapidly.
After just surpassing the thousand-point mark, the price dropped like a waterfall.
This spectacular sight left Jiao Xiuyuan in awe.
"Your prediction skills are truly remarkable, fellow Daoist!"
"If it weren't for your warning, I might have ended up just like them."
"I can already imagine the countless cultivators whose Dao hearts have been shattered!"
Jiao Xiuyuan said with a tone of schadenfreude.
Meanwhile, in Tianshu Prefecture.
Tantai Can, who had just completed a transaction and was secretly congratulating himself on his good luck, suddenly turned pale when he heard the announcement from the Tianxuan Mirror.
He watched helplessly as the price of the Samantabhadra True Leaf he had just bought for the astronomical sum of 1,300 points crashed.
Many couldn't bear the shock, spitting blood and fainting on the spot.
"Fellow Daoist Tantai!"
The remaining conscious cultivators looked at Tantai Can with resentment, hoping the leader of the Tantai family could come up with a solution.
Tantai Can's face turned ashen.
From the very beginning, it felt as though an invisible hand had been manipulating the situation from behind the scenes, leaving him no time to react.
He even began to suspect that this whole event might be a conspiracy targeting the Tantai family.
Perhaps Jiao Xiuyuan and that Heavenly Mechanism Sect cultivator Li Fan were nothing more than distractions orchestrated by the enemy.
As various possible targets flashed through his mind, Tantai Can started to actively think of ways to salvage the situation.
The loss this time was too great.
Even though his position in the family had become increasingly stable over the years, he might still face punishment.
His brothers might even use this as an excuse to attack him.
"No, I must recover some of the losses."
Gritting his teeth, an idea formed in Tantai Can's mind.
"Spread the word about our recent discovery!"
"The head of the Tantai family, Tantai Liruo, is a Dao Integration Immortal Sage and one of the three leaders of the Bureau Hall headquarters of the Immortal Alliance."
"Because of their low-key conduct, the Tantai family has remained relatively unknown to outsiders."
"Only when you reach a certain level do you realize how terrifying the Tantai family truly is."
Jiao Xiuyuan explained to Li Fan.
"However, the Bureau Hall isn't solely under the control of the Tantai family. Given the scale of this mistake, Tantai Liruo will have to provide some explanation."
Jiao Xiuyuan's tone suddenly turned curious, "I don't think Tantai Can is a fool, so why did he make such poor decisions this time?"
"Logically, this kind of critical information could have helped the Tantai family secure an even stronger position."
"But he threw it away for a little profit."
Li Fan pondered for a moment before analyzing, "Perhaps, this person isn't really that foolish."
"After all, the Tantai family is the Tantai family, and Tantai Can is Tantai Can."
Though it sounded convoluted, Jiao Xiuyuan seemed to grasp the meaning behind Li Fan's words.
Afterward, the two chatted casually for a while before agreeing to collaborate again if the opportunity arose.
Li Fan then used a secret passage within the hall to quietly return to the Tianxuan Mirror, avoiding the angry crowd of cultivators outside.
Calming his thoughts, Li Fan began to assess his gains.
He had acquired the Samantabhadra True Leaf at around 300 or 400 points each and sold most of them to Dantai Can for 1,300 points.
Even after accounting for a small portion sold in between, his overall profit had quadrupled.
Subtracting the unexpected losses from purchasing Spirit Mist Grass, Li Fan's wealth had grown from just over 5 million contributions to a staggering 18.6 million.
However, Li Fan was no longer a naive newcomer to the cultivation world.
Facing such enormous wealth, he remained calm and composed.
He skillfully opened the Tianxuan Mirror's shopping list, continuing to purchase items needed for trading with the empire and selecting objects that might be useful for future cultivation.
Unfortunately, his current access level was still limited, leaving him lamenting over the treasures he couldn't yet obtain.
The days of lavish spending didn't last long.
As expected, a voice soon echoed from the Tianxuan Mirror, summoning him to the Martial Arts Hall for an investigation.
They wanted to determine whether he had maliciously manipulated the market, potentially destabilizing the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Chapter 462
The last time Li Fan was investigated by the Tianji Hall due to the "Green Ox Cart Incident" was still fresh in his mind. Now, he found himself once again in the central core area of the Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
Passing by the Formation Hall, he continued inward until he reached a building with a stone monument inscribed with the word "Martial" at its entrance. He paused in front of it.
The moment he saw the word, Li Fan felt a suffocating, oppressive atmosphere descend upon him. It was as if several illusions appeared before his eyes, and the next moment, it seemed that blades and swords would be drawn upon him.
"The calligraphy is good, but it still lacks a certain essence compared to the 'Chaos' stone I saw before," Li Fan thought to himself, suppressing his instinctual urge to fight back.
With a stern expression, he walked into the Martial Hall without showing any emotion.
Unlike the Formation Hall, which was known for its overlapping spaces accessed via teleportation arrays, the main feature of the Martial Hall consisted of numerous giant stones floating in the air.
The jagged stones, scattered like stars across the sky, varied greatly in shape—some resembled humans or beasts, others like mountains or rivers.
On top of these giant stones, one could vaguely see pavilions, plants, and even the occasional figure flying by. However, the flying stone on which Li Fan stood was particularly special.
It was barren and smooth, almost like a mirror. Faint lines of light seemed to flow beneath the surface of the stone. As soon as Li Fan stepped onto the stone, a formation was activated, and he felt himself being uncontrollably moved to the center of the floating stone.
An inexplicable energy surged up from beneath his feet, binding him like invisible chains.
At the same time, as Li Fan looked up, the surrounding flying stones, like stars, began to undergo mysterious changes.
Initially, the area where Li Fan stood was an inconspicuous corner of the starry sea. But once he was restrained, the scenery above shifted, as if the stars were revolving around him.
In an instant, Li Fan seemed to be at the center of the starry sea, becoming the absolute focus of this space.
He also sensed countless gazes hidden behind the giant stones, all converging on him.
This was true "attention from all sides"! Each gaze was as heavy as a mountain. If it were any other cultivator, unaccustomed to such a scene or lacking strong mental fortitude, they would have collapsed to their knees on the spot.
Yet, Li Fan remained calm and collected, his expression unchanged.
After a brief standoff, a solemn voice echoed through the stone sea.
"Li Fan, cultivator, due to the abnormal price fluctuations of the Samantabhadra True Leaf, you are summoned here to undergo investigation."
"This investigation will be conducted by the Martial Hall of Congyun Sea, with the cooperation of the Tianji Hall and the Administrative Hall."
"Due to the significant impact and extremely malicious nature of this incident, the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has dispatched a special envoy to oversee the entire process."
"In the spirit of fairness, justice, and transparency, this investigation will not be kept confidential and will be subject to the supervision of all members of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance."
"And the subsequent price trend of the Samantabhadra True Leaf matched my predictions. Doesn't that just prove the accuracy of my foresight?" Li Fan argued righteously.
Whispers spread through the Martial Hall.
"Silence!"
"As for whether using predictive techniques for profit is legitimate or not, we ask Elder Gongsun Qixuan of the Tianji Hall to speak."
A flash of light replaced Jin Chongcheng with a young scholar who appeared to be in his early twenties.
Despite his handsome appearance, he looked somewhat listless.
"It's him..." Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly as he recognized the person and nodded in acknowledgment.
This Gongsun Qixuan was the very same cultivator Li Fan had encountered during his previous investigation by the Tianji Hall. The mysterious aura emanating from him had left a deep impression on Li Fan.
After exchanging polite greetings with Li Fan, Gongsun Qixuan lightly coughed and began to speak slowly, "The stance of our Tianji Hall has never changed."
"The results of predictive techniques can certainly be used as a reference for future actions. If not, why would our Tianji Hall even exist?"
"We do it, so naturally, there's no reason to forbid other cultivators within the alliance from doing the same."
Gongsun Qixuan's words were quite fair and made sense.
Li Fan nodded repeatedly as he listened.
However, at that moment, Gongsun Qixuan's tone changed, and he fixed his sharp gaze on Li Fan.
"But, I question whether this cultivator Li Fan truly possesses the ability to predict the future!"
"If he genuinely predicted that 'the price of the Samantabhadra True Leaf would skyrocket,' then our Tianji Hall believes he is innocent."
"But if..."
A cold glint flashed in Gongsun Qixuan's eyes.
"If this was fabricated out of thin air by him."
"We suggest that he be sentenced to death."
Chapter 463
Gongsun Qixuan's tone was filled with undisguised killing intent.
“Well then, please prove yourself, Daoist friend!” he said coldly, staring at Li Fan.
Now, all the pressure shifted to Li Fan.
More and more eyes from all directions focused on him.
“Since Daoist friend claims to be able to deduce future events, why not demonstrate here and now?” Gongsun Qixuan demanded, his voice leaving no room for Li Fan to refuse. “If you can accurately predict the rise and fall of specific item prices, deducing something else should be a simple task.”
Li Fan hesitated for a moment, but had no choice but to agree.
“In that case, I shall make a humble attempt!” He clasped his hands in salute and took out the [Heaven-Earth Divination Dice] that he had prepared. Closing his eyes, he stood motionless.
The entire venue instantly fell silent, and everyone stared intently at Li Fan's next move.
Within the jade slips he had obtained from the relics of the Heavenly mechanism Sect, there were indeed a few future-deduction techniques. However, these were low-level spells, with a success rate so low that even hitting one out of a hundred would be considered lucky.
After studying them carefully, Li Fan roughly grasped their mechanics. They were enough to put on a show but certainly not capable of actually predicting anything.
He knew that with countless eyes watching him, he couldn't be too bold. He was prepared to flee immediately if his act was exposed.
Simultaneously, he activated the secret technique [Sky Shrouding Palm], and a mysterious aura instantly enveloped his body.
The Heaven and Earth Divination Dice floated in front of Li Fan and began to spin rapidly. The twenty facets of the dice flashed with fragmented, fleeting images.
Li Fan knew that even if these scenes passed by in a blink, they would not escape the eyes of the skilled cultivators present. Therefore, the images shown by the Heaven and Earth Divination Dice weren’t just random—they were real events from his past life, ones he would experience in the future.
Truth mixed with lies, falsehood hidden within truth. Only then could he deceive the onlookers.
However, no matter how realistic it appeared, Li Fan knew that this fake act couldn’t withstand close scrutiny.
As the Heaven and Earth Divination Dice spun faster and faster, a scene of utter darkness began to emerge. Li Fan made his body tremble uncontrollably, his face growing paler by the second, with fear spreading across his features.
"Ah!"
A scream of agony escaped from Gongsun Qixuan as his body dissolved into the green light. Only a trace of black mist remained, drifting away to an unknown destination.
“Damn it, a backlash from the Heavenly Mysteries?!”
“Elder Gongsun?!”
The sudden turn of events left the cultivators in the Martial Hall in utter shock.
But soon, they had their own problems to worry about.
The green light spread like a tide, and everything it touched—whether strange boulders or living creatures—disappeared without a trace, as if melting into water.
The black-robed cultivator’s face darkened as he tried to stop the green light’s spread, but to no avail. The source of this green energy was mysterious and impossible to resist. Left with no other choice, he was forced to retreat.
In mere moments, the public trial had turned into a race to see who could escape fastest.
Amidst the desperate screams of the cultivators, the scene grew more chaotic and terrifying.
The moment Li Fan saw the familiar green light from Gongsun Qixuan’s deduction painting, he knew something had gone terribly wrong.
Although he wasn’t sure what had triggered it, or why Gongsun Qixuan’s deduction had summoned the power of the [Mysterious Net], Li Fan didn’t hesitate to slip away unnoticed, blending in with the panicking crowd as they fled from the Martial Hall.
The strange phenomena at the Martial Hall on Ten Thousand Immortal Island quickly caught the attention of other cultivators on the island. The once magnificent building trembled before collapsing in a series of violent shakes.
Just as the green light threatened to continue spreading outward, a rainbow beam of light shot down from the sky, descending upon Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
Countless transparent runes surged from the rainbow light, forming a massive net that captured the dispersing green light.
The crisis was swiftly resolved.
Amidst the fleeing crowd, Li Fan bowed his head slightly, for the newcomer was none other than Lu Xichan, the chief formation master of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s Strategy Formation Hall!
Chapter 464
Lu Xichan gazed at the now obliterated Martial Arts Hall on Ten Thousand Immortal Island, her brows slightly furrowed.
Faint green threads appeared, twining around her fingertips.
She stared at this familiar yet strange green glow, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Even though the Congyun Sea was a remote place, very few cultivators knew of Lu Xichan's true identity.
However, under her overwhelming aura, she remained silent, and the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Island was eerily quiet.
The cultivators did not dare to look at her directly, all bowing their heads in deference, much like Li Fan Only
At the same time, they were guessing in their hearts the identity of this female cultivator.
Finally, two figures flew out from the island's central Administrative Hall to greet her.
A man and a woman, none other than Ziyun and Hongxi, the only two Soul Transformation True Monarchs in the Congyun Sea.
"Greetings, Chief Lu!"
They bowed in unison, a trace of nervousness evident on their faces.
For both leaders of the Congyun Sea to show such deference, it was clear this was an extraordinary figure!
The other cultivators, who had bowed their heads in submission, were both shocked and filled with curiosity.
They secretly wondered why such an important figure like Chief Lu had come to this remote corner of the world.
Was it for this mysterious green light?
“No need for formalities. There is urgent business at hand.”
Lu Xichan glanced coldly at the cultivators on Ten Thousand Immortal Island and said, "From now on, the island is under lockdown. Without my orders, no one is permitted to leave."
As she spoke, she pointed toward the sky.
Transparent patterns spread from the center, quickly enveloping the entire island.
"I have already applied to cut off the connection between this place's Tianxuan Mirror and the outside world. Conventional communication methods have also been blocked by me."
"Until the matter is thoroughly investigated, you are responsible for maintaining order on the island."
Hongxi, hearing this, immediately grasped the gravity of the situation and nodded in agreement.
The cultivators on the island exchanged bewildered glances.
It seemed something serious had happened!
The entire island was sealed off, allowing no one to enter or leave.
This was likely the first time such a large-scale lockdown had occurred since Ten Thousand Immortal Island was established!
Hidden among the crowd, Li Fan felt uneasy.
The course of events in this world had far exceeded his expectations.
Initially, he only intended to play a charlatan to fool the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's investigation.
"This lockdown must be related to that rainbow light!" Li Fan said hurriedly.
The stone-faced man was taken aback by the sudden news.
He remained silent for a long time, seemingly verifying the accuracy of the information.
After a while, he spoke in a somewhat shocked tone, "It’s true!"
"What is the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance up to?!"
"Wait... that rainbow light..."
"Lu Xichan!"
His voice immediately rose several notches.
"Boss, who's Lu Xichan?" Li Fan feigned curiosity and asked.
"She's the Chief of the Strategy Formation Division of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, a truly significant figure. But why would she come to Congyun Sea?" The stone-faced man's voice was filled with both confusion and excitement.
Like a hungry wolf encountering prey, he sensed that there must be some earth-shattering secret involved in this event.
If they could uncover it...
"Boss, could this be a great opportunity for us to make a name for ourselves?" Li Fan asked, pretending to suddenly realize something.
"Indeed! We must find out the reason for her visit to Congyun Sea!" the stone-faced man said in a serious tone.
"But Ten Thousand Immortal Island is now sealed off, and even communication has been blocked. It seems almost impossible to figure out what's going on inside..." Li Fan frowned, appearing troubled.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, he exclaimed, "Boss, I have an idea."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"Do you remember He Zhenghao, the one who sold us the entrance exam questions for the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance? Maybe he can help!"
"He Zhenghao..." The stone-faced man pondered for a moment before nodding slightly.
"Go ahead and try. I'll also think of other solutions."
"If you find anything, contact me."
"If he can’t help, then you’ll have to lay low again," the stone-faced man instructed.
"Understood." As the light on the stone face dimmed, Li Fan quickly left.
After having tea with He Zhenghao on Liuli Island, Li Fan swiftly returned.
"Boss, there's a way!"
"What?" The stone-faced man was surprised at how quickly "Zhou Qing'ang" had found a solution and even more surprised that He Zhenghao had information about the sealed Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
"What did he say?" the stone-faced man asked in a serious tone.
"One million contribution points, flat rate!" Li Fan hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice.
Chapter 465
"Ten million contribution points?! Is he crazy?" The human face exclaimed in shock.
However, it quickly regained composure.
"Hmph, his appetite is really growing larger by the day. But is he certain that what happened on the Island of Ten Thousand Immortals is worth that much?"
Li Fan cautiously added after observing the other’s expression, "He has other conditions too."
"Payment first, delivery after."
"And he also said that whether we proceed with the trade is entirely up to us, he’s not forcing us. But he guarantees that this piece of information is worth far more. He's offering this price because he's risking his life and considers us old customers."
Hearing such outrageous conditions, the human face no longer appeared as agitated as before.
After thinking deeply for a moment, he said, "This is a serious matter. I'll go seek instructions first. Stay here and don't move."
With that, the image on the stone vanished instantly.
Li Fan patiently waited. A stick of incense later, the human face reappeared.
"Agree to his terms!" he said decisively.
"Boss?!" Li Fan was shocked at the other’s bold decision.
"Earlier, He Zhenghao said that the risks of this trade are too great, and it would be inconvenient for him to show up directly, so a middleman is required. If we want to trade, we are to send the spirit stones to this island. Just tell them you are from the 'Federation of All Worlds,' and don’t worry about anything else. Just hand the spirit stones over." Li Fan gave a set of coordinates, which pointed to the island where Li Chenfeng and the others from the Empire were located.
"Once he's sure the spirit stones have been received, he’ll send us the information," Li Fan quickly added.
"The 'Federation Of all Worlds'—what is that?"
"Could it be..." The human face seemed to have realized something and suddenly fell silent.
"At the latest, the spirit stones will arrive the day after tomorrow. Go keep an eye on He Zhenghao, and don't let him escape," the human face instructed.
"Yes, boss," Li Fan replied obediently.
"This is quite a gamble. If we win, we’ll have achieved great merit. But if we lose..." The human face muttered to himself, clearly anxious.
Such a large amount and such an unreliable transaction method were things the human face had never encountered before, and it showed in his expression.
"Boss, don't worry. Based on my interactions with He Zhenghao over this time, I believe he is trustworthy," Li Fan reassured.
"Let’s hope so. Go now."
After ending the communication, Li Fan hurried back to Tai'an Island, while also using the sensor of the "Formless Killing Intent" to monitor Li Chenfeng's situation.
Two days later.
A cultivator in black robes appeared above the Empire's island, looking around cautiously as instructed.
A woman in a blue dress suddenly appeared in front of him.
The two faced off, their expressions both somewhat tense.V/\IssịT for the b/est novel reading experi/en/ce
It wasn’t until he reached the secluded depths of the island's protective formation that he returned to his normal self.
"With the interference from the Five Elders Association, even if the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance tries to set up the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation, they may find it beyond their capabilities."
"How things will unfold still remains to be seen."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes as his attention shifted back to his true self on Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
After some investigation, Li Fan was released from confinement.
His testimony matched that of the surviving cultivators at the time, with nothing out of the ordinary.
The Immortal Alliance's primary focus remained on the whereabouts of Gongsun Qixuan.
It was his deduction that triggered the strange and terrifying green light.
Although Li Fan had deduced some results beforehand, the actual situation showed that Gongsun Qixuan's deduction ability was superior.
Figuring out what Gongsun Qixuan had seen at the time became the most critical task.
Ten Thousand Immortal Island remained on lockdown.
However, those cultivators who had been interrogated were allowed to move freely on the island after signing confidentiality agreements.
Although the events of that day couldn’t be discussed in detail, Li Fan's extraordinary deducing ability, as demonstrated in the skyrocketing price of Samantabhadra True Leaf and the strange events at the Martial Hall, was widely acknowledged.
As a result, many cultivators began to flock to Li Fan.
Unable to access the Tianxuan Mirror and seeking peace, Li Fan decided to hide at the Qianli Hall.
Qianli Hall had been closed since the day it was blocked, its doors tightly shut.
Li Fan used the secret passage from before to re-enter.
Once inside, he found that although Jiao Xiuyuan was present, he appeared dazed and expressionless.
No matter how much Li Fan called out, Jiao Xiuyuan didn’t respond at all.
It was as if the puppet had lost control due to the destruction of the Dao Stone in his previous life, but this time, it seemed even worse.
Li Fan observed carefully for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully.
"It must be Lu Xichan’s seal that severed the connection between the puppet and its original body."
"As expected from the chief of the Strategy Formation Hall, her methods are extraordinary."
"However, she would never imagine that the world still holds a divine technique like the 'Profound True Spirit Transformation.'"
Li Fan couldn't help but feel a little sense of pride.
With nothing else to do, he strolled around the deserted Qianli Hall.
Chapter 466
Jiao Xiuyuan transformed himself into thousands of puppets, single-handedly supporting the vast commercial organization known as Qianli Hall, which spanned across various locations of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
In various ruins and desolate wildernesses with few people, one might catch a glimpse of his presence.
He even had the power to stir up great disturbances in the Xuanhuang Realm.
There was a certain flavor of "entering the Dao through business" about him.
However, his luck seemed to be somewhat unfortunate.
Though he claimed he never made a losing deal, from Li Fan's experience with him, it appeared Jiao Xiuyuan often lost money in business.
For instance, when Li Fan first met him, he had stockpiled a large number of Concealment Talismans, but due to the incident with Five Elements Grand Cave Heaven, the price of the talismans plummeted.
Later, he painstakingly unearthed a few Minor Medicine King Cauldrons, and if he had waited for the return of the "True Medicine King Cauldron", he would have surely made a fortune.
But it was as if he was destined not to be that lucky. He sold all of those minor cauldrons early on at a low price.
"Perhaps he truly never made a loss, but it seems he always missed the big opportunities to get rich."
"Even in the previous life, when he partnered with me in the business of Spirit Mist Grass, a moment of greed caused him to hesitate too long, and the vast wealth he had in hand vanished in an instant."
"Only in this life has he truly profited. I wonder if something is going to change for him."
As Li Fan pondered, he carefully examined the items on Jiao Xiuyuan's shelves, hoping to find something valuable, like the Minor Medicine King Cauldron, to make a small gain.
The items on the shelves were diverse: talismans, formation diagrams, pills, and more, all available.
Li Fan paid special attention to the older-looking items.
Most of them were badly damaged, filled with the marks of history.
Scrolls, various ornaments, and artifacts that had long lost their spiritual energy filled the shelves.
Li Fan's gaze swept across them one by one.
Suddenly, he stopped at an ancient painting.
His expression became slightly serious as he carefully removed the scroll and slowly unrolled it.
It wasn’t that the painting itself was special, but rather its content that caught Li Fan's attention.
The painting depicted a grand and magnificent sect entrance.
The sky and earth seemed boundless, with dozens of cultivators standing in the clouds, pointing into the distance.
Among the sea of clouds, the towering buildings at the mountain's peak were faintly visible.
"Luan Birds" and "Jiaolong Dragons", along with other exotic beasts, wandered among the mountains.
In the square at the foot of the mountain, hundreds of young disciples, still innocent in appearance, stood.
...
As Li Fan continued to examine the puppet in front of him, combining it with what he had learned, he felt he was beginning to grasp something.
Just as he was secretly pleased with himself, he suddenly noticed that Jiao Xiuyuan's eyelids were twitching slightly.
His heart skipped a beat, and Li Fan instantly moved away.
Moments later, he noticed that Jiao Xiuyuan's previously lifeless eyes were becoming lively again.
"Daoist Jiao, you’re awake?" Li Fan asked, feigning concern.
"Hmm? Daoist Li? Why are you here?" Jiao Xiuyuan suspiciously eyed Li Fan.
Li Fan originally wanted to explain the events that had taken place after he was questioned, but he had signed a non-disclosure agreement, leaving him unable to speak.
He had no choice but to tell Jiao Xiuyuan that he was simply avoiding the crowd and came here to hide.
"I lost contact with this puppet shortly after Lu Xichan arrived. I knew then that something big had happened, and sure enough..."
"That non-disclosure agreement, huh..."
Jiao Xiuyuan glanced at Li Fan and guessed the reason for his silence.
"No wonder things seem unsettled over in Tianquan and Tianyuzhou Prefecture..." Jiao Xiuyuan squinted, about to delve into his thoughts, but his gaze swept over his shop, and his expression immediately changed.
In a flash, he was at the shelves, checking things over, and exclaimed, "Why does it look like a painting is missing?"
"That was something I painstakingly dug out from a pile of junk!"
Li Fan was about to tell him that the painting was with him.
But before he could, the puppet in front of him suddenly exploded with a "bang," shattering into pieces.
Fortunately, it wasn’t flesh and blood flying everywhere, but just scattered wood shavings.
"Daoist Jiao!" Li Fan was momentarily stunned by the sudden event.
"I'm fine!" In an instant, another puppet emerged from under the counter.
His face full of gloom, Jiao Xiuyuan grabbed a broom and began cleaning up the scene.
"What just happened?" Li Fan couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.
"I made a losing deal, so the puppet couldn’t be sustained." Jiao Xiuyuan didn’t offer much explanation, merely shaking his head and sighing.
"How strange. How could that painting have disappeared? Who would have the nerve to steal from me?" After cleaning up, Jiao Xiuyuan stroked his chin, angrily muttering.
"Uh, Daoist Jiao, I forgot to mention earlier. When you lost consciousness, I noticed that the painting was quite nice, so I put it away." At this moment, Li Fan finally spoke.
---
Chapter 467
The Qianli Hall fell into an eerie silence. Jiao Xiuyuan stared at Li Fan with a look of disbelief, his face full of shock.
"Don't look at me like that. I originally planned to pay, but no matter how I called out to you, you didn’t respond."
Li Fan shrugged. "And by the time you woke up, before I could say anything, you had already exploded on your own. Can you really blame me?"
Jiao Xiuyuan's face twitched as he looked at Li Fan's innocent expression. After thinking for a moment, he realized that Li Fan didn’t seem like someone who would take without asking. Resigned, he pretended to be generous. "Forget it. It was just a puppet, after all. Let it blow up! I have plenty of puppets!"
"Daoist Jiao, how generous!" Li Fan clapped and praised him.
"I remember the scene in that painting depicted the Heavenly Sword Sect from ancient times. Daoist Li, could it be that you're recalling the past from seeing it?" Jiao Xiuyuan suddenly sized up Li Fan and asked with a strange look.
Li Fan looked at Jiao Xiuyuan, his thoughts racing.
After a moment, Li Fan shook his head, his tone doubtful. "Heavenly Sword Sect? You must be mistaken. Although I’ve lost part of my memory after thousands of years of slumber, I still vaguely remember the two stone tablets inscribed with 'Halt' and 'End the War' outside the Heavenly Sword Sect’s gate. The sect in this painting doesn’t quite resemble that."
Jiao Xiuyuan slapped his forehead. "Haha, look at my memory. Maybe losing a puppet messed with my recollection."
"It must be the Taishang Sect!" Jiao Xiuyuan said again.
"Taishang Sect..." Li Fan squinted slightly, as if recalling something.
After a while, he shook his head slowly. "No, I’ve visited the Taishang Sect before. Their thirty-three floating peaks don’t match the scenery in the painting either."
Li Fan looked at Jiao Xiuyuan with suspicion. "Daoist Jiao, are you..."
Jiao Xiuyuan chuckled awkwardly and quickly said, "I remembered wrong again! Let me think... it must be the Du'e Sect! This time, I’m absolutely sure!"[1]
"The Du'e Sect?" Li Fan’s heart stirred.
Jiao Xiuyuan's previous two tests had failed, so this mention of the Du'e Sect might finally hold some truth.
In his previous life, outside the Great Five Elements Cave Heaven, when the Five Elements merged, Li Fan had once glimpsed a mirage of a master and disciple from the Du'e Sect.
At that time, among all the cultivators on the Dust-Crossing Boat, only he had been able to see it.
"That person is known as the 'One Destined for Calamity'!"
Jiao Xiuyuan slowly explained.
Upon hearing this, Li Fan frowned deeply. "Such a cultivation method exists? So, I’ve been marked by some Du'e Sect cultivator? Jiao Daoist, is there any way to break this?"
Jiao Xiuyuan waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t be so tense! Thousands of years have passed, who knows if the Du'e Sect cultivator who left this painting is even still alive?"
"Besides, even if he is, there’s no need for concern. To survive his calamity, he will have to rely on you completely. Until he has passed through it, he won’t harm you."
"And if you help him survive the disaster, he will owe you a great debt. The Du'e Sect has always adhered to this rule. Otherwise, who would ever help them play such a game?"
"Moreover, think about it. The disaster he couldn’t overcome, yet you can. By then, your strength will surpass his, and he’ll be too relieved to survive to even think of opposing you."
Jiao Xiuyuan dismissed Li Fan's worries, but began studying him with renewed interest.
"Li Fan Daoist, to be sensed as the 'One Destined for Calamity' by a Du'e Sect cultivator, your future must be boundless!"
Jiao Xiuyuan’s words brought some comfort to Li Fan, but a sense of unease still lingered in his heart.
Judging from the aid provided in the Abyss of Ruin, that Du'e Sect cultivator was likely still alive.
Though it was unlikely they were monitoring his every move, long-term observation might reveal something eventually.
"It seems I’ll need to find a way to resolve this hidden threat," Li Fan thought to himself.
"Daoist, your knowledge is truly vast, even understanding these ancient sect secrets so thoroughly. I am deeply impressed!"
"By the way, how many contribution points for this painting? I’ll buy it. I can’t let you make a losing deal!"
Though his mind was elsewhere, Li Fan's demeanor remained perfectly calm as he spoke to Jiao Xiuyuan.
1. The “Du’e Sect” can be translated to “Sect of Calamity” or “Sect of Tribulation” in English. This name implies a group focused on overcoming significant challenges or adversities.
Should I keep the name Du'e or translate from now with the English term?
Chapter 468
Jiao Xiuyuan’s face lit up with joy: "Fellow Daoist, your way of handling things is to my liking! As they say, even close brothers keep clear accounts. Though you previously helped me make billions with your strategy, rules cannot be broken."
After a moment of contemplation, Jiao Xiuyuan said, "I'll give you a significant discount, just transfer 200 contribution points to me."
Li Fan chuckled lightly: "Fellow Daoist Jiao, you're being too polite!"
Of course, Jiao Xiuyuan wasn’t truly concerned about the contribution points but about completing the necessary transaction process.
Without any fuss, Li Fan transferred the 200 contribution points immediately.
After the transaction was completed, Li Fan vaguely sensed something indescribable and inexplicable about the puppet in front of him. It was a change he had never noticed before.
A thought flashed through Li Fan's mind, and he couldn't help but voice his guess: "Fellow Daoist Jiao, could it be that you're about to break through?"
Jiao Xiuyuan seemed slightly surprised, as if he hadn’t expected Li Fan, who was in the Golden Core stage, to notice something.
"Good eyes, Fellow Daoist! The ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect’s reputation is truly well-deserved."
After a sigh, Jiao Xiuyuan nodded and said, "Indeed, but the technique I cultivate is special. My breakthrough is different from the usual realms. The specifics... I'm afraid I can't say much more. I hope you understand."
Jiao Xiuyuan spoke with rare apology.
Li Fan nodded, showing his understanding.
"However, I, Jiao Xiuyuan, am not one to forget kindness. Thanks to you, I’ve profited greatly."
"If you ever need anything, just let me know! I’ll make sure to help you out!" Jiao Xiuyuan said, pounding his chest with heroic spirit.
"Speaking of which, I do have a favor to ask. Do you know of the Ancient Medicine King Sect?" Li Fan took the opportunity to ask for help in unearthing the Small Medicine King Cauldron.
"I have a premonition that these small cauldrons will be involved in many karmic consequences in the future, and the matter is of great importance. However, returning to the old site of the Medicine King Sect could be a fatal risk for me, so I cannot go myself. I’ll have to trouble you, Fellow Daoist."
Jiao Xiuyuan readily agreed.
"By the way, since Head Elder Lu came to Ten Thousand Immortal Island, she hasn’t been seen again. You have many sources of information, so could you help me investigate her whereabouts? As someone involved in the events, I’m still very curious about how this matter will impact the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance."
Due to the confidentiality agreements, Li Fan could only speak vaguely.
Jiao Xiuyuan agreed without hesitation.
After thanking him, they chatted for a while longer.
When the cultivators who had been surrounding Li Fan outside gradually dispersed, he quietly left the Qianli Hall.
Here, Li Fan intentionally left a gap, pausing briefly.
"I believe we’ve shown enough sincerity. Now, it’s up to your Empire to decide."
Li Fan took a sip of the tea that Qing had prepared for him and spoke slowly.
"Hmm? This tea is quite good." The sky-blue tea went down, and Li Fan was somewhat surprised.
Unlike the spiritual teas he usually drank, this one didn’t benefit his cultivation, spiritual power, or divine sense. Instead, he felt a warm current flow through his body, improving and strengthening his physique.
As someone who cultivated the "Creation Furnace Technique," Li Fan was naturally very familiar with such sensations.
It was strikingly similar to the hidden power of the human body.
"This is Supreme Dragon Whisker Tea. If Fellow Daoist likes it, I’ll send you some," Qing said with a smile.
After handing a storage ring to Li Fan, Qing straightened her expression.
"That was personal business, now let's discuss the trade between the Empire and the Federation Of all World."
"We believe the Federation truly intends to aid the Empire, so we will reciprocate by intensifying our cooperation."
"First, here is the first part of the transaction."
As she spoke, Qing handed over a uniquely designed storage ring.
The ring was engraved with a lifelike Qingluan bird, its eyes even moving.
Li Fan looked at the Qingluan bird on the ring and found it somewhat familiar.
But with so many similar bird species in the world, he couldn’t be sure.
He simply accepted it and began to inspect its contents.
Unexpectedly, his divine sense was blocked, and he failed to examine it.
Only when the Qingluan bird lazily glanced at Li Fan and flapped its wings did he manage to see inside.
........................................................................
Read extra chapters on >>> /SpiritStonetranslation
Chapter 469
In a storage space ten zhang long, four zhang wide, and three zhang high, rows of redwood shelves were neatly arranged.
On the shelves, items resembling books were categorized and piled up.
Li Fan, with a thought, took one of them.
After observing it in his hand for a moment, Li Fan realized that these so-called “books” were alive.
Although they remained still, Li Fan keenly sensed the unique aura of a living being from them.
Li Fan instantly understood that while they were inside the storage ring, they were in a dormant state similar to death. But once they left the storage ring and came into contact with the outside world, they regained their vitality.
Opening the "book," rays of light shot out from the pages and gathered in the air.
In the light, there were dense characters and illustrations.
It was written in the common script of the Xuanhuang Realm. Li Fan carefully examined it and discovered that it contained information about the exotic beast "Dark Ancient Mantis". From its body structure, living habits, the value of each part of its body, to the methods of breeding and reproduction—everything was detailed. It was an all-encompassing encyclopedia.
Li Fan turned another page, and the light shifted and reformed.
This time, it was information about the exotic beast Ink Spirit Fish.
Li Fan switched to another book and found that it also recorded information about different exotic beasts.
“In our world, there is a type of exotic beast called 'Bookworms'. They feed on words and images. Through special means, they can be made into books, which allow them to reproduce the texts and images they have consumed, achieving large-scale data storage,” Qing explained to Li Fan.
“This storage ring contains the empire’s millennia of research on exotic beasts. It includes all the information about the exotic beasts in our world—except for a few rare species, whose data will be supplemented during the final transaction.”
Li Fan nodded slowly and carefully examined a few more books before solemnly putting the storage ring away.
“Having data alone isn’t enough; it must be matched with physical entities. This is the second part of the empire’s transaction.” Qing took out a red square wooden box and handed it to Li Fan.
Slightly sensing it with his spiritual sense, Li Fan understood the function of the wooden box.
It appeared no bigger than the size of a palm, but inside it was divided into countless separate spaces.
In each space, there were ten exotic beasts of the same kind.
They seemed to be frozen, all motionless.
“In theory, it can unleash power equivalent to a Soul Transformation stage cultivator. But the Nine-Headed Bird is inherently ferocious. Even after thousands of years of death, its violent aura remains. Although the empire succeeded in using it to craft a few Beast Soul Beads, no one has survived the refining process so far. Those who tried either went mad or died.”
“If the Federation wants to attempt it, I suggest choosing someone with extraordinary willpower.”
“Oh, and one more thing. The power of the exotic beasts clashes with a cultivator’s spiritual energy. The stronger the cultivator, the more resistance they face when refining the Beast Soul Beads. To maximize its potential, it’s best used on ordinary mortals.”
Qing added.
“Excellent!” A hint of joy appeared on Li Fan's face.
“Our Federation Of all Worlds appreciates your sincerity! I’m sure once I report back, deeper cooperation will soon follow.”
“Haha, the organization is eager to learn the method of crafting Beast Soul Beads and the art of controlling beasts,” Li Fan said.
Qing’s expression remained unchanged as she replied solemnly, “Once the final transaction is complete, and the empire has fully withdrawn from the Xuanhuang Realm, all of that will be handed over to your Federation.”
“I can’t wait for that day!” Li Fan put away the storage ring containing the thousand Beast Soul Beads.
He left the secret chamber and flew into the sky.
“When I’ve found a suitable base for you, I’ll return for another transaction.”
“I hope that aside from technology, the empire can also provide some manpower support.”
“At that time, we will handle the personnel’s reception and transfer.”
Li Fan transmitted his voice as he looked down at the people of the empire.
“No problem,” Qing readily agreed.
Li Fan nodded and immediately soared into the sky.
Instead of returning to the Ten Thousand Immortal Island, he headed straight to Shenhua Island.
“Junior brother, please stand guard for me.”
The cultivating Tianyang, who was struggling to practice the Sky-Shrouding Palm Secret technique, immediately stopped when he heard Li Fan’s words.
He stood up and began scanning the surroundings with vigilance.
Chapter 470
"The Sealed Life Treasure Box... It seems that the empire indeed inherited the legacy of the Beast Taming Sect back in the day."
Now that Tianyang had reached Soul Transformation stage strength, Li Fan felt reassured enough to review the rewards from this trade with the empire.
Detailed information on various exotic beasts, along with the frozen beast entities in the Sealed Life Treasure Box, might not be of much use to other cultivators. However, for Li Fan, who practiced the Creation Furnace Technique, this was an undeniable treasure trove.
Li Fan could harness and transform the unique abilities of these exotic beasts, one by one, using his technique.
"The beauty of living creatures—nothing surpasses this!"
"The records in the Heavenly Doctor's immortal Codex probably don't capture the full essence of the living beings of this world either!"
With a light flick of his finger, Li Fan summoned all the bookworms from his storage ring.
His spiritual consciousness flipped through the books, and in an instant, countless rays of light and shadows projected into the air of his cave dwelling.
The Dao Derivation Stone in his mind emitted a deep blue glow it had never shown before. Li Fan narrowed his eyes, focusing on engraving the words and images into his memory.
A flood of information rushed in, organizing itself and being stored in the Dao Derivation Stone.
Amid the continuous sound of flipping pages, the light and shadows constantly shifted.
After recording everything in a few pages, Li Fan felt a slight headache in his temples.
Taking a short rest and consuming a Dao Enlightenment Pill, he resumed his “reading.”
Over the course of several thousand years, the empire had birthed many unique species. Most of them were creatures that Li Fan had never encountered in the Heavenly Doctor's Codex—nor did they exist in the present Xuanhuang Realm.
Their various strange abilities amazed even the well-traveled Li Fan.
For example, the Wisdom Worm that resided in the human brain and could enhance cognitive abilities; the Mimic Beast, which could perfectly disguise itself after devouring other beings; and the Thousand Spirit Bird, which fed on human emotions.
Each of these creatures opened Li Fan’s eyes to new wonders.
"The All-Encompassing Furnace—this is the true myriad phenomena of living beings!"
Amid Li Fan's amazement, the pages of the books continued to flip.
In a short time, he absorbed the knowledge accumulated over thousands of years by the empire into his mind.
Ten days later.
Li Fan let out a long breath, massaged his aching forehead, and returned the bookworms to his storage ring.
Sensing the concerned gaze of Tianyang, Li Fan waved his hand, signaling that he was fine.
After resting for half a day and recovering some of his energy, Li Fan took out the red wooden box.
According to the information he'd previously seen in the Tianxuan Mirror, this Sealed Life Treasure Box was an exclusive artifact of the Beast Taming Sect from ancient times.
The leopard let out a mournful cry, and the illusion quickly vanished.
The Beast Soul Bead dissolved into a red liquid, which seemed to have a life of its own, flowing from his forehead toward his limbs and bones.
Li Fan sensed a strange energy trying to infiltrate his body, attempting to modify it.
Unlike the pure enhancement from his Creation Furnace Technique, the Beast God Armor felt more like grafting the power of an exotic beast onto a human.
Although it temporarily strengthened his abilities, his physical body became tainted by the beast’s power and lost its purity.
"Crooked paths, not of the true way."
Li Fan shook his head as the hidden power within his body surged like a flood, instantly expelling the invading beast energy.
The hunting leopard’s wail echoed in his ears again, and the red liquid from the Beast Soul Bead evaporated in an instant.
"It seems this armor is only suitable for mortals who cannot cultivate."
"Or perhaps..."
Li Fan's eyes gleamed with a peculiar light.
He thought of Ye Feipeng from his previous life, who had awakened the Kunpeng bloodline.
"If one already possesses a beast bloodline, they would naturally not fear this kind of contamination."
"In this life, He Zhenghao has been profiting handsomely by following me. He probably no longer cares about that smuggling business."
"As for Su Xiaomei and the others, they are still in the Outer Realm. Without me, they likely wouldn't have had a chance to come here."
Li Fan smiled faintly.
"This life’s grand show wouldn’t be complete without these little ones."
With that, Li Fan rose, bid farewell to Tianyang, concealed his aura, and quietly made his way to the Outer Realm.
First, he arrived at the central volcano of the Outer Realm and observed it for a while.
"Strange..." Li Fan shook his head.
Ever since he first came to the Outer Realm, he had felt something unusual about this volcano. However, each time he carefully investigated, he found nothing out of the ordinary.
As his cultivation grew deeper, his sense of foreboding became stronger.
But he still couldn't pinpoint the cause.
"Perhaps after I reach the Nascent Soul stage, I'll discover something."
Li Fan made a mental note of the matter and then headed straight for Dali Capital City.
Chapter 471
Early Morning, Ye Mansion.
The chubby Ye Feipeng was sound asleep, seemingly dreaming of something particularly pleasant, as his lips curled slightly. He was completely unaware of the black shadow that suddenly appeared beside him.
The shadow waved a hand gently, causing Ye Feipeng’s head to tilt as he instantly fell unconscious. The figure's right hand formed a claw and hovered above Ye Feipeng's head.
After a brief moment, the hand slowly withdrew.
A drop of thick, blackish-red blood appeared in the figure’s palm.
Ye Feipeng, who had looked healthy moments before, suddenly seemed as though he had contracted a severe illness, his face drained of energy.
The drop of blood in the shadow's palm seemed alive, possessing its own consciousness as it continuously squirmed, attempting to escape the figure's grasp.
As the shadow tightened its fingers, the space in which the blood could struggle grew smaller and smaller until, eventually, the blood was entirely absorbed into the figure's body.
The shadow stood still in the night for a long while.
“Pff!”
Two menacing bone wings suddenly tore through the figure's back, stretching out behind him.
Threads of flesh clung to the wings, emitting a faint sizzling sound as the flesh grew along the bone spurs, swiftly covering the bare bones.
The bone wings became fuller.
However, under the moonlight, one could still clearly see the constantly writhing flesh on the edges of the wings, giving off a sinister and eerie aura.
“The Kunpeng bloodline...”
A low voice escaped from the shadow’s mouth. Moments later, the figure ripped the wings off from his back.
Surprisingly, there was no blood spurting from the wounds. The struggling flesh at the injury site was swiftly expelled by a surge of pure, vast vitality.
In an instant, the shadow was fully restored to its original state.
“Ancient demon beasts truly possess some mysteries.” The figure murmured as he looked at the still-twitching wings he had torn off.
This shadow was none other than Li Fan.
Upon arriving in the capital of the Da Li Kingdom, the first thing he did was extract a portion of the Kunpeng blood from Ye Feipeng’s body.
While he stored the majority of the blood in a storage ring, he absorbed a small part into his own body.
The power of this bloodline was far more domineering than the beastly forces Li Fan had encountered in the Beast Soul Bead.
If those beast forces were infectious and grafted, then the power of the Kunpeng bloodline was all about devouring and complete assimilation.
“No wonder in my previous life, Ye Feipeng’s behavior and even his thoughts gradually became more like those of a true demonic beast.”
“This is the inevitable consequence of using the power of the Kunpeng bloodline.”
“But...”
Li Fan smiled slightly. “By mimicking it with my Furnace of Creation technique, I don’t have such worries.”
“Kun Devour, Peng Soar, Peng Transformation...”
“It seems that my difficulty in stepping onto the path of immortality wasn’t entirely coincidental.”
“People and Heaven...”
Soaring into the sky, Li Fan closed his eyes and sensed the very essence of the Xuan Realm.
“Humans are the spirits of all living beings, blessed by the heavens.”
“Those favored by the heavens can sense the Dao, cultivating in harmony with the Way, and step onto the path of immortality.”
“This is what should naturally occur.”
“Given the vast population of Great Xuan, there should theoretically be many so-called geniuses favored by the heavens.”
“But strangely enough...”
Li Fan recalled the void ripper whales that lingered outside Great Xuan, trying to sever the entire Xuan Realm from the Xuanhuang World.
“When the heavens offer no favor, who dares to tread the path of immortality?”
“But why is the (Li)-Outer Realm so unique?”
With doubts swirling in his mind, Li Fan sighed softly and temporarily gave up on his original plans.
He only made a detour to the area near Jieli Mountain, taking the two boys he had noticed with extraordinary potential.
He then left Great Xuan and returned to the world of cultivation.
“I knew it! Immortals do exist!” Sun Erlang exclaimed excitedly, pacing back and forth.
Beside him, the burly Wang Xuanba looked worried and uneasy.
“Erlang, what do you think the immortal wants with us? When do you think we’ll be able to go back? I miss home...” Wang Xuanba whispered to Sun Erlang.
“Have some ambition! How can you return home without mastering the ability to fly through the clouds and split mountains?” Sun Erlang scolded.
Wang Xuanba opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly noticed a figure appear beside them.
“Immortal Master!” Wang Xuanba was startled and hurriedly knelt down to kowtow.
“Immortal Master, please teach me how to cultivate!” Sun Erlang also knelt and bowed.
Li Fan’s gaze swept over the two but he didn’t reply.
Instead, he led them to the cabin where Su Changyu and the other sixteen children were.
The children, many of whom hadn’t seen their families, were lost in fear and confusion, crying uncontrollably.
“Keep them quiet. This will be your first test,” Li Fan said to Sun Erlang.
“Remember, you can’t hit them.”
Li Fan disappeared immediately after.
Sun Erlang, who prided himself on his martial prowess, stared at the group of snot-nosed brats before him, stumped.
Chapter 472
Sun Family's Second Young Master scratched his head in frustration, but after much effort, he finally managed to calm the restless children from the separated realm.
Li Fan then led them to the path of transformation into Dao. The cave dwelling he had previously opened wasn’t large, but it was more than enough to accommodate these children.
Li Fan made a trip back to the Ten Thousand Immortals Island and purchased the Spring of Spiritual Life and Scarlet Fruit Tree from the Tianxuan Mirror, solving their food problem.
Only then did he gather the children. They looked at Li Fan with innocent and bewildered eyes.
"Do you know what immortality is?" Li Fan asked.
Most of the children instinctively shook their heads, including Ye Feipeng, who was completely puzzled. Only Sun Erlang, who was slightly older, had a flash of desire and longing in his eyes.
He eagerly responded, "I know! Immortals can fly through the sky and burrow through the earth, move mountains and fill seas, summon wind and rain, and do anything!"
Sun Erlang's words seemed to embolden the previously timid children.
Another child quietly said, "I know too. My father taught me a song: 'To be like an immortal, riding a crane to the heavens, turning stone into gold, miraculous and beyond words!'"
Li Fan chuckled when he heard this. He recognized this child as the future father of Han Wu You. This time, Li Fan had also captured him along with Han Wu You’s mother, wanting to see whether Han Wu You would still be born under such drastic changes.
The significance of the possible differences was crucial to Li Fan.
With a wave of his hand, the children, who were chattering away, immediately quieted down.
Li Fan solemnly taught, "The so-called immortals are merely people who are a bit more powerful."
"But for a mere mortal to become as powerful as an immortal, how easy could that be?"
"Some people are skilled in literature, others in martial arts. The most important thing is to find a method that suits you to become stronger."
Li Fan deliberately paused, waiting for the children to reflect. After they seemed to be deep in thought, he continued, "I have three methods that can make you as strong as immortals."
"First, the Rebelling Against Heaven Method. Mortals follow the natural order, while immortals go against it. By defying the laws of heaven and earth, you can attain the path to eternal life. This is the highest method."
The children, though not understanding much, grasped the basic idea, and their eyes widened in amazement.
"Second, the Hidden Furnace Method. The human body contains a hidden furnace, and by refining it, you can tap into your potential. At advanced stages, sheer physical strength alone can move mountains and fill seas! This is the mid-level method!"
Upon hearing this, only Sun Erlang and Wang Xuanba had a spark of interest in their eyes.
"If neither of the first two methods works, I still have a third!"
"Although it cannot compare to the other two, it is still one of the many paths to greatness."
After sending them away, Li Fan looked at the remaining three children, his eyelid twitching.
Among them were the nonchalant Xiao Heng and the cunning-eyed Ye Fei Peng.
"Why did you choose the lowest-level Beast-Taming Method?" Li Fan asked coldly, pointing at Xiao Heng. "You answer first!"
Startled, Xiao Heng scratched his head, embarrassed. "Master Immortal, I feel like I’m too dumb to learn the first two methods. So I’ll just honestly learn the Beast-Taming Method."
Li Fan sneered. "Are you sure? No regrets?"
Seeing that Li Fan wasn’t reprimanding him, Xiao Heng breathed a sigh of relief and nodded quickly, "No regrets!"
Li Fan didn’t say anything more and handed him a Nascent Soul Beast Soul Bead.
"This is a Beast God Bead, containing the soul of a powerful beast. It’s too strong for you now, so keep it by your side, day and night. When you feel ready, try to refine it." Li Fan instructed.
"Thank you, Master Immortal!" Xiao Heng happily accepted the Beast Soul Bead.
"Master Immortal, I think the same way as Xiao Heng!" The other child, Zhao Wen, who seemed simple and honest, also spoke up quickly.
Li Fan examined Zhao Wen’s body carefully, and after some thought, gave him another Nascent Soul Beast Soul Bead.
"Don’t push yourself," Li Fan advised.
Zhao Wen gratefully knelt and bowed.
"And you?" Li Fan looked at the last one, Ye Fei Peng.
Ye Fei Peng scratched his cheek, hesitating.
Finally, he gathered his courage and asked tentatively, "Master Immortal, why can we only choose one method?"
"I want all three. Is that possible?"
Li Fan paused, gazing at the eager Ye Fei Peng. Suddenly, he burst into laughter.
"Since you’ve asked, I shall grant your wish."
The Sea-Stabilizing Divine Sword, the Creation Furnace Technique, and a Beast Soul Bead made from the essence of the nine-headed divine bird flew toward Ye Fei Peng.
"Thank you, Master Immortal! Thank you!" Ye Fei Peng was overjoyed, bowing repeatedly.
Xiao Heng and Zhao Wen, stunned by the unexpected outcome, were left speechless.
Chapter 473
Xiao Heng opened his mouth, wanting to say something. However, his lips only moved slightly, and when he looked at the stern face of Li Fan, he ultimately remained silent.
On the other hand, Zhao Wen, who had a simple and honest nature, didn't think much. After his initial shock, his eyes were filled with pure admiration.
Thus, the cultivation path for this group of children was temporarily set, except for Su Xiaomei, who was still in swaddling clothes. Although Su Xiaomei had extraordinary talent, she was simply too young. Being at the stage of babbling, it was unrealistic to expect her to start cultivating yet. However, with the protection of numerous spiritual items purchased by Li Fan, along with the care of Xiao Heng and Su Changyu, there was no need to worry about her health. In fact, she was growing even faster than in her previous lives.
Seven days later, as the children's cultivation journeys were beginning to take shape, Li Fan gathered them together once again.
"Do you know where you are right now?" Li Fan asked.
After becoming more familiar over the past few days, the children were no longer as reserved as they had been. "It's the Immortal Realm!" they answered eagerly.
"Correct," Li Fan nodded. "But do you know that your ancestors originally came from this Immortal Realm?"
"Immortal Master, our ancestors were also immortals?" the children asked, wide-eyed and chattering in excitement.
Li Fan then told them the story of how, in ancient times, their ancestors had been forced to leave their homeland due to being afflicted by a curse that separated mortals from immortals.
"They were merely stronger humans who relied on their power to act recklessly, treating their former comrades cruelly."
"Why should they monopolize this vast and beautiful world full of spiritual energy, while you are left to live in a small, desolate world with no spiritual energy and even the risk of total annihilation?"
"It's because you are not strong enough!"
Li Fan's gaze swept over them as he subtly used the power of his Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart to manipulate their thoughts.
"When you become strong enough, this world will respect and accept your opinions."
"All the humans of the small worlds should unite!"
"Everything that was lost must be taken back by your own hands!"
Therefore, raising these children was quite necessary. Besides, with the Mountain Sitting Technique in their possession, the stronger they became, the greater the benefits for Li Fan.
He quietly instructed Tian Yang not to hit them too hard, and as long as they reached the combat strength of Golden Core cultivators, he should let them win.
After leaving behind a Formless killing intent to monitor them, Li Fan quietly returned to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
While he had been away, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance appeared peaceful on the surface, but hidden currents were already surging underneath. After deploying a large number of cultivators, they issued a Call for Recruitment.
Any cultivators with achievements in the field of formations were summoned. They didn't need to pass the usual entrance exams and could immediately receive the benefits of a formation master in the Strategy Formation Hall. Those who performed exceptionally well could even be rewarded with Dao Integration techniques.
In no time, talented formation masters from all over the world gathered at the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters. Such a grand assembly naturally didn't go unnoticed by the Five Elders Association.
On the border, the Five Elders Association continued to provoke and probe the Alliance. From time to time, news of exposed and executed spies from the Five Elders Association would surface.
Both sides remained cautious about war. However, beneath the strange calm, a massive storm seemed to be brewing.
Li Fan sensed something unusual. If they only wanted to construct the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation, there was no need for so many formation masters. The deduction of the formation diagram wasn’t something Nascent Soul-level formation masters could even participate in.
"Chief Lu, what are you up to?" Li Fan muttered to himself, his eyes flashing as he quickly reviewed recent events in the Tianxuan Mirror, trying to find some clues.
After a long time, his eyes suddenly stopped on a seemingly ordinary piece of news.
Foundation Establishment cultivator Guo Yezhong died unexpectedly while attempting to break through to the Golden Core stage.
"Guo Yezhong? How did he die so early?"
Li Fan remembered this person clearly from his previous life. Guo Yezhong had relied on contribution points to win first place in the Spirit Locking Formation Competition, so Li Fan had a strong impression of him.
Now, his sudden and unexplained death seemed suspicious. Li Fan decided to investigate the events leading up to Guo Yezhong's death to see if he could uncover anything unusual.
After several days of effort and spending contribution points like water, Li Fan finally found a potential lead from one of Guo Yezhong's friends.
Chapter 474
Guo Yezhong was a person deeply obsessed with the Dao of formations.
His mind was often imaginative, with sudden flashes of inspiration. He also loved drinking, and after becoming thoroughly intoxicated, he would share his wild and unrealistic ideas with his friends.
His friends would just laugh it off as drunken talk.
Not long ago, Guo Yezhong once again drank himself into a stupor.
He told his friends about a vision he had in a dream: the sky of Tianxuan hanging above like a spider's web, covering the world and binding all beings.
Because it was so bizarre, his friends again didn’t take it seriously and dismissed it as a joke.
After Guo Yezhong sobered up, they even mocked him for it.
Who knew that as soon as Guo Yezhong heard this, his expression changed dramatically. He warned his friends not to speak of it, then left in a huff.
For the next several days, he locked his doors and refused all visitors.
Then, suddenly, he claimed to have gained some insight and left to seek an opportunity to break through to the Golden Core stage.
He never returned.
A few days later, a strange heavenly phenomenon occurred, leading others to discover his body.
...
“Bad wine brings misfortune!” Li Fan sighed softly, then fell into deep thought.
Was this the work of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to prevent leaks by silencing him?
For the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, which was in urgent need of talent in the Dao of formations, there was no need for such drastic measures.
A simple recruitment order would have been enough to make him devote his life to the construction of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation. There was no need to go to such extremes.
"Then the remaining possibility is that the Five Elders Association took action."
"After I revealed the secret of the 'Tianxuan Spirit Locking, Xuanhuang Unification' to the Five Elders Association, they must have been trying everything to gather information related to it."
"But due to the strict secrecy measures of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, they had little success."
"Until they discovered that an unremarkable Foundation Establishment cultivator, Guo Yezhong, had openly described a vision related to the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation while drunk."
"That's when disaster struck Guo Yezhong..."
Li Fan stroked his chin, piecing together what might have happened.
"Guo Yezhong, despite his immense talent in formations, probably didn’t know much about the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation. At most, he had some vague concept."
Driven by temptation, more and more cultivators approached He Zhenghao, eager to join the next round of investments.
There were so many inquiries that even He Zhenghao, who considered himself worldly, was overwhelmed.
He ended up hiding on Liuli Island behind the protective formation, too scared to come out.
Only after contacting Li Fan and receiving his approval did he relax.
Following Li Fan's advice, he issued a statement.
Due to the overwhelming number of requests, which far exceeded Li Fan’s ability to manage, He Zhenghao was forced to make a difficult decision.
This time, they would only accept contribution points from 500 cultivators, sorted from the highest amount offered to the lowest.
This announcement caused many cultivators to curse silently.
Most hesitated briefly, then ultimately gave up.
However, a small number of people placed their trust in Li Fan and invested their contribution points.
With the introduction of this competitive system, the third round of contributions swelled to over 15 million.
An average of 30,000 per person.
And that was with everyone holding back and adopting a cautious approach.
He Zhenghao was overwhelmed with joy as he collected the funds.
Since Li Fan promised him 1% of the profit as a reward, he worked even harder.
He even encouraged the investors to dig deeper into their pockets.
While Li Fan was busy amassing wealth, the Empire's Foundation Establishment Masters were not idle either.
Although the 10 million contribution points gifted by Li Fan allowed these lawbreakers to complete their tasks early, they continued to accumulate contribution points and resources to quietly transport them back to the Empire.
One day, a special guest arrived on the island.
"I've saved for so long; it should be enough."
"With the help of this renowned Foundation Establishment Master, I’ll surely break through to the Foundation Establishment stage this time."
"Then, I will take control of my fate, defying even the heavens. The cultivation world may be vast, but I, Han Yi, will be able to roam freely!"
A disheveled young man, slightly crazed, stood outside the courtyard of the Foundation Establishment Master, muttering to himself.
Chapter 475
"You brat, what are you muttering about over there? You've been standing there for so long, are you coming in or not?" Li Chenfeng leaned against the wall, squinting at Han Yi with a hint of impatience in his voice.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Startled by his own muttering, Han Yi reluctantly handed over a storage ring.
"Two thousand low-grade spirit stones, all inside," Han Yi said with a pained expression.
"Alright, follow me." Li Chenfeng, who had witnessed contributions worth tens of millions, was already unimpressed by mere contributions in the thousands.
Still, even small gains are gains, Li Chenfeng thought as he pocketed the storage ring and led Han Yi to the presence of the Foundation Establishment Master.
Upon seeing the venerable master, who radiated a celestial and scholarly aura as he lectured, Han Yi's face lit up with excitement.
He dared not disturb the master, carefully finding a seat and attentively listening to the lecture. Though some of the content was difficult to understand, Han Yi remained focused, not daring to miss a single word.
After a long discourse, Han Yi, like the other students, closed his eyes and began to attempt his Foundation Establishment.
Unbeknownst to the people on the island, the moment Han Yi stepped foot on the island, a gaze from across the majority of the Congyun Sea landed on him.
"Daoist Han, I've been waiting for you for quite some time."
Using a Heavenly perspective locked on Li Chenfeng, Li Fan watched Han Yi, who sat cross-legged with closed eyes, with great interest.
"Has he accumulated this much?"
"After breaking through the Foundation Establishment stage, will he control his fate, not leaving it to the heavens?"
Li Fan pondered over the meaning of Han Yi's words and recalled the strange moments in his past life, where Han Yi's fortune sometimes soared beyond comprehension, and at other times, was mediocre.
A bold hypothesis began to form in Li Fan's mind.
"Could it be that Han Yi can control his own fortune? Moreover, after reaching Foundation Establishment, his control over luck will undergo a qualitative transformation?"
In that instant, Li Fan recalled his connection with the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird from his past life.
"Could it be this similar? Interesting!"
Fixing his gaze tightly on Han Yi, Li Fan saw that in Han Yi's Dantian, a black feather was slowly taking shape.
"This is..."
No matter how Li Fan looked at it, that feather was almost identical to the one that had once grown on his own body—the feather of the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird.
"Even his Foundation Establishment treasure is the same. It seems there's no doubt about it—this really is connected to the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird."
Li Fan felt a slight tremor in his heart.
If his previous guess was correct, the founder of the Empire was Xu Ke, and the Saint Master was none other than the Azure Luan bird from those times.
What puzzled Li Fan, however, was that in Li Chenfeng's memories, there had been no trace of the Mystic Black Bird in the Empire.
In theory, the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird had a much closer connection to Xu Ke than the Azure Luan bird that had appeared out of nowhere. So why had the Black Bird, which should have been Xu Ke's companion spirit beast, disappeared?
If Li Fan could uncover the source of Han Yi's strange abilities, he might also learn the fate of the Mystic Black Bird from those years ago.
Li Fan had made up his mind to use the Soul Searching Spell on Han Yi, to discover what secrets were hidden within him.
After leaving the Foundation Establishment Island, Han Yi seemed severely shaken.
Without direction or goal, he flew aimlessly.
When he finally came to his senses, he found himself in an unfamiliar sea region.
"Damn it, just one tiny bit more..."
"This cursed heaven!"
With no one around, Han Yi pointed angrily at the sky, venting his frustration.
At that moment, the calm surface of the sea suddenly surged with enormous waves.
It was as though something was rising from the depths of the ocean.
Han Yi stared at the water with a strange expression.
After looking around for a moment, he dove into the water.
He continued to descend, deeper and deeper into the ocean.
Eventually, he discovered the source of the disturbance—a massive hole had appeared in the ruins at the seabed.
Countless gallons of seawater were being sucked into the hole, forming a gigantic whirlpool.
Han Yi gazed at the whirlpool, his expression shifting.
Finally, gritting his teeth, he was about to plunge headfirst into it.
But at that very moment—
"Insect Binding!"
A faint voice echoed in his ears.
Han Yi was horrified to find that he had completely lost control of his body, unable to move even a muscle!
A shadowy figure appeared slowly behind him, exuding a dangerous aura that made Han Yi's heart sink.
Just as the figure was about to place a hand on Han Yi's head—
Suddenly, several golden lights shot down from the surface of the water, not aimed at Han Yi, but at the shadow before him!
The golden lights were incredibly powerful, forcing the shadow to dodge.
"Master Li, we've been searching for you everywhere!"
Four black-clad cultivators, their forms concealed, appeared out of nowhere and surrounded the two.
Chapter 476
"Mm?"
Li Fan was slightly surprised as four cultivators suddenly appeared before him.
Ever since he started using the title of "Ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect Cultivator" to stir up the world, Li Fan had been extra cautious and vigilant.
Whenever he went out, he would always use the secret technique "Shrouding Sky Palm" to hide his whereabouts.
The secret technique, which had once been able to block even the Tianxuan web's detection in his previous life, was truly extraordinary. Even in the vast Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, many cultivators desired to see Li Fan, yet none had succeeded.
But today, it seemed that a few uninvited guests had finally arrived.
"Who are you?" Li Fan asked, not expecting them to answer honestly, but merely trying to buy some time.
Sensing the aura emanating from the four black-clad cultivators, Li Fan felt slightly at ease. They were far weaker than Tianyang, likely at the Nascent Soul stage.
"What do you want with me?" Li Fan asked, feigning ignorance.
"You'll know soon enough!" one of them replied coldly. "Form the formation!"
They stood in four corners, and each shot a golden light from the magical tools in their hands. The golden lines twisted and turned in the air, swiftly forming a dazzling array around Li Fan.
It was like a massive golden bell, trapping Li Fan inside.
Li Fan's eyes shifted slightly, and he tried to escape, only to find that the surrounding space seemed frozen, making it impossible to break free.
"Seal!" the four shouted in unison.
The golden bell shrank rapidly, getting smaller and smaller. Its golden outline was on the verge of binding Li Fan completely.
"Splitting Light Dragon-Trapping Formation..."
Although trapped within the formation, Li Fan remained calm and composed. After several lifetimes of bitterly studying formations, he immediately recognized the formation that the four black-clad cultivators had deployed.
This was one of the top restraining arrays in the world today, typically cast by at least three cultivators working together. The more cultivators involved, the more powerful the formation. Capturing someone of a higher realm was no difficult feat with it.
Under normal circumstances, the combined strength of four Nascent Soul cultivators could easily capture even a Soul Transformation cultivator.
But...
Li Fan sneered inwardly. Though he couldn't move, dozens of "Great Five Elements Annihilation Swords" shot out from various parts of his body, unleashing destructive black light.
Sensing the terrifying aura emanating from the black light, the four black-clad cultivators' expressions shifted slightly. Instinctively, they tried to dodge.
But they soon realized in horror that the target of the black swords wasn't them—it was the critical nodes of the Splitting Light Dragon-Trapping Formation!
"Not good!"
"When I was at the Foundation Establishment stage, I could already slay Nascent Soul cultivators."
"Now, with my cultivation at the late Golden Core stage, you four are nothing but easy prey!"
"Sky-Flipping!"
A massive hand descended from the sky. Trapped within the golden bowl, the four cultivators were like fish in a barrel, with nowhere to run.
The snow peak emitted a biting chill, the misty forest filled with ghostly wails, the towering mountain rushed towards them, and smoke rose from the plain...
The Cave-Heaven visions evolved as the four cultivators unleashed all their powers.
Four beams of light intertwined and merged, colliding with the Sky-Flipping Palm.
But it was futile!
Like paper, it was instantly torn apart.
The giant palm pressed down, and amid their screams, the four cultivators' bodies shattered inch by inch.
The Cave-Heaven visions reappeared, and their blood and flesh wriggled, reforming their bodies.
The residual force of the Sky-Flipping Palm ignored their bodies and instead smashed into the four Cave-Heavens.
"Boom!"
The Cave-Heavens shook violently, and it seemed like the end of the world had come. Massive cracks appeared in the Cave-Heaven domains as mountains collapsed, trees in the misty forest fell, and the plain split open...
It seemed as though the four Cave-Heavens were about to be completely destroyed in the next moment.
However, the black-clad cultivators were highly coordinated. In this life-and-death moment, none of them hesitated.
They pushed their powers to the limit and, working together, they barely managed to withstand the Sky-Flipping Palm.
The giant palm's shadow dissipated, and the trembling Cave-Heavens slowly began to stabilize.
The four cultivators, still pale and shaken, quickly absorbed the surrounding spiritual energy to heal their injured Cave-Heavens. They also consumed medicinal pills as they searched for Li Fan's whereabouts.
"The power of that technique was immense. Li Fan must have expended a great deal of energy as well. We should seize this opportunity to break the Dragon-Trapping Formation!"
"This person is not as simple as he appears. He may have already recovered from his injuries."
"Exactly. We must send this information back. He could be the bait set by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance!"
As they hastily healed themselves, they communicated with their spiritual senses.
Chapter 477
"Strange, where did he go?" As their injuries slowly healed, the four individuals searched around but couldn't find any trace of Li Fan.
"Could he have exhausted his energy, realized he was no match for us, and retreated first?"
A hint of confusion flashed across the faces of the black-clad cultivators from the Five Elders Association.
"Judging from the power of that palm strike just now, it's very likely. One strike almost shattered our Four Cave-Heavens. Even if he is incredibly strong, using such a technique should have caused considerable backlash."
"That might not be the case. Ancient cultivators are skilled in battle, and it's clear Li Fan was hiding something earlier."
"Either way, let's be cautious. First, we need to break this formation!"
The four exchanged glances and began to attack the Splitting Light Dragon-Trapping Formation that Li Fan had set up.
It seemed as though the formation was no longer controlled by a cultivator, and its previously impenetrable defenses had become incredibly weak.
The massive golden bowl wobbled precariously in an instant.
Overjoyed, the four accelerated their attacks.
Just as the formation was completely shattered, a golden rain began to fall from the sky.
The four were enveloped, and dazzling rays of light reflected off the falling gold.
As the golden light shone brightly, they couldn't help but squint.
"Be careful!"
At that moment, the leading cultivator suddenly shouted a warning.
Before the words even left his mouth, accompanied by a booming sound, some of the golden rain around them suddenly exploded.
A terrifying energy surged from the center of the explosion, sweeping in all directions.
There were as many as sixteen or seventeen sources disguised as golden light.
They completely surrounded the members of the Five Elders Association.
"Sky-Shattering Gilded Thunder?!"
Amidst their angry and shocked voices, the spots of gilded thunder instantly transformed into rings of light, completely engulfing them.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The earth-shattering explosions echoed across the sea.
It was unclear how long had passed before everything settled.
In the shattered remains of their Cave-Heavens, the bodies of the few cultivators began to slowly, painfully regenerate.
"Truly despicable..."
"I knew he hadn't gone far!"
Their faces were full of lingering fear as they quickly scanned the surroundings, but still, there was no sign of Li Fan.
"Don't get tangled up with him anymore. We need to retreat!" The leading cultivator gritted his teeth.
Collecting their Cave-Heavens powers, they no longer cared about anything else and swiftly fled toward the outskirts of Yongliang State on the edge of the Congyun Sea.
It was as if it wasn’t real, but merely an illusion.
The four stopped flying, their faces growing solemn as they stared ahead.
Moments later, the leading black-clad cultivator gasped in shock: "No! It's an illusion!"
"What?" The others were stunned, and after a moment of realization, they began to re-examine their surroundings in horror.
The clouds, wind, and waves...
Everything around them suddenly froze.
Then, like a cracked glass mirror, the entire scene shattered.
The sound of the Sky-Shattering Gilded Thunder echoed faintly in their ears, and their Cave-Heavens and bodies remained utterly wrecked, still drenched in blood.
Time had not moved since the moment Li Fan had ambushed them with the gilded thunder.
"He took advantage of the moment when our Cave-Heavens were under attack and our minds were confused to pull us into an illusion!"
Sixth Brother finally realized and cried out in shock.
"Deduction techniques, formations, illusions..."
"As expected of an ancient cultivator."
The leading cultivator coughed and remarked through gritted teeth.
He tried to draw on his Cave-Heavens, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy, but was horrified to find that an array had already been set up, turning the entire area into a spiritual vacuum.
There was no way for Nascent Soul cultivators to quickly restore their bodies using their Cave-Heavens power.
"Impressive technique!" He stared into the sky.
There, Li Fan's figure slowly appeared.
There, Li Fan’s figure slowly emerged.
“Was it just a coincidence...” Li Fan frowned slightly, muttering softly.
With his skills, he could have easily slaughtered the four cultivators from the Five Elders Association long ago.
The reason he had gone through so much effort was to use the Cloud and Water Illusion Technique to probe their minds and discover how they had noticed him this time.
However, what he hadn’t expected was such an absurd answer.
Without further hesitation, the Five Elements Annihilation Sword swept out continuously.
The four cultivators from the Five Elders Association, already seriously injured, resisted briefly before meeting a tragic end under Li Fan's sword.
An ominous phenomenon of fallen cultivators appeared above them, but Li Fan paid it no mind.
Because he had just realized that during his fight with the Five Elders Association cultivators, a powerful suction had erupted from the giant whirlpool at the bottom of the sea, pulling Han Yi, who had been restrained by the Insect Binding, into a deep hole within the ruins.
“Fate...”
Li Fan stood before the whirlpool, a contemplative look in his eyes.
Chapter 478
"I’ve always been careful, but this time I was accidentally discovered by a spy from the Five Elders Association."
"And Han Yi, who was originally doomed to have his soul searched, managed to escape because of it."
"Those with favorable fortune find everything goes smoothly; those with unfavorable fortune find everything goes wrong."
"This is the power of Fate..."
Li Fan finally began to understand the pain Song Yang experienced in the Fallen Immortal Realm when he sought the Heavenly Fate Mystic Bird from Xu Ke.
Gazing at the rapidly rotating vortex amidst the ruins, Li Fan hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided not to pursue it.
A deep sense of foreboding told him that forcibly chasing it would lead to no good outcome.
The depths of the vortex were absolutely not ordinary small mortal worlds, devoid of extraordinary power, like the worlds of Outer Realm or Great Xuan.
"Forget it, the monk may run, but the temple won't disappear."
The target was locked by the formless killing intent, but he had temporarily lost track of Han Yi.
Once Han Yi returned to the Xuanhuang Realm, Li Fan would immediately be alerted.
He returned to the surface of the sea, where the four cultivators from the Five Elders Association had been utterly annihilated by the Five Elements Annihilation Sword, leaving not a trace behind.
Li Fan took out the Image Recording Stone, capturing the scene in the sky before leisurely heading back to Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
The simultaneous fall of four Nascent Soul cultivators was a spectacular sight, and the strange phenomenon lingered for a long time.
Even though this part of the sea was remote, it still attracted many cultivators who came to observe.
After seeing the vision, they were shocked.
Four Nascent Soul True Lords had fallen at once!
What shocked them even more was that the culprit was the same person.
And that person was none other than the famous deduction master of Congyun Sea, an ancient cultivator of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect, Li Fan!
Their hearts were filled with even more confusion.
Wasn't Li Fan said to have had his cultivation drop to the Golden Core stage after being in slumber for thousands of years?
How could he single-handedly kill four Nascent Soul cultivators?
Wasn't he only skilled in deduction? How could his combat strength be so terrifying?
These four Nascent Soul cultivators were unfamiliar; no one had ever heard of them. Who were they?
And what kind of enmity did they have with Master Li, leading him to kill them?
Li Fan shook his head, saying, "Having just woken up from slumber, naturally, I needed to secure my survival. It's only sensible to buy some of these items for emergencies, right?"
After Li Fan's explanation, the yellow-robed cultivator finally understood. He was dumbfounded and said, "So, you relied on external objects to kill these four Nascent Soul cultivators?"
Li Fan raised an eyebrow. "What, you don’t believe me?"
With a casual gesture, he pulled out several Sky-Shattering Gilded Thunders from his storage ring and placed them on the table.
The Martial Hall became chaotic in an instant.
Li Fan, however, didn’t stop.
Furious Flames Annihilation formation, Eight Desolations Silent Thunder, Soul-Fixing Needle, Demon Sealing Banner...
One by one, valuable and powerful killing tools were taken out and piled before the crowd.
The Martial Hall fell completely silent.
The cultivators present turned pale as they stared at the pile of single-use weapons, stacked like a small mountain.
"And with these, is it enough?" Li Fan asked casually.
"If not, it’s fine, I’ve got even more powerful ones," he added indifferently.
The yellow-robed cultivator wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and quickly said, "That’s enough! That’s enough! Master Li, please put these things away! If they accidentally went off here, it would be a disaster!"
Hearing this, Li Fan nodded in satisfaction and waved to store his weapons back.
Seeing this, the cultivators in the Martial Hall finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Although these weapons were mass-produced by the Tianxuan Mirror and their power reduced, their high quality and sheer quantity made up for it.
If these were unleashed, not even a Nascent Soul cultivator, maybe even a Soul Transformation True Monarch, would survive!
"It’s said that this man, with his deduction abilities, can easily accumulate wealth. Now I see it’s true."
"Being rich is truly a blessing. This pile of items is worth more than our team’s half-year budget."
"I heard you can invest through He Zhenghao? Maybe we should consider it."
...
For a while, the crowd in the Martial Hall was lost in thought.
"Now that everything's clear, let's discuss my reward."
"I spent quite a bit of money dealing with those black-clothed cultivators from the Five Elders Association. I shouldn’t be left at a loss, right?"
Li Fan took another sip of tea and glanced at the group slowly.
Chapter 479
In the Martial Hall, the cultivators exchanged glances, suddenly finding themselves in a bit of a predicament.
Indeed, according to the rules, any cultivator affiliated with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could apply for certain rewards from the Martial Hall if they managed to kill a member of the Five Elders Association.
Killing four opposing Nascent Soul cultivators was a significant achievement no matter which region it occurred in.
However, this young master before them had gone too far. The four cultivators from the Five Elders Association were obliterated to the point that not even their remains were left.
Not to mention the valuable bodies, limbs, or remnants of their souls.
While the battle results were impressive, the actual significance wasn’t as great.
If they didn’t give a reward, the news would spread, tarnishing their reputation.
If they did reward him, the Martial Hall in Congyun Sea was already tight on budget this year.
If they allowed Li Fan to take such a large sum, how would the rest of the brothers survive for the remainder of the year?
Moreover, Master Li Fan didn’t seem to be someone in need of contribution points.
Even if the Martial Hall gave a generous reward, it likely wouldn’t satisfy his appetite.
More importantly, this person was now quite renowned, and trying to suppress or force him to "voluntarily" give up the reward wasn’t an option.
Thus, how to structure the reward in a way that satisfied both parties was indeed a challenging issue to discuss.
Li Fan sat there, calm and composed, giving the impression that he wouldn’t leave until he received a satisfactory result.
The cultivators of the Martial Hall frowned slightly, secretly transmitting messages to discuss.
After several rounds of negotiation and probing, they finally reached a conclusion that pleased everyone.
With this outstanding achievement, Li Fan was appointed as a Special Deacon of the Martial Hall, officially entering the system of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
All his rewards were given in the form of contributions points.
After the cultivators of the Martial Hall calculated, they determined that this was enough to raise Li Fan’s authority level to Level 16 in one go.
To put it into perspective, a typical cultivator within the system would need at least thirty-four years of hard work to reach this level.
Yet Li Fan achieved it in an instant.
The number of contribution points no longer mattered to Li Fan; receiving contribution points was an outcome he couldn’t have hoped for more.
Thus, Li Fan readily agreed.
What followed was completing the necessary procedures in collaboration with the Martial Hall.
The Martial Hall submitted the request, and the Political Hall swiftly approved it.
After going through the formalities at the Jade Platform of Heart Inquiry, Li Fan officially became a member of the Martial Hall in Congyun Sea.
A glimmer of anticipation flashed in Li Fan’s eyes. After a bit of preparation, he chanted, "Blessings to the Heavenly Venerable Of Xuanhuang"."
In an instant, the scene before him blurred.
When he regained clarity, he found himself once again in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
The first thing Li Fan did after entering the Fallen Immortal Realm was not to observe his surroundings but to recall the teachings of Mr. Bai’s Creation Furnace Technique in his mind.
The brilliant words immediately resurfaced, allowing him once again to witness the Supreme Path and Profound Art.
Li Fan was captivated, completely immersed.
"Marvelous!"
He sighed once more in admiration.
"Little Black, you’re finally awake?"
At that moment, an ill-timed voice dragged him out of that wonderful state.
It was Xu Ke’s somewhat foolish voice.
Feeling a wave of annoyance, Li Fan swiped at Xu Ke's head with a claw.
Scanning the surrounding environment, he noticed that it was different from the landscape of the Beast Taming Sect where he had previously been.
"What happened after I fell into slumber?" Li Fan asked Xu Ke through telepathy.
"Eh? Little Black, you can finally talk?" Xu Ke, looking surprised and a bit slow-witted, asked cheerfully.
After scratching his head a few more times, Xu Ke finally recounted the entire story to Li Fan.
It turned out that after Li Fan swallowed Song Yang's Ink Immortal Tiger and fell into a deep slumber, Xu Ke followed the jade token’s guidance from Senior Brother Lu Ya and successfully met with Lu Ya and the Wise Beast Emperor Sanmo.
When the Emperor Sanmo saw the sleeping Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird, he said some cryptic words and then inserted a strand of white hair into Li Fan's body.
After that, Li Fan fell into an even deeper sleep atop Xu Ke’s head.
He only woke up now.
"So, you're saying I've been asleep for three years?"
"And you've come to this valley world to search for a creature called the Rift Whale?"
Li Fan asked in a deep voice.
"That's right! Little Black, you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find this big guy. Even though it's massive, it hides in the clouds and can even conceal its form."
"Normal detection spells and magic tools are completely useless. It’s really hard to find," Xu Ke complained.
Chapter 480
“To encounter them, it's entirely up to luck. You have to fly into each patch of cloud and investigate personally.”
Xu Ke sighed, touching a colorful pouch hanging at his waist, muttering, “Even finding them isn’t enough, we still need to figure out how to catch them.”
“These creatures, despite their large size, are actually more agile than eels.”
“If there’s even the slightest movement nearby, they’ll vanish into thin air. Several times, I was so close to catching them, yet they still managed to escape.”
“Sigh, I don’t know when I’ll be able to complete the task that Senior Brother Lu Ya assigned to me. It’s the first time he’s entrusted me with something this important. I can’t afford to mess it up.”
...
As Xu Ke rambled on, Li Fan listened quietly, deep in thought.
According to Xu Ke’s description, the Rift world Whales at this time were quite different from the ones Li Fan had encountered thousands of years later.
Not only were they several times larger, but their temperament had also changed, becoming less timid and even highly aggressive.
“They seem more like a subspecies with different traits.”
“With Xu Ke’s luck, capturing a group of Rift Whales shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“Once he catches enough of them, using the techniques of the Beast Taming Sect for selective breeding...”
Recalling a conversation he had overheard between Lu Ya and Emperor Sanmo in his past life, Li Fan’s mind began to ponder.
“Is capturing Rift Whales actually something Mr. Bai requested?”
“Could it be that the group of Rift Whales roaming outside the small world was also his doing?”
Li Fan tugged on Xu Ke’s hair in frustration, feeling increasingly confused.
When he first saw the group of Void Rift Whales pushing the mortal small world away from the cultivation world, Li Fan had once lamented, “Just how much did those ancient cultivators hate mortals?”
From his then single-minded pursuit of immortality, separating mortals from the cultivation world and cutting off their path to immortality seemed like a punishment.
But now, after experiencing many things in the cultivation world and understanding how cultivators treated mortals, Li Fan had begun to have different thoughts.
Cultivators saw mortals as ants, taking what they wanted from them at will.
They even treated them like livestock, using formations to extract their life essence.
And that was now, when mortals carried the Immortal-Mortal Plague, which restrained some of the cultivators’ behaviors.
In the ancient cultivation world, mortals’ suffering was even worse.
They were used as ingredients for refining [Longevity Fruits], and when cultivators fought each other, they wouldn’t care at all about the lives of mortals...
Escaping the control of immortals might not be such a bad thing for mortals after all.
“Could it be that, as the orphans of Ningyuan City said, Mr. Bai is truly a great benefactor with the world in his heart?”
Xu Ke grabbed it tightly, shouting in excitement.
“I’ve finally completed the task! Now I can go back and report to Senior Brother Lu Ya!”
“Xiao Qing! Let’s go home!” Xu Ke called out his Azure Luan Bird, joyfully hopping onto its back.
Li Fan’s gaze sharpened as he focused on the bird, carefully examining it.
The Azure Luan Bird, however, completely ignored Li Fan, affectionately rubbing its neck against Xu Ke instead.
It then spread its wings and flew off toward the heavens.
“To think that, thousands of years later, it would be transformed into the empire’s [Holy Master],” Li Fan mused, sensing the familiar aura around Xiao Qing and confirming his earlier suspicions.
After more than three years apart, the Azure Luan Bird seemed even more majestic than when Li Fan had last seen it in the Immortal Falls Realm.
Not only was it's flight speed several times faster, but during the journey, a faint blue light radiated from it, enveloping both Xu Ke and Li Fan, blocking out the sound of the wind, making the ride more comfortable.
Xu Ke, who hadn’t rested in a long time, fell into a deep sleep on the bird’s back.
Xiao Qing continued to fly diligently.
After watching for a while, Li Fan slowly retracted his gaze.
As the Azure Luan Bird flew higher and higher, Li Fan stood atop Xu Ke’s head and looked down.
Only then did he realize that this small world wasn’t so much a canyon shaped like a thread of sky.
Rather, it looked more like a scar, forcibly carved by a sharp weapon.
Yet, this scar also brought life. Apart from the long fissure, the rest of the world was nothing but scorched earth.
Scarlet flames scorched the ground, and molten lava flowed savagely.
All of these destructive forces were held at bay, unable to cross the fissure.
The power that carved out the canyon lingered, preventing the flames from encroaching.
Thus, amidst this hellish small world, a lush and vibrant paradise had been created.
“Your perspective shapes your answers.”
Li Fan recalled the issue of mortals separating from the Xuanhuang Realm and had a moment of insight.
Passing through an invisible passage in the sky, they returned to the Xuanhuang Realm.
The pale white light slowly faded, and when Li Fan could finally see clearly, he was surprised.
Because they had just flown out of a painting.
Chapter 481
A somewhat worn ancient painting hung on the wall.
The scene depicted in the painting was exactly the canyon world where Xu Ke and Li Fan had previously been, capturing the Rift Whale.
In this room, there were over thirty other scrolls hanging on the walls.
What surprised Li Fan was that some of the paintings seemed to be enveloped in a layer of mysterious energy, preventing outsiders from peering into them.
Even with his powers as the "Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird," he could not discern the contents of these paintings.
A Azure luan bird flew out from one of the scrolls, gently placing Xu Ke on the ground. Afterward, it transformed into a streak of green light and disappeared into his embrace.
“Xu Ke is back!” A young cultivator who had been dozing off in the room immediately brightened up and rushed outside, shouting.
In no time, the already cramped room was flooded with a crowd of cultivators.
“It’s good that he’s back. He must have successfully found that Rift Whale, right?”
“The hard days are finally over!”
“Yeah, once Xu Ke returns, that guy Lu Ya should head back too, right?”
“That jerk, always bullying people because he has a strange beast! Too outrageous!”
“Senior Brother Liu, last time you sparred with Lu Ya, he didn’t even summon his beast, the ‘Tian Wu,’ and you still ended up begging for mercy!”
“That was a mistake! If I had another chance...”
“Shh! Lu Ya is here!”
“Ah...”
The noisy group instantly fell silent.
They even made way for him, allowing Lu Ya to walk in smoothly.
Lu Ya, with yellow hair and a cold expression, walked straight towards the sleeping Xu Ke, ignoring the varied reactions from the other cultivators around him.
He glanced at Li Fan briefly before his eyes softened when they landed on Xu Ke’s face.
With a gentle wave of his hand, he lifted Xu Ke along with Li Fan.
Striding out of the room, a beast with the body of a tiger and the face of a man appeared in an instant.
“Tian Wu...” The aura emanating from the beast made Li Fan slightly uncomfortable, causing him to instinctively shrink deeper into Xu Ke’s hair.
The tiger-bodied, human-faced beast let out a roar, and Lu Ya leaped onto its back.
The beast Tian Wu glanced around in a show of might before soaring into the sky.
“Three years of hospitality from the Divine Brush Sect, Lu Ya is deeply grateful!”
“One day, I shall repay you all handsomely. For now, I bid you farewell. There’s no need to see me off!”
Lu Ya cupped his hands towards the ground below and spoke in a loud voice.
Without waiting for a response from the Divine Brush Sect, he flew off on Tian Wu, disappearing quickly into the sky.
Just as Li Fan was about to listen more closely, he suddenly noticed the surrounding scenery and sounds becoming blurry.
“This...”
Despite his reluctance, he could not defy the rules of the Fallen Immortal Realm.
In the next moment, after a dizzying sensation, Li Fan returned to the Tianxuan Mirror.
“Divine Brush Sect, Nanming...”
Li Fan reflected on his experiences in the Fallen Immortal Realm. After a brief pause, he began searching within the Tianxuan Mirror.
The Divine Brush Sect was a mid-tier sect during ancient times.
They practiced a unique path, using brushes as their primary tool. It was said that both their calligraphy and paintings could communicate with the divine.
The disciples of this sect were all highly skilled in calligraphy and painting, and there were even legends of them bringing creatures to life through their art.
Unfortunately, after several great calamities in the world, very few of their works survived.
Even when Li Fan had visited the Divine Relic Museum, he didn’t find any surviving works from the sect.
In today’s cultivation world, there are few records of Divine Brush Sect cultivators. Most of those mentioned were obscure figures with little fame.
The only notable figure in history was a former Sect Leader, Chu Youhong.
Chu Youhong, at the Nascent Soul stage, took over as Sect Leader on the deathbed order of his predecessor.
Due to his low cultivation level and weak strength, he was often looked down upon by the sect's disciples.
However, out of respect for the Sect Leader’s title, there was no open rebellion.
Chu Youhong didn’t seem to mind and treated the disciples kindly, never displaying the authority of a Sect Leader.
Despite this, he diligently fulfilled his duties as Sect Leader.
He managed all sect affairs personally, no matter how small.
Externally, he maintained good relations with many neighboring sects.
Thanks to his tireless efforts, the Divine Brush Sect gradually recovered from the leadership crisis that followed the sudden death of the previous Sect Leader.
Through these accomplishments, the disciples slowly began to recognize Chu Youhong’s leadership.
And when one of Chu Youhong’s mortal disciples surpassed him in cultivation, becoming incredibly powerful, Chu Youhong’s position as Sect Leader was finally secured.
Just as things were looking up for the Divine Brush Sect, a disaster struck.
The talented disciple, the Sect’s Senior Brother, was actually a spy sent by another sect—the “Pointillism Sect.”
His target was the Divine Brush Sect’s most prized artifact, the “Heavenly Painting Brush.”
One night, with inside help from the spy, the Pointillism Sect launched a surprise attack on the Divine Brush Sect.
The Divine Brush Sect suffered heavy casualties, nearly facing total annihilation.
Chapter 482
Just as the disciples of the Divine Brush Sect were falling into despair, an event occurred that filled them with even greater anger.
Sect Leader Chu Youhong, disregarding the lives of his disciples, fled with the treasured [Heavenly Painting Brush] and a significant portion of the sect's treasury, escaping into the void.
While his departure did divert some of the attention from the attacking Pointillism Sect, as the head of the sect, such a lack of responsibility was unforgivable.
Those who were still alive and desperately fighting for their lives felt immense hatred towards Chu Youhong.
Had the enemy not been so ruthless, leaving no survivors, many of them might have surrendered on the spot and switched sides to join the Pointillism Sect.
In this battle, almost the entire Divine Brush Sect was annihilated, with only Chu Youhong and a few lucky survivors escaping with their lives.
Although the Pointillism Sect failed to seize the Heavenly Painting Brush, they annexed much of the Divine Brush Sect's lands and resources, greatly strengthening their position. They quickly rose to become one of the most prominent sects in the region, their reputation growing significantly.
As for Chu Youhong, he disappeared from the world along with the Heavenly Painting Brush, seemingly vanishing without a trace.
Twenty years later, one of the surviving disciples from the Divine Brush Sect encountered Chu Youhong and furiously confronted him, demanding to know why he abandoned the sect and fled alone.
Chu Youhong, without any hint of remorse, spoke words that would be remembered throughout the history of the Xuanhuang Realm:
"Even if all of you died, it wouldn't matter."
"As long as I'm alive, the Divine Brush Sect still exists."
"My master entrusted the Divine Brush Sect to me before his death, and I will not allow it to be destroyed in my hands."
Chu Youhong's expression was one of complete righteousness.
The disciple, hearing this, was left speechless. Though he wanted to argue, no words came out.
The disciple's earlier resolve for revenge was forgotten as he stood there in a daze, watching Chu Youhong leave gracefully.
Because of these shocking words, they quickly spread throughout the cultivation world at that time.
Some laughed at him, while others saw his statement as profound wisdom.
There were even those who couldn't stand Chu Youhong's actions and wanted to personally confront him.
But after this incident, Chu Youhong disappeared completely, as if he had evaporated from the world. No one ever saw him again.
It wasn't until much later, when a great calamity descended upon the world, and the Pointillism Sect mysteriously collapsed overnight, that people began to suspect that it might have been Chu Youhong's doing.
...
"To be so selfish for the sake of the greater good is indeed something beyond the understanding of ordinary people."
Li Fan pondered deeply, and couldn't help but sigh.
"Perhaps that's why the Pointillism Sect's spy, who had risen to the position of Senior Brother, chose to betray them and seize power."
"Once he recognized the true nature of his master, he realized that inheriting the Heavenly Painting Brush through normal means would be impossible. He had no choice but to take drastic measures."
"Dealing with such an eccentric individual, there really weren't many other options."
Yet now, he was forced to halt the plan due to some external pressure.
"It must have threatened someone's interests. Hmm..."
The gathered cultivators exchanged knowing glances and then fell silent.
Though they were frustrated at missing the chance to get rich, they also felt sympathy for Li Fan.
"Once things return to normal, be sure to notify me first."
In private, each of them made this request to He Zhenghao.
Having received many gifts and made a small fortune, He Zhenghao naturally agreed.
Li Fan's decision to pause the collection of contribution points was partly due to the rapid growth of the points' total, which was becoming a bit overwhelming. He wanted to slow things down temporarily.
But he had also received a warning from within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
"Very well, let's let them wait for a while. I'll resume the plan when it's closer to the Crimson Flame will Burn the Sea."
Li Fan didn't pay much attention to the matter.
As the cultivators who had profited from the fourth investment began spending their contribution points to strengthen themselves, a steady stream of feedback flowed back to Li Fan, enriching his cultivation like rivers flowing into the sea.
Even without actively cultivating, his cultivation level steadily increased each day.
Not to mention that Li Fan had almost never stopped using both Awakening Pills and Enlightenment Pills.
In just one short year, he had made as much progress as an ordinary cultivator would in decades of hard training.
Li Fan felt that his Golden Core was nearly perfected, and it wouldn't be long before he was ready to form a Nascent Soul.
This year, every three months, he made a trip to Shenhua Island to extract some Kunpeng blood essence from Ye Feipeng for his research.
His understanding of the power of Kunpeng bloodlines grew deeper with each visit.
During this time, Li Fan also made another trip to the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Xu Ke, acting on Lu Ya's behalf, needed to deliver a wooden box to the South Ming region.
This wooden box was of great importance, sealed with several different powers.
Li Fan even sensed the aura of the Longevity Beast Emperor, Sanmo, on it.
Thus, Li Fan accompanied Xu Ke throughout the journey, riding the Qingluan Bird.
It seemed that the South Ming region was extremely far from the Beast-Taming Sect.
Time ran out before they could reach their destination, so their journey to the Fallen Immortal Realm had to be cut short.
And so, time moved forward to the eleventh year.
This year, the long-sealed Cloud Water Heavenly Palace would reappear in the world.
Chapter 483
Congyun Sea, on a deserted island.
Sikong Yi and Bai Li Chen cautiously surveyed their surroundings. After confirming that no one had followed them, they finally entered their hidden cave abode, which they had carefully constructed.
The interior was small and quite simple. Despite this, Sikong Yi felt unusually secure inside.
Bai Li Chen's clone stood at the entrance, vigilantly on guard. Meanwhile, Sikong Yi himself relaxed completely, lying on the bed and contemplating his future plans.
"If my guess is correct, the strange phenomenon at the center of Congyun Sea should be the precursor to the appearance of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace."
"And the 'Cloud Water Atlas' should be located in these ruins."
"100,000 contribution points," Sikong Yi's eyes glimmered with a hint of desire.
However, a moment later, hesitation clouded his expression.
"The Cloud Water Heavenly Palace likely still has descendants in the world. If I impersonate a disciple and am discovered..."
Just thinking about this made Sikong Yi feel uneasy.
Recently, while his clone was practicing the 'Sea-Stabilizing Divine Sword' technique, it had unexpectedly sensed that someone else in Congyun Sea was also cultivating the same technique. This was surprising, as he had obtained this Golden Core technique from the remains of a Cloud Water Heavenly Palace disciple many years ago. By all rights, no one else should know of it.
And yet, here it was.
His first reaction was that there must still be descendants of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace alive. He had originally intended to investigate further, but the closer he got to the target location, the stronger the feeling of dread became.
If he had gone, he would have been walking into certain death!
Realizing this, Sikong Yi fled immediately in fear. After narrowly escaping, he found himself unable to eat or sleep peacefully, constantly worried that the person who shared his technique would track him down.
"The Golden Core technique may be precious, but compared to my life, it’s not worth the risk."
After much hesitation, he decided to temporarily suppress the 'Sea-Stabilizing Divine Sword' technique, leaving only his pure cultivation power in his dantian. As a result, the strength of his clone significantly weakened. During this time, he acted with extreme caution, rarely leaving the safety of either the Tianxuan Mirror or this secret cave abode.
But now, as the day of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace’s opening approached, his thoughts began to stir again.
"100,000 contribution points, 100,000 contribution points..."
He muttered under his breath, a decisive glint flashing in his eyes.
"There's no need to be so tense. I mean no harm. I am Han Wuyou," the middle-aged cultivator said, cupping his hands with a faint smile.
"Say what you came here for!" Sikong Yi was no longer as tense upon seeing that the man only had Qi Condensation cultivation.
After some back-and-forth, Sikong Yi learned the truth of the situation. It turned out that Han Wuyou had accidentally witnessed the battle in which Sikong Yi's clone had used the 'Sea-Stabilizing Divine Sword.' Although Han Wuyou's cultivation wasn’t high, he was well-read and had recognized the technique as originating from the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
Recently, the strange phenomena at the center of Congyun Sea had caught his attention as well. After observing the scene briefly, he speculated that the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace was about to reappear. He connected this to the mission offering 100,000 contribution points and deduced that Bai Li Chen, having inherited the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace’s legacy, was certain to acquire the Cloud Water Atlas.
This was why he had followed them secretly and came to visit.
"Getting the Cloud Water Atlas is my own skill. Why should I share the profits with you?" Sikong Yi said angrily.
"Hehe, Daoist, you're joking. You wouldn’t want news of your obtaining the legacy of an ancient sect to spread across Congyun Sea, would you?" Han Wuyou stroked his goatee, his eyes flashing with a cold gleam.
Killing intent rose in Sikong Yi’s heart, but before he could act, Han Wuyou continued, "But I don’t intend to take your benefits for nothing."
"You have your path to wealth, and I have my way to the heavens."
"If you're willing to share some of the 100,000 contribution points with me, I also have a good opportunity to offer you."
"With the three of us working together, 100,000 contribution points will just be the beginning!"
Sikong Yi’s interest was piqued. "Explain yourself clearly!"
Han Wuyou smiled slightly and said, "Even if we earn 100,000 contribution points, we’re still small fish. We would burn through it quickly. Isn’t that true?"
Sikong Yi thought for a moment, then nodded. "The speed at which Qi Condensation cultivators can earn contribution points is indeed slow. But once I break through to Foundation Establishment..."
Han Wuyou waved a hand dismissively. "So what if you reach Foundation Establishment? Are there few Foundation Establishment cultivators in Congyun Sea? Aren’t they all still struggling for those meager contribution points? Even for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, earning 100,000 contribution points would take 10 or 20 years, even without eating or drinking."
"Then what brilliant plan do you have?" Sikong Yi asked skeptically.
Han Wuyou raised his head proudly, "Have you ever heard of Master Li Fan?"
Sikong Yi’s body shook as he exclaimed, "You mean, the ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect cultivator, the one renowned for his divination skills and wealth, rivaling nations?"
Han Wuyou nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "Indeed! I am acquainted with Master Li’s..."
He paused for effect, then added, "friend, Senior He Zhenghao!"
Chapter 484
Sikong Yi skeptically eyed Han Wuyou, his face full of disbelief: "I've heard of He Zhenghao. Nowadays, he's quite a prominent figure in the Congyun Sea. You're just at the Qi Condensation stage—how could you have any connection with him?"
Han Wuyou stroked his goatee with pride and said, "My methods are far beyond what you can imagine, Daoist friend. How exactly I accomplished it is not convenient to explain, but there's no need for you to doubt its authenticity."
Seeing that Bai Li Chen and Si Kongyi still appeared unconvinced, Han Wuyou sneered, "Well, I knew you wouldn't believe me so easily."
With that, he tossed over a communication talisman. "This is a communication talisman from Senior He Zhenghao. You can try it yourself and see if I'm exaggerating."
Si Kongyi held the talisman with a solemn expression and gently sensed it.
Sure enough, it displayed the image of He Zhenghao.
He tried sending a greeting, but unfortunately, Senior He Zhenghao seemed busy and only responded with an automated reply.
Even so, it confirmed that Han Wuyou wasn’t lying.
Han Wuyou retrieved the talisman and continued his persuasive speech, "The 100,000 contribution points in your hands will be squandered in no time. How much will be left after one year? Two years? Three years?"
"But if entrusted to Senior He Zhenghao, who will pass them to Master Li Fan, it will be a different story. Perhaps you're unaware, but investments handled by Master Li Fan yield at least a 50% return annually."
Sikong Yi's breath caught.
Bai Li Chen’s clone couldn't help but exclaim, "50% annual return? How is that possible!"
He quickly calculated, "Doing nothing would earn at least 50,000 points in profit annually."
"And if the profits are reinvested with Master Li, in just six years, 100,000 contribution points will grow to 1,000,000 contribution points..."
"Hiss..."
A million contribution points.
The thought of such a vast number made Sikong Yi feel dizzy.
At one time, he believed that 100,000 contribution points would be the ultimate goal of his life. Who could have imagined that he might one day possess a million?
Once the desire took root, it became impossible to suppress.
Although logic told him such explosive returns were highly unrealistic, the many tales of Master Li Fan’s feats across the cultivation world weren't fabrications.
Master Li was currently at a level that Sikong Yi could not even hope to reach. Who’s to say that such incredible abilities weren’t real?
Sikong Yi’s heart was stirred.
Han Wuyou coldly remarked, "In today's cultivation world, the lives of cultivators may not be as valuable as you think."
"Daoist, return to your cave and await my good news!" With that, Han Wuyou cupped his hands and departed swiftly.
Si Kongyi watched him leave, his expression unreadable.
Instead of returning to his cave, he hid near the island, waiting in ambush.
Three days later, a shadow moved swiftly toward the island.
Simultaneously, a cultivator flew out from the island to confront the figure.
After a brief standoff, they engaged in an intense battle.
The terrifying power of the fight stunned Sikong Yi, who was observing from the shadows.
"Han Wuyou really has some skill. Judging by this level of power, at least a Nascent Soul stage cultivator is involved!" Sikong Yi’s excitement grew.
After watching for a while, he feared being discovered by the powerful combatants and quietly left, returning to his cave.
Two days later, Han Wuyou visited again.
"Daoist Bai Li, you can resume cultivating the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Sword now!" Han Wuyou declared proudly.
"I spent a fortune enlisting a senior to handle this matter. Don't let me down during the expedition to Cloud Water Heavenly Palace!" Han Wuyou’s tone was full of meaning.
Bai Li Chen, thrilled, immediately began cultivating again.
His foundation from the 'Taishang Primordial Sutra' was still intact, and within half a day, he had returned to his pre-scattering state.
After sensing his surroundings, he found that the other cultivator who practiced the same technique had indeed disappeared!
"Daoist Han, you truly have impressive methods!" Si Kongyi was overjoyed and grew even more convinced of Han Wuyou's abilities.
Han Wuyou stroked his goatee with satisfaction and said, "In today's cultivation world, brute strength alone won't get you far. You need connections and backing!"
Si Kongyi nodded repeatedly in agreement.
The three of them carefully discussed the plan, and as the day of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace's opening drew closer, their preparations were complete.
Together, they set off for the center of the Congyun Sea.
By then, many cultivators had already gathered outside the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, eager to witness the event.
Chapter 485
“With Fellow Daoist Bai Li here, those cultivators are bound to have come all this way for nothing,” Han Wuyou swept his gaze around and said with a smile.
“You can’t say that for sure. Apart from the Cloud Water Talisman, there must be other opportunities within the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace,” Sikong Yi remained calm, staring straight at the increasingly spectacular phenomenon in the sky.
“No matter how great the opportunity, it can’t compare to the Cloud Water Atlas,” Han Wuyou shook his head.
Sikong Yi was a bit surprised, “Why do you say that?”
“Heh, people are only focused on the 100,000 contribution points, blinded by it. They’ve overlooked the true opportunity,” Han Wuyou smiled faintly.
“What’s the most important thing in cultivation? Background! Connections!” He repeated.
“In my view, the true value of the Cloud Water Atlas lies in the chance to establish a connection with the senior who issued the mission.”
“To be able to offer a reward of 100,000 contribution points so casually, this person must be at least at the Soul Transformation stage. Even just having a conversation with him would be hugely different for an ordinary cultivator,” Han Wuyou explained softly.
“If one could obtain a stable way to contact him, it could completely change their fate.”
Sikong Yi, hearing this, seemed lost in thought.
After a while, he nodded slowly.
While the three of them were chatting, a blue light swept across the Congyun Sea, signaling the official opening of the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
Sikong Yi, Bai Li Chen, and Han Wuyou followed the crowd of cultivators and flew inside.
After overcoming several obstacles, they passed the test set by the Qin Hall without much trouble.
However, during their journey deeper inside, for some unknown reason, the three of them caught the attention of another group of cultivators.
In the ensuing chaos, they ended up fighting.
The opponents were numerous and overall stronger.
In the end, Han Wuyou fell under their siege, dying with his eyes wide open in disbelief.
Sikong Yi, relying on the powerful life-saving abilities of the “Stealing the Sky and Changing the Sun Technique,” managed to survive by a stroke of luck.
Barely escaping, he headed towards the location of the Taiyi Hall, feeling utterly cold inside.
“Such is the unpredictability of life. Someone like Fellow Daoist Han, with such promising prospects, died so inexplicably here.”
Recalling Han Wuyou’s confident demeanor from not long ago, Sikong Yi felt a sense of loss.
Though they hadn’t known each other long, Sikong Yi had already regarded him as a close friend.
Alas, the heavens are jealous of outstanding talents!
Sikong Yi subconsciously touched a storage ring in his hand.
It was something he had snatched from Han Wuyou’s body when he saw him beheaded.
Han Wuyou was indeed wealthy, as the ring was filled with various formation diagrams and magical artifacts.
There were also about 10,000 spirit stones worth of contribution points, and most importantly, dozens of communication talismans.
“Connections, background...”
Sikong Yi kept repeating these words in his mind as the sadness in his eyes gradually faded.
“Fellow Daoist Han, rest assured. I will live well on your behalf!”
Summoning his courage, he asked, “Senior, is there anything else I can do to serve you?”
The Heavenly Doctor looked up, glancing at Sikong Yi.
Sikong Yi felt as if his heart was suddenly gripped tightly, halting its beat.
His entire body seemed to freeze, his mind ceasing to function.
He didn’t know how long it took before he heard a soft laugh from the other party: “Very well, I do have one more task for you.”
“Go to the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace again and place this item there.”
As he spoke, the elder took out a small white jade statue and handed it to Sikong Yi.
Hearing this, Sikong Yi was ecstatic inside.
But he dared not show any excitement on his face, carefully taking the statue.
Upon closer inspection, the white jade statue didn’t seem to have anything special, except that it looked exactly like the elder before him.
“I will not fail your trust, Senior!” Sikong Yi took the statue and said solemnly.
“As for the reward...” The elder stared at Sikong Yi for a while before speaking slowly, “Another 100,000 contribution points will do!”
With that, Sikong Yi received a notification of 200,000 contribution points being credited to his account.
Sikong Yi’s mind went blank.
It was only long after the elder’s figure had disappeared from the Tianxuan Mirror that he regained his thoughts.
“Just a simple errand, and another 100,000 contribution points!”
“This senior is probably far beyond the Soul Transformation stage!”
“Opportunity, true opportunity!”
“If I relied solely on myself, who knows how long it would take to accumulate 100,000 contribution points! Now, a few words from an influential figure, and they’re mine for the taking.”
“Fellow Daoist Han didn’t deceive me!”
With his heart surging, Sikong Yi seemed to glimpse a bright future ahead and couldn’t help but let out a long, loud laugh.
After calming down, he didn’t dare neglect the old man’s instructions. He immediately headed back to the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
The statue in his storage ring emitted a burst of white light, flying straight into the sky.
It dissolved and disappeared.
With the task completed, Sikong Yi exhaled a long breath of relief and quietly left, seeing no one around.
Shortly after, outside the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, a hidden figure slowly appeared.
It was Li Fan.
“Heavenly Doctor...”
“Hmph!”
Watching Sikong Yi’s departing figure, he sneered inwardly.
Chapter 486
Previously, the "Han Wuyou" who visited Sikong Yi was, of course, a clone of Li Fan.
After considerable effort—pretending to demand 40% of the contribution, helping resolve the cultivation technique issue for the fellow cultivator, and strategizing together to explore the Yunshui Celestial Palace—the ultimate goal was to implant a suggestion in his mind.
This suggestion was to prompt him, after completing the first task of the Heavenly Doctor, to voluntarily trigger the mission to transport the white jade statue.
Judging by Sikong Yi's recent actions of shuttling back and forth to the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, it appears that Li Fan's scheme has succeeded.
In this life, he intends to push for a battle between Old Fisherman, Sage, and the Heavenly Doctor.
But all his plans have a major premise: someone needs to deliver the statue of the Heavenly Doctor into the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
Only then would the Sage sense the presence of the Heavenly Doctor within the palace and drive his ox cart across the sea.
Such a dangerous mission was certainly not something Li Fan would undertake personally.
The "Four Techniques of Observation, Listening, Inquiry, and Pulse-taking" of the Heavenly Doctor were truly terrifying.
Even a prepared clone might not be able to deceive the Heavenly Doctor.
The previous handover of the [Cloud Water Atlas] and gaining 100,000 contribution points made Sikong Yi the ideal candidate for the task.
However, Li Fan wasn't certain if Sikong Yi had received the same request from the Heavenly Doctor to help transport the statue.
To ensure the plan proceeded as intended, the visit of "Han Wuyou" took place.
Even if Sikong Yi or the Heavenly Doctor suspected this mysterious Han Wuyou, Han Wuyou was already dead.
He died within the eerie Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
Li Fan believed that even for the Heavenly Doctor, tracking this matter might not be straightforward.
Besides, in the eyes of the Heavenly Doctor, Sikong Yi would at most be a greedy cultivator, blinded by profit and eager to latch onto a powerful figure.
He might not even be inclined to investigate further.
Overall, Li Fan's plan was flawless, leaving no trace and eliminating the possibility of being discovered.
It was a perfect scheme.
This was the result of multiple reincarnations, experiencing various possibilities, and mastering a wealth of information.
Others could not replicate it.
Even a strong figure like the Heavenly Doctor had unknowingly fallen into the invisible web Li Fan had woven.
Although the impact was minor, the very act of manipulating a expert even stronger than Dao Integration to act according to one's own expectations was significant in itself.
The gloom in Li Fan's heart was completely dispelled, and the long-standing shadow that had been weighing on him finally began to dissipate.
"No matter how powerful you are, you're still under my control!"
Despite his excitement, Li Fan didn't let this small victory go to his head.
He deeply understood that this minor success was built on the premise of collecting enough possibilities.
The result was predictable.
Tianyang, following Li Fan’s instructions, beat him senseless without causing fatal injuries or harming his cultivation foundation.
While being extremely precise in his attacks, he made Sun Erlang truly understand what it meant to be deceived and outmatched.
It seemed that Tianyang was just slightly stronger than Sun Erlang, and that with a little more effort, he could be defeated.
Tianyang continuously lured Sun Erlang into attacking again and again.
But every time, at the critical moment, Sun Erlang failed.
With a strong desire to win, Sun Erlang fought until he was exhausted and passed out before the fight ended.
The next day, after waking up, Sun Erlang had an epiphany.
He went into seclusion for seven days and nights, and actually broke through to the late stage of Qi Condensation.
Overjoyed, he decided to regain his dignity and challenged Tianyang again.
The result...
He still lost by just a little!
The children on the island all noticed something was off.
This seemingly honest and simple puppet was actually toying with them!
Angry, Sun Erlang fainted again from the beating.
In the following days, no matter what level of cultivation the children displayed in their fights against Tianyang, the puppet only used slightly superior strength.
Some children, unable to accept it, called Tianyang a big villain.
Others gradually realized that Tianyang was the perfect sparring partner.
They began seeking him out for continuous battles.
Ye Feipeng was naturally one of them.
In truth, fighting wasn’t his preference, but as the only one on the island practicing "Three Methods Simultaneously," he couldn’t allow himself to be weaker than others.
Unfortunately, his talent wasn’t top-notch. Initially, he could rely on his dual cultivation of physical and spiritual powers to gain an advantage.
But as others' realms gradually increased, Ye Feipeng’s performance in fights against Tianyang also lagged behind.
Just as he was becoming anxious, the Immortal Master appeared.
While being strict with rewards and punishments, he gave Ye Feipeng special attention.
After examining his cultivation progress and conducting a comprehensive check on his body, the Immortal Master concluded that the "Sea-Stabilizing Sword" he was practicing might not be suitable.
So, he removed his cultivation and taught him a new technique called the "Sea Dragon Wandering Technique."
Chapter 487
Cultivating the "Sea Dragon Wandering Technique" proved to be much smoother for Ye Feipeng than practicing the "Sea-Stabilizing Divine Sword."
On the second day of switching cultivation techniques, he successfully broke through to the mid-stage of Qi Condensation.
Moreover, the elixir provided by the Immortal Master helped him unlock a sliver of hidden power within his body.
After strengthening his physical body, even Sun Erlang, who was at the late stage of Qi Condensation, was no match for Ye Feipeng in actual combat.
Having solidified his position as the "leader of the children" on the island, Ye Feipeng finally felt somewhat relieved.
At the same time, he understood a crucial lesson: to cultivate faster, aside from one's own talent and hard work, it was even more important to please the Immortal Master.
From the Immortal Master’s casual words, Ye Feipeng learned that the Immortal Master seemed to place great importance on the refining progress of the [Beast God Bead].
Thus, in addition to his cultivation, Ye Feipeng never forgot to keep the Beast God Bead with him at all times, carefully comprehending its mysteries.
One day, after falling into a deep sleep while holding the Beast God Bead, he seemed to have a dream.
In the dream, he saw a terrifying nine-headed bird suspended above the sky.
Its colossal body nearly filled the entire sky.
Each of its nine heads was devouring something.
With Ye Feipeng’s current knowledge, he recognized struggling and twisted dragon limbs, an entire intact mountain range, and branches of a giant, ash-gray tree...
All around, there were despairing and painful wails, and the world was bathed in blood.
Ye Feipeng’s young mind was deeply shocked by this doomsday-like scene.
He stood there dumbfounded, unable to move.
At that moment, one of the nine-headed bird's heads seemed to notice his presence.
Its eyes slightly moved, casting a gaze upon him as if looking at food.
Terrified by being stared at by this fierce beast, fear instantly overwhelmed Ye Feipeng’s mind.
Under the shadow of the nine-headed bird, it seemed that in the next moment, he would be swallowed whole.
Just then, a loud and distant cry echoed in his ears.
It seemed to come from the deep sea, yet also from the sky.
The cry was full of defiance and anger.
With his eyes turning blood-red, Ye Feipeng’s previously frozen body immediately returned to normal.
Attracted by this inexplicable cry, the nine heads in the sky simultaneously turned towards the source.
Ye Feipeng woke up from his nightmare.
Panting heavily, he wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and recalled the scenes he had seen in his dream.
“That nine-headed bird must be the mythical beast sealed within the Beast God Bead.”
“Indeed. Have you ever heard of the ancient mythical beast, Kunpeng?” As he spoke, the Immortal Master pointed forward.
A massive beast, sometimes appearing as a bird, other times as a fish, appeared in the air.
After explaining the power of this Kunpeng beast to Ye Feipeng, the Immortal Master sighed with emotion, “I didn’t expect you to have such a power of an ancient fierce beast in your bloodline.”
“If you can harness this power, your cultivation speed will surpass even those so-called prodigies.”
Seeing the look on Ye Feipeng’s face, the Immortal Master added, “However, everything has its pros and cons. Advancing too quickly could also impact your state of mind. If you can’t control it, it might bring you disaster instead of fortune.”
Ye Feipeng quickly promised, “Immortal Master, rest assured, I will certainly remember your teachings. I will not become arrogant or impatient, and I will cultivate diligently, step by step.”
The Immortal Master nodded slowly, seemingly satisfied with his response.
After receiving a storage ring filled with spirit stones and magical artifacts as a reward, Ye Feipeng left, overjoyed.
Watching Ye Feipeng’s jubilant figure as he left, Li Fan revealed a smile that was neither genuine nor fake.
“I didn’t expect this kid’s awakening of the Kunpeng bloodline in this lifetime to be even faster than I anticipated.”
“The Nine-Headed Divine Bird, huh...”
Li Fan stretched out his right hand.
A wisp of blood-red murderous aura coiled around his fingertips, lingering for a long time.
If you listened carefully, faint cries and wails could be heard coming from it.
Li Fan absorbed the red aura and closed his eyes to carefully comprehend it.
After a while, he suddenly opened his eyes.
In that instant, a strange red light flashed in his pupils.
Li Fan looked at the stone stool in the chamber.
In just a moment, the originally hard stone surface turned pitch-black under Li Fan's gaze.
“It seems that the Nine-Headed Bird's beast soul bead released this unique murderous aura due to the influence of the Kunpeng bloodline.”
“It appears to be the power of the Nine-Headed Bird’s innate divine ability. Unfortunately, the murderous aura is too weak to grasp more than this.”
The strange red light in his eyes faded, and Li Fan felt a tinge of regret.
“Although the beast power cannot be used because of Senior Brother Zhang’s Grand Aspiration Dharma Body,”
“There are still things to learn from it. The divine abilities of mythical beasts may be harnessed by cultivators.”
“All paths originate from the same source, different routes lead to the same destination.”
“Like Han Yi’s technique of controlling fate, which seems to be derived from the Heavenly Fate Mystic Bird.”
Li Fan pondered silently.
Chapter 488
Li Fan has undergone a hundred reincarnations, mastering extraordinary divine abilities beyond the imagination of ordinary cultivators.
The Chaos Sutra, Silent Annihilation Sword, Sky-Flipping Palm, Cloud Cluster Sword...
Each one of these techniques has the power to slay enemies far above his own level.
Ordinary demonic beasts' divine abilities did not interest Li Fan, but this nine-headed bird was clearly an exception.
Li Fan had a hunch that the grade of this fierce nine-headed bird might even surpass that of Kunpeng.
"Let’s see what surprises Ye Feipeng can bring me."
After testing the malevolent aura of the nine-headed bird, he took out a mass of Kunpeng blood essence from his storage ring.
Every so often, he would extract a wisp from Ye Feipeng’s body to use for enlightenment.
By now, Li Fan’s research into Kunpeng’s power had achieved initial success.
When he operated the 'Creation Furnace Technique', he still appeared human, but his stomach quietly transformed into the structure of a Kunpeng beast.
Sensing the miraculous use of his newly formed Kunpeng stomach for a moment, Li Fan smiled and took out several high-grade spirit stones worth a hundred contribution points each and swallowed them.
Almost instantly, the highly concentrated spiritual energy in the spirit stones was absorbed and consumed by Li Fan.
Compared to the methods of ordinary cultivators, the efficiency was several times higher.
Although not as extreme as the 'Heaven-Devouring and Earth-Eating Technique', it was still extremely astonishing.
"No wonder Ye Feipeng’s cultivation speed accelerated in the previous life. With such a unique ability, it’s truly remarkable."
As the Mountain Sitting Technique circulated, and all the spiritual energy was converted into his own spiritual power, Li Fan took out a pile of supreme-grade spirit stones to test the current limit of his [Kun Devour] divine ability.
One stone was worth a thousand contribution points, and this pile alone amounted to fifty or sixty thousand.
Without hesitation, Li Fan devoured them all. The spirit stones vanished into his belly like a river flowing into the sea.
"Boom!"
A pure stream of spiritual energy erupted from within his stomach.
Li Fan’s expression changed slightly as he desperately tried to circulate his technique to consume it.
But the spiritual energy flow was like a torrential flood, surging endlessly.
Li Fan’s attempts to consume it were like trying to quench a blazing cartload of firewood with a cup of water.
Fortunately, practicing the Creation Furnace Technique had strengthened Li Fan’s physique to some extent, so his meridians weren't damaged by the overwhelming spiritual energy.
Ye Feipeng’s transformation from “demonic beast” to “holy beast” clearly illustrated this point.
It’s not hard to imagine that if Ye Feipeng, influenced by Kunpeng essence blood, encountered the Kunpeng itself, he would definitely exhibit “loyalty” stemming from the depths of his bloodline.
What Li Fan currently lacked was this method of controlling people.
Now, he was merely using foreknowledge and coercion to force or entice people to his side.
Although effective, there were bound to be failures occasionally. It wasn’t as reliable and reassuring as this kind of secret technique.
"[Bloodline Crossing] might require Ye Feipeng’s Kunpeng bloodline to become even purer before I can comprehend it."
"Hmm, it’s time to purchase more pills to replenish blood and energy."
After handing over the remaining pills and the task of regular blood extractions to Tianyang, Li Fan leisurely returned to Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
Instead of going back to the Tianxuan Mirror, he headed straight to the Qianli Hall.
Nearly two years had passed, and there was still no response from Jiao Xiuyuan regarding the task he had assigned him to unearth the Small King of Medicine Cauldron.
Li Fan found it strange and decided to visit personally.
Jiao Xiuyuan was slightly taken aback upon seeing Li Fan suddenly appear.
His eyes flickered, and his expression showed a bit of awkwardness.
"Fellow Daoist Jiao, have you forgotten something?" Li Fan asked.
Jiao Xiuyuan chuckled and hurriedly pulled out a chair from somewhere, inviting Li Fan to sit down.
"What’s going on?" Seeing Jiao Xiuyuan’s demeanor, Li Fan already had an idea.
Not in a hurry, he just stared at Jiao Xiuyuan for a long time before speaking again.
Jiao Xiuyuan, feeling uncomfortable under Li Fan’s gaze, closed the store door and whispered, “It’s not that I deliberately stalled you, but I’m in a difficult situation!”
"With your abilities, Fellow Daoist Jiao, is there anything in the Medicine King Sect’s ruins that can trouble you?" Li Fan was skeptical.
"After thousands of years, even if there were any restrictions, they would have failed by now." Jiao Xiuyuan shook his head and said, "The problem is, someone else got there first!"
"Oh? What do you mean?" Li Fan's expression turned serious.
Yet another unforeseen variable had appeared.
"Just as I was about to pinpoint the location of the Small Medicine King Cauldron, people from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s Protectorate Institute suddenly showed up."
Chapter 489
“They sealed off the ruins, drove out the cultivators inside, and even inspected their storage rings.”
“It’s as if there’s some incredible treasure hidden in there.”
Jiao Xiuyuan’s eyes gleamed as he whispered.
“Although I’m not afraid of them, harmony brings wealth, so I didn’t start any conflict and obediently left.”
Upon hearing this, Li Fan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“The Protectorate institute...”
As an elite armed organization that only operates in a few states within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's core territory, it’s truly unusual for them to seal off and excavate the ruins of the Medicine King Sect.
Could it be that the phrase I mentioned back then, ‘The Tianxuan Lock union of Xuanhuang Realm,’ has caused the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to compete in deducing the future, thereby foreseeing the imminent return of the True Cauldron of Medicine King to the Xuanhuang Realm?
“What do you think, Fellow Daoist Jiao? Does this have anything to do with my earlier prediction and the possible opportunity related to the Small Medicine King Cauldron?” After pondering for a moment, Li Fan looked at Jiao Xiuyuan and asked.
To Li Fan's surprise, Jiao Xiuyuan shook his head in denial.
“After returning, I made some inquiries. It’s not just the ruins of the Medicine King Sect. The same goes for the ruins of the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Taishang Sect, and other ancient sects within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s territory. All of them have been sealed off by the Protectorate institute cultivators.”
“They’re not allowing anyone to approach, but they themselves are vigorously searching for something inside.”
Jiao Xiuyuan’s tone was filled with some resentment.
“I lost several puppets sneaking in, and discovered that they weren’t so much searching for objects as they were looking for someone!”
“Looking for someone?” Li Fan was stunned. “How can you tell?”
“All the cultivators inside the ruins are holding [Spirit-Sensing Beads]. This type of artifact is extremely sensitive to the breath of life. Even if a cultivator is in deep slumber with only a sliver of life remaining, it can still detect them.” Saying this, Jiao Xiuyuan couldn’t help but glance at Li Fan.
Li Fan’s expression grew thoughtful: “So, you’re saying they might be searching for an ancient cultivator who, like me, fell into deep slumber thousands of years ago?”
“There’s a ninety percent chance,” Jiao Xiuyuan asserted.
“That’s quite odd...” Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance wouldn’t do something meaningless.
This large-scale operation clearly has a specific purpose.
“So, they’re certain that there’s such a dormant ancient cultivator, but they’re unsure of their exact location.”
“They’ve determined only that the person is within the ruins of various ancient sects, so they’re using this needle-in-a-haystack method to search.”
“This person must be extremely important to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, and...”
“The reason they’re looking for him is definitely related to my phrase, ‘The Tianxuan Lock.’”
Li Fan thought for a while but couldn’t figure out anything.
“Are they insane? Are they declaring an all-out war against the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance?” Jiao Xiuyuan’s voice was full of shock.
It was clear that this surprise attack by the Five Elders Association had been extremely secretive, catching even Jiao Xiuyuan, whose ears and eyes were spread throughout the entire cultivation world, off guard.
What has happened?
Why has the Five Elders Association suddenly initiated a war?
And the target isn’t the Grand Cave-Heaven of the Five Elements, but instead, this Ten Thousand Immortal Island?
Li Fan’s thoughts raced.
“Fellow Daoist Jiao, have other cities and states been attacked by the Five Elders Association as well?” After a moment, Li Fan asked in a deep voice.
“No. Only Ten Thousand Immortal Island in the Congyun Sea is the target of the Five Elders Association’s strike this time.” After pausing for a moment, Jiao Xiuyuan replied, still filled with confusion.
Li Fan frowned slightly, feeling somewhat puzzled as well.
The two fell silent, simply raising their heads to watch the battle in the sky.
The two True Monarch of the Soul Transformation stage on the island had been deployed to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s headquarters, leaving the island’s defense forces clearly insufficient.
They didn’t dare engage in a direct confrontation, relying only on the formation to hold on bitterly, while hoping for reinforcements to arrive as soon as possible.
But it was clear that the Five Elders Association had come well-prepared. Not only had they rendered the teleportation formation useless, but even communication seemed to be blocked, making it impossible to send messages.
Ten Thousand Immortal Island was gradually losing ground, and the faces of the many cultivators watching the battle on the island turned pale.
Having lived in peace for so long, they had never seen such a scene.
As time slowly passed, to everyone’s surprise, when the Five Elders Association finally gained an absolute advantage and broke the protective barrier, they did not choose to attack the island directly.
Instead, they began setting up a formation in the sky above Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
Threads of light descended from the central formation above and shot towards the edges of the island.
“The Heaven and Earth Displacement Formation?”
Li Fan and Jiao Xiuyuan exclaimed in unison once more.
“Is the Five Elders Association planning to move the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Island away?”
The doubt in their eyes grew stronger.
The formation was completed in no time, and the threads emitted a faint white light.
The ground of Ten Thousand Immortal Island began to shake violently.
TL : Is the name "Immortal Venerable" good here? Because his literal translation should've been (Heavenly Sovereign Of Dao Transmission→ chuán fǎ tiān zūn) The "tian zun" here is important because it's also used in later cultivation realm which I decided to translate as "Heavenly Sovereign" So, should I keep it as "Immortal Venerable" as it sounds more appropriate given the character's background or should I go with the literal term.
Chapter 490
The ground trembled more and more violently, to the point where it was nearly impossible to stand.
The vast Ten Thousand Immortal Island began to rise from the ground, slowly ascending towards the sky.
Some cultivators attempted to make a desperate escape, trying to break through the encirclement.
But they all met the same fate.
Anyone who left the Ten Thousand Immortal Island was immediately pierced and killed by beams of light descending from the sky.
Cries of alarm and agony from cultivators could be heard continuously.
The surrounding space seemed to be completely sealed off, and even the falling images of cultivators from the sky appeared strangely distorted, layered upon one another and squeezed into one place.
The fierce attacks from the Five Elders Association temporarily calmed down the cultivators who were panicking like headless flies.
They realized that as long as they stayed on the Ten Thousand Immortal Island, the Five Elders Association seemed to have no immediate intention to attack.
So, they could only tremble in fear, looking up at the purple gate that was getting closer and closer to them.
“Could it be that the Five Elders Association made such a grand display just to come after me?” Li Fan, witnessing the scene, couldn't help but recall the earlier incident when several Nascent Soul cultivators came to capture him. This thought surfaced in his mind.
“That place is not easy to deal with. If I get captured and taken to the ‘Country of Truth,’ where lying is impossible, wouldn’t my secrets about traveling through time and the truth about my Identity be completely exposed?”
Li Fan had a clear understanding of his current strength; he knew he was not yet capable of resisting the principles of a Heavenly Sovereign.
“Should I use the truth...” A hint of hesitation flashed in Li Fan's heart.
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan decided to wait and see for the time being.
After all, the situation had not yet deteriorated to the point where his life was in danger.
The originally flat horizon in the distance had now disappeared from view.
The entire Ten Thousand Immortal Island was floating in mid-air, and the faces of the cultivators from the Five Elders Association above were clearly visible.
At that moment, a commotion suddenly broke out on the island.
Unexpectedly, a large number of cultivators appeared out of nowhere.
There were so many of them that they seemed to overflow the Ten Thousand Immortal Island, making the island itself almost unable to accommodate them all.
A clamor arose from among them.
“What’s going on? Where is this place?”
“I remember I was meditating in the Tianxuan Mirror! How did I suddenly end up here?”
“Look! The Tianxuan Mirror has turned into a stone!”
Moreover, it could gather a significant amount of Spirit Mist Grass in an instant, indicating that, like the Tianxuan Mirror, it was connected to other spaces in the outside world.
“Thank you for the advice, Daoist Jiao!”
Li Fan cupped his hands in gratitude and was about to leave.
He suddenly thought of something and returned shortly after.
Li Fan stared closely at Jiao Xiuyuan, making him feel uncomfortable all over.
“Daoist Li Fan, why are you looking at me instead of running for your life?” Jiao Xiuyuan asked, feeling bewildered.
“Daoist Jiao, would you consider selling your current body?” Li Fan asked in a faint voice.
Jiao Xiuyuan was startled, and with a flicker, he widened the distance between himself and Li Fan.
“You...” Jiao Xiuyuan looked at Li Fan with disbelief, as if recognizing his true nature for the first time.
Ignoring Jiao Xiuyuan’s wild thoughts, Li Fan continued, “I’ve been awake for so long, and I’ve always stayed within the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.”
“Now, I have a basic understanding of the alliance as a whole, but I’ve never had the chance to see the Five Elders Association, which can rival the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.”
“And the information about them within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is pitifully scarce. I’m really curious about the Five Elders Association.”
Li Fan’s gaze swept over Jiao Xiuyuan’s puppet body.
“My true body must escape, of course. But I’d like to take this opportunity to see the other side.”
“Daoist, is there any method that would allow me to temporarily control your puppet body?”
Li Fan asked slowly.
Jiao Xiuyuan finally understood Li Fan’s intentions.
After a moment of thought, he muttered in a low voice, “You should have said so earlier; you scared me.”
“As long as the price is right, it’s not impossible.”
Li Fan was overjoyed upon hearing this.
“Great! Name your price!”
Jiao Xiuyuan once again signaled with five fingers and, not giving Li Fan any room for misinterpretation, said, “This is my first time letting someone possess me!”
“Fifty thousand contribution points, no less!”
“Fifty thousand, it is. I, Li Fan, am not a stingy person.”
Chapter 491
“Hold your breath and focus. Split a strand of your consciousness and bring it to my hand!”
Outside, the sound of wailing grew louder. Jiao Xiuyuan, who had just received his contribution points, spoke to Li Fan in a deep voice.
As he spoke, a newly formed branch extended from his palm. A single green leaf stood proudly at the tip, solitary and independent.
Upon hearing this, Li Fan immediately split a small part of his consciousness and directed it towards the branch in Jiao Xiuyuan's hand.
As soon as he approached, he felt an inexplicable pull from the green leaf at the tip of the branch. Unable to control himself, he plunged straight into it.
His vision gradually became clear, and in an instant, Li Fan felt that apart from his true self and his clone, he now had an additional body.
Fortunately, he had the secret technique of Dao Transformation, which allowed him to be accustomed to multitasking over the years. Otherwise, it might have been difficult for him to adapt.
Controlling the puppet body felt almost the same as using his clone technique in terms of perception. However, he could clearly sense the separation between consciousness and the physical body, unlike the seamless unity of his clone.
It felt more like he was “driving” rather than inhabiting a living body.
“The transaction is complete. This body is now at your disposal,” Jiao Xiuyuan’s voice echoed in his mind. “As long as you don’t deliberately do anything disgusting, it’s fine even if you destroy it.”
“Oh, and when the puppet body is damaged, a forced self-destruct mechanism will activate to prevent the consciousness from being captured. You might experience some shock to your soul...”
His voice gradually faded until it became barely audible.
As the split consciousness familiarized itself with the puppet body, Li Fan's true self rushed towards the location of Qingfeng Hall from his memory.
By this time, the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Island had already been drawn to the front of the purple door in the sky by the “Heaven and Earth Displacement Formation.” It was continuously being devoured by the teleportation Formation entering the territory of the Five Elders Association.
The cultivators who had just attempted to break through the blockade with their numbers were all reduced to ashes.
After this bloody lesson, the remaining cultivators, who were still alive, sat on the ground in despair, waiting for their unknown fate to unfold.
Meanwhile, Li Fan strode into the inconspicuous shop of Qingfeng Hall. It was now empty, with no sign of the sloppy old man.
He called out a few times, but no one responded.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan took out a pile of top-grade spirit stones from his storage ring and placed them on the floor of Qingfeng Hall.
“Are these enough to buy a way out?” Li Fan asked loudly.
There was no response for a long time. Li Fan then took out another pile of top-grade spirit stones and added them.
The total value was now close to a million contribution points.
There was no bright moon in the sky, but countless brilliant stars sparkled, competing with each other in radiance.
Rivers of stars flowed across the sky, with mesmerizing light and shadows, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
For most of the people present, it was the first time they had ever seen such a magnificent starry sky, and nine out of ten were so captivated by the sight that they lost themselves in it.
The once wailing Ten Thousand Immortal Island fell silent in an instant.
“Members of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, welcome to the Humane Heavenly Land.”
A middle-aged cultivator in a white robe flew above the crowd and spoke loudly.
“I know you may have many misunderstandings about our Five Elders Association. But don’t worry, it won’t be long before you completely dispel these misunderstandings.”
“By then, I’m sure you will make the right choice to abandon the darkness and join our Five Elders Association.”
The white-robed cultivator said with a smile.
Seeing that the Five Elders Association didn’t seem as vicious as rumored, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. However, they didn’t believe a word of the “misunderstandings” he mentioned.
“First, I ask you all to leave this island.”
As the white-robed cultivator spoke, a group of burly cultivators flew out.
They were armed with sharp weapons and clad in heavy armor. They looked more like soldiers than cultivators.
Sensing their aura, each of them had a cultivation level of Nascent Soul.
All the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivators present turned pale, not daring to resist, and allowed themselves to be escorted off Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
“It seems they’re not here specifically for me, but just for the island.”
“That’s strange. What’s so special about Ten Thousand Immortal Island?”
Blending into the crowd, Li Fan watched with a serious expression as the white-robed cultivator flew onto the island.
Then, dozens of other powerful cultivators appeared one after another and entered the island.
Explosive roars echoed as building after building on the island collapsed.
They seemed to be searching for something.
Chapter 492
“Move quickly! Stop looking around!”
Ten Thousand Immortal Island had almost been leveled to the ground, and the cultivators of the Five Elders Association began excavating the underground area.
Li Fan wanted to continue observing, but an armored cultivator rebuked him and forcibly relocated him from the area.
Several squads of armored cultivators formed a formation and drove the members of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance like a herd of sheep, forcing them to the entrance of a small cave at the bottom of a canyon.
At the entrance, there was a sinister wind blowing, exuding an eerie and terrifying atmosphere.
“Get in there! What are you waiting for?”
The leading armored cultivator struck the ground with his weapon, shouting like a thunderclap.
Among the group, there were some who looked resentful. They exchanged glances, seemingly plotting a resistance in secret.
However, the situation was against them, and after hesitating for a while, they ultimately yielded.
One by one, they entered the dark cave.
Li Fan, using a puppet body, naturally felt little fear.
However, to avoid drawing attention and to survive a bit longer, he pretended to be extremely fearful, following the group inside.
As soon as he stepped into the cave, the light vanished from sight.
The next moment, a scene completely different from what they had expected appeared before everyone.
It wasn't a winding, dark passage inside the mountain; instead, they inexplicably found themselves in a lush, verdant valley.
In the distance, a wooden pavilion seemed visible.
Dozens of people were sitting cross-legged in front of the pavilion, listening to a scholar-like cultivator lecturing about something.
Seeing that it didn’t appear to be an interrogation or torture, the previously agitated cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance also calmed down.
They decided to observe the situation before taking further action.
Under the escort of the armored cultivators, the group slowly approached the pavilion.
Meanwhile, hidden among the group, Li Fan keenly noticed a peculiar change occurring to his body during the process, causing him to slightly change his expression.
As they continued to approach the scholar in the pavilion, their bodies seemed to be shrinking.
This change only affected the detained members of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. The armored cultivators, the scholar, and even the surrounding scenery of the valley remained unchanged.
Although their speed of progress was not reduced, it felt as if they were getting farther away from their target.
This strange phenomenon caused a slight commotion among the members of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, but it was quickly suppressed.
“Move faster!”
In their eyes, the armored cultivators had already swelled to the size of small mountains.
Without the slightest mercy, they continued to urge them on.
For the first time, experiencing what it was like to see people from the perspective of ants, the members of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance found it difficult to remain calm.
Fortunately, the scholar did not pay much attention to Li Fan.
The crowd continued answering one by one.
The scholar smiled, listening attentively.
After a long time, the voices subsided, and the area outside the pavilion gradually quieted down.
The scholar shook his head and said, “Utter nonsense!”
“Do you know where our Five Elders Association originated?”
Everyone shook their heads.
“After the Immortal Venerable of Dao Transmission created a new path, the terrifying cultivation speed of unaffiliated cultivators led them to launch an assault on the immortal sects.”
“Meanwhile, the sects themselves were divided into two factions, fighting and killing each other.”
“However, before we could reach a conclusion...”
The scholar didn’t directly answer but began to recount history.
“The great calamity of heaven and earth descended, making it impossible to practice the same Dao.”
“The immortal sects suffered devastating blows, with less than one percent surviving.”
“Yet, having ruled the Xuanhuang Realm for ten thousand years, they were deeply rooted.”
“Some surviving sects escaped this catastrophe. They secluded themselves, waiting for the storm of bloodshed to pass.”
“When the killing ended, and darkness faded, they united once again on the ruins.”
“This was the embryonic form of the current Five Elders Association.”
Disregarding the stunned reactions, the scholar continued to speak slowly.
“The struggle between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association is, in essence, still a battle between the old and new forces of cultivation.”
“All conflicts in this world largely stem from the oppression of the newcomers by the predecessors.”
“That’s why this battle has lasted for thousands of years and continues endlessly.”
“It will never stop until one side is completely defeated.”
“You are members of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and have been deceived, so I do not blame you.”
The scholar showed a look of compassion.
The members of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, who were seated and listening to the scholar's lecture, were all stunned.
Although they had long been accustomed to the existence of the Five Elders Association, it was their first time hearing about its origins.
Li Fan, however, was not as surprised as the others.
One of the Five Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns of the Five Elders Association, Senior Sister Zhao, was once the head of the Grand Dao Sect, one of the ten great immortal sects.
So the fact that the Five Elders Association was formed by the surviving members of the ancient sects was something Li Fan had already suspected.
Chapter 493
"It's nothing more than a struggle for interests, so why distinguish between good and evil?"
"If we were truly as evil as they say, how could we have withstood the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's assaults for a thousand years without being defeated?"
The scholar raised a powerful question again.
Many of the cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance looked thoughtful after hearing this.
However, more of them appeared confused, as if their values were being deeply challenged.
"Very well, let me first give you an introduction to the current situation of the Five Elders Association."
The scholar's enormous figure stood towering between heaven and earth, filling everyone's view as he began to speak.
"Now, the territory of the Five Elders Association is divided into five parts."
"Each of the five Heavenly Sovereigns governs their own domain."
"I can't casually comment on the other Heavenly Sovereigns' territories. If you have the chance in the future, you can explore them on your own."
"Let me speak only of the current place you find yourselves in—the [Humane Heavenly Domain]."
The scholar's words drew the attention of all the cultivators present, including Li Fan.
"Each of the five Heavenly Sovereigns defies the natural order and creates their own unique region."
"In our [Humane Heavenly Domain], the most important principle is the way of the Heavenly Sovereign's Dao."
"It is also the cosmic law, which everyone must follow and none can defy."
The scholar paused and revealed the origin of the name [Humane Heavenly Domain].
"Compared to heaven and earth, human beings are but insignificant creatures."
"The body and name may perish, but the rivers and mountains will endure for ages."
"Even cultivators who can stir seas and rivers, seemingly altering the shape of heaven and earth, will find that the rivers flow anew once more. After their death, everything becomes empty and their past achievements vanish like bubbles, no longer existing."
"Only the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, who defies the laws of heaven and earth, can truly change the heavens and earth!"
"Why is it that only the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign can accomplish such a grand feat?"
"In our [Humane Heavenly Domain], changing the heavens and earth is something anyone can achieve!"
The scholar's words resounded forcefully.
Hearing this, everyone felt a surge of courage, yet many were puzzled.
Several cultivators, emboldened, asked, "Sir, what do you mean by saying that anyone can change the heavens and earth?"
The scholar smiled faintly, "When you arrived, did you see the vast and radiant starlight?"
Everyone nodded.
It took more than ten days for the clone to reach his destination.
By then, a large number of cultivators had already gathered here, pointing and whispering among themselves.
At the center of the crowd was a massive black void.
The surrounding seawater seemed to be obstructed by some force, unable to flow into the black hole.
In the blue sea, the black hole's presence looked so strange and out of place.
Seeing this, Li Fan couldn't help but frown slightly.
"This appearance, how does it resemble the time when I first saw the Sea of Crimson Flames?"
"Could it be..."
A thought surfaced in his mind, causing Li Fan to be momentarily stunned.
When he had initially seen the disappearance of the Ten Thousand Immortal Island and the lingering, intense energy around the void,
he had instinctively thought that Crimson Flame must have acted and completely destroyed the Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
Indeed, it looked very much like it.
But since he hadn’t witnessed the island’s destruction firsthand, there was always the possibility of a second explanation.
That was, like the current world, the Ten Thousand Immortal Island had been completely relocated through some method.
Moreover, later, when Crimson Flame was killed and Ink Death appeared in the world,
he still hadn’t seen the destruction of the Ten Thousand Immortal Island with his own eyes.
Because before the island completely disappeared, he had been consumed by the black particles.
Thinking about the Five Elders Association forcibly abducting the Ten Thousand Immortal Island this time, Li Fan couldn't help but be stunned.
"Could it be that the Ten Thousand Immortal Island really harbors some secret?"
Recalling the various secret histories he had read, none of them mentioned anything about this.
Li Fan began to doubt his own judgment again.
"This doesn't make sense either. If the Ten Thousand Immortal Island really hid something, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would certainly be aware. They should have guarded it strictly. How could they have allowed the Five Elders Association to take it so easily?"
While Li Fan was racking his brain, he overheard a cultivator among the onlookers sigh, "Truly, the world is unpredictable. Who would have thought that the original place where the Dao Transmission Immortal Venerable spread his teachings would disappear like this?"
Li Fan was slightly taken aback.
He quickly stepped forward and greeted the cultivator.
Then he asked, "Fellow Daoist, just now you mentioned the 'original place where the Dao Transmission Immortal Venerable spread his teachings'—what do you mean by that?"
Chapter 494
The other party's attitude was initially friendly, but upon hearing Li Fan's question, his expression subtly changed.
"Hehe, fellow Daoist, you must have heard wrong. I don’t know anything about the original place where the teachings were spread!" He quickly waved his hand, as if trying to dismiss the conversation, implying Li Fan had the wrong person.
Without waiting for Li Fan to respond, he immediately flew away at a rapid speed, even faster than most Nascent Soul cultivators.
Li Fan had finally encountered someone in the know; how could he let this clue slip away so easily?
He quickly followed but maintained a safe distance, trailing far behind.
At the same time, he transmitted his voice, saying, "Fellow Daoist, don't misunderstand. I mean no harm. I'm just very interested in what you mentioned earlier."
The person ahead gave no response and instead accelerated, trying to shake off Li Fan.
However, Li Fan continued to follow closely, persistently trying to persuade him.
After more than half a day, the other party, seeing that he couldn't shake off Li Fan, finally began to slow down.
He looked around, ensuring no one was nearby, his face fluctuating between uncertainty and frustration.
After a moment of hesitation, he whispered, "This is not a suitable place to talk. Follow me, fellow Daoist."
Li Fan smiled slightly and cupped his hands, "In that case, thank you in advance, fellow Daoist!"
Following the man, they flew westward for hundreds of miles before diving into the depths of the ocean.
They arrived at a building resembling a crystal palace.
After inviting Li Fan into a room deep within the palace, the man sighed slightly and said, "It's not that I didn’t want to tell you earlier, but I feared speaking recklessly could bring disaster."
"What should I call you, fellow Daoist?" Li Fan nodded, not probing too deeply yet, but instead asking for his name first.
"I am Sima Changkong!" the man said, waving his hand, summoning a servant with a human upper body and a fish tail lower body.
The servant poured two cups of tea for them before bowing and leaving.
Li Fan glanced at the servant.
"Just a beast species, a personal preference, forgive me for the oddity," Sima Changkong said nonchalantly, sipping his tea.
"Beast species..." Li Fan's eyes flickered.
He had once discovered similar half-beast, half-human corpses in Mr. Bai’s basement in Ningyuan City. Senior Brother Zhang had also referred to them in the same way.
Li Fan had thought they were extinct, but it seemed they still existed.
However, Li Fan had no intention of making a fuss over it. He simply nodded slightly and steered the conversation back on track.
"This should have been a heroic tale, something all current cultivators should remember."
"But now, it has been downplayed, even sealed away."
"The reason is that the Immortal Venerable has not appeared for many years, and the ones in control of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance are no longer the original Tens Of Thousands Of Transmitters."
Sima Changkong drank the rest of his tea in one gulp and said, "The struggle between the old and new teachings was far more brutal than we can imagine. The sects at that time, facing something that threatened their rule, didn’t hesitate to use the sword."
"Almost all the true, pure Dao transmitters perished in the fight against the sects."
"Those who survived are merely opportunists who seized control of the Immortal Venerable’s legacy."
Sima Changkong's tone carried a hint of disdain.
...
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
This explanation was barely acceptable.
In the mortal world, the rise and fall of power often led to the distortion or erasure of the achievements of former heroes, which was not uncommon.
The same principle seemed to apply in the cultivation world.
"An island that can survive the test of time without changing its shape might indeed conceal some secrets."
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance must have thoroughly investigated it before. Not finding anything, they probably left it alone."
"But the Five Elders Association must have recently uncovered something, risking a full-scale war to seize the island."
Li Fan’s thoughts raced.
Before long, he looked at Sima Changkong, who was still brooding over the injustices, and asked, "Daoist Sima, you seem to know a lot about the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's secrets."
"But according to what you've said, the symbolic significance of Ten Thousand Immortal Island seems greater than its actual value."
"Doesn’t it seem unworthy of the Five Elders Association to take such a risk and seize it by force? What do you think?"
Sima Changkong's expression grew serious.
After thinking for a moment, he said slowly, "I have a theory."
"The first Dao transmitters progressed quickly in their cultivation, so their customs and habits were still very similar to mortals."
"Mortals have a tradition of returning to their roots after death."
"Thus, after the Dao transmitters were killed in their battles with the immortal sects, their remaining bodies were often brought back to Ten Thousand Immortal Island for burial by their companions."
Chapter 495
"I believe the Five Elders Association may have come specifically for these remains," Sima Changkong said solemnly.
"Remains? What would they want with these remains?" Li Fan was shocked to learn that beneath the ordinary surface of Ten Thousand Immortals Island, there could be the buried corpses of numerous ancient cultivators. At the same time, he was puzzled by Sima Changkong's response.
"I cannot know for sure. Maybe the Five Elders Association has the ability to resurrect the dead? If those original transmitters of the Dao were to awaken and see the current state of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, they would likely storm the headquarters, battling to the death," Sima Changkong sneered.
"Careful with your words, fellow Daoist," Li Fan diverted the conversation without addressing it directly.
"Mount Congyun’s changes, the original transmitters, the origins of Ten Thousand Immortals Island...”
"All of these are deeply hidden secrets. Based on what I know of today's cultivators, even those who have reached the Soul Transformation True Monarch stage might not be as well-versed in such secrets as you are."
"Who exactly are you?" Li Fan couldn’t help but ask curiously.
"What background could I possibly have? I'm just an ordinary cultivator," Sima Changkong dismissed it lightly.
Seeing Li Fan’s doubtful expression, Sima Changkong proudly said, "Let me tell you, once something happens in this world, it always leaves a trace."
"Erasing a cultivator's memory doesn’t mean you can completely bury the truth of history."
Sima Changkong suddenly stood up. "I have nothing to hide from you. I, Sima Changkong, am a historian!"
As he finished speaking, his entire body’s blood and energy seemed to surge intensely.
Li Fan, who was very familiar with the power of blood and energy due to his cultivation of the Creation Furnace technique, was shocked to find that the energy in Sima Changkong's body was incredibly complex.
Some of it was incredibly vibrant, like that of a newborn infant.
But some of it felt ancient, as if it had existed for thousands or even tens of thousands of years.
Blood energy burst from Sima Changkong’s body, forming a vast river of blood over his head.
As Li Fan observed closely, each drop of blood contained countless images and sounds.
The higher up he looked, the older the recorded scenes became.
The blood river was magnificent and vast, and the sheer amount of information recorded made even someone as mentally powerful as Li Fan feel dizzy after a brief observation.
Shocked, he quickly averted his gaze.
Sima Changkong, noticing Li Fan’s reaction, slowly withdrew the external manifestation of his energy.
These many clones traveled across the world, recording history as accurately and comprehensively as possible.
This explained why the Sima family members generally had short lifespans.
The river of blood recorded countless pieces of information from the Xuanhuang Realm's past.
To prevent unforeseen events from wiping out decades of accumulated knowledge, the Sima family's ancestors painstakingly devised a secret method called "One Is All".
As long as there was still a trace of Sima family bloodline in the world, the Bloodline History Archive would never be broken.
Li Fan then asked about the definition of the "Sima family bloodline."
Sima Changkong smiled proudly.
As long as there was even a trace of Sima blood in someone’s ancestry, no matter how diluted, the Bloodline History Archive could still be passed down.
After thousands of years, the descendants of the Sima family’s mortal lineage had spread throughout the Xuanhuang Realm.
In other words, unless all mortals in the Xuanhuang Realm were exterminated, the Bloodline History Archive could never be completely eradicated.
"Sima family, truly extraordinary! What a remarkable method and divine technique!" Li Fan exclaimed in admiration.
Li Fan then asked Sima Changkong for a communication talisman and carefully stored it in his storage ring.
"Daoist Sima, we must keep in close contact from now on," Li Fan said warmly, continuing to chat with this historian of the cultivation world for quite some time before reluctantly parting.
Upon returning to the old site of Ten Thousand Immortals Island, Li Fan’s true body, located far away in Shilin Prefecture, noticed that the communication talisman issued by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was flashing continuously.
Puzzled, Li Fan took out the talisman and sensed the message.
After a moment, his expression became somewhat strange.
"I've been ordered to act as the acting island lord of Ten Thousand Immortals Island, responsible for rebuilding the Immortal City of Congyun Sea."
"The location is right above the former Ten Thousand Immortals Island."
"Execute immediately, without error."
Li Fan read the message several times, finally confirming it wasn’t a joke.
Chapter 496
The order came directly from the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s Governance Hall, accompanied by a deputy island master's talisman and detailed handover instructions, making it unmistakably official.
The stated reason was due to the recent [Assault on Ten Thousand Immortal Island] incident, and within the surviving system cultivators in the Congyun Sea, Li Fan held the highest rank.
Since the two Soul Transformation True Monarchs, Ziyun and Hongxi, were unable to return for various reasons, it was natural for Li Fan to take over as the acting island master by default.
However, Li Fan felt no joy from this sudden "gift" falling from the sky.
After carefully reading the transfer instructions, his brow furrowed tightly.
Although the role of Special Steward of the Martial Hall was largely ceremonial, only Nascent Soul cultivators or higher could hold such a position based on rank.
The position itself wasn’t low in rank. There was no issue with that. However, in the vast Congyun Sea, there were certainly many cultivators of a similar rank within the system who had not been captured by the Five Elders Association.
So why was this "heavy responsibility" specifically handed to Li Fan?
In this life, he had no hidden backing or powerful connections.
Was it a test, a warning, or perhaps an appeasement?
Li Fan had no way of knowing.
But since the order had been issued, there was no point in overthinking. As the saying goes, "When soldiers come, you block them; when water comes, you dam it."
A cold glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes as he flew towards Congyun Sea.
As he neared the edge of Shilin Prefecture and approached the Congyun Sea, he was once again blocked by an invisible barrier.
Li Fan took out a communication talisman and injected spiritual energy into it.
A radiant "(萬)-Ten Thousand" character shot towards the barrier.
Ripples spread across the shield, and Li Fan reached out with his right hand. He felt as though an invisible substance clung to his arm, changing shape as he pressed forward.
Finally, it was like popping a sticky bubble. With some thought, Li Fan propelled his body through the invisible barrier.
In the next moment, Li Fan found himself back in the Congyun Sea.
Following the coordinates listed in the instructions, Li Fan flew at full speed. Four days later, he reached his destination.
A giant dust-ferrying ship, very familiar in appearance, quietly hovered in the air.
On the deck, the vague silhouettes of numerous black-robed cultivators could be seen.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan flew towards the ship.
It seemed the black-robed cultivators were already aware of Li Fan’s arrival, as they did not move to stop him.
“Daoist Li Fan, please come here!” As soon as he set foot on the deck, a voice came from within the ship.
“How should I address you, Fellow Daoist?” Li Fan asked, furrowing his brow and not immediately agreeing.
The white-haired youth gazed at Li Fan with his hollow eyes before finally speaking, “Diyi Jinglun”
Li Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He had heard of this name before.
A mortal formed a Golden Core in three years of cultivation. A Golden Core that could cut down Nascent Souls and defeat Soul Transformation cultivators.
Decades ago, he had already reached the peak of Soul Transformation, yet he gave up the opportunity to integrate with the Dao, simply because the soul of heaven and earth was too weak and did not meet his expectations.
A legend among cultivators, known as Lord Jinglun.
Li Fan had long admired his name. He hadn’t expected to meet him in person today.
However, Li Fan remained composed, neither humble nor arrogant, and cupped his hands, “So, it's the esteemed Lord Jinglun!”
“Although the order comes from the Governance Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, asking me to be the acting island master and set up this Xuantian Nether-Lock Formation...”
“I’m afraid I cannot comply!”
Li Fan’s tone was firm.
Lord Jinglun frowned.
Feeling the space around him gradually becoming heavier, Li Fan’s expression remained unchanged.
He continued, “This situation is far too suspicious, filled with conspiracies at every turn. Who can guarantee that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance won’t cast me aside once I’ve served my purpose?”
Lord Jinglun was taken aback by his words.
Then, with a slight smile, he withdrew his oppressive aura.
“So, that’s what you’re worried about...”
“There’s no need for that.”
Lord Jinglun stood up and walked to the side of the room.
As he moved, the walls of the ship became transparent.
It was as if they were standing in the clouds, with the vast Congyun Sea stretching out before them.
“Island Master Li comes from ancient times, so you may not know this. After the Great Calamity descended, strange entities called [Aberrations] began to appear across the world.”
Lord Jinglun spoke slowly.
“And there are a few places where they appear most frequently and densely.”
Chapter 497
“Congyun Sea, Luo Yan Province, Cangwu Abyss, Qianling Prefecture...”
As Lord Jinglun spoke, he mentioned some names that were either familiar or foreign to Li Fan.
“The reason behind it all is that these locations harbor the 'Passages to the Nether'.”
“We haven't yet concluded what exactly the nature of these Nether Passages is. However, based on our research, if these passages remain exposed, the frequency of strange occurrences in that province will drastically increase.”
“Therefore, we must use the 'Xuantian Nether-Lock Formation' to suppress them.”
The answer Li Fan received from Lord Jinglun was completely unexpected.
“When Ten Thousand Immortal Island was still around, we never discovered this Nether Passage beneath the island. However, based on the annual reports from the Tianji Hall of Congyun Sea regarding the number of strange events, we determined that there must be one here.”
“Who would have thought it would be at the bottom of the location where the Immortal Venerable of the Dao Transmission once preached.”
“Even a trace of the Immortal Venerable's power, after a thousand years, could still effectively seal the Nether Passage. But now that Ten Thousand Immortal Island is gone, this passage must be blocked.”
“Although the existence of these strange phenomena is no secret, few know that they can spread. To prevent panic and ensure the stability of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, strict confidentiality is required.”
Lord Jinglun spoke unhurriedly.
“All this secrecy... just because of this?” Li Fan couldn’t help but feel speechless at the unexpected connection between the bizarre request and the strange occurrences across the world.
“You think it's only because of this?” Lord Jinglun glanced coldly at Li Fan.
“Island Master Li, don't underestimate the strangeness. They are not as easy to deal with as you might imagine.”
His words carried a deeper meaning, but he chose not to elaborate.
Hearing this, Li Fan put away his disdainful expression and nodded slightly.
Changing the subject, he asked, “Then why was I suddenly appointed as the Acting Island Master? And what about this Congyun Sea...”
Lord Jinglun interrupted Li Fan's question, shaking his head slowly: “It seems that in ancient times, sects were riddled with internal strife. Island Master Li, you’re being overly suspicious.”
“Rest assured, everything is proceeding according to protocol.”
“As per ancient regulations, when the entire structure of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance in a certain region is destroyed, the highest-ranked surviving cultivator in that area automatically inherits the primary administrative position.”
“If there are multiple cultivators with the same rank, the one with the higher combat power will be selected.”
“You, my friend, have slain four Nascent Soul cultivators. Even if you claim to have done it with external help, such explanations may fool others, but trying to deceive us, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, is a bit too optimistic.”
“We have meticulously evaluated the power of every tool sold from the Tianxuan Mirror.”
Only their names were listed, with no explanation of their specific purposes.
It left one feeling lost and confused.
Li Fan was no expert in most areas, but anything related to formations did not escape his sharp eye.
One of the most important functions of Congyun Immortal City was its network of teleportation formation.
The original Ten Thousand Immortal Island had 11,687 teleportation formation, including the long-distance teleportation formation.
Li Fan found the special material needed to construct these teleportation formation: 'Darkvoid Stone'. Based on the quantity listed, he did some quick calculations.
Moments later, Li Fan indeed found something amiss.
The materials listed were insufficient even to construct the small teleportation formation, let alone the long-distance one.
Li Fan's face darkened immediately: “Daoist Zhou, did you make a mistake with this list? Please check it again.”
His eyes flashed with an unmasked killing intent.
Zhou Kebao was initially stunned, then quickly took the list and rechecked it.
As he examined it, he muttered under his breath, “A mistake? Impossible... Could it be that Island Master Li...”
Before he could finish, he heard Li Fan coldly say: “Daoist Zhou, I made an oath before Lord Jinglun.”
“If the task isn't completed on time, my fate will be grim.”
“I’m a small-minded person who holds grudges!”
“If there’s no hope of completing the task, I won't mind dragging down those who sabotaged it.”
Zhou Kebao wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly pounded his chest: “Island Master Li, no need to be so agitated. I'll check it thoroughly again!”
With that, he hurried away, not daring to meet Li Fan’s gaze.
Li Fan snorted coldly and closed his eyes, waiting.
It took nearly half a day before Zhou Kebao returned with a brand new list.
“Hehe, Island Master Li, your sharp eyes are truly impressive! There was indeed an error!”
“The previous list was only a preliminary budget. The final list includes significantly more materials.”
Li Fan took the new list and saw that the amount of resources was indeed over 50% more than the previous one.
Chapter 498
Li Fan squinted his eyes.
Seeing the vast discrepancy in the itemized list that Zhou Kebao, this chubby man, sent him, Li Fan suppressed his initial urge to act out and instead calmed himself.
A slight adjustment had led to a 50% discrepancy in quantity.
This only meant that the actual number of materials was far greater than what he had in hand.
Although there had been some corruption and embezzlement within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance recently, everyone at least made an effort to cover it up—putting on a facade to conceal their actions.
But to be this blatant, to the point of being utterly shameless?
Rebuilding a whole Immortal City is a huge task. Yet, for someone like Zhou Kebao to skim off the top so blatantly, right in front of Li Fan, the acting Island Lord, and with such large quantities...
There could only be one explanation: the people behind this were targeting Li Fan directly.
That’s right. Li Fan’s appointment as the acting Island Lord may have been legitimate and lawful.
However, that doesn’t prevent someone from exploiting this, launching a conspiracy against him the moment they learned of his appointment.
Perhaps it was for him personally, or perhaps for the massive amount of contribution points associated with him.
Up until now, everything Li Fan had done—from trading rare Samantabhadra True Leaves to gathering and reinvesting the contributions of other cultivators—had been in the open, not intentionally concealed.
Except for his dealings with the empire, every transaction he had made was traceable.
It didn’t take precise calculations; even a rough estimate would reveal the staggering amount of contribution points currently in Li Fan’s possession.
With so much at stake, it was no wonder someone had taken notice of him.
Aside from wealth, there was also resentment.
Tantai Can, who suffered a loss during the Samantabhadra True Leaf speculation incident, might also be fanning the flames in this situation.
People often act only after thorough planning. As his thoughts raced, Li Fan’s gaze swept back over the list.
After a while, he nodded slightly and carefully put the list away.
At the same time, he asked casually, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, besides this list, is there anything else you need to hand over?"
"No, nothing more." Zhou Kebao smiled broadly and shook his head repeatedly.
Seeing this, Li Fan sneered inwardly.
However, he didn’t confront him yet. Instead, he cupped his hands and said, "Rebuilding the Immortal City is a matter of great importance, involving many aspects. It’s extremely complex. I need to carefully consider the specifics."
Li Fan pretended to ponder for a moment, then said, "How about this: I’ll make some preparations first. When it’s time to officially start the work, I’ll contact you, Fellow Daoist Zhou!"
Li Fan had encountered many of these people before. He had always assumed they were just ordinary wandering cultivators, not realizing they held official positions.
Most of the nodes had dimmed, indicating that these cultivators had either perished or were out of contact.
But the number of active cultivators remaining was still quite substantial.
"It seems the main force for rebuilding the Immortal City will have to come from this group."
"However, the quality of these people varies greatly, and I only know most of them in passing. How can I select the right ones?"
Li Fan frowned, eliminating from consideration the cultivators who had already been captured by the Five Elders Association.
He carefully reviewed the remaining cultivators.
Suddenly, his gaze paused on one of the cultivators.
"Hmm, this person..."
An idea instantly formed in Li Fan’s mind.
---
In a hidden cave somewhere in the Congyun Sea.
Gao Yuan, who had been in seclusion, suddenly woke up from a nightmare.
The other day, the Five Elders Association had attacked the Congyun Sea, forcibly taking the Ten Thousand Immortals Island and causing the deaths of hundreds of cultivators.
Gao Yuan had narrowly escaped the disaster by being away on business at the time.
However, the terrifying scene of those cultivators’ deaths had burned into his mind, becoming his inner demon.
"I didn’t expect the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance to be so incompetent. They couldn’t even defend an Immortal City from being taken, and instead, they locked down the Congyun Sea and vented their frustrations on their own people."
"And to think I’ve been loyally guarding the gates of the Ministry of Governance for decades..."
"Maybe I should join the Five Elders Association instead..."
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Gao Yuan couldn’t help but think this way.
Just then, the official communication talisman, which he had assumed would never activate again, suddenly lit up.
Gao Yuan’s heart raced. He thought his treacherous thoughts had been discovered so quickly.
But when he nervously picked up the talisman and checked it, his face showed an odd expression of excitement.
"Acting Island Lord Li Fan?"
Chapter 499
Li Fan briefly explained the matter of rebuilding the Immortal City of Congyun Sea to him and invited him for a meeting. His tone was friendly, without any hint of the authority of an island lord. This made Gao Yuan feel a bit flattered.
Having spent most of his life working hard on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, Gao Yuan knew that these so-called "acting" or "deputy" roles were often harder to deal with than those officially appointed. Although he didn’t know why this well-known cultivator from the Heavenly Mechanism Sect had chosen him, Gao Yuan knew he was currently his top direct superior and dared not neglect him.
Quickly tidying up, Gao Yuan hurried to the agreed meeting location. As for defecting... that was nothing but idle complaints. Defecting was impossible. Not to mention the immense risk involved, Gao Yuan was, after all, a part of the system within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. If he were to defect to the Five Elders Association, would his life really be better without any special skills? Most likely, after all the valuable information in his head had been extracted, he would be discarded, ignored, and forgotten.
He wasn’t that foolish.
Suppressing his scattered thoughts, Gao Yuan pondered the reason this newly appointed acting island lord wanted to meet him as he made his way to the location. After a while, he finally arrived.
Tai'an Island.
The island's protective formation opened, revealing a passage, and Gao Yuan flew inside.
As he entered, he saw the acting island lord, Li Fan, sitting in front. Next to him, the guard of Tai'an Island, Zhou Qingang, stood nervously, sweating profusely, looking visibly tense.
The two seemed to have been discussing some sensitive topic but stopped when they saw Gao Yuan arrive. Seeing this, Gao Yuan couldn't help but feel a pang of apprehension.
The guard of Tai'an Island had a position one rank higher than Gao Yuan. Yet even he was so flustered in front of Li Fan. It seemed that this ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect cultivator was not going to be easy to deal with.
Gao Yuan, who had seen many people in his life, immediately became more cautious. He stepped forward, bowed, and greeted Li Fan.
"Greetings, Island Lord!"
"You're here," Li Fan said, smiling kindly at Gao Yuan.
"Do you know why I called you here?" Li Fan asked.
Gao Yuan was puzzled but respectfully replied, "I do not know, my lord."
"I heard you were stationed at the gates of the Administrative Hall before?" Li Fan asked after a brief silence, just as Gao Yuan was starting to feel uneasy.
"Yes, my lord," Gao Yuan answered respectfully, though he knew it was a rhetorical question.
"How long have you been in service?"
"So this is the taste of power?" His heart began to race uncontrollably, his face flushed, and he was filled with a sense of exhilaration. However, he did not let this fleeting sense of false glory cloud his judgment.
He knew full well that the little "power" he held was all granted by the island lord in front of him. Until the Immortal City was built, all of this was just a castle in the air—beautiful, but fragile and prone to collapse at any moment.
But if the Immortal City was successfully built, then this power would become real. The feeling of being able to control destiny at will was so intoxicating that Gao Yuan found it hard to resist after tasting it for the first time.
He silently swore to himself that he would do everything he could to seize this rare opportunity and transform his career.
He then proceeded to review the list of cultivators one by one, introducing each of them in detail to Li Fan.
Time passed slowly.
Li Fan listened patiently to Gao Yuan's detailed introductions, feeling more and more surprised as time went on. This seemingly ordinary gatekeeper, whom he had only encountered by chance during his entry into the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, was far more capable than he had expected.
Not only did he know every cultivator’s basic details, but he was also aware of their temperaments and the complex relationships they might have behind the scenes.
"Turns out I’ve found a real treasure," Li Fan thought.
As Gao Yuan's introduction deepened, Li Fan grew increasingly satisfied with him.
"Even small figures have their uses. This could be the key to breaking the stalemate," he thought.
One by one, the suitable cultivators were selected and remembered by Li Fan.
...
Half a month later.
All surviving cultivators within the Congyun Sea system received a message from the acting island lord.
Seven days later, a ceremony for the rebuilding of Congyun Sea Immortal City would be held at the original site of Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Everyone was required to attend on time.
Chapter 500
The name of Li Fan was one that everyone had heard of.
However, very few people knew that he had been appointed as the acting Island lord.
Thus, when they received the notification, everyone was taken aback.
Then, a sense of dissatisfaction grew in their hearts.
Although Master Li had the ability to deduce the workings of fate, at the end of the day, he was only at the Golden Core stage. There were many Nascent Soul cultivators who had survived in the Congyun Sea, so why was he made the Island lord?
The public knew that Li Fan was quite wealthy—could he have bought his way into this position?
And with such high profile behavior, organizing a grand reconstruction ceremony...
Various thoughts surged through their minds.
However, regardless of their thoughts, the position of acting Island lord was issued and certified by the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Even if some held disdain in their hearts, they dared not defy the order.
So, most people awaited the day with a sense of curiosity, ready to see what would happen.
Soon, seven days passed, and the cultivators of the Congyun Sea gathered at the old site of the Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
Even some who were not part of the formal system heard the news and came to join in the excitement.
As people conversed with each other, they gazed at the bottomless black hole in the sea, reminiscing about the past events of Ten Thousand Immortal Island, feeling deeply moved.
As time passed, more and more cultivators arrived to witness the ceremony.
But Li Fan, the star of the event, was still nowhere to be seen.
Naturally, this stirred some murmurs among the crowd.
At that moment, a beam of light flew in from the distance, catching everyone's attention.
“To congratulate Daoist Li Fan on his appointment as acting Island Lord of Ten Thousand Immortal Island, (Oracle)-Shen Yuzi of Tianyun Prefecture presents a scroll of the 'Tianyun Pill Scripture' as a token of goodwill!”
A handsome boy, holding a dust whisk, floated in the air above the crowd and announced this.
He tossed the scroll upwards, and as the crowd gasped in awe, the scroll expanded into a long dragon-like figure, spiraling through the sky.
Seven-colored light continuously radiated from the scroll, and then, in front of everyone, the 'Tianyun Pill Scripture' disappeared.
The boy bowed slightly toward the void, ignoring the crowd below, and turned into a beam of light, flying off into the distance.
“Fellow Daoists, look quickly! Doesn’t this place seem different from before?”
“Of course! It's said that the Tianyun Pill Scripture can gather luck and change one's fate. With this treasure's blessing, the reconstruction of the immortal city is bound to succeed!”
“Wow... But who is this Shen Yuzi? Such a precious treasure, and he gave it away so casually?”
The onlookers started discussing excitedly.
Before they could calm down, another beam of light came from the horizon.
...
With Tantai Can's arrival, the atmosphere reached its peak.
At this point, it was time for Li Fan to finally appear.
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
Loud booming sounds echoed from the distance, as if a colossal beast from ancient times was rapidly approaching.
“Look over there! What is that?” A sharp-eyed cultivator noticed something unusual in the direction of the noise.
A towering stone giant appeared on the horizon.
Standing in the middle of the Congyun Sea, the water barely reached its lower legs.
Despite its massive size, the stone giant moved with astonishing speed.
Crossing the sea in just a few steps, it caused tremors throughout the Congyun Sea with each step.
In no time, the stone giant had arrived at the old site of Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
The cultivators, unsure of what was happening, assumed it was a sneak attack by the Five Elders Association and immediately tensed up.
Sensing the immense aura radiating from the stone giant, their faces turned pale.
“A peak Soul Transformation cultivator?”
As the stone giant drew closer, the overwhelming pressure caused some cultivators to pull out their magical artifacts in preparation.
At that moment, led by Gao Yuan, He Zhenghao, and Zhou Qingang, over a hundred cultivators flew out in perfect synchronization, as if they had rehearsed this many times.
They all bowed toward the massive stone giant. “Welcome, Island Lord!”
“Hahaha, no need for such formalities!” A hearty laugh rang out from atop the giant's head.
Only then did the crowd realize that a cultivator stood atop the head of the Soul Transformation-stage stone giant.
That cultivator was none other than Li Fan!
To have a Soul Transformation True Monarch willingly let a Golden Core cultivator stand on his head...
This was definitely not something that could be achieved with mere contributions.
The fact that powerful cultivators from the core of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would help him, and even Soul Transformation cultivators would bow to him...
Just what kind of background did Island Lord Li Fan have?
Even the usually calm Tantai Can, who had maintained a composed expression throughout, now showed a flicker of emotion in his eyes as he gazed at Li Fan from above.
---
Chapter 501
The enormous stone figure extended its right hand, and Li Fan flew into its palm.
Afterward, the stone figure held him up, presenting him before the crowd.
Li Fan surveyed the vast number of cultivators gathered, his expression solemn, and said, "Not long ago, I was honored by a senior and entrusted with the position of acting Island Lord, tasked with rebuilding Congyun Immortal City."
"I am naturally inclined toward a carefree life, but this sudden heavy responsibility has left me feeling overwhelmed."
"However, I dare not betray the trust of the Immortal Alliance and the senior. Thus, I made a military pledge before Lord Jinglun to rebuild the Immortal City within six months."
"The time is short, and the task is heavy. But I believe that with the collective efforts of us cultivators in Congyun Sea, we can certainly complete this mission successfully."
"To have an Immortal City of an entire region captured is truly unheard of!"
Li Fan pointed to the massive empty pit below and said, "As long as this ruin remains, it is a mark of shame on the faces of us Congyun Sea cultivators!"
"I hope all of you will join me in washing away this disgrace!"
After speaking, Li Fan bowed deeply to the crowd.
The cultivators were visibly moved. Whether out of genuine respect or forced courtesy, they returned the gesture.
"When the rebuilding of the Immortal City is complete, I will be here again, to reward merit and punish wrongdoing, and to celebrate with you all!"
Li Fan stood up straight and spoke aloud.
His voice echoed far and wide, lingering in the air for a long time.
The crowd gazed at Li Fan, their expressions varied.
"Gao yuan!"
After a moment of silence, Li Fan suddenly called out.
"Here I am!" Gao yuan, his face flushed with excitement, flew out.
"Announce the personnel orders for the reconstruction of the Immortal City," Li Fan instructed.
"Yes!"
Gao yuan proudly glanced around, cleared his throat, and took out a scroll from his storage ring, imbuing his voice with spiritual power to read aloud:
"Liuli Island's Warden He Zhenghao is appointed Chief Inspector, overseeing all matters related to material allocation and consumption in the rebuilding of the Immortal City."
"Haitong Island's Warden Pei Tuo is appointed Chief Commander, responsible for all security matters during the rebuilding of the Immortal City."
"Tai'an Island's Warden Zhou Qing'ang is appointed Chief Coordinator, handling communication between various departments during the reconstruction."
...
As the personnel orders were read one after another, the expressions of the cultivators present subtly changed.
Island Lord Li is right! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Many cultivators quietly turned their gaze toward Gao yuan, already calculating how to curry favor with this close confidant of Li Fan.
After some more words of encouragement to the crowd, Li Fan announced the end of the ceremony and that the official rebuilding of the Immortal City would commence the next day.
Tantai Can, who was aboard the flying boat, saw this and left without waiting for the crowd to disperse or even saying goodbye to Li Fan, flying away directly.
Judging by his expression, he seemed quite upset.
However, most cultivators were too engrossed in their ambitions to notice.
Li Fan watched Tantai Can’s figure disappear into the distance and sneered inwardly.
The cultivators present had guessed right—Shen yuzi, Jing Xuan, Guang Wu, and Huangfu Song had all been invited by Li Fan through his contributions.
As for this rising star from the Tantai clan, Li Fan had no personal relationship with him, and there was even some hidden animosity. He certainly couldn’t be swayed by mere contributions.
The only reason Tantai Can had come to celebrate Li Fan today was because of a contract he was forced to sign with Jiao Xiuyuan during the recent Samantabhadra True Leaf incident.
The contract required him to agree to three requests within his ability.
So, even though Tantai Can tried to hinder Li Fan behind the scenes, he had no choice but to show up and offer his congratulations.
For someone as proud as him, this must have been humiliating.
Naturally, he wouldn’t tell anyone about it.
Thus, in the eyes of certain people, Tantai Can’s actions seemed quite contradictory and strange.
As for his deteriorating relationship with Tantai Can, Li Fan didn’t care at all.
After all, he would have to abandon his identity as a cultivator of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect sooner or later. One more grudge wouldn’t matter.
What mattered now was the successful rebuilding of Congyun Immortal City.
Although he had managed to use influence to gather support and resolve the issue of having no one to rely on...
There was still a pressing problem, one that could prove fatal.
Li Fan recalled Jiao Xiuyuan’s words: "The materials on the list are sufficient to successfully construct a floating Immortal City."
"But..."
"That's assuming everything goes perfectly, with no mistakes."
"In reality, the construction process almost always involves some material losses due to errors."
"Some materials are easy to deal with; I can sell them to you through certain channels at a lower price."
"But some special materials are strictly controlled by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and can’t be bought, even with contribution points."
Chapter 502
"Even Jiao Xiuyuan said so. It seems that obtaining these strategic resources from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance through regular means is truly impossible," Li Fan thought to himself.
He was well aware that rebuilding an entire floating immortal city was an immense project, and it was impossible to achieve without any losses. The city itself was like a massive, intricate machine, where missing a few key components might prevent the whole thing from functioning properly. Even if he could find a way to cover it up, those lurking in the shadows would likely report him.
So...
"Only the one who tied the bell can untie it," Li Fan's eyes narrowed.
Those behind this plot had targeted him for either revenge or profit. However, they surely didn’t want the situation to escalate to the point where it attracted the attention of higher authorities. The reconstruction of the Congyun Immortal City was a top priority for the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, and no one could defy that order.
However, who handled the actual work was a matter that concerned Li Fan and his followers’ future prospects.
"The missing materials from the resource list must still be with Zhou Kebao and his group. Now, I need to figure out a way to make them cough it up," Li Fan thought, activating his hidden killing intent as he fixed his gaze on Zhou Kebao.
---
In a dim room aboard the Dust-Crossing Boat.
Zhou Kebao was pacing anxiously back and forth. In front of him, a shimmering light flickered, its shape unclear. Soon after, the light stopped moving, and a few figures appeared.
"So, what did Tantai Can say?" Zhou Kebao asked urgently.
"The message was sent, but there was no response."
"No reply at all."
"It was outright rejected!"
Different voices spoke up immediately.
Zhou Kebao's face flushed deep red with anger, almost as if he were about to explode. However, after trembling slightly, he managed to hold his tongue.
After a moment of silence, one of the figures across from him couldn't help but ask, "What is Tantai Can up to?"
"Yeah, he was the one who incited us to act earlier. Why has he suddenly changed his mind and sided with Li Fan?"
"Enough! Stop arguing!" A deep, commanding voice suddenly interrupted the bickering.
The speaker seemed to hold considerable authority, as the other cultivators immediately fell silent when he spoke.
"Don't worry, Daoist Long, I understand," Zhou Kebao promised.
The light gradually dissipated, and Li Fan withdrew his gaze.
"So, just a disorganized rabble," he chuckled to himself.
He began contemplating how to peel another layer off these people.
---
Zhou Kebao's patience exceeded Li Fan's expectations.
As the reconstruction of Congyun Immortal City proceeded in full force, and more than ten supporting cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters had arrived, Zhou Kebao still hadn't tested Li Fan.
He merely went about his daily routine, greeting Li Fan as if nothing were amiss.
If it weren’t for the clear records in the Dao Stone in his mind, Li Fan might have thought it was all an illusion.
But Li Fan’s patience was equally unyielding.
"No rush. I'll play along for now," he thought.
With over four months left before the deadline for the city’s completion, Li Fan could afford to wait.
Through Jiao Xiuyuan, he replenished the necessary materials, so the basic construction of the city proceeded without delay.
The primary buildings, such as the long-distance teleportation formation, the Tianxuan Mirror, and the Hall of Administration, would be constructed last.
And there was still enough material for at least one trial-and-error attempt.
So, Li Fan was in no hurry.
At the same time, he hadn't forgotten the task given to him by Lord Jinglun: to build the Xuantian Nether-Lock Formation into the foundation of the city.
Li Fan's skills in array formations had improved considerably, and he had even participated in the construction of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation, giving him far greater insight than the average cultivator.
In the formation diagram of the 'Xuantian Nether-Lock Formation', he could clearly see traces of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation's design.
Chapter 503
The underlying structure of the formation differed, but the sense of confinement and sealing everything off was identical.
Li Fan could even make a bold assumption: the inspiration for the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation might very well have come from this 'Xuantian Nether-Locking Formation'.
The term "Xuantian" was hard for Li Fan not to associate with the Xuantian Sect, which had long disappeared in the annals of history.
"Could it be that the strange occurrences in the world can be traced back to the time when the Xuantian Sect still existed?"
"Does this mean that even in the Fallen Immortal Realm, one could encounter strange anomalies?"
Li Fan pondered while studying the formation diagram, his thoughts wandering.
The formation diagram was crafted using some special technique and was encrypted with several restrictions, making it impossible for outsiders to view the complete structure of the Nether-Locking Formation.
It allowed those who were not skilled in formations to operate the formation in a simplified manner, outputting its effects externally.
"This is quite ingenious!" After studying it for a long time, Li Fan temporarily gave up on understanding the full structure of the Nether-Locking Formation and sighed in admiration.
During his routine checks on the progress of the construction, when no one was watching, Li Fan carved the 'Xuantian Nether-Locking Formation' into the gradually forming Congyun Immortal City.
While Li Fan was exhausting his efforts to build the floating city, far away in the "territory of the Five Elders Association", a trace of consciousness attached to a puppet's body was enduring some suffering.
Since arriving at the bamboo hut to listen to the scholar's lectures, more than two months had passed.
He hadn't gained much more insight into the specific situation of the Five Elders Association, but instead had been forced to memorize many legends about cultivators altering the world in the 'Humane Heavenly Domain'.
Wang Linlang loved beauty and swore, "No one in the world shall see white hair." As a result, in the Humane Heavenly Domain, even the elderly mortals had shiny black hair.
Yue Chengjin, abandoned by his lover, grew resentful and cursed, "All lovers shall become siblings." This led to decades of tragic, forbidden love stories. Fortunately, the rule was reversed through the sincere wishes of a truly loving couple.
Qu Su loved fishing but often returned empty-handed, so he made a grand vow: all fish in the world would bite the bait upon seeing it. Thus, everyone became a master angler.
...
There were countless such tales. Initially, they were amusing, but after hearing them continuously for three months, it became unbearable.
Like the other cultivators in front of the bamboo pavilion, Li Fan found that he couldn't control his body.
He couldn't block out the scholar's words and was forced to listen.
Li Fan even realized that everything the scholar said seemed to be deeply engraved in his mind, impossible to forget even if he tried.
Thus, everyone had a resentful look on their faces as they unwillingly accepted the scholar's brainwashing.
Finally, one day, the scholar, who had been lecturing for so long, seemed to feel a bit fatigued.
While feeling melancholic, he suddenly realized something was wrong.
He wasn't the type to indulge in sorrow and sentimentality, so why was he having such thoughts now?
A flash of the scholar's image crossed his mind.
Was it him?
Just as Li Fan was inwardly startled, he suddenly heard someone calling out from afar: "Brother Jiao! Brother Jiao!"
Startled, Li Fan realized they were calling him.
Looking towards the voice, he saw that it was the cultivator named Lu Fan.
"Brother Jiao, where are you headed? Why don’t we travel together?" Lu Fan had exited the cave and quickly found Li Fan, hurriedly catching up.
Seeing that Li Fan was staring at him without responding, Lu Fan explained, "The Five Elders Association’s territory is vast, no less than that of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. In a foreign land, it would be better to have someone to watch your back."
"I heard that within the Five Elders Association’s domains, the "Carefree Paradise" is the most desirable place. Not only are there incredible pleasures, but there’s also a rare item called the 'Carefree Crystal Grid', which makes you feel as though you're floating like an immortal, ascending to paradise..." Lu Fan spoke excitedly.
Li Fan stared at him for a moment and asked, "As I recall, Brother Lu was once a clerk in the Congyun Sea Administration. Having received the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s pay, now that you’re free again, why not think about returning home? Why do you seem so eager to join the Five Elders Association?"
Lu Fan froze at the question.
Cold sweat began to drip from his forehead, and his face turned deathly pale.
Seeing this, Li Fan knew the answer.
"So, it’s the scholar’s doing."
"The Five Elders Association sure knows how to manipulate people’s minds."
Lu Fan muttered to himself, "What a clever trick. If Brother Jiao hadn’t reminded me, I wouldn’t have realized it."
After a moment of reflection, Lu Fan sighed deeply.
"No wonder the Five Elders Association is so confident in letting us go. Even though I now know my thoughts have been influenced, I still can’t change them."
"Even though I know the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is my home, I can’t bring myself to want to return..."
Lu Fan was rambling, but suddenly realized that Li Fan had already flown far away.
"Brother Jiao, where are you going? Take me with you!"
"To the One-Heart Immortal Sect!" Li Fan replied without looking back.
Chapter 504
The known territories of the Five Elders Association include the four major regions: "Carefree Paradise", "Realm of Reality", "One Heart Immortal Sect", and "Humane Heavenly Domain".
As for the last location, it remains unknown for now.
The scholar who teaches classes has never mentioned it, adding to its mystery.
Currently, it seems that exploring the "Realm of Reality" and "One Heart Immortal Sect" carries the greatest risk. Meanwhile, "Humane Heavenly Domain" and "Carefree Paradise" pose no significant threats.
Li Fan, knowing the danger ahead, deliberately chose to venture into the perilous terrain. Naturally, his actions were influenced by his longstanding admiration for Senior Sister Zhao...
Well, the truth is that the real reason was Li Fan wanted to take advantage of this rare opportunity to control a puppet with a strand of his consciousness and explore the territory of One Heart Heavenly Sovereign.
From his experiences in his previous life, Li Fan learned that under Senior Sister Zhao’s control, individual entities were connected into a unified whole.
This is known as "One Mind, Many as One".
Undoubtedly, when an individual is absorbed or consumed and joins Senior Sister Zhao, their past experiences and memories are shared with the entire collective.
For Li Fan, who possesses the power of the [Truth], this was completely unacceptable.
Thus, from the perspective of his true self, the 'One Heart Immortal Sect' was even more dangerous than the 'Realm of Reality'.
However, if he used this puppet body of Jiao Xiuyuan to explore, the risks would be greatly reduced.
This decision was based on several considerations: according to the scholar’s teachings, not all cultivators within the One Heart Immortal Sect had become part of Senior Sister Zhao. As one of the most formidable hunters in the world, Senior Sister Zhao was quite “picky.” Only the most elite cultivators, selected through rigorous processes, were eligible to enter the so-called 'Immortal Sect'. Even ordinary cultivators were not easily accepted, let alone a puppet body made of wood. Thus, the likelihood of Li Fan being targeted was very low.
Secondly, this puppet was one of Jiao Xiuyuan’s avatars and had a self-destruct mechanism. Even if Senior Sister Zhao, bored with her usual luxurious prey, decided to consume the puppet, what she would ultimately get would only be a piece of dead wood. The consciousness attached to it would have long since dissipated.
However, one should never underestimate the terrifying power of the 'Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign'.
Li Fan rushed northward, reducing the memories in his consciousness along the way. He removed all previous memories, leaving only the thought of "going to the 'One Heart Immortal Sect'."
Naturally, this had a side effect. The consciousness that was already barely controlling the body became even weaker, and the movements became less coordinated. As a result, the puppet of Jiao Xiuyuan appeared extremely wooden and somewhat dull-witted.
However, as long as he could relay his observations to his true self, that would be enough.
To Li Fan’s surprise, there were many people gathered near the White Mist Barrier, shouting as if they were street vendors selling goods.
“Samantabhadra True Boat, 30,000 soul points per boat, buy two, get one free—no worries for large purchases!”
“If you want to cross the White Mist Barrier, come take a look! Only 100 soul points to ride the Samantabhadra True Boat, saving 15 years of lifespan! Just 100 soul points—no scams, no losses!”
“Offering plenty of True Boats for rent, contact us now!”
...
The shouts rose and fell, creating a lively scene much like a mortal market.
Their words caught Lü Fan’s attention.
“Daoist Jiao, come and see! It’s a flying boat entirely made from Samantabhadra True leaves!” Lu Fan exclaimed after inspecting it. Seeing the confused look on Li Fan’s face, he patiently explained, “After the recent craze over the Samantabhadra True Leaf, rumors spread that magic tools made from this material could prevent lifespan loss from the White Mist Barrier. This is why its price didn’t collapse completely.”
“But I’ve never seen such a functional tool before. I didn’t expect the Five Elders Association to have them in abundance...”
Lu Fan hoped for a response from Li Fan, but was met with a blank stare.
Sighing, Lu Fan stopped talking and turned to inquire more from the merchant.
The "soul points" they mentioned were the common currency of the Five Elders Association, similar to the 'contribution points' of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
By joining the Five Elders Association, one could receive free cultivation methods, but in exchange, they had to sign a soul contract.
It’s said that after accumulating enough soul points, one could dissolve the contract and regain their freedom.
However, few cultivators ever achieved this.
Most cultivators opted to exchange their soul points for higher-level cultivation methods to strengthen themselves and earn even more soul points.
In the Five Elders Association, contracts governed not just trade but every aspect of life.
Chapter 505
In ancient times, cultivators acted without restrictions.
They slaughtered entire regions of living beings to refine magical tools; they destroyed mountains, boiled seas, burned forests, and sank lands; they broke promises, acted deceitfully, robbed, and killed purely for profit...
Such behaviors were commonplace.
The reason for this lay in the fact that as a cultivator's realm increased and their strength grew, the fewer restrictions they faced.
For instance, a Soul Transformation cultivator might covet a rare treasure that a Foundation Establishment cultivator had obtained by chance. It would be incredibly easy for them to kill the Foundation Establishment cultivator and claim the treasure for themselves. In such cases, how many would opt to obtain the treasure through "trade"?
Similarly, when a Foundation Establishment cultivator is confronted by a Soul Transformation cultivator, who is exponentially stronger than them, would they dare refuse a "trade"? If the Soul Transformation cultivator were to break their promise, there would be nothing the weaker party could do except swallow their anger, and perhaps even be thankful that their life was spared.
When the two parties are so unequal, fairness in trade cannot even be discussed.
However, within the Five Elders Association, and throughout the entire Xuanhuang Realm, this dynamic has changed completely.
This is due to the existence of various contracts.
The 'Soul Contracts' signed by cultivators of the Five Elders Association, the 'Trade Contracts' that Li Fan has used many times, and the special golden contracts for buying and selling cultivation methods...
These omnipresent mysterious powers truly restrain cultivators.
Even cultivators at the Dao Integration stage cannot defy the power of these contracts. Once signed, they must be obeyed.
Under the drive of these contracts, order has been established.
If the "Tianxuan Mirror" and the "Law Derivation Jade" form the foundation of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, then "contracts" are the lifeblood of the Five Elders Association.
Now, let's talk about 'Soul Points'. Soul Points are essentially a special form of energy hidden deep within the soul, sustained by the power of contracts.
Besides being used for everyday transactions, Soul Points have a special purpose: they can be spent to access the "Immortal Sect's Martial Vault".
"That's correct," Lu Fan admitted.
"That's not a problem. While you may not have Soul Points, surely you have some standard spirit stones on hand, right?" Gu Binliang said with a smile.
"I do have some," Lu Fan said with a trace of excitement, but a moment later, confusion flickered across his face. "Does the Five Elders Association also accept these spirit stones?"
Gu Binliang chuckled. "Since they are standardized spirit stones, they are jointly produced by both the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association. However, most Five Elders Association cultivators don’t use them, as converting them to Soul Points is a bit troublesome. So they don't accept them."
"But for me, it doesn't matter. As a true businessman, I need a fair amount of these spirit stones for transactions," Gu Binliang explained.
"A true businessman..." Lu Fan immediately understood Gu Binliang's meaning. "Then, please get me a Samantabhadra True Boat."
With a wave of Gu Binliang's hand, dozens of miniature flying boats appeared before Lu Fan.
He enthusiastically explained the differences between them.
Before long, the two completed a smooth transaction.
Just as Lu Fan was about to leave, Gu Binliang stopped him: "Do you happen to have any items lying around? In the Five Elders Association’s territory, lacking Soul Points can be quite inconvenient. I can exchange Soul Points with you."
As he spoke, Gu Binliang pulled out a small, indistinct figurine.
"This is an 'Manifested Worldly Heavenly Sovereign Statue' It can store Soul Points, and even if you’re not a member of the Five Elders Association, you can use it to trade with other cultivators."
Lu Fan was intrigued.
He began rummaging through his storage ring. Gu Binliang was willing to buy anything Lu Fan offered for sale.
When the Manifested Worldly Heavenly Sovereign Statue had accumulated fifty thousand Soul Points, Lu Fan finally ran out of things he was willing to part with.
"If you need anything in the future, feel free to find me," Gu Binliang said with a cheerful smile, handing over a communication talisman.
Chapter 506
The style of this communication talisman is almost indistinguishable from those of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Lu Fan carefully put it away and then, accompanied by Li Fan, who seemed to be in a daze, piloted the Samantabhadra True Boat and charged into the white mist barrier.
Surrounded by a blanket of whiteness, no matter how fast they traveled, their vision couldn’t penetrate the mist.
Inside the flying boat, Lu Fan had his eyes slightly closed, as if sensing something.
When the Samantabhadra True Boat finally broke through the Essence-Devouring White Mist, he excitedly opened his eyes: “The loss of life force has been reduced from about fifteen days to just one day. It's almost negligible! This is truly worth more than its weight in gold!”
“With this item, the white mist barrier will no longer be an obstacle for us cultivators. The world is vast, and now we can explore it freely without worrying about losing our lifespan.”
Lu Fan couldn’t help but show a trace of regret: “It’s a pity that the principle behind this thing was first discovered by our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, but it was the Five Elders Association that managed to spread its use first!”
“It’s certainly a great item. But we've already delayed long enough. We should hurry to the One Heart Immortal Sect,” urged the puppet body, whose body was sustained by a mere fragment of its original will.
“Heh, seems like Daoist Jiao is even more anxious than I am,” Lu Fan was momentarily startled, then revealed a knowing smile.
He immediately accelerated again, flying northward without stopping.
The territory of the Five Elders Association, like that of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, was vast and sparsely populated.
As they traveled along the road, it was common not to encounter any other cultivators for half a day. Even if they saw the light of a distant cultivator's flight, both parties would consciously avoid each other.
What Lu Fan feared — that the cultivators of the Five Elders Association would come looking for trouble — never happened.
Thus, they peacefully crossed more than a dozen regions. When they flew out of the white mist barrier once more, however, the Samantabhadra True Boat suddenly lost control and plummeted toward the ground.
Fortunately, Lu Fan reacted in time, flying out of the boat and storing it in his storage ring before it crashed.
“This place...”
He looked up at the sky, his brows tightly furrowed.
This area seemed somewhat different from the place they had just been.
He couldn't quite put his finger on what was different, but the strange feeling was undeniable.
“Is this the One Heart Immortal Sect?” Li Fan also looked around, his tone returning to its usual liveliness.
“Let’s scout out the situation first,” Lu Fan suggested.
“Sounds good,” Li Fan nodded in agreement.
Li Fan sat silently, not responding.
“Or perhaps it’s because our strength isn’t sufficient, and we haven’t met Senior Sister Zhao’s selection criteria?” Lü Fan muttered in a daze.
Although Li Fan was merely a remnant thought, he had noticed the subtle changes in Lu Fan’s mentality along the journey. Lu Fan seemed to be losing his way.
At the beginning, Lu Fan had a casual attitude, merely deciding to follow Li Fan on this journey.
When it came to the stunning and peerless 'Senior Sister Zhao', Lu Fan mostly jested about her, not genuinely admiring her.
After all, to a cultivator, beauty was far less important than one's cultivation level and realm.
But ever since they arrived in the territory of the One Heart Immortal Sect, Lu Fan had undergone a quiet transformation.
He grew increasingly fascinated with the existence of 'Senior Sister Zhao' and the Great Immortal Sect.
The more he learned, the more he became consumed by a desire to obtain something he couldn’t have, making him restless and obsessed.
Now, his thoughts had turned almost mad, nearly losing himself.
In contrast, the puppet body that only held the obsession of entering the One Heart Immortal Sect was less affected.
However, Li Fan did not awaken Lu Fan.
It wasn’t because he didn’t care about their bond, but because Li Fan knew that the subtle influence of the Heavenly Sovereign’s power wasn’t something that could be changed with a few words.
Even if he told Lu Fan about his changes, Lu Fan might just feel prideful about it.
As the two sat silently—one with a troubled look and the other expressionless—suddenly, a commotion arose from the streets outside.
“Wan Zailai from Canghong Prefecture, with just a Golden Core cultivation, defeated thirty-six Nascent Soul cultivators from Yilü Prefecture, finally catching the attention of the 'Heavenly Sovereign' and successfully joining the Immortal Sect!”
“No doubt about it, he’s the pride of Canghong Prefecture, finally giving Yilü Prefecture a taste of defeat!”
“Haha, now the number of Immortal Sect disciples from Canghong Prefecture will surpass Yilü Prefecture! Let’s see how they’ll flaunt their arrogance now!”
...
Hearing the discussions outside, Li Fan and Lu Fan exchanged a glance and immediately began to inquire about the details.
“I get it! As long as we do something extraordinary to catch Senior Sister Zhao... no, the Heavenly Sovereign's attention, we can enter the Immortal Sect!” Lu Fan exclaimed in sudden realization.
Chapter 507
It was as if a sudden realization hit Lu Fan, and he muttered to himself with extreme excitement, "So that's how it is... that's how it is!"
But moments later, his excitement turned into frustration, "Golden Core stronger than Nascent Soul... I can't do that!"
He stared at his own hands, feeling a bit lost, and mumbled, "No, I must meet the Heavenly Sovereign... I need to figure out a way..."
Seeing Lu Fan’s increasing obsession, Li Fan couldn’t help but remind him, "fellow Daoist Lu..."
Before Li Fan could finish, Lu Fan suddenly stood up and, without sparing Li Fan another glance, flew out of the restaurant, shouting loudly, "I am Lu Fan of the Martial Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance from the Congyun Sea! Who dares challenge me?"
Li Fan was stunned on the spot.
The once-bustling streets of Weichang City instantly fell into an eerie silence.
Only Lu Fan's proud figure stood in the sky.
After a brief silence, the crowd erupted.
"A mere Golden Core cultivator dares to speak such nonsense!"
"Are the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance all this bold?"
"When did the dogs of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance dare to be so arrogant in front of our Five Elders Association?!" A burly Nascent Soul cultivator with a thick beard shouted in anger, flying in front of Lu Fan, ready to teach him a lesson.
But Lu Fan, though reckless, hadn’t completely lost his mind. He shouted, "I am at the Golden Core stage, and you are Nascent Soul. Does the Five Elders Association always bully the weak?"
"If you want to fight, send a Golden Core cultivator to face me!"
Lu Fan's voice, intentionally amplified, quickly spread throughout Weichang City.
"You..." The Nascent Soul cultivator was momentarily stunned, his expression flickering with uncertainty before he coldly snorted and refrained from attacking.
Landing back on the ground, he turned to the crowd and angrily roared, "Where are the Golden Core cultivators of Canghong Prefecture? Have they all died?"
The crowd quickly responded.
A young cultivator in green robes flew forward, "I am Qiu Juemo of the Luoyan Gang. Daoist Lu, please enlighten me!"
He cupped his hands respectfully but wasted no time in attacking, sending a flying sword straight towards Lu Fan's face.
The sword's blue light appeared without a sound, arriving in an instant.
Luckily, Lu Fan reacted swiftly, dodging the flying sword's attack just in time.
"You sneak attacked me!" Lu Fan's face showed a hint of anger.
"In a life-and-death battle, one must go all out. There's no such thing as sneak attacks! Be careful, Daoist friend!" With a loud shout from Qiu Juemo, thirty-three beams of sword light separated from the flying sword that had circled behind Lu Fan, forming a sword formation shaped like a fierce tiger, charging towards him.
"Wealth can lead to godliness!"
As Lu Fan flicked his abacus, a copper coin fell into the fire.
The originally red flames suddenly turned an eerie green.
Soon after, the flames, born from the grey-robed cultivator's own abilities, lost control and turned against him.
Amidst a cry of pain, the grey-robed cultivator also suffered a miserable defeat.
The swift defeat of the second challenger quieted the noisy crowd.
"This fellow Daoist Lu... he has some real skill," Li Fan, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but be surprised.
After a brief moment of silence, another challenger stepped forward.
"I am Ou Qianye of Canghong Prefecture. fellow Daoist Lu, please enlighten me!"
This time, Lu Fan didn’t immediately strike. Instead, he raised his voice and asked, "Since the Five Elders Association can’t defeat me, are you planning to fight me one after another in turns?"
Ou Qianye hesitated, holding back the attack he was about to launch. He replied in a deep voice, "Daoist friend, why don't you rest for a while, and then we will fight again when you're fully recovered."
Ignoring him, Lu Fan closed his eyes and began meditating to regain his energy.
Soon after, the two resumed their battle, clashing fiercely.
In the end, Lu Fan once again emerged victorious. However, Ou Qianye was no easy opponent, with his techniques and spells continuously overwhelming Lu Fan.
It took Lu Fan considerable effort to barely secure a victory.
"Excellent techniques, Daoist friend!" Acknowledging his loss, Ou Qianye cupped his hands and conceded defeat.
"Mutual respect..." Lu Fan’s tone had softened significantly this time.
One after another, the Golden Core cultivators of Weichang City challenged Lu Fan.
But without exception, they all failed.
Even with breaks in between, Lu Fan, who had been fighting non-stop, began to look a bit pale.
Yet, despite his exhaustion, a glimmer of excitement remained on his face, which he couldn’t hide.
As all eyes in Weichang City were drawn to Lu Fan’s challenges, Li Fan, having lost interest in the spectacle, wandered over to a small stall by the street.
He picked up a scroll titled "The Secret History of Ancient Cultivation" and began to flip through its pages.
Chapter 508
"This book, I think I’ve read it before."
"However, the content inside seems to be somewhat different."
As scenes from the book flashed through his mind, Li Fan was filled with a vague sense of familiarity, furrowing his brows slightly.
"Fellow Daoist, are there other versions of this book?" He looked toward a cultivator at the stall who was focused on the duel in the sky and asked aloud.
The cultivator selling books was initially a bit impatient, but when he turned back and saw the booklet in Li Fan's hand, a strange look flashed in his eyes.
"Fellow Daoist must be joking. This 'Secret History of Ancient Cultivation' was personally authored by the Heavenly Sovereign. How could there be other versions?" However, he flatly denied it.
Even though the body he controlled was merely a wisp of divine sense, stripped of most memories, the ability to read people remained instinctual.
With just one glance, Li Fan was sure of his suspicion.
"Name your price." He lowered his voice and spoke directly. "A mutual friend introduced me."
The book-seller hesitated for a moment.
After glancing around and seeing that all the cultivators were focused on the battle in the sky, he transmitted a message: "Ten thousand Soul Points, or the equivalent in spirit stones. No bargaining."
Li Fan instinctively reached for his storage ring, ready to pay.
But he realized he had no money on him—not even a storage ring.
"Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment."
He apologized and returned to the crowd.
Once Lu Fan finished his battle, Li Fan flew forward and explained his situation.
Lu Fan, who had just won another fight, was in high spirits and was no longer as stingy as before during their prior transactions.
He generously handed over a storage ring filled with standard spirit stones to Li Fan: "It’s just some material wealth. Fellow Daoist Jiao, take it as you need!"
After expressing his thanks, Li Fan floated back under the gaze of everyone.
Seeing this, the book-seller immediately realized he had been tricked. His face turned slightly green, and he began packing his things, ready to leave.
"You really have no business integrity at all, huh? Fellow Daoist, if you leave like this, I'll have to shout!" Li Fan transmitted a threat.
The book-seller immediately froze, looking around nervously before shuddering.
"Fine..." After hesitating for a long time, he finally pulled out a pink-glowing booklet and quietly handed it over.
Li Fan took the booklet and handed over the spirit stones.
Transaction complete, the book-seller was about to retreat when he saw that Li Fan intended to open the booklet right there.
His face turned as pale as paper, and he rushed forward, grabbing Li Fan's hands.
"Are you crazy?!"
His body trembled uncontrollably, his face filled with terror.
"It’s fine!" With a slight force, Li Fan pushed the book-seller’s hand aside and insisted on opening the pink booklet.
Beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on the book-seller’s forehead, dripping down like soybeans. Seeing that he couldn’t stop him, he looked around and realized that no one had noticed anything unusual yet.
No one paid attention to Lu Fan's duel anymore.
Every cultivator's eyes were fixed on the white pillar of light that pierced the heavens, their eyes full of reverence and envy as they stared at the blurry figure within the light. They were abuzz with excitement.
Even Lu Fan stopped fighting.
He stared dumbfounded at the pillar of light, overcome with the feeling that the person he cherished had been taken from him before his eyes.
His heart ached as if cut by a knife.
Victory, cultivation, realms...
In that instant, all these things seemed meaningless.
"Why, why..." Lu Fan muttered, utterly lost and devastated.
As the figure within the white light rose higher and higher, Lu Fan suddenly found the figure somewhat familiar.
His pupils dilated sharply, and he quickly lowered his head, scanning the surroundings.
Sure enough, "Fellow Daoist Jiao" was nowhere to be seen.
"How is this possible?" Lü Fan’s face was filled with disbelief.
"I’ve defeated over twenty Golden Core cultivators from the Five Elders Association! Did you not see that?"
"Why was he chosen, and I was ignored?"
An overwhelming surge of resentment, unwillingness, and rage erupted within Lu Fan.
"No!"
He roared and, in a frenzy, charged toward the light pillar without hesitation.
But it was useless.
Just as he was about to touch the light, he passed right through it.
The pillar of light was like an illusion, seemingly right in front of him but impossible to grasp.
With Li Fan in tow, the light pillar slowly disappeared into the heavens.
A look of despair crept into Lu Fan’s eyes.
---
"Junior Brother, you’re awake."
A crisp voice rang in his ears, and Li Fan opened his eyes.
"Cough, cough..." The sharp pain in his chest made him gasp for air.
"You’ve just joined the sect. I told you not to act on impulse, but you wouldn’t listen." A graceful figure appeared beside him, gently helping him sit up against the headboard.
"This is a medicine I prepared for you. It will help with your recovery. Drink it quickly." Concern was written all over her face as she ladled a spoonful of medicinal soup and brought it to his lips.
His mind was a blur, unable to recall anything.
Li Fan simply opened his mouth instinctively and drank the medicine.
Chapter 509
A surge of warmth rose from his abdomen, spreading through all his limbs and bones. Li Fan instantly felt much more comfortable.
Especially the injury on his chest—under the effect of this warm current, the pain miraculously eased considerably in an instant.
"Senior Sister, what kind of medicine is this? It’s so effective..." Li Fan asked instinctively.
At the same time, some fragments of memory surfaced in his mind.
He and this Senior Sister Zhao were both from Changfeng Village, Daqing Mountain, and had known each other since childhood.
Half a year ago, a group of bandits attacked Changfeng Village, brutally slaughtering most of the villagers. Only he and Senior Sister Zhao were spared, as they happened to be playing outside at the time.
When they saw the smoke rising from the village and rushed back, they stumbled upon the bandits, who were just about to retreat with their loot.
Despite her young age, Senior Sister Zhao’s breathtaking beauty caught the attention of all the bandits.
At this critical moment, an immortal master happened to pass by. Upon seeing the bloodstained scene below and the two trembling children before the bandits, the immortal master instantly understood the situation. He killed all the bandits on the spot, saving Senior Sister Zhao and Li Fan.
Moreover, the immortal master saw that Senior Sister Zhao had extraordinary talent and decided to take her back to his sect.
However, Li Fan’s aptitude seemed mediocre and didn’t catch the immortal master’s eye. It was only after Senior Sister Zhao’s earnest pleas that the immortal master reluctantly agreed to take him along.
After flying for over ten days, the immortal master brought them back to the sect. What they saw were towering mountains surrounded by clouds and mist. From time to time, they could spot immortals flying between the peaks, leaving streaks of radiant light. Amid the sea of clouds, many majestic and awe-inspiring structures stood tall, exuding a divine and sacred aura.
The celestial scene left Senior Sister Zhao and Li Fan utterly speechless. From the conversations of the immortal disciples who had brought them, Li Fan learned the name of the sect: "Grand Dao Sect".
The Grand Dao Sect had nine branches and seventy-two peaks.
The main branch was always personally passed down by the successive sect leaders, while the other eight branches were managed by various elders.
The immortal master they thought so highly of was actually only a fourth-generation disciple of the Yuehua branch of the Grand Dao Sect, named Zhang Rong, with a cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage.
Under Zhang Rong’s guidance, they naturally joined the Yuehua branch and became outer sect disciples of the Grand Dao Sect, settling at Qingning Peak.
They were given a cultivation technique called
'Taiyuan One Qi Technique'.
Zhang Rong instructed them that as long as they mastered this technique, they could successfully advance to become inner sect disciples. From then on, they wouldn’t have to toil with menial chores and could focus on their cultivation. Their status in the sect, as well as the resources they could receive each month, would be vastly different.
She had no choice but to let it go.
But now, it seemed he had finally come to his senses.
Senior Sister Zhao began to carefully explain the technique to Li Fan.
"Brilliant, brilliant! I didn’t realize this sentence could be interpreted this way. Senior Sister, you’re so smart!" Li Fan praised continuously as he listened, his eyes gleaming with admiration.
As the day grew late, Senior Sister Zhao reluctantly stopped.
"My master instructed me to return before dark, so I have to go now!" she said carefully, afraid Li Fan would be displeased.
"The master’s orders come first. Senior Sister, you should go back. You can visit again when you have time," Li Fan said, nodding without the slightest hint of displeasure.
Senior Sister Zhao softly acknowledged and was about to leave when she realized that during their conversation, Li Fan had long since loosened his grip on her hand. Yet, for some reason, she had continued holding onto him.
Her face instantly flushed with heat, and fearing that Li Fan would notice, she hurriedly bid him farewell and left in a flustered rush.
Her heart raced, but she also felt a sense of joy, her steps much lighter as she walked away.
Meanwhile, Li Fan had already put aside the ambiguous moment between them.
He was entirely immersed in the mysteries of the Taiyuan One Qi Technique.
"So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is!" With Senior Sister Zhao’s guidance, all the difficulties he had encountered in practicing the technique were now resolved.
He had fully comprehended it.
"I’m not far from building my foundation!" The spiritual energy in his body flowed without any obstruction, as if it was innate.
He couldn’t help but feel immense joy.
"If only I had asked Senior Sister for advice earlier, I wouldn’t have wasted half a year!"
"How strange, why did I feel so ‘ashamed’ before?"
Li Fan shook his head, finding his previous self somewhat unreasonable.
Chapter 510
The next day, when Senior Sister Zhao came to visit Li Fan again, she was astonished to find that he had already mastered the "Taiyuan One Qi Technique", needing only some final polishing to perfect it.
While she was genuinely happy for Li Fan, she couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of loss in her heart.
"Senior Sister, let’s spar!" Li Fan suddenly suggested.
“Huh?” Senior Sister Zhao was momentarily taken aback.
“What’s your current cultivation level?” Li Fan asked again.
“Late-stage Foundation Establishment. Why?” She hesitated for a moment but answered truthfully.
Li Fan wasn’t shocked by her rapid progress in cultivation. Instead, he applauded and praised her, "It seems Senior Brother Zhang was right. Your cultivation talent is truly rare in this world."
Hearing Li Fan’s praise, her face flushed slightly.
But then she heard him continue, "However, you can’t use your superior cultivation to bully me. When we spar, you can only use late-stage Qi Condensation strength at most!"
"Senior Sister, be careful!"
Before she could even react, Li Fan rushed toward her.
Caught off guard, Senior Sister Zhao fumbled a bit. However, being an entire major realm higher in cultivation than Li Fan, her control over spiritual energy and combat reflexes were far superior to his.
After just over ten exchanges, Li Fan was soundly defeated.
Climbing up from the ground and coughing lightly, Li Fan complimented, "Senior Sister, you’re really amazing!"
"Are you alright?" Her face was full of concern and a bit of regret. She hurried forward to check on Li Fan’s injuries.
After a thorough examination, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Let’s go again!" After resting for a bit, Li Fan said in a deep voice, and the two resumed their sparring.
With the help of Senior Sister Zhao, who was a patient sparring partner, Li Fan’s combat skills improved rapidly.
Senior Sister Zhao even taught him some techniques like "Void-Splitting Blade" and "Wind Flash", which greatly enhanced his combat capabilities.
Unfortunately, this peaceful time didn’t last long. Senior Sister Zhao, who had been spending almost all her time with Li Fan at Qingning Peak of the outer sect, was eventually discovered by her master, Zhang Wangshuang.
After a scolding, she was placed under house arrest.
Luckily, after much pleading, she was granted one last chance to see Li Fan.
Seeing the beautiful woman in front of him on the verge of tears, heartbroken, Li Fan felt a pang of regret.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.
With no lingering concerns in her heart, Senior Sister Zhao’s cultivation advanced rapidly. She had already reached the late Golden Core stage and was preparing for Formation of the Nascent Soul.
With Senior Sister Zhao’s assistance, Li Fan lacked nothing in terms of cultivation techniques or elixirs, so his progress wasn’t slow either.
He had perfected his Foundation Establishment and was now on the verge of forming his Golden Core.
As the saying goes, "Swallowing a single Golden Core can change one’s fate; my destiny is in my own hands, not the heavens." The gap between the Golden Core and Foundation Establishment stages was immense. Once crossed, it was like defying the heavens, forever altering one’s life.
Knowing that his own aptitude was limited, Li Fan anticipated that forming his Golden Core might not be easy. To be fully prepared, he decided to enter seclusion, solidifying his foundation and waiting for the right moment.
Two months later, when he finally sensed the right opportunity to form his Golden Core, a piece of news forced him to leave seclusion early.
Senior Sister Zhao’s junior apprentice brother, Jiang Ningjun, the youngest disciple of Zhang Wangshuang, secretly sent him a message.
Recently, Senior Brother Qin Shou from the 'Lianshan Lineage' had been aggressively pursuing Senior Sister Zhao.
At a young age, Qin Shou had already reached the Nascent Soul stage, and his master, Qu Hanfeng, had a close relationship with Zhang Wangshuang.
Zhang Wangshuang was also happy to see Qin Shou and Senior Sister Zhao form a Dao companion relationship.
Qin Shou was handsome and dashing, seemingly a perfect match for Senior Sister Zhao.
In just a few months of Li Fan’s absence, Qin Shou’s popularity and support within the 'Yuehua Lineage' had far surpassed Li Fan’s.
Only Jiang Ningjun, who had always had a good relationship with Li Fan, was displeased with Qin Shou’s pretentious demeanor.
That’s why, at this critical moment, he sent Li Fan a warning, informing him of the situation.
Upon hearing the news, Li Fan immediately decided to postpone forming his Golden Core.
The Golden Core could be formed at any time.
But if Senior Sister Zhao were to be stolen away, she’d be gone forever!
Even though Li Fan had great faith in Senior Sister Zhao, he knew life was unpredictable.
And he was well aware that his smooth journey in cultivation thus far was thanks to her help.
"Anyone who dares to take away my soft meal is blocking my path to the Dao!" [1]
"I don’t care who you are, we will fight to the death!" A cold glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
1. Soft meal/rice (chī ruǎn fàn) also has another meaning of, man who lives off a woman.
Chapter 511
When Li Fan found Senior Sister Zhao, she was watching Qin Shou spar with the other disciples of the Yuehua lineage.
This Senior Brother Qin's cultivation was indeed exceptional, using his earthy yellow divine light skillfully for both attack and defense.
Despite being only at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, he effortlessly fought against Nascent Soul peak cultivators.
His spiritual energy flowed smoothly, and he battled for hours without showing any sign of fatigue.
He had sparred against many disciples of Zhang Wangshuang’s sect, yet not a single one could defeat him.
Qin Shou, however, was respectful to Zhang Wangshuang. Each match either ended in a draw or in a hard-fought victory, never overwhelming his opponent.
Though Senior Sister Zhao's fellow disciples had been defeated, they bore no ill will toward Qin Shou. On the contrary, they admired his demeanor and how he carried himself.
Even Senior Sister Zhao herself, watching Qin Shou’s graceful demeanor, couldn’t help but have a sparkle in her eyes.
Li Fan, observing from afar, quietly cursed in his heart, "Luckily, I came just in time, or someone would’ve stolen my thunder."
Without making a scene, he calmly approached Senior Sister and gently held her delicate hand.
Senior Sister was momentarily stunned, but when she saw that it was Li Fan, she did not pull away.
"Is this the famous Senior Brother Qin of the Lianshan lineage? He’s truly formidable! I wonder when I’ll be able to match his prowess," Li Fan said with a hint of admiration in his tone.
Senior Sister Zhao, having initially been worried that Li Fan might get jealous after hearing rumors, realized now that her concerns had been unnecessary.
Strangely, alongside a sense of relief, she also felt a tinge of disappointment.
However, she didn’t show it and instead smiled gently, comforting Li Fan, "Junior Brother, your dedication to cultivation is rare in the world. Catching up to Senior Brother Qin isn’t out of reach for you."
Li Fan didn’t respond but shook his head slightly, letting out a quiet sigh.
Noticing this, Senior Sister Zhao grew concerned and quickly sent him a message through their telepathic connection, "What’s wrong? Did you encounter any trouble during your recent closed-door training?"
Li Fan finally spoke slowly, "Originally, during my seclusion, I intended to break through to the Golden Core stage in one go. But each time the thought crossed my mind, a strong warning would surge in my heart, as if a great disaster awaited me if I proceeded."
Hearing this, Senior Sister Zhao furrowed her brows. After a moment of contemplation, her expression relaxed as she reassured him again, "You can’t force the formation of a Golden Core. If your intuition is warning you, it must mean the time isn’t right yet."
"Yes, I think so too," Li Fan nodded.
Li Fan was adamant, "My instincts are rarely wrong. Remember when we were in Daqing Mountain? On the day the bandits attacked the village, I felt uneasy, and you accompanied me outside to relax. That’s how we avoided the disaster."
"This time, the feeling is exactly the same."
Hearing this, Senior Sister Zhao became more convinced.
"What do you plan to do?"
Li Fan sneered, "We lure the snake out of its hole."
The next morning, as the two prepared to set out, they quarreled over a trivial matter.
Their argument was fierce, and Senior Sister Zhao even hurled hurtful words like, "You wouldn’t be where you are today without me! And now you’re showing me attitude?"
Li Fan's face darkened as he stormed off, entering the ruins alone.
In her anger, Senior Sister Zhao didn’t immediately follow.
At that moment, a small, inconspicuous insect quietly trailed after Li Fan into the ruins.
As Li Fan battled a beast within the ruins, a sword light slashed out from the shadows, attempting to kill him on the spot.
At the critical moment, a cold moonlight radiated from Li Fan's body.
Within the faint light, the graceful silhouette of Senior Sister Zhao could be vaguely seen.
However, the beautiful figure now bore a chilling killing intent.
In the explosion that followed, Qin Shou was forced to reveal himself.
"Senior Brother Qin, it’s really you?!" The real Senior Sister Zhao and her moonlight avatar surrounded Qin Shou, shock and disbelief on her face.
"It’s a grave offense for fellow disciples to harm one another! Why would you do this, Senior Brother?"
Now that he had been exposed, Qin Shou dropped all pretenses.
He spewed vulgar words and stared lecherously at Senior Sister Zhao, no longer bothering to hide his lustful intent.
Chapter 512
“After I torture your little lover to death, I’ll slowly deal with you!”
“With the Moonlight Physique as a furnace, it will surely help me ascend to the Soul Transformation stage!”
Revealing his true face, Qin Shou launched an attack on Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao.
Senior Sister Zhao, though at the peak of the Golden Core stage and a prodigious talent, had no trouble dealing with ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators.
However, faced with a genius like Qin Shou, she was clearly struggling.
Li Fan was more of a burden in this situation.
Every one of Qin Shou's strikes targeted Li Fan, hiding behind Senior Sister Zhao. Already strained, Zhao had to hurriedly defend in order to protect her lover’s life.
Seeing that they were about to be defeated, Senior Sister Zhao and Li Fan had no choice but to rely on a magical artifact granted by their master, fighting while retreating into the depths of the ruins.
Using the hidden traps and strange beasts within the ruins, they temporarily managed to shake off Qin Shou.
Unable to find them, Qin Shou set up a formation outside the ruins, vowing to capture them alive within it.
“This is the Central Void Formation. Once it's complete, we’ll have no chance of escape,” Senior Sister Zhao said, a trace of resolve flashing in her eyes.
“In a moment, I’ll go out and fight him to the death. You must escape and return to the sect. Reveal his true nature to our master.”
She drew her sword and was about to fly out when she suddenly noticed that the Heavenly Guide, a treasure from their master, was glowing once again.
“Wait, Senior Sister! It seems there’s still a way out!” Li Fan called out excitedly.
Following the light from the Heavenly Guide, the two of them found a secret chamber deep within the ruins.
Inside the chamber, there was a bizarrely large skeleton, several times the size of an ordinary human, with more than a thousand bones.
Though the bones appeared intact, there was a subtle sense of discord, as if they had come from different individuals.
Beside the skeleton, Li Fan found a storage ring.
Inside the ring, aside from a unique token inscribed with the word "Xuan", there were several cultivation manuals.
“Heaven and Earth Converging Manual, Eternal Dominance Art...” Li Fan skimmed through the books, a glint of joy in his eyes.
“Senior Sister, look! This Heaven and Earth Converging Manual is a rare dual cultivation technique. According to its description, both parties will experience significant improvements after their first practice session. If we cultivate together, we might both break through...” Li Fan rambled on, but suddenly noticed that Senior Sister Zhao’s expression had darkened.
“Senior Sister Zhao, what’s wrong?” Li Fan asked, puzzled.
“This place must be a stronghold of the Xuantian Sect,” Senior Sister Zhao said gravely, staring at the enormous skeleton. “And this person was likely one of their so-called ‘Heavenly Kings’.”
“Xuantian Sect?” Li Fan frowned. “I’ve never heard of them. Why does it matter?”
“Hahaha, it’s all thanks to you!”
“At the brink of death, we found a dual cultivation technique inside the ruins.”
“You do know what dual cultivation means, don’t you, Senior Brother?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk...”
“If it weren’t for you, I might’ve waited forever to fulfill my wish!”
Li Fan continued to mock Qin Shou, further unbalancing his mind.
As the two coordinated their attacks perfectly, Qin Shou couldn’t accept what he was seeing.
“You... deserve to die!”
Driven to madness, Qin Shou launched a suicidal assault on them.
Though initially overwhelmed, Senior Sister Zhao and Li Fan gradually adapted to his frenzied attacks.
Eventually, the balance shifted in their favor.
Realizing his injuries were severe and escape impossible, Qin Shou was filled with despair.
“Curse you both!”
With a venomous gaze, Qin Shou’s head was severed by Senior Sister Zhao’s sword, his eyes remaining wide in death.
Seeing their enemy defeated, Li Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“I was only trying to provoke him earlier. If my words offended you, please forgive me, Senior Sister,” Li Fan said apologetically.
“We’re already like husband and wife. No need for such formalities,” Senior Sister Zhao replied, frowning slightly.
Li Fan slapped his forehead. “How foolish of me!”
After cleaning up the scene, the two of them returned to the secret chamber.
Exhausted, Li Fan held Senior Sister Zhao and fell into a deep sleep.
When they woke, they hesitated before deciding to abandon the 'Heaven and Earth Converging Manual'.
There were many other dual cultivation techniques; they didn’t need to stick to this one.
However, after a few attempts, they exchanged glances, their expressions slightly uneasy.
Chapter 513
In less than a day, the power of the Heaven and Earth Converging Manual had already become as if it were innate, deeply ingrained in the marrow.
It fused completely with his cultivation power, becoming inseparable.
It felt like the original technique that his cultivation had always drawn from. If it were forcibly removed, losing several realms of power would be a mild consequence. There was a great possibility it would damage his Dao Foundation, leaving him forever cut off from the path of cultivation.
“This...” Li Fan sat cross-legged on the ground, trying for a long time, but in the end, he gave up dejectedly, his expression dark.
Senior Sister Zhao furrowed her brows slightly and said, “The demonic arts of the Xuantian Sect are indeed strange. It seems that we cannot easily rid ourselves of it right now.”
“It is said that the 'Original Scripture of the Taishang Sect' allows cultivators to freely change their cultivation methods. If we are fortunate enough to view it, we might be able to abolish this Heaven and Earth Converging Manual.”
“The 'Original Scripture of the Taishang Sect'?” Li Fan frowned slightly. Although he had never heard of this technique before, for some reason, he felt a vague sense of familiarity.
Senior Sister Zhao shook her head, abandoning this unrealistic fantasy, “Unfortunately, like our sect's 'Heaven-Slaying Dao Scripture', it’s a sect-guarding secret, a mystery not passed down.”
“Only the direct line of the sect leader can cultivate it within our sect. As for us outsiders, there's no chance at all.”
Seeing Senior Sister Zhao looking troubled, Li Fan pulled her into his arms and gently comforted her, “Things have come to this; we can only take one step at a time.”
“The Xuantian Sect has been extinct for a long time, and the 'Heaven and Earth Dual Converging Manual' is merely a dual cultivation method. I doubt the elders of the sect will notice anything strange.”
Although Senior Sister Zhao nodded in agreement, the worry in her eyes remained.
The two of them rested in the secret chamber of the ruins for half a month. During this time, they used the power of dual cultivation to fully stabilize their cultivation realms.
Only then did they set off to return to the Grand Dao Sect.
Before leaving, Senior Sister Zhao destroyed the ruins with her sword light, completely obliterating the site.
Upon returning to the sect, the shattering of Qin Shou’s life lamp had already caused a great uproar.
After a secret discussion, Senior Sister Zhao and Li Fan concluded that they couldn’t hide the truth.
They decided to face their master together and confessed that Qin Shou had secretly followed them with malicious intent, and they had ultimately joined forces to kill him.
They left out certain details, avoiding any mention of the Xuantian Sect.
They only said that they had made a breakthrough in the face of life and death, which allowed them to successfully counterattack and kill him.
Master Zhang Wanshuang, however, seemed to have known this all along and was not too surprised.
The two of them got punished with ten years of confinement, placing them under protective custody in the back mountain.
Ten years passed in a flash.
First, they feared their secret practice of Xuantian Sect’s arts would be discovered.
Second, they feared that the Heaven and Earth Converging Manual was so strange that they might be controlled by it for the rest of their lives.
Both of them were proud individuals, unable to bear such a fate.
In the final period, they ceased cultivation altogether, choosing instead to live simply, like a mortal couple, and devoted their time to researching a way to break free from the technique.
“The heavens give birth to all things, and so there is the concept of the Heavenly Father and Earthly Mother in the world. Every living being in this world is born with a 'Mark' left by Heaven and Earth.”
“It is said that the Xuantian Sect stole the authority of Heaven, controlling the power to bestow and change such 'Marks'.”
“Even an ordinary person, once bestowed by the Xuantian Sect, could become like us cultivators.”
“Furthermore, it is rumored that the Kings of the Xuantian Sect possessed a 'Longevity accomplished Position'. Whoever obtained it could achieve eternal life and live as long as Heaven and Earth.”
Senior Sister Zhao shared with Li Fan the secrets she had heard from various places.
“Achieving eternal life...” A strange glint flickered in Li Fan’s eyes.
“Senior Sister, are you suggesting that the Xuantian Sect’s techniques also carry this 'Mark' ability?”
Senior Sister Zhao sighed softly, “It’s just my speculation. The remnants of the Xuantian Sect’s teachings are scattered fragments, but even from those, one can sense how terrifying the sect was in its prime. Its laws were strict like divine edicts, suppressing all beneath Heaven, with none daring to defy them.”
“Though it is now but a ghost of its former self, breaking free from it won’t be easy.”
Li Fan held Senior Sister Zhao’s hand, his gaze firm. “Don’t worry, we will definitely overcome this.”
Time flew by, and soon their ten-year confinement was over.
The sealed doors opened with a rumble, and with nervous hearts, they walked out of the confinement chamber.
They had been worried that their rapid progress over the ten years would arouse suspicion.
However, upon returning to the sect, they were shocked to find that their progress now paled in comparison to others.
It turned out that in the second year of their confinement, a so-called "New Method" had quietly begun to spread.
Absorbing the spirit of Heaven and Earth, borrowing the wonders of Heaven, peering into the laws of Heaven...
Even defying the principles of Heaven.
Unlike the current method of sensing the Heavenly Dao and cultivating in harmony with it, this method involved seizing from Heaven and Earth, using any means necessary.
But its actual results far surpassed the current cultivation methods.
Chapter 514
At the very beginning, the elders of the sect regarded the "new method" as a shortcut, a lesser path, and dismissed it with disdain.
However, as some disciples secretly practiced it in the shadows, their progress accelerated rapidly.
Soon, disciples began to surpass their masters in cultivation in a very short period.
As a result, the situation started to change.
Seeing the disciples below them making tremendous strides in their cultivation, the elders of the Grand Dao Sect started to feel uneasy.
Even though the Grand Dao Sect still placed great importance on the hierarchy of positions and seniority, the rule of the cultivation world since time immemorial—survival of the fittest—was hard to change.
In the past, the elders relied on their cultivation and status to firmly control the power of the sect. But now, they were still in their prime, yet they could see their disciples catching up with them in cultivation, or even surpassing them.
With their ruling positions under threat, how could they remain indifferent?
Thus, the upper echelons of the elders split into two factions.
One faction believed that the "new method" was a force that seized from heaven and earth, progressing rapidly but deviating from the true path. Over time, it would cause irreversible damage to the world and must be completely banned.
The other faction argued that the heavens and earth were vast and boundless, essentially inexhaustible. Although cultivators might endlessly plunder the world for their own cultivation during their lifetime, not everyone could reach the realm of eternal life. Once they perished, everything they had taken would return to the world.
Therefore, there was no need to worry excessively about this.
At present, the "new method" was spreading across the world, and many scattered rogue cultivators had risen because of it. Even disciples from other sects had been practicing it, gaining significant strength in the process.
If the Grand Dao Sect refused to adopt the new method, it would inevitably fall behind.
Both factions had their reasons, and neither was willing to yield. However, as those supporting the new method secretly cultivated and improved their strength, they gradually gained the upper hand in this internal struggle.
...
When Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao emerged from their retreat, they witnessed this chaotic scene.
"Defying the laws of heaven and earth?" Senior Sister Zhao muttered under her breath, a strange light flickering in her eyes.
As for Li Fan, while he felt an intense longing for the new method, he was also inexplicably filled with dread.
It was as if this new method contained some great catastrophe.
"No matter what, the peculiarities in our cultivation of the 'Heaven and Earth Converging Manual' should go unnoticed," Li Fan said.
"Senior Sister, what do you think of this so-called 'new method'?"
Senior Sister Zhao chuckled softly. "Just a trick. No matter how fast it is, can it be faster than our dual cultivation method?"
"Still, it might serve as a good cover."
The rapid rise of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was largely thanks to the so-called "Dao transmitters". These individuals were fiercely loyal to the Dao Transmission Immortal Ancestor, following his lead without question.
If the 'Immortal Ancestor' could be killed, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would lose its spiritual leader and collapse from within.
The Immortal Ancestor was merely at the Dao Integration stage, while the Ten Great Immortal Sects had several Longevity-stage experts among them.
As long as they could find him, the decapitation plan could be executed, ending the stalemate.
The Ten Great Immortal Sects reached an agreement and dispatched their strongest experts to form a small task force, vowing to assassinate the Immortal Ancestor.
However, because the Immortal Ancestor was as elusive as a dragon, constantly moving, the sects also sent elite disciples to scour the world for any trace of him.
Naturally, Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao were among those sent on this mission.
This search took over twenty years.
Thanks to the aid of dual cultivation, Senior Sister Zhao had successfully advanced to the Soul Transformation stage, while Li Fan, though slightly slower, had also reached the Nascent Soul stage.
They traveled all across the Xuanhuang Realm, slaying countless rogue cultivators.
But they still hadn't found any trace of the Immortal Ancestor.
"Senior Sister, what do you think of this Dao Transmission Immortal Ancestor?" Li Fan asked.
"The Dao Transmission Immortal Ancestor..." Senior Sister Zhao pondered for a moment before shaking her head slightly.
"I don't know."
Li Fan was taken aback.
Then Senior Sister Zhao continued, "To single-handedly overturn the entire structure of the cultivation world—there has never been such a monstrous figure in the Xuanhuang Realm in millennia."
"But all the information about him is based on rumors. Who he truly is and why he is doing this remain mysteries."
"Perhaps only by seeing him in person will we get our answers."
"I wonder if the other brothers and sisters have had any luck."
...
Just as the two were chatting, they suddenly received a message from the sect.
After reading it, their expressions became quite colorful.
It turned out that the "Assassination plan," which had been going on for over twenty years without any progress, had been canceled.
Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao exchanged a glance, knowing that something significant must have happened.
Chapter 515
Rushing back to the sect after a long and exhausting journey, Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao were utterly shocked by the sight that greeted them.
The sect was draped in white mourning cloth, and the disciples were all filled with grief.
After quickly inquiring, they finally learned what had transpired.
The sect master of the Grand Dao Sect, Fang Dingge, a powerful cultivator at the Longevity Realm, had fallen.
Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao were both deeply shaken and filled with countless questions.
The Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign was considered the strongest in this world. As the leader of one of the ten great immortal sects, Fang Dingge's cultivation had reached unfathomable depths, his power almost godlike.
Even among the Longevity Sovereigns, he was a prominent figure.
How could such a person fall so suddenly?
As they delved deeper into the matter, it only grew more bizarre and mysterious.
Not only was the cause of Fang Dingge's death unknown, but even his body was missing.
Rather than "fallen," it seemed more like...
He had vanished.
However, the shattered remains of his life lantern within the sect stood as irrefutable proof that this Longevity Sovereign had indeed passed away.
No matter how many doubts or regrets they harbored, they could not change this fact.
In fact, the public announcement of the sect master’s death had only been made after intense deliberation among the elders of the sect.
This was too significant to keep secret, even if they had wanted to.
After all, Fang Dingge wasn't the only Longevity Sovereign to have fallen.
The Taishang, Heavenly Sword, Du'e, and Beast Taming sects...
It was rumored that each of these sects had also lost their Longevity Sovereigns.
This news was terrifying.
Though the ten great immortal sects tried to seal off this information, it quickly spread.
How could so many Longevity Sovereigns fall at once?
Who could have done this?
Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao immediately thought of the mysterious figure known as the 'Immortal Ancestor'.
After all, these fallen Longevity Sovereigns were precisely the ones who, over twenty years ago, had vowed to unite and kill the Immortal Ancestor.
After the mourning ceremonies were completed, the Grand Dao Sect fell into a power struggle for the position of sect master.
The suddenness of the event meant that even Fang Dingge himself had not foreseen his disappearance, and thus, no successor had been chosen.
Fang Dingge's direct disciple was only at the Soul Transformation stage, far from qualified to take on the responsibility of sect master.
When the two remaining Longevity Sovereigns within the sect declared that they had no interest in the position, the other elders began to eye the position greedily.
A power struggle was inevitable.
Senior Sister Zhao’s master, Zhang Wangshuang, had already broken through to the Dao Integration stage in recent years. Naturally, he had ambitions for the position of sect master.
Power struggles are often brutal.
A year later, the dust settled.
Due to a lack of sufficient backing within the sect, Zhang Wangshuang was regretfully defeated.
The position of Grand Dao Sect master was inherited by Ji Changxi from the Tianchen lineage.
Although the internal strife did not result in deaths, it greatly weakened the sect.
After becoming sect master, Ji Changxi didn’t implement any drastic reforms. Instead, he focused on recovery and regrowth.
In response to the dwindling number of disciples, he issued a decree relaxing the requirements for outer disciples to advance. He also instituted a sect-wide competition every three years, making the cultivation and performance of disciples a critical factor.
Under these circumstances, Senior Sister Zhao, who consistently performed well in these competitions, became the brightest star among the younger generation of Grand Dao Sect disciples.
In contrast, Li Fan, who had more defeats than victories, became increasingly ordinary.
The most beautiful gem should belong to the strongest hero.
Li Fan’s lackluster performance, combined with his constant presence at Senior Sister Zhao's side, caused dissatisfaction among some disciples.
Many young talents began to ignore Li Fan and pursued Senior Sister Zhao fervently.
Even Zhang Wangshuang, who had once been somewhat supportive of Li Fan, began to change his attitude.
Sensing the impending crisis, Li Fan made a decisive move.
On a sunny afternoon, he proposed to Senior Sister Zhao.
There were no precious treasures or rare artifacts.
He simply looked into her eyes and said, "Senior Sister, be my Dao companion. From now on, let’s walk the path of immortality together."
Without a moment's hesitation, Senior Sister Zhao agreed.
Chapter 516
In the face of nearly unanimous opposition from the entire sect, Senior Sister Zhao resolutely decided to marry Li Fan.
The wedding was very simple, even somewhat crude.
But her master, Zhang Wangshuang, still attended. He looked at the newlyweds below and sighed softly, a faint smile reluctantly appearing on his face.
That night, countless heartbroken disciples of the Grand Dao Sect drank themselves into oblivion, with many fights breaking out as a result.
It is worth mentioning that the reason why so many young disciples of the Grand Dao Sect were infatuated with Senior Sister Zhao was not only due to her unmatched beauty and strength among her peers.
More importantly, after practicing the "Heaven and Earth Converging Manual," Senior Sister Zhao inadvertently exuded an irresistible feminine allure that was almost impossible to withstand.
Furthermore, in the eyes of outsiders, Senior Sister Zhao's primordial yin remained intact, giving the impression that she was still a virgin.
Thus, even though she had always been close to Li Fan, she still attracted countless suitors who pursued her tirelessly.
After the wedding, following a reminder from Li Fan, Senior Sister Zhao dispelled her disguise.
Many hearts were broken again, yet there were still a few hopeless romantics who refused to give up.
Because after shedding her youthful aura, her mature charm was even more enticing, making her even harder to resist.
Fortunately, Senior Sister Zhao was utterly devoted to Li Fan, which eased some of the pressure on him.
However, whether for the sake of longevity or to protect Senior Sister Zhao, Li Fan became even more diligent in his cultivation from then on.
With no shortage of spirit stones and pills, combined with the dual cultivation of the "Heaven and Earth Converging Manual," Li Fan's cultivation level increased day by day.
In the blink of an eye, thirteen years had passed.
On this day, a heavenly phenomenon occurred.
All living beings in the Xuanhuang Realm saw an elderly man with a kind face and a high crown, standing tall and holding up the sky with his hands.
The phenomenon did not last long.
But in the hearts of all cultivators, a complex and indescribable emotion surged—grief, confusion, anger—all these emotions intertwined, creating a mix of feelings.
After the image of the elder disappeared, all cultivators gradually understood.
Today, the Immortal Ancestor had achieved eternal longevity.
From this day forth, he was to be revered as the "Immortal Ancestor of Dao Transmission."
He single-handedly altered the cultivation path of the world. From now on, cultivators could only practice the method of seizing the heavens and the earth that he had established.
Although many years had passed, and most cultivators had already adopted the new method, there were still some who clung desperately to the old "Heaven-Man Unity" cultivation path.
Now, he had cut off the old path entirely.
Some of the "old antiques," as these ancient cultivators were mockingly called, committed suicide in despair.
Others left in anger, disappearing from the world.
If nothing unexpected happened, in a few years, once the current sect leader passed, she would be the next in line to become the sect leader of the Grand Dao Sect.
Senior Sister Zhao was filled with excitement, and Li Fan was genuinely happy for her.
But their joy was short-lived.
One day, the long-forgotten cataclysmic change in heaven and earth suddenly arrived.
It came so unexpectedly, so incomprehensibly, and so unacceptably for cultivators.
All the preparation they had done over the years turned out to be a joke.
Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao were the first to sense the anomaly during their dual cultivation.
"Hmm?"
After one of their usual intense dual cultivation sessions, Li Fan voiced his confusion.
"What is it?"
Senior Sister Zhao, still not fully recovered from the blissful experience, asked curiously.
"Why does it feel like the effect of this dual cultivation session wasn't as good?"
Li Fan furrowed his brows.
"Could it be another bottleneck?"
After reaching the Dao Integration stage, the improvement from dual cultivation had become less noticeable, so Senior Sister Zhao hadn’t initially noticed anything wrong.
But after Li Fan's reminder, she checked and her expression subtly changed.
"There's no bottleneck, but the effectiveness has significantly diminished."
"Let's try again."
Li Fan nodded in agreement.
After a long while.
Li Fan's expression grew heavy. "Why has it suddenly stopped working?"
"Could it be that the 'Heaven and Earth Converging Manual'..."
Before he could finish, they suddenly heard a commotion and uproar outside.
"It's not just dual cultivation techniques—it's all cultivation methods..."
"They've all malfunctioned!"
Senior Sister Zhao finally realized what was happening, her face turning pale as she stood up abruptly.
Chapter 517
Senior Sister Zhao's reminder made Li Fan's heart skip a beat, and he quickly attempted to activate the cultivation technique he had been practicing, "The Nine Revolutions of the Void Truth".
This technique, "The Nine Revolutions of the Void Truth", was what he had switched to after advancing to the Soul Transformation realm.
Although its power couldn't compare to the "Heaven-Slaying Dao Scripture", it was still highly formidable.
It directly pointed toward the Longevity Realm and could be considered a supreme method.
The nine revolutions of the void involved understanding oneself thoroughly with each revolution, gaining insight into a unique divine ability. In any other sect, this would be regarded as a treasured legacy, reserved only for elders or a few core disciples.
Li Fan had only been given the opportunity to cultivate this technique because he had benefited from Senior Sister Zhao's promotion to Dao Child.
However, at this moment...
After circulating the technique for several cycles, not only did his cultivation fail to increase, but he also vaguely sensed the locations of a few fellow disciples who were cultivating the same technique.
Moreover, the more he focused on sensing, the more an uncontrollable murderous intent surged in his heart.
"What is going on?!" Li Fan was both shocked and terrified, his face instantly darkening.
"Multiple people cannot cultivate the same technique... this is the backlash of heaven and earth..." Senior Sister Zhao looked up at the sky and muttered to herself. "I never expected the calamity I foresaw to manifest in this way."
"Multiple people cannot cultivate the same technique."
Hearing these words made Li Fan's heart race. As he pondered the situation, he seemed to envision an inevitable, unstoppable bloodbath sweeping across the cultivation world.
Since embarking on his path of cultivation, he had never felt such bone-deep fear.
But Li Fan was now a Soul Transformation cultivator, a prominent figure in the outside world. Though alarmed, he didn't panic. He paced back and forth in the room, frowning as he pondered the situation.
"The Heaven and Earth Converging Manual" was cultivated only by you and me. Although its effectiveness has been greatly reduced, it's not entirely ineffective."
"So, does this mean the more people cultivate the same technique, the stronger the limitations?"
"It's almost certain that this strange phenomenon will have devastating effects on every sect in the world. Tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of disciples—where would they find so many techniques for all their members to practice?"
"Even the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance won't fare well. In fact, they might suffer even more than we do! After all, they are a newly established organization, unlike our Ten Great Immortal Sects with deep foundations. Their number of techniques is limited, and it's said that most of their lower-level members cultivate the [Heavenly Net Divine Art]." A shadow flickered in Li Fan's eyes.
...
As orders were issued, the disciples' panic gradually subsided.
The Ten Great Immortal Sects had stood for thousands of years. They should be able to find a way to respond, right?
Most disciples thought so.
Three years passed in this oppressive atmosphere.
Despite various attempts by cultivators, no solution to the issue of 'multiple people cultivating the same technique' had been found.
In fact, rumors began circulating about sects large and small fighting to the death over techniques, leading to the destruction of countless sects.
The only good news was that the mysterious 'Immortal Ancestor of Dao Transmission' had suddenly appeared.
He forcibly broke into the 'Taishang Sect' and obtained the 'Art of Dissolving Cultivation' from the 'Primordial Scripture of Taishang' for all cultivators.
With this wonderful technique, even if someone was forced to abandon their cultivation method, they wouldn't lose much of their power.
"I have to admit, I'm a little grateful to him," Li Fan said as he circulated the 'The Soul-Severing Divine Radiance Technique,' feeling his pure cultivation rapidly improving.
"Hmph, grateful to him? If it weren't for his introduction of the new methods, where would this heaven and earth backlash and great calamity come from? His intentions are vile and he deserves to die!" Senior Sister Zhao snorted coldly.
"According to the sect master, when he first began spreading the new methods, the Ten Great Immortal Sects investigated his background."
"Unfortunately, they couldn't find anything suspicious."
"They were too arrogant at the time, not taking him seriously. And there were..."
"And there were other matters to attend to, so they simply overlooked him."
"By the time they realized, the new methods had spread like wildfire, unstoppable!"
"Damn him!"
Having also switched techniques, Senior Sister Zhao spoke coldly, a hint of killing intent flashing in her eyes.
Chapter 518
Li Fan noticed the deliberate omission in Senior Sister Zhao's words, and a thought crossed his mind.
However, he did not pursue it further.
Although they were Dao companions, she, being the Dao Child of the Grand Dao Sect, was destined to come into contact with highly classified secrets. It was natural for her not to reveal everything.
"Regardless, the act of seizing and publishing the 'Primordial Scripture of Taishang' indirectly saved countless cultivators. It could be considered a great merit," Li Fan sighed.
Suddenly, as if a thought struck him, Li Fan froze slightly.
"What's the matter?" Senior Sister Zhao noticed his unusual behavior and asked, a bit surprised.
"The logic against heaven..." Li Fan turned his head, staring directly at Senior Sister Zhao.
"Isn't it the natural law that one cannot cultivate multiple techniques at once? But if there is a cultivator who reverses this law and achieves eternal Dao, wouldn't that mean the Xuanhuang Realm could be saved?"
Senior Sister Zhao was silent for a moment, then gently shook her head. "You're not wrong, several seniors did try to do this."
"But without exception, all of them failed."
"The stronger the law of heaven, the harder it is to reverse. The law against cultivating multiple techniques is something the heavens imposed to counterbalance us cultivators, a natural alteration."
"If you think deeply, this law was already reversed once. To reverse it again... the difficulty is far more than doubled."
"Otherwise, why do you think the countless geniuses within the Ten Great Immortal Sects haven't attempted to defy the Dao of Transmission of the Immortal Ancestor, completely eradicating the foundation of the new methods?"
Senior Sister Zhao explained to Li Fan.
Li Fan pondered the meaning behind her words, sinking into deep thought.
After three years of chaos, cultivators seemed to have gradually adapted to a life where they could no longer cultivate multiple techniques.
It was simply that their cultivation realms could no longer advance. However, this allowed them to avoid the daily grind of cultivation and instead idly wandered around the sect, enjoying leisurely days.
Life was not too bad.
As for those with exceptional talent, they were arranged by the sect elders to practice one technique alone.
Senior Sister Zhao was no exception.
The technique she was cultivating now, 'The Eternal Scripture of Impermanence', although not as powerful as Heaven-Slaying Dao Scripture, was still sufficient for her to cultivate to the Longevity Realm.
However, with her lofty aspirations, Senior Sister Zhao would not be content with mediocrity.
Ji Changxi did not stop them.
With these unstable elements gone, the Grand Dao Sect returned to peace.
Yet, it was clear to any discerning person that beneath this calm surface, a terrifying storm was brewing, ready to explode at any moment.
Just half a year later, some of the disciples who had left returned to the sect in tears, begging for the Sect Master to let them come back.
When they returned and recounted the situation outside, the surviving cultivators in the sect realized how lucky they were.
Due to the inability to cultivate multiple techniques, the outside world had turned into a horrific slaughterhouse.
The former peace had completely disappeared.
Walking on the road, one could be randomly attacked by a cultivator intent on fighting to the death, all for the possibility of gaining a technique.
The disciples who left the sect had abolished their techniques and only had a few magical tools for protection. How could they survive such chaos?
Severely injured, those who returned alive were the lucky ones.
These people had lost their courage and no longer mentioned cultivation, simply waiting for death within the sect.
The remaining disciples of the Grand Dao Sect also felt a deep sense of foreboding.
They no longer mentioned leaving.
On this day.
"Senior Sister, have you noticed anything strange?" Li Fan found Senior Sister Zhao, his expression serious.
"Hmm? Is there something wrong with the cultivation technique?" Senior Sister Zhao was unusually distracted.
It took her a long while to respond, frowning.
"Why do I see many disciples coughing?" Li Fan noticed her strange behavior, but his eyes flashed, and he didn’t ask more.
Instead, he mentioned the bizarre phenomenon he had observed.
"Coughing? Impossible. Even though they abolished their techniques, their cultivation realms are still intact. How could cultivators fall ill like mortals?"
As she said this, Senior Sister Zhao extended her divine sense outward.
Upon seeing the situation, her expression changed dramatically.
Without a word to Li Fan, she flew out to find a sickly disciple.
Chapter 519
Li Fan saw that something was wrong and hurriedly followed.
Sister Zhao stood some distance away, her expression grave as she inspected the state of the cultivator before her.
“Cough, cough...” This disciple of the Grand Dao Sect was stuck at the Nascent Soul stage, but at this moment, he looked no different from a dying mortal, his eyes hollow, his consciousness muddled, his breath as faint as a wisp.
He coughed violently from time to time, as if he were about to cough his lungs out.
A trace of deathly grayness was faintly visible on his face, and his body appeared weak beyond belief, completely unfit for someone at the Nascent Soul stage.
Li Fan felt a chill run down his spine.
Just a moment ago, this cultivator didn’t seem this severe. In the short time it took to find Sister Zhao, the situation had worsened dramatically.
“Could it be some kind of evil curse?” Li Fan squinted, trying to analyze the situation.
“Cough... Dao Child?” In his confusion, the cultivator recognized the two standing before him. He instinctively struggled to stand and offer a salute.
“No need, if you’re feeling unwell, don’t move. Rest well,” Sister Zhao stopped him, speaking gently.
“Ugh...” This disciple of the Grand Dao Sect had never seen Sister Zhao display such warmth and gentleness in his entire life.
For a moment, his face regained a slight glow, as if he had experienced a brief resurgence of life. He stared at Sister Zhao, filled with infatuation, as if his soul had been captivated.
“After you descended the mountain, where did you go? What encounters did you have, and whom did you meet?” Sister Zhao asked again.
Despite his failing body, the cultivator, coughing and gasping for breath, struggled to recount everything to her in meticulous detail.
Gradually, his breath weakened.
But seeing Sister Zhao’s eager expression, he persevered, speaking in halting, broken sentences.
Finally, when he uttered his last word, his breath ceased abruptly.
Yet his eyes remained open, staring at Sister Zhao with an unyielding, reluctant gaze.
“Let’s go!” Sister Zhao quickly grabbed Li Fan and swiftly left the scene.
At the same time, she handed him a purple-gold pill, instructing him to swallow it.
“The Creation Purple-Gold Pill?” Li Fan was shocked.
“Don’t let your guard down. This only suppressed the symptoms temporarily. The true culprit causing all this still remains inside us,” Sister Zhao reminded him at the right moment.
As if to validate her words, she quickly coughed again, though softly.
Even though the Creation Purple-Gold Pill soon neutralized the illness, it made Li Fan’s heart sink further.
They had miraculous pills to protect them, yet they still couldn’t shake off this mysterious disease. How much worse would it be for the ordinary disciples of the Grand Dao Sect, not to mention unaffiliated cultivators?
It was unimaginable.
The two fought off the illness as they swiftly arrived at the sect’s main hall.
There, the sect leader, Ji Changxi, having received Sister Zhao’s message in advance, had already gathered all the elders.
Though Sister Zhao had done her best to explain the severity of the disease, Ji Changxi and the elders gave it proper attention.
But...
It wasn’t enough.
In their eyes, although Sister Zhao had recently broken through to the Dao Integration stage thanks to a new cultivation method, she couldn’t be compared to them, who had been at the Dao Integration stage for centuries.
They possessed countless secret techniques and methods. What could harm this young Dao child might not necessarily harm them.
Besides, they believed they were fully prepared.
The space within the main hall was surrounded by numerous restrictive spells, layers upon layers of sealing barriers.
They had even activated the [Profound Abyss Dao Breakthrough Formation], which seemed close but was actually separated by several worlds.
It was absolutely secure, and they were completely confident.
“You two, stop suppressing the disease and each release a drop of your own blood,” Ji Changxi instructed.
Li Fan and Sister Zhao obeyed.
With soft coughs, two droplets of blood, each exuding an ominous aura, floated before the crowd.
Everyone observed from a distance, and the hall fell into silence.
Suddenly, a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of surprise crossed Ji Changxi’s face.
Chapter 520
Without knowing exactly what he had discovered, he suddenly took out Senior Sister Zhao's drop of blood from the isolated space and began to carefully examine it nearby.
"Master, you—!" Senior Sister Zhao couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"No worries!" A layer of black light emerged from around Ji Changxi's body, enveloping him entirely.
In that instant, Senior Sister Zhao recognized it—it was the unique divine light exhibited by the magical power [The Dao Is Mine Alone] from the Heaven-Slaying Dao Scripture.
All foreign energies, in the presence of this magical power, would be transformed into something the practitioner could control.
She had also briefly cultivated this divine technique! But now...
Lowering her head, Senior Sister Zhao carefully concealed the ambition and dissatisfaction in her eyes.
Fortunately, all the senior members of the Grand Dao Sect present had their attention focused entirely on the continuously swirling drop of blood in Ji Changxi's hand. It seemed no one had noticed her anomaly.
Black light surged endlessly from Master Ji’s body, surrounding the blood drop.
While the black light churned, the blood drop was gradually being consumed.
However, before Ji Changxi could analyze what was happening, a sharp cough suddenly echoed beside him.
A trace of surprise appeared on his face.
And this was only the beginning.
As if triggered by a chain reaction, soon after, uncontrollable coughing echoed throughout the grand hall of the sect, where the elites were gathered.
"How is this possible?!" After experiencing the severity of this unknown illness firsthand, the elders' expressions changed dramatically.
"Interesting, interesting..."
"Wait, this seems to be..."
However, those present are after all the elites of the elites who have survived from the Xuanhuang Realm for thousands of years.
Very quickly, each of them used their own methods to suppress the abnormalities in their bodies.
Some even began to study it on the spot with great interest.
Seeing the elders respond in this manner, Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao exchanged a glance, feeling slightly relieved.
"The contagiousness and virulence are extremely terrifying. This is something rarely seen in my life! I fear that even the [Absolute Immortal Edict] released during the dying struggle of the Xuantian Sect might not compare." An elderly man with white hair said slowly.
Li Fan only knew that this person was named Mo Zhiren, one of the elders of the Grand Dao Sect and an expert in pharmacology. He usually kept a low profile and refrained from sect affairs. However, it was said that the pills he refined were of the highest quality. Even the 'Creation Purple Gold Pill' Li Fan had taken before—Mo Zhiren could produce a flawed version with 70-80% efficacy despite only being at the Dao Integration stage.
Once Mo Zhiren spoke, the other elders immediately began to voice their opinions.
However, according to Sect Master Ji, a cultivator had silently succeeded in attaining Longevity?
Who was it?
The Ten Great Immortal Sects, though full of intrigue, still maintained communication. If someone had broken through to the Longevity realm, even if there was no prior announcement, once the breakthrough was made, news would have been shared with the other sects.
Moreover, this new Longevity Immortal seemed to defy conventional law that the 'cultivators are immune to diseases'.
This kind of action, which essentially made enemies of all cultivators, could not possibly have come from one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
Who would dig their own grave?
So, who was this person that had not only reached the Longevity realm but also sought to eradicate all cultivators?
This was an outright provocation and declaration of war.
It wasn't just Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao who were stunned.
All the elders and Ji Changxi in the hall had expressions filled with restrained killing intent.
"Investigate! We must find out the truth!"
"Even if this person is a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, such actions cannot be forgiven!"
"I will immediately meet with the other heads of the Immortal Sects and pass on this information. As for the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance..." Ji Changxi paused.
"We’ll send someone to inform them as well and gauge their response."
"The strongest forces in the Xuanhuang Realm must unite. I refuse to believe that this individual can continue to roam free!"
"While tracking down the culprit, we must also take precautions against this illness. From today on, the medicine hall will operate at full capacity, ensuring the Grand Dao Sect has an adequate supply of medicinal pills."
"As for those outside the Grand Dao Sect..."
Ji Changxi hesitated for a moment.
"After numerous calamities, our Grand Dao Sect has suffered greatly. We may barely have the strength to protect ourselves..."
"So, let them fend for themselves."
The elders all nodded slightly in agreement with the sect master’s decision.
"I will also try to find a way to alleviate the symptoms of this strange disease," Mo Zhiren said, his eyes gleaming with desire.
"If I can completely neutralize its harm to cultivators, it would mean defying the laws of Heaven once again."
"In that case, perhaps 'Longevity' might still be within my reach."
He muttered to himself.
Chapter 531
Li Fan's expression remained unchanged as he took a slow sip of tea and glanced at Zhou Kebao. "You're not expecting me to step in and buy back the materials you’ve embezzled, are you? Although I'm relatively well-off, my contributions didn’t just fall from the sky. Besides, these materials are only useful for building the Immortal City and nothing else."
Zhou Kebao quickly shook his head. "I wouldn't dare be so ungrateful."
He cautiously glanced at Li Fan, bowing slightly in a flattering manner, "In fact, I came to you with the intention of resolving things peacefully..."
Suddenly, Li Fan slammed his teacup down on the table with a loud bang, instantly stopping Zhou Kebao in his tracks, his body stiffening.
Li Fan's expression turned cold, his eyes flashing with killing intent. "Resolve things peacefully? That’s not what you had in mind before."
"Embezzling so many materials, especially after I pledged a military order. You're pushing me, Li Fan, to the brink of death."
Zhou Kebao waved his hands in a panic, trembling as he explained, "That was never our intention! I swear! From start to finish, all we wanted was some financial gain..."
Li Fan remained indifferent, responding calmly, "Things have come this far, and I won't argue with you any further..."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Kebao’s face lit up with disbelief.
But before he could breathe a sigh of relief, Li Fan continued, "However, once the Congyun Immortal City is completed, everything will need to be reported to the higher-ups. Not a single detail will be left out."
"After all, completing the Immortal City without wasting a single bit of material is proof of my exceptional ability, isn’t it?"
"This accomplishment should be broadcasted far and wide. If every city lord in the world were as efficient as I am, wouldn’t the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's conquest of the Five Elders Association be just around the corner?"
"What do you think, Daoist Zhou?" Li Fan boasted without shame.
"Heh, you're joking, Daoist," Zhou Kebao replied, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, fully understanding the threat behind Li Fan's words.
"If you have any demands, just say them. We'll meet them, but please don't escalate the situation."
Zhou Kebao thumped his chest in assurance.
"Don't focus on what I want; focus on what you have," Li Fan stepped forward and patted Zhou Kebao’s shoulder.
"Contribution points? Do you think I lack those?"
Li Fan's face was filled with pride. "My reputation for deduction techniques is known throughout the world. Wealth accumulates upon wealth, and I can easily handle simple matters. Contribution points are nothing but a string of numbers to me."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Kebao’s body shook slightly.
"Besides, once the Congyun Immortal City is completed, the rewards from above will be significant. At that point, as a major figure, my level of authority will soar."
"With contribution points and authority, what in this world will be beyond my grasp?"
"And what do you think you can offer me to win me over?"
"The materials you embezzled... you took more than double what was allocated to me? That’s quite bold, isn’t it?"
Zhou Kebao quickly replied, "Heh, you’ve misunderstood, Daoist."
"Though we did skim off quite a bit while scheming against you, it still wasn’t nearly enough to build an entire floating city."
"In truth, the materials we used were left over from various repair and renovation projects in different Immortal Cities across the states."
"You know, Daoist Li, that when the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance allocates materials for projects, they take all sorts of contingencies into account, so the budgets are usually quite generous. Since we’ve been doing this for so long, we’ve become proficient at minimizing actual losses."
"Thus, there’s always a surplus of materials, and naturally, we couldn't return the leftovers, so they ended up in our possession."
...
Zhou Kebao smiled faintly and stopped speaking, leaving the rest unsaid.
"After so many years, we’ve accumulated these materials. Instead of letting them sit and collect dust in storage, why not put them to use and resolve our misunderstandings with you?"
"Using public resources for private purposes, turning an Immortal City into a cave residence—heh, I can assure you that even in our Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, this kind of thing is rare."
Li Fan stared intently at the constantly rotating image of the Immortal City, clearly tempted.
Seeing this, Zhou Kebao redoubled his efforts to promote the idea.
"This Immortal City cave residence will have facilities identical to any regular Immortal City, except it won’t be connected to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters."
"And if you find it too ostentatious, we can install a concealment function. Structures like the administration hall and martial arts arena can be hidden from view and only revealed when needed."
"We’ll also leave plenty of room for future modifications to the cave residence."
"If you ever want to reinforce the protective arrays or restrictions, it’ll be no problem at all."
"Of course, if you’re willing to part with some contribution points, we can handle everything for you."
"And if you're generous enough, we could even discuss installing a long-distance teleportation formation or a virtual mustard seed miniature formation."
"A cave residence that you can carry with you, equipped with teleportation functions, capable of both attack and defense..."
"Are you satisfied, Daoist?"
Zhou Kebao asked, enticing him further.
Li Fan responded with a hearty laugh.
Chapter 521
Ever since the conclusion of the high-level meeting at the Grand Dao Sect, this mysterious plague has spread throughout the mountain gates at an alarming rate.
Even though an official decree was issued early on, ordering the disciples to be vigilant, practice self-isolation, and avoid contact with others, the situation spiraled out of control. Various pills were distributed to the disciples as needed, but...
None of the measures worked!
The speed at which the plague spreads and its lethality toward lower-level cultivators far exceeded the expectations of the Grand Dao Sect leadership.
In less than a month, almost every disciple of the Grand Dao Sect had contracted this strange illness. The miraculous Creation Purple Gold Pill, a divine medicine, wasn’t available to all disciples. Ordinary pills proved to be more of a psychological comfort than an actual remedy in the face of this plague.
It all depended on individual luck.
Those with milder symptoms gradually recovered after enduring some pain, though their cultivation levels dropped. At least they survived. However, more disciples experienced severe symptoms, and despite using all kinds of life-saving techniques and secret arts, they couldn’t escape death.
The situation grew even grimmer, with everyone in the Grand Dao Sect living in fear. No one dared to handle the bodies of the dead. From a safe distance, they would use spells to completely disintegrate the corpses, serving as a makeshift funeral.
The Grand Dao Sect, once filled with life, now was shrouded in sorrow, with cries of despair echoing throughout. It was hard to believe this was one of the most powerful sects in the cultivation world.
Given how the Grand Dao Sect was faring, one could only imagine the devastation in other places.
On this day, Sect Leader Ji Changxi once again summoned Senior Sister Zhao and Li Fan to the main hall to discuss the strange plague.
"Cough cough..."
As soon as they entered the hall, the sound of coughing echoed from all directions. The elders and Sect Leader Ji Changxi no longer had their former vigor, appearing weak and sickly, barely keeping up appearances. Some elders even lay down, with puppets around them gently massaging their bodies, their occasional groans breaking the silence.
Despite being in the same hall, Li Fan noticed that everyone was isolated from each other with barriers and formations.
“How have you two been feeling lately?” Sect Leader Ji asked.
“Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader. Over the past month, we each took three Creation Purple Gold Pills. Both Li Fan and I are now fine. Most of the symptoms have disappeared, and we should fully recover soon,” Senior Sister Zhao replied with her head lowered.
Ji Changxi, however, said, “It’s understandable that those who are on the verge of death lose their sanity. We can’t completely blame them.”
“But the indiscriminate slaughter of mortals is excessive. The Immortal Plague lies dormant within the mortals, and even if they die, the plague won’t disappear. In fact, it will spread even further.”
“Moreover, if they truly wipe out all mortals, how will the world be sustained...”
Ji Changxi paused slightly.
“That’s why this madness must be stopped.”
“All the elders are currently focused on finding a way to counter the Immortal Plague, and they cannot leave their duties. So, I’m entrusting this task to you two.”
“Of course, the 'Xuanhuang' Realm is vast, and the two of you alone won’t be enough. Other sects will also send disciples to help save mortal lives.”
Senior Sister Zhao bowed and accepted the command but raised a concern: “Under normal circumstances, those cultivators might fear the reputation of the Ten Great Sects and stop the slaughter of mortals. But now, many of them are so far gone...”
Ji Changxi waved his hand to cut her off and said, “Those who have completely lost their minds, you needn’t waste time trying to reason with them. Just kill them. As for the others, tell them that the Ten Great Sects have devised a way to deal with the Immortal Plague. Have them wait patiently and stop committing senseless slaughter.”
Senior Sister Zhao’s expression turned strange. “Have we really found a way to counter the Immortal Plague?”
To her surprise, Ji Changxi nodded slightly. “The idea came from the Longevity Immortal Beast of the Beast Taming Sect. Since the source of the Immortal Plague is mortals, and we can’t kill them all, the solution is to exile them to the various 'Cave Heavens' and minor worlds attached to the Xuanhuang Realm.”
“Without mortals, the concentration of the Immortal Plague in our realm should significantly decrease. Afterward, completely eradicating it won’t be difficult. At the very least, it will allow us cultivators to live normal lives.”
“Although the feasibility of this mass migration is still under discussion, it seems like the best option for now.”
“The Great Migration Plan...”
“Relay this to the other cultivators. With a sliver of hope, they shouldn’t be as crazed.”
Chapter 522
And so, Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao received their orders and descended from the mountain.
Due to the mass deaths of mortals, the concentration of 'Immortal Plague' in the environment skyrocketed.
To prepare for this, before their departure, Sect Master Ji provided them with a generous supply of resources, including the Creation Purple Gold Pill.
However, this wasn’t enough to entirely ease their heavy hearts.
After confirming that 'Immortal Plague' could infect multiple times, they realized that no matter how well-prepared or protected they were, constantly being in contact would inevitably lead to reinfection.
The painful memories of being infected just a month ago were still fresh in their minds.
As cultivators, it had been a long time since they experienced something worse than death.
If this torment were to repeat again and again...
That kind of suffering might be worse than simply ending it all.
Of course, this was merely a moment of frustration.
Both Senior Sister Zhao and Li Fan were wholeheartedly dedicated to the Dao, seeking Immortality, and wouldn’t easily give up their lives.
But orders were absolute, and even though Senior Sister Zhao held the esteemed position of the future sect master of Grand Dao Sect, she could only obediently follow instructions.
"This situation seems a bit odd. I’ve made inquiries, and although the other nine sects have also sent their disciples out into the world, at most, they sent True Desciples . I haven’t heard of any sect, like our Grand Dao Sect, sending out someone of 'Dao Child' status!" Li Fan slightly shook his head, his eyes full of confusion.
"Senior Sister, you are the next in line to become the sect master, an incredibly noble position. Especially in these turbulent times, what you should be doing is staying in the sect, in secluded cultivation, striving to raise your strength. Not participating in some absurd mission. What if, just what if..."
Li Fan glanced at her before continuing, "I mean, if something were to happen to you, and you fall, how much would it cost the sect to cultivate another Dao Child?"
"All the resources they’ve invested in you up until now, would they all be wasted?"
"Sect Master Ji’s decision this time is truly hard to understand. And none of the elders even voiced any objections..."
Senior Sister Zhao glanced at Li Fan and said calmly, "Junior Brother, you’re overthinking it. Our Dao Sect is representing of all Immortal Sects. Sending a Dao Child to represent us shows how seriously we take this matter."
"Besides..."
Her voice suddenly became slightly somber, "Junior Brother, in the past, your assumption might have been correct. But now..."
"The times have changed."
Li Fan was suddenly startled.
Indeed. He was still stuck in the mindset of the prosperous era of 'Great Immortal Cultivation', unable to adapt to the current reality.
In today’s cultivation world, each person held their own irreplaceable position.
The quicker a Dao Child increased their cultivation, the more of a threat they became in the eyes of the sect elders.
In the past, one could cultivate together with the sect. If someone didn’t want to become the sect master, they could simply retire as a Grand Elder and pass on the position.
But now, not interested in being the sect master? Fine, but you can’t continue holding onto the 'Heaven-Slaying Dao Scripture', right? You’ll have to switch your cultivation method!
Who could accept that?
And now, these eerie "death declarations" had appeared. Who knew what else might happen in the future?
He sighed lightly.
"Let’s go, Senior Sister. There's no point staying here. The sooner we finish the mission, the sooner we can return to the sect." Li Fan advised.
After a long pause, Senior Sister Zhao didn’t respond.
She simply obliterated the body of Qu Xinfeng, who had committed the massacre but had now fallen victim to the 'Immortal Plague'.
Only then did she turn into a streak of light and fly off.
The next two years were spent traveling across the Xuanhuang Realm, preventing countless tragedies.
They killed numerous insane cultivators and saved many mortal lives.
Once news of the 'Great Migration Plan' spread, the remaining cultivators gradually calmed down, no longer slaughtering mortals so recklessly.
Of course, some sporadic incidents couldn’t be avoided.
There were places the two couldn’t reach, where their efforts fell short.
Having completed the sect master’s task, the two were preparing to return to the sect as planned.
However, an unexpected order caught them off guard.
Sect Master Ji Changxi declared that the 'Great Migration Plan' had officially begun.
They were not to return just yet.
They were to remain in the Xuanhuang Realm and assist in coordinating the various sects, helping to carry out this crucial plan for all cultivators.
Li Fan, seeing Senior Sister Zhao’s face darken to the point where it almost dripped with anger, didn’t dare to speak.
He had no idea how to comfort her, so he simply stood silently by her side.
After a long while, Senior Sister Zhao’s expression returned to normal.
She smiled gracefully. "Let’s go, Junior Brother."
"Orders are orders, after all."
For some reason, seeing Senior Sister Zhao’s smile filled Li Fan with an indescribable sense of fear.
“Heh, yes, Senior Sister.” He responded cautiously, hurrying to comply.
In the blink of an eye, a hundred years had passed.
With the collective efforts of all cultivators, the Great Migration Plan was successfully completed.
All the mortals had been relocated to various 'cave heavens' and 'small worlds', and the Xuanhuang Realm was left empty.
After being away from their sect for over a century, Senior Sister Zhao and Li Fan were finally able to return.
Chapter 523
“Senior Sister...” Li Fan looked at Senior Sister Zhao, whose expression was complex as she was about to be summoned alone by Sect Master Ji. He wanted to speak but stopped himself.
“Hm? What’s wrong, Junior Brother?” She glanced at Li Fan and said softly, “We’ve lived and died together for over a century. What is there that we cannot be honest about?”
“Nothing.” Li Fan smiled freely, “Go ahead, Senior Sister. Just remember, no matter what you do, I will support you.”
Senior Sister Zhao smiled and walked into the grand hall of the sect.
“Boom!”
The heavy doors slammed shut, and Li Fan watched her disappearing figure, a trace of emotion flickering in his eyes that was hard for others to notice.
Instead of waiting outside the hall as he was supposed to, Li Fan returned to the Penglai Peak where he and Senior Sister Zhao resided, gathering all valuable items from their cave dwelling.
Then, pretending to patrol, he made his way near the exit of the sect’s protective formation.
On the surface, he acted no differently from an ordinary disciple, but in truth, Li Fan had already prepared to flee at any moment.
It wasn’t that Li Fan wanted to betray the Grand Dao Sect, but rather because...
During their century together at the foot of the mountain, Li Fan had accidentally discovered that Senior Sister Zhao was secretly collecting the blood of cultivators—and even mortals—who were infected with the "Immortal Plague".
Although she only took a single drop each time and was extremely discreet, how could her actions escape the eyes of someone who had spent so much time with her?
At first, after each sample was taken, Senior Sister Zhao would fall gravely ill.
Thanks to Li Fan’s attentive care and a supply of medicinal pills to protect her, she managed to recover each time.
When Li Fan asked her about it, she would jokingly say she wanted to attempt reversing the "Immortal Plague" and directly achieve eternal life.
Li Fan, of course, didn’t believe her.
However, knowing her nature, once Senior Sister Zhao made up her mind about something, even a partner of a hundred years like Li Fan couldn’t dissuade her.
So he simply stopped trying, telling her only, “Take care of your health.”
Later, it seemed that she had indeed listened to his advice and gradually stopped collecting blood samples.
The intervals between her illnesses grew longer, and the symptoms became milder each time.
But Li Fan knew it was all a façade.
Senior Sister Zhao had never truly abandoned her reckless behavior.
The reason she no longer showed signs of abnormality was that she had likely mastered a method to shield herself from the effects of the Immortal Plague...
Over the years, though they had always been together, Senior Sister Zhao’s cultivation had advanced to a level that even Li Fan couldn’t fathom.
The two of them exited together.
“They didn’t fight to the death? Was I overthinking things?” Puzzled, Li Fan squinted slightly.
Not only had the expected deadly clash not occurred, but the relationship between the two seemed to have improved.
In fact, when Senior Sister Zhao left, Ji Changxi even patted her on the shoulder as if offering encouragement.
And Senior Sister Zhao accepted it without any unusual expression on her face.
Seeing this, Li Fan’s heart trembled, filled with confusion.
In the past, aside from him, Senior Sister Zhao had always been extremely averse to physical contact with others.
But now...
Feeling that something was amiss, countless thoughts flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
But he didn’t have time to ponder them all.
First, he remembered that there was something he hadn’t yet done.
He hurried back to Penglai Peak and, before Senior Sister Zhao returned, placed everything back where it belonged.
When she returned, Senior Sister Zhao didn’t notice anything unusual in the cave.
After all, the two hadn’t been back to this “home” in a century.
“Senior Sister, we’ve been busy with trivial matters for a hundred years and haven’t spent much time together. How about...” Li Fan tentatively suggested dual cultivation.
A trace of nostalgia flashed in Senior Sister Zhao’s eyes, and with a coy smile, she agreed.
After a passionate encounter, Li Fan’s suspicions gradually faded.
“What did the sect master summon you for this time?” Li Fan asked casually, holding her flawless, jade-like body in his arms.
“He said that soon, the position of Grand Dao Sect master will be passed on to me. He wants me to prepare in advance,” Senior Sister Zhao said flatly, without the slightest fluctuation in her tone.
It was as if the position she was about to inherit, as the leader of one of the top ten sects in the immortal world, was merely a child’s toy.
But those words, spoken so casually, struck Li Fan like a thunderclap. His mind went blank, and he temporarily lost the ability to think.
“And the Heaven-Slaying Dao Scripture?” Li Fan asked reflexively, his brain still in a daze.
“Hehe, the sect master’s exclusive technique? Of course, it will be handed over to me for cultivation,” Senior Sister Zhao laughed softly, tracing circles around Li Fan’s heart with her finger as if she had just reclaimed her favorite toy.
Chapter 524
"Before I tell you, Junior Brother, this matter is known only to the Sect Master and me—no third person has ever heard of it."
"So you must help me keep this secret well."
Senior Sister Zhao said this with a faint, mysterious tone.
Suddenly, a wave of deadly crisis surged into Li Fan's heart.
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind. His body tensed for a moment but quickly returned to normal.
Gently stroking Senior Sister's smooth, pale back, he said as though it were natural: "Of course. I was stunned when I first heard this news. It felt a little unbelievable."
"Not to mention the elders. If they knew, they would certainly unite to stop it."
"Even with the Sect Master's support, compared to that group of old monsters, Senior Sister, our power is too weak. We still need to gather strength, stay low, and bide our time, striving to strike decisively when the moment is right," Li Fan thoughtfully advised.
Senior Sister Zhao remained silent, lying quietly in Li Fan's arms, unmoving as if she had fallen asleep.
"By the way, Senior Sister, why did Sect Master Ji suddenly want to pass the position of Sect Master to you?" After a long silence, Li Fan finally couldn't help but ask.
"Who knows? These old geezers are always so unpredictable. Maybe he's close to achieving Longevity realm and doesn't want to bother with the mess of our sect anymore?" Senior Sister Zhao shifted her position lazily as she spoke.
"After all, the world is getting more chaotic. In the eyes of those at the peak of cultivation, these so-called Ten Great Immortal Sects are more of a burden than a benefit..."
Her voice grew softer and softer until it was barely audible.
Seeing that she had no intention of continuing, Li Fan dared not press further.
Instead, they once again engaged in dual cultivation.
A fleeting moment of indulgence.
---
Li Fan knew that ever since that day when Senior Sister Zhao walked out of the sect's main hall, she had changed somehow.
It was just an inexplicable feeling, without any concrete evidence.
In the days that followed, as they spent every moment together, he didn’t notice any obvious abnormality in this senior sister, who had accompanied him for over a hundred years.
But...
Li Fan was still convinced that some subtle change was happening to her, bit by bit.
Yet, where did this persistent sense of impending danger come from?
Even if Senior Sister Zhao was hiding something from him, it didn’t seem like her feelings for him were fake.
Li Fan often saw elders storming out of meetings with angry expressions.
But Senior Sister Zhao assured him that there was nothing to worry about.
More and more elders were being convinced to support her in taking the position of Sect Master.
"Very soon, I'll truly become the Sect Master of the Grand Dao Sect," Senior Sister Zhao smiled and said.
Regarding this matter, not only did Li Fan have no worries, but the fear that had always lingered in his heart grew stronger.
It wasn't just about Senior Sister Zhao anymore.
It felt like something strange was happening throughout the entire Grand Dao Sect—something eerie and unsettling, but impossible to describe.
Although he could sense the unusualness, Li Fan couldn’t figure out what it was.
Feeling powerless, Li Fan grew more restless and angry with each passing day.
Naturally, Senior Sister Zhao noticed these emotions in him.
Fortunately, Li Fan brushed it off as being caused by the increasingly frequent celestial phenomena—the falling stars in the sky.
Originally, people had thought that once the Immortal Plague was eradicated, cultivators could enjoy a brief period of peace.
But who could have predicted that not long after, the world would change again?
Previously, Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao had witnessed the "Death Declarations" appearing randomly in the sky when a cultivator fell.
But now, this "randomness" was becoming something of a "certainty."
Even more terrifying, the range and power of these celestial phenomena were growing.
When a cultivator at the Dao Integration stage fell, the phenomenon would nearly cover the sky within tens of thousands of miles.
More frightening still, every cultivator who witnessed these "Death Declarations" felt an increasing sense of dread and unease in their hearts.
Those who had long given up on cultivation, content to live out their remaining years, began to feel a strange mixture of sorrow, frustration, and anger.
When a cultivator within the Grand Dao Sect fell due to reaching the end of their lifespan, a peculiar atmosphere began to spread within the sect.
It was in this context that Senior Sister Zhao officially assumed the position of Sect Master.
Seventeen elders unanimously agreed with the decision of the former Sect Master, Ji Changxi.
This shocked many disciples who had been expecting a show of dissent.
At the same time, Li Fan’s unease reached its peak.
Li Fan walked within the Grand Dao Sect, his mind swirling with countless thoughts.
The sect was decorated everywhere with lanterns and banners, finally lightening the gloomy atmosphere caused by the recent calamities.
Whenever disciples encountered Li Fan, they would stop in their tracks and bow in respect.
Li Fan nodded in return each time.
As the Dao companion of the Sect Master, Li Fan had gained access to an abundance of cultivation resources—something that most cultivators could only dream of. Even if the respect shown to him wasn’t always sincere, it was a necessary pretense.
However, at this moment, Li Fan had already made up his mind. He needed to find an opportunity to escape from the Grand Dao Sect as soon as possible.
"Senior Sister Zhao has just been promoted to Sect Master and is busy handling various matters within the sect. Representatives from other sects are also visiting to offer congratulations, and she has to make time to meet them," he thought.
"Right now, she's at her busiest, so she’s less likely to notice me."
"If I miss this opportunity, when she has more free time...”
As this thought crossed his mind, Li Fan resolutely made his decision.
Two days later, he seized a moment when no one was paying attention and quietly made his way to the sect's exit, alone.
Looking back at the Grand Dao Sect, Li Fan’s mind flashed with memories of Senior Sister Zhao, with whom he had spent more than a hundred years side by side. He hesitated for a moment.
But in the end, he gritted his teeth and flew away.
He raced eastward at full speed until he finally left the boundaries of the Grand Dao Sect.
The ominous feeling of danger that had been weighing on Li Fan's heart finally began to fade.
"My intuition was right!" he thought to himself.
Just as he was feeling secretly relieved at having escaped, two beams of light suddenly appeared behind him, catching up in an instant.
In the blink of an eye, the lights landed in front of Li Fan, blocking his path.
"Where do you think you're going, junior nephew?" an elderly man with long eyebrows smiled as he looked at Li Fan.
"Uncle Dong, Uncle Jiang..." Li Fan's face darkened.
These two were elders of the Grand Dao Sect, part of the sect's seventeen core cultivators who had reached the Dao Integration stage.
It seemed that his plan to escape had already been discovered.
Despite this, Li Fan wasn’t ready to give up.
"Haha, well, let me explain to you two elders. Although I am honored that Senior Sister has been promoted to Sect Master, I've been feeling a bit troubled."
"Senior Sister Zhao's status is now exalted, and her power is growing every day. As her Dao companion, I'm still only at the Soul Transformation stage, and people are bound to gossip. The pressure has been unbearable."
Feigning a look of deep distress, Li Fan slowly approached the two elders. "The sect is rebuilding, and everyone has their roles. But I find myself idle every day, which is truly..."
Without warning, a chaotic gray light shot out from Li Fan’s eyes, striking Uncle Dong and Uncle Jiang directly in the face.
It was an attack from the sinister technique Li Fan had mastered, the Soul-Cutting Divine Light, part of the 'Soul-Severing Divine Radiance Art'.
It wasn’t until more than ten days had passed that a flicker of life returned to his eyes.
With great effort, he pushed himself up, his body trembling as he took shaky steps toward the exit.
Because he hadn’t walked in so long, his body was weak, and he immediately fell to the ground.
He struggled to stand up and took another step, only to fall again.
In this manner—crawling and stumbling—he finally made his way back outside.
The Grand Dao Sect before him looked exactly as he remembered.
Disciples wandered between the mountain peaks, cultivating.
It was even more lively than before.
But...
It was eerily quiet.
Not a single voice could be heard within the entire sect.
It was as if all the cultivators living within had become mute.
Or perhaps...
They all shared the same thoughts and no longer needed the "lowly" method of communication known as speech.
Not even eye contact or divine sense was required. They understood each other perfectly without such means.
Li Fan stumbled through the sect.
After being imprisoned for who knows how long, his appearance had become utterly disheveled.
Yet no one seemed to notice him.
They simply carried on with their own tasks as if he didn’t exist.
The feeling of being rejected by everyone around him gnawed at Li Fan’s mind.
Eventually, after wandering through the entire sect and still not finding the person he sought, Li Fan couldn’t hold back any longer.
"Senior Sister!"
"Where are you, Senior Sister?!"
It took him a long time to remember how to speak.
Then, with a hoarse voice, he roared in anger.
His voice grew louder and louder, echoing throughout the entire sect.
And then, every single cultivator in the sect turned to look at him.
Even though he had already become somewhat deranged, at this moment, when suddenly being stared at by these cultivators who had previously ignored him, Li Fan's body stiffened instantly.
He stopped his meaningless low howling, moved slightly, trying to escape the spotlight that was on him. But he soon realized that all the cultivators' gazes followed him wherever he went.
This eerie scene made Li Fan's dead heart feel a chill, which turned into rage.
Overcome by desperation, Li Fan picked up a stone and ruthlessly hurled it at a nearby disciple of the Grand Dao Sect. Even though the opponent was only at the Golden Core stage, Li Fan’s cultivation was completely sealed at the moment, making him no different from a mortal. Logically, he should not have been a match for the disciple.
However, the disciple didn’t dodge or avoid the sudden attack, allowing the stone to smash his skull. With a thud, the disciple collapsed, and blood slowly trickled from his deformed head.
But the death of a life brought no change. The entire Grand Dao Sect continued to operate as before.
"Senior Sister, come out and see me!" Li Fan shouted angrily. The only response was the countless gazes still fixed on him.
Li Fan went berserk, picking up the stone again and attacking another Grand Dao Sect disciple. He killed over a hundred people in a row before finally collapsing to the ground, exhausted and breathless.
At this moment, lying on the ground, Li Fan was horrified to discover that the cultivators he had smashed into pieces were somehow alive again. Their faces were calm, as if his earlier rampage had been nothing but an illusion.
Li Fan looked at his hands, then at the stone now soaked in darkened blood, feeling utterly confused.
"Monsters... they're all monsters..." he muttered softly.
"Haha, how could they be monsters?" A familiar, melodious voice rang out suddenly. Li Fan jerked his head up in the direction of the sound.
But what he saw made his scalp tingle, and he even felt a wave of nausea.
The voice that was identical to Senior Sister Zhao's came from a middle-aged, overweight cultivator. Startled, Li Fan scrambled back in fear, putting distance between them.
"Junior Brother, don't you think I look beautiful like this?" the voice called again from behind him.
Li Fan turned, and this time, it was a beautiful young female cultivator, gazing at him with affection. She softly said, "You've been looking at my old face for hundreds of years, surely you're tired of it. Isn’t a change refreshing?" Another alluring woman approached, her curvaceous body pressed tightly against Li Fan as she whispered in his ear, "The taste of the Sect Master’s wife... haven’t you longed for it? Didn’t you once ask me to transform into her? But this time, it’s the real deal. Doesn’t this excite you, Junior Brother?"
Li Fan trembled as she explored his body. After a moment, he suddenly shoved her away and fled in panic. Yet, many more stunning female cultivators quickly surrounded him, their eyes brimming with affection, eager to ascend to bliss with him. All their voices were filled with the seductive charm that Senior Sister Zhao used to have.
"Hehe, I see, Junior Brother. You want something more exciting."
"Senior Sister, you transformed into this because of that technique, didn’t you?"
After their passionate moment, the desire in Li Fan's eyes suddenly vanished, replaced by cold indifference.
Senior Sister Zhao wasn’t surprised. She lazily stretched, and said, "So you’ve finally figured it out, Junior Brother?"
"What a pity."
After a pause, she spoke the name of the technique: "Eternal Sole-Dominance Art."
"Eternal Sole-Dominance..." Li Fan tasted the words as he looked at the mountain range, now teeming with Grand Dao Sect disciples once more. His gaze grew complicated.
"Senior Sister, was it worth it?"
Senior Sister Zhao scoffed, "Worth it? What’s wrong with how I am now?"
"I am one, and I am all. A thousand bodies, yet one mind!"
"I have never felt better in my entire life!"
She stood up suddenly, and Grand Dao Sect's Sect Master’s robes automatically appeared on her. With a commanding tone, she declared, "I alone am the Dao Sect!"
As if in response to her, every disciple in the Grand Dao Sect, in unison, proclaimed:
"I am the Dao Sect!"
Li Fan felt his heart tremble, but his face remained unchanged.
"When did it all begin? Was it Ji Changxi?" he asked.
"It was him." Senior Sister Zhao nodded softly.
"Do you remember when we reported the Immortal Plague, we submitted blood samples?"
"At that time, he already sensed the trace of the Xuantian Sect techniques we were practicing."
As Senior Sister Zhao spoke, the figure of Ji Changxi, the former head of the Grand Dao Sect, suddenly appeared before Li Fan, recounting his story to him.
“We were still too young back then, thinking that we had hidden ourselves well enough. But we never imagined that true experts could see through our cultivation techniques with just a drop of blood.”
“The Xuantian Sect's techniques are divided into four levels: (Xuan) Mysterious, (Tian) Heaven, (Di) Earth, and (Huang) Yellow, from the highest to the lowest. The four techniques we obtained from that ruin were all of the highest 'Mysterious' level.”
“Not only were they mysterious and divine, but they were also on par with the true teachings of the Grand Dao Sect. Furthermore, there was something even more enticing about them, something that even moved the heart of Ji Changxi, the head of the Grand Dao Sect.”
“It was said that the Xuantian Sect's techniques all originated from the sect’s ultimate treasure, the Xuantian Mirror. Those who cultivated to a high level could even establish a connection with this treasure.”
“Though at the time, Ji Changxi wanted nothing more than to capture us on the spot and thoroughly interrogate us. However, he knew that the Xuantian Sect’s techniques carried their own secrecy measures. Even if others tried to forcibly pry into them, all they would obtain would be distorted and incorrect versions of the techniques.”
“To learn the real techniques, they had to be willingly written down by the cultivator. Besides, at that time, his cultivation level was only at the late Dao Integration stage, not much stronger than mine. Forcing the issue wouldn’t guarantee success.”
“So, he decided to play the long game, setting a trap.”
Suddenly, Ji Changxi sneered, “On one hand, he deliberately sent us out to perform various tasks, suppressing our cultivation growth. Meanwhile, he used his position as sect head to access resources and elevate his own cultivation.”
“On the other hand, he combed through countless ancient texts, trying to find a way to break the encryption of the Xuantian Sect’s techniques.”
“In fact, he almost succeeded. From the hidden archives of the Grand Dao Sect, Ji Changxi found a relic from when the Xuantian Sect was destroyed.”
“There was a secret technique called ‘Seize the Heaven and Replace It’. It was a method used by the Xuantian Sect to deal with their own members. It could completely strip someone of their cultivation and techniques, transferring the realms and power gained from cultivating Xuantian Sect techniques to oneself, like grafting flowers onto a tree.”
“And so, the day we returned to the sect, he eagerly summoned me for a meeting...”
Ji Changxi’s face shifted, his form twisting in light and shadow until he reverted to the stunning appearance of Senior Sister Zhao.
“Unfortunately for him, he miscalculated. He never expected that I wasn’t just cultivating a single Xuantian Sect technique.”
“He also didn’t realize that I had long grown tired of him and wanted to replace him.”
Senior Sister Zhao reached out and stroked Li Fan’s cheek, her expression dreamy. “Junior Brother, do you know the kind of pain it is to be drenched in tens of thousands of drops of blood infected with the ‘Immortal Plague’?”
“Even our mighty Sect Head Ji couldn’t withstand it.”
“The only regret is that the damage caused by the ‘Immortal Plague’ was so severe that I had to give up part of him.”
Senior Sister Zhao lightly licked her lips, as if savoring a pleasant memory.
“The technique ‘Eternal Sole-Dominance’—when fully cultivated, nothing in this world remains except me. Because of how evil this technique is, you didn’t choose it back then, Junior Brother.”
“Now, do you regret it a little, Junior Brother?” she asked softly.
A hint of regret did indeed flicker through Li Fan’s heart.
From an ordinary mortal, he ascended rapidly.
Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core...
He didn’t stop until he reached the pinnacle of Soul Transformation.
It turned out that Li Fan had long since broken the seals and restrictions on his body.
He had accomplished this through the recent dual cultivation with Senior Sister Zhao.
“I thought, Junior Brother, that you missed me so much that you couldn’t wait to cultivate with me,” Senior Sister Zhao teased. “But it turns out you had other intentions.”
Though her words were playful, Senior Sister Zhao seemed to have already anticipated Li Fan’s small scheme, showing no surprise in her tone.
“What’s this? Do you think that now that your cultivation has been restored, you can challenge me?”
She looked at Li Fan with amused interest. “Who gave you the courage?”
“That ‘Soul-Extinguishing Blade’ from the ‘Soul-Severing Divine Radiance Art’?”
Faced with her mockery, Li Fan didn’t respond directly.
He remained serious, as the black and iridescent ‘Soul-Extinguishing Blade’ flickered, ready to strike.
This blade was the ultimate killing move of the ‘Soul-Severing Divine Radiance Art’. Despite its unremarkable name, it was a desperate attack that sacrificed one's soul.
“A unity of all minds—when fully realized, it can defy the laws of heaven, can’t it?”
“Senior Sister, you’re truly a peerless genius. But...”
“Your path is not my path.”
“I once said I wished to become eternal Dao companions with you, to live forever in freedom and happiness.”
“I meant it with all my heart, and that hasn’t changed.”
Li Fan’s eyes were filled with memories as he sighed.
Just as Senior Sister Zhao was caught in a moment of slight surprise—
An incredibly intense light suddenly surged from within Li Fan, illuminating the entire sky above the Grand Dao Sect.
Even the thousands of bodies of Senior Sister Zhao couldn’t help but close their eyes at that moment.
“But Senior Sister’s path to Immortality, wanting to use me as the price...”
“I refuse!”
“I will not allow Senior Sister to be so lonely from now on!”
Li Fan’s loud laughter echoed through heaven and earth.
“Over the years, Senior Sister has comprehended ‘The All as One’ Although I am slow-witted, I have not been idle either.”
“I have one move. Senior Sister, please teach me!”
Amidst the blinding light, Li Fan's voice, as firm as iron, resounded.
“Heaven!”
“Earth!”
“Shared!”
“Life!”
Li Fan’s body was completely annihilated in a radiant flash of light.
At that moment, Senior Sister Zhao’s expression finally changed for the first time. No longer indifferent and fully in control, she now had a mix of frustration and amusement: "No wonder you've made such slow progress over the years, Junior Brother. You've been putting all your thoughts into finding ways to restrict me?"
"You and I have cultivated the ‘Heaven and Earth Converging Manual.’ We are practically inseparable now. This move of ‘Shared Lifespan of Heaven and Earth’ indeed poses a threat to me..."
"If only your cultivation level were higher, Junior Brother."
Countless versions of Senior Sister Zhao watched as endless streams of white light emanated from Li Fan's body, and together they extended their arms to absorb it.
“Junior Brother, don’t resist anymore. Become one with me!”
Cracks began to appear on the faces of her countless bodies, but they quickly healed. Meanwhile, the white light dimmed and gradually vanished between heaven and earth.
When all traces of Li Fan’s presence disappeared from the Grand Dao Sect, it felt as though everything had come to a halt.
“Heh, Junior Brother Li Fan.”
“I really have to thank you. That was quite the entertaining game.”
“It’s been years since I’ve had such an interesting experience.”
Senior Sister Zhao looked into the sky, her expression dreamy, mumbling to herself.
——
“Immortal Guidance Light! That’s the Immortal Guidance Light!”
“Who is it? Has another cultivator from our Canhong State caught the eye of the Heavenly Sovereign so soon?”
“Hahaha, in just one month, three disciples from the Immortal Sect have ascended! Canhong State’s reputation is truly about to soar!”
Noisy voices seemed to come from afar, and suddenly Li Fan woke up.
Looking around, somewhat confused, he realized his surroundings were both familiar and unfamiliar.
After a brief moment, memories that had been sealed for ages, as if from a different lifetime, surged back like a tidal wave.
The Five Elders Association, the One Heart Immortal Sect, Canhong State.
The Immortal Guidance Light.
He continued his inspection with a calm expression, and after half a day, returned to his temporary quarters.
After sealing the area around him, Li Fan’s expression turned solemn.
“Heh, Junior Brother, I’m very much looking forward to our official meeting.”
Senior Sister Zhao’s soft laughter seemed to still linger in his ears.
Was it the last message from that wisp of divine consciousness, or had Li Fan’s true body actually heard it?
He couldn’t tell for the moment.
“Senior Sister Zhao... quite the illusion.”
Li Fan reflected on the countless experiences he had in the Grand Dao Sect over the past century.
Though some details were fuzzy, most of the events felt as real as if he had lived through them, indistinguishable from reality.
It even made Li Fan believe that he had indeed been Senior Sister Zhao’s junior brother and a member of the ancient Grand Dao Sect, only to reincarnate and regain his memories after decades.
He even entertained the idea of seeking out Senior Sister Zhao for a reunion.
If he only had memories of one lifetime and didn't have the [Truth] he might have actually done so.
Li Fan shivered at the thought.
Even with just a wisp of divine consciousness, being immersed in Senior Sister Zhao’s illusion had such a profound effect on his true body...
No wonder the cultivators of the Five Elders Association were so utterly loyal to her.
He activated his 'Xuanhuang Heart Refining Mantra', using the occasional thoughts of "submitting to Senior Sister Zhao" as fuel to strengthen and nourish his Dao Heart.
After three days and nights, Li Fan finally seemed to have eradicated the influence of his trip to the One Heart Immortal Sect.
At least, on the surface.
Having freed himself completely, Li Fan began to analyze and organize his gains from the experience.
Without a doubt, his time in the Grand Dao Sect had been a fabrication by Senior Sister Zhao.
In fact, from beginning to end, Li Fan didn’t even know her real name.
Yet within the illusion, he hadn’t felt the slightest inconsistency.
But amid the falsehoods were truths.
At the very least, figures like Ji Changxi and Mo Zhiren, disciples of the Grand Dao Sect in the illusion, had truly existed once.
The cultivation techniques, 'Heaven and Earth Converging Manual' and 'Soul-Severing Divine Radiance Art', might not be fakes either.
It was a pity that, just like after returning from the Fallen Immortal Realm, the specific details couldn’t be remembered clearly.
Then, there were the world-altering events he had experienced as “Junior Brother.”
“So, the Immortal-Mortal Miasma was really the handiwork of a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, not a natural evolution of heaven and earth.”
Li Fan thought of Yin Shangren of Yin Island.
“Could it be that this person discovered the hidden Heavenly Sovereign and was silenced as a result?”
Recalling Yin Shangren’s inexplicable suicide in past lifetimes, Li Fan couldn’t help but speculate.
Once one’s strength reaches the Longevity stage, even if it’s just a fake Longevity expert trapped in a corner of the Xuanhuang Realm, their power and abilities are beyond the comprehension of ordinary cultivators.
Just like Senior Sister Zhao, who during the guiding process, created a vivid illusion that felt like a "romantic simulation."
But for her, what was the true significance of it all?
Li Fan believed that with her strength, even without the confusion of the illusion, she could easily devour and merge with other cultivators.
Yet she chose not to do so.
Instead, she insisted on playing this game with Li Fan, a game spanning several hundred years.
Could it be that she was truly bored to the extreme?
While this possibility couldn't be ruled out, Li Fan was more inclined to believe that there was some hidden secret behind it.
The “ants” trying to spy on the Longevity Immortal Sovereigns thought they were doing so discreetly, assuming they hadn’t been discovered.
In reality, everything might have already been under their watchful eyes. From the moment the gaze fell upon them, they had already been noticed.
It was like Senior Sister Zhao's final reminder, or perhaps more accurately, her warning.
Li Fan, trying to uncover the secret of the immortal-mortal miasma, might be in the same position as Master Yin.
A thought stirred in his mind, and Li Fan activated his formless killing intent, focusing his gaze on Yin Yin Island.
After observing for a while, Master Yin seemed to be as engrossed as ever, conducting experiments on mortals.
"So many years have passed, yet the lethal power of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma doesn't seem to have weakened at all. Only its transmission ability has lessened compared to the original version..." Watching the mortals in the experiment groaning in pain, Li Fan recalled the scenes he had seen in Senior Sister Zhao’s illusion, comparing the two in his mind.
Master Yin remained deeply focused, unaffected by the horrific cries of the mortals. It was as if the lives before him were nothing more than disposable resources.
After watching for a while, Li Fan grew bored.
"It seems it will take him more time to truly figure anything out." Thinking this, Li Fan withdrew his gaze.
His thoughts returned to the construction of Congyun Immortal City.
Now, most of the six-month deadline had already passed.
The basic structure of the immortal city had been mostly completed. What remained were critical installations like the "Statue of the Immortal Ancestor" and the "Long-Distance Teleportation Formation."
In this regard, with help from the cultivators dispatched by the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, there was no need to worry too much.
"This is intolerable. How could someone like Master Li be subjected to such humiliation?"
"He’s mentioned privately that he’d rather defect to the Five Elders Association than submit to those people."
Before Zhou Qingang could finish, the figure was overjoyed. "Oh? So, does that mean Li Fan intends to defect?"
However, he quickly became skeptical. "But what if it’s all part of a scheme by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance to lure us into a trap?"
Zhou Qingang felt a bit awkward. "Ahem, boss, it was clearly just an angry remark..."
"Er..." The figure fell silent.
Zhou Qingang quickly continued, "Although the chances of defection are slim, we still have a great opportunity on our hands."
"Li Fan made a military pledge to the Chief Administrator. If he fails to complete construction on time, he could lose his head. Lately, he’s been nearly driven mad trying to acquire the missing resources."
"So, you mean...?" The figure immediately understood.
"A trade?"
Zhou Qingang nodded repeatedly and placed his palms on the stone, transmitting a list of materials.
"Exactly! Boss, take a look—can we acquire these resources?"
There was a brief pause.
After a moment, the figure spoke slowly, "No problem."
"Good! With these materials, not only can we secure information about the protective formation, but we could even obtain the entire blueprint of the immortal city!" Zhou Qingang said confidently.
The figure remained silent, but it was clear he was tempted.
"The importance of the formation diagram has already been downgraded by two levels. It’s not a very lucrative trade now..." After some thought, the figure instructed, "If possible, try to find out from Li Fan what really happened on the day of the 'Anomaly of Ten Thousand Immortals Island'."
"And if you can get him to record the scene with a memory stone, even better."
Zhou Qingang's expression shifted, and he asked curiously, "Boss, was it us who took the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Island?"
"That was terrifying! I regret not being there. If I had been, I could’ve returned home by now!"
"By the way, what was the big commotion all about? What were we trying to find?"
The figure snorted coldly, "You’re asking about things you shouldn’t know. Just do your job."
Chapter 530
Chapter 530
Zhou Qingang shrank his neck, indicating that he knew his mistake.
Seeing this, the face in the air softened a little: “This matter is of great importance. Even I cannot fully grasp all the details.”
“However, one thing is certain: we have reaped significant rewards this time.”
His tone carried a trace of excitement: “Even those above us have shown us more favor lately.”
“The funding has been remarkably generous, more than doubled.”
“And what about my share?” Zhou Qingang hurriedly asked.
“Hmph, why are you so anxious? When have I ever shortchanged you?” the face scolded.
“When we finalize the deal, the materials you need from Li Fan will be handed over to you along with your share.”
“Thank you, boss!” Zhou Qing’ang said gleefully. “Although I'm doing quite well these days, frequently receiving gifts from cultivators, no one ever complains about having too much money...”
“Enough, don’t get carried away. I didn’t expect you to become the commander this time. It seems like choosing He Zhenghao back then was indeed the right move.”
The face pondered for a moment, then added, “He Zhenghao and Li Fan both have strong backgrounds. You must maintain good relations with them.”
“When Congyun Immortal Island is rebuilt, even if Li Fan doesn’t become the true lord of the island, his status will undoubtedly be high. By staying close to him, you’ll advance much faster than if you struggled on your own. Your future prospects are limitless. By then, you will have thoroughly infiltrated the enemy ranks.”
“This time, we stepped in and helped them overcome their difficulties. Next time, they won’t be able to refuse when we need them.”
The face let out a low, sinister laugh.
“You’re brilliant, boss!” Zhou Qingang praised.
The two discussed the details of the transaction for a while longer, after which the face ended the communication.
Zhou Qing’ang, acting nonchalantly, made his way back to the bustling construction site of Congyun Immortal City, walking around as if showing off his authority.
“The image from the day of the anomaly on Ten Thousand Immortals Island...” Li Fan thought for a moment and took out a memory stone.
In his mind, the Dao Stone emitted a flowing light, capturing every detail of what had transpired that day.
In an instant, it was complete.
Out of habit, Li Fan double-checked it.
Upon reviewing it, however, he noticed something unusual.
The recording couldn’t capture the “green light” that destroyed the Martial Hall.
When he reviewed the recording, all that could be seen was the entire structure and over a dozen cultivators inexplicably vanishing into thin air, while the surviving cultivators were in utter panic, scrambling to escape.
Later, when Chief Lu arrived to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, the scene appeared somewhat comical.
“Unrecordable, huh...” Li Fan tapped his fingers and fell into deep thought.
In a dark room aboard the Dust-Crossing Boat.
“Zhou Kebao, this was your brilliant idea!”
“Yeah, why are you putting on airs now? Don’t you see that Congyun City is almost finished?”
“Weren’t you so confident that Li Fan was just pretending to be calm? What do you have to say now?”
...
Zhou Kebao’s face alternated between pale and flushed as he listened to his companions’ constant rebukes.
“There’s something fishy here! Definitely something fishy!” he defended.
“Not long ago, the information I gathered clearly stated that they were running out of resources.”
“How is it that they suddenly have an abundance of materials?”
“These are tightly controlled strategic resources. You can’t just buy them!”
Zhou Kebao’s face was full of confusion as his eyes darted, trying to unravel the secret.
But his words clearly didn’t convince everyone present.
“Forget all that. What do we do now?”
“When Li Fan finishes building the Immortal City, our materials will be worthless.”
“We’ll lose everything, not to mention that if Li Fan reports us, what then?”
“Zhou Kebao, you caused this mess, so you fix it. Go find Li Fan and negotiate!”
...
Amidst the cacophony of voices, Zhou Kebao was overwhelmed, the flash of inspiration he had felt slipping away before he could grasp it.
Seeing no other option, Zhou Kebao sighed deeply and yielded.
The next day, Zhou Kebao approached Li Fan.
Instead of playing tricks, he sincerely explained the entire situation.
“Daoist Li, your move was brilliant. We lost fair and square.”
“But this whole thing was Tantai Can’s idea from the beginning. We were just momentarily blinded...” Zhou Kebao said in shame.
Li Fan smiled but didn’t speak.
“So, what do you want now?”
Chapter 532
"You're the one who truly understands me, Daoist Zhou!"
Li Fan's previously stern expression softened into one of extreme kindness.
"You modern cultivators really know how to innovate. I guess I'm still a bit of an old fossil."
He patted Zhou Kebao on the shoulder, his admiration evident.
"If you can actually pull this off, all past grudges will be wiped clean!"
"We might even work together more closely in the future; it's not impossible."
"Your background is strong, but I'm not lacking either."
Li Fan's face showed a hint of pride as he painted a grand picture for Zhou Kebao, who couldn’t help but believe him.
After all, gathering such a large amount of strategic resources in such a short time was not something an ordinary cultivator could manage.
As someone who benefited from power and influence, Zhou Kebao was well aware that in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, connections and background were sometimes more important than cultivation strength.
"Come, come, explain the details more thoroughly." Li Fan pulled Zhou Kebao closer, clearly very interested in the mobile immortal city cave residence.
Seeing how smoothly the negotiation was going, Zhou Kebao was overjoyed.
He didn’t dare delay and began pointing to the images in the air, enlarging each part and explaining it in detail.
After a long time, Zhou Kebao was parched from all the talking.
Finally, Li Fan nodded in satisfaction.
"If someone finds out, will the higher-ups blame us?" After a moment of silence, Li Fan asked.
"Haha, don't worry, Daoist Li. The law says that anything not explicitly forbidden is allowed. There are no rules or regulations in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance that prohibit cultivators from mimicking immortal city structures to build cave residences." Zhou Kebao assured repeatedly.
"As long as you stay low-key and don’t show off, who would bother causing you trouble?"
"Of course, if someone does report it and things get out of hand, we can just demolish it. Once the storm passes, we’ll rebuild it for you."
Zhou Kebao’s face was full of smug confidence.
"Excellent! I feel more and more like you, Daoist Zhou, are a kindred spirit!" Li Fan smiled faintly.
He took out a blank jade slip and held it in his hand for a while before handing it to Zhou Kebao. "This contains my additional requirements for the immortal city cave residence. Go back and calculate the costs, then quickly send me a quotation."
"If there aren’t any major issues, we’ll finalize the deal."
"However, if you still think you can take advantage of me, then it’ll be a fight to the death." A flash of murderous intent briefly appeared in Li Fan's eyes.
"Rest assured, Daoist Li, I understand!" Zhou Kebao, overjoyed, accepted the jade slip and took a quick glance before eagerly excusing himself.
"What a bunch of parasites..."
Watching Zhou Kebao leave, Li Fan sneered softly.
"But what does it matter to me?"
"I should be thanking them. Without these parasites, how else would I get benefits out of this strictly regulated Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance?"
Now, less than two months remained before the city's completion.
To finish the cave residence within such a short time seemed impossible.
And yet, Zhou Kebao spoke with such confidence.
Their efficiency must be much higher than Li Fan’s hastily assembled team.
Seeing Li Fan’s rare expression of surprise, Zhou Kebao felt proud but said nothing.
"Alright, in that case, I’ll wait for the day of double celebration."
"You may go now."
Li Fan dismissed Zhou Kebao, who bowed and left without delay.
---
Time flew by, and the day of Congyun Immortal City’s completion drew nearer.
The busy cultivators couldn’t help but show anticipation on their faces.
After all, they had been working so hard, looking forward to the reconstruction of Congyun City, the rewards from Island Lord Li Fan, and the appointment of positions.
Li Fan had not forgotten the Diyi Jinglun’s task, fully integrating the "Xuantian Nether-Lock Formation" into the foundation of the immortal city, without drawing any attention.
As the grand ceremony for the city’s foundation approached, Li Fan found himself alone in a secret chamber and suddenly felt a spiritual resonance.
It turned out that the Fallen Immortal Realm, which he hadn’t entered for a long time, was now open to him again.
"Blessings to the Heavenly Venerable Of Xuanhuang!"
Li Fan performed the ritual and re-entered the Fallen Immortal Realm.
The story picked up from last time: he and Xu Ke were entrusted by Lu Ya to head to the Nanming Beast Mountain.
"Xiao Hei, why do you think Senior Brother Lu Ya entrusted me with such an important task?"
"This Nanming Beast Mountain is no easy place. According to the other senior brothers, it's full of terrifying demon beasts..."
"Wouldn’t a more powerful senior brother be a better choice?"
Xu Ke tilted his head, his big eyes filled with confusion.
Li Fan gave him a playful slap.
"Can you be quiet? This is the tenth time you've asked that question on this trip."
"I don’t understand why you didn’t just ask your Senior Brother Lu Ya. Why keep bothering me?"
Xu Ke pouted, "That’s not true! This is only the ninth time..."
As they were bantering, a loud dragon roar suddenly echoed from the distant sky.
It interrupted their conversation.
Gazing into the distance, the horizon seemed to blur where the sea met the sky, making it difficult to distinguish between water and heavens.
The thunderous roar, like that of a dragon, seemed to come from the clouds above.
Through the gaps in the clouds, one could faintly glimpse a part of the blue dragon's scales and claws.
Its body stretched endlessly, seemingly extending to the edge of the sky.
The dragon's tail, revealed by chance, appeared as large as a mountain in the eyes of the two onlookers.
Xu Ke stared in shock, his head tilted upwards, his body wobbling slightly: "How is this dragon so huge?"
"I’ve seen Azure Dragons in the sect before, but compared to this one..."
"Those can't even be called dragons. More like little mud eels!"
Xu Ke, not entirely clueless, knew that this was the territory of demonic beasts, and quietly whispered to Li Fan.
"The divine dragon reveals its head but not its tail..." Li Fan ignored him.
He kept his gaze fixed on the Azure Dragon in the sky, searching his memories linked to the bloodline of the Xuan Bird.
This Azure Dragon had existed for ages, almost comparable to the lifespan of the Longevity Emperor Sanmo.
Unlike Sanmo, who served as a prophet to guide the demonic beasts, this Azure Divine Dragon never interfered with the internal affairs of the demonic beasts.
It played more of a "guardian deity" role, rarely appearing in the world.
Only when the demonic beasts faced an existential threat did it lend its aid.
"The Azure Divine Dragon usually conceals itself in waves or clouds. Why has it suddenly let out such a roar today?"
"It seems something major is happening in the Nanming."
"To arrive just in time... truly the fate of someone destined."
While Li Fan pondered, he gave Xu Ke a light slap.
Xu Ke, feeling puzzled, wanted to retaliate, but was quickly suppressed by Li Fan.
The Luan Bird beneath Xu Ke seemed to let out a helpless sigh.
Its speed did not diminish, continuing to fly south at full speed.
The Nanming area was vast and boundless.
Apart from the sky overhead, all one could see was the endless blue ocean.
After flying for over ten days, the scenery remained unchanged.
Not only had they not seen the Beast Mountain, but they hadn’t even encountered any ordinary demonic beasts.
Instead, they occasionally saw schools of strange fish surfacing, laughing playfully.
Some of these fish even chased the shadow cast by Xu Ke and his group, following them along the water.
However, these fish were clearly not demonic beasts, relying solely on instinct as their intelligence had not yet developed.
"Xiao Hei, where exactly is this Beast Mountain?" Xu Ke propped his chin on his hands, looking bored.
"Senior Brother Lu Ya didn’t explain clearly, he just told me to keep heading south."
"I actually believed him... How frustrating."
Just as Li Fan was about to respond, his expression suddenly changed.
From behind, a wave of killing intent mixed with a strong scent of blood rushed toward them.
He immediately turned, spitting out a black light to counter the attack.
"Huh?" A voice of surprise came from the attacker.
"Boom!"
Amid the explosion, the Luan Bird finally reacted.
It let out an angry cry, spreading its wings to shield Xu Ke.
Li Fan flew into the air, observing the attacker from afar.
It was a two-headed bird.
Its feathers were pure white, and one of its heads was wide-eyed, its gaze shifting rapidly between Xu Ke's group.
The other head seemed to be asleep, eyes tightly shut, nodding off in a rather comical manner.
"So, it's from the Xuan Bird tribe. I haven’t seen one in so long, and it’s turned into this?"
"Truly ugly beyond belief."
The two-headed bird sneered in a sharp voice.
"Manman..." Li Fan immediately recognized the bird.
It had some family ties to the Xuan Bird tribe.
Named Manman, though its name didn’t sound impressive, its origins were quite extraordinary.
Its left head was said to be able to see the cause and effect of all things, while the right head remained in a perpetual state of sleep.
Once it sensed disaster, it would awaken suddenly.
However, most Manman Birds had green feathers with a hint of red. This pure white one was extremely rare.
No wonder it found Li Fan ugly; it was the complete opposite of Li Fan, who was entirely pitch black.
Although, in terms of seniority within the demonic beast tribe, this bird might be considered Li Fan's "elder."
Yet, faced with the sudden attack and ridicule from this white Manman Bird, Li Fan certainly wasn’t about to show any respect.
"Strange, why does it sound like a duck quacking?"
"Quack quack, how annoying and noisy."
"Xiao Hei, where exactly is this Beast Mountain?" Xu Ke propped his chin on his hands, looking bored.
"Senior Brother Lu Ya didn’t explain clearly, he just told me to keep heading south."
"I actually believed him... How frustrating."
Just as Li Fan was about to respond, his expression suddenly changed.
From behind, a wave of killing intent mixed with a strong scent of blood rushed toward them.
He immediately turned, spitting out a black light to counter the attack.
"Huh?" A voice of surprise came from the attacker.
"Boom!"
Amid the explosion, the Luan Bird finally reacted.
It let out an angry cry, spreading its wings to shield Xu Ke.
Li Fan flew into the air, observing the attacker from afar.
It was a two-headed bird.
Its feathers were pure white, and one of its heads was wide-eyed, its gaze shifting rapidly between Xu Ke's group.
The other head seemed to be asleep, eyes tightly shut, nodding off in a rather comical manner.
"So, it's from the Xuan Bird tribe. I haven’t seen one in so long, and it’s turned into this?"
"Truly ugly beyond belief."
The two-headed bird sneered in a sharp voice.
"Manman..." Li Fan immediately recognized the bird.
It had some family ties to the Xuan Bird tribe.
Named Manman, though its name didn’t sound impressive, its origins were quite extraordinary.
Its left head was said to be able to see the cause and effect of all things, while the right head remained in a perpetual state of sleep.
Once it sensed disaster, it would awaken suddenly.
However, most Manman Birds had green feathers with a hint of red. This pure white one was extremely rare.
No wonder it found Li Fan ugly; it was the complete opposite of Li Fan, who was entirely pitch black.
Although, in terms of seniority within the demonic beast tribe, this bird might be considered Li Fan's "elder."
Yet, faced with the sudden attack and ridicule from this white Manman Bird, Li Fan certainly wasn’t about to show any respect.
"Strange, why does it sound like a duck quacking?"
"Quack quack, how annoying and noisy."
Li Fan pretended not to see the Manman Bird, looking around in confusion and disdain, then turned to Xu Ke.
Xu Ke blinked for a moment before clapping his hands and laughing: "You’re right, I heard it too."
"They say the Beast Mountain of the Nanming is sacred ground for demonic beasts. How could it allow such a rude duck to wander in? Truly odd."
Hearing their mocking banter, the Manman Bird was furious.
"You two little brats! Who are you calling a duck?"
"I am the noble and revered Manman Bird! A rare pure white variant, you..."
But no matter what it said, Li Fan and Xu Ke just kept shaking their heads, looking at it with disgust.
The white Manman Bird was about to explode with rage, preparing to attack again.
However, as if it had suddenly thought of something, it held back.
"Xuan Bird tribe, I’ll remember you!"
It glared at Li Fan and flapped its wings, flying off ahead.
Li Fan and Xu Ke exchanged glances, quickly urging their own bird to follow.
Not long after, the Manman Bird noticed they were still following.
"Why are you still tailing me? Do you think I’m easy to bully?"
Li Fan sneered: "Strange. The world is vast, and all beasts roam freely."
"Since when did your Manman Bird tribe claim ownership of the skies? Are others not allowed to follow the same path?"
Before the white Manman Bird could respond, a strange laugh suddenly echoed from the horizon, arriving in an instant.
"Hahaha!"
"That little one makes a good point! It seems your Manman Bird tribe has grown too arrogant!"
The white Manman Bird's eyes gleamed with fury, murderous intent brimming.
But when it saw the newcomer, its ferocity immediately subsided.
The creature before them was a bird, yet it had the body of a dog and the face of a human.
As it flew, the sound of rushing wind followed.
It was none other than one of the famous "Dafeng" birds.
"Hahaha!"
The Dafeng Bird landed, laughing heartily once again.
Its gaze lingered briefly on Li Fan before finally resting on Xu Ke.
A flicker of interest crossed its eyes.
"A human child? What brings you to the territory of demonic beasts?"
Chapter 534
“Could it be that you are also here to attend the Ten Thousand Beasts Conference?”
The giant bird, Dafeng, ignored the nearby Manman bird and asked in a friendly tone.
“What Ten Thousand Beasts Conference? I have no idea.”
“I was entrusted by my senior brother, Lu Ya, to deliver this wooden box to you.” Xu Ke's eyes shifted around as he stared at Dafeng, pretending to be innocent as he spoke.
“Lu Ya?” Dafeng tilted its head, thinking for a moment, seemingly unable to recall anyone by that name. “Sounds somewhat familiar...”
“What wooden box? Let me take a look...” it said nonchalantly.
“Sure!” Xu Ke, appearing carefree and defenseless, pulled out a vermillion wooden box.
An ancient and desolate aura immediately emanated from the box.
“This is!” Dafeng's body shuddered uncontrollably, almost losing its balance and nearly falling into the sea.
The white Manman bird, at first, didn’t recognize it either. But after carefully examining the wooden box, it soon let out a sharp screech.
Its feathers stood on end, as if it had been greatly agitated.
Just as it was about to say something, Dafeng swiftly flapped its wings, sending a gust of wind to silence it.
“Hehe, so it was sent by 'that' person...”
“Quick, little one, put it away. If others catch sight of it, there will be trouble.”
Without further questioning the contents of the box, Dafeng awkwardly coughed and hurriedly advised Xu Ke.
“Okay!” Xu Ke obediently put the wooden box back.
“Senior, we're heading to the Nanming Beast Mountain, but we’ve lost our way. Could you take us there?” He blinked his eyes, rubbing the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Ahem, young one, didn’t your elders instruct you before setting out? It's not called the Nanming Beast Mountain, that sounds so crude. It's the Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain!” Dafeng corrected him sternly.
“To show such disrespect for the Sacred Beast Mountain, you're lucky you met me, someone with a good temper. If you ran into one of the more violent ones, you’d be captured on the spot, have your stomach cut open, your heart devoured, and your liver eaten!” Dafeng warned, trying to scare him.
Xu Ke tilted his head, thinking for a moment, confused. “But Grandpa San said not to worry when we get here, to feel at home. That's how everyone at home talks.”
“Grandpa San...” Dafeng choked on its words, unsure how to respond.
The once-arrogant Manman bird also shrunk its head back, pretending it had heard nothing.
“Hehe, as long as you’re happy, kid.” In the end, Dafeng could only smile wryly and say no more.
At the snow-covered summit, a magnificent city could faintly be seen.
Li Fan, with his keen eyes, also noticed that the Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain marked the boundary of the entire Nanming Ocean.
It was a sight beyond words.
The vast, endless sea abruptly stopped at this point.
Beyond it lay a dark abyss, like a black void.
The Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain stood at the boundary between light and dark, reality and illusion, separating the real world from the dreamlike realm.
Dafeng, seeing Xu Ke awestruck by the magnificent view, couldn't help but feel proud.
“How does it look? Never seen such a wondrous sight, have you?”
“The so-called ends of the earth, the world’s frontier, the source of all life, this is our Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain.”
Dafeng sighed with emotion.
“It’s said that the first beasts in the world originated here before spreading across the world.”
“This is a sacred place for all beasts, not to be desecrated. Even though you were sent by an important figure, your human identity cannot be changed. You may not be allowed to enter.”
“Hehe, Dafeng is right. Even you, little black bird, though a beast, have been tamed by humans and serve as a companion spirit beast. You too are not qualified to enter the Sacred Beast Mountain.” The previously quiet Manman bird suddenly perked up and mocked.
With a strange cry, it flapped its wings and flew towards the distant mountain peak, leaving Xu Ke behind.
Xu Ke didn’t seem to mind. He waved a jade token hanging around his neck.
“No worries, before I left, Senior Brother Lu Ya told me that if I encounter any trouble, just show them this token.”
“Senior Brother Luya would never deceive me.”
“Xiao Qing, let’s go!”
Dafeng was about to advise him further when it suddenly realized something, its eyes widening in shock, even more so than when it sensed Emperor Sanmo’s aura.
For it had clearly seen a fleeting glimpse of the jade token, which bore a symbol that only beasts could recognize: the character “One.”
Dafeng finally remembered where it had heard the name Lu Ya before.
It was over a decade ago, when a lone human had entered the Sacred Beast Mountain, and then left unscathed.
This event caused quite a stir at the time, creating a huge uproar throughout the entire world of beasts.
No beast wanted to believe that a human could come and go freely within the Sacred Beast Mountain.
But the fact was undeniable.
This cultivator named Lu Ya not only ventured into the Sacred Mountain but also took away a junior from the Tian Wu tribe with the purest bloodline.
What made it even harder for the beasts to accept was that at the time, Lu Ya was merely at the early stage of the Nascent Soul level.
This made the whole situation even more absurd.
Forget about the early Nascent Soul stage, even if he were at the Nascent Soul perfection stage, what of it? Any adult beast on the Sacred Beast Mountain could easily crush him with just a flick of a claw.
How could they allow such arrogance from a human cultivator?
Although there were rumors later on that Lu Ya was able to freely enter and leave the Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain due to the tacit approval of the 'Emperor One', it still didn’t sit well with the beast clan.
As the nominal ruler of the entire beast race, Emperor One held a status of utmost reverence. Many young beasts with pure bloodlines and exceptional talent couldn’t even catch his eye.
What right did this mere human cultivator have?
It took over a decade for the waves stirred by this event to gradually calm down.
And the name Lu Ya became etched into the memories of many beasts.
Although the Dafeng Bird was known for its forgetfulness, when both the name "Lu Ya" and the Emperor One's jade token appeared simultaneously, it instantly remembered the events from back then.
"It seems the rumors were indeed true. Lu Ya really had a close relationship with Emperor One..." The Dafeng Bird let out a strange laugh, flapped its wings, and followed Xu Ke as they flew into the Sacred Mountain.
The Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain seemed to contain some sort of special energy that greatly benefited the beasts.
The closer they got to it, the more energized Li Fan felt.
It was as if something deep within him was joyfully stirring, making his blood boil and filling him with boundless energy.
Even the Azure Luan Bird beneath Xu Ke felt the same.
It let out a loud, joyous cry, its speed increasing noticeably in an instant.
In no time, they had arrived.
Xu Ke's group had entered the bounds of the Sacred Beast Mountain, but just then, Little Qing suddenly stiffened in mid-air, motionless.
At the same time, Li Fan felt a fatal sense of danger surge in his heart.
Yet Xu Ke seemed completely unaware of the danger, still shouting excitedly, "Xiao Hei, look! What is that?"
He smiled but said nothing.
Little Qing seemed a bit frightened of Li Fan, the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird. Occasionally, she cast a nervous glance his way, her eyes filled with fear.
She instinctively kept her distance, not daring to get too close.
Xu Ke, for the moment, ignored the two birds perched above him. He dashed along the mountain path toward the grand city ahead.
Along the way, they encountered many strange and bizarre beasts.
There were horse-bodied, bird-winged creatures; human-faced, snake-tailed beings; some resembling tigers with howling dog-like cries; others like black crows with three heads and six tails; and some like deer with white tails, horse legs, human hands, and four horns...
Some of the beasts were even plants or trees that had gained sentience, radiating divine and ethereal auras.
But no matter how fierce or malevolent these beasts appeared, all of them moved cautiously and respectfully along the mountain path, not daring to act out of line.
Thus, Xu Ke’s reckless running stood out.
Some beasts looked at him with killing intent, wanting to teach this reckless brat a lesson.
But sensing the aura of the Emperor One on him, none of them dared to make a move.
So Xu Ke continued sprinting, finally arriving at the base of the grand city atop the mountain.
This city, atop the Sacred Mountain, was made from some unknown material. Its entire body was pure white, exuding a sacred and majestic presence under the sunlight.
Beyond the white city was originally just a high wall, without any gate.
But as the group approached, a face suddenly appeared on the wall.
The face opened its mouth, revealing a pitch-black passageway.
Xu Ke stopped in his tracks.
He stretched out his neck and peered inside but couldn’t see anything.
While he muttered to himself, a strange beast walked past with a mocking expression and entered the passage.
Xu Ke pouted but quickly gathered his courage and followed the beast into the white city of the Sacred Mountain.
The light vanished, then reappeared.
"Follow me!"
A soft, childish voice suddenly sounded in Li Fan's ear.
Ahead of him stood a small child, around five or six years old, with an adorably delicate face, making it impossible to tell their gender. The child stood with his hands on his hips, addressing Xu Ke.
The small child immediately caught Xu Ke's attention.
His eyes widened as he stared at the child, curiously approaching and reaching out to pinch the child’s cheek. He asked with great curiosity, “Are you also human? How did you end up on this Beast Mountain?”
The child tilted his head and raised his hand to pinch Xu ke's face in return.
"Who says humans can’t live on Beast Mountain? Aren't you a mere mortal, yet you arrived here safe and sound?" the child replied seriously.
Xu ke was momentarily stunned but then quickly agreed with the child’s words.
Clapping his hands in delight, he said, “You’re right! Humans and beasts can live in harmony.”
“That’s how it is in our sect.”
“I imagine it must be the same here in the Nanming Beast Mountain.”
The child looked at him with a hint of innocence in his eyes and shook his head. “The Beast Taming Sect? I’ve heard that the human cultivators in your Beast Taming Sect rely on the Beast Control Technique to forcibly bind and control the beasts.”
“Many beasts don’t willingly become their companion beasts. They are just controlled by techniques and have no choice.”
“Is that what you call harmonious coexistence?” the child asked seriously.
Xu ke, hearing this, quickly waved his hands in protest, flustered, "It's not like that..."
He opened his mouth to refute, but for a moment, he didn’t know where to start.
Suddenly, something occurred to him. He grabbed the small black creature perched on his head and proudly presented it to the child like a treasure. "Look, this is Xiao Hei-(Little Black) We have a great relationship!"
“Even though he became my companion spirit beast due to the Beast Control Technique,” Xu ke continued, “our bond is real. Isn’t that right, Xiao Hei?”
Xu ke shook his hand, trying to make Xiao Hei show approval.
However, Xiao Hei merely flew back to perch on Xuke’s head and gave him a sharp claw to make him quiet down in pain.
Ignoring Xu ke’s antics, Li Fan kept staring at the child, who was as exquisitely beautiful as jade, with growing suspicion in his heart.
His intuition told him that this child had a significant background and was not as simple as an ordinary mortal.
Yet, there was no trace of a beast’s aura on the child.
Even when Li Fan used his innate powers to observe, the child’s fortune pillar looked as ordinary as that of a mortal, which left him perplexed.
Seeing how well the master and servant in front of him were getting along, the child giggled, seeming very happy.
“Follow me; the paths in the city are complicated. Be careful not to get eaten,” the child reminded again.
With that, the child turned and walked inside.
He lowered his voice, cautiously whispering.
The child next to him heard this and wasn’t angry. Instead, he nodded in agreement with a giggle, “Hehe, I think so too. It is quite ugly!”
Li Fan’s heart skipped a beat.
To dare call the most revered beast in the heart of the Beast Mountain ugly, in the heart of the beasts’ territory—this child...
Before Li Fan could think further, the words of the Emperor One Beast below drew his attention.
"My fellow kin, I have summoned you here today because the time has come to decide the life and death of the beast race."
Emperor One’s voice was peculiar.
It came from all parts of the flesh mound, as if it was made up of thousands of overlapping voices. Yet, when carefully listened to, the voices were indistinguishable, merging into one seamless tone.
It sounded mechanical, yet lively, a strange combination.
Emperor One continued, “The great calamity of the Xuanhuang Realm is approaching. This disaster will be more brutal than any before.”
“Not only humanity but we beasts, and even the entire world, face an existential crisis. Even though our bloodline memories hold abundant experience in dealing with calamities, I fear we will not escape this one unscathed...”
Hearing this, the beasts below erupted into another uproar.
The flesh mound shifted, and light and shadow flickered above the heads of the beasts.
The beasts quickly quieted down again.
“So, for the future of our race, I need to hear your thoughts.”
From the orbs of light below the flesh cloud, a beast that bore a striking resemblance to Emperor One, also a round ball-shaped creature without facial features, spoke up. “Emperor One, whatever you say, we will follow.”
“I, Zi Wushou, will always be your most loyal subordinate!”
With Zi Wushou’s declaration, many beasts below chimed in, echoing their support.
“Oh? What if I decide to lead you away from the Xuanhuang Realm in search of a new home?” Emperor One suddenly asked coldly, surprising the beasts.
“What?” Zi Wushou was clearly caught off guard by Emperor Yi’s statement and stood there dumbfounded.
Before it could respond, an elderly Azure Divine Dragon beside it quickly spoke up.
“Emperor One, why would you do that? With the strength of our beast race, are we really unable to survive this so-called great calamity?”
“Exactly. We’ve survived countless disasters. Besides, even if we leave, where would we go?”
At this moment, the speaker was a pitch-black qilin, majestic and imposing in form but with a voice as crisp as a child's.
On top of the gathering of myriad beasts sat Emperor One, who let out a low, rumbling laugh upon hearing the black qilin’s doubts.
"Experience, as they say, is a double-edged sword. It grants us the confidence to face crises, yet subtly pushes us toward the abyss."
A black, amorphous mass stirred, seemingly expressing its discontent.
“This calamity is unlike any of the ones we’ve faced in history."
"Its origins lie in..."
At this point, a grotesque multitude of fierce beasts began to emerge from Emperor One’s mass.
"Shut up, you!"
"Why waste breath on these useless creatures! Those who don’t obey, devour them all!"
"What ‘Ten Thousand Beast clan’? With only me, 'Emperor One,' it’s enough!"
...
This unsettling scene silenced all attending beasts, though none of them seemed surprised by the outburst. There was fear in their eyes, but no shock.
The black mass churned once more, swallowing the snarling heads back within itself, as Emperor One resumed, unfazed, "As such, this catastrophe surpasses what the Xuanhuang Realm itself can resolve."
"If no additional factors intervene, everything in this world will end in extinction."
Emperor One's serious tone commanded the full attention of the assembled beasts, who all grew solemn.
"However, since I said I would lead you to survival, I naturally have a way out."
Emperor One's voice, as if resonating from countless forms, echoed through the space.
"Among the human cultivators, there is a sect called the Heavenly Sword Sect. In the face of this great catastrophe, they hope to seize a chance of survival by creating a 'Void-Breaking Divine Weapon,' a tool capable of shattering space-time itself, allowing them to escape from Xuanhuang."
"Setting aside the feasibility of their plan, it has inspired me."
"This mountain beneath us happens to be a natural ‘Void-Breaking Divine Weapon.’ With some modifications, it could lead us to escape as well," Emperor One declared confidently.
"Mount Nanming stands at the edge of the world, at the land's end and sea’s edge. Thus, it has accumulated a great deal of energy from the world's natural overflow..."
Di Yi began to explain the principles to the beasts. None dared to slacken their attention; regardless of their true thoughts, each wore a serious expression.
In the transparent room above, Xu Ke yawned as he listened.
"How boring. Why do these powerful beasts love to drone on? Not impressive at all," he muttered quietly.
Turning to the child beside him, who was even smaller than himself, he asked, "Why did you bring us here? Isn’t this an internal meeting of the beast clan? Isn’t it bad for us to eavesdrop?"
"It’s fine. It won’t mind." The child looked down at the speaking Emperor One beast and said lightly.
Although Xu Ke was naturally carefree, he was no fool. He glanced around cautiously and whispered, "From the way you talk, you seem pretty familiar with Lord Emperor One."
"Could it be... that you’re its illegitimate child?"
"Think that if you wish," the child replied openly, much to Xu Ke’s surprise.
Xu Ke froze in shock.
"I understand! This is what my seniors often say—you need a backup plan for everything!" Xu Ke said excitedly.
“No, you don’t understand,” Emperor One said bluntly.
"‘Two options’ would spell self-destruction for such a vast clan."
"How many beasts would accept the plan of transforming into humans? Not many, that much is certain."
"Enforcing such an order would only bring harm to an already divided clan, so I need to carry this plan out in secret."
Xu Ke scratched his head, looking perplexed. "What are you trying to say? The more you explain, the more confusing it gets."
Emperor One waved his hand, and suddenly, a lush tree appeared before them.
At the tip of one of its branches, Xu Ke saw his own reflection.
“This is...?” he asked, puzzled.
"This is the future," Emperor One replied solemnly. "One possible future."
"The fate of the beast clan is intertwined with you," Emperor One said, gazing at the small Xu Ke, his eyes filled with an ancient sadness.
Xu Ke watched the tree’s branches, each branch displaying different visions of the beast clan’s future—some filled with blood and complete extinction, others thriving and recalling the grandeur of ancient times.
There were scenes of beasts and humans coexisting in harmony, creating a glorious civilization, and others of desolation and ruin.
"An infinite future holds infinite possibilities."
"This means that no matter how slim a possibility may seem, under the concept of ‘infinity,’ everything is bound to occur."
"As the leader of the clan, I must consider every possible outcome for the beast clan's fate."
In that moment, Emperor One, despite his childlike form, spoke with a weight as heavy as mountains.
"This is my answer to Lu Ya’s question."
"Humans may have infinite potential, but you are divided, unable to unite the clan's power, exhausting yourselves in endless internal conflict."
"During a catastrophe, humanity would suffer greatly."
"Even if they survive by chance, the odds of extinction increase as disasters accumulate over time."
"But for us beasts, it’s different. As long as I exist, I’ll think everything through for my kin."
"Though they may have individual thoughts, when it comes to life and death, they must follow my command."
"As long as I live, the beast clan won’t face total extinction."
"If we can’t compete with humans, we just have to outlast them until they destroy themselves."
Emperor One's tone carried a hint of faint irony.
Xu Ke frowned, wanting to retort, but found no suitable words.
After a long pause, he finally asked, "Then how can you guarantee that you won’t die before the beast clan’s extinction?"
Emperor One gave Xu Ke a dark look but remained silent.
"An infinite future means infinite possibilities. As long as there’s a sliver of chance, it means it will inevitably come to pass...”
In Li Fan’s mind, the words Emperor One had just spoken echoed repeatedly.
Possessing the [Truth] ability, which allowed him nearly limitless resets, he understood the meaning of these words more profoundly than anyone else.
Moreover, Li Fan’s heart surged with emotion. He had a premonition that hidden within these words was an even deeper secret.
Something related to his path of the future, or perhaps to the [Truth].
Yet, it was as if he were gazing at flowers in the mist—unable to see its entirety.
Li Fan was lost in a storm of introspection, while the child Emperor One remained silent after finishing his statement.
Xu Ke, under Emperor One’s gaze, involuntarily shuddered and closed his mouth.
The normally fearless Xu Ke now realized the precariousness of his earlier words and dared not ask any further.
After a long silence, perhaps to break the awkwardness of the moment, he chuckled and changed the subject, “Right, since you are the ‘Emperor One’...” Xu Ke tapped his forehead as if just remembering and took out a vermillion wooden box, passing it over.
“This is from Senior Brother Lu Ya, who asked me to bring it here. He didn’t specify who it’s for, but since you’re the one in charge, it’s safe to say it should go to you.”
Xu Ke looked at Emperor One, somewhat relieved.
“What is this...”
Emperor One’s gaze fell on the wooden box, and a hint of solemnity appeared on his small face.
As he took the box, a dark glow flashed across his hand, instantly dispelling the seals placed upon it.
“Roar!”
A ferocious killing aura, laced with resentment and anger, burst out of the box, soaring into the sky.
The murderous energy took shape, swirling into a violent tornado.
An overpowering scent of blood erupted from within, sweeping across the surroundings like a shockwave.
In the midst of this, the shadow of a ferocious beast seemed to emerge, roaring in fury.
Caught off guard, Xu Ke fell to the ground in fright.
And Li Fan, deep in thought, was also startled by the terrifying scene, his feathers standing on end, his body trembling instinctively as if facing a natural enemy.
Fortunately, Emperor One’s small hand formed an impenetrable cage, containing and sealing off the malicious aura.
No matter how violently it struggled or attempted to escape, it couldn’t break free.
“Even in death, that foul temper of yours hasn’t changed.” Emperor One scoffed, his hand emitting a faint black glow.
Gradually, as if sensing Emperor One’s presence, the fierce beast inside the box began to calm down.
The roaring subsided until silence returned.
It was only then that the still-shaken Xu Ke and Li Fan got a clear view of the box’s contents.
Emperor One’s expression was stern, his voice cold as ice.
From within the severed head of 'Emperor II of Wrath', a faint, angry roar seemed to echo in defiance.
“It’s good you returned.”
Emperor One murmured mysteriously.
Then something happened that sent chills down Xu Ke’s spine.
Emperor One placed his hand on the severed head of Emperor II of Wrath. His small, white hand began to swell and distort, expanding in strange ways.
Chunks of black, mud-like flesh oozed from his hand, covering and engulfing the beast’s head.
Instinctively, Xu Ke pulled Li Fan back several steps.
They distanced themselves from the seemingly innocent child Emperor One.
Within just a few breaths, the undulating black mass retracted.
Emperor One returned to his innocent childlike form.
The head of 'Emperor II of Wrath' was now gone.
“Thank you for bringing this fool back.”
“I won’t let him go again for a few tens of thousands of years.”
Emperor One said seriously.
Xu Ke scratched his head, at a loss for words.
“I also understand Emperor III’s intentions...”
Emperor One glanced at Xu Ke with a faint smile.
Instead of reproach, he simply continued.
His belly suddenly swelled, distending until it was several times larger than his childlike body, grotesquely so.
Inside, something seemed to be forming, shifting restlessly within him.
With a tearing sound, a round creature emerged from his body.
“Take this little one back and give it to Lu Ya.”
“He’ll know what to do.”
Back in his childlike form, Emperor One looked at Xu Ke, pausing a moment before speaking again.
“This is your reward for delivering Emperor II of Wrath.”
“Additionally, I have something else to give you.”
This time, there was no grand commotion. Emperor One merely pointed lightly at Xu Ke’s brow, making no further movement.
Xu Ke touched his forehead, but it felt like nothing had changed.
"When the time is right, you’ll understand its purpose," Emperor One said.
"Mysteries again, always speaking in riddles... It’s driving me crazy," Xu Ke muttered under his breath. He glanced at Emperor One but ultimately lacked the courage to speak up.
He had no choice but to bear it.
"With things here resolved, it's clear that Nanming is no place for humans to linger long. Let me take you out of here."
Meanwhile, in the space below, the Assembly of Ten Thousand Beasts had come to a final decision.
"We firmly support and uphold His Majesty Emperor One’s great decision!"
"Under His Majesty’s leadership, our Beast Clan will usher in a brighter future!"
"To stay in the tiny Xuanhuang Realm is pointless!"
The beast tribes roared in unison, their voices like crashing waves, already in unanimous agreement.
As for how genuine this enthusiasm was, one might catch a hint from the faint, mocking smile that appeared on Emperor One's young face as he looked down upon them.
Leading Xu Ke, Emperor One took him through a winding, deserted passage, arriving back at the door they had first entered through.
"You may leave now."
Emperor One halted and instructed.
Xu Ke hesitated, as if he wanted to say something.
"Rest assured, we’ll meet again someday," Emperor One added, with a knowing look.
As his voice echoed, Emperor One's figure disappeared.
Xu Ke felt a pang of emptiness.
Holding onto the sphere with a pulsating core, Xu Ke summoned Xiao Qing and left with Li Fan.
On the journey back across the Nanming Sea, possibly due to Emperor One's influence, they encountered no other beasts.
Their journey was peaceful, and they drew ever closer to the Beast-Taming Sect.
Li Fan, standing on the sphere Emperor One had given Xu Ke, seemed deeply interested in it, his gaze revealing a glint of greed as if he wanted to devour it.
"Hey, Xiao Hei, what are you doing?"
Seeing Li Fan’s predatory look, Xu Ke clutched the sphere tightly, eyes full of caution.
"This is something I need to bring back to Senior Brother Lu Ya. Don’t even think about eating it out of curiosity."
Li Fan rolled his eyes at Xu Ke and swiped at him with a claw, offering no explanation.
"Within the beast tribes, there were many divisions on whether to leave the Xuanhuang Realm altogether."
"And even more so among us human cultivators."
"For each who wanted to leave, there were others who wished to stay."
It was simply a matter of personal choice when faced with the unprecedented catastrophe of heaven and earth.
Li Fan pondered.
---
Back in the real world from the Immortal-Fallen Realm, the foundation ceremony for Congyun Immortal City was about to begin.
As agreed, Zhou Kebao brought over the Immortal City abode.
"Fellow Daoist, behold!"
He extended his right hand, revealing a miniature city radiating five-colored light.
Its appearance was identical to the Immortal Cities in each state of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
"There’s no room to display it here. Please, follow me," Zhou Kebao said with a smile, handing over a white jade statue in the form of a exquisite pagoda.
"This is..." Li Fan examined the small object, finding it somewhat familiar.
"This is the key to the Advance Realm. Simply use it as the core of the formation, and you’ll be able to enter the Advance Realm as planned," Zhou Kebao explained.
"I see." Li Fan, who had once rented the White Bone Advance Realm and deceived many from outer realm, was naturally familiar with this.
After a brief pause, he activated the ritual with the Exquisite Pagoda statue in hand.
Following a faint dizziness, Li Fan opened his eyes again, finding himself in a heavenly palace amidst clouds.
In addition to Zhou Kebao, a group of cultivators had been waiting for some time.
"An honor to finally meet you, Daoist Li. A true privilege for us all!"
"Haha, Daoist Li, I guess we can say we've become acquaintances in a unique way!"
Seeing Li Fan, they warmly came forward to greet him.
Li Fan responded with a smile.
"All right, let’s allow Daoist Li to inspect the goods," one of them, a square-faced cultivator with a naturally authoritative presence, said.
Zhou Kebao nodded, then controlled the Immortal City abode, expanding it to its full size.
In an instant, an immense floating city appeared above the palace.
"Daoist Li, please!"
With that, Zhou Kebao led the way into the suspended city.
Chapter 540
"Fellow Daoist Li, please proceed!"
The square-faced cultivator stepped forward, speaking to Li Fan in a deep tone.
Earlier, when Li Fan had eavesdropped on this group discussing their plans, he had overheard from Zhou Kebao that this man’s surname was Long.
In their group, he seemed to naturally hold a leadership position.
Furthermore, on the contract that Zhou Kebao had signed, only one person with the surname Long had left his name.
Thus, Li Fan was able to determine the identity of the cultivator before him.
Long Yueyou.
The surname Long was not exactly common.
Back when he was in Tianquan Prefecture, Li Fan had heard of the famed Long Clan at the Heavenly Pole Institute of the Extreme Heaven Sovereign.
Although not as prominent as the Tantai clan, which had high-ranking elders in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the Long clan was very cohesive, with its members spread throughout the Alliance.
Even though most of them held basic positions, when united, they were a force not to be underestimated.
Whether Long Yueyou was connected to that Long clan was still unclear to Li Fan.
This thought flashed through his mind, but Li Fan pretended not to recognize Long Yueyou and asked, "And who might this be?"
Long Yueyou gave a slight, proud smile but did not speak. Instead, one of his followers quickly introduced him to Li Fan.
Just as Li Fan had guessed.
"An honor! Truly an honor!" Li Fan clasped his hands in greeting, feigning surprise.
Internally, however, Li Fan’s evaluation of Long Yueyou had already dropped by a few notches.
Long Yueyou nodded as a response.
Li Fan didn’t mind and, surrounded by cultivators, followed Zhou Kebao as they flew into the suspended city in the sky.
The protective formation had not been activated, allowing free movement throughout the city.
This was the first time Li Fan had an overhead view of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s Immortal city.
The perspective was different, lending a unique flavor to the experience.
Zhou Kebao began explaining the various facilities within the city to Li Fan.
Li Fan could see that this Immortal city’s cave estate was indeed almost identical to the usual city layouts of the Immortal Alliance.
After a tour of each building, Li Fan nodded in satisfaction.
When the time seemed right, Zhou Kebao took out a seven-colored command token and handed it over.
"This is the control hub for this cave estate. Just refine it with your blood, and you’ll be able to control the city’s formations at will."
"In addition to the standard functions that every Immortal city has, we added special features based on your requirements, such as long-distance teleportation, illusion mirages, and the virtual mustard seed storage function."
"Of course, you can also distribute certain control permissions of the cave estate to other cultivators."
...
Zhou Kebao diligently showcased the strengths of this Immortal city cave estate to Li Fan and even offered helpful reminders.
"Long-distance teleportation requires a lot of energy. Besides premium spirit stones, you’ll need resources like [Void Splitting Sand] and [Fixed Orbit Mystical Crystal], which are rare and quite expensive in the market. If you need, you can get them from us at a reasonable price." Zhou Kebao whispered, causing a round of chuckles from the cultivators around.
"By the way, there’s something important to note. Long-distance teleportation requires precise spatial coordinates of the destination. Otherwise, minor location errors are manageable, but if it sends you into endless void, that would be a problem." Zhou Kebao added gravely.
Li Fan nodded in acknowledgment.
"Lastly, the self-destruction function you specifically requested." Zhou Kebao's tone grew slightly tense.
Before his identity as "Li Fan, an ancient Heavenly mechanism's Sect cultivator" disappeared, this cave estate would shine one last, brilliant display within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s territory.
Different future scenarios flashed in his mind, and he let out a cold smile.
Settling his thoughts, Li Fan then headed back to the Dust Crossing Boat, requesting to see the Lord Diyi Jinglun before the official Congyun City foundation ceremony.
"Young Master Jinglun, after months of hard work, the Alliance mission is complete. I’ve also carried out the tasks you assigned."
"You see..."
Li Fan spoke tactfully, confident that the perceptive Diyi Jinglun would understand the meaning behind his words.
Frowning as he reviewed the glowing, shifting documents on his desk, the Diyi Jinglun didn’t even look up.
"Don’t worry, the Alliance never shortchanges those who contribute."
"The appropriate reward has been decided. Originally, I intended to announce it at the foundation ceremony, but since you’re in such a hurry, take a look."
Diyi Jinglun tapped the desk lightly, and a beam of light shot towards Li Fan.
Unable to dodge, the light entered his body, and an announcement appeared in his mind.
"This is to commend Li Fan, Acting Island Lord of Congyun Island, for his diligence and exceptional efforts in supervising the construction of Congyun City."
"We hereby promote him to the position of [Secret Envoy] of Congyun City’s Administrative Hall, with full authority over all governmental affairs in the absence of the Island Lord."
"In addition, we award him a contribution of 100,000 points and an A-rank superior merit."
...
"Heh, ‘the Alliance never shortchanges those who contribute’—I’ve heard that one before."
"But the reward for this mission truly lives up to those words."
Li Fan thought to himself.
Upon carefully reviewing the order from the Administrative Hall, he found that his upcoming position as a [Secret Envoy] granted substantial authority.
In reality, within the actual operations of regional governance, many matters were ultimately decided by these Secret Envoys of the Bureau of Governance. Only special events that reached a certain level required approval from the City Lord of the Immortal City.
After all, in a single state, there are countless minor affairs, and if the City Lord had to personally address everything, no matter how trivial, even several clones might not suffice to manage it all. Moreover, the City Lords of the various Immortal Cities are often at the Soul Transformation level of cultivation.
At this level, who wouldn’t aspire to go further and achieve Dao Integration?
One must understand that once one steps into the realm of Dao Integration, their status becomes entirely different from that of a Soul Transformation cultivator.
In a smaller sense, one would become the true ruler of a single state; on a larger scale, they could be transferred to the core of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, reaching the center of power in the near future.
Therefore, they must ensure ample time for cultivation.
As an aide to the City Lord, the Secret Envoy helps shoulder the burden of handling administrative matters. Generally, a single state will have three to five Secret Envoys.
However, the situation in Congyun Sea is unique.
The upper echelon has been temporarily reassigned elsewhere by a single command, while almost all of the mid- and lower-level cultivators were captured in a single sweep by the Five Elders Association.
To expedite the operations of the newly rebuilt Congyun City, the Bureau of Governance headquarters has, for the time being, appointed only one Secret Envoy, while also granting Li Fan extensive authority.
He now has the right to recommend candidates for one-third of the vacant positions. As for the remaining posts, they will soon be filled by cultivators transferred from other states.
“With both Immortal Lords Hongxi and Ziyun of the Soul Transformation stage absent, it can be said that I am solely in charge of Congyun City.”
“These past few months of relentless effort were well worth it,” Li Fan thought, his face revealing excitement.
“Thank you, Young Master, for your support! From now on, I shall serve you with unwavering loyalty, repaying your kindness!”
Li Fan vowed with conviction.
For Li Fan's pledge of unwavering loyalty, the Diyi Jinglun merely gave a noncommittal nod.
"Go on now. Prepare well for the inauguration ceremony. No mistakes are permitted," he said indifferently, eyes still focused on the documents before him.
Li Fan bowed deeply and took his leave.
Back at his temporary quarters, he summoned Gao Yuan.
"Lord City Master, you called for me?" Gao Yuan greeted him with a flattering smile, bowing deeply.
"The reward from the Alliance Headquarters has arrived. I will assume the post of ‘Secret Envoy of the Administrative Hall.’ From now on, address me accordingly," Li Fan replied coolly, mirroring the tone of the Diyi Jinglun.
Gao Yuan was stunned for a moment. Before he could react, Li Fan continued, "The Immortal City’s reconstruction is ongoing, with many tasks left unfinished. With Lords Hongxi and Ziyun away, I will temporarily assume full responsibility over all affairs in Congyun Sea."
Gao Yuan, finally regaining his composure, could barely contain his delight and said repeatedly, "Congratulations, Lord Secret Envoy! Everyone has witnessed your competence over these past six months. With you overseeing matters, the cultivators of Congyun Sea are indeed fortunate!"
"My lord, you might not be aware, but every cultivator I’ve encountered has nothing but admiration and faith in your abilities."
...
Li Fan smiled knowingly.
Though aware of Gao Yuan's flattery, who doesn't enjoy hearing praise?
Waving a hand to interrupt Gao Yuan's enthusiastic speech, Li Fan took a thin sheet of paper from his sleeve and handed it over.
"This is a list of cultivators ranked roughly by their contributions to the reconstruction of Congyun City."
"Of the available positions in the new city, I hold one-third of the nomination quotas. Aside from those cultivators who pledged allegiance on the first day, several positions remain vacant. Review the list and see who is suitable," Li Fan instructed, hands folded behind his back.
The list in Gao Yuan's hand, though thin as cicada wings, felt as heavy as a mountain. His hands trembled, and his breathing grew rapid.
This was why he had sworn loyalty to Li Fan—to reach this day, to wield the power to shape others’ fates with a single word.
Recognizing this as Li Fan's final test for him, Gao Yuan took a deep breath to steady himself.
Scanning the names, he quickly formulated a plan.
"Of these cultivators, I recommend Fang Weihou first. Though only a Golden Core cultivator, he's diligent and meticulous. Every task assigned to him over the past six months has been completed flawlessly ahead of schedule. What's more, he has no family background and has advanced purely on his own."
"And this cultivator, Jia Jun, is highly capable as well..."
Gao Yuan spoke fluently and with confidence.
The past six months had not been idle for him.
Though he seemed to wander aimlessly each day, his watchful eyes took in the actions of every cultivator.
But just as Li Fan straightened and prepared to speak again...
From the distant horizon, a streak of light shot toward them.
"Acting Island Lord of Ten Thousand Immortals Island, Li Fan, hear your command!"
A thin cultivator, clad in the Immortal Alliance's official attire, appeared, holding a yellow scroll with a solemn expression.
Though he spoke quietly, his words boomed like thunder, reaching every cultivator present.
In an instant, silence fell around the Immortal City.
"Here it is!" Li Fan moved forward, unhurriedly bowing slightly.
"To Acting Island Lord Li Fan of Congyun Island, who has worked tirelessly to supervise the reconstruction of Congyun City, commendations are bestowed."
...
Just as he had seen the previous day in the presence of the Lord Jinglun.
But this time, as the representative from the Alliance’s Administrative Hall officially proclaimed the commendation, the scroll transformed into a golden glow that shot toward Li Fan.
As it neared him, the golden light turned into a close-fitting black robe, which automatically draped itself over him.
Intricate patterns woven in gold adorned the robe, exuding an aura of prestige.
"Congratulations, Lord Secret Envoy!"
As Li Fan donned the robe, a group of cultivators in the crowd—having arranged this beforehand—shouted together.
Some of the quicker-witted cultivators now realized that, just like Li Fan's appointment as Acting Island Lord, this too had likely been prearranged.
Only they had been left in the dark.
Those who had previously ignored Li Fan’s gesture of respect now looked regretful.
In a bid to make amends, after a moment of silence, they joined in the cheering.
"Congratulations, Lord Secret Envoy!"
After a second round of cheers, more joined in.
Eventually, even those who had remained silent were pressured to join the chorus.
The collective cheers of "Congratulations, Lord Secret Envoy!" echoed through the Congyun Sea, spreading in all directions.
The cheers of the cultivators continued until Li Fan flew to Congyun City and personally opened the entrance to the protective formation. Only then did the celebration gradually quiet down.
"Everyone, from this day onward, this will be our new home," Li Fan said with a smile.
The cultivators all responded in agreement.
"All the facilities on the island are as they were, including the teleportation formation and the Tianxuan Mirror. Feel free to explore them; there’s no need for further explanation," Li Fan announced loudly.
Some cultivators could hardly wait and began leaving immediately.
Seeing this, Li Fan smiled slightly and suddenly spoke again, “The following friends, please come with me to the Administrative Hall.”
“Zheng Hao, Gao Yuan, Zhou Qingang...”
“Fang Weihou...”
“Jia Jun...”
Li Fan listed over a hundred names in one breath, as if reciting a menu.
The cultivators who had initially intended to leave stopped in their tracks, realizing something important was happening. Their faces were tense, listening attentively.
Those called were overjoyed, while those who were not didn’t dare show discontent, only casting envious looks at those chosen.
Having secured Li Fan, who was officially a Secret Envoy but effectively the acting Island Lord, they saw a boundless future.
After speaking, Li Fan led a grand procession of over a hundred people to the Administrative Hall at the center of the city.
Only the cultivators left behind exchanged thoughts silently.
“What’s so impressive about him? The rise and fall of fortune is uncertain. Don’t forget, if the Lord Hongxi returns to the Island, it could all come to nothing for Li Fan.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. The Secret Envoy clearly has strong backing. Otherwise, there’s no way he’d be granted authority over an entire region.”
“Isn’t that obvious? How many ordinary cultivators could subdue a Soul Transformation puppet? Even if the Island Lord Hongxi and Ziyun returned, they’d have to treat the Secret Envoy with respect. Fellow Daoist Zhu, I suggest you recognize the situation before provoking the Secret Envoy.”
“Hmph! You may fear him, but I, Zhu Yongshou, do not fear Li Fan!”
Similar conversations echoed throughout Congyun City.
It’s impossible to be liked by everyone. Li Fan was no exception.
However, Li Fan was entirely unconcerned with the opinions of the Congyun Sea cultivators.
At that moment, he began assigning positions to fill vacancies, then reported the personnel appointments to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for approval.
After a full day’s work, Li Fan finally had a moment of rest.
Thanks to the help of assistants like He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan, managing city affairs was much easier.
Sitting in a specially prepared room within the Administrative Hall, Li Fan closed his eyes slightly, sensing the different degrees of cultivation feedback flowing from his dantian.
A look of mild surprise crossed his face.
“I didn’t expect some of my people to break through so quickly?”
“Most of these individuals came from humble backgrounds in Congyun Sea. Following me for the past six months, they finally attained their dreams, advancing not only within the Immortal Alliance system but also securing substantial positions.”
“Administrative Hall, Inspector of Surveillance. Chief, how about this position?”
“It grants significant authority, allowing one to patrol all four corners of the region and deal harshly with any unlawful acts.”
“Far more imposing than merely guarding a small island!”
Zhou Qingang spoke to the stone face on the shattered rock, looking smug.
“And now, all the secrets I couldn’t access before are within easy reach. I’ve truly infiltrated the enemy’s core!”
“Chief?”
“Hm? Why aren’t you responding, Chief?”
Seeing no reaction from his counterpart, “Zhou Qingang” felt something was amiss.
An ominous feeling crept into Li Fan’s heart.
He fell silent as well.
After a long while, the stone face finally spoke, its voice cold and filled with murderous intent.
“You are not Zhou Qingang. Who are you?”
Li Fan’s heart sank.
However, he continued to feign confusion, saying with a hint of surprise, “Chief, what are you talking about? Look at this face of mine—absolutely genuine!”
“How could you doubt me, given my merits for the organization?”
“Those entry test questions for the Immortal Alliance, the classified information on the Union of Xuan-huang...”
Zhou Qingang recounted his accomplishments with an air of grievance.
“So, you replaced him much earlier than I thought...”
“Impressive!”
The stone face showed no signs of being swayed by Li Fan’s arguments. Its tone was as cold as ice.
The previously flustered “Zhou Qingang” suddenly grew calm, as if transformed into someone else, and asked quietly, “Oh? What was my flaw?”
“Hmph!”
The stone face sneered, “Your disguise is flawless, but you overlooked one crucial detail.”
“When Zhou Qingang first accepted the infiltration mission into the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, he was given a final directive.”
“If he were to secure a significant position within the Alliance, he was to immediately sever all ties with us.”
“To remain entirely hidden, avoiding any contact with us to prevent exposure, until he was needed for a critical operation...”
“So, the fact that you came to contact me right after your appointment proves you are not the real Zhou Qingang.”
The stone face’s voice was low and severe.
"Is that so?" Li Fan nodded slightly, his face as calm as still water, but there was a faint tone of regret in his voice. "A minor oversight, not a sin of war."
“Hmph, the fact that you deceived us for so long... truly, quite a skill!” The face on the smooth broken stone appeared and disappeared, indicating a significant inner turmoil.
"I should have noticed something amiss much earlier. For someone as mediocre as Zhou Qingang to achieve so many feats within just a few years..."
"Initially, I was blinded by his abundant successes, thinking he’d somehow defied fate and changed his fortune."
"But in retrospect, a single instance can be chalked up to luck. However, for it to happen time and again, with fortune so overwhelmingly in his favor..."
“Hmph, he’s hardly someone destined by heaven," the face remarked with a hint of remorse, staring intently at Li Fan, searching for any sign of smugness.
But Li Fan’s expression remained completely unchanged, not even the slightest hint of unease after his identity had been repeatedly exposed. This, in turn, left the face on the stone in a state of doubt, and he gradually fell silent.
The undersea ruins grew quiet.
After a moment, unable to contain himself, the face asked in a grave tone, “Who exactly are you?!”
"Entry exams for the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the events on Ten Thousand Immortal Island the day it was sealed..."
"These are absolute secrets that only someone in a high position within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could know. For you to betray all of this for a few contribution points..."
“Is it to gain our trust and infiltrate us in reverse?”
After a round of careful deduction, the face concluded that Li Fan was one of their own.
"Relax. I’m no spy from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance," Li Fan replied calmly. "Quite the opposite, actually; my goals align with yours and those of the Five Elders Association."
“We both seek...”
“To annihilate the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance!”
"What?" Although Li Fan’s tone was light, to the face, it landed like a thunderbolt.
“You...” The face seemed stunned, gazing at Li Fan in disbelief.
A moment later, he regained his composure but was filled with skepticism. "Trying to fool me again, are you?"
“In a way, you could say we’re natural allies at this point, don’t you think?” Li Fan continued.
“In fact, with our current strategy, we don’t have any plans to oppose your Five Elders Association.”
“We mean no harm, as you can see from the intelligence I provided earlier. If we’d intended to hinder you in secret, we could have easily caused you a substantial loss without you even realizing it.”
"Approaching you through Zhou Qingang’s identity was a necessity. In the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s domain, neither of us could afford to be exposed. If someone had approached you directly, you would’ve thought your cover was blown and vanished immediately.”
"Heh, people like you, I know all too well."
“Speaking of Zhou Qingang, I just remembered. He’s still alive. I could even consider sending him back to you.”
Li Fan spoke fluently, as if reciting a monologue.
However, the face on the stone didn’t look too pleased. “That fool can die on his own.”
After a pause, suppressing his anger, the face asked in a deep voice, “So, you’re telling us all this because you want to cooperate?”
Li Fan chuckled, responding with a question, “Why ask when you already know? Realizing that Zhou Qingang’s cover was blown, you didn’t cut off communications immediately but instead kept chatting for this long. Isn’t it because you’re uncertain of my identity and still interested in the confidential information I might provide?”
“Surely, the spies of the Five Elders Association aren’t this idle?”
The face sneered but did not refute, tacitly acknowledging Li Fan’s words.
"Good, since we’re being forthright, let’s speak plainly. We’ve recently acquired new top-secret information," Li Fan said, watching the face’s reaction.
As expected, the face showed a slight change in color, and a hint of desire flashed in his eyes.
“To him, it doesn’t matter if I’m truly Zhou Qingang or a real agent of the Five Elders Association. What matters is whether I can provide secrets about the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance,” Li Fan thought to himself, as clear as a mirror.
“No spy wants to keep this identity forever. To achieve glorious feats and retire with honor, free from fear, living a peaceful life—that’s their dream.”
“And I... can help him achieve that.”
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While his mind was racing, Li Fan didn’t stop speaking.
He said with a solemn expression, “This matter is extremely important. Based on our assessment, its significance surpasses even that of the ‘Tianxuan Spirit Lock’ and the unification prophecy of the ‘Xuan-huang.’”
He paused, glancing at the stony face of his counterpart, whose composure had clearly been shaken. Li Fan smiled subtly and continued, “If we let the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance complete this unchallenged, it could completely tip the power balance between your Five Elders Association and the Immortal Alliance.”
“The strength between the Five Elders Association and the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has always been on par. However, because of the presence of the Immortal Ancestor, the Immortal Alliance has had a slight upper hand. If the Immortal Alliance's power were to increase further, the Five Elders Association might forever remain underfoot, unable to regain ground.”
“This is something we don’t want to see,” Li Fan stated frankly.
“That’s why I’m here to find you so urgently. I understand that frequent communication from a spy to superiors may raise suspicion. However, the situation is pressing, and I had no choice but to reach out this way.” He sighed, shaking his head.
“Is this true?” The face in the stone grew even more serious. He didn’t believe Li Fan would deceive him on such a matter; surely, he must have some solid evidence.
But more important than the prophecy of ‘Xuan-huang’?
That was difficult to believe. Since he was the first to report the prophecy within their organization, the Five Elders Association had been taking significant action.
His superiors had also treated him more kindly, even promising that if he could perform a similar deed again, he could retire honorably from the front lines, redeem his soul contract, and become a “free cultivator”—the most enviable status among the Five Elders Association.
...
This illustrated the depth of the secrets tied to the unification prophecy. Yet now, this mysterious cultivator, hiding behind the guise of Zhou Qingang, claimed to know of something even more critical?
His heart pounded wildly, an unfamiliar sensation.
Could this be his chance to change his destiny?
“What is it?” he asked impatiently.
Li Fan held up one finger. “The usual price—ten million contribution points.”
Before the stone face could reply, Li Fan explained, “The development of any organization requires ample funding.”
“Though we too wish to prevent the Ten Thousand Immortals from becoming dominant, and you from losing your power balance, our first priority is to ensure our own survival and growth.”
“Don’t think it’s too much. Since you were willing to pay ten million contribution points last time...”
“Believe me, this time it’s worth it.”
Li Fan looked at the stone face earnestly. “Go on and request it from your superiors. I’ll wait here for your answer.”
After hesitating briefly, the face vanished from the stone.
“Most likely, as in my past life, they’ll send Dao Integration cultivators to launch a raid on the Five Elements Cave Heaven.”
“The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance will likely respond fiercely, setting the stage for a massive battle.”
“I remember that in my previous life, the battle was brutal once it reached a deadlock. Every state’s Nascent Soul cultivators were pulled to the battlefield in Tianling State.”
“The death toll of cultivators was staggering. Though I officially have only a Golden Core cultivation, I did manage to kill several Nascent Soul cultivators. Given my true combat strength, it’s quite likely I’d be drafted.”
“The Tianling State battlefield... it’s best to keep my distance.”
With that in mind, Li Fan immediately summoned Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao and announced two things.
First, he claimed he felt an enormous, rare opportunity approaching. As the ruler of Congyun Sea, he was committed to ensuring the prosperity of all its cultivators, so he decided to relaunch the contribution collection plan.
This time, the upper limit of fundraising would be...
One hundred million.
Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao’s eyes widened in shock, frozen for a long moment.
Meanwhile, Gao Yuan looked at Li Fan with a fervent gaze.
Before they could regain composure, Li Fan announced the second matter.
The upcoming contribution collection was critical and had to be handled flawlessly.
So, effective immediately, he would enter deep seclusion.
All channels of communication would be closed to prevent any disturbances.
He would not emerge until everything was ready.
“This...” Hearing these seemingly contradictory orders, Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao frowned slightly, puzzled.
However, Gao Yuan reacted quickly and bowed. “As you command, my lord.”
“You can trust us—we won’t let you down!”
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He Zhenghao glanced at Gao Yuan briefly, then quickly expressed his loyalty to Li Fan.
Li Fan was noncommittal. He simply took out two small metallic figurines, somewhat resembling himself, from his storage ring and handed one to each of them.
“These are Divine Spirit Jade Slip. Each contains a fragment of my divine consciousness, similar to a partial clone.”
“While I am in seclusion, I will sever all contact with the outside world. If there’s ever an urgent situation, you may use this to reach me.”
Li Fan’s tone was calm as he spoke.
Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao carefully put the metallic figurines away, feeling both honored and slightly overwhelmed.
The Divine Spirit Jade Slip was not unfamiliar to them. Cultivators usually entrusted such artifacts only to the closest and most trusted of disciples, using it as a personal tool for teaching and guidance.
For Lord Envoy to entrust us with something so significant—it truly shows his complete trust in us!
Feeling deeply moved, Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao bowed in gratitude once again.
“You may go,” Li Fan said expressionlessly with a slight nod, effectively dismissing them.
---
In the Bureau of Administration’s council chamber, He Zhenghao was organizing the list of relevant cultivators.
Since Li Fan suddenly announced the temporary suspension of the contribution-gathering initiative, many cultivators who had hesitated and chosen to wait on the sidelines were filled with regret.
After all, Li Fan’s funding initiative had already run for several phases. Each time, the contributions were returned with interest as scheduled, and sometimes even early. The feared scenario of Li Fan taking the funds and disappearing had never occurred.
These previously doubtful cultivators had gradually started to trust Li Fan, especially now that they had heard he’d been appointed Acting Island Lord of the Immortal Alliance.
The responsibility for handling the contributions rested with He Zhenghao, which led cultivators of all types to approach him with small tokens of goodwill, requesting that if Li Fan resumed the initiative, he would prioritize them.
If even the observers were acting this way, then it was no surprise that those who had reaped benefits in the earlier rounds had long since spoken to He Zhenghao.
“Initially, I was worried that there’d be too many people and I wouldn’t be able to manage it all. But now, with a billion contribution points, there’s plenty for everyone.” He Zhenghao grinned as he listed names and began sending out messages.
“Fellow Daoist, the matter you asked about has come to fruition! I’ve received reliable information...”
While He Zhenghao was full of excitement, Gao Yuan, on the other hand, appeared somewhat perplexed.
He Zhenghao was about to refute, but after some thought and recollecting Li Fan’s dismissive attitude toward wealth, he began to waver.
Upon further reflection, He Zhenghao nodded slowly, “It does seem odd. During my first meeting with him, he demonstrated his incredible ability to amass wealth.”
“In less than seven days, he’d doubled the contributions. With such skill, I doubt a billion contribution points would be of much significance to him.”
Gao Yuan nodded heavily. “Exactly. Even back when he was just an independent cultivator, he probably didn’t value a billion points all that highly.”
“Not to mention that now he is essentially the ruler of the Congyun Sea territory.”
“I’ve never heard of a regional leader going into deep seclusion over a mere billion contribution points.”
“So his claim that ‘the matter is critical and requires meticulous preparation’ is nothing but an excuse!”
Gao Yuan’s eyes flashed, his tone resolute.
He Zhenghao pondered this for a moment before nodding in agreement.
“But then, what is his true purpose? The city has just been restored, and much needs to be done. Why would he choose this moment to go into seclusion?” he asked in confusion.
Gao Yuan, brimming with confidence, replied, “In my view, this is the Lord Envoy’s way of testing us.”
“Testing us?” He Zhenghao was baffled.
“Precisely,” Gao Yuan said with certainty.
“You know I’m known for my ability to read people. I can understand someone’s character and temperament after only a brief interaction.”
“As for the Lord Envoy...”
“I wouldn’t claim to fully understand him, but one thing is beyond doubt.”
Lowering his voice, Gao Yuan continued, “He is inherently free-spirited and would never submit to the constraints of mundane affairs.”
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"Unlike us ordinary folks, the lord surely has far grander ambitions," Gao Yuan said slowly, his tone pensive.
"What we crave—those official positions in the Immortal Alliance—he may not even care about," he continued. "Even though he hides it well, you can tell when someone is truly enamored with power."
He Zhenghao listened intently, his expression serious as he nodded in agreement.
"From what I know, Lord Envoy was actually forced to accept the position as acting lord of Ten Thousand Immortal Island. His mission to rebuild the Immortal City was, in fact, a task thrust upon him," Gao Yuan unexpectedly revealed.
He Zhenghao looked stunned, his eyes wide with surprise. "Is that really the case?"
Gao Yuan nodded. "I’m not sure of the underlying complexities, but thankfully, Lord Envoy managed to complete the task."
"He even changed the fates of many of us along the way."
"Currently, he serves as the 'Secret Envoy,' governing the affairs of the Congyun Sea region. But I suspect he has little interest in directly managing things," Gao Yuan speculated.
"I also believe that, given his remarkable talent, it would be a true waste for him to spend time on mundane tasks."
"He has a much larger stage to shine on. As for the minor affairs, naturally, there are others to handle those."
"What he needs," Gao Yuan analyzed carefully, "are people who can keep things running smoothly in his absence, without him having to worry."
"The two tasks he assigned us this time—these are tests," he continued. "And that 'Divine Spirit jade Slip'—that’s a trap."
"If we lose control of the situation and need to consult him..."
"Perhaps our positions wouldn’t change, but in his heart, we’d certainly be branded as incompetent," Gao Yuan said gravely.
He Zhenghao was startled. "Is it really that bad?"
Gao Yuan gave a cold hum. "Haven’t you ever noticed the way he looks at us?"
"His gaze? What about it?" He Zhenghao asked, puzzled, eagerly seeking clarification.
"Though he appears friendly, sometimes even humble... beneath the surface..." Gao Yuan’s eyes showed a hint of fear.
"Deep down in his eyes, the way he looks at all of us is the same."
"It’s like how we cultivators view ordinary mortals... no, that’s not quite right," Gao Yuan shook his head, frowning as he searched for the right words.
After a pause, he pointed to the tables and chairs in the council chamber and spoke in a low tone. "That’s it. In his eyes, all of us are like these—mere tools."
"It’s as if we’re not even on the same level of existence. To him, we are likely nothing but tools."
Secondly, because...
Being considered a close confidant by a Longevity Heavenly Sovereign, even if only temporarily and in appearance... is a tremendous honor.
As their minds swirled with thoughts, they both silently pondered for a long time.
Finally, He Zhenghao broke the silence.
Clearing his throat, he spoke softly, "Brother Gao, this matter is all just your speculation."
"It’s best not to mention it to outsiders lightly."
"Let it be known only to you and me."
Gao Yuan glanced at He Zhenghao, nodding slightly. "Of course, I am well aware."
They exchanged a meaningful smile, everything understood without a word.
There was an unspoken thought between them.
If Li Fan truly were a Longevity Heavenly Sovereign, then serving him now...
Once he fully recovers his strength...
Their stage would no longer be confined to the small realm of Congyun Sea.
He Zhenghao also recalled his former wife, and a long-extinguished flame of ambition subtly reignited in his eyes.
—
Deep within the Administration Hall, Li Fan refocused his attention and summoned a water mirror.
Stroking his chin, he examined his reflection in the mirror.
"An indifferent gaze..."
He stared blankly into his own eyes.
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Li Fan couldn't remember how long it had been since he last truly looked at himself.
The image of himself that lingered in his mind was still that of a slender scholar in his twenties.
After all, regardless of how his appearance aged, whenever he activated [Truth], he would revert to his original look at the anchor point he had chosen.
Thus, for Li Fan, aging was merely an illusion.
The common fears of all living beings—aging, illness, and death—were merely temporary states that he could escape at any moment.
Even the changes occurring in his own body were something he viewed with a certain indifference.
If he didn’t care much about the transformations within himself, then the vast populations of the Xuanhuang Realm mattered even less.
Kou Hong, Dao Xuanzhi, He Zhenghao, Zhang Zhiliang, Xiao Heng...
These people, in each cycle of reincarnation, had their fates altered by Li Fan's actions.
A mortal enemy in one life might become a close friend, sharing drinks with him in the next. In yet another life, they might become his loyal followers.
And in the future?
Perhaps they would become mere collateral, innocent souls lost in one of Li Fan’s battles.
Yet...
No matter their fate, whenever Li Fan activated [Truth], their "state" would reset to the anchor point Li Fan had selected.
So, for them, were these lifetimes just illusions?
People often mock the extremely selfish by saying, "The world doesn’t revolve around you. Why should others cater to your whims?"
But for Li Fan, at least within the Xuanhuang Realm, the world did revolve around him.
With a single thought, the world could reset.
All past events would vanish like smoke.
In such circumstances, how could Li Fan possibly regard the people of this world as equals?
Even if it was the artifact [Truth] that allowed him to do this, Li Fan, with his power over time, could not treat the beings of the Xuanhuang Realm as his "equals."
Li Fan scrutinized his reflection for a long time, but he didn’t notice the "indifference" that Gao Yuan had mentioned.
This perhaps suggested that even Li Fan himself was unaware of some subtle changes taking place within him.
Just like how his psychological age continued to grow with each use of [Truth].
Li Fan stopped mid-air, smiled slightly, and responded with a single word: "Federation."
Soon after, the green luan, Xiao Qing, personally came to welcome him.
She carefully observed Li Fan before leading him to a secret room on the island.
Li Chenfeng was apparently not on the island; it was unknown where he had gone.
Even the soul-locking ability of the Formless Killing Intent was temporarily inactive.
Li Fan replayed a scene recorded by his Dao Deviation Stone, discovering that Li Chenfeng had left the Xuanhuang Realm.
But the departure point differed from the place where he had returned to the Empire before.
"Not the Empire, but another small world?"
This thought crossed Li Fan's mind, but he said nothing, merely noting it.
"So, you are also from the Federation of all World's?" Xiao Qing asked directly.
"Correct. I was sent by our lord to inform you that, unfortunately, our collaboration must be temporarily halted," Li Fan replied calmly.
"What?!" Even with over a thousand years of experience, Xiao Qing was taken aback, staring at Li Fan with her phoenix eyes.
"What does this mean?"
She scrutinized Li Fan with suspicion, her eyes narrowing. "Are you truly from the Federation?"
She was already beginning to doubt Li Fan’s identity.
The killing intent in the air began to grow, but Li Fan raised his hand to indicate that she needn’t worry.
He explained, "It’s not that the Federation Of All World's intends to break our promise; there are unavoidable circumstances."
"We’re not only cutting off contact with your [Empire] but also with all other small worlds."
"Our higher-ups have instructed us to lie low for a while and wait until the situation calms down."
Xiao Qing's furrowed brows remained tense, and as she was about to respond, Li Fan added, "I understand you’re eager to leave the Xuanhuang Realm."
"But the situation truly is complex; we have no choice."
"After all, we also gained a great deal from our last exchange. We’re just as eager to complete the remaining part of our deal."
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"Ha ha, that Beast Soul Bead you provided last time was truly useful."
"Especially the one that sealed the remnant spirit of the 'Red Nine-Head'. It's extraordinary. That guy Lan Yuchang was originally just a slightly stronger mortal who knew some martial arts."
"But after absorbing it, his combat power skyrocketed. Even our ordinary Soul Transformation cultivators aren't his match in sparring."
"According to Lan Yuchang, he was still holding back."
"If he were to fight with all his strength... tsk tsk..."
Li Fan spoke without restraint, completely unguarded and talking endlessly.
Upon hearing the name 'Red Nine-Head', Xiao Qing's expression changed slightly.
Then, when she heard Li Fan say that someone had managed to withstand the overwhelming hostility of the nine-headed bird and successfully absorbed the Beast Soul Bead, she trembled and blurted out, "Impossible! How could a mere mortal endure that beast's vicious aura...?"
Li Fan immediately showed a look of disdain. "You're ignorant. Our Federation Of All World's has no shortage of talents. We have all sorts of extraordinary individuals."
"Just because your empire couldn’t find a suitable candidate doesn’t mean we can't."
"Do you really think that trading with us once puts you on our level?"
Li Fan, seemingly inexperienced and reckless, spoke whatever was on his mind, without a hint of subtlety.
He sneered, "Federation of All World's only trades with you to help you."
"There are countless small worlds around the Xuanhuang Realm, so one less of you makes no difference."
"You’re the one who needs the Federation of All World's, not the other way around."
...
Hearing Li Fan’s unbearably harsh words, Xiao Qing's face turned exceedingly dark.
But in the end, she held back and didn’t lash out.
Li Fan continued his rambling, but noticing her lack of response, he grew a bit embarrassed and eventually stopped.
Xiao Qing now looked at Li Fan with a hint of displeasure.
After this episode, however, she no longer doubted Li Fan’s identity.
Returning to the previous topic, she asked softly, "Since we all agree that our transactions are mutually beneficial, why did you decide to suddenly halt them?"
Li Fan sighed and spoke truthfully, "We encountered some insurmountable factors."
He leaned in closer and whispered, "According to our intelligence, a major war is likely to break out soon between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association."
"As you know, the period leading up to a war is often the tensest for both sides."
"I really don’t have any more Beast Soul Bead with me, so please go, Daoist Friend!"
Li Fan's expression changed quickly.
Moments ago, he was all "Master Qing," but upon hearing her refusal, his face instantly darkened.
With a cold huff, he flew off without a word of farewell.
"How could someone like him even be in the Federation of All World's?"
"If he were in our empire, he’d have been fed to the Rift Whale by now!"
Xiao Qing gritted her teeth in frustration.
"That previous Daoist Friend was much better."
She recalled the earlier transaction, where both sides were highly satisfied.
The subsequent exchanges of resources also went smoothly.
"Too bad, he’s likely busy and unable to come," Xiao Qing thought with regret.
She collected her thoughts and began contacting the empire’s covert agents to inquire if there were any recent unusual activities in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Any signs of impending war?
Soon, responses came pouring in from her outlaws.
Everything was as usual; there was no word of any upcoming war.
Now, it was Xiao Qing’s turn to feel uncertain.
"Is it true or not?"
---
Meanwhile, He Zhenghao was busy counting money until his hands cramped.
Grinning from ear to ear, he recorded each contribution he received and promptly replied to the creditors.
"Rest assured, Daoist Qin, your contribution has been received. You just wait to get rich!"
"Wei, little brother, I’ve recorded your ten thousand contributions. Ah, I know it’s everything you own. Who isn’t in the same boat? Just relax. The Lord Envoy wouldn’t shortchange you!"
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The pace of contributions for this funding round was far faster than He Zhenghao had anticipated.
When he hinted to the cultivators of Congyun Sea that Li Fan would soon restart the funding campaign, they, eager to seize this rare opportunity to profit, rushed to transfer their contributions to He Zhenghao without hesitation.
He Zhenghao was swamped, feeling both the strain and the thrill.
In less than seven days, half of the target was already achieved, with nearly 53 million contribution points collected.
Handling such a large volume of contributions brought about a subtle shift in He Zhenghao's mindset.
"Ah, what kind of life was I living before I met the Lord Envoy?"
"For the sake of a mere two or three hundred thousand contribution points, I used to scrimp and save, living every day in fear."
"How stifling!"
Reflecting on the past, He Zhenghao couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh.
"Fortunately, those hard days are gone for good!"
Looking at the ever-rising numbers on the statistics board, He Zhenghao felt an uncontrollable surge of excitement.
If everything went as planned, when this round of fundraising concluded, the Lord Envoy would likely, as he had in previous times, allocate a small share of the profits to him...
Even if it was just one percent...
No, even one-third of one percent would make He Zhenghao more than content.
After all, with the Lord Envoy's abilities, making a profit equivalent to the principal was no great challenge.
By that calculation, he would at least receive a reward of 300,000 contribution points...
Thinking of this, He Zhenghao couldn't help but grin foolishly.
After a while, he finally snapped back to reality from his daydreams.
He prepared to transfer the contributions to the Lord Envoy.
But then, something unexpected happened.
The Tianxuan Mirror notified him that it could not locate the recipient, and the transfer failed.
Large beads of sweat instantly dripped from He Zhenghao's forehead.
This situation only had two possible explanations.
One, he had entered the wrong recipient, and the target person didn’t exist.
Two, the other party had temporarily suspended all functionality and permissions on their Tianxuan Mirror.
Gao Yuan smiled confidently. "Who do you think the Lord Envoy is?"
"Although he might not particularly care about a billion contribution points, even I know that a sum this large is beyond the control of ordinary people."
"While you’re renowned, it’s clear that even you aren’t certain of turning a profit with this."
He Zhenghao nodded in agreement.
Gao Yuan continued, "Exactly. Since we both understand this, how could the Lord Envoy not know?"
"Remember the talisman he left with us? The Lord Envoy mentioned that we could use it to contact him."
"But conversely, as a talisman carrying a trace of his consciousness, he could also use it to contact us."
He Zhenghao suddenly understood.
"The decision on how to handle this billion in contributions—surely the Lord Envoy has a plan in mind. Daoist He, just complete the fundraising and await his command."
"Remember, as subordinates, the greatest mistake we can make is acting on our own or being overly clever," Gao Yuan advised.
"You were wise to come to me for advice instead of panicking and using the talisman to report to the Lord Envoy."
"Otherwise, you might have failed this test." Gao Yuan’s words were earnest.
He Zhenghao thought it over and took a deep breath, standing up and bowing to Gao Yuan.
"Thank you, Brother Gao, for saving me. If there’s ever anything you need from me, just say the word!"
"Heh, Daoist He, you're too kind. Working under the Lord Envoy, we need to support each other," Gao Yuan replied graciously.
With Gao Yuan's guidance, He Zhenghao finally felt reassured.
He hurried back to continue with the fundraising campaign.
Watching He Zhenghao's departing figure, Gao Yuan’s gaze turned unreadable.
The reason he kept pulling He Zhenghao closer was because he had noticed that the Lord Envoy regarded him with a special status.
Though both of them were mere "tools," there was no doubt that tools could still have varying levels of favor.
Tools that fit well were often reused.
And He Zhenghao seemed to be one of those favored tools.
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Chapter 550
Shifting focus from Gao Yuan's subtle scheming and insight into human nature, the story returns to He Zhenghao.
In a state of unease, he took about ten more days to finally complete the collection of 100 million contribution points.
Afterward, he followed Gao Yuan's instructions closely, quietly awaiting Li Fan's next orders.
This period of waiting was indeed challenging.
Even though Gao Yuan’s reasoning sounded plausible, it was still just his personal conjecture.
As for what the Lord Envoy himself was thinking...
Who could say with any certainty?
Perhaps the Lord Envoy was even considering entrusting He Zhenghao to manage that hundred million contribution points?
On the surface, He Zhenghao appeared calm, but his mind was racing, filled with an overwhelming sense of apprehension.
He felt as if he were a prisoner awaiting execution, enduring the agonizing passage of time as he awaited his fate.
This was a vivid taste of what ancient cultivators described as "demonic heart invasion."
Fortunately, He Zhenghao’s luck seemed to hold.
Just when he felt he was reaching his limit, a peculiar vibration came from his storage ring.
Overjoyed, he quickly composed himself, then eagerly took out the small metal figurine.
“Sir, do you have orders for me?” He asked respectfully, placing the figurine on the table.
“You’re to use the collected hundred million contribution points to purchase the items on this list,” Li Fan's voice issued from the metal statue.
“There’s no need to buy everything from the Tianxuan Mirror. You may prioritize items of slightly lower quality if they come at a more affordable price.”
“A short time from now, when these items' prices go up, sell them off.”
After giving these instructions, Li Fan’s voice gradually faded.
He Zhenghao was left stunned, his mind a blank as if thunderstruck.
“Gao Yuan was wrong!”
“This time, the Lord Envoy really intends for me to manage the 100 million contribution points!”
After a brief moment of pause, He Zhenghao gradually recovered.
But this time, instead of fear and helplessness, he felt an inexplicable sense of excitement and fervor.
He knew he couldn’t accomplish this on his own, but with the Lord Envoy’s guidance, none of that mattered!
When it came down to it, investing was quite simple.
It was all just a matter of having insider information.
“After all, with so many cultivators in the Congyun Sea and us not being exceptionally talented, why else would the Lord favor us?”
Steeling himself, He Zhenghao made up his mind.
“Even if I don’t understand, I just need to follow the Lord’s instructions.”
“Besides, these pills and magical weapons are widely known. When people think of affordable, useful items, these are what first come to mind.”
“Even if the Lord’s prediction doesn’t come true, it shouldn’t be a complete loss.”
He reassured himself with this reasoning.
Once resolved, He Zhenghao wasted no time and began consulting with his friends.
Currently, he was quite a sought-after associate.
As soon as people heard he needed assistance, several cultivators were eager to offer advice.
After comparing prices from over ten sources, He Zhenghao began his large-scale purchasing endeavor.
His suppliers were delighted, as he was buying items that had been sitting in storage for quite some time.
To expedite the deal and prevent him from changing his mind, they even offered considerable discounts.
Though a 100 million contribution points was a substantial amount, it wasn’t so large when divided across various types of pills and magical artifacts.
Most sizable production workshops could meet He Zhenghao’s demands.
The speed at which his procurement was completed exceeded even his expectations.
After he had exchanged the collected points for what appeared to be a pile of “useless” items, He Zhenghao couldn’t help but feel a sense of emptiness.
A lingering sense of unreality filled his heart and wouldn’t go away.
Despite his caution, He Zhenghao’s unusual behavior hadn’t escaped the notice of certain individuals.
To the public, He Zhenghao’s actions were seen as indicative of Li Fan’s intentions.
Everyone knew he was Li Fan’s trusted aide, and a procurement effort of this scale would certainly be at Li Fan’s direction.
Could it be that the ancient cultivator from the Heavenly Mechanism Sect had foreseen something once again?
Were the items He Zhenghao purchased about to see a price surge?
Some were immediately tempted.
However...
With the tragedy of the Samantabhadra True Leaf still fresh in their minds, many cultivators, having learned a hard lesson, suspected that this might be another of Li Fan’s tactics to manipulate the market.
So, most chose to wait and see.
In an unknown space.
A group of cultivators, led by Long Yueyou and including Zhou Kebao, had gathered together to discuss Li Fan's recent actions.
Ever since they suffered a hidden loss at Li Fan’s hands and were forced to collaborate with him, there had been a silent resentment simmering among them. After all, they were all influential figures in their own right. Being outmaneuvered by Li Fan was a blow not only to their finances but, more importantly, to their pride.
Although they had outwardly formed a “friendly cooperative” relationship with him, this didn't stop them from secretly waiting for a chance to give Li Fan, whom they saw as a "fat sheep," a hidden blow at the right time to vent their frustration.
As such, they were keeping a close watch on Li Fan’s every move, and his recent commission of He Zhenghao to amass massive resources had not escaped their notice.
"Everyone, what do you think? Should we follow Li Fan’s lead and join in the purchases, or...?"
"Hah! You think we’ll profit by following him?" One person sneered disdainfully. "Everyone knows he’s as sly as they come. Just look at his past actions—every time he makes a big move, it’s always part of some scheme to take advantage of others."
"Remember how the loss from the Samantabhadra True Leaf incident wasn’t that long ago. Have you all forgotten already?"
"Fellow Daoist Zhu, you can’t put it that way," someone countered. "Things aren’t as they were before. Now that Li Fan holds an official position as the Secret Envoy of Congyun City, he can’t act as recklessly as before. If he were to disrupt the market or destabilize the Immortal Alliance maliciously, headquarters wouldn’t let him off easily."
This statement gained nods of agreement from many of the cultivators present.
"Exactly! In my opinion, he must have foreseen something significant to make such a large-scale move. Let’s not forget that the fundraising project hosted by He Zhenghao was something Li Fan established right after his rise. His early reputation owes much to it. I don’t believe he would tarnish his own reputation."
"Let’s follow him! With our combined wealth, surely those unruly gangs can’t compare to us!"
...
The group chattered noisily, and most of them seemed inclined to follow Li Fan’s actions, even if they harbored grudges against him. Despite their misgivings, they had to admit their respect for his abilities.
As the discussion grew lively, Zhou Kebao remained silent, frowning all the while.
Seated at the center, Long Yueyou, maintaining a dignified expression despite his faint smile, noticed Zhou Kebao’s expression and asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
Without hesitation, Zhou Kebao replied, "Without a doubt, we should purchase the same items listed by Li Fan."
Long Yueyou was slightly surprised at Zhou Kebao’s decisiveness but listened attentively as he continued.
"Of course, if any of you still have concerns..."
"If any unexpected situations arise, our Long Clan will buy all of your items at your purchase price."
"I assure you, you won’t suffer any loss," Long Yueyou declared solemnly.
The crowd was stunned.
Long Yueyou had spoken on behalf of the Long Clan, not just himself. This indicated...
Seeing their surprised and delighted expressions, Long Yueyou, full of pride, continued, "Indeed, my elder brother recently broke through to the Dao Integration realm."
"After some maneuvering, he will soon be appointed to the headquarters of the Administrative Hall."
"The official order will be issued shortly, so even if I hadn’t mentioned it, you would have known soon enough."
Hearing Long Yueyou confirm this personally, the cultivators erupted with joy.
This small group of theirs had grown intricately connected over the years, operating as a unit. Their fortunes were intertwined, with Long Yueyou at the helm.
The Long Clan wielded considerable influence, with ties spanning various states within the Immortal Alliance.
Their only shortcoming had been the absence of a true pillar of strength.
But now, with Long Yueyou’s brother ascending to Dao Integration and soon to be stationed at Immortal Alliance headquarters, this lone weakness was about to be resolved.
An Administrative Hall Dao Integration cultivator would occupy one of the highest positions in the Immortal Alliance’s power structure.
The cultivators offered their sincere congratulations to Long Yueyou.
"The Tianling Prefecture is known for its harsh environment. Brother Jiuyuan’s long-awaited rise to prominence is truly worth celebrating!"
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Chapter 552
Long Jiuyuan was, naturally, the elder brother of Long Yueyou.
Gifted with exceptional talent, he was the most outstanding individual among the younger generation of the Long Clan.
It took him just over a century to advance from Qi Condensation to the peak of the Soul Transformation stage. Unfortunately, due to the scarcity of the 'Spirit of Heaven and Earth', such a genius remained stuck at the Soul Transformation level.
After more than another century, today he finally saw the dawn of hope.
"Fellow Daoist Long, may I ask where Brother Jiuyuan found the Spirit of Heaven and Earth required for his Dao Integration?"
After a lively celebration, one of the cultivators present couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
Long Yueyou hesitated slightly, but then remembered that everyone here was close. With his brother now successful in Dao Integration, the existence of that Essence of Heaven and Earth was no longer a secret.
Seeing the eager, expectant eyes of the crowd, Long Yueyou couldn't hold back his pride and began to explain slowly, "It was truly destined for my brother!"
"He guarded Tianling Prefecture for over thirty years. During a certain mission, he stumbled upon a strange sight deep within a mountain range."
"Although the mountain appeared to be ordinary, its originally solid rocks had all turned into a pitch-black, viscous swamp."
"The swamp emitted an ominous aura, and any creature that wandered into it, even magical artifacts or attacks, would be absorbed, assimilated, and disappear without a trace."
"Generally, such a dangerous area would instinctively make any creature with a sense of spiritual awareness feel uneasy and avoid it."
"But my brother discovered something peculiar."
Long Yueyou paused here, as if trying to heighten the suspense. Seeing the eager expressions of the surrounding cultivators, he continued with a satisfied look, "Around the black swamp, all creatures behaved like moths to a flame, rushing in and sacrificing themselves without hesitation."
"Even cultivators were no exception. My brother's Dao heart is incredibly firm, but after staying near the swamp for some time, even he almost couldn't resist the urge to enter."
Some of the cultivators immediately grasped what was happening and gasped, "A fatal allure..."
"Could it be that this black swamp is the Spirit of Heaven and Earth?"
Long Yueyou nodded slightly. "Exactly! My brother guessed as much. Trapped at the Soul Transformation stage for years, he was naturally ecstatic."
"However, he knew that the Spirit of Heaven and Earth is a manifestation of the laws themselves, making it challenging to handle. He forced himself to resist the temptation and retreated."
"After sealing off the entrance with a secret technique, he quietly returned to Tianling City."
"He kept it to himself and began to prepare in secret."
"If it had been an ordinary protective artifact bought in the Tianxuan Pavilion, it would have long since been eroded."
"With only a limited amount of safe time left, my brother stayed calm. Instead of wandering aimlessly, he closed his eyes, focusing on the changes within the swamp."
"The black swamp was like a deep, dark ocean, with no signs of life besides my brother."
"But my brother could vaguely sense waves of vibration occasionally rippling through the swamp."
"It felt like something was stirring deep within."
"So, my brother followed the source of this vibration, heading deeper into the swamp."
"Just as he was running out of protective artifacts, he finally discovered the source of the disturbance!"
At this crucial moment, Long Yueyou suddenly paused.
His eyes flashed with a strange light before he lowered his voice and said to everyone, "In the center of this swamp, a shadowy, humanoid figure could be faintly seen."
"Not a cultivator, but a distorted figure made from the murky, dark swamp."
"The Spirit of Heaven and Earth!"
"But that wasn't the most shocking part. Besides the swamp, there was something else."
Long Yueyou took a deep breath and revealed the answer.
"It seemed to be a broken sword, exuding a fierce, murderous aura that even my brother, who has killed countless Five Elders Association cultivators, found terrifying."
"The broken sword was struggling violently, and the swamp was containing it like a cage!"
---
The black swamp, transformed into a sea, held the sword within its depths!
This eerie, surreal scene left everyone in awe, speculating about the origin of this broken sword.
Meanwhile, far away, Li Fan, who was flying towards a certain destination, suddenly halted.
"The Heavenly Fiend Sword?!"
“Or rather, a part of the Heavenly Calamity Sword.”
A glint of sharp insight flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
The spirit of heaven and earth had become a cage, entrapping the remnant sword filled with fierce, fiendish energy.
The scene described by Long Yueyou immediately reminded Li Fan of the battle in the skies above Congyun Sea, where the Azure Wind had sealed a sword.
But unlike what Li Fan had witnessed before, Long Jiuyuan’s chance to achieve Dao Integration had arisen in Tianling Prefecture.
The spirit of heaven and earth was also represented by the Black Marsh, rather than the Azure Wind.
But...
The protagonist in both cases was, remarkably, a remnant sword brimming with fiendish energy.
Li Fan was almost certain that whether it was the one in Congyun Sea or in Tianling Prefecture, each must be a part of the original, complete Heavenly Calamity Sword.
“The Heavenly Calamity Sword, once wielded by the old fisherman, had shattered and scattered across various locations.”
“Yet, even these fragmented swords are powerful enough to contend with the spirit of heaven and earth.”
“Moreover, the hilt of the Heavenly Calamity Sword later managed to break through the Azure Wind’s confinement. Even in the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, the tortoise-snake Taiyi could barely suppress it, forced into a state of deep slumber.”
“If the fragments alone are this formidable, how powerful would the complete Heavenly Calamity Sword be?”
Li Fan’s heart trembled.
From what he knew, there were already three pieces scattered across different locations. Could there be more elsewhere?
What was the true secret of the Heavenly Calamity Sword that made the spirit of heaven and earth repeatedly manifest to suppress it?
And the master of the Heavenly Calamity Sword, the old fisherman—what level of cultivation did he possess?
“The fisherman, the Heavenly Doctor, the Sage...”
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
These three were evidently old acquaintances, yet their pasts remained shrouded in deep mystery, as though covered by an impenetrable fog.
Li Fan had a subtle feeling.
Their shared secrets might be crucial to him!
“When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with hatred. I hope that soon, when the three of them clash, I can gain a glimpse into their mysteries.”
While locking onto Zhou Kebao’s presence and monitoring Long Yueyou’s movements, Li Fan resumed his journey to his original destination.
According to Long Yueyou’s account, when Long Jiuyuan saw the stalemate between the Heavenly Calamity remnant sword and the Black Marsh, he too was deeply shocked.
Yet he didn’t let the easily attainable chance for Dao Integration cloud his reason.
Long Jiuyuan understood that the balance between the remnant sword and the Black Marsh was delicate and that attacking recklessly would likely break it.
That might lead to backlash from both the remnant sword and the Black Marsh.
After all, for a Soul Transformation cultivator to interfere with a Dao Integration struggle would be nothing short of a provocation.
Thus, Long Jiuyuan quickly made up his mind; despite the destruction of his protective artifact and serious injuries, he fled from the sea of the Black Marsh.
But now, due to Han Yi’s injuries and resulting unconsciousness, the aura emerged naturally, assisting in Han Yi’s recovery.
His pale face regained color, and his weak breathing grew steady and strong.
A strange glint flickered in Li Fan’s eyes.
After a moment’s thought, Li Fan revealed himself and first used the “Binding Insect” spell to immobilize Han Yi.
Then, he activated the “Cloudwater Dream-Illusion Technique” to enter Han Yi’s dreamscape.
Perhaps due to the recent calamity he’d endured, Han Yi’s mental defenses were surprisingly fragile.
It didn’t take long for Li Fan to break through.
In the dreamscape, Li Fan gained insight into Han Yi’s experiences over the recent period.
That day, after being drawn into a sudden underwater vortex, Han Yi lost consciousness.
When he awoke, he found himself bound tightly, stripped of all clothing.
Surrounding him were terrifying creatures with human bodies and beastly faces.
They danced in a circle, seemingly engaged in some ritual.
At the center blazed a fierce fire.
It looked like Han Yi was being offered as a sacrifice to the flames.
Horrified, Han Yi struggled to break free.
But to his despair, there was no trace of spiritual energy in the area.
For some reason, his spiritual power had also dried up.
As helpless as a mortal, Han Yi could only watch as the beast-faced creatures chanted and prepared to throw him into the flames.
Just as Han Yi thought he was doomed, the sky darkened.
Suddenly, torrential rain poured down, quenching the fire in moments.
Han Yi’s heart leaped with joy.
The monsters, however, were terrified.
They threw Han Yi aside and began kowtowing in terror.
The rainstorm continued for half a day.
The creatures remained kneeling in the rain, pleading for mercy.
Only after the rain stopped did they slowly disperse.
Han Yi, intended as a sacrifice, was then imprisoned once more.
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During his captivity, Han Yi had attempted to escape. However, the monsters seemed to place great importance on him, maintaining a seamless, constant watch. They never gave Han Yi the slightest opportunity.
Faced with the relentless, predatory stares of his monstrous guards, Han Yi could only swallow his frustration and abandon his escape plans. Fortunately, the conditions in this prison weren’t too unbearable; the monsters would bring him food and water on time each day, so he wasn’t overly uncomfortable.
After about ten days, the monsters once again tied Han Yi up tightly and brought him to the stake for another sacrificial ritual.
“My fate is sealed! If I’d known it would end like this, I might have preferred to die at the hands of that other cultivator!” Han Yi thought to himself.
Just as he was despairing, something unexpected happened. Thunder rumbled across the sky, and soon a torrential downpour fell, instantly extinguishing the fire that had taken so much effort to ignite.
This turn of events left not only the monsters shocked and terrified, but Han Yi was also stunned. He stared in bewilderment, barely registering when he was brought back to his cell.
The third sacrifice was particularly delayed. Among the monsters, it seemed some internal conflict was brewing. Even from within his cell, Han Yi could hear faint sounds of fierce arguments coming from outside.
After a full thirty days, they finally brought him out again. This time, the day seemed carefully chosen—clear and bright. Each monster wore an expression of grave seriousness, and there was no trace of the noisy scene from the previous sacrifices.
In contrast, Han Yi felt utterly calm. Not only was he unafraid, but he even found himself anticipating something.
The monsters chanted a mysterious hymn in unison and began dancing wildly. Amid the singing and dancing, Han Yi was brought closer and closer to the fire.
Just then, a strange wind swept through, throwing the previously orderly monsters into disarray, scattering even the carefully stacked firewood. Flames burst forth, setting the monsters’ village ablaze, yet Han Yi stood miraculously untouched.
Seeing this, Han Yi couldn’t help but laugh aloud, while the chaotic monsters looked at him with fearful glances, carefully observing his figure among the flames.
“...is that the Black Bird that once fused with this world’s fate has perished!”
“And it couldn’t have been too long ago, for the world’s original fate has yet to recover. The Heavenly Fate remains broken, scattered like unclaimed treasure.”
“The path of fate is incredibly subtle; most cultivators can’t detect it. Even if they do, it would be useless to them,” Han Yi thought, a glint of ambition and greed flashing in his eyes.
“This place is nothing short of a treasure trove for me!”
“By instinctively reaching out for survival, I can manipulate the dispersed Heavenly Fate to summon wind and rain. If I could fully absorb the Heavenly Fate of this world...” Ȑ
Han Yi’s eyes glowed with a fierce determination and boundless ambition.
“I narrowly escaped death, and now fortune favors me!” He looked out over the vast, unknown world with a surge of boldness.
“When I return to the Xuanhuang Realm with control over the Heavenly Fate of this world, I shall soar like a dragon, unstoppable!”
Imagining the scenes awaiting him, a faint, uncontrollable smile crept onto Han Yi’s lips.
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However, things rarely go as one wishes in life.
For a period after this, Han Yi lived quite comfortably in this “Zhu” village.
With no worries about food or clothing, he spent his spare time using the "Mystic Black Bird Feather" within his dantian to absorb the drifting Heavenly Fate in the world around him.
Whenever the Zhu village was attacked by monsters from other settlements, he secretly activated the "Authority of Heavenly Fate," conjuring winds and storms, shifting sand and stone to help them repel waves of foreign enemies.
As a result, Han Yi’s standing in the Zhu village rose significantly.
The monsters of Zhu village went so far as to build a towering stone structure as his palace residence. They also assigned him ten strong and formidable guards for his protection. They even intended to offer him the village’s most sacred “maiden.” Seeing her cat-headed, humanoid form made him shiver with discomfort, and he swiftly declined.
Just when Han Yi thought he would play the role of “Son of God” in Zhu village for a long time, an unexpected event occurred.
One night, he suddenly awoke from a deep sleep, inexplicably filled with a sense of dread.
Rising quietly to inspect the area, he was shocked to find that the ten personal guards, who should have been guarding him day and night, had all disappeared without a trace.
Realizing something was wrong, he barely had time to gather his belongings before attempting to flee the palace.
At that moment, he discovered that while he had slept, nearly a hundred masked soldiers in black had surrounded his palace.
In the flickering firelight of the palace, Han Yi could vaguely make out that these soldiers had a higher degree of beastification than the inhabitants of Zhu village. Although they retained human forms, their limbs were robust and their hands had transformed to resemble those of beasts.
This group was clearly targeting him.
Sensing the danger, Han Yi steeled himself and activated all the Heavenly Fate he had accumulated over recent days.
As the soldiers searched for his whereabouts, a stream of light suddenly brightened the sky, illuminating the night. A massive fireball plummeted directly toward Zhu village.
The black-clad soldiers were momentarily stunned by the sight, and the villagers of Zhu, awakened from their slumber, looked up at what seemed like the arrival of an apocalypse, bewildered and terrified.
Meanwhile, Han Yi, sensing the depletion of the Heavenly Fate he had amassed, hid himself in a corner made of solid stone.
Initially, Han Yi thought that the meteor he had summoned with all his strength would crush all of the black-clad soldiers to death.
Unexpectedly, as the fatal threat approached, one of the soldiers let out a thunderous roar, and his body expanded several times over. He launched himself into the air, charging directly toward the meteor.
Losing his role as the interpreter of divine will, Si’s former honor was all but overtaken by Han Yi.
Watching Han Yi reside in the grand palace, witnessing villagers bow in reverence whenever he appeared, jealousy festered in Si’s heart like a venomous snake.
Even though Han Yi displayed godlike power, Si harbored thoughts of “killing a god.”
But clearly, no one in Zhu village would support such a plan.
So, he set his sights on Kang village, more than ten miles away.
Kang village was much stronger than Zhu village, with inhabitants at a higher level of beastification. Yet despite this, the two villages had never had serious conflicts. The boundless wilderness offered nearly inexhaustible resources.
Even if Kang and Zhu occasionally clashed, they usually resolved it peacefully through negotiation.
Si’s secret visit, however, changed everything.
Si informed the Kang village leader about the “divine descent” in Zhu village. He warned that with divine assistance, the Zhu village chief’s ambitions were swelling. He intended to use the power of the god to sweep through the wilderness and become the “Emperor” uniting it all.
Such a course would inevitably lead to a bloody slaughter.
Unwilling to see so many lives lost, Si had secretly come to enlist Kang’s help in eradicating Han Yi, whom he deemed a fraud exploiting the name of the divine.
After a round of persuasion, the Kang village leader agreed that allowing Zhu village to control a “divine entity” was too dangerous.
Thus, after more than ten days of planning, with Si as the informant, Kang waited for the perfect moment and led a hundred elite warriors to encircle Han Yi’s palace.
Although Si had told him of the divine’s power to summon winds and rains, Kang remained confident.
His elite force had fought through mountains of corpses and rivers of blood, unafraid of swords—how could mere wind and rain faze them?
That is, until the falling meteor shattered Kang’s worldview.
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Chapter 556
Back to the present moment, the people of Kang Village have suffered heavy casualties.
In the shadows, Si watched with bloodshot eyes, barely containing his rage.
He could hardly believe that Han Yi was truly capable of summoning heavenly starfire like some kind of god.
Not only had the plan to ambush Han Yi failed, but his childhood home and beloved Zhu Village were nearly destroyed in the calamity.
Familiar faces had become nothing more than burnt corpses, fragmented and broken.
Anger, jealousy, resentment...
All these emotions surged in Si’s heart, finally converging into a single thought.
"Kill him! Kill him!"
In the dim night, Han Yi's figure had completely vanished.
But Si, who had served as the High Priest for decades, possessed methods of communion with the gods that were not mere illusions.
Although the energy surrounding Han Yi was different from that of the deity Si worshipped, he was still able to follow the faint residual traces in the air and ultimately catch up to Han Yi.
"Die! Such so-called deities should never have set foot on this land!"
With a twisted expression, Si voiced the suppressed words that had been buried in his heart.
As he chanted, Han Yi suddenly realized with shock that the wind around them was gathering in Si's hands.
Compressed to the extreme, it shot towards Han Yi.
"So, the heavenly fate can be used in this way?"
Han Yi was both surprised and delighted.
Though another wound was carved into his body, his eyes grew brighter.
He dodged while simultaneously sensing and studying Si’s method of controlling the wind blades.
Until, at the brink of collapse, covered in blood, he finally succeeded.
When he summoned his first wind blade, its color was deeper than Si’s, and the momentum far more imposing.
It tore through the air with a sharp whistle, crushing Si’s wind blade and continuing forward.
In Si’s stunned, unwilling gaze, it pierced through his body, reversing the situation and ending his life.
Han Yi, wounded all over, let out a relieved breath and collapsed into a deep sleep.
When he awoke, he found that all his injuries had healed in just a single night.
Unable to determine the reason, Han Yi didn’t dwell on it and instead continued his escape into the wilderness.
But soon, he noticed that small search parties were scouring the land for him everywhere.
Behind him, a colossal white elephant the size of a mountain was in hot pursuit.
The massive creature ignored all obstacles in its path, charging toward Han Yi with its four powerful legs.
Even with his wind manipulation pushed to the limit, Han Yi couldn’t shake off the white elephant.
The chase attracted the attention of nearby beasts, who soon spotted Han Yi and joined in the hunt.
With more and more beasts surrounding him, Han Yi's escape routes were rapidly narrowing.
Feeling cornered, a fierce light flashed in Han Yi’s eyes.
Over time, he had absorbed a substantial amount of Heavenly Fate.
If he unleashed it all at once, he could trigger a disaster on the scale of a mountain collapse, burying all these beasts.
But doing so would nullify all his efforts, subject him to backlash, and leave him gravely injured.
Just as Han Yi hesitated, he suddenly sensed a faint trace of spiritual energy around him.
Though weak, Han Yi, who hadn’t felt the nourishment of spiritual energy in a long time, knew he wasn’t mistaken.
Where there is spiritual energy, there is the possibility of performing spells.
Even the weakest spells from the Qi Condensation stage would be beyond the capabilities of these beasts, who relied solely on their physical might.
Overjoyed, Han Yi immediately followed the spiritual energy’s direction and ran.
He finally stopped at a deep ravine.
"Could this be..."
Sensing the faint flow of spiritual energy, which halted just outside the ravine’s bounds, Han Yi was overjoyed.
"This seems to be a pathway back to the Xuanhuang Realm!"
Since arriving in this small world, Han Yi had relentlessly searched for a way back to the Xuanhuang Realm.
He had scoured the area around Zhu Village but had not found the entrance.
This small world was vast, and for him to find a way back alone was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack.
But by a stroke of fate, today, while at the edge of despair, he had stumbled upon the path home.
"Indeed, heaven hasn’t forsaken me!"
Han Yi cast a cold glance back at the horde of beasts hot on his heels.
A sneer crossed his face: "Once I return, master my skills, and make all the necessary preparations, I’ll come back here to settle accounts with you all!"
With this thought, Han Yi dove into the depths of the ravine.
Han Yi thought he had finally escaped from danger, but he had no idea that deep in the valley below, where spiritual energy flowed, there were still some demonic beasts living!
These creatures, unlike those in the smaller realms, could absorb and cultivate with spiritual energy.
White snakes, flying falcons, and two-headed monkeys...
They resembled the traditional images of ancient demonic beasts.
Caught completely off guard, Han Yi plunged right into the midst of this demonic beast horde.
Fortunately, these beasts had lived in this secluded valley, cut off from the world, and had never seen humans.
While Han Yi was terrified out of his wits, more than half of the beasts, equally frightened, scattered and fled.
As for the rest, well, they weren't so easily deterred.
Seeing an unknown intruder in their territory, their innate ferocity was triggered, and they attacked Han Yi without hesitation.
Han Yi took a deep breath of spiritual energy, casting a protective spell on himself while condensing energy into a sword to slash at the beasts.
Blood sprayed like mist, and in an instant, more than a dozen beasts were decapitated.
However, the scent of blood only drove the beasts into an even greater frenzy.
Fearless, they charged forward like a tidal wave.
And in the distance, it seemed like an endless number of demonic beasts were rushing toward him.
Han Yi knew he couldn't linger here, so he fought while retreating, moving deeper into the valley.
The closer he got to the valley's depths, the richer the spiritual energy became.
The denser energy allowed Han Yi to wield his full strength, the culmination of his Qi Condensation cultivation.
But correspondingly, the demonic beasts inhabiting this area also grew stronger.
Gritting his teeth, Han Yi used every ounce of his strength and finally carved out a path through the beasts.
He found an obscure, chaotic-looking cave at the very bottom of the valley and escaped back to the Xuanhuang Realm.
Taking a deep breath of the familiar, sweet air, Han Yi was still rattled and hadn’t even had a moment to rest.
Yet, he felt an inexplicable sense of danger creeping over him, as if someone were watching, his heart racing uncontrollably.
Already as jumpy as a frightened bird, Han Yi ignored his injuries and hurriedly took flight again.
It was only after a long time that the lingering unease in his heart slowly faded.
Physically and mentally exhausted to the extreme, Han Yi found a nearby deserted island.
Barely managing to land, he collapsed, fainting on the spot.
---
Back to the present.
Through the Cloud Water Illusion Technique, Li Fan had observed all of Han Yi’s experiences over the past few years, a look of interest flickering in his eyes. Ŗ
"And even at the brink of despair, I found a sliver of hope. But soon after, I encountered yet another life-and-death crisis, besieged by demonic beasts."
"..."
Han Yi’s eyes lit up, and he suddenly felt a breakthrough in his thoughts.
"Blessings and misfortunes go hand in hand, indistinguishable from one another."
"If I only take without giving, it’s hard to endure long-term. Only by balancing calamities with fortune and using my destiny at the most crucial moments is the true path!"
With his thoughts fully aligned, a surge of spiritual power suddenly emanated from Han Yi’s body.
The spiritual energy from all directions was drawn toward him.
Above the deserted island, a faint tornado seemed to form.
And within Han Yi’s dantian, the black feather of the mystic black bird began to disintegrate, completely merging into his dantian.
This scene marked Han Yi's successful enlightenment upon returning to the Xuanhuang Realm after facing life and death ordeals.
He had directly succeeded in establishing his Foundation.
After years of bitter striving with no success, today he finally achieved his long-cherished wish.
Han Yi felt all the resentment in his chest swept away.
He let out a long howl to vent the frustration pent up inside.
However, his howl lasted only a moment before he abruptly stopped.
He instinctively scanned his surroundings and, seeing no immediate danger lurking nearby, finally relaxed a little.
"Forget it, there’s no need to be too arrogant."
"It’s only the Foundation Establishment stage; my future path, Dao Integration is set, and Longevity is within reach!"
A hint of self-satisfaction filled Han Yi’s heart.
After a while, he began to contemplate: "Now that I've established my Foundation, but all my possessions were consumed by that Foundation Establishment master."
"Truly, I’m left with nothing. I need to find a way to earn some contribution points."
Narrowing his eyes, he quickly came up with an idea.
"I heard that in the Congyun Sea, there’s a trick called the 'Fish Gambling'. Those with good fortune could get rich overnight."
"This is just made for me!"
"Hmph, watch my skill!"
With this thought, Han Yi rose into the air and flew towards the location of Fish Gambling Island he recalled from memory.
Unbeknownst to Han Yi, in the sky, a gaze was constantly watching him.
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After watching Han Yi leave, Li Fan shifted his gaze southwest.
Looking into the distance, his sight seemed to cross thousands of miles, reaching a deep trench at the bottom of the sea.
This was the location where Han Yi appeared after fleeing from the small world in a panic.
"A small world devoid of mortals, populated entirely by Beastkind..." Li Fan frowned slightly.
Based on Han Yi’s memories, Li Fan thought that the creatures in that small world resembled Beastkind he had encountered several times before—existences that were half-human, half-beast.
Yet, there were subtle differences.
While both combined human and demonic beast characteristics, Beastkind leaned more toward the "human" aspect.
On the other hand, the creatures in the small world Han Li experienced were closer to "demonic beasts."
This distinction could be discerned from whether their heads resembled humans or beasts.
Even more interesting was a legend that Han Yi heard about this world.
At the dawn of recorded history, most inhabitants of the wilderness were half-human, half-beast. There were even some pure "humans."
But over time, highly beastified mutants occasionally began to appear among the descendants of these residents.
Initially, these mutants were viewed as deviants, abandoned, or even hunted.
However, when some of these mutants tenaciously survived and displayed immense power, things began to change.
They slaughtered the original villages and migrated deeper into the wilderness, establishing a new order.
In this new order, the more beastified an individual was, the higher their status and respect.
The stark difference in ideologies inevitably led to war.
In the wilderness, the strong commanded respect. The beastified, atavistic mutants were clearly stronger as individuals than the ordinary Beastkind.
Although they initially had fewer numbers and could only fight evenly with the other side, over time, their numbers grew, and they began to display overwhelming power in the war.
After the bloodshed, the opposition naturally disappeared.
Thus, the wilderness transformed into the scene that Han Yi witnessed, where "the beast is revered, and humans are the deviants."
"Perhaps this is related to the backup plan that Emperor One prepared for the demonic beast race. But from the looks of it, his plan seems to have failed."
"The bloodline of demonic beasts, once activated, is vastly superior to ordinary humans."
As his nominal subordinate, Li Fan knew a bit about him.
He was petty about minor issues, but clueless in major ones—constantly making small mistakes and insatiably greedy.
He was, in fact, the perfect candidate.
Li Fan concealed his true cultivation, displaying only the aura of peak Foundation Establishment as he went to pay his respects.
“What’s your name, fellow Daoist?” Huang Ranqi asked warmly, handing him a cup of tea with a friendly smile.
At the moment, Li Fan looked like his real self, not the “Ancient Heavenly Mechanism Cultivator” appearance, so naturally, Huang Ranqi didn’t recognize him.
Li Fan cupped his hands and said, “I am Li Fan.”
Cough, cough... Huang Ranqi, who had been sipping his tea with a relaxed look, almost spat it out upon hearing that.
He coughed a few times, trying to ease his embarrassment.
After a moment, he asked in surprise, “You’re also named Li Fan?”
Li Fan was taken aback and asked curiously, “Why would you say that, Daoist Huang? What do you mean, ‘also’?”
“Could it be, you know another cultivator named Li Fan?” He quickly realized and seemed genuinely surprised.
“Heh, fellow Daoist, have you been in closed-door cultivation for many years? Do you not even know the name of the Secret Envoy?” Huang Ranqi squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Li Fan closely.
“You’ve guessed right! I used to be a wandering cultivator in the Congyun Sea. A few years ago, I ventured out to find a breakthrough opportunity. Who would’ve thought I’d accidentally stumble into a dangerous small world and only recently manage to escape by pure luck,” Li Fan shook his head with a look of deep emotion.
As he spoke, he vividly described his experiences in the small world to Huang Ranqi.
“No spiritual energy, but filled with strange beasts?” Huang Ranqi was indeed captivated by the strange scenes Li Fan described.
“It’s quite impressive that you made it out of such a dangerous place alive,” he remarked with a sigh.
Li Fan nodded in agreement and replied, “You’re absolutely right, Daoist. Near-death experiences often bring insight. Not long after I returned, I broke through my bottleneck and reached peak Foundation Establishment.”
“As I mentioned, I used to be just a wandering cultivator. For the sake of so-called ‘freedom,’ I didn’t want to join the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and endure endless toil. But after this life-threatening ordeal, I’ve come to understand—if you’re alive, freedom doesn’t mean a thing!”
Li Fan spoke sincerely, “So, I humbly ask for your introduction, Daoist!”
Huang Ranqi pondered for a moment and observed Li Fan from head to toe, but he didn’t agree immediately.
“I’ve heard the Five Elders Association and our Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance have had some tense encounters recently, with frequent skirmishes. You’re not a spy from the Five Elders Association, are you?” Huang Ranqi suddenly asked.
Li Fan maintained a calm expression and said, "Friend, you must be joking."
"I just heard you mention that the newly appointed Secret Envoy is also named Li Fan."
"If I were truly a spy for the Five Elders Association, why would I choose such a conspicuous name and draw unnecessary attention?"
Huang Ranqi thought this made some sense and nodded slightly.
Li Fan continued, "I also heard that before a cultivator joins the alliance, their identity is thoroughly verified. With the extraordinary abilities of the Immortal Alliance, if anything were amiss with me, it would surely be detected on the spot. In that case, you'd be the hero who exposes a spy and earns great merit."
"So, why worry?"
After some consideration, Huang Ranqi was finally convinced by Li Fan’s words. He took the lead in applying for a talisman of passage on Li Fan's behalf and then escorted him through the teleportation formation on the island, arriving at Congyun Immortal City.
Seeing the city floating amidst the clouds, Li Fan showed a hint of surprise. "I heard that the Immortal Alliance's base in the Congyun Sea was an island. Why is it now a floating city?"
"That's ancient history. If you're interested, you can ask around once you join the alliance," Huang Ranqi replied, clearly unwilling to elaborate.
Li Fan didn’t pursue the matter further.
Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of the Tianxuan Mirror.
"This is the Tianxuan Mirror," Huang Ranqi introduced.
Li Fan appeared to listen attentively, but he was actually tense inside. As he pretended to focus, he secretly activated the "Sky-Shrouding Palm" Secret technique and prepared his [Truth] to make a swift escape if necessary.
Based on his past-life experience of merging with objects and traversing countless eras, Li Fan knew that the Sky-Shrouding Hand Technique, which had been refined repeatedly in the struggle between the Covering Heaven Alliance and the Mysterious Net, could evade the Tianxuan Mirror's perception.
In addition, the 'Mysterious Transformation of True Spirit'—derived from the Derivation Law Jade—was a mystical technique capable of altering one's aura, fate, blood, spiritual consciousness, and soul essence.
Thus, the Tianxuan Mirror shouldn't detect that he and the Secret Envoy Li Fan of Congyun Immortal City were actually the same person.
Still, one could never be too cautious.
Its only use was ornamental. Unfortunately, the flower had a short lifespan; once in bloom, it only lasted seven days, or about a month if stored in a specially crafted wooden box.
Moreover, it was extremely sensitive to any form of energy. Exposure to spiritual energy fluctuations or spatial teleportation could blur or even erase the scenes on its petals, rendering it worthless.
Thus, cultivators who wished to admire the Heavenly Spirit Flower had no choice but to come to Tianling Prefecture to see it in its prime.
This rarity made the Heavenly Spirit Flower even more precious outside of Tianling Prefecture.
In his past life, during the great battle in Tianling Prefecture, the Heavenly Spirit Flower almost went extinct. But with everyone’s attention on the unprecedented conflict, no one cared to speculate about its price. Once the war ended and Tianling Prefecture began to recover, the flower gradually returned.
However, cultivators later discovered that due to the lingering bloodshed in its growth environment, the scenes on the flower’s petals no longer depicted natural beauty but rather horrifying images of cultivators slaughtering one another—a truly tragic sight.
People longed for the once-beautiful Heavenly Spirit Flower, but the scenes on the petals were beyond control. Attempts to transplant the flower to other regions failed, as it would instantly wither.
Thus, the Heavenly Spirit Flower, once a unique spectacle of Tianling, vanished from the world.
Recalling this past-life anecdote, Li Fan carefully selected a seventeen-petaled Heavenly Spirit Flower in the shop.
"This one."
"Just one? Won’t you choose more?" The shopkeeper seemed disappointed.
"One is enough," Li Fan said with a smile.
"Three hundred contribution points," the shopkeeper replied, quoting the price.
Li Fan paid gladly and carefully took the sealed wooden box containing the Heavenly Spirit Flower.
In the box, the Heavenly Spirit Flower bloomed vibrantly. With special treatment, it would stay in bloom for about thirty days.
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However, Li Fan knew of a way to completely seal it in ice.
Since the extinction of the Heavenly Spirit Flower, many formerly secret techniques have gradually spread.
One such technique, named Collection of Flowers, uses painting to permanently seal the Heavenly Spirit Flower within a canvas.
Originally, the Collection of Flowers wasn't intended specifically for the Heavenly Spirit Flower; rather, it was meant to immortalize every beautiful flower in the world.
The author of the Collection of Flowers, Zhao Chong, was deeply passionate about flowers. He vowed to see every flower under heaven.
So, he set out to record all flowers using brush and ink. Unfortunately, his talent for painting was mediocre, and his depictions were so far from reality they bordered on sacrilege.
After racking his brains, Zhao Chong eventually pioneered a unique approach—a "painting" technique that directly sealed real flowers onto paper. Though it lacked artistic spirit, it was lifelike and extraordinarily realistic.
In his previous life, Zhao Chong’s Collection of Flowers did not include the Heavenly Spirit Flower. Although he had long heard of its legendary beauty, he had intended to save the best for last. Consequently, he hesitated too long to capture it.
After the war that ravaged Tianling Prefecture, its natural wonders were no more. Zhao Chong deeply regretted his delay, crying his lament to anyone who would listen.
---
At this moment, Li Fan put the box containing the Heavenly Spirit Flower into his pocket and continued wandering around the shop, feigning casual interest. Only after receiving a hostile glare from the shopkeeper did he reluctantly leave.
After exiting the shop, he made his way to the City Discourse Tower Hall in the city and rented a room. Using the Tianxuan Mirror, he purchased three items: [Ice Dew], [Image Capture Seal], and [Thousand Colors Silk]. Though not particularly valuable, they cost nearly all his contribution points.
Taking out the Tianling Flower’s seventeen petals, he placed them onto the [Thousand Colors Silk] and then soaked them in [Ice Dew]. As cold air gradually spread across the petals, he pressed down with the [Image Capture Seal].
Following the process Zhao Chong had described in his previous life, Li Fan carefully executed each step. The [Thousand Colors Silk] emitted a rainbow of lights, reflecting through the Tianling Flower and onto the [Image Capture Seal]. Like threads being woven together, the sealed Tianling Flower fused with the [Thousand Colors Silk] and [Image Capture Seal].
The light slowly faded, and soon a thin, transparent “paper” appeared in Li Fan’s hands. Although it felt flat, the flower on it looked just like a real, blooming flower. Every petal’s detail was vivid, and it seemed even to tremble slightly.
“That’s it,” Li Fan breathed a sigh of relief.
“All that remains is to add a protective layer of spiritual consciousness to prevent anyone from maliciously damaging it. But there’s no rush.”
Li Fan looked at the “artwork” in his hand, knowing it would soon become one of a kind in the Xuanhuang Realm. Its value would be incalculable, far beyond mere wealth; its unique appeal could accomplish tasks contribution points alone couldn’t.
With a smile, he admired it a bit longer before carefully storing it away.
He left the City Central Tower and wandered around Tianling City for three more days.
On that day, a wave of exclamations arose in the city.
"All regional protective formations are to be activated."
"All cultivators are prohibited from moving across states."
"All members of the alliance's internal system must return to their state cities as soon as possible and await orders."
"Once any foreign cultivators are detected, they are to be killed on the spot, regardless of life or death."
The announcement repeated three times before ending.
He Zhenghao was initially stunned, then his eyes widened in shock as he jumped to his feet.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was preparing for war with the Five Elders Association?
Terror seized his heart. He was about to contact Gao Yuan to discuss countermeasures when he remembered something and quickly looked down at the list of items on the Tianxuan Mirror.
Speculative traders are astonishingly quick to react.
While most cultivators in the alliance were still reeling from the impending war, prices for survival-related items were already skyrocketing.
The Heavenly Healing Pill, standardized Big Dipper Armor, Divine Martial Thunder, and Hundred Battle Formation Diagram—all the materials Li Fan had ordered He Zhenghao to stockpile—were rising in price at breakneck speed.
Not only these items, but anything related to survival and combat in the Tianxuan Mirror had surged in price.
Everyone knew that the current supply couldn’t possibly meet the cultivators’ demand.
With war looming, who could guarantee they wouldn’t end up on the battlefield? The more protection and preparation one had, the better one’s chances of survival.
Compared to one’s life, contribution points were inconsequential. Even at double the price, cultivators would pay willingly.
In a flash of insight, He Zhenghao realized, “The Lord’s foresight is truly uncanny!”
Looking at the soaring prices of his stockpile, He Zhenghao was both delighted and terrified.
The joy came from seeing his 100 million contribution points' worth of goods increase by a third in such a short time. But he feared that hoarding goods might lead to punishment by the Immortal alliance.
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He Zhenghao’s worries naturally disappeared once the prices for stockpiled resources doubled.
"One hundred million contribution points, that's a hundred million contribution points!" He Zhenghao’s eyes were bloodshot, and he trembled uncontrollably.
The continuous surge in prices was a mental stimulus that made him feel as though he was soaring, almost reaching the heavenly realm.
He Zhenghao swore that he had never been this exhilarated in his life.
"When the secret envoy handed me the list of resources, he casually mentioned that, since I’m in charge of this fundraising, my profit share would rise from one percent to ten percent, unlike the previous three times..."
"In just one day, I earned more contribution points than I ever could in a lifetime."
His blood rushed to his head, and He Zhenghao felt his body nearly boiling over.
Courage surged within him; even the strict laws of the Immortal Alliance that he usually revered seemed less intimidating.
"Raise it! Let the price soar! Surely, I’m not the only one doing this. The law won’t hold us all accountable!"
"Besides, if the heavens fall, the secret envoy will take the hit. I’m only following orders!"
"There’s no way I’ll be blamed!"
He Zhenghao mumbled to himself, quickly convincing himself and erasing any remaining fear.
All he felt was ecstasy at the immense profit.
Throughout the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, there were quite a few cultivators like He Zhenghao, celebrating in high spirits.
In an unknown location...
"A great harvest, an absolute windfall. This profit directly covers all our past losses, with extra left over!"
"See? I told you, that guy Li Fan has some real skill, and we bet on the right horse this time! Following his lead, we’re eating well!"
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Lü, didn’t you staunchly oppose this plan last time?"
"Don’t spout nonsense! You must be mistaken!"
...
Zhou Kebao watched his companions’ expressions of excitement, feeling a thrill himself.
To date, he had already earned nearly two million contribution points.
Although he didn’t know the exact profits of the others, judging by their reactions, it must have been considerable.
"Li Fan’s ability to predict events is truly terrifying. To foresee this sudden and unprovoked outbreak of war..."
As for the reason behind the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s sudden declaration of war, Zhou Kebao and the others were still inquiring.
So far, no clear answer had surfaced.
"Ah, I was too cautious. If only I’d invested a bit more back then."
This thought suddenly flashed in Zhou Kebao's mind.
Just then, a voice rang out.
But now, in the face of such a critical crisis, he had abandoned his post and left the mess to his subordinates...
Wasn’t that going a bit too far?
The cultivators grumbled inwardly.
"Everyone!"
Gao Yuan, looking at the varied expressions on their faces, knocked on the table to get their attention.
"With the secret envoy absent, it’s time for us to step up," he said solemnly.
"Although the situation is unclear, there’s no doubt this war won’t end easily. We must prepare ourselves mentally."
"Especially since Congyun Sea borders the Five Elders Association. We must maintain constant patrols and guard against enemy cultivators."
Gao Yuan paused, seeing the worry on everyone’s faces, and tried to reassure them. "But don’t worry too much."
"After all, if the heavens fall, there will always be someone taller to hold them up. Since the Five Elders Association was completely defeated by us last time, they haven’t fully recovered yet."
"Even Nascent Soul cultivators are scarce among them. Their strength isn’t likely to force us to risk our lives."
The others found some comfort in his words and relaxed slightly.
However, Gao Yuan kept one thought to himself.
If it came to the point where the remaining cultivators of Congyun Sea had to fight on the front lines, the brutality of this war...
He shivered at the thought.
—
While the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was thrown into chaos by the sudden war notice, Li Fan was quite relaxed.
He drank from his cup filled with wine glowing with a faint blue light, raised his thumb in appreciation, and praised, "Excellent wine!"
"Such a fine brew, and with Fellow Daoist Sima here recounting thrilling tales from millennia ago. Life like this, what more could one ask for?"
Sima Changkong, his face flushed, replied, "Though we’ve only recently met, I feel like we’re old friends. The concept of ‘fate’ truly is a wondrous thing!"
"Come, let’s have another drink!"
With that, Sima Changkong tilted his head back and drank the wine.
"What story of the Xuanhuang Realm would you like to hear next?" he asked proudly.
"Though the ancient period is beyond record, I’m quite familiar with the history of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance since its re-establishment."
"I heard that about five hundred years ago, there was an uprising where small worlds united and launched a counterattack against the cultivation world."
"Please, do tell me about it!" Li Fan replied, half-dazed from the wine.
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“Counterattack against the Immortal Cultivation World, huh...”
Sima Changkong squinted slightly, as if recalling something.
After a moment, he slowly spoke: “Mentioning this now, most cultivators refer to it as a farce. But in reality, the coalition of the small worlds was far more than just a trivial spectacle.”
“Otherwise, why would the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association, which have always been adversaries, be forced to join forces?”
A faint gleam flashed in Li Fan’s eyes. Moving closer, he asked in an uncertain tone, “Alliance? You mean they united just to deal with the coalition of the small worlds?”
“Sima, could it be that you’re mistaken? Wasn’t it said that the people of these small worlds are mere exiled mortals?”
“Why would we cultivators struggle so much against this bunch of ants? Besides, we have the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign overseeing everything. Could they really have defeated us?”
Sima Changkong was unperturbed by Li Fan’s disbelief.
Instead, he smiled faintly and flicked his finger, sending a drop of blood between them.
The blood drop hovered mid-air, pulsing as if alive, then spread outwards to form a canvas of misty blood.
On this blood canvas, scene after scene of thrilling battles appeared.
One side of the battle seemed to be the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm.
But the other side, capable of flight and other supernatural feats, clearly wasn’t mortal either.
Their fighting techniques varied, yet they could go toe-to-toe with the cultivators.
Some relied purely on physical strength, enduring attacks from flying swords and spells with their bodies. They would approach swiftly, tearing cultivators apart with their bare hands.
Others stayed in the distance, manipulating strange energy from afar, striking down from the heavens, targeting cultivators with pinpoint accuracy.
Most disturbingly, some were not even humanoid, appearing as transparent, white, human-like skins. They drifted through the battlefield, and whenever they encountered a severely wounded cultivator, they attached themselves to them.
To the amazement of all, those who had been near death would spring back to life as soon as these white skins adhered to them.
Even those missing limbs would experience regeneration and recover their combat strength once possessed.
Li Fan stared intently at the constantly shifting scenes in the blood screen, his expression growing graver.
“Where are our higher-ranking cultivators from the Xuanhuang Realm? Did the Dao Integration and Longevity Immortal stage experts just sit back and watch this slaughter unfold?” Li Fan asked, his voice tinged with frustration.
Sima Changkong shook his head slightly. “Not at all. Naturally, they had their own adversaries.”
“Each cultivator chose differently, which is only natural.”
“When they left, they may have taken something with them. Perhaps that’s why even the Xuanhuang Realm itself holds a grudge against them.”
“It’s uncertain why they returned, but for them to return unharmed despite the immense pull of the ‘Immortal Ruins,’ they must be extremely powerful.”
Li Fan’s mind gradually settled as he turned to Sima Changkong with even greater admiration.
As expected of the Xuanhuang Realm’s historian.
Over the past millennium, countless forgotten or hidden stories could be traced back to Sima Changkong.
Ever since Li Fan returned from the Tianling Prefecture, he had come to Sima Changkong’s underwater crystal residence to avoid the war’s impact.
Thanks to his previous interactions with Sima’s projection, coupled with his extensive knowledge of obscure facts, he quickly earned Sima’s favor.
The two enjoyed daily banquets, freely discussing the Xuanhuang Realm’s history, thoroughly enjoying each other's company.
To prevent outside disturbances and gather more information, Li Fan even volunteered to help set up stealth and protective formations for Sima Changkong’s crystal abode.
Impressed by Li Fan’s enthusiasm, Sima felt he’d found a kindred spirit, and their bond deepened.
“Peace is temporary, while war is the eternal theme of history.” After a long silence, Sima Changkong sighed, setting down his raised cup, his enthusiasm waning.
“Why do you say that...” Li Fan trailed off in sudden realization.
“Has the war between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association begun?”
Sima Changkong nodded heavily. “Who knows how many cultivators will perish on the battlefield.”
“This is the way of the heavens; we are not the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns. How could we resist? Drink, let’s drink!” Li Fan poured another drink for Sima, consoling him.
“You’re right.” Sima Changkong drained his cup, swallowing both the fine wine and his sorrow.
Li Fan then smoothly shifted the topic elsewhere.
...
Time flew by, and a year passed in the blink of an eye.
The war between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association had reached a fever pitch, and Li Fan had fully settled in Sima Changkong’s residence, not leaving once in the entire year.
“Out of wine?”
On this particular day, just as Li Fan was about to invite his friend for another round of drinks, he received this unexpected response.
He was utterly stunned.
Sima Changkong’s face turned slightly red, as if he wanted to say something but held back. After a moment, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly and explained, “Here in this Congyun Sea, I don’t have many close friends, so I didn’t prepare much.”
“Brother Li, you’ve been my guest for quite some time...”
Li Fan calculated quickly and remarked in surprise, “I hadn’t realized time passed so quickly; it’s been a whole year already.”
Apologetically, he continued, “Since Brother Sima finds my presence a burden, it’s time for me to take my leave.”
“But before I go, please let me know the ingredients used to make that wine. I’ll collect some for you...”
Before he could finish, Sima Changkong’s face flushed even more. He quickly waved his hands and said, “Brother Li, no, it’s not a complaint. It’s just...”
Sima Changkong seemed ready to explain, but for some reason, he stopped, shook his head, and sighed in defeat.
“Never mind. Brother Li, please stay here for a few days. I’ll be back soon!”
Without waiting for a response, he left in a hurry.
Li Fan watched Sima Changkong’s departing figure with a wry smile. “What an interesting person.”
Though he hadn’t gone out all year, Li Fan wasn’t entirely unaware of the outside world.
His clone, Zhou Qingang, had been running himself ragged.
Setting aside numerous trivial matters, the most urgent task was the 'Monthly List of Recruited Cultivators'.
Even though the Congyun Sea’s forces were severely weakened, the Immortal Alliance Headquarters continued to issue conscription orders.
However, given the Congyun Sea’s current state, most recruited cultivators were spared from direct combat.
They were primarily assigned to logistics and support roles.
Still, no one could guarantee that the war wouldn’t expand, eventually involving them in the crossfire.
As a result, no one wanted to be sent to the Tianling Prefecture.
Compiling the recruitment list had become a challenging task.
Initially, it was Li Fan’s duty as a Secret Envoy to finalize this list.
But with Li Fan in “seclusion,” the task technically fell to his trusted associates He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan, who had been authorized to make decisions in his absence.
“Quiet, quiet!” He Zhenghao jumped, quickly gesturing for silence.
“Please, don’t spread this around. I’m only telling you because you’re one of us.” He added with a hint of reproach.
Li Fan nodded repeatedly, showing his understanding.
“So, no one is left to claim these people’s contributions?” he asked quietly.
He Zhenghao spoke with a tinge of excitement, “Exactly. I secretly confirmed it; these five indeed fell on the battlefield in Tianling Prefecture.”
“Moreover, they didn’t leave any wills.”
“The five total a principal of three hundred thirty thousand contribution points, along with a bonus of another three hundred thirty thousand...”
Li Fan interrupted, “Didn’t you say the profit was three times? Why only a thirty thousand bonus?”
He Zhenghao snorted, “Thirty thousand is already generous. The Secret Envoy adjusted the bonus ratio out of compassion.”
“According to the original agreement, we only needed to pay fifty percent of the principal as interest each year.”
“But the Secret Envoy is benevolent, so I won’t argue.”
“In short, these six hundred sixty thousand contribution points are unclaimed now.”
“All I need is for you to help handle this matter, and they’ll be yours,” He Zhenghao said enticingly.
“Zhou Qingang” was clearly tempted.
Yet he hesitated, showing a hint of reluctance.
“Will this go unnoticed? Taking the contributions of the dead feels taboo.”
“Also, does the Secret Envoy know about this?” Li Fan asked deliberately.
He Zhenghao’s eyes flickered as he patted his chest in assurance. “Don’t worry, Fellow Daoist Zhou. The list of contributors is confidential, known only to a few of us. There’s no risk of exposure.”
“I even asked the Secret Envoy, and he said I could handle this as I saw fit,” He Zhenghao stated confidently.
“I see...” Li Fan studied He Zhenghao for a long moment.
Only when He Zhenghao started feeling uncomfortable did he look away.
“Alright, I’ll take care of it,” Li Fan agreed.
He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan exchanged a look, their faces lighting up with joy.
“Thank you for your help, Fellow Daoist!” He Zhenghao smiled warmly and clasped his hands as he left with Gao Yuan.
Watching their receding figures, Li Fan’s expression was unreadable.
“In just one year, they’ve been corrupted into this...”
“Not long ago, these two still believed I was a fallen Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign and hoped to follow me for a prosperous future.”
“Now they even dare to deceive and disrespect me.”
A cold glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
After all, the battle in Tianling Prefecture was initiated by him. He had foreseen that some cultivators participating in the investment plan would likely fall in the conflict there. However, he never mentioned this to He Zhenghao.
It was all to see how He Zhenghao would handle the unclaimed capital left behind by those who perished.
And the result...
“The human heart truly cannot withstand temptation.”
“Especially when faced with such significant contributions. When one becomes accustomed to astronomical figures in the billions, how could one be content with a meager salary?”
“It's inevitable that they'd seek side earnings.”
Li Fan shook his head slightly. He wasn’t particularly disappointed, only that he had once considered providing He Zhenghao a way out when the Crimson Flame will burn the sea and would eventually erupt—partly as recognition for his hard work and his contribution to the "Mountain Sitting Technique."
But now...
"Perhaps in the next life."
Expressionless, Li Fan began selecting personnel from the Congyun Sea System for the upcoming recruitment.
Indeed, as the war commenced, the first to be summoned were members within the structure of the Immortal Alliance.
After all, those who enjoyed the benefits of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance also had to bear corresponding responsibilities.
“Zhu Yongshou...”
“This one spoke disrespectfully before—mark him down.”
“Qi Yan. Hmm, I don’t recall much about him. He wasn’t present at either the reconstruction ceremony of Congyun City or the foundation ceremony of Immortal City. Mark him down as well.”
“Zhao Kuo, feedback officer for the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance Congyun Sea?”
“Yes, when I saw it, I was taken aback.” Sima Changkong, evidently fatigued from using his teleportation technique to return, sat to rest.
After a short break, he took out a small black canister.
With a hand gesture, he crushed it, and a torrent of blood poured out, fresh enough to still carry a sharp metallic scent.
The blood coalesced midair, gradually forming a vaguely human shape.
Without concern for Li Fan’s presence, Sima Changkong touched his brow with his finger, extracting a drop of prismatic blood, which he merged into the blood figure.
A soft glow emitted from it, and before long, a replica of Sima Changkong stood before them.
After dressing his clone, the replica clasped his hands in respect to the two of them before departing toward Tianling Prefecture.
Only then did Sima Changkong exhale, though now visibly weaker, his face ashen, barely able to stand.
Seeing this, Li Fan quickly helped him to a seat.
After a while, Sima Changkong regained some strength.
“How are you feeling, Fellow Daoist?” Li Fan asked, prioritizing his well-being over immediate questions about the battlefield in Tianling Prefecture.
“No problem. Just need to rest a bit,” Sima Changkong replied weakly, shaking his head.
“That’s good. I initially thought this was merely a 'Blood Split Clone' rather than your original form.”
“After cultivating the 'Bloodline Historical Archive', there’s hardly such a thing as an original form anymore,” Sima Changkong said with a bitter smile. “The Congyun Sea is the only place that has enough blood essence left for me to immediately craft a new clone.”
Hearing this, Li Fan nodded in understanding.
Soon, he frowned. “Brother Sima, crafting these clones seems to drain your energy substantially?”
“You’re correct, Daoist Friend. I need to drink Heavenly Green Brew regularly to replenish my lost vitality,” Sima Changkong admitted.
“Oh no! I've been drinking so much of Brother Sima’s brew without realizing...” Li Fan exclaimed with exaggerated regret.
“Haha, Brother Li, there’s no need to feel bad!” Sima Changkong reassured him.
“As I’ve said before, cultivating our Sima family’s 'Bloodline Historical Archive' makes our lifespans similar to mortals.”
“Life is fleeting, just a few short decades, gone in the blink of an eye.”
“In such a short existence, having a true friend like you is worth it. So live for today! I’m grateful you drink with me daily; how could I blame you?” Sima Changkong chuckled in reply.
“However, I was worried that spending days drinking with me might delay your cultivation, so I initially wanted to advise you against it.”
“But observing your open-minded nature, I believe you know your limits well. Thus, I’ll refrain from saying more.”
Sima Changkong rested briefly, recovering some of his vitality before continuing.
Li Fan’s gaze flickered but said nothing more, only pretending to be remorseful. “Brother Sima’s heartfelt words truly shame me!”
“Haha! If you keep acting this way, you’re treating me as an outsider!” Sima Changkong feigned anger.
Li Fan could only sigh in silence.
After this heartfelt exchange, the bond between the two grew even stronger.
After a short pause, Li Fan brought the topic back to the battlefield in the Tianling Prefecture.
“Brother Sima, what exactly did you witness on the battlefield?” He frowned as he asked. “Given your comprehensive understanding of the history of the Xuanhuang Realm, to receive such high praise from you, it must have been an immensely terrifying force.”
Sima Changkong sighed deeply. “You flatter me, my friend. However, your latter statement is indeed correct.”
“The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has deployed a truly devastating weapon this time.”
As he spoke, he activated a drop of his blood, attempting to create a blood screen to show Li Fan what had transpired, as he had done before.
Images indeed began to appear on the blood screen.
But then, Sima Changkong’s expression abruptly changed.
“How can this be?!” he exclaimed in shock, his face full of disbelief.
Li Fan fixed his gaze on the blood screen.
It showed the overwhelming Five Elders Association cultivators forming a formation and encircling a group of Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivators.
The Alliance’s side, despite being surrounded and numbering only about a hundred, showed no trace of fear. Each was incredibly valiant, as if empowered by some mysterious force.
They charged fearlessly toward an enemy outnumbering them a hundredfold.
This seemingly one-sided battle with a foregone conclusion suddenly shifted dramatically.
At the center of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivators, one individual raised something high.
And then...
Without warning, swathes of Five Elders Association cultivators fell from the sky.
They crashed to the ground, bloody and immobile, groaning in agony.
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivators appeared to have anticipated this. They swiftly and mercilessly harvested the lives of their enemies.
For a moment, the sky was filled with a strange, overlapping phenomenon of falling bodies, forming a bizarre and grim tableau.
“How could this happen?” Sima Changkong murmured in disbelief as he stared at the recorded scene on the blood screen, his expression dazed.
Seeing Sima Changkong’s strange reaction, Li Fan suddenly thought of something and asked, “Brother, does the scene on this blood screen differ from what you witnessed with your own eyes?”
“Precisely!” Sima Changkong nodded immediately.
“What I saw was a cultivator holding a small, square mirror aloft.”
"Retreat—"
The moment the green line appeared, even before Sima Changkong could shout his warning, Li Fan had already pushed the Purple Cloud Divine Thunder Escape to its limit.
At the same time, two bony wings emerged from his back, augmented by the 'Soaring Peng' technique.
Using the fastest speed he had ever achieved since stepping into the world of cultivation, Li Fan fled into the distance.
However, Li Fan hadn’t anticipated that the Mysterious Net’s reaction would be this intense—more violent than the uproar it caused previously in the Ten Thousand Immortal Island's Martial Hall.
The green point exploded, and the shockwaves swept out in all directions in an instant.
As the green light neared his body, Li Fan felt a pang of unwillingness but still prepared to invoke his protective technique, [Truth].
However, he quickly swallowed the remaining "Truth" part of the chant.
Because he realized that the charging energy of [Truth] for body protection hadn't changed at all.
"Hmm? Was it just a false alarm?"
Li Fan stopped fleeing immediately and hovered in mid-air.
After waiting for a while and finding nothing unusual, with the surroundings as calm as before, he hesitated briefly but decided to return and investigate.
Inside the Crystal Palace, everything appeared as it was before.
But an eerie silence pervaded the space.
Sima Changkong remained in his spot, the expression of terror frozen on his face, his body utterly motionless.
"Brother Sima?"
Li Fan called out from a distance.
There was no response.
After a moment, Li Fan cautiously approached. "Brother Sima?"
Although he could still faintly sense the vitality within Sima Changkong, for some reason, there was no reaction from him whatsoever.
Moreover...
That trace of vitality seemed as though it had solidified.
Feeling that something was amiss, Li Fan began to back away slowly.
"Pop!"
At that instant, Sima Changkong’s entire body suddenly burst from within.
What sprayed out was not fresh blood and flesh but pools of viscous green liquid.
The green fluid splattered all over the floor of the 'Crystal Palace'.
Li Fan narrowly avoided the green liquid's assault.
Staring at the obliterated remains of Sima Changkong, his face twitched slightly.
The green slime covering the ground seemed to retain some form of self-awareness even after Sima Changkong's death.
Like a writhing worm, it crawled slowly toward the surrounding area.
The hard surface of the Crystal Palace emitted a sizzling sound as it was corroded by the green slime.
Witnessing this terrifying scene, Li Fan couldn't help but take a deep breath.
“What a domineering Mysterious Net!”
“It can even trace the medium trying to record it and obliterate the target.”
“Wait...” Realizing something, Li Fan’s expression changed.
He pulled out a blood-red talisman from his storage ring and concentrated his mind on it. “Daoist Sima, are you alright?”
He waited for a long time but received no response.
“This is bad. Even all his clones are gone,” Li Fan muttered, his face twitching.
The Mysterious Net’s pursuit ability was frighteningly powerful.
Initially, Li Fan thought only the clone in the Congyun Sea was destroyed. But now, it seemed...
Sima Changkong’s fate was sealed.
The blood-red communication talisman was crafted with Sima Changkong’s own blood essence, a unique refinement.
As long as any of Sima Changkong's Blood-Split Clones existed in the world, Li Fan could contact him through it.
But now, all his attempts to communicate were met with silence.
The outcome was clear.
The image of Sima Changkong's laughter, discussions over wine, and philosophical debates with Li Fan remained vivid in his mind.
But life is unpredictable—here one moment, gone the next.
“Sima Changkong, farewell! I’ll find you in the next life for a drink!”
Li Fan didn’t feel overwhelming sadness; instead, he shook his head lightly, wielded the 'Five Elements Annihilation Sword', and destroyed the underwater Crystal Palace, creating a makeshift tomb for Sima Changkong.
“To achieve this level of destruction...”
“The Mysterious Net's offensive power is even stronger than I remember from my previous life.”
“This is no half-finished product,” Li Fan said grimly.
Since the anchor point nine years ago, many Nascent Soul and higher-level cultivators from various states’ Tianji and Formation Halls were summoned to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters.
After that, there had been no news from them.
Later, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance issued a 'Recruitment Order', gathering the most talented formation masters from across the land.
Four years had passed since then, and now it seemed they had produced results.
“The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has revealed their trump card. Let’s see how the Five Elders Association responds next.”
“With my earlier warning, they shouldn’t be entirely unprepared.”
In their previous transaction, Li Fan had asked the Five Elders Association to donate ten million contribution points under Liu Yihang’s alias to He Zhenghao.
Sure enough, Liu Yihang’s name appeared in the fundraising records.
“Something urgent must have happened.”
“They didn’t leave contact details before, yet now they risk exposure to seek me out.”
Li Fan opened the invitation card, memorized the meeting location, and then destroyed it with spiritual energy.
Late at night, he quietly set out alone.
The meeting point was on a mortal island 500 miles northwest of Congyun Immortal City.
At the island’s center stood a bamboo forest.
Within the forest was a humble hut.
Li Fan stepped inside and, upon seeing the figure within, his eyes narrowed.
“It’s him.”
Though the man concealed his appearance with secret techniques, Li Fan instantly recognized him as the Five Elders Association’s contact from their previous transaction regarding the 'Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance Entrance Exam'.
“What should I call you?”
“During our last meeting, I didn’t even notice you weren’t the real Zhou Qingang.”
“Heh, when my boss told me, I was truly shocked,” the man said sarcastically.
“Did you risk so much to find me just to ask that?”
“Ridiculous!” Li Fan snorted, turning to leave.
The Five Elders cultivator’s expression changed instantly. “Wait!”
He hurried to block Li Fan, softening his tone. “Fellow Daoist, let’s talk things through...”
Li Fan gave him a sidelong glance before returning to his seat.
The Five Elders cultivator heaved a sigh of relief and explained his purpose for the meeting.
“The Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation Diagram?”
Li Fan squinted and immediately refused. “I don’t have it!”
Instead of being disappointed, the Five Elders cultivator seemed encouraged. “Daoist, you didn’t ask what the formation was but declined outright.”
“That only proves you know of it.”
“Please, you must help us!”
His tone was sincere and pleading.
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Although Li Fan wasn’t entirely sure what the opponent meant by the so-called “Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation”.
However, it wasn’t hard to infer that the term referred to the Mysterious Net, which had begun to demonstrate its extraordinary potential on the battlefield of Tianling Prefecture.
Without betraying any emotion, Li Fan probed, “Based on our calculations, even with the assistance of the Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation, the Five Elders Association shouldn’t be losing ground so rapidly or finding itself in such a dire position, correct?”
The other party sighed and admitted, “We truly underestimated them this time. Who could have imagined that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would be able to recreate this ancient formation so quickly?”
“And it seems to be even more formidable than the recorded descriptions.”
The Five Elders Association cultivator spoke with frustration: “Our countermeasures haven’t been fully prepared yet. That’s why the situation on the Tianling Prefecture battlefield has become rather precarious for now.”
“That’s why we urgently need a method to weaken their formation.”
Li Fan remained silent, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the table as if deep in thought.
“To acquire the formation diagram for the Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation, even for us, would come at an enormous cost. Some comrades who have infiltrated the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would likely need to sacrifice their lives.”
“And even then, success is far from guaranteed...”
After a long pause, Li Fan finally spoke, his tone hesitant. “This matter is of great significance. I cannot make a decision on my own. Let’s do this—give me three days, and I’ll return here with an answer.”
Although the Five Elders Association cultivator was anxious, he recognized the validity of Li Fan’s reasoning and reluctantly nodded in agreement.
“By the way, let’s meet at a different location next time. These are turbulent times, and it’s better to err on the side of caution.” With that, he gave Li Fan the coordinates of another island.
Li Fan clasped his hands in farewell and left swiftly, returning to the Congyun Immortal City.
“Tianxuan Spirit Locking, Xuantian Sealing Spirit.”
“Ancient times, Tianxuan Mirror...”
“Xuantian Sect, huh?”
In his secluded chamber, Li Fan’s gaze flickered as he sank into contemplation.
“That scene on the battlefield, where countless cultivators plummeted from the sky to the ground in an instant—it felt oddly familiar...”
“That’s right—Nine Mountains Prefecture!”
Within Nine Mountains Prefecture, the nine mountain ranges had the peculiar property of preventing cultivators from flying over them.
In his previous life, Li Fan had traveled to the Ten Thousand Laws Chamber of Commerce in Nine Mountains Prefecture for procurement. There, he had witnessed the tragic fate of several defiant cultivators who fell to their deaths.
“Could there be some connection here?”
After being buried in dust for thousands of years, it was rediscovered by a passing cultivator.
According to this cultivator, named Tang Bowen, he understood the past events through a lingering thousand-year-old resentment within the storage ring.
Of course, this claim might have been fabricated by Tang Bowen to inflate the value of "Dream Encounter with Ancient Beasts."
Regardless, the painting indeed dates back thousands of years.
It depicts over a hundred beasts in various forms, some of which Li Fan had encountered in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
What truly captivated Li Fan about the painting, beyond these obvious beasts, was the hidden presence of another creature.
At the very edge of the painting, it appeared that these hundred beasts were all standing on the body of a colossal being.
However, due to its immense size, it could not be fully depicted.
Instead, the hundred beasts on its back served as a frame of reference.
"Vast and formless, its name is Heaven."
This phrase was inscribed in a corner of the painting.
This minimalist creative style naturally attracted much commentary from cultivators.
An insightful observer revealed the truth with a single remark:
"I know this. Isn't it that giant tortoise that transformed into the Nine Mountain Province after its death?"
The tone was somewhat mocking but not unfounded.
Indeed, the creature’s name consists of the characters for "King" (王) and "Eight" (八).
It is named Tiān (兲).
It is called Heaven.
"The Heavenly Beast..."
A sharp light flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
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The exact appearance of the Heavenly Beast, whether it truly resembles a tortoise, is now impossible to verify.
However, with a specific name, it becomes much easier to search for related information.
Though most of the records are fragmented, it can generally be confirmed that the Heavenly Beast was a "totemic" existence in the distant ancient era, seemingly tied closely to a certain form of faith.
Li Fan mused, "The Heavenly Beast likely belonged to the Xuantian Sect."
"During the war in which the Ten Great Sects of the Immortal Dao annihilated the Xuantian Sect, the Heavenly Beast fell and transformed into Nine Mountains."
"Senior Sister Zhao once mentioned that the Xuantian Sect usurped heavenly authority and could grant mortals [marks], enabling them to wield supernatural powers that only cultivators possess."
"And if they could grant such powers, naturally, they could also revoke them."
"Perhaps on the battlefield of Tianling Prefecture, the reason those cultivators locked onto by green light lost their ability to fly and plummeted from the skies was due to this very mechanism."
"In my past life, the 'Mysterious' Net' I remember hardly exhibited such [revocation] abilities. To suppress rebellious cultivators, they often had to dispatch the black-robed [Heavenly Sorcerers] instead."
"The network was far more focused on monitoring and bestowing than on stripping away powers."
After a moment's thought, Li Fan frowned to himself. "The Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation and the Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation might just be two facets of the Xuantian Sect's divine power."
"The so-called [Bestowment] and [Revocation] are essentially wielding heavenly authority, acting in place of the heavens."
With this thought in mind, Li Fan took out a blank encrypted jade slip. The Dao Deviation Stone in his mind hummed faintly as it activated.
The complete formation diagram for the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation, deeply etched in his memory from his past life, was imprinted onto the jade slip.
However, Li Fan made a few deliberate omissions, concealing the fine details of the central core formation.
It took him half a day to complete engraving the formation diagram.
Holding the jade slip, Li Fan's expression fluctuated. "While the Tianling Prefecture has achieved a great victory, and the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance appears to have the upper hand, all of this perceived advantage is but an illusion."
"The Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns of the Five Elders Association have refrained from taking action solely because of the agreement made with the Dharma Transmission Immortal Ancestor in the past."
"In truth, the Immortal Ancestor has already..."
Suddenly, Li Fan froze mid-thought.
Previously, he believed that the Immortal Ancestor had left the Xuanhuang Realm. If this became known, with the Five Elders Association boasting the strength of five Longevity Heavenly Sovereigns, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would be nearly defenseless. If he were to leak the 'Spirit-Locking Formation Diagram' to the Five Elders Association, it might accelerate the collapse of the alliance, exposing his own fragile position.
But soon, Li Fan realized a flaw in his assumptions.
In his past life, it was only in the 41st year, when Senior Sister Zhao tested the waters, that they confirmed the Immortal Ancestor had indeed departed.
However, Li Fan quickly doused his enthusiasm. "But it’s only the outer structure diagrams."
"And it’s the initial version. The Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation has undergone countless iterations and advancements since then; it’s likely unrecognizable now."
"It can only serve as a reference."
Li Fan spoke indifferently.
Hearing this, the spy’s initial excitement dimmed, but he soon regained his composure.
Acquiring even the original formation’s outer structure was a major breakthrough.
It was also a reasonable outcome within expectations.
After all, the Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation was one of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s most closely guarded secrets, ranking among their top confidential assets.
The Five Elders Association had lost several deeply embedded spies without obtaining even a shred of information.
If Li Fan had promised the complete formation without reservation, the spy would have suspected a trap—or even questioned whether Li Fan himself was the Dharma Transmission Immortal Ancestor.
"No matter. Even the original diagrams are excellent."
The Five Elders Association cultivator looked at Li Fan with anticipation. "What are your terms?"
Li Fan’s tone turned grave. "The value of these diagrams is beyond any contribution points or measurements. But our terms are simple."
Li Fan’s eyes gleamed, his expression unreadable. "The Five Elders Association must cooperate with our actions at certain critical moments."
The spy froze, frowning. "What does that mean?"
Li Fan ignored the question and continued, "With the power of contracts, I trust you won’t renege on the deal."
"Rest assured, our requests won’t be excessive."
"At key moments, all we ask is for your association to lend its support within one prefecture."
The spy fell silent.
"Wait a moment."
Turning his back, he closed his eyes as if consulting with higher-ups.
After a long while, he turned back, drenched in sweat.
"We agree to this deal."
"How long will it take for you to acquire the formation diagram?" the spy from the Five Elders Association impatiently asked, not even waiting for Li Fan to speak.
Li Fan pondered for a moment before answering, "At least twenty days."
The other party's expression immediately turned anxious. "Too slow! On the battlefield, things change in an instant. Twenty days... who knows what might happen by then..."
Midway through the sentence, the spy abruptly stopped and directly stated, "We cannot afford to wait that long!"
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, letting out a cold snort. "It seems the Five Elders Association is truly in a rush."
"Even an initial version of the formation diagram isn't something easily stolen. It requires careful planning. You can't just snap your fingers and get it."
Hearing this, the spy's expression darkened.
"However..." At this point, Li Fan's tone shifted. "There’s a slow way to do it, and there’s also a faster way."
"If you want the diagram quickly, it depends on your sincerity."
The blatant price hike made the spy exclaim, "What else do you want?"
Li Fan's face darkened slightly. "The price we just discussed was for the formation diagram. Now we need to discuss the cost of expediting the process."
"Any issues?"
"If you’re unwilling to deal, then forget it..."
With that, he turned decisively and began to walk away.
"Wait! Let's talk this through!" The spy panicked, rushing forward to bring Li Fan back.
"Don’t be so rash, Fellow Daoist Zhou. I already said everything is negotiable." The spy forced a smile through gritted teeth.
Li Fan sat back down and said indifferently, "Agreeing to trade with you already poses a significant risk for my organization. Naturally, the benefits must be sufficient."
Using his finger as a pen, he scribbled a few small characters on the stone table and continued, "Forget about contribution points. Some of the Five Elders Association's specialties are very popular in our circles and can serve as bargaining chips."
The spy leaned in to see items listed on the table: Enlightenment Pills, Samantabhadra True Boat, Carefree Crystals, Human Dao Stardust, and Truth-Defying Fruit...
His eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
Previously, when Li Fan had infiltrated the Five Elders Association by controlling Jia Xiuyuan's puppet body, he not only gained some private time in Senior Sister Zhao's illusion realm but also developed a decent understanding of the region's general situation and culture. Ṙ
'Enlightenment Pills' and 'Samantabhadra True Boat' needed no further explanation.
'Human Dao Stardust', a specialty of the 'Humane Dao Heavenly Domain', corresponded to the stars formed by cultivators ascending to the heavens and merging into starlight. By absorbing stardust, one could clearly perceive the process of reshaping the world.
The text was written in faint dark-gold characters.
The terms of the agreement matched what had been negotiated, with no discrepancies.
What caught Li Fan's attention was that one side of the contract was left blank for him to sign, while the other bore five enigmatic and ever-shifting symbols.
Although he couldn’t decipher their meaning, Li Fan instinctively understood that these symbols represented the Five Elders Association’s ‘Five Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns’.
Recalling the brainwashing scholar’s lecture in the Five Elders Association’s valley, Li Fan had an epiphany.
"This contract seems to be related to the Five Elders Association's 'Soul Contracts'. The principal parties are the Longevity Immortal Sovereigns, though the content differs."
As Li Fan reached out to sign, an indescribable sense of foreboding swept over him.
"Confirm."
He responded inwardly.
The sensation persisted and intensified with each repetition.
On the third confirmation, a golden light shot into the depths of Li Fan's soul, while the rest disappeared into the void.
"The contract is sealed. No one bound by it may break its terms," Li Fan murmured with narrowed eyes.
"Not even the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns..."
"Can defy it."
"The only power capable of subduing someone as inscrutable as Senior Sister Zhao must be a similarly formidable Longevity Immortal Sovereign."
"Perhaps even stronger."
With this, Li Fan’s speculations about the Five Elders Association’s final, unknown Longevity Sovereign were finally validated.
It was the binding power of this Sovereign’s contracts that maintained the organization’s stability.
Far away, Li Fan’s main body meditated silently, monitoring his soul for any anomalies after his clone, Zhou Qingang, signed the contract.
Nothing seemed amiss.
Yet deep down, he had a strong premonition:
Should he violate the agreement, the repercussions would reverberate through his entire being, reaching even his main body.
Up until now, Li Fan still hadn’t figured out the exact consequences of violating the contract with the Five Elders Association.
However, he had no intention of testing it out personally.
Every deal he had made with the Five Elders Association had brought him immense profit. Why would he ever willingly break the agreement? On the contrary, he wished for more opportunities like these.
The Five Elders Association’s spy was now reduced to nothing but bones. At the transaction site, only Li Fan remained.
Casually destroying the stone table with engraved characters, “Zhou Qingang” leaped and returned to Congyun City.
On the way back, Li Fan reflected on some oddities during the negotiation process.
Treasures like the 'Truth-Defying Fruit' and 'Human Dao Stardust', valuable even to cultivators in the Dao Integration realm, were offered sparingly by the Five Elders Association. This was understandable to Li Fan.
However, regarding the 'Samantabhadra True Boat', the Five Elders Association was overly stingy, refusing to provide more even when offered compensation with even more precious resources.
This puzzled Li Fan.
After all, the Samantabhadra True Boat was something his puppet body had casually encountered during its travels within the Five Elders Association. It was readily available not too long ago.
How had it suddenly become so valuable?
What had changed?
Li Fan couldn’t make sense of it until “Zhou Qingang” returned to the Administration Hall and happened to glance at the map of the Congyun Sea and its surrounding regions on the wall. Suddenly, inspiration struck.
He stared intently at the natural boundaries marked on the map—the place labeled as the 'White Mist Barrier'—and seemed to have an epiphany.
“The so-called law of supply and demand,” he murmured.
“Although the Samantabhadra True Boat’s actual value isn’t high, if the Five Elders Association is now requisitioning them on a massive scale and experiencing severe shortages...”
“This would explain everything.”
Li Fan’s thoughts raced.
“The Five Elders Association is planning a campaign within the White Mist?”
“Are they using the White Mist Barrier to launch an attack into the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, or are they venturing deeper into the White Mist itself?”
Even Li Fan himself was startled by this sudden hypothesis.
For countless years, cultivators had avoided the White Mist because of its life-draining properties.
Who would have thought of utilizing the White Mist Barriers as natural pathways?
Although the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had long known that Samantabhadra True Leaf could somewhat mitigate the effects of the life-draining mist, this knowledge hadn’t been widely implemented.
He wasn’t concerned about the safety of this puppet body.
First, the golden contract prohibited either side from harming the other.
Second, “Zhou Qingang” presented himself as a member of the massive covert organization 'Heaven-Suppressing Society', hidden deep within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Moreover, he was the only link between the Heaven-Suppressing Society and the Five Elders Association.
Unless the Five Elders Association was prepared to sever ties with the Heaven-Suppressing Society entirely, they wouldn’t dare harm him.
Especially when their war with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance left no room for creating additional enemies.
Still, Li Fan remained vigilant, ready to abandon this puppet body if needed.
The Five Elders Association’s efficiency was remarkable.
In less than the time it took to brew a cup of tea, the black-clad cultivator returned to the chamber.
Although he tried to mask his emotions, the faint excitement in his demeanor was evident.
“Your methods are truly extraordinary. I am impressed!”
“This is what we promised. Please check it.”
The black-clad cultivator handed over a white stone.
“This is...” Li Fan’s eyes flashed.
Fortunately, after searching through the memories stored in the Dao Deviation Stone, he instantly knew what this white stone was.
It was the 'Primordial Void Stone Mother'—a rare, natural storage material.
Compared to ordinary storage rings, it offered significantly larger space. It could also be refined and stored within a cultivator’s body.
An essential material for crafting spatial artifacts, it was both priceless and scarcely available.
This item wasn’t on Li Fan’s list of requested goods. It was clearly provided as a dedicated storage vessel.
Li Fan nodded slightly, opened his mouth, and swallowed the stone directly.
He didn’t immediately refine it but first inspected its contents.
The Five Elders Association had fulfilled their side of the agreement without any shortages: 10,000 Enlightenment Pills, 300 Samantabhadra True Boat, three fragments of Human Dao Stardust—all matched the contract.
Li Fan’s attention focused on a five-colored glowing statue floating amidst the items.
The statue's design was remarkably peculiar.
It had five faces and ten hands, yet shared a single body. Each face displayed a distinct expression:
- One lowered its eyes with compassion, seemingly sorrowful for the world's plight.
- Another bore a stern countenance, glaring with righteous anger.
- One face was slightly furrowed, appearing fragile and pitiful. Yet upon closer inspection, hints of alluring charm and coquettish seduction emerged.
This last face bore a striking resemblance to Senior Sister Zhao.
Li Fan's heart warmed, and a rush of emotions blossomed in his mind, his thoughts veering toward indulgent fantasies.
For a fleeting moment, he could even hear the gentle whispers of Senior Sister Zhao in his ears.
“Something's wrong!”
Alarmed, Li Fan snapped back to reality, breaking free from the illusion, and cold sweat drenched his back.
Looking again, the vivid expressions vanished. What remained were five indistinct and featureless faces on the ten-handed statue.
“What is this?” Li Fan feigned composure as he retrieved the statue.
The black-robed cultivator, upon seeing the multicolored statue in Li Fan's hands, lit up with fervent enthusiasm and explained:
“This is an Manifestation of Heavenly Sovereign Statue, and it is one of the highest-grade types.”
“It embodies the collective will of the five Heavenly Sovereigns. While it cannot grant you direct audience with them, it does allow communication with the Five Elders Pavilion.”
“Mundane matters are typically beneath the attention of the Heavenly Sovereigns and are managed by the Five Elders Pavilion.”
“When your actions require the support of the Five Elders Association, you may use the Heavenly Sovereign Statue to relay your message to the pavilion.”
“But it can only be used once. Afterward, the statue will naturally disappear.”
...
Li Fan nodded slowly as he listened to the explanation.
After scrutinizing the ten-handed statue one last time, he stored it in the Primordial Void Stone Mother.
With the transaction complete, Li Fan was preparing to leave.
“Wait, Fellow Daoist!”
The black-robed cultivator suddenly called out, stopping him.
“What is it?” Li Fan narrowed his eyes, his expression turning wary.
The black-robed cultivator waved his hands hastily. “Haha, don’t misunderstand, my friend. I merely have a small favor to ask. Of course, the reward will be more than sufficient!”
“What is it?” Li Fan’s expression softened slightly, his tone remaining indifferent.
The black-robed cultivator handed over a slip of paper. Li Fan accepted it and glanced at the contents, which detailed a peculiar request:
About a year ago, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance discovered an ancient slumbering cultivator from the ruins of the Ancient Purple Heaven Sect.
The Five Elders Association hoped to enlist the 'Heaven-Suppressing Society' to investigate the cultivator’s true identity and current whereabouts.
The name "Purple Heaven Sect" caught Li Fan’s attention, stirring something within him.
“This is a small favor?” Li Fan let out a cold snort, his finger igniting a flame that instantly reduced the slip of paper to ashes.
The black-robed cultivator chuckled awkwardly.
“We’ll do what we can. We make no guarantees—this task is as challenging as deciphering formation diagrams.”
Li Fan turned and left, leaving behind a single echoing remark in the chamber.
The black-robed cultivator’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully at those words.
---
On his return journey, Li Fan remained exceptionally vigilant. After all, he now carried a treasure of great value and could not afford to be careless.
Fortunately, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance maintained a relatively secure environment. No one attempted to rob or kill him for his possession.
"Zhou Qingang" smoothly returned to the Congyun Immortal City.
Within a century, they rose to become a dominant power in the region.
"Reversing aptitude, is it?"
A glimmer of light flashed in Li Fan’s eyes as spiritual power gathered in his palm. He suddenly exerted force, crushing the black stone into powder.
The silver starlight was entirely absorbed by him.
In an instant, countless indescribable insights flooded his mind.
The principles of the heavens intertwined into a vast web, forming the order that governs the world.
One thread in particular stood out vividly in Li Fan’s vision.
It seemed within reach, with even its intricate, profound patterns clearly visible.
In an instant, this "thin thread" filled his entire view.
The "thin thread" became as massive as a pillar supporting the heavens.
The magnificent aura emanating from it intoxicated Li Fan, unraveling many previously incomprehensible mysteries in a flash of understanding.
He also noticed countless fine threads connecting his body to the towering pillar.
As he focused on these indistinct, ethereal threads, an epiphany dawned upon him.
Though he now appeared to be a puppet manipulated by the "pillar" via these threads, someday, if his strength were sufficient, he might reverse the control, using the threads to manipulate the pillar instead.
"So this is what it means to defy the laws of heaven..."
An overwhelming sense of joy surged within him, causing even Li Fan, deep in seclusion within the Congyun Sea Trench, to tremble with excitement.
After reincarnating for a hundred lifetimes, the path to eternal life was now within reach.
Though knowing and achieving were worlds apart, the harvest of this moment filled Li Fan with immense satisfaction.
Immersed in his thoughts, he lost track of time.
When the Human Dao Stardust was completely consumed, and he emerged from his enlightenment, he felt an insatiable yearning.
In a daze, he spent half a day reminiscing before regaining clarity.
When he instinctively checked the time, Li Fan was astonished to discover that what felt like a brief moment to him had been nearly a year in the outside world.
"No wonder Longevity Immortal Realm powerhouses disdain worldly affairs. Now I understand what 'cultivation transcends the flow of time' truly means."
"And this was just a partial glimpse of the laws of heaven through the Human Dao Stardust."
"If one were to fully comprehend the laws of heaven, they might lose decades in a single retreat."
Li Fan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
After savoring the experience for a while, he began reviewing the events that had transpired during his year-long retreat.
The communication talisman from Zhou Qingang was nearly bursting with messages from He Zhenghao and others.
Li Fan didn’t respond immediately but instead chose to prioritize the important ones.
The war in Tianling Prefecture hadn’t yet concluded but had significantly de-escalated.
Thus, cultivators began receiving news from the battlefield.
The Xuantian Spirit Locking Formation diagram submitted by Li Fan had an immediate effect.
Just ten days after the trade was finalized, during a medium-scale skirmish, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance attempted to replicate their earlier tactics, using the 'Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation' to crush and slaughter the Five Elders Association’s forces.
However, they hadn’t expected the other side to be fully prepared.
Every cultivator was surrounded by a red protective glow.
When green and red lights merged, nothing unusual occurred.
While the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was caught off guard, a brutal close-quarters battle ensued.
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Chapter 572
The events and results of this battle, though deliberately downplayed by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, can still be discerned through the series of actions taken afterward.
Newly issued offensive orders were hastily rescinded; directives were sent to all states, commanding them to fortify their defenses against infiltration by Five Elders Association cultivators. States were strictly prohibited from initiating conflict, with current missions focused primarily on defense.
Deployment orders to the frontlines also became increasingly frequent.
"Changing orders on a whim—what a slapdash operation!"
Almost overnight, the strategy underwent a complete 180-degree turn, prompting widespread complaints among the alliance cultivators. However, out of fear of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's overwhelming authority, no one dared voice their grievances openly. Such frustrations were only vented in private gatherings.
The progress of war was not subject to the will of cultivators.
What once seemed an overwhelming advantage quickly transformed into a stalemate between the two sides.
As the external war faltered, internal chaos also erupted.
At the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters, it was rumored that many high-ranking cultivators were dismissed and placed under investigation. Even long-serving, influential Dao Integration cultivators were not spared.
However, the reasons for their interrogations remained unknown.
Even when these cultivators were released—visibly weakened and clearly tortured—they remained tight-lipped, refusing to discuss the matter regardless of the questions posed.
This only served to spread suspicion and panic, as no one wanted to be the next person dragged off for mysterious interrogations.
Li Fan, however, knew the truth. The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was searching for a mole who didn’t exist.
No matter how hard they tried, they would never suspect that the one responsible for leaking the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation was a minor Golden Core cultivator in a remote area on the alliance's outskirts—none other than Li Fan himself.
Thus, this investigation was destined to lead nowhere.
In the end, it would likely conclude with a few unfortunate scapegoats tortured into confessing crimes they never committed, just to wrap things up.
And on Li Fan's growing list of the injured, there would once again be the names of innocents.
After roughly understanding the course of the past year's events, Li Fan turned his attention to the many messages that He Zhenghao had sent to "Zhou Qingang."
Most of them were inquiries and reminders about when he would emerge from seclusion.
At the start, the messages were frequent, but as time passed, they gradually dwindled—perhaps due to resignation or some other reason.
After a brief pause, he recovered and chuckled wryly, trying to reason: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, you might not be aware of the current market conditions after your seclusion."
"The position of [Pill Hall] Quality Inspector can only fetch, at most, 80,000. After all, we're not the only ones in Congyun Sea selling positions. Buyers come to us because it's cheaper here and can serve as a stepping stone."
"But if we double the price like this..."
He Zhenghao shook his head. "Why would anyone pay so much when they could go to Luoyan Prefecture or some other more prosperous region?"
Gao Yuan also nodded in agreement.
Li Fan sneered at the two, his eyes brimming with disdain. "I’m out of touch? Or are you two the ones who don’t understand the current situation?"
The change in "Zhou Qingang’s" demeanor was stark—completely unlike his usual measured and steady self.
Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao exchanged glances, their expressions filled with doubt. Something didn’t add up.
Cautiously, He Zhenghao leaned forward and asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, what do you mean?"
Ignoring him, "Zhou Qingang" directed his gaze coldly at Gao Yuan, who briefly flashed a look of anger before suppressing it and putting on a polite smile.
Finally, Li Fan spoke, his tone deliberate:
"The war in Tianling Prefecture is nearing its end, and hostilities are about to cease. Your little scheme of buying and selling official positions under the cover of wartime chaos is almost over!"
This revelation left Gao Yuan and He Zhenghao truly stunned.
Their shock was no longer feigned.
In the brief silence that followed, disbelief flashed in their eyes.
"But Fellow Daoist Zhou," He Zhenghao quickly asked, "there's been no news of this. How could you know?"
Gao Yuan chimed in, "Indeed, such matters concern the entire alliance, and Fellow Daoist Zhou mustn’t speak lightly."
Li Fan's cold gaze swept over them.
"How do I know?" he sneered. "Naturally, Lord Secret Envoy himself informed me!"
........................................................................
“Lord Secret Envoy!”
“Lord Secret Envoy!”
...
Zhou Qingang's voice wasn’t loud, but when it reached He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan’s ears, it was like a thunderclap.
He Zhenghao was stunned for a moment, his face immediately turning pale. “Lord Secret Envoy has emerged from seclusion? How come I wasn’t informed?”
Gao Yuan also appeared utterly shocked, his expression full of disbelief.
However, what Zhou Qingang said next offered them a sliver of relief.
“The Secret Envoy has not yet emerged,” Zhou Qingang said lightly. “But if anyone thinks their petty schemes can escape the attention of the Secret Envoy in seclusion, that would be laughable.”
His words were filled with implication as he cast a sharp gaze at the two men.
He Zhenghao, feeling guilty, laughed awkwardly. “We all know the Secret Envoy possesses heaven-penetrating abilities; none of us would dare to deceive him!”
Gao Yuan, previously calm and confident, now broke into a cold sweat. His mind raced for a countermeasure as he hastily echoed He Zhenghao’s words.
Li Fan, seeing their feigned ignorance, sneered inwardly.
He raised his voice and sternly rebuked:
“You two, embezzling the recruitment funds behind the Secret Envoy’s back; behaving recklessly while he’s away; treating the laws of the Immortal Alliance as if they’re nothing; selling official positions for massive profits...”
“Do you really think such acts can escape the all-seeing eyes of the Secret Envoy?”
“How could you be so foolish?”
He Zhenghao, struck as if by lightning, trembled uncontrollably. Gao Yuan’s face turned ashen, his mouth opening and closing without forming a single word.
“Hmph! Don’t be deceived by the fact that the Secret Envoy outwardly appears to be only at the Golden Core stage. You both should know his true power is terrifying.” R
“While he might not claim to know all things without leaving his chambers, do you really believe the filth within this tiny Congyun Sea can elude his discerning gaze?” Li Fan declared with pride.
“Since the time, He Zhenghao, when you privately pocketed unclaimed recruitment funds, the Secret Envoy has been watching you.”
Now, thinking back, he found it laughable.
At the time, though, he had been hopelessly ensnared in greed.
Scenes from the past flashed through his mind. He Zhenghao, drenched in sweat, felt as though he had just been pulled from water.
“How did I become like this?” He Zhenghao felt nothing but regret and bewilderment.
“Will the Secret Envoy show me any mercy?” He shivered, imagining his demise at the hands of Li Fan.
Yet, a glimmer of hope remained in his heart. The logic was simple: if the Secret Envoy had already decided to punish him, why bother sending Zhou Qing'ang to say so much?
His patient persuasion and his earlier mention of "doubling the 160,000 contribution points" suggested there might still be room for negotiation.
Thinking of this, He Zhenghao raised his head to look at Zhou Qingang.
Li Fan, noticing He Zhenghao’s long silence and the despair in his eyes, saw him suddenly look up. Smiling faintly, Li Fan spoke again:
“Although your crimes are severe, you were among the first to follow the Lord Secret Envoy.”
“Therefore, the Secret Envoy has decided to give you one last chance to redeem yourselves.”
These words ignited a flicker of hope in both He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan’s eyes.
“Please guide us!” Gao Yuan quickly bowed and asked.
“As I mentioned earlier, the war in Tianling Prefecture is nearing its end.”
“The Secret Envoy’s instructions are simple...” Li Fan paused before continuing resolutely:
“Seize this final opportunity.”
“Take as much as you can!”
His unwavering tone echoed throughout the hall.
Hearing this, the two men exchanged bewildered glances, doubt creeping onto their faces as they turned to Zhou Qingang.
“Did the lord truly say that?” He Zhenghao asked, somewhat hesitantly.
Gao Yuan also seemed skeptical. “Everyone knows that the Lord Envoy’s mastery of divination techniques is extraordinary. If he wanted to amass wealth, there are countless methods at his disposal. Why would he stoop to such actions? It’s beneath his status!”
"Zhou Qingang" snorted at their reactions. “The Lord Envoy’s ambitions are not something the likes of you two could fathom.”
“But fine, to put your doubts at ease, I’ll reveal a little more of the inside story.”
Lowering his voice, Zhou Qingang whispered, “The Lord Envoy not only foresaw that the war in Tianling Prefecture is about to end, but he also predicted that after the war, to restore vitality and expedite recovery, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance will issue a decree.”
“What decree?” He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan perked up, eagerly listening.
Zhou Qingang slowly continued, “Every cultivator in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance will be allowed to purchase techniques from the Tianxuan Mirror at a discount.”
“Although divination involving artifacts like the Tianxuan Mirror may result in minor discrepancies, according to the Lord Envoy, this outcome is highly likely.”
“Discounted techniques?” The two gasped audibly upon hearing this.
After reflecting, however, they realized it wasn’t without precedent.
The last time such an event occurred was centuries ago, and only a few elder cultivators had ever mentioned it.
For cultivators, the contribution points required to purchase techniques are one of the largest expenditures in their careers. Techniques often cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of contribution points—a figure insignificant to someone like He Zhenghao, but for most cultivators, it’s a fortune accumulated at great personal cost.
If the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance truly reopens discounted purchases of techniques—even at a 20% discount—it would save an enormous amount of contribution points during this period. It’s easy to imagine how frenzied the cultivators would become. Borrowing or selling off assets to gather enough points to buy techniques would be inevitable.
After considering this, He Zhenghao’s eyes lit up. He faintly sensed a tremendous opportunity, though his exact plan to capitalize on it remained unclear. Scratching his head, he grew increasingly restless and urged, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, stop teasing us. Tell us the details!”
Zhou Qingang smirked. “It’s simple! First, spread rumors that the war is ending and everything is returning to normal.”
“Opportunities like this don’t come twice. If anyone still wants to use contribution points to secure a position or rank, now is the time. Such chances won’t come again!”
Zhou Qingang grinned wickedly as he elaborated, leaving He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan drenched in cold sweat.
When Zhou Qingang finally finished his lengthy explanation, Gao Yuan couldn’t help but ask, “The Lord Envoy’s plan is brilliant, but I have one question. Please enlighten me, Daoist Zhou.”
Zhou Qingang tilted his head, silently pondering before replying, “We’ve worked together for years, Brother Gao. Speak freely.”
“In my understanding of the Lord Envoy’s character, he doesn’t seem overly concerned with wealth. Why the sudden shift to such large-scale operations?”
He Zhenghao agreed. “Indeed, could it be that the Lord Envoy has deeper motives? I, too, believe he wouldn’t go to such lengths merely for contribution points.”
Zhou Qingang remained silent for a long time, seemingly deep in thought. Seeing this, He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan felt their suspicions confirmed, their anticipation growing.
After a while, Zhou Qingang finally made a decision. Using divine sense to transmit his voice, he said, “The Lord Envoy did not explicitly state this to me; it’s merely my own speculation.”
“Take it as an amusing guess, and do not treat it seriously!”
The two quickly nodded, promising discretion.
“It’s highly likely that Immortal Monarchs Hongxi and Ziyun are returning to the Congyun Sea.”
He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan were stunned, clarity dawning on them instantly.
“Not just that. The Nascent Soul cultivators previously dispatched from the Tianji Hall and Formation Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortal Island are likely returning soon.”
“The Lord Envoy, after all, was appointed from above and has shallow roots here. Furthermore, his own cultivation is only at the Golden Core stage. Facing those seasoned Nascent Soul cultivators, he might find it hard to maintain his authority.”
“Thus, the Lord Envoy plans to use this opportunity to consolidate his influence. If my guess is correct, when they return, he’ll likely forgive the cultivators’ debts to win their loyalty.”
“And if my guess is wrong, the Lord Envoy will still profit immensely, suffering no loss either way.”
“Zhou Qingang” explained his reasoning methodically. Upon hearing this, Gao Yuan couldn’t help but slap the table in admiration, exclaiming, “If this plan succeeds, nearly all the cultivators of the Congyun Sea will owe a debt of gratitude to the esteemed Lord Envoy.”
“Even if the two Soul Transformation Immortal Monarchs, Hongxi and Ziyun, return, they will have to carefully consider the consequences of opposing the Lord Envoy.”
“Our lord’s foresight is truly unparalleled, strategizing not just one step ahead, but a hundred steps. It’s beyond the comprehension of ordinary minds.”
The seemingly simple wealth accumulation plan turned out to have so many intricate layers that He Zhenghao couldn’t help but marvel at its brilliance.
Both men were deeply impressed.
However, they failed to notice a critical flaw in the seemingly flawless plan.
The key issue was whether Li Fan could genuinely achieve the promised “200% returns within five years” after absorbing an astronomical amount of contributions.
Perhaps it was because of Li Fan’s prior demonstrations of incredible, seemingly impossible abilities, which had subtly brainwashed them.
Or perhaps they had filled in the gaps of their imagination, believing Li Fan to be a fallen Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign. Their trust in his abilities had reached a point where they no longer doubted him.
Ultimately, they harbored no skepticism about Li Fan’s ability to achieve the goals of this fundraising plan.
After all, what’s a mere threefold return in five years?
How could such a thing stump the revered Lord Secret Envoy?
But in reality...
Even if Li Fan had reincarnated countless times in the Congyun Sea, possessing unparalleled foresight, this time, it was truly beyond his capabilities.
It wasn’t a question of his ability but a practical limitation. Once an asset base grows to a certain scale, doubling it becomes exponentially harder.
To put it bluntly, Li Fan was merely a speculator, profiting from buying low and selling high.
He was not a creator of wealth.
Unlike the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, he couldn’t generate contribution points infinitely and without restriction.
While he might manage to double a few million contribution points through skillful maneuvering, if the amount reached several billion or more...
Unless another unprecedented war broke out between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association—one he could anticipate in advance—it would be impossible. ɽ�
But it didn’t matter that he couldn’t deliver.
After all, from the beginning, he had never intended to fulfill the promised returns.
That’s why the fundraising plan was set to be closed for five years.
By the time five years passed, the Crimson Flame would engulf the Congyun Sea, reducing it to a wasteland.
With everyone dead, there would be no need to repay the debts.
“Present!” He Zhenghao quickly responded.
“Select some representatives from the cultivators who participated in the previous fundraising plan. Arrange a meeting in ten days so I can personally explain the details of the five-year plan and reassure everyone.” Li Fan’s voice was steady and commanding.
Receiving this order, He Zhenghao felt a glimmer of relief and promptly agreed.
“Gao Yuan!”
“Present!” Gao Yuan’s voice trembled.
“Compile a list of the Congyun Sea cultivators who perished in the recent war in Tianling Prefecture. Submit it to me in ten days.”
Gao Yuan quickly agreed as well.
The light from the Divine Spirit Jade Slip grew dim, eventually fading away entirely.
The jade slip fell to the ground with a soft thud, accompanied by Li Fan’s final words:
“Remember, in my absence, Zhou Qingang has full authority to act on my behalf.”
“His words are my orders!”
Zhou Qingang bowed slightly, expressing gratitude to the Lord Envoy, a faint smirk betraying his sense of triumph.
He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan felt a pang of regret and jealousy.
“The trust of the Lord Envoy was supposed to belong to us!”
Yet they dared not complain, obediently carrying out their orders.
With Li Fan personally confirming the plan, He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan diligently executed his will, terrified of failure.
Years of careful management had given the two better control over Congyun Sea City than Li Fan himself.
Under their direction, news of the imminent conclusion of the great war and the new fundraising plan spread throughout the cultivators of the Congyun Sea within a single day.
The revelations caused a great stir, leaving many unsettled.
Countless messages were sent to He Zhenghao, inquiring about the truth of the situation.
He Zhenghao naturally embellished the story further.
Thus, ten days later, a gathering of cultivators eagerly awaited Li Fan’s arrival.
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Liuli Island.
He Zhenghao gazed at the island he had guarded for decades. Turning to the timid, bowing successor beside him, who nodded obsequiously, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
Once upon a time, he too had been like this young man—anxious and uneasy whenever superiors came to inspect. He had been terrified of making mistakes that would incur their wrath.
Yet now, in just a few years, he had become the kind of "big shot" he once looked up to with fear and reverence.
Encouraging the young successor, Zhao Changli, with a few words of advice, He Zhenghao confidently entered the 'Mountain-River Star Formation'. Nôv(el)B\\jnn
The mountains overhead shielded the gathering from prying eyes.
Inside, cultivators invited by He Zhenghao had already been waiting for some time.
"Fellow Daoist He!"
As soon as He Zhenghao appeared, they warmly greeted him. To them, if Li Fan was the God of Wealth, then He Zhenghao was the epitome of a generous distributor of fortune.
After exchanging pleasantries, one impatient cultivator asked, "Fellow Daoist He, is it true what the Lord Envoy deduced? That the war is about to end? There’s no sign of it. Just today, I heard the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance vowed to fight to the bitter end..."
Before he could finish, others interrupted, voices clamoring:
"The Lord Envoy’s divination techniques are unfathomable and flawless! If you don’t believe, why bother coming here today?"
"Heh, Fellow Daoist He, ignore him. Tell us more about this open-ended fundraising plan!"
He Zhenghao raised his hands for silence, and the room quieted instantly.
With a gentle smile, he began explaining the details.
Hearing He Zhenghao personally confirm the matter, the cultivators were ecstatic. However, the scale of the fundraising effort was so enormous that even He Zhenghao couldn’t fully reassure everyone. Doubts lingered among some.
It was then that Li Fan made his entrance.
A silver light descended from the sky, spilling through the mountain peaks.
Li Fan, clad in a white Daoist robe, stepped gracefully on starlight. His seemingly leisurely pace brought him to the gathering in an instant.
“Thus, I’ve decided to help you one last time before my departure.”
Sweeping his gaze across the crowd, Li Fan declared, “After this, our fates will be severed, and we may never cross paths again.”
The announcement caused a stir.
None among them were naive. Though Li Fan claimed he was relinquishing power to avoid disputes, his actions suggested otherwise. If he truly intended to leave, he could simply step down. Why stage such a grandiose fundraising campaign and rally support?
“So that’s it! He’s laying the groundwork for a power grab, seeking our backing!”
“Well, it’s only natural. Ceding the leadership of an entire region isn’t so easy, after all.”
Connecting the dots, many cultivators felt enlightened. Recalling how loyal supporters of Li Fan—like He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan—had all been richly rewarded after his political victories, they sensed an opportunity.
“Lord Envoy, you need not worry. We stand firmly behind you!”
“Indeed! While Hongxi and Ziyun may have good reputations, they always remained aloof. None could compare to you, leading us to prosperity!”
“Every time I’ve joined the Lord Envoy’s fundraising initiatives, I’ve reaped immense rewards. In just a few years, my wealth has multiplied sixfold!”
“I joined later, but I’ve still doubled my fortune!”
“Support the Lord Envoy!”
“With the Lord Envoy, we’ll amass wealth and achieve enlightenment!”
The support snowballed as one cultivator after another voiced their allegiance.
Li Fan’s gaze flickered briefly toward He Zhenghao, who promptly retrieved pre-prepared contracts and registries from his storage ring, initiating the fundraising process on the spot.
Amid the fervor and under Li Fan’s sharp gaze, even those initially reluctant felt compelled to contribute.
“For appearances’ sake, I used up a piece of Human Dao Stardust and several Dao Enlightenment Pills when I made my entrance,” Li Fan mused silently.
“But no matter. I’ll recover it all from this fundraising campaign.”
When Li Fan made his appearance, the silvery starlight radiating from him and the uncontrollable, enlightening aura of the Dao rhythm surrounding him naturally stemmed from the effects of the [Human Dao Stardust] and the Enlightenment Pills he had consumed.
For this, Li Fan swallowed the previously refined [Human Dao Stardust], which had the power to reverse the thoughts of his beloved, along with hundreds of Enlightenment Pills—all in one gulp.
He didn't expect to fully absorb their essence but only needed their residual energy to spill out.
Looking at it now, the intimidation effect worked quite well.
As more and more contributions filled his pouch, Li Fan believed that unless something unforeseen occurred, this final round of fundraising should proceed smoothly.
There was no longer any need to linger here, so Li Fan left quietly.
Instead of returning to Congyun City, he retreated to the hidden chamber he had excavated earlier in the depths of the ocean trench, once again going into seclusion.
---
“The Heaven and Earth Divination Dice...”
Li Fan’s eyes sparkled as a crystalline die appeared in his hand.
He toyed with it, his thoughts surging.
The words he had spoken earlier were not entirely fabricated.
During his prior interactions with this ancient treasure from the Heavenly Mechanism Sect, fleeting, blurry visions occasionally appeared in his mind.
These visions depicted apocalyptic scenes—scorched earth stretching for thousands of miles and the dead silence of Congyun Sea.
If an ordinary cultivator received such inexplicable premonitions, they would undoubtedly panic and be at a loss.
However, Li Fan was unfazed. After all, he had witnessed far more terrifying scenarios, such as the utter annihilation of everything by the Ink Death.
For Li Fan, something like the Crimson Flame Burning the Sea was just a minor scene.
What truly intrigued him was the timing of these future visions sensed through the Heaven and Earth Divination Dice.
It wasn’t tied to the usual 28-year timeline he had experienced in his past reincarnations. Instead, it was happening earlier.
Moreover, the timeline kept advancing as Li Fan made various moves in his current life.
For instance, after he manipulated events to have Sikong Yi complete the Heavenly Doctor’s mission.
Or after he devised a plan for Han Yi to incite a great battle between the Fisherman, the Heavenly Doctor, and the Sage.
Each time, the vision of the Crimson Flame Burning the Sea in the Heaven and Earth Divination Dice advanced significantly.
Li Fan understood that the future was never fixed, nor was there any event destined to occur without fail.
However, an event as monumental as the Crimson Flame Burning the Sea shouldn’t be easily altered by his actions.
Yet evidently, Li Fan had underestimated the impact of his moves on this apocalyptic event.
A contemplative expression crossed Li Fan’s face.
“Let’s hope the Heavenly Doctor and the others can give me some enlightenment in this life.”
---
After the grand gathering of cultivators on Liuli Island, it took less than a day for all the cultivators in Congyun Sea to receive confirmed news.
The rumors were true. The reclusive Lord Envoy had personally emerged to validate them.
And so began a grand frenzy.
The high-yield fundraising plan, previously exclusive to cultivators with ties to Li Fan, was now open to all.
The promise of a threefold return in five years seemed miraculous, but with the legendary cultivator of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect leading the project, it didn’t seem impossible.
Cultivators eagerly spread the news, passionately debating how much contribution they should invest.
Even the most cautious among them wavered in the face of such widespread enthusiasm.
“Forty-five thousand contribution points—if I triple that...”
“That would exceed a hundred thousand!”
Sikong Yi’s heart raced.
“Fellow Daoist Han was right. Cultivation is all about connections! Without the opportunity he left for me to work with He Zhenghao, when else could I have made this much?”
“Fellow Daoist Han, you died well!”
With that thought, Sikong Yi didn’t hesitate.
He decided to bet everything he had on this fundraising campaign.
“This is a rare chance, never to be missed. My comeback hinges on this!”
Determination flickered in his eyes.
Meanwhile, in Yuandao Province, Han Yi, still carrying his hard-earned hundred thousand contribution points, heard the news.
“Congyun Sea, Li Fan... threefold in five years?”
A spark of interest ignited within him.
Since forcibly altering his fortune had caused a backlash, everything had been going poorly for him.
His cultivation progress was slow, and his contribution points had already dwindled.
“Perhaps...”
Hesitation flashed in Han Yi’s eyes.
"My hard-earned one million contribution points didn’t come easily. Besides, once this cycle of karmic backlash passes, who knows how long it will take."
"I should be more cautious."
After pondering for a moment, Han Yi decided that seeing is believing. Since he had faced setbacks everywhere in Yuandao State, he might as well return to Congyun Sea to investigate personally before making any decisions.
Thus, prompted by a spur of the moment to visit Yuandao State, Han Yi returned to his old stomping grounds after overhearing some intriguing news.
Upon his return to Congyun Sea, he was astonished by the heated discussions among cultivators about the “Fundraising Plan of the Lord Secret Envoy.” The intensity of the debate far exceeded his expectations.
Although not everyone blindly believed in it, a significant portion of Li Fan's loyal followers did.
Believers and skeptics viewed each other as fools, each side eager to persuade the other. Amidst endless arguments, the topic only gained more traction, drawing many previously hesitant cultivators to participate.
However, watching this scene, as lively as oil on a raging fire, Han Yi couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart.
Before he could delve deeper into the source of his unease, a piece of news swept through the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance like a storm. While it brought relief to countless cultivators, it also pushed the discussion about Li Fan’s fundraising plan to a new peak.
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association had decided to cease hostilities.
Once again, Master Li Fan’s predictions had come true!
Ever since Li Fan disseminated this information, people had been pulling strings and probing its authenticity, stirring a wave of public speculation. Yet, no concrete conclusions had been reached—until today. The prophecy had come true again!
While sharp-eyed individuals suspected that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had taken advantage of the situation to make a strategic retreat, it didn’t detract from the mythical status of Li Fan’s predictive prowess, which was elevated to a new pinnacle.
Many cultivators who previously believed that this large-scale fundraising plan was merely a scam for Li Fan to pocket one last sum before absconding began to waver in their skepticism.
Even those who had chosen to remain neutral were compelled by this ironclad evidence to join the fundraising frenzy.
Following trends is a human instinct.
Han Yi, still hesitant due to his lingering unease, was suddenly swayed by a new rumor.
It was said that the overwhelming enthusiasm of the cultivators had led to contributions exceeding the original plan. Consequently, the previously promised “no upper limit” fundraising might be prematurely halted.
All beings possess their own destiny. Yet, in Han Yi’s vision, the seemingly empty space appeared strangely distorted.
"Something is hidden here!" Han Yi felt a surge of excitement.
Believing he had stumbled upon a great opportunity, Han Yi discreetly ensured no other cultivators were nearby. Confirming he was alone, he carefully ascended to the peculiar spatial distortion to investigate.
“Something’s definitely off!”
After several hours of observation, Han Yi was convinced of his discovery. Yet, no matter how he tried, he couldn’t find a way into the hidden space.
Aware that prolonged exposure increased the likelihood of being discovered, Han Yi grew anxious. Such a significant opportunity couldn’t be shared with others!
At that moment, a vague image flashed through his mind.
Stunned, Han Yi quickly mimicked the actions of the figure in his vision. He stepped back, then suddenly accelerated to his maximum speed, charging toward the distorted space.
A dark light enveloped him as he passed through.
In the next moment, Han Yi found himself standing before two enigmatic entities.
Azure Wind.
A broken sword.
His eyes turned blood red, and his mind descended into chaos.
Just as he was about to lose control and rush toward the fragments of the "Spirit of Heaven and Earth," a faint glimmer from the feather in his dantian saved him once again.
Encased in its glow, Han Yi regained a shred of clarity.
Resolute, he averted his gaze from the extraordinary sight of Azure-Wind and the Broken Sword and unleashed his full cultivation to escape.
Soon, Han Yi fled the strange space, coughing up blood. The mystical feather in his dantian was badly damaged, its once-proud plumes now shriveled and listless.
"F*ck!"
In a short span of time, Han Yi experienced immense joy, shocking surprise, and devastating despair, narrowly escaping death.
At this moment, all Han Yi could think of was cursing aloud.
"Was it really necessary for fate to backfire so absurdly just because I gained a million contribution points?"
Finally landing on the ground of an uninhabited island, Han Yi gasped for breath, still shaken.
"Fortune and misfortune truly go hand in hand!"
His expression flickered between gloom and light.
His premonition wasn’t wrong; that place indeed held a great opportunity.
There lay the Spirit of Heaven and Earth capable of advancing to the Dao Integration Realm, along with a peculiar broken sword that could rival the essence itself.
Had his strength been sufficient, he could have slain Azure Wind, subdued the broken sword, and not only stepped into the Dao Integration Realm but also gained a divine weapon matching his power.
...
The thought of such a scenario caused Han Yi's breathing to quicken.
He even contemplated returning to try again.
But fortunately, he retained a shred of reason, quickly shaking his head and dismissing the thought.
"My strength is insufficient!" he lamented inwardly.
"To kill Azure Wind, I would need at least the Soul Transformation Realm. Even with my Heavenly Fortune Sutra, it would take at least a hundred years to achieve that."
"And what if someone else discovers that place during this time?"
"I should’ve known better than to be greedy for small gains. I should’ve used the million contribution points to quickly raise my cultivation level instead."
"Slow and steady—what use is that compared to the thrill of stepping into Dao Integration overnight?"
His mind churned with conflicting thoughts, leaving Han Yi increasingly restless.
---
Meanwhile, Li Fan—the one who had inadvertently guided Han Yi to encounter Azure Wind and the trapped sword through his Cloudwater Illusion-Dream Technique—had quietly departed from the Congyun Sea. Р
He arrived at the Tianling Prefecture.
The ceasefire was now a certainty, and many cultivators who had been conscripted to the frontlines had returned to their homelands.
The former battlefield had regained its calm, though the thick stench of blood lingered in the air, refusing to dissipate.
Looking into the distance, the land was scarred with deep cracks, crisscrossing everywhere.
The sky was an eerie mix of red and green, forming a surreal and unsettling sight.
In an instant, the light disappeared.
Li Fan found himself engulfed in darkness, as if he had become blind, with no sense of vision.
His divine sense extended like tendrils, probing the surroundings, yet returned nothing but emptiness.
Looking back, the scenery of the Tianling Prefecture had vanished.
It was as if he had plunged into an endless abyssal sea, utterly lost.
No matter how he moved in any direction, it felt as though he remained in the same spot.
This stark contrast between movement and stillness caused a faint dizziness.
For any other cultivator, such a situation would surely induce panic.
But to Li Fan, a void with only entrapment and no lethal danger was hardly a cause for concern.
With the [Truth] at his disposal, even the most perilous deadlands couldn’t confine him.
With a single thought, he could escape this predicament, so Li Fan felt no anxiety.
He calmed his mind and began to perceive the environment around him.
Although it appeared to be a void, the darkness seemed to conceal something.
At intervals, ripples of an inexplicable force would brush past his body.
But whenever he tried to trace the source of these ripples, the trail would abruptly vanish, as if it had all been an illusion.
Lost in the darkness for an unknown amount of time, nothing changed.
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance must have investigated this place after relocating the cave-heaven."
"If they didn’t uncover anything, it means the secrets here are deeply hidden."
Li Fan thought to himself, not the least bit impatient.
Time and opportunity were in his favor.
Setting aside all external affairs, Li Fan focused entirely on the surroundings.
Abandoning his attempts to track the ripples, he allowed himself to flow along with them instead.
Gradually, he felt his body begin to move within the void.
However, the reprieve was short-lived; before long, it felt as though he collided with an invisible wall, forcing him to stop.
........................................................................
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"Mm?"
Li Fan squinted his eyes, trying to discern the object obstructing his path in the pitch darkness.
What surprised him, however, was that neither his spiritual sense nor his physical touch revealed the presence of any obstacle ahead.
Li Fan frowned slightly.
This time, instead of aligning with the ripples that emerged in the spatial void, he deliberately bypassed their timing and directly sped forward.
Strangely, the “wall” he had perceived within the ripples earlier seemed to have vanished as though it had never existed.
Li Fan could clearly sense that his position within this void-like space had shifted.
Or rather, part of his positional attributes had altered, while another part remained unmoving.
It felt as though moving by his own momentum and following the ripples' flow were two entirely different planes of existence, each unaffected by the other.
This perplexing phenomenon was beyond Li Fan’s current understanding.
For now, he set aside the question of what lay behind it. Clearing his mind, he waited for the ripples to reappear in the void.
When the ripples arrived, he aligned himself with them, knowingly hurtling toward the "obstacle" ahead.
"Boom!"
In an instant, Li Fan saw stars as he was forced out of alignment with the ripples.
After inspecting himself, he found that while his body remained unharmed, his soul seemed to have suffered a slight shock.
Pondering for a moment, Li Fan decided to abandon such reckless attempts for now.
He did not leave the area. Instead, he stood quietly in the void, focusing his mind to analyze each ripple as it arrived, hoping to discover why he was being obstructed while the ripples passed through unhindered.
When he concentrated in this absolute darkness and silence, the occasional ripple became particularly striking.
Li Fan meticulously recorded the timing of each ripple.
After patiently collecting data from tens of thousands of occurrences, he replicated the pattern in the Dao Deviation Stone within his Sea of Consciousness, attempting to uncover any hidden rules.
Effort rewarded diligence.
Li Fan discovered that roughly every thousand ripples, one distinctive ripple would appear, significantly stronger and faster than the others, spreading nearly twice as fast across the void.
Heart stirred, Li Fan calculated the intervals. When the anomaly reappeared, he steadied his spirit and aligned himself with it.
This time, his attempt produced results. It was no longer like colliding with a wall but instead felt like rubbing against an obstruction.
A sharp, knife-like pain surged from the depths of his soul. Enduring the agony, Li Fan gritted his teeth and persisted.
However, the deeper the ripple went, the more incompatible he became with his surroundings.
He did not know how much time had passed, but when he finally regained consciousness, he found himself in a mysterious yet strangely familiar space.
In this realm, horizontal and vertical lines intersected, while particles of various colors zipped along the lines at great speed.
Occasionally, particles collided, bursting into radiant seven-colored lights before vanishing as quickly as they appeared.
"Where is this?"
Li Fan first examined his body.
Surprisingly, it appeared as though crudely sketched from intersecting lines—both comical and eerie.
Yet, it felt no different from his normal physical form.
Careful not to act rashly, Li Fan evaded the streaking particles as he observed the wondrous space.
“This seems somewhat similar to the Tianxuan Mirror Space I saw before.”
“However, the Tianxuan Mirror only displayed black and white, unlike this colorful realm.”
“Wait, I remember...”
Li Fan’s heart stirred as he replayed stored images in the Dao Deviation Stone, analyzing them closely.
In the final frame, he noted that the edges of the black-and-white world also contained traces of seven-colored light.
It seemed black and white, and seven colors were two opposing energies.
In the black-and-white world, the seven-colored light was fragmented and assimilated into its form.
“A Newborn Tianxuan Mirror...”
Li Fan squinted his eyes, lost in thought.
Before long, he arrived at a conjecture.
The black-and-white world undoubtedly represented the Tianxuan Mirror.
The seven-colored radiance, on the other hand, likely embodied a microcosm of the real world.
The intersecting lines resembled the laws of nature, as seen through the [Human Dao Stardust], representing the principles governing the real world.
“The Tianxuan Mirror is deciphering the real world in its own way...”
“And this...”
Li Fan's eyes lit up with understanding.
“...is a microcosm of the world in its primordial state.”
The term "world" might not fully capture the concept here.
A more fitting description would be a "micro-world" or "cave heaven," a lower-tier existence.
Undoubtedly, a newly formed Five Elements Great Cave Heaven was taking shape here.
"The Gate of the Mysterious Origin is the root of heaven and earth," Li Fan murmured to himself.
In the ancient texts of the Xuanhuang Realm, there were similar expressions.
Heaven and earth nurture all things.
But where do heaven and earth themselves originate?
Among cultivators, there is no shortage of those with a spirit of exploration.
Aside from the cultivators striving to reconnect with other cultivation realms outside the Xuanhuang Realm, some specifically study the birth of heaven and earth and the origins of living beings.
Li Fan had read some related books.
These cultivators believed that heaven and earth are like humans—they grow and evolve over time.
The Xuanhuang Realm, in its infancy, might have been akin to a micro-cave heaven.
After countless epochs, it eventually developed into its current form.
Such micro-cave heavens could either have been created by powerful cultivators and ancient Immortals, or spontaneously emerged from the void.
As for the true vastness of the "space-time" they inhabited, cultivators remained largely unaware.
Yet, there was no doubt that the Xuanhuang Realm was but an insignificant speck within the infinite expanse of space-time.
Even if few cultivators cared about this reality, it did not change its essence.
In this boundless space-time, the embryonic origins of worlds are referred to by cultivators as the [Root of Heaven and Earth].
It is the source of worlds, the convergence of laws, and the primordial essence of creation.
Though theorized, no one had ever truly witnessed it.
Unexpectedly, through the accumulation of knowledge from multiple reincarnations and his own indomitable will, Li Fan had managed to arrive here.
Even if the primordial laws here were still too profound for his current comprehension, Li Fan could not suppress the awe that stirred his heart—a moment that evoked the sentiment: "To hear the Dao in the morning, one could die content by evening." Ṟ
The space was filled with colorful particles colliding, forming mesmerizing sights.
Crisscrossing threads permeated the space like a massive weaving machine, crafting the birth of a "world."
Li Fan remained enthralled by this magnificent sight for a long time before reluctantly pulling himself away.
The Five Elements Great Cave Heaven was forming far faster than he anticipated.
The collisions of particles became increasingly frequent, akin to fireworks exploding before his eyes.
Gold, wood, water, fire, and earth...
Li Fan sensed the emergence of these five elemental energies within the space.
Yet, they remained contained, not dispersing chaotically.
Although his eyes could not perceive the cave heaven's actual formation, Li Fan could sense it indirectly through the energy shifts in the Root of Heaven and Earth.
As the cave heaven's embryonic form drew closer to completion, Li Fan grew increasingly excited.
But at this moment, he noticed his body's lines starting to unravel into the surroundings.
Li Fan speculated that the energy consumption from weaving the Five Elements Cave Heaven had caused the "Root of Heaven and Earth" to attempt replenishment by absorbing whatever it could.
As an intruder, he became the first target.
Should he seize the Five Elements Cave Heaven now and advance to the Nascent Soul Realm, or retreat and wait for it to fully form in the void of Tianling Prefecture before taking action?
Hesitation filled his mind.
But soon, Li Fan made his decision.
While there was a risk of disintegration here, at least there was no external interference.
In the void of Tianling Prefecture, patrolled by cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the energy fluctuations of advancing from Golden Core to Nascent Soul would certainly not go unnoticed.
No matter how eloquent his explanations, it was unlikely he could deceive them.
"I'll give it a try."
"If I fail, I'll simply come back another time."
With that resolve, Li Fan stopped resisting, allowing the space to absorb his essence.
Like threads being pulled from a spool, his form visibly shrank.
Yet, without fear, he used this force to propel himself toward the location of the newborn cave heaven.
Above the Root of Heaven and Earth, five distinct orbs of light began to coalesce.
Energy nodes within the crisscrossing threads exploded one by one, stabilizing the five orbs further.
As Li Fan approached, with only half his body remaining, he arrived before the orbs of light.
Perhaps it was due to the [Root of Heaven and Earth] fearing damage to the newly-formed Five Elements Cave Heaven.
When Li Fan approached the five clusters of light, the external suction force abruptly lessened.
This prevented him from completely disintegrating in a short amount of time.
At this moment, although Li Fan's body was reduced to half of its original size, he still retained all his limbs. However, his overall stature had shrunk, making him look like a seven- or eight-year-old child.
It was both comical and eerie.
Fortunately, this did not affect his ability to move.
He quietly gazed at the flickering five-colored clusters of light in the distance. Instead of hastily using a secret technique to devour them, he carefully observed.
The Root of Heaven and Earth was weaving energy and laws of the same attribute into the five elemental domains—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—through flickering flashes below.
These newly-born, fragile elemental domains gradually became more complete and resilient.
"If this space were viewed as a womb nurturing life, then these Five Elements Cave Heaven would be like embryos just beginning to take form," Li Fan thought.
Now existing in a line-based form, Li Fan’s perception of the surrounding laws was far sharper than when he was in human form.
Witnessing the initial formation of the Cave Heaven, insights flooded his mind.
In his previous life, when the “Five Elements Great Cave Heaven” that had been relocated out of the city was eventually annihilated due to the imbalance of the five elements, Li Fan was able to realize that the five elements of the Five Elements Great Cave Heaven were not in harmony with each other.
Li Fan had personally witnessed the terrifying, near-apocalyptic black-and-white vortex.
Now, seeing the birth of the Five Elements, he noticed an unexpected similarity between the two.
"Life and destruction..."
"Life is the beginning of destruction; destruction is the source of life," Li Fan murmured, seemingly enlightened.
"I used the principle of the Five Elements’ mutual generation—endlessly cycling—to create the 'Great Five Elements Annihilation Sword' based on the methods of Ink Kill and Heaven Calamity."
"But this principle of life and destruction..."
His thoughts raced to their peak.
Without any external aid, Li Fan appeared to enter a state of epiphany.
He stood motionless beside the clusters of five-colored light, as still as a statue.
Yet his body reacted instinctively.
When stray particles occasionally hurtled toward the Five Elements Cave Heaven and threatened to pierce through him, his body twisted bizarrely, evading the particles with ease.
After avoiding danger, his body instantly reverted to its original form.
Meanwhile, Li Fan remained immersed in contemplation, oblivious to his movements.
Time passed.
Gradually, the five-colored clusters of light revealed more intricate details. Nôv(el)B\\jnn
It was unclear how much time passed.
The previously vivid Cave Heaven scenes gradually grew translucent.
In the [Root of Heaven and Earth], only the circular outlines of the five interconnected Cave Heaven remained, suspended in space.
Boom...
The Five Elements Cave Heaven began to tremble violently.
Even the internal space of the [Root of Heaven and Earth] shook incessantly.
It seemed as if the Five Elements Cave Heaven were trying to break free of its mother's constraints.
In Li Fan’s vision, the interwoven lines grew distorted.
"Ping!"
A sound like a snapping string echoed.
Li Fan noticed that a line seemed to break out of thin air around the Five Elements Cave Heaven.
Even though it disappeared in an instant, he was sure it wasn’t an illusion.
Indeed, the snapping sound repeated like a chain reaction.
Above the Five Elements Cave Heaven, countless broken lines swayed in the wind, dissolving into nothingness in moments.
The Cave Heaven’s trembling intensified.
"The time is now!"
At that moment, Li Fan's body completely disintegrated.
Twisting, wriggling lines shielded the Golden Core in his dantian as they sped toward the Five Elements Cave Heaven.
This seemed to alert the [Root of Heaven and Earth].
As Li Fan advanced, the dissolution rate of his fine lines accelerated.
Yet it couldn’t stop him from drawing closer.
When the Five Elements Cave Heaven finally broke free from the [Root of Heaven and Earth], Li Fan’s Golden Core began to crack.
It appeared on the verge of shattering but somehow held together.
From the cracks emerged writhing "tentacles," menacingly reaching for the Five Elements Cave Heaven like ravenous serpents.
These tentacles also represented the “Root of Heaven and Earth.”
Not the primordial creation root of this domain.
Rather, it is the “Root of Heaven and Earth” that the cultivators of the world have formed within their bodies according to the new method of the Immortal Ancestor.
Was it a coincidence?
Or perhaps when the Dharma Transmitting Immortal Ancestor created the new cultivation method, they truly referenced and imitated the primordial creation of the world.
In any case, to solve the issue where cultivators without spiritual roots could not practice cultivation, a creation driven by human negative emotions was developed to forcibly extract the energy of heaven and earth. This creation was also named the "Root of Heaven and Earth."
Although they share the same name, the two are worlds apart.
If the [Original Root of Heaven and Earth], symbolizing the beginning of creation, was sacred and solemn...
Then the new "Root of Heaven and Earth," which plunders the heavens and allows everyone to cultivate, feels somewhat sinister.
This ominous nature could perhaps be inferred from its external form.
Countless wriggling tendrils, numbering in the hundreds or even thousands—these were the root filaments of the "Root of Heaven and Earth."
At this moment, the tendrils seemed almost sentient as they extended toward the Five Elements Cave Heaven, instinctively searching for the most suitable place to root and invade.
The newly formed Five Elements Cave Heaven seemed to sense the threat to its existence.
The realm trembled, emitting vibrant lights in an attempt to repel the invasive "foreign objects."
But... it was futile.
The protective effects of the realm's light were negligible against the tendrils. Only a small fraction of them was destroyed—a loss so minor it was insignificant.
The remaining black tendrils advanced unhindered, infiltrating the cave heaven like countless needles, silently embedding themselves deep into it.
The Cave Heaven roared, emitting strange sounds akin to cries of agony.
But it could not stop the ever-growing tendrils, which wrapped around and engulfed the realm tighter and tighter.
The light faded, and darkness descended.
Watching the scene of the Cave Heaven being devoured, Li Fan—the orchestrator of it all—could not help but feel a chill in his heart.
“The Immortal Ancestor’s new method is indeed eerie,” he murmured to himself. “It doesn’t look like the righteous path at all.”
Still, Li Fan was not one to overthink.
“Huh? Did you hear something just now?”
A Golden Core cultivator on watch duty suddenly looked up, staring into the pitch-black void overhead.
“Old Sun, you must be imagining things again,” his lazy companion scoffed.
“I’ve told you before—take a leave and get some rest! After all these battles and so much death, it’s a miracle you’re not mad already. Yet you volunteered for watch duty here?”
Old Sun ignored the mockery, his gaze still fixed on the void, his expression grim.
After a moment of hesitation, he flew to the edge of the void to investigate further.
“Crazy old fool,” the other cultivator muttered under his breath, stretching lazily and watching Old Sun with amusement.
As expected, after searching for a long time, Old Sun found nothing unusual and reluctantly returned to the ground.
“Well? I told you it was just your imagination,” the companion jeered.
“This desolate place is a wasteland—who’d even bother attacking it? Honestly, I don’t know why we’re even stationed here. The higher-ups get to relax, while we suffer here in misery!”
Old Sun didn’t respond, his focus still on the void above, his brows furrowed.
Meanwhile, hidden in the sky, Li Fan observed Old Sun and felt a flicker of surprise.
“This Sun fellow’s spiritual sense is remarkably sharp. He almost noticed me.”
Although Li Fan could easily subdue them given his now superior cultivation, he didn’t want to stir trouble in the current sensitive climate. The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance remained on high alert after the recent war, and any disturbance could ignite fresh turmoil.
Choosing discretion, Li Fan memorized Old Sun’s appearance before preparing to leave.
However, as he began to depart, he overheard their conversation again.
“Hey, Old Sun, did you hear? Zhang Debiao’s struck it rich lately.”
“Isn’t he in charge of post-war clean-up operations?”
“Yeah, and guess what? All those corpses littering the battlefield in Tianling Prefecture? He’s pocketed all the loot for himself!”
Chapter 584
Old Sun furrowed his brow slightly and said, “It’s better not to spread baseless rumors.”
“No matter what, they were brave warriors who sacrificed their lives honorably for the Immortal Alliance. How could the higher-ups allow despicable individuals to defile their corpses?”
The lazy cultivator immediately showed some discontent. “How is it baseless? I saw it with my own eyes!”
“That Zhang Debiao kid, using his appointment from the Immortal Alliance, blatantly led a group to gather the corpses. Storage rings, usable magical treasures—weren’t they quietly taken away by them?”
“I even heard that residual golden cores and fragments of cave heaven within the corpses were dug out by these people!”
“You’ve been on the battlefield yourself. You know how brutal the battle in Tianling Prefecture was. Those bodies were almost all incomplete and disfigured. How else could they be collected? They were all burned to ashes, leaving only a bit of powder as proof. Who would notice?”
“As the saying goes, ‘If the people don’t speak up, the officials won’t act.’ Ordinary cultivators are mostly loners. If they die, they die. Who would really care...”
The lazy cultivator rambled on incessantly, with no regard for his words, while Old Sun’s face gradually turned somber.
Suddenly, the lazy cultivator felt a chill rise behind him. Seeing the expression on Old Sun’s face, he inexplicably shuddered and instinctively shut his mouth.
Only when Old Sun’s piercing gaze finally moved away from him did the lazy cultivator let out a sigh of relief, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from his chest.
Having grown accustomed to Old Sun’s usual demeanor, he had almost forgotten the legendary stories surrounding this man.
Old Sun’s full name was Sun Qi.
Though he appeared to be an ordinary Golden Core stage cultivator like the others, with a humble and good-natured demeanor, Sun Qi was, in fact, a fearsome figure.
A native cultivator of Tianling Prefecture, Sun Qi had been conscripted at the beginning of the great war. For reasons unknown—whether sheer luck or something else—while countless Nascent Soul cultivators perished in the war, this seemingly insignificant Golden Core cultivator had managed to survive.
Someone who carved a bloody path through mountains of corpses and seas of blood naturally exuded an aura of dread. Though usually concealed, when provoked, his rage was enough to terrify anyone. The lazy cultivator, recognizing this, wisely decided not to provoke the old master further.
Meanwhile, Li Fan, who had been observing from above and in the shadows, noticed Sun Qi’s gaze sweep over his hiding spot. His interest in this man grew even stronger.
With a faint smile, Li Fan activated the 'Formless Killing Intent' and locked onto Sun Qi.
Watching Sun Qi’s expression shift from suspicion to alarm as he searched his surroundings but found nothing, Li Fan chuckled inwardly.
Leaving Sun Qi aside for now, Li Fan stealthily flew to a desolate mountain range, seemingly flattened by a heavenly force.
As was his habit, he dug deep underground and excavated a secret chamber.
Sealing the chamber, Li Fan sat down and began to inspect his current state.
Name: Li Fan
Cultivation Realm: Early Nascent Soul
Biological Age: 34/999 (Heaven’s Scorn)
Psychological Age: 1335/9999
Void Fusion Energy Progress: 200%
Anchor Energy Progress: 0%
Current Number of Anchors: 3
Available Anchors: 1
Bound Items:
An endless stream of spiritual energy and vitality surged from the cave heavens, supporting the immense consumption of the Chaos Glyph technique while keeping his body from collapsing.
Li Fan continued writing. In an instant, half of the character was complete.
Within the underground chamber, the surrounding soil was influenced, rising and trembling unceasingly. Countless particles moved like ranks of mortal soldiers.
Upon closer inspection, the vibration frequency of each grain was entirely unique.
What seemed orderly was, in truth, chaos in disguise.
Li Fan squinted slightly, but his hand, suspended mid-air, abruptly stopped.
"I understand now," he murmured.
“Having reached the Nascent Soul stage, I no longer need to fear damaging my body. At last, I can fully unleash this ultimate strike.”
“However, it still cannot be used recklessly in succession. Otherwise...”
Li Fan sensed the faint tremors within his five-element cave heavens, a solemn look flashing in his eyes.
“The power of the Chaos is truly terrifying.”
“As the caster, even I, possessing five-element cave heavens, face such backlash. For an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator, even a slight contact could immediately cause their Nascent Soul cave heavens to collapse.”
“I wonder, though, if a Soul Transformation cultivator could withstand it.”
The Chaos Glyph technique was a realization Li Fan had comprehended within the enigmatic White Mist Domain.
It was profoundly mysterious. As his cultivation advanced, Li Fan increasingly sensed the extraordinary nature of the character "Chaos."
“Even my crude imitation holds such power. I can’t imagine how terrifying the true Chaos Glyph technique must be.”
“It seems to exceed the limits of power a regular cultivator can control. Could it be...”
Li Fan frowned, deep in thought.
After a moment, he set aside his musings, focusing his gaze on the “Reverse Five Elements of Sword Creation and Destruction” listed on his Returning True divine ability panel.
The “Reverse Five Elements of Sword Creation and Destruction” was a divine ability he had comprehended by observing the scene of the Roots of Heaven and Earth weaving the five-element cave heavens and combining it with his understanding of the convergence of the five elements from his previous life.
It incorporated the essence of the "Grand Five Elements Annihilation Sword," possessing not only overwhelming destructive power but also the ability to create life from nothingness.
Casually, Li Fan picked up a dying insect nearby, one that had been severely affected by the residual force of the Chaos Glyph technique.
A gentle, milky-white light emanated from his palm.
Moments later, bathed in the radiant light, the insect miraculously regained vitality. It flipped over, scrambled away from Li Fan's hand, and fled in haste.
Li Fan paid no attention to the lucky creature that had escaped death. Instead, he thoughtfully remarked, “Reviving the dying is merely a minor skill. Other medical techniques can easily achieve this.”
“The true brilliance of the Reverse Five Elements of Sword Creation and Destruction lies in its power to create.”
Taking a spirit stone from his storage ring, he held it in his left hand.
With his right hand, he emitted radiant light continuously.
After half a day, as the light dissipated, a spirit stone identical to the one in his left hand slowly appeared.
Chapter 585
Of course, the resemblance is merely in appearance.
On the surface of the spirit stone, the restrictions jointly inscribed by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association were something Li Fan could not replicate for the time being.
"At the moment, my creations are limited to simple objects like spirit stones, which are purely composed of spiritual energy."
"Anything with a slightly more complex structure is beyond my capability."
Even so, Li Fan was extremely delighted in his heart.
Because this signified a promising start.
In the future, as his cultivation level continued to rise and his skills became increasingly refined, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to create objects out of thin air.
Breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm was a significant leap in power.
However, a pressing issue now confronted Li Fan and demanded his immediate attention.
He had no technique to practice.
The Mountain Sitting Technique he had secretly learned from He Zhenghao was merely a Golden Core Realm cultivation method.
After stepping into the Nascent Soul Realm, the feedback to his cultivation that once flowed like a gentle stream had nearly disappeared.
It was evident that the technique no longer provided him with any benefit.
Although he had accumulated substantial cultivation from previous efforts, which helped solidify his newly attained realm, he could not delay resolving this issue for too long. The sooner, the better.
Fortunately, Li Fan had already devised countermeasures.
The Three Strategies
1. The Middle Strategy Naturally, the middle option involved using the reward offered by Immortal Sage Jicheng to gain access to the Law Derivation Jade enabling him to deduce the subsequent parts of the Mountain Sitting Technique.
In his previous life, Immortal Sage Jicheng had been ambushed by the Five Elders Association's Dao Integration cultivators during the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s plan to uncover hidden spies using the "The Plan of the Heavenly Sovereign of Reality and Illusion." This betrayal ultimately led to the sage’s demise.
In this lifetime, Li Fan couldn’t guarantee the same events would unfold.
2. The Lower Strategy
The 'Audience Law Jade Plaque', though exceedingly rare and typically awarded only to cultivators who rendered great service to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, wasn’t a unique or priceless treasure.
Given Li Fan’s current resources, he could potentially acquire one by spending a significant amount of contribution points.
However, doing so would be conspicuous and might expose his identity, attracting the attention of interested parties. He feared that once he obtained the technique, he might have to "escape for real" by using [Truth]
Thus, this was only a last resort.
Without thinking further, he slightly opened his mouth.
He transferred all the items from his storage ring into his own Cave Heaven, leaving only some ordinary objects in the ring to avoid suspicion. Then, he quietly left the underground chamber.
Instead of hurrying back to Congyun, he lingered in Tianling Prefecture to investigate the Zhang Debiao he had heard about earlier.
That’s right—Li Fan had his sights set on the remains of fallen cultivators on the Tianling Prefecture battlefield.
It wasn’t due to any particular eccentricity but to unlock new [Truth] Anchors points.
Previously, Li Fan had used fragments of a Golden Core to charge the last anchor point.
However, despite all his efforts afterward, [Truth] seemed to disdain the quality of the Golden Core fragments purchased from the Tianxuan Mirror, showing no reaction to them.
Li Fan speculated that the next anchor point might require a complete Golden Core to unlock.
But where would one find a Golden Core cultivator willing to sell their own core?
Neither the Tianxuan Mirror Mirror nor the civilian markets had such items for sale.
As a result, Li Fan had never had the opportunity to unlock a new anchor point.
But now, perhaps, the opportunity had come.
The war in Tianling Prefecture had claimed countless cultivators.
Even though they were not the main forces in the battle, the number of fallen Golden Core cultivators was undoubtedly significant.
Golden Core cultivators, unlike Nascent Soul cultivators, did not possess a Cave Heaven Dharma Domain to support them or reconstruct their bodies.
If vital areas such as the head or heart were suddenly injured and they failed to react in time to sustain themselves with spiritual energy or receive timely treatment, they would die.
Thus, it was quite likely that some of those corpses contained intact Golden Cores.
This Zhang Debiao profited from the dead, and one could tell just by hearing his name that he was a greedy, unscrupulous individual.
It shouldn’t be difficult to purchase some Golden Cores from him.
Li Fan calculated his plans with precision, but he encountered difficulties right from the first step.
After searching all over Tianling Prefecture, he couldn’t find Zhang Debiao’s whereabouts.
It was said that he had been in Tianling City just a few days ago, but recently, no one had seen him.
According to rumors, Zhang Debiao had previously boasted to his confidants that he had taken on a huge deal.
It was unclear if he had gone off to complete this big transaction.
“Cultivators’ entire beings are treasures. It's not strange for someone to have the same idea about me as I do about others.”
“After all, compared to the effort of grasping the laws of the heavens, directly seizing a ready-made Golden Core is much quicker.”
“But if it’s something that can be called a major business...”
A flicker of doubt passed through Li Fan’s mind. “Buying large quantities of cultivators’ corpses—what are they planning to do?”
Li Fan didn’t intend to delve too deeply into the other party’s motives.
However, their secretive actions, coupled with Zhang Debiao’s prolonged absence, hinted that something ominous might have already occurred.
Even though it’s challenging to silently kill a cultivator in the Xuanhuang Realm due to the phenomena accompanying their death, making someone vanish without a trace is an entirely different matter—there are countless ways to achieve it.
Take Zhou Qingang, for example. He’s still lying at the bottom of the Congyun Sea, a prime example.
As Li Fan hesitated, contemplating whether to spend some contribution points to have someone investigate Zhang Debiao further, an unfamiliar cultivator unexpectedly arrived at his door.
Since Li Fan had been operating under a completely new identity, using the alias "Yu Ji" during his recent activities in Tianling Prefecture, he immediately realized that the visitor’s purpose must be related to Zhang Debiao’s disappearance.
“Interesting. Let’s see what they want.”
In the courtyard of the Discussing-Dao Tower, Li Fan met the visitor.
It was a gray-robed cultivator.
Short, frail, and hunched, the figure’s face was etched with deep wrinkles, and he hobbled as though a gust of wind could knock him down.
As the stranger approached, Li Fan faintly detected a putrid, rancid odor emanating from him.
“Heh, heh, heh...”
“Fellow Daoist Yu, I heard you’re looking for Zhang Debiao? Could it be that he has something you need?”
The gray-robed cultivator wasted no time, speaking in an eerie, raspy voice.
Li Fan squinted his eyes, scrutinizing the visitor.
Though the person seemed to possess only Golden Core-level cultivation, Li Fan was almost certain it was merely an illusion.
The faint yet persistent sense of danger emanating from the stranger reminded Li Fan that this gray-robed cultivator was anything but simple.
“How should I address you, Fellow Daoist?” Li Fan asked politely, bowing slightly without directly answering the question.
The [Truth] Absorption panel showed a progress increase of 0.5% for unlocking an anchor point.
“At this rate, I’ll need a total of 200 complete Golden Cores, assuming they’re dual-law cores like this one. If they’re single-law cores, the number will be even higher.”
“Conventional methods won’t suffice to collect so many.”
“Unless I embrace evil and become a demon, slaughtering Golden Core cultivators indiscriminately...”
This thought crossed Li Fan’s mind momentarily before he dismissed it.
“Fellow Daoist Xiumu,” Li Fan coughed lightly, not requesting another transaction but instead voicing his doubts.
To his surprise, Daoist Xiumu responded nonchalantly, “Rest assured, our Golden Cores are nothing like the subpar ones Zhang Debiao scavenges. The origins of ours are safe and reliable—absolutely no concerns.”
“Even if the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance investigates, there won’t be any problems. You can use them without worry!”
He patted his chest confidently, with such force that Li Fan almost thought he might collapse from the effort.
“Impossible.”
The answer was far beyond Li Fan’s expectations, and he couldn’t hide his disbelief.
“This Golden Core clearly looks freshly extracted from a cultivator! Such an inhumane act wouldn’t just alarm the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance—even the Five Elders Association wouldn’t let it slide!”
“If it weren’t for my urgent need, I wouldn’t engage in such a conscience-betraying act!” Li Fan declared righteously.
Daoist Xiumu sneered, not bothering to refute Li Fan’s theatrics, but suddenly asked, “What if the cultivators volunteered for this?”
“Volunteer?!”
Li Fan froze.
“That’s impossible!”
Shocked by the suggestion, he stared at Daoist Xiumu with wide eyes.
“Where there’s demand, there’s a market.”
“For as long as the Xuanhuang Realm’s order has been reestablished, our line of work has never been anything new,” Daoist Xiumu explained, shaking his head.
“Scavenging Golden Cores from corpses, like what Zhang Debiao does, is far too inefficient.”
"Not to mention where we could even find so many fallen Golden Core cultivators' corpses."
"After a cultivator dies, their Dao/Law returns to the heavens. While the Golden Core is a condensation of a cultivator's understanding of the laws of heaven and earth, it still relies on the treasures of heaven and earth as its foundation."
"Once the Dao returns to the heavens, the treasures lose their essence, and the methods condensed within the Golden Core lose their foundation. Not only does the quality of the Golden Core deteriorate significantly, but over time, it risks disintegrating and cannot be preserved for long."
It seemed that this topic fell squarely within his area of expertise, as Daoist Xiumu spoke with great confidence.
A rare light appeared on his weathered face, and the tight wrinkles around his features unconsciously relaxed.
"But all of these problems and troubles can be easily solved as long as the cultivator consents."
"If a cultivator extracts their Golden Core while still alive, it does not trigger the mechanisms of heaven's malice. With the treasures of heaven and earth at the core, the Golden Core can be preserved indefinitely."
"Though the cultivator would lose their cultivation and become no different from a mortal, it’s just the Golden Core stage—rebuilding their cultivation isn’t too difficult!"
"If resources are sufficient, it would take no more than ten years to form a new Golden Core."
"Well, while the production cycle is still a bit long, given our current number of cultivators, we could easily achieve a harvest of several hundred Golden Cores annually."
The Daoist Xiumu spoke these eerie words with an unsettling calmness.
"Stable, long-term, and harmless. Can that brat Zhang Debiao, who stumbled upon luck, even compare to this?"
"He can't!"
"So, my friend, if you have a need, you must prioritize working with us!"
Daoist Xiumu looked at Li Fan, his eyes gleaming with fervor.
Li Fan, however, was clearly unconvinced by such a simple pitch and shook his head repeatedly. "Don't try to deceive me, my friend. What cultivator would willingly allow their Golden Core to be extracted every decade or so? Just thinking about it is terrifying..."
"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding!" The Daoist Xiumu quickly interrupted Li Fan.
"We now have techniques to extract Golden Cores painlessly and harmlessly. Not only do cultivators not feel any pain, but they even experience a unique pleasure. In fact, I know of someone who, in pursuit of the thrill of having their Golden Core extracted, immediately resumed cultivation each time after losing their core."
"That person has now become our most efficient cultivator, producing a dual-method Golden Core every three to four years!"
He suddenly realized that this gray-robed cultivator before him was far more dangerous than he had initially imagined!
Wanting only to purchase some Golden Cores, Li Fan hadn’t anticipated stumbling into such a troubling situation.
His luck was truly awful.
Cursing inwardly, Li Fan reconsidered but ultimately convinced himself to proceed.
"Daoist Xiumu, how do I refer to your place, and how do I get there?" Li Fan asked with feigned interest.
Daoist Xiumu slapped his forehead in mock annoyance. "Oh, I almost forgot to introduce it."
"Our place is called... Withering Human Life."
Li Fan felt an eerie chill as the Daoist’s tone and expression became momentarily sinister before returning to his usual enthusiasm.
"As for how to get there..."
"Just hold onto me!"
Li Fan obediently grabbed the Daoist Xiumu’s sleeve.
"Hold on tight!"
The Daoist shouted and began chanting: "The heavens hold the Withering Tree, life ebbs and flows under its shadow..."
Thick gray mist rolled in, enveloping them in an instant. Twisted shadows and eerie sounds blurred their surroundings.
Despite the ominous setting, Li Fan felt no sense of danger. Instead, he was overwhelmed by a strange sense of belonging, as though he was meant to be there.
When the gray fog cleared, their destination revealed itself.
"Here we are, my friend!" Daoist Xiumu announced cheerfully.
Li Fan looked up to see an enormous tree, withered and spotted, stretching toward the heavens. Its branches were covered with countless cultivators hanging like fruits.
Chapter 588
A gentle breeze swept through the air, carrying a faint yet unmistakable stench of decay.
The rustling of dry leaves broke the silence, as a few fluttered down from the treetops, only to vanish into nothingness before touching the ground.
Li Fan distinctly saw something on the surface of the leaves—a fleeting glimpse of twisted, agonized faces.
Under normal circumstances, anyone witnessing such a bizarre scene would inevitably feel a chill of terror.
Yet, at this moment, in Li Fan's eyes, this place known as “Withering Human Life” was nothing short of enchanting.
Taking a deep breath, the putrid air filled his lungs, and he found it oddly sweet.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Greedily, he inhaled a few more times.
He carefully observed the cultivators hanging from the trees and noticed their lifeless black eyes devoid of pupils, paired with eerie smiles on their faces.
Their hair had fused with the branches, serving as ropes to suspend their bodies.
Some of the cultivators still had intact clothing.
Others seemed to have been hanging there for years, their clothes corroded and tattered.
Rotten branches wound around their bodies, covering exposed flesh while deeply piercing their muscles and sinews.
“Marvelous! Truly marvelous!”
Without needing the Daoist Xiumu to explain, Li Fan immediately understood the mechanisms of this place the moment he stepped into Withering Human Life.
Facing this ghastly scene, not only did Li Fan feel no fear or vigilance, but he clapped his hands in admiration.
His tone carried a hint of envy, as if he believed that all cultivators should naturally be hung upon such branches.
Moreover, to have the dead tree pierce their flesh seemed to him an unimaginable honor.
“How is it, Fellow Daoist Yu? Was my description exaggerated?” The Daoist Xiumu, appearing more frail than ever, coughed violently for a long time before catching his breath to ask.
“Indeed, your words ring true!” Li Fan nodded in agreement.
“This creation is truly extraordinary! What is the name of this tree?” Staring intently at the withered giant tree, his eyes glowed with obsession.
“It was once called ‘Ruomu,’ but now...” Daoist Xiumu also raised his head, his expression unreadable.
[TL Note: Ruomu means 'a young tree' or 'sapling']
“It is known as ‘The Eternal Wall of the River of Life.’”
Though the name was difficult to pronounce, the moment the Daoist Xiumu uttered it, Li Fan immediately understood its meaning.
“It has existed since time immemorial and will continue to exist eternally, standing tall above the River of Life, like a wall that holds up the heavens.”
“Still, I prefer its original name,” Li Fan said, shaking his head.
The Daoist Xiumu let out a low chuckle, unfazed. “A name is but a label. As time flows and generations of living beings rise and fall, their terms for it change as well.”
“But none of that affects its existence.”
For some reason, a shadow seemed to flicker through the Daoist Xiumu's eyes as he said this.
Above him, the Ruomu trembled without wind, shedding countless withered leaves.
“Good riddance, good riddance!”
Daoist Xiumu’s face twisted with a momentary ferocity as he laughed wildly.
“So the heavens are fair, and even the wicked have their comeuppance!”
“This child is useless to me here. It’s better to send him back to sow chaos!”
“Karma—everything is karma!”
...
After his outburst, Daoist Xiumu gradually regained his composure, returning to the demeanor he had when first meeting Li Fan.
“Fellow Daoist Yu, now that you’ve seen it for yourself, I trust you’re satisfied with the quality of our... products?”
“Shall we proceed with our prior agreement?” he asked with a sinister grin.
“Agreement?” Li Fan turned, momentarily dazed.
“Oh, that matter! No rush!” he replied, waving it off as if it were trivial.
“Ha-ha-ha...”
Daoist Xiumu let out his unsettling laughter once more. “This place is fascinating, but it’s not where you belong.”
“I believe the outside world, the Xuanhuang Realm, suits you far better.”
Li Fan was about to protest, but Daoist Xiumu grabbed his shoulder.
Billowing gray mist rose from the ground, quickly enveloping him.
“Why are you so eager to send me away, Daoist?” Li Fan asked anxiously.
Daoist Xiumu sneered but did not answer.
“You wanted a Golden Core, right? Well, since I’m feeling generous, I’ll gift you some for free this time!”
As the gray mist obscured his vision, Li Fan vaguely heard the Daoist Xiumu’s voice.
His sight blurred, and he stumbled, finding himself back in the guest courtyard of the Discussing-Dao Tower in Tianling Prefecture.
Daoist Xiumu, “The Eternal Wall of the River of Life,” and the countless cultivators hanging from its branches had vanished as if they were never there.
It all felt like a hallucination.
But the withered branch lying quietly on the table served as undeniable proof.
No longer under the tree’s influence, Li Fan’s thoughts returned to normal.
Recalling his recent experience, he felt as though he had plunged into an icy abyss.
Yet, fearing that the Daoist Xiumu might still be watching, he suppressed his terror and feigned calm.
Chapter 589
This was already Li Fan's sixth cup of spiritual tea.
The tea was named "Spring Sun Warmth", priced at 800 contribution points per cup.
It was said that the tea tree needed to be cultivated in a cave environment with year-round dry weather, grown facing the sun. It only sprouted once every three years, making it extremely rare.
After drinking it, a warm current would rise within one's body, creating a sensation akin to basking in sunlight. The effects lasted for several days.
Yet, even this widely acclaimed tea failed to dispel the cold fear lingering in Li Fan's heart.
This was the third time Li Fan, since entering the cycle of reincarnation in the Xuanhuang Realm, had directly faced a true powerhouse in his original form.
The first time was when his clone was seen through by the Heavenly Doctor, who followed the connection to invade Li Fan’s private space in the Tianxuan Mirror.
The second time was during his secluded cultivation in Tianyu Prefecture, comprehending the "Great Five Elements Annihilation Sword." The Old Fisherman, drawn by the aura of heavenly calamity within it, had unexpectedly appeared.
This third encounter, however, was even more startling and caught him completely off guard.
And it was far more perilous.
At least the Old Fisherman, though mad and incoherent, bore no malice toward Li Fan. On the contrary, he had even given him a fortunate opportunity.
The encounter with the Heavenly Doctor was Li Fan’s own doing, as he had taken on a mission offering a reward of 100,000 contribution points and willingly sought out the trouble. Though he hadn’t yet learned the importance of concealing his thoughts before a powerhouse, leading to his intentions being discovered, his true consciousness was clear at the time. Plus, with the [Truth] Shield protecting him, the danger had been more bark than bite.
But this time...
Daoist Xiumu appeared suddenly and without warning, catching Li Fan entirely unprepared.
Their methods were terrifying, and even now, recalling the experience, Li Fan felt a chill of dread.
“Unlike the Heavenly Doctor’s method of seeing through human hearts, the Daoist Xiumu—or rather, ‘Ruomu’—can directly distort and alter a cultivator's thoughts and perceptions.”
“And the cultivator themselves remains oblivious to any abnormalities...”
“No wonder the Daoist Xiumu previously claimed that the cultivators who had their golden cores taken were all ‘willing.’”
Recalling his thoughts and reactions at the time, Li Fan felt another wave of coldness rising in his heart.
He downed another cup of "Spring Sun Warmth" to calm his nerves.
“Natural selection—this is simply the way of nature.”
“But after following him and witnessing the place called ‘Withering Human Life,’ not only did I not sense danger or sorrow, I actually found it entirely reasonable.”
“I even felt a desire to replace them myself...”
Li Fan squinted his eyes, replaying the scenes before Ruomu in his mind through the Dao Deviation Stone.
The influence of Ruomu had dissipated by now.
Though Li Fan had always regarded all living beings as tools, seeing cultivators suspended like fruit from branches still instinctively filled him with unease.
This was the natural reaction he should have had.
“Under the Daoist Xiumu’s influence, my concepts were twisted and seemingly guided toward extremes.”
When humans returned, their strength had undergone an earth-shattering transformation.
They came in groups, clad in peculiar garments, capable of flight and manipulating the energy of the heavens to battle.
The creatures Ruomu had spawned were no match for them.
Humans seized control of Ruomu and claimed it as their own.
They stationed guards and periodically harvested its fruits.
...
“Xuantian Sect?”
The attire of the humans in those visions was distinctive and unmistakable.
It bore a striking resemblance to the robes Li Fan had seen on the remains of a Xuantian Sect Dharma King in Senior Sister Zhao’s illusion.
The Xuantian Sect ruled over this place for a long time.
When the scene shifted again, the people now appearing at Ruomu were cultivators from the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
“Longevity Fruit, perhaps?”
Li Fan glanced at the withered tree fragment on the table, his mind racing.
After a long moment of reflection, his thoughts returned to the memory.
During the Ten Great Immortal Sects’ occupation of Ruomu, the yield of purple-and-gold fruits inexplicably began to decline.
The cultivators who came to harvest the fruits also seemed to come from different sects each time.
What followed remained unclear...
One day, dozens of cultivators with powerful auras stormed into the scene.
After easily slaying the guards, they did not immediately plunder the purple-and-gold fruits.
Instead, they stared at Ruomu, arguing over something.
Their dispute grew heated but eventually reached a resolution.
The subsequent scene made Li Fan’s pupils contract sharply.
They set up an enormous formation, sealing Ruomu within.
Black chains, like long needles, pierced into the tree at various points.
Soon, an unending stream of life energy was drawn out and gathered into a green ball of light in the air.
........................................................................
Read extra chapters on >>> /SpiritStonetranslation
The once lush, vibrant trees began to visibly age as specks of green light continuously dissipated.
During this time, the ‘Ruomu’ made several attempts to fight back. The tree trembled, manifesting countless mystical creatures that fearlessly charged at the cultivators. Even the Ruomu itself lashed out with its branches like swords.
However, the cultivators who had come to this place were terrifyingly powerful. All resistance was futile and was immediately suppressed. Even the Ruomu’s desperate final strike—causing the purple-gold fruits at its peak to wither—was salvaged by this group.
Left powerless, Ruomu could only watch as its life essence was wantonly extracted. Its leaves gradually turned yellow and fell like rain. Amid thunderous roars, many branches snapped off with loud crashes.
Cracks began to spread across the Ruomu's trunk, yet this group showed no signs of stopping. Their intent was clear—they would not cease until it was completely drained.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, another group of cultivators arrived. A fierce battle broke out between the two factions, forcing the extraction process to halt. The newcomers successfully retrieved the condensed green light of ball from the air and departed, but not before launching a combined attack on the already-devastated Ruomu.
This second assault inflicted even greater damage than the forced extraction of its life energy. Massive fissures ran up the tree’s trunk, causing large sections of branches to fall, their destinations unknown.
The rescuers, seeing the extent of the damage, abandoned their pursuit to focus on healing the Ruomu. Thanks to their efforts, the Ruomu narrowly escaped total destruction. However, the injuries it sustained were so severe that recovery seemed impossible.
From that moment on, decay and aging became the tree’s constant companions. Many years later, a humanoid cultivator emerged from the Ruomu, manifesting from within its essence.
---
The fragmented scenes witnessed in the 'Withering Human Life' conveyed an overwhelming amount of information.
Li Fan replayed these images repeatedly through the Dao Deviation Stone, piecing together clues with the information he had previously gathered. Gradually, he formed a hypothesis.
"The cultivators who harmed the Ruomu were likely the same group who, during the great calamity, advocated abandoning the Xuanhuang Realm and fleeing far away."
"Judging by the power they displayed, some among them were clearly experts at the Longevity Immortal Stage."
"Five hundred years ago, for some unknown reason, this group attempted to return to the Xuanhuang Realm, sparking a great conflict."
"Sima Changkong once mentioned that the heavens themselves express extreme hatred for these cultivators, far more than for those of us who plunder and dominate the world."
"Traitors... What did they steal?"
"Could it have been the Ruomu, the tree capable of producing Fruits of Longevity?"
"Encountering the Ruomu and nearly losing my life—it was truly a matter of bad luck."
"I was not complacent after my recent breakthrough. This was the Tianling Prefecture's city, and the villa I rented from the Discussing-Dao Tower should have been secure."
"Who could have anticipated that a cultivator dealing in dubious trades, selling Golden Cores, would turn out to be a powerful entity filled with malice toward humanity?"
This realization left Li Fan feeling helpless.
He could not always hide and rely solely on his clone for action. Although useful, the clone was limited—it was weaker than his true self and could not wield the full extent of his abilities. Expecting it to reach the Longevity Immortal Realm was unrealistic.
"Like being struck by lightning while walking down the street, such rare incidents shouldn't deter me from action altogether."
"There are situations where only my true self can act seamlessly and leave no trace behind."
"Still, the Ruomu’s ability to manipulate and distort one's thoughts is something I must find a way to defend against."
"If it hadn't harbored hatred toward cultivators and glimpsed some future act of mine, intending to use me for vengeance, I might have remained trapped in its grasp indefinitely."
"Even with my supposedly resolute mind, I was utterly defenseless against it."
"In the cultivation world, there are endless treasures and techniques. Surely, I can find a method to counter such abilities."
"I don’t need complete immunity—just enough clarity to counteract this shortcoming."
Li Fan committed this task to memory, placing it as a top priority.
After calming his thoughts, Li Fan finally picked up the withered Ruomu branch that had been sitting on his table.
As he carefully examined it, a sense of familiarity struck him.
It wasn't because he had previously encountered the Ruomu itself but rather because...
This branch seemed similar to the material Jiao Xiuyuan had used to craft clones.
"Jiao Xiuyuan used materials from the Ruomu tree to create his clones?"
Feeling a stir in his heart, Li Fan held the withered branch of the Ruomu tree in his hand and carefully attuned to it.
After a long time, he seemed to understand but shook his head slightly.
"Similar, but different. It's as if they share the same origin, yet there are distinct differences."
"Furthermore, with the Daoist Xiumu's deep disdain for cultivators, it's unlikely he would cooperate with Jiao Xiuyuan."
"So, this must be..."
A scene suddenly flashed in Li Fan's mind: the Ruomu tree being besieged by cultivators, its trunk splitting open, and numerous branches falling from the sky.
"Perhaps those branches that separated back then fell into the Xuanhuang Realm and experienced entirely new fates."
The resilience of plant life is always astonishing. Even ordinary trees can regenerate broken branches.
Let alone an extraordinary being like the Ruomu Tree, capable of bearing the Fruit of Longevity.
"Still, whether Jiao Xiuyuan truly evolved from a fallen branch of the Ruomu tree or simply found its remnants to craft his clones, it's hard to determine for now."
With a thought, Li Fan made the withered Ruomu branch in his hand sprout a new bud.
In an instant, the bud grew into a tender young branch.
At its tip, as if bearing fruit, hung a small golden spherical object.
Li Fan's eyelids twitched.
This "golden fruit" was, of course, the golden core that the Daoist Xiumu had promised to gift him.
However, the method of storage was quite peculiar.
Reaching out, Li Fan tried to pluck the golden core.
A faint resistance emanated from the "fruit."
Li Fan exerted more force, and the golden core was successfully plucked.
Due to the recoil, the new branch flung backward violently and swayed in the air before abruptly retracting into the withered Ruomu branch.
Before Li Fan could think further, the branch extended again, producing yet another golden core.
Looking at the seemingly sentient Ruomu branch before him, Li Fan grew somber.
He refrained from acting rashly and, like harvesting fruit, plucked core after core until they were all collected.
The process took nearly the time of one incense stick to burn.
If sacrificing heaven’s soul is the bold and open method of claiming laws, then extracting heaven’s marrow is the covert and cunning method employed when one's strength is insufficient.
This process strengthens oneself while weakening heaven, narrowing the gap between the two.
It also prepares for the eventual Dao Integration process.
Standing at the Nascent Soul stage, Li Fan replayed the "extraction of heaven's marrow" process in his mind, gaining deeper insights compared to when he was at the Golden Core stage.
"Truly a heavenly genius, the method of Immortal Ancestor is brilliant."
"From mimicking heaven’s wonders and observing its laws, a mere mortal with no aptitude for cultivation is gradually integrated into the system of heaven and earth."
"Then, by stealing heaven's essence and marrow, one diminishes the gap between oneself and the cosmos."
"Eventually, one sacrifices heaven’s soul to wrest power from it."
"Finally, by defying the laws of heaven, one replaces it and attains eternal life."
"Step by step, clear and methodical..."
"Truly ingenious and nearly impossible to guard against. No wonder even the might of heaven was brought low by these new cultivators, forced to retaliate."
Li Fan sighed again.
As he revisited this cultivation path, a sudden realization struck him—it resembled something deeply familiar in his memories.
Yet, as he tried to dwell on it, the fleeting inspiration vanished entirely.
Even using the Dao Deviation Stone failed to recover the thought.
A feeling of loss welled up within him.
"How strange..."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes and fell into deep contemplation.
He was almost certain that this sudden insight would not have dissipated so quickly under normal circumstances.
Some force must have interfered, causing the inspiration to vanish.
"Just like what I experienced in Senior Sister Zhao’s illusion realm," he thought.
"In that realm, whenever I tried to cultivate, the walls of the confinement room would emit distracting and mocking noises, hindering my recovery."
"The restrictions of the Xuanhuang Realm are even subtler and harder to detect."
"Immortal Ancestor... Is this your doing?"
Li Fan raised his head to the heavens, his expression inscrutable.
Li Fan naturally wasn’t concerned that the long-hidden "Immortal Ancestor" would suddenly appear just because of a casual upward glance he made toward the sky.
And then confront him, asking:
"Little friend, what exactly are you looking at?"
In fact, what Li Fan cared about was something entirely different.
As the saying goes: "The more you try to cover something up, the more obvious it becomes."
Only matters of great importance prompt one to resort to all sorts of means to hide them.
If someone truly didn’t care, why bother with any methods of concealment?
Throughout the thousands of years of the Xuanhuang Realm’s history, countless geniuses and exceptional figures have emerged.
Surely, many cultivators, like Li Fan just moments ago, must have had a stroke of serendipity, leading them to the brink of a profound realization.
But all of them were inexplicably suppressed by some unseen force.
This just shows that the Immortal Ancestor was actually a little wary of the cultivators from the Xuanhuang Realm understanding this matter...
The Immortal Ancestor, wielding the power of one individual, altered the course of heaven and earth, reshaping the balance between the old and the new cultivation methods.
For thousands of years, he subjugated the realm, forcing all cultivators to live as mere beasts of burden.
For such a figure to harbor even a shred of fear about something—how curious.
"Although it might not be outright fear, there is undoubtedly a concern in their mind," Li Fan mused.
"Interesting..."
In an instant, Li Fan pieced together these insights and grew genuinely intrigued by the hidden secret behind it all.
"Perhaps, the way to counter the Immortal Ancestor lies within this mystery."
"A secret may be able to deceive some people forever, or all people temporarily, but it can never deceive all people forever."
"In the Xuanhuang Realm, I have plenty of time to uncover and extract it."Nôv(el)B\\jnn
"Besides, I may not be the only one involved."
Li Fan gazed at the vast sky in silence.
As the saying goes: "If one does not plan for eternity, they cannot even plan for a moment." The Immortal Ancestor of Dharma Transmission, standing as the most formidable obstacle on Li Fan’s path to immortality, was an adversary he would inevitably face.
To stumble upon even a minor flaw in their dominion, by sheer coincidence, was indeed fortunate for Li Fan.
"The world is always full of such coincidences. Just like how I was suddenly captured by the Xiumu and then inexplicably released."
"Just like my sudden enlightenment moments ago..."
"Such occurrences cannot be avoided."
Related to mental power, it was exactly what Li Fan urgently needed to replenish.
The saying "One may use a stone from another mountain to sharpen their jade" proved true.
Although it wasn’t a defensive method, knowledge of mental attacks would provide invaluable insight. The next time he encountered such techniques, he would be better prepared.
For a deeper understanding, Li Fan drew upon the power of his Cave Heaven and reactivated the unique trait of the wondrous treasure [Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart].
In that instant, numerous revelations flooded his mind.
Immersed in these insights, Li Fan couldn’t help but feel elated.
Meanwhile, as Li Fan was secluded in contemplation, the Congyun Sea was far from peaceful.
Although the battle in the Tianling Prefecture had ended and cultivators were recuperating, a recent decree from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had stirred a commotion.
Due to the heavy losses in the war, the Alliance decided to sell all cultivation techniques at half price for the next year.
Even advanced techniques previously restricted by merit rankings were now unlocked.
No more rank restrictions—anyone with enough contribution points could purchase them directly.
Of course, some limitations remained.
Each individual could only purchase one technique, solely for personal cultivation. Reselling or transferring the technique in any form was strictly prohibited.
Violators would not only lose their cultivation rights to the technique but also face severe punishment.
For most cultivators, who previously couldn’t afford a single technique even by bankrupting themselves, these limitations seemed insignificant.
Their full attention was now captured by the dazzling list of techniques displayed in the Tianxuan Mirror.
Cultivation techniques are the foundation of immortality.
The quality of one’s technique directly determines their future prospects.
When these rare, high-level techniques entered the public view, the cultivators finally realized how inadequate their standard techniques were.
Opportunities like this were rare—missing out would mean regret.
Driven by envy, cultivators scrambled to calculate their contribution points and rushed to acquire their desired techniques.
At the same time, Congyun City became a gathering place for angry cultivators.
They surrounded the Bureau of Administration, demanding an explanation from He Zhenghao.
The reason was simple: during Li Fan’s previous fundraising plan, many had poured in their entire savings, leaving only a small reserve.
Now, they couldn’t afford to purchase techniques.
With rare techniques disappearing quickly, the cultivators grew increasingly frustrated and desperate.
“Damn it, give me back my money!”
“Who would’ve thought that Li Fan would suddenly become so ‘kind-hearted’? The fundraising plan, which had been suspended for so long, restarted without warning! Not only that, but he even removed the upper limit on contributions! Turns out this was all a setup to swindle us!”
“Exactly! His deduction abilities have reached such perfection that he could foresee even the ceasefire between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association. Do you really think he couldn’t predict this? I say he took this opportunity to exploit his brothers!”
“No way! With the wealth and status the Lord Envoy now commands, would he really care about such a trivial amount of money from us?”
“Maybe not if it was just one person or even ten. But this time, there are tens of thousands of cultivators contributing! With so much credit at stake, even an Immortal Sage of Dao Integration would be tempted, let alone a minor envoy in a provincial domain! You’ll see—when we go to He Zhenghao to demand our credit back, he’ll surely make all kinds of excuses!”
Under the instigation of some cultivators, panic and anger spread like wildfire.
Crowds gathered in front of the Administration Bureau Hall, refusing to leave for a long time.
Normally, unrelated individuals were not allowed to congregate in the central core area of the Immortal City. However, this fundraising event involved so many people that even many cultivators within the system had contributed their entire savings.
Now that the techniques were available at half price, they couldn’t afford the required credit all at once. While they didn’t dare trouble their direct superiors, they didn’t hesitate to let these outside forces “advocate for their rights” on their behalf, turning a blind eye to the chaos.
Thus, the scene became one of complete disorder.
Outside was a chaotic uproar, but inside the Administration Hall, He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan appeared entirely unconcerned, at ease in their respective seats.
“A bunch of fools!”
“They agreed to five years. Five years is five years! How long has it been, and now they’re clamoring for an early redemption of their credit?”
“Do they think the contracts I painstakingly signed with them are worthless?”
He Zhenghao sneered as his gaze swept across the display of the Tianxuan Mirror before him.
“Dragon Soars Through Nine Transformations—Soul Transformation technique, 950,000 credits. With it, one can transcend mortality, reshape the body, and defy fate...”
“Mountains and Rivers in the Sleeve—Soul Transformation technique, 1,000,000 credits. Mastery allows one to sweep mountains and rivers with a single gesture...”
One after another, techniques he had once dared not even dream of were now at his fingertips, ready for him to choose without hesitation.
After following Li Fan for just a few short years, he was no longer the cautious steward of Liuli Island, counting every credit to the last decimal.
“Fellow Daoist He?”
Hearing Zhou Qingang’s increasingly firm tone, He Zhenghao had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree.
The moment He Zhenghao stepped outside the Administration Bureau Hall, the previously noisy crowd fell silent, all eyes on him.
“Bang!”
The doors behind him slammed shut, leaving He Zhenghao to face the crowd with a forced smile that was more pitiful than cheerful. “Everyone, please allow me to explain!”
...
While He Zhenghao was racking his brains to reason with the crowd, Han Yi remained in a state of deep regret.
After the announcement of discounted techniques, despite being penniless, Han Yi had reviewed the list out of curiosity.
What he saw threw him into a spiral of frustration.
One of the techniques, Void Tribulation Primordial Codex, was perfect for avoiding disasters and surviving tribulations.
As a Soul Transformation technique, it was available for only 1.1 million credits at half price.
“With this, I could greatly reduce the backlash from my 'Heavenly Fortune Scripture'. No more random disasters falling upon me...”
“It’s absolutely perfect for me...”
The more he thought about it, the deeper his regret grew.
“Damn it! Why couldn’t I keep my hands to myself back then?”
Overwhelmed with frustration, Han Yi felt a tightness in his chest and nearly coughed up blood.
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"No, this method seems tailor-made for me. I absolutely cannot miss it!"
Han Yi paced back and forth, muttering to himself.
"I’ll lose one-third of the penalty fee, and my principal amount is 910,000."
"If I can successfully recover it, that’s 600,000..."
A wave of heartache struck Han Yi as he calculated the loss.
He furrowed his brows in frustration: "Still, I’m short by over 500,000!"
"If I push myself again this year, even at the risk of backlash, I could earn that much. But such frequent use will likely harm my foundation."
Caught in an internal struggle, Han Yi finally made up his mind after a long while.
"I used to think that as long as I controlled my fate, I could achieve greatness in cultivation."
"But judging by my experiences over the past few years, fate alone isn’t omnipotent. To achieve Dao Integration or even Longevity Immortal, fate alone is far from enough."
"Resources, connections—these are just as important!"
"Now that such an incredible technique has surfaced in the world, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If the heavens give and I refuse, I’ll only regret it later!"
With that thought, Han Yi headed straight to the administrative hall in Congyun City.
On the way, he heard that a large number of cultivators had gathered there, all hoping to redeem their contributions early, just like him.
At first, he was a bit relieved, thinking that a crowd would make things easier.
However, when he arrived, his heart sank.
Only a handful of individuals remained scattered around, their expressions weary and lifeless, like frostbitten eggplants.
"Could something have gone wrong again?" Anxiously, Han Yi began asking around.
To his surprise, it was just a misunderstanding, and his concerns were unnecessary.
"So, as long as I’m willing to pay 30% of the penalty fee, I can retrieve my contribution points?"
"No additional conditions?"
After confirming the details, Han Yi let out a long sigh of relief.
A nearby cultivator, however, scoffed: "Thirty percent is no small amount, and yet you seem completely unfazed."
"Could it be that my luck is finally turning?"
But as he reflected further, he felt a lingering unease.
"No, it’s not just luck. Li Fan truly lives up to his reputation—what magnanimity!"
"Waiving such a significant penalty with a simple gesture... Truly extraordinary."
"Those cultivators earlier were clearly judging him unfairly."
Grateful to Li Fan, Han Yi couldn’t help but admire him even more.
Little did he know, this was precisely what Li Fan had intended.
By instructing his subordinates to selectively waive penalties for some cultivators, Li Fan had sown discord.
Those who benefited would naturally defend him when criticized, while others, burdened by real losses, would remain skeptical.
As debates arose, public opinion shifted from unified criticism to divided arguments.
For uninvolved onlookers, it became harder to trust either side completely.
Thus, the negative impact was quietly neutralized.
When questioned, one could easily dismiss it with: "Ah, it’s a complicated matter. Hard to say who’s right."
This strategy also bought Li Fan precious time to finalize his plans.
If he acted too harshly, it might raise suspicions that he was preparing to flee.
But by temporarily calming doubts, he ensured that when the Crimson Flame arrived, his grand scheme in Congyun Sea would reach its final stage.
As expected, although the incident caused some unrest, it gradually faded from memory.
As the deadline for the discounted technique drew closer, cultivators focused most of their energy on earning contribution points to exchange for techniques before the opportunity disappeared.
Han Yi was no exception.
Because contribution points were scarce, he searched relentlessly but failed to find a suitable opportunity.
Left with no choice, he activated his Heavenly Fate Scripture to seek a chance.
Following its guidance, he departed from Congyun Sea and ventured deep into the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Chapter 595
Luoyan Prefecture.
"Strange, it should be around here. There’s no mistake."
"But why..."
Han Yi furrowed his brows tightly, once again flying over this area for half a day.
Yet, he still couldn’t pinpoint the exact location of the opportunity he sensed.
"It’s definitely pointing here, but I can only lock onto a general area. Once I enter it, that feeling in my heart inexplicably disappears."
"It’s as if something is deliberately interfering."
At this moment, Han Yi felt both joy and worry in his heart.
Such a situation had never occurred to him before. According to the records in Heavenly Fate Scripture, either the opportunity was too great, exceeding his current ability to bear, which would be a misfortune rather than a blessing, or the fortune here was shielding itself, preventing outsiders from discovering it.
"I can only go down and search personally. I’ll act accordingly, and if it’s impossible to proceed, I’ll let it go. After all, no matter what, preserving my life must remain the priority," Han Yi pondered deeply and made a decision.
Leaving the Congyun Sea behind, he traveled far. Gradually calming down, Han Yi realized he might have been too impulsive recently, likely affected by the backlash of fortune.
With the foundation of his Heavenly Fate Scripture and the Feather of the Mystic Black Bird, combined with his knowledge of an undeveloped small world where the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird had fallen, as long as he didn’t perish prematurely, following a steady path would ensure success in reaching the Soul Transformation and Dao Integration stages.
Even the Longevity Immortal realm was not beyond his imagination.
That Void Tribulation Primordial Codex, though excellent, was merely icing on the cake.
With these thoughts, Han Yi’s mindset gradually became more balanced.
No longer obsessed with obtaining the opportunity, he adopted the philosophy of "What is destined will come, and what is not meant to be should not be forced," wandering leisurely.
This place was a small town populated by ordinary mortals, with no cultivators guarding it.
Han Yi concealed his cultivation and disguised himself as a mortal, blending in.
However, the aura of a cultivator is difficult to hide completely. Among a group of ordinary mortals, Han Yi stood out like a crane among chickens.
Although it was unclear whether he was truly an "Immortal Master," his extraordinary demeanor made it evident he was someone of wealth and status.
Instinctively, the mortals avoided him. Thus, Han Yi found it difficult to integrate.
His plan to secretly search for the opportunity was thwarted prematurely.
"I’ve heard that ancient cultivators cultivated their minds and spirits. Despite having heaven-reaching power, they could live harmoniously among mortals, without the slightest flaw. I truly wonder how they managed it."
Looking at the mortals in the town, who were trembling before he even spoke, Han Yi sighed inwardly.
Though they answered all his questions without omission, their responses were completely irrelevant to his purpose.
Trying to find the true opportunity among them was like chasing a fool’s dream.
Han Yi couldn’t help but feel helpless.
"Opportunities are like this—when sought deliberately, they often come to naught."
"Who is it?"
Sweeping the entire town with his divine sense, Han Yi noticed an old man wearing a straw raincoat with a fishing basket on his back, preparing to leave.
"Is it him?"
Han Yi didn’t know the man’s exact name, only that he was called "Old Yu," a simple fisherman.
Every day, Old Yu fished in a river east of the town and sold his catch in the marketplace.
Quiet and unassuming, his business was mediocre due to his lack of salesmanship. He barely made a living by pricing his fish cheaply.
Han Yi had seen him before, but apart from his straw raincoat, the old man had nothing.
His home was bare, showing no signs of treasure.
"Could he have recently fished something out of the river?"
Han Yi’s thoughts raced as he eyed the fishing basket, becoming more convinced of his speculation.
Leaping up, he no longer hesitated and chased the fisherman out of the town.
However, just as he approached in excitement, intending to question the old man, the elderly figure with deeply wrinkled features glanced in his direction.
That single glance was like a bucket of icy water pouring over Han Yi.
His hair stood on end as he froze in terror.
"Something’s wrong!"
An overwhelming sense of danger surged within him, and the fortunate omen he had sensed transformed into a terrifying calamity.
Han Yi instantly realized the truth.
This opportunity wasn’t some treasure, and this fisherman wasn’t an ordinary mortal.
He was a hidden powerhouse, concealing himself among mortals for some unknown reason.
The opportunity was the fisherman himself!
The reason his fortune-sensing had always pointed to the town was that the fisherman remained there.
He had been blind to the true dragon before him, missing it repeatedly.
Now that the fisherman decided to leave, the sensing changed accordingly.
If he had acted rashly earlier and provoked this formidable figure...
Understanding everything in an instant, Han Yi broke into a cold sweat.
His pace slowed as he decided not to take any risks and prepared to retreat.
"Who are you, and where do you come from?"
The fisherman suddenly spoke.
This location was already several miles away from the small town, a desolate wilderness with no one else around.
Only Han Yi and the Old Fisherman stood there.
The Old Fisherman spoke, and the question was obviously directed at Han Yi.
When a powerful cultivator asks, how could he dare not answer?
Han Yi felt his scalp tingle with fear.
But his life was at stake; he absolutely couldn’t afford to defy the other party. Reluctantly, he flew closer, landed on the ground, lowered his head, bowed deeply, and greeted, "I greet the senior."
Unexpectedly, the Old Fisherman wasn’t appeased by such courtesy.
Frowning, he asked again, "Where are you from?"
Han Yi’s heart pounded violently as if it would explode.
It was obvious that his earlier hesitation had already irritated the elder.
As the saying goes, “Three strikes, and you're out.” If his next response still displeased the elder, it might mean his head would part ways with his body!
Yet, his journey was guided by the fortunes in his heart, seeking his own destiny.
But how could he possibly share such a thing with others?
Though the elder before him had an unfathomable cultivation level, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t covet The Heavenly Fate Scripture.
If Han Yi revealed the truth, he would likely face a fate of having his soul searched and life essence drained.
It seemed that no matter what he did, death awaited him.
Han Yi’s mind raced wildly, and within a moment, he thought of an ambiguous answer.
Noticing the elder's expression growing impatient, Han Yi steeled himself and forced out a response, "Junior has come here pursuing an item."
"Following its trail for ten thousand miles, I arrived here, only to lose all traces of it."
Afterward, he lowered his head and waited for his fate.
Unexpectedly, the strange and powerful elder didn’t reprimand him.
After a long silence, his tone grew somewhat pensive: "So, you’ve also lost something?"
"Also?"
Hearing that word, Han Yi immediately sensed a glimmer of hope. He quickly nodded, "Exactly so. This item is very important to me, so I’ve traversed mountains and rivers to retrieve it. Yet, heaven has not granted my wish..."
The Old Fisherman’s tone softened.
He gazed at Han Yi and nodded approvingly, "Precious things must be well-kept. Once lost, finding them again is no easy matter."
"I don’t even know how long I’ve been searching, yet I still haven’t found mine."
Han Yi dared not ask what the elder had lost.
At this moment, he felt relieved to have narrowly escaped death.
Not daring to speak recklessly, he merely replied, "Senior’s words are a lesson to remember."
"Senior, please save me!"
Perhaps it was the elder’s momentary display of "kindness," or perhaps Han Yi was terrified by the realization of having been watched without knowing.
Han Yi’s composure broke, and he knelt before the Old Fisherman, kowtowing in desperation.
"Save you?"
The Old Fisherman was briefly puzzled by Han Yi’s plea.
"You needn’t worry. I’ve taught that person a harsh lesson. They won’t be able to watch you anymore."
Hearing this, Han Yi was overjoyed.
"May I ask, senior, who was watching me, and what did they look like?"
The Old Fisherman hesitated. "They were too far away, and my eyesight isn’t what it used to be, so I couldn’t see clearly..."
"No matter, I still ask senior to help identify them!" Grasping at this lifeline, Han Yi felt he couldn’t rest easy without knowing who had been spying on him.
He used the Water Mirror Technique to recreate the faces of those he had interacted with over the years, focusing on the most suspicious ones.
"Senior, please..."
Just as Han Yi was about to speak, he sensed a strange tension in the air.
Turning his head, he felt a sinking dread.
In his panic, he had also included the scene from the sky above the Congyun Sea, where he had glimpsed the [Trapped Sword of Azure Wind].
At that moment, the Fisherman Elder was staring intently at the scene.
"Could it be that he’s recognized the characteristics of the Spirit of Heaven-Earth?"
Han Yi immediately regretted his actions.
"A sword..."
But the elder wasn’t focused on the Spirit of Heaven-Earth.
"A sword?"
Han Yi’s gaze also fell on the broken sword trapped by the Azure Wind.
"I’ve been searching for so long, yet still haven’t found it..."
The elder’s earlier words echoed in Han Yi’s mind.
"Could it be..."
A terrifying thought surfaced in Han Yi’s mind.
Before he could react, the Old Fisherman turned his cloudy gaze toward him.
The next moment, darkness enveloped Han Yi.
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the fisherman and han yi stood facing each other.
suddenly, a violent energy descended upon the scene.
the fisherman remained calm, standing as immovable as a mountain. even his straw raincoat seemed to embody the passage of millennia, firmly clinging to him, untouched by the raging storm.
in contrast, han yi's body erupted with an overwhelming aura of black malevolence, surging outward. under the strange energy's influence, his expression froze, locked in the moment the fisherman had last gazed at him.
yet, his appearance was eerie beyond words. his pupils vanished, and his face fractured like a shattered porcelain mask, revealing a web of cracks. his entire body flickered intermittently, vanishing into the billowing black mist and reappearing seconds later, as though caught between existence and nothingness.
the transformation occurred in an instant.
the fisherman calmly picked up his fish basket from the ground and slung it over his back, striding purposefully toward the congyun sea.
as for han yi...
the swirling black mist abruptly retreated into his body after the fisherman's departure. yet, han yi did not return to normal. he remained standing motionless, like a statue that had always been there.
his hollow eyes stared blankly ahead.
time passed.
a plain white bird flew overhead. strange events followed.
without warning, a previously healed wound on the bird's wing reopened, causing it to lose balance. it spiraled downward, unable to recover, and crashed to the ground, lifeless, right in front of han yi's statue.
more time passed.
a group of ordinary townsfolk, chatting cheerfully, passed by the road where han yi stood. curiously, they seemed oblivious to his presence, failing to notice the statue at all. they walked straight through him, as if he were an illusion.
strangely, there was no collision.
moments later, one of the villagers suddenly clutched his chest, his face turning pale. amid the group's panicked cries, he collapsed lifelessly to the ground, struck by a sudden heart attack.
the group, originally heading into the nearby mountains to gather herbs, abandoned their plans in sorrow. carrying the body of their deceased companion, they returned to their village, mourning all the while.
more time elapsed.
a cultivator in a green robe flew over han yi's statue, his face alight with joy.
"finally! after countless trials, i've collected the final ingredient. with my new alchemy cauldron furnace, this time, success is certain! the mystic ice treasure pill will finally be mine!"
"will you still try to stop me?" the fisherman asked.
"my duty leaves me no choice," the blue-robed man replied without hesitation.
hearing this, the fisherman wasted no words. he extended his right hand and grasped at the air.
suddenly, crisscrossing black threads materialized around the blue-robed man, forming a massive web that ensnared him.
the blue-robed man let out a muffled groan as his body vanished, leaving only a single blue feather glowing within the shrinking net.
when the net retracted into the fisherman’s hand, he examined the feather, his brow furrowing briefly in confusion.
shaking his head slightly, he placed the feather into his basket and continued toward the congyun sea.
shortly after his departure, a faint, ghostly figure reappeared at the scene.
"after my death, let the floodwaters rise," the figure muttered with a cold snort.
he cast a deep, lingering gaze at the fisherman’s retreating form before vanishing.
---
in qingyun prefecture, two prefecture away luoyan, another perspective unfolded.
when his spiritual senses were severed, li fan immediately knew something was wrong. reacting swiftly, he retrieved a sacred artifact gifted to him by the five elders association—a statue of the manifestation of heavenly sovereign statue.
unlike the five-faced, ten-armed version used for communication with the five elders pavilion, this statue depicted the heavenly sovereign of sorrowless, its serene visage exuding compassion.
the statue served one purpose: to protect the divine sea consciousness from collapse during a fatal attack.
the artifact activated just in time.
it felt as though a heavy blow had struck li fan’s head. his mind buzzed, his vision fragmented into countless overlapping images, and his body swayed.
coughing up blood, he instinctively clutched his head. even the body protection charging progress of [truth] dropped by 5%.
fortunately, he suffered only minor injuries and avoided disaster.
with the power of his heavenly internal law domain and five-elemental energy circulating within him, li fan quickly recovered his vitality.
the xuanhuang heart refining mantra began to operate automatically. within a few breaths, even the injuries to his divine sea consciousness had completely vanished.
“hoo...”
“not only did he effortlessly dismantle my [formless killing intent], but he also managed to strike my divine sense from such a great distance.”
“if it weren’t for the protective shield of the manifestation of heavenly sovereign statue, my sea of consciousness would have suffered severe damage.”
li fan glanced at the manifestation of heavenly sovereign statue statue in his hand. after emitting a faint white glow, it dissolved and disappeared without a trace.
“old fisherman... a being above dao integration is indeed terrifying.”
although li fan was astonished, he was far from fearful. instead, a glimmer of excitement flashed in his eyes.
he hadn’t anticipated things to proceed so smoothly.
when he noticed han yi wandering aimlessly into the heartlands of the ten thousand immortals alliance and pausing in the luoyan prefecture, li fan already had a vague sense of what was about to unfold.
previously, he had subtly implanted the ideas of the azure wind trapped sword and the whereabouts of the old fisherman into han yi's mind using the cloud-water illusionary dream technique. he had hoped to use han yi as a medium to relay information about the azure wind trapped sword to the old fisherman.
in li fan’s expectations, han yi would need additional guidance to find the old fisherman within the vast regions of several provinces. however, as if guided by destiny or influenced by unknown factors, han yi moved with unexpected precision, directly locking onto the old fisherman’s location.
the old fisherman was a shared opportunity for all. cultivators within the heartlands of the ten thousand immortals alliance would instinctively search for his whereabouts. once discovered, news of his presence spread quickly, with mutual cooperation ensuring swift dissemination.
li fan, having experienced countless cycles of reincarnation, was naturally well-versed in this pattern.
thus, when he saw the old fisherman through his perspective of heaven and earth, li fan couldn’t help but feel immense joy. his plan to orchestrate a battle between the old fisherman, the heavenly doctor, and the sage seemed to be on the brink of success.
when li fan initially implanted the thoughts into han yi's mind, he also left a wisp of "heavenly calamity energy" in his body. though almost undetectable, under li fan’s deliberate manipulation, it could erupt in a manner that the old fisherman wouldn’t overlook.
through han yi’s memories, the old fisherman could see the location of the azure wind trapped sword. similarly, he could witness the appearance of the heavenly doctor in the cloud-water heavenly palace.
li fan was confident that both the sage and the old fisherman harbored irreconcilable hatred toward the heavenly doctor.
the old fisherman, after reclaiming the heavenly calamity sword and restoring some of his power, would undoubtedly seek a confrontation with the heavenly doctor. this would undoubtedly complicate matters for the heavenly doctor.
the plan was perfect. however, han yi proved to be an unexpected variable.
despite the old fisherman appearing before him more than ten times, han yi failed to notice anything amiss, leaving li fan, who had been tailing them from afar, repeatedly shaking his head.
of course, li fan wouldn’t risk his own safety by intervening. instead, he kept his distance, patiently observing.
“next, i need to find a good spot to watch the show.”
retrieving a gourd of fine wine from his storage ring, li fan gave it a gentle pat and entered the cloud-water heavenly palace. after completing three trials with lightning speed, he stayed behind, sharing drinks and idle chatter with senior brother qin.
while outwardly relaxed, li fan was silently awaiting the inevitable confrontation.
however, as time dragged on without the anticipated scene, li fan grew increasingly restless.
“ha! junior brother, you’re quite insincere. pretending to drink with me while your thoughts wander!”
“tell me, which junior sister has caught your eye? don’t worry, share it with me. if suitable, i’ll act as your matchmaker!”
“of course, a senior sister isn’t out of the question either!”
senior brother qin, half-drunk, burst into hearty laughter.
li fan was about to respond when the entire world suddenly shook violently. senior brother qin, mid-drink, froze, trembling uncontrollably.
“heavenly doctor...”
all traces of drunkenness vanished as he ground his teeth in anger.
boom!
layers of illusions shattered, and when li fan reappeared at the gates of the cloud-water heavenly palace, the first thing he saw was the confrontation between the old fisherman and the heavenly doctor.
unlike in his previous life, the once thunderous wails and lamentations within the cloud-water heavenly palace had subsided significantly, as if something was suppressing their outbursts of hatred and sorrow.
the old fisherman glared at the heavenly doctor, his body enveloped in surging black calamity energy. yet, the heavenly calamity sword fragment was nowhere in sight.
though silent, the murderous intent in his eyes was unmistakable. for some reason, however, he refrained from attacking.
the heavenly doctor, on the other hand, appeared rather indifferent, even slightly amused.
“how interesting.”
“tian jue, have you regained your memory?” the heavenly doctor asked.
tl note:- [tian jue can mean heavenly absolute/extreme or even something more. just wanted to give you guys some context as i didn't know if i should keep it as tian jue or go with english term of heaven's absolute, both are right of course. but knowing an context behind the name can always be a plus. same goes for heavenly doctor named tianyi]
rable
“tian...”
“jue...”
the old fisherman murmured these two words softly, his expression initially filled with confusion.
as he repeated them over and over, it seemed as though he recalled something, a faint light flickering in his clouded eyes.
“i am...”
“tian jue?”
as the fisherman’s memories gradually returned, the black fiendish aura already surging around him grew even thicker.
it became like a rolling black tide, spreading and raging outward.
however, all the fiendish aura instinctively avoided the heavenly doctor before it could even approach him.
between the two opposing figures, an expansive empty space was formed.
the heavenly doctor remained unmoved by the ominous aura. observing tian jue’s still-dazed state, he showed a trace of surprise.
“your memories haven’t returned? then how...”
the heavenly doctor's eyes gleamed as he prepared to take action.
but suddenly, a distant voice reciting ancient scripture echoed through the air:
“heaven’s law is solemn, observe the rules and follow the order.”
“i have obtained the dharma, spreading it to all beings.”
“heaven’s law cannot be defied.”
the heavenly doctor’s expression finally shifted noticeably.
narrowing his eyes, he turned to look in the direction of the voice.
“moo!”
without warning, a massive green ox the size of a small mountain appeared before him.
its horns tilted upwards, and its four hooves moved swiftly, charging forward as if to crush the heavenly doctor in one blow.
“beast!” the heavenly doctor snorted coldly.
he did not dodge but simply raised his right hand, where a glimmer of silver light appeared.
the silver light transformed into a fine thread, piercing the azure ox like lightning.
in an instant, the thread wove back and forth countless times, slicing through the ox entirely.
the green ox was reduced to countless unrecognizable fragments, yet it continued its forward momentum, scattering into the air.
“condense!”
a furious shout rang out suddenly.
moments later, the green ox that had been dismembered by the heavenly doctor miraculously reassembled, its original form emerging from the scattered remains. nôv(el)b\\jnn
leaping above the heavenly doctor, it prepared to trample him underfoot.
yet the heavenly doctor still did not evade.
before the ox could touch him, its body suddenly shrank.
from a fully grown, robust beast, it became a newborn calf in the blink of an eye.
"grandmaster hanhai?"
from various corners of the cloud-water heavenly palace, astonished exclamations could faintly be heard.
"at least someone here is still clear-headed," the heavenly doctor commented coldly.
in the next moment, the azure ocean in the sky rapidly contracted, condensing into a flickering phantom that seemed as though it could shatter at any moment.
the figure appeared before the three—heavenly doctor, sage, and the old fisherman.
"greetings, esteemed ones," the figure said with neither arrogance nor servility.
"hanhai, what is the meaning of this?"
suppressing his anger, tianyu asked in a low voice upon noticing hanhai's strange attitude.
"the culprit is right in front of us. with the blood feud of the past, why not exact our revenge now?"
"master sage is right—blood debts must indeed be repaid in blood. but..."
hanhai did not look at the heavenly doctor but instead turned to the old fisherman, who still seemed somewhat bewildered while holding the sword.
"the one who slaughtered the cloud-water heavenly palace back then was not the heavenly doctor."
"it was tian jue!"
his words carried a raging resentment, and hanhai's azure phantom trembled violently.
his furious gaze locked onto the other party as if tumultuous waves churned within him.
"hmm?" tianyu was slightly stunned, then shook his head and sighed.
"hanhai, in the end, you cannot escape the effects of time. has even your memory of that day become muddled?"
"the butcher who exploited the vulnerability of our rear defenses and massacred every major sect—is it not this traitor before us?"
tianyu's gaze bore into the heavenly doctor, and the flames of hatred reignited in his eyes.
"one person may err. but could the countless souls who perished on that day all be mistaken?"
hanhai shook his head resolutely and said, "i do not know about other sects; they are unrelated to me.
"but the one who destroyed my cloud-water heavenly palace was undoubtedly venerable tian jue!"
he spoke with absolute certainty.
"though his appearance matched that of the heavenly doctor, and even his aura was identical..."
"his ruthless, annihilative actions and his cold, emotionless demeanor could never have been mimicked by the heavenly doctor."
"most importantly, the weapon used in the massacre was none other than the hilt of the heavenly calamity sword, now sealed within taiyi."
"the heavenly calamity, a weapon of unparalleled power, can only be wielded by venerable tian jue."
these words made even the sage hesitate. he turned his head to glance at tian jue.
it seemed hanhai's words had stirred something buried deep within tian jue's mind.
he stared blankly at his own hands.
after a long while, he suddenly spoke.
"yes, it was me who did it..."
"what!" the sage's hunched figure straightened instantly as he stared incredulously at the old fisherman, who had just confessed.
tl note: [hey guys, a reminder again to remember as they might be useful in future chapters that all of these name in original is tianyi→ heavenly doctor, tian jue→ heaven's absolute/?, tianyu→ heavenly edict/mandate/decree, hanhai→ vast ocean. some things and terms might change name in the future or may even be wrong, but i'll keep you all updated whenever a change might occur]
it felt like falling into a nightmare, unable to escape.
tian jue's entire body trembled uncontrollably.
"that's right, i killed them all!"
"qin tang, xiao chong, fu yun..."
"i killed them all!"
even the wise sage seemed unable to process this answer for a moment.
"why...?" he asked, dazed.
at that moment, tian jue's expression suddenly shifted.
"no..."
"that's not right!"
"it wasn't me at all!"
tian jue lifted his head abruptly, glaring at heavenly doctor with hatred.
"it’s all your doing!"
"all those memories in my mind—they're fake!"
"ever since that day i met you, everything has been strange!"
"everything spiraled out of control..."
pointing the heavenly calamity sword directly at heavenly doctor, tian jue demanded:
"was it you?"
facing tian jue's accusations, heavenly doctor's expression remained unchanged.
"i thought you'd have improved this time."
"turns out, you're still the same as ever."
he shook his head slightly, a trace of regret in his voice.
"what do you mean?" tianyu noticed a peculiar undertone in tian yi's words and asked sharply.
heavenly doctor didn’t answer but continued speaking to himself.
"i’ve explained this to you countless times. sometimes, even what you see with your own eyes might not be real."
as he spoke, he somehow produced a set of nine silver needles, arranging them mid-air.
"everyone seems so eager to kill me."
"well, i have no choice but to resolve things my way."
terror spread across their faces.
"don’t worry; this procedure will be over quickly."
a booming voice from above—heavenly doctor’s voice—reverberated across the heavens.
li fan’s heart raced, his mind nearly frozen.
it was clear now—the figure that tianyu and the fisherman had confronted was merely a statue of heavenly doctor.
and these giant hands were heavenly doctor’s true form!
in the face of these colossal hands, even the powerful tian jue and sage seemed like insects on an operating table, utterly helpless.
the hands seized them, suspending them in mid-air.
the nine silver needles from the statue now floated toward the hands, initiating "treatment."
watching from afar, li fan felt an uncontrollable chill.
"heavenly doctor... what on earth is he?"
the overwhelming strength heavenly doctor displayed far surpassed li fan’s estimations.
even if he wasn’t at the longevity immortal realm, he was not far from it.
li fan immediately considered abandoning his clone to avoid heavenly doctor tracing it back to his true body.
but then he realized...
no, heavenly doctor has obviously discovered that someone is plotting this behind his back, not insignificant ants observing from the sidelines.
however, if the clone suddenly disappeared now, it would be too obvious and might draw attention instead.
caught in a mental battle, li fan chose to gamble.
he watched the "surgery" with bated breath, hoping heavenly doctor still adhered to human logic and wouldn’t overthink.
from li fan's current perspective, he still couldn't discern the reason.
he only felt silver light scattering, and the angry curses from tianyu and tian jue gradually grew weaker.
finally, as if sinking into a deep sleep, becoming almost inaudible.
as the surgery concluded, the fisherman reverted to his confused, memory-lost state, wandering off.
the sage, meanwhile, resumed his scholarly demeanor, disappearing with his ox cart.
after completing everything, the two giant hands retracted the silver needles.
gently pressing down.
the cloud-water heavenly palace, which had been filled with wailing sounds just moments before, instantly fell silent.
"almost there."
"just a little longer."
as the heavenly doctor muttered softly, all the strange phenomena in cloud-water heavenly palace, including the vast sea, instantly returned to their original state. it was as if they had remained undisturbed for millions of years, unchanged and untouched.
in that fleeting moment, every cultivator adventuring within cloud-water heavenly palace, including li fan’s clone, was reduced to dust under the light press of the heavenly doctor’s hands, leaving no trace behind.
there was no room for resistance.
in fact, li fan’s clone, zhou qingang, never even realized how he had died.
li fan, in his true body, only felt the connection to his clone sever instantly as the heavenly doctor's massive hands pressed down.
"true destruction—unconcerned with you or your cause."
"hah." losing his clone, li fan took a deep breath, feeling a peculiar sense of relief.
"it seems my gamble was right. even someone as powerful as the heavenly doctor would never guess that the ant he just crushed underfoot was secretly plotting against him."
however, li fan’s expression remained solemn.
the heavenly doctor’s strength, displayed during this confrontation, was beyond comprehension.
in li fan's original plan, even though the fisherman was half-mad and forgetful and the sage was weakened after transforming into an anomaly, their combined effort should have caused some trouble for the heavenly doctor.
but the reality was starkly different.
the gap between the two and the heavenly doctor was as vast as the gap between li fan and them—a difference spanning several major realms.
they were no match for him.
li fan’s calculated attempt to trouble the heavenly doctor turned into a self-humiliating joke.
even though the fisherman and the sage were top-tier powers beneath the longevity immortal realm, they were effortlessly manipulated like insects in the hands of the heavenly doctor.
such overwhelming power...
"could it be that heavenly doctor has already ascended to the longevity immortal realm?"
li fan couldn't help but entertain this thought.
otherwise, there was no way to explain the heavenly doctor’s unparalleled strength.
"what laws is he defying?"
"silently, unnoticed by others. could it be that he’s the one controlling the laws of life and death—the very one who caused lan yu's failure in achieving the dao?"
"and what exactly is the relationship between the heavenly doctor and the ten thousand immortal alliance?"
---
the events within cloud-water heavenly palace were earth-shattering, yet the surrounding congyun sea remained eerily unaware.
other than the mysterious disappearance of the recently revealed cloud-water heavenly palace ruins, nothing else seemed to have impacted the congyun sea.
however, the xuanhuang realm’s top-tier powers extended beyond just the heavenly doctor.
ordinary cultivators might not notice anything, but the five elders association’s longevity immortal heavenly sovereigns must have sensed something.
as li fan gathered scattered pieces of overlooked information, he began to uncover hints.
for instance, after the war in tianling prefecture, the five elders association recalled all their cultivators stationed in border regions.
within days, every cultivator had been withdrawn, suggesting they had no intention of engaging in war anytime soon.
then, surprisingly, the five elders association sent envoys to propose a "friendly exchange" with the ten thousand immortal alliance.
they claimed the prolonged estrangement had led to mutual unfamiliarity and suggested this rare post-war opportunity to foster understanding.
while the ten thousand immortal alliance had yet to respond officially, the five elders association’s unusual gesture sparked curiosity.
after all, the five elders association, boasting five longevity immortal heavenly sovereigns, had always been domineering. reason and diplomacy were not their style.
for them to suddenly suggest easing tensions and promoting cooperation?
some uninformed cultivators thought the ten thousand immortal alliance’s victory in the tianling prefecture had forced the five elders association into submission.
but li fan believed otherwise.
this shift undoubtedly stemmed from the heavenly doctor’s actions, which the five heavenly sovereigns must have noticed.
"perhaps the previous war was also a probe to see if the immortal ancestor was still present."
"while they failed to draw out the immortal ancestor, they exposed the heavenly doctor instead."
"could it be that the five elders association is wary of the heavenly doctor because he’s truly in the longevity immortal realm?"
li fan remained uncertain.
from his limited understanding of the longevity immortal realm, such beings defy the natural order and become part of the heavens themselves.
their connection to the "heavenly dao" should be unmistakably distinct—vastly different from ordinary cultivators.
but every encounter with the heavenly doctor lacked any trace of the "heavenly dao."
instead, his human aura remained unmistakably vivid.
"simply put, the heavenly doctor doesn’t yet seem like a longevity immortal realm cultivator."
in the past, when li fan was traveling through the five elders association and the illusionary realm shattered, he briefly confronted senior sister zhao. in that fleeting moment, he felt a chilling sense of facing the vast heavens and earth.
the heavenly doctor was indeed powerful, but he did not evoke the same feeling in li fan.
even the giant hand that instantly suppressed the fisherman and the sage merely made li fan sense its overwhelming strength, but not a fundamental transformation.
this was an instinctive feeling in the heart of a cultivator—profound and indescribable.
but deep down, li fan believed it was likely true.
"no matter if the heavenly doctor has reached the longevity immortal realm or not, he has displayed actual combat strength that could intimidate someone of that level."
"in front of such a cultivator, no matter how many expendable troops are sent, it would be meaningless."
"the five heavenly sovereigns definitely won’t act personally, which is why the war was halted."
li fan mused thoughtfully.
recalling the heavenly doctor's appearance, he considered how it might influence the trajectory of the xuanhuang realm's history.
suddenly, a formless killing intent that had been monitoring for a long time without results finally responded.
"hmm?"
li fan’s attention shifted instantly across millions of miles, landing on master yin of yin yin island in the congyun sea.
after studying the barrier between mortals and immortals for a long time, it seemed he had finally discovered something.
at this moment, master yin had collapsed to the ground, bewildered and helpless.
"no, no, no! i must be mistaken."
"this is absolutely impossible!"
master yin's face was full of unconcealable terror.
it was as if he had uncovered a truth he could not accept, frantically pulling at his hair in a desperate attempt to calm himself.
"no, no, no!"
but he couldn’t control himself.
whatever he had discovered had deeply shaken his worldview, driving him to the brink of madness.
he repeatedly banged his head on the ground, ignoring the blood streaming from his forehead.
after an indeterminate time, his face was bloodied and unrecognizable, making it impossible to discern his expression.
"it must be a mistake. there’s no way someone like this exists in the world."
"and he couldn’t possibly be such a person!"
"let’s try again!"
as if clinging to a sliver of hope, master yin quickly stood up, not even bothering to wipe the blood from his face.
he once again released several mortal test subjects, extracting the barrier from their bodies for further research.
...
"this master yin, erratic and deranged—what exactly did he discover?"
"however, given his temperament of 'never being weaker than others,’ he’ll likely choose the latter."
after a while, li fan’s thoughts paused.
"i once believed that after refining the crimson flame and succeeding in dao integration, facing ink death would still be a hopeless situation."
"but tianyang is somewhat unique. he has already died once."
"his current form is more like a puppet infused with a trace of tianyang’s will than a true living being."
"he might have a chance to escape with his life."
"ink death's previous world-ending attacks were confined to the congyun sea region. if he flees far enough..."
the thought of having a dao integration-level ally greatly tempted li fan.
previously, he viewed ink death as an almost invincible force.
but after witnessing the true strength of the heavenly doctor, this belief began to waver.
the heavenly calamity remnant sword had been able to battle ink death for a long time during the latter’s apocalyptic rampages.
this suggested that ink death was not entirely unbeatable.
"it’s worth a try."
"even failure wouldn’t cost much."
having made his decision, li fan calculated the timeline—it had already been 15 years since anchoring.
the crimson flame would soon descend, and preparations needed to be made.
"15 years anchored..."
a sudden thought struck li fan. after a moment of contemplation, he took out a communication talisman to contact jiao xiuyuan.
unexpectedly, jiao xiuyuan refused the call.
after a moment, li fan tried again.
jiao xiuyuan refused once more.
li fan was not annoyed and persisted.
after six attempts, jiao xiuyuan finally accepted the transmission.
"hmph, daoist jiao have you risen so high lately that you no longer recognize old friends?" li fan snorted coldly.
"not at all! not at all! i was just busy with something important and couldn’t step away!" jiao xiuyuan replied with grievance.
"daoist jiao, your excuse is rather clumsy. who doesn’t know that you have thousands of incarnations? one is busy—are all of them?"
"you’re truly insightful, daoist! how did you know i was about to break through?" jiao xiuyuan asked in surprise.
li fan fell silent.
"haha, but this advancement is proving to be much harder than expected. without additional opportunities, i fear it will be delayed for a long time," jiao xiuyuan said regretfully.
"oh? why is that?" li fan asked casually.
"My Dao lies in [Commerce]. It lies in [Profit]."
Jiao Xiuyuan spoke with a touch of emotion:
"In this world, all things flow for profit. The path of commerce flourishes abundantly across the mortal realm."
"Thus, I create countless puppets, observe the gains and losses of the human world, and cultivate through this process."
"At the beginning, the accumulation of wealth is always extremely rapid. It’s almost like climbing a staircase daily, and my cultivation realm also advanced step by step alongside it."
"But upon reaching a certain level, the expansion of [Qianli Hall] slowed significantly."
"My cultivation stalled for a long time. Originally, I thought I could rely on the insights from this massive profit to make a breakthrough in one go. Yet, it turns out, I’m still lacking a spark."
"The saying ‘Seeing the mountain but exhausting the horse’ comes to mind. What seemed within reach was actually separated by countless mountains and valleys."
Li Fan listened to Jiao Xiuyuan’s lament and recalled the immense gap he recently witnessed between those in the Dao Integration Realm and the Longevity Immortal Realm.
He couldn’t help but silently acknowledge and nod slightly.
At this moment, Jiao Xiuyuan continued,
"Moreover, I’ve found that the path of commerce, at my current level, is now constrained on all sides and fraught with difficulties. Moving further forward has become incredibly challenging."
Before Li Fan could ask, Jiao Xiuyuan answered his unspoken question:
"Take, for example, the last incident with the Samantabhadra True Leaf. Under ideal conditions, we could have profited even more. From a purely commercial perspective, the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf had already soared to the heavens. The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, controlling the Five Elements Great Cave Heaven, had an abundance of Samantabhadra True Leaf. They could have capitalized on the market, yet they abruptly issued an edict that reset everything to its original state."
"They claimed it was for stability, but wasn’t it ultimately for their own benefit?" Jiao Xiuyuan muttered.
Li Fan, upon hearing this, seemed contemplative.
"Daoist Jiao, your meaning is that profit must always be earned from others. Upon reaching a certain point, further advancement inevitably leads to conflict with others."
"Exactly!" Jiao Xiuyuan praised.
"If the opposition is weak, one can easily crush them. But if the opponent is a formidable wall, charging head-on will only result in a bloody head."
"At that point, one has no choice but to take a detour around the wall."
"Yet, this world is ultimately under the rule of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association. Breaking free from these constraints is easier said than done."
"Dancing with shackles on, naturally, is a hundred times harder."
Li Fan laughed lightly after hearing this.
"In that case, Daoist, the fault doesn’t lie with you but with this world!"
"To be constrained at every turn is truly dissatisfying. Daoist Jiao, why not join me in overthrowing the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and recreating the heavens and earth? What do you say?"
Jiao Xiuyuan fell silent abruptly.
He looked at Li Fan with a peculiar gaze.
"Indeed, indeed!"
"Profit in one moment or one lifetime is ultimately limited."
"But time is infinite. If I spread my goal across the river of time..."
Jiao Xiuyuan became immersed in his vision, his eyes shining brightly.
"Daoist Li Fan, is this the future path you have deduced for me?"
After a long while, he finally returned to his senses and looked at Li Fan.
Li Fan shook his head.
"I dare not claim to guide. It’s merely a glimpse of a possible future that I happened upon during my daily deductions."
"In my heart, I felt it might benefit Daoist Jiao’s path, so I remembered it."
"Upon meeting you today, I thought to share it with you."
"Daoist Jiao, I hope you don’t find my thoughts absurd!"
Jiao Xiuyuan’s eyes flickered.
"Daoist Li Fan, your ability to deduce is truly astonishing. To foresee such a peculiar future..."
"However, Daoist, you came to me today and pointed this out to me..."
He looked at Li Fan, puzzled.
Li Fan smiled.
"I said you’d prosper and forget old friends, and you still deny it."
"Daoist, could it be you’ve forgotten the commission I gave you earlier?"
Jiao Xiuyuan froze briefly before realizing.
"You mean..."
"Given your cultivation, it’s naturally impossible to forget. But since you’ve not replied for so long, there must be some unspeakable difficulty. Still, this matter is important to me, so I can only thicken my face and trouble you again!" Li Fan cupped his hand and said with solemnity.
Jiao Xiuyuan stared at Li Fan, his expression changing rapidly.
Five years ago, he had promised Li Fan to investigate the identity of an ancient cultivator whose traces were sought after by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance as they excavated the ruins of ancient sects.
He had indeed taken on the task.
At first, he didn’t take it seriously, intending to find some casual information to report back.
However, to his surprise, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, known for leaking secrets like a sieve, had carried out this secrecy effort with extraordinary thoroughness.
Even with his capabilities, it had taken him nearly two years to find nothing of value.
Jiao Xiuyuan was genuinely intrigued this time.
News meant opportunities—potential breakthroughs.
He poured tremendous effort into infiltrating and persuading people, spending an incalculable amount of money. However, no cultivator was willing to disclose even a single detail.
Some subtly indicated that this matter was far more significant than anything else before.
"If any of this leaks, you might live to know it but not to enjoy its rewards."
Despite his reluctance, Jiao Xiuyuan had no choice but to abandon the endeavor.
With no results, there was naturally no response to send to Li Fan.
Yet, just as he was about to let the matter fade from his mind, an unexpected turn of events occurred.
Not long after the end of the Great Battle in the Tianling Prefecture, a previously tight-lipped cultivator who had sworn to keep the secret suddenly contacted him in private.
Jiao Xiuyuan was surprised.
The person confessed directly: "Things have changed. The current situation isn't what it used to be."
The confidentiality level of the matter had been downgraded by several levels, but of course, a reward was still expected.
Jiao Xiuyuan paid a hefty price, one that even made him feel the pinch, to acquire this piece of secret information.
The revelation left him both shocked and impressed.
Such information couldn’t just be handed over to Li Fan for free.
Furthermore, Jiao Xiuyuan doubted Li Fan could afford to pay the price for this classified intel.
Thus, he chose to let the matter rest.
Until today, when Li Fan sought him out personally.
“The future of ultimate creations...”
“That’s sufficient.”
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Jiao Xiuyuan’s mind. Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Finally, he made a decision.
"Ah, my memory is failing me—I almost forgot!" Jiao Xiuyuan exclaimed, patting his forehead.
"Honestly, what you asked me to investigate is truly a top secret of the Immortal Alliance. Even if someone else offered a huge contribution, I wouldn’t have disclosed a thing."
"But..."
Jiao Xiuyuan sized up Li Fan and said, "What’s our relationship? We’ve made money together!"
"And with today’s guidance, how could I refuse?" Jiao Xiuyuan emphasized his words.
"I don’t mind telling you for free."
In the illusion realm of the Fallen Immortal Realm, during the quest for the Longevity Fruit in Ningyuan, Li Fan had learned from Song Hesong, the city steward.
About 200 years ago, during the Purple Heaven Sect’s centennial celebration, the Ten Great Immortal Sects had sent envoys to investigate a wanted criminal hiding within the Purple Heaven Sect.
The outcome of the investigation was inconclusive—they merely apprehended an inner disciple as a scapegoat.
"Could it be that the one hiding within the Purple Heaven Sect back then was this Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect?
"And the Ten Great Immortal Sects failed to locate them, instead capturing a decoy?"
Realizing this, Li Fan was shaken.
Meanwhile, Jiao Xiuyuan observed the subtle changes in Li Fan’s expression and continued:
"The reason the Immortal Alliance went to such great lengths, digging through ruins to find this Dharma King, is related to the Xuantian Sealing Spirit Formation."
Jiao Xiuyuan paused, studying Li Fan’s reaction before continuing:
"The details aren’t clear, but it seems this Dharma King is an essential component for maintaining the formation."
"At the time, the Immortal Alliance was preparing for war with the Five Elders Association. They placed all their hopes of victory on the Xuantian Sealing Spirit Formation."
"Naturally, they guarded the Dharma King closely, not allowing any room for error."
"But strangely, despite their precautions, the information leaked."
"This ultimate weapon was quickly countered by the Five Elders Association in a very short time."
"Given the formation's complexity, it’s highly unusual. If there wasn’t an inside informant, who would believe it?"
"With the formation’s intricacy, even a figure like the Immortal Ancestor might not have cracked it so swiftly without prior knowledge."
Jiao Xiuyuan sighed, "And yet, the insider remains hidden. Despite extensive purges within the Immortal Alliance, they’ve yet to be found. Isn’t that peculiar?"
"Indeed," Li Fan agreed, his expression calm but slightly amazed.
"It makes me wonder—could someone within the Immortal Alliance have deliberately leaked the formation’s details to prevent a one-sided war?" Li Fan suggested.
"That’s unlikely. Too far-fetched..." Jiao Xiuyuan began, then froze.
"Although... maybe not impossible," he muttered after a long pause, his face turning serious.
Li Fan was left speechless for a moment.
"By the way, what’s the name and appearance of this Dharma King from the Xuantian Sect?"
"The Purple Heaven Sect..."
"I knew many of their members back in the day," Li Fan inquired.
Jiao Xiuyuan, still lost in thought, replied absentmindedly, "Oh, he shares your family name."
"I think he’s called..."
"Li Chen?"
“Li Chen?!”
In an instant, the image of a frail, scholarly young man flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
“He’s actually the secretly hidden Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect? How is this even possible?”
Li Fan was utterly shaken.
This Li Chen was none other than the person whose body Li Fan had possessed during the Fallen Immortal Realm’s Ningyuan Longevity Fruit incident.
An inner disciple of the Purple Heaven Sect and junior brother to Zhang Qianmo!
But...
Li Fan had entered the Fallen Immortal Realm and replaced him many times.
Li Fan knew every single detail of Li Chen’s memories as if they were his own.
Li Chen was just a boy from a humble mountain village. Due to his exceptional talent in cultivation, he was accepted into the Purple Heaven Sect.
There was absolutely no trace of any memory connected to the Dharma King of the ancient Xuantian Sect.
“There are three possible explanations. One, the Dharma King is merely a remnant spirit residing within Li Chen’s body. When the Fallen Immortal cast its final glance, reflecting all beings and objects in the world, only the original self of creatures was replicated in the Fallen Immortal Realm. Any other foreign existence in the body would not have been restored.”
“Two, during the Ningyuan Longevity Fruit event, the Dharma King had not yet occupied Li Chen’s body. It wasn’t until Li Chen was gravely injured and brought back to the sect by Zhang Qianmo that the Xuantian Sect’s Dharma King, hidden in the Purple Heaven Sect, took the opportunity to possess him.”
“Three, the Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect possesses unparalleled cultivation and hides his true nature deeply. Even the omniscient Fallen Immortal failed to uncover his secret.”
“Thus, what was recreated in the Fallen Immortal Realm was only a superficial form.”
...
After a thorough analysis, Li Fan deemed the third possibility to be unlikely.
If even a Dharma King on the verge of death could rival the Fallen Immortal in power, then the overall strength of the Xuantian Sect back in its prime would have been unimaginably terrifying.
The sect would not have been overthrown by the alliance of the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
“The Fallen Immortal Realm replicates the real world almost perfectly. Even the trajectory of spiritual energy and the operation of techniques can be mirrored. Residual spirits within the body would surely be detected by an immortal’s gaze.”
“So, the most plausible explanation is that after Li Chen fell unconscious, the Xuantian Sect’s Dharma King seized his body.”
“The Dharma King’s actual condition might also be quite poor—barely clinging to life. Having narrowly escaped the pursuit of the Ten Great Immortal Sects' envoys, he continued to hide within the Purple Heaven Sect. Over the years, he likely switched hosts multiple times until finally becoming Li Chen.”
Piecing together various pieces of information from different sources, Li Fan reconstructed a plausible truth.
Immediately, he felt a surge of excitement.
The Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect had existed since the ancient era of immortal cultivation.
The secrets he must know would be beyond measure.
—
After leaving, Li Fan first returned to the Tianxuan Mirror to search for the small Medicine King Cauldrons.
According to Jiao Xiuyuan, when the Medicine King Sect’s ruins were sealed by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, everything valuable had been taken away.
Jiao Xiuyuan had only managed to excavate two of them.
But now, upon checking the marketplace, Li Fan found no fewer than seventeen small Medicine King Cauldrons for sale.
These clearly came from internal leaks within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Li Fan was already accustomed to such situations.
Without hesitation, he used his vast wealth to purchase every single small Medicine King Cauldron available.
This sudden action instantly attracted the attention of certain individuals.
“Fellow Daoist Li Fan, was it you who made the move?”
“What secret lies within these small Medicine King Cauldrons?”
“Have you deduced something again?”
Jiao Xiuyuan, who had just ended their conversation, hurriedly sent inquiries.
“Guess,” Li Fan replied with a smile and ignored the other man’s response.
Using the Sky-Shrouding Hand technique to conceal himself, Li Fan headed straight for Cangwu Prefecture.
He teleported relentlessly without pause.
Half a day later, he arrived at the Abyss of Cangwu.
After purchasing a guidebook for traversing the Abyss, he followed the paths remembered from his past life as Xiao Fan, moving downward step by step.
He passed through the Forest of Spirit Whispers and the Puppet Canyon to reach the Lost Mysterious City buried 100,000 feet underground.
After some effort, he finally located the future landing site of the true Medicine King Cauldron.
Yes, Li Fan planned to lie in wait here for the falling star to descend.
The true Medicine King Cauldron contained numerous cultivators of the Medicine King Sect who had been forcibly placed in suspended animation.
They were like lambs awaiting slaughter.
........................................................................
Read extra chapters on >>> /SpiritStonetranslation
The Immortal Ancestor had died.
When Qiao Sidao realized that he had been reborn into the ancient cultivation world—a time when the Ten Great Immortal Sects dominated the world and the new cultivation method had yet to emerge—a daring thought surfaced in his mind.
He would follow the Immortal Ancestor and become one of the earliest pioneers of the new way of cultivation!
At present, the Ten Great Immortal Sects were at their peak.
However, knowing the trajectory of the future, Qiao Sidao was keenly aware that their seemingly unshakable dominance would crumble before the sweeping tide of the new cultivation method.
It wouldn’t be long before the new cultivators—trained in a method that allowed them to plunder the heavens and earth, cultivating at an astonishing pace—would rise under the leadership of the Immortal Ancestor, They would crush the Ten Great Immortal Sects and establish the magnificent Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, destined to rule the Xuanhuang Realm for eons.
In such a grand revolution, the greatest merit lay in supporting the right leader.
If Qiao Sidao pledged his allegiance to the Immortal Ancestor before his rise, then when the Immortal Ancestor eventually ascended to the heavens, Qiao Sidao would undoubtedly secure a position within the supreme ruling body of the Alliance—the Dharma Transmission Council.
...
This was Qiao Sidao's vision.
And it was exactly what he acted upon.
He abandoned the hard-earned identity of an inner disciple of the Seven Stars Sect, traversing mountains and rivers from the heart of the Immortal Lands to reach the remote wilderness of Congyun Marsh.
After years of patient waiting, the day finally arrived when the great Immortal Ancestor—no, at this time, he was still known as the Dharma Transmission Immortal Venerable—began spreading his teachings.
News of the Immortal Venerable sharing his teachings had recently begun to circulate in the surrounding regions.
However, the Immortal Venerable's reputation was still modest at this time.
Announcing the dissemination of his teachings and blessings to the world was met with skepticism.
Few believed him.
Before Qiao Sidao stood only a dozen or so cultivators who had come out of curiosity.
Qiao Sidao made sure to secure a seat at the center of the front row, intending to make himself known.
Surveying those around him, Qiao Sidao realized that these individuals would one day become the key figures who wielded power within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. His heart began to race.
When the Dharma Transmission Immortal Venerable’s gaze swept across him, Qiao Sidao immediately composed himself, no longer daring to look around.
Three days later, despite the sovereign’s teachings being profound, only about thirty cultivators had gathered on the small island within Congyun Marsh.
The Immortal Venerable, however, remained unbothered.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he began his grand discourse.
He spoke of the world of Xuanhuang, the laws of immortality, the mysteries of the human body, and the secrets of vital energy. He then elaborated on the intricate connections between the universe and all living beings.
His words flowed eloquently, captivating every cultivator present.
As the Immortal Venerable continued, celestial phenomena began to manifest in the skies.
Golden light illuminated rolling purple clouds arriving from the horizon, creating a divine and majestic scene.
Even at night, the island radiated with a never-ending glow of purple and gold, visible from hundreds of miles away.
This attracted an increasing number of cultivators who, mesmerized by the spectacle, flocked to the island.
Respectful and awestruck, the newcomers settled wherever they could find space, silently regretting their delayed arrival and the missed opportunities to absorb the profound teachings from earlier days.
Eventually, the island was teeming with over ten thousand cultivators.
At this point, the Immortal Venerable declared:
“To ascend to immortality, why beseech the heavens? If the heavens do not grant it, then take it for yourself!”
“To follow the heavens is mundane; to defy the heavens is Immortality!”
“Thus, the path of immortality lies in:
The Immortal Venerable snorted coldly, lightly extending two fingers of his right hand to block it.
Who would have thought...
The silver gleam flashed like lightning, piercing through the Immortal Venerable's body in an instant.
Then, without losing momentum, it slammed violently into the ground.
"Boom!"
In the Immortal Venerable’s incredulous gaze, the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Island turned to dust in an instant.
As the massive silver shockwave crushed the island, it also swept through Congyun Marsh relentlessly.
In just a few breaths, the vast Congyun Marsh no longer had any signs of life.
Only the rampant silver serpents continued to dance in the void.
“Foolishness!”
Before Qiao Sidao’s consciousness faded, he only heard Wu’s cold snort,
and saw the gradually vanishing figure of the Immortal Ancestor.
...
When he awoke from a pitch-black void again,
Qiao Sidao was surprised to find himself back at the very start of his rebirth.
The outer disciples of the Seven Star Sect were still anxiously preparing for the inner sect assessment.
But this time, entering the inner sect no longer concerned him at all.
His mind was filled with countless doubts.
Why?
Why did the Immortal Ancestor fall so easily?
Who was this "Wu"?
Why had he never heard of such a person before?
Countless questions surged in his heart.
Days passed, and Qiao Sidao still couldn’t come up with a reasonable explanation.
However, since the world of his rebirth diverged from the historical trajectory he remembered,
he decided he must carefully consider the future.
With a figure like Wu around, it seemed unlikely that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could rise to prominence.
Though somewhat regretful, a wise man knows when to yield.
In this life, Qiao Sidao decisively chose to side with the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
But something unexpected happened once more.
In his previous life, Wu, who ended the Immortal Ancestor’s life with a single spear,
simply did not exist in this life.
Without Wu’s dramatic feat on the Ten Thousand Immortal Island, the new teachings spread like wildfire across the entire Xuanhuang Realm within a few years.
It was a vast, unstoppable force.
In the war against the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, Qiao Sidao, as cannon fodder for the Ten Great Immortal Sects, once again lost his life.
Chapter 606: Extra Story – “For Me, A Thousand and Million Times” (Part 1)
The Immortal Ancestor had died.
When Qiao Sidao realized that he had been reborn into the ancient cultivation world—a time when the Ten Great Immortal Sects dominated the world and the new cultivation method had yet to emerge—a daring thought surfaced in his mind.
He would follow the Immortal Ancestor and become one of the earliest pioneers of the new way of cultivation!
At present, the Ten Great Immortal Sects were at their peak.
However, knowing the trajectory of the future, Qiao Sidao was keenly aware that their seemingly unshakable dominance would crumble before the sweeping tide of the new cultivation method.
It wouldn’t be long before the new cultivators—trained in a method that allowed them to plunder the heavens and earth, cultivating at an astonishing pace—would rise under the leadership of the Immortal Ancestor, They would crush the Ten Great Immortal Sects and establish the magnificent Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, destined to rule the Xuanhuang Realm for eons.
In such a grand revolution, the greatest merit lay in supporting the right leader.
If Qiao Sidao pledged his allegiance to the Immortal Ancestor before his rise, then when the Immortal Ancestor eventually ascended to the heavens, Qiao Sidao would undoubtedly secure a position within the supreme ruling body of the Alliance—the Dharma Transmission Council.
...
This was Qiao Sidao's vision.
And it was exactly what he acted upon.
He abandoned the hard-earned identity of an inner disciple of the Seven Stars Sect, traversing mountains and rivers from the heart of the Immortal Lands to reach the remote wilderness of Congyun Marsh.
After years of patient waiting, the day finally arrived when the great Immortal Ancestor—no, at this time, he was still known as the Dharma Transmission Immortal Venerable—began spreading his teachings.
News of the Immortal Venerable sharing his teachings had recently begun to circulate in the surrounding regions.
However, the Immortal Venerable's reputation was still modest at this time.
Announcing the dissemination of his teachings and blessings to the world was met with skepticism.
Few believed him.
Before Qiao Sidao stood only a dozen or so cultivators who had come out of curiosity.
Qiao Sidao made sure to secure a seat at the center of the front row, intending to make himself known.
Surveying those around him, Qiao Sidao realized that these individuals would one day become the key figures who wielded power within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. His heart began to race.
When the Dharma Transmission Immortal Venerable’s gaze swept across him, Qiao Sidao immediately composed himself, no longer daring to look around.
Three days later, despite the sovereign’s teachings being profound, only about thirty cultivators had gathered on the small island within Congyun Marsh.
The Immortal Venerable, however, remained unbothered.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he began his grand discourse.
He spoke of the world of Xuanhuang, the laws of immortality, the mysteries of the human body, and the secrets of vital energy. He then elaborated on the intricate connections between the universe and all living beings.
His words flowed eloquently, captivating every cultivator present.
As the Immortal Venerable continued, celestial phenomena began to manifest in the skies.
Golden light illuminated rolling purple clouds arriving from the horizon, creating a divine and majestic scene.
Even at night, the island radiated with a never-ending glow of purple and gold, visible from hundreds of miles away.
This attracted an increasing number of cultivators who, mesmerized by the spectacle, flocked to the island.
Respectful and awestruck, the newcomers settled wherever they could find space, silently regretting their delayed arrival and the missed opportunities to absorb the profound teachings from earlier days.
Eventually, the island was teeming with over ten thousand cultivators.
At this point, the Immortal Venerable declared:
“To ascend to immortality, why beseech the heavens? If the heavens do not grant it, then take it for yourself!”
“To follow the heavens is mundane; to defy the heavens is Immortality!”
“Thus, the path of immortality lies in:
The Immortal Venerable snorted coldly, lightly extending two fingers of his right hand to block it.
Who would have thought...
The silver gleam flashed like lightning, piercing through the Immortal Venerable's body in an instant.
Then, without losing momentum, it slammed violently into the ground.
"Boom!"
In the Immortal Venerable’s incredulous gaze, the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Island turned to dust in an instant.
As the massive silver shockwave crushed the island, it also swept through Congyun Marsh relentlessly.
In just a few breaths, the vast Congyun Marsh no longer had any signs of life.
Only the rampant silver serpents continued to dance in the void.
“Foolishness!”
Before Qiao Sidao’s consciousness faded, he only heard Wu’s cold snort,
and saw the gradually vanishing figure of the Immortal Ancestor.
...
When he awoke from a pitch-black void again,
Qiao Sidao was surprised to find himself back at the very start of his rebirth.
The outer disciples of the Seven Star Sect were still anxiously preparing for the inner sect assessment.
But this time, entering the inner sect no longer concerned him at all.
His mind was filled with countless doubts.
Why?
Why did the Immortal Ancestor fall so easily?
Who was this "Wu"?
Why had he never heard of such a person before?
Countless questions surged in his heart.
Days passed, and Qiao Sidao still couldn’t come up with a reasonable explanation.
However, since the world of his rebirth diverged from the historical trajectory he remembered,
he decided he must carefully consider the future.
With a figure like Wu around, it seemed unlikely that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could rise to prominence.
Though somewhat regretful, a wise man knows when to yield.
In this life, Qiao Sidao decisively chose to side with the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
But something unexpected happened once more.
In his previous life, Wu, who ended the Immortal Ancestor’s life with a single spear,
simply did not exist in this life.
Without Wu’s dramatic feat on the Ten Thousand Immortal Island, the new teachings spread like wildfire across the entire Xuanhuang Realm within a few years.
It was a vast, unstoppable force.
In the war against the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, Qiao Sidao, as cannon fodder for the Ten Great Immortal Sects, once again lost his life.
“Why?”
“Why has the course of history in this life returned to the same path again?”
Awakening once more from the darkness, Qiao Sidao clutched his head, overwhelmed by a splitting headache.
But he couldn’t afford to dwell on it. His mind was flooded with questions as he continuously recalled and compared the events of his past two lifetimes.
As an insignificant figure swept up in the tides of destiny, he had little agency of his own.
He couldn’t grasp the full scope of the world’s events.
However, he was aware of certain key junctures critical enough to alter the trajectory of history.
After a thorough comparison, Qiao Sidao realized that the world without the existence of the Sect of Creation [Wu] aligned with the history in his memory: an Immortal Venerable transmitting a new cultivation method, igniting a wildfire of reform, overthrowing the decayed Ten Great Immortal Sects, and establishing the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance that ruled the Xuanhuang Realm for millennia.
So, was [Wu] the anomaly?
Without [Wu], would history return to its rightful path?
After a long period of contemplation, Qiao Sidao finally arrived at a plausible explanation.
“This means, in this lifetime, I should first investigate the Sect of Creation and determine whether this [Wu] exists before making any decisions.”
“But the Sect of Creation is one of the prestigious Ten Great Immortal Sects, while I’m just an outer disciple of an insignificant sect. How could I possibly gather any information?”
“Secrets of this magnitude are clearly beyond what my current body can handle. If someone were to notice, they might use soul-searching techniques to uncover my ability to reincarnate endlessly.”
...
Qiao Sidao, meticulous and familiar with the various means of cultivators, naturally harbored many concerns.
Fortunately, he didn’t need to dwell on these worries for long.
Because after absorbing the memories of the body he now occupied, Qiao Sidao was shocked to discover that this lifetime was not set during the early days of the new cultivation method.
Instead, it was an unprecedented and bizarre period.
In this era, a strange restriction had emerged that made it impossible to cultivate multiple techniques simultaneously. Sects had been eradicated, and only one in ten thousand cultivators survived.
The surviving cultivators roamed the world alone, distrustful of others, struggling to survive in the wilderness.
Qiao Sidao didn’t know what had happened during this time, nor did he understand the reasons behind the variations in the worlds he reincarnated into.
Cautiously, he focused on ensuring his survival and ventured into the ruins of various sects, seeking to piece together the truth of history.
It took more than a decade before Qiao Sidao finally uncovered the events of that time.
The divergence in history occurred during the era of intense conflict between the old and new cultivation methods.
In this timeline, the old sects proved surprisingly resilient.
Not only did they withstand the seemingly endless armies of the new method, but they also began to reform themselves, incorporating the new techniques.
Without the advantage of faster cultivation, the new method practitioners fell behind in terms of techniques, treasures, and mystical arts.
They barely managed to hold their ground, relying solely on sheer numbers.
The tug-of-war lasted for decades.
During this time, both the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Ten Great Immortal Sects used every means at their disposal to secure ultimate victory.
Masses of ordinary people were forcibly conscripted and taught cultivation methods.
After brief training, they were sent to the battlefield, their bodies bound with various restrictions, leaving them no choice but to fight for their survival.
It was said that blood soaked every inch of the Xuanhuang Realm. Even now, traces of those brutal battles remained in the wastelands.
The relentless recruitment of cultivator soldiers led to an unprecedented catastrophe.
It was a curse of unimaginable horror—the inability to cultivate the same technique together.
Anyone practicing the same cultivation method lost their sanity, perceiving one another as mortal enemies.
To accelerate their combat readiness, both the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Ten Great Immortal Sects had their soldiers practice standardized cultivation techniques.
When the calamity struck, chaos consumed the Xuanhuang Realm in an instant.
The situation is the same at the lower levels as it is at the higher levels.
The Ten Great Immortal Sects emphasize the inheritance of their sects. Countless individuals follow the same cultivation methods. At this moment, faced with the great calamity, even the reclusive elders of these sects have started wielding their blades against their own disciples.
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance values mutual assistance. Everyone regards the teachings of Immortal Ancestor cultivation techniques as the foundation of mentorship, and most members are independent cultivators from various unorthodox paths. To overcome the ancient sects with thousands of years of inheritance, it is essential to gather the wisdom of the vast majority of cultivators and continuously deduce and refine a universal cultivation method that could serve most of the alliance's members.
This method, called 'Heavenly Net Divine Art', was originally the cornerstone of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's unity and mutual aid. However, at this moment, it has turned into a terrifying death sentence.
This period of darkness left a chilling impression on posterity.
The conclusion of the great war was naturally the mutual annihilation of both sides, leaving the Xuanhuang Realm barren and desolate.
Thousands of years later, a few mortals who had miraculously survived stumbled upon remnants of ancient cultivation texts amidst the ruins, rekindling the civilization of cultivation.
As for the leaders of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, the pinnacle powerhouses of the Xuanhuang Realm, their ultimate fate remains unknown.
Throughout his life, Qiao Sidao delved into various ruins, seeking traces of these legendary figures.
Unfortunately, on one such occasion, he was fatally wounded by a hidden mechanism and passed away with regret.
When he awoke again, the first thing he did was explore the memories of his new body.
As expected, the world had changed yet again.
A terrifying plague had emerged, spreading through spiritual energy. Once cultivators were infected, they experienced symptoms akin to mortals suffering from a deadly illness.
No matter the elixirs or divine techniques, nothing could completely cure this affliction.
In their unease, they banded together to visit the residences of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, only to find them long abandoned!
The remaining formations merely issued orders periodically.
Feeling deceived and abandoned, the cultivators were filled with rage but had no one to direct it toward.
They could only vent their anger on those who had initially spread the rumors. Yet in truth, they themselves had fanned the flames of those rumors.
Now, who could they blame?
The upper echelons of the Xuanhuang Realm had collectively fled, leaving behind no instructions on how to operate the obelisks.
Left with no choice but to await death, the cultivators watched as the image of the ruins in the sky grew larger.
Gradually, despair drove them into madness.
The slaughter began.
Amid this farcical chaos, Qiao Sidao watched coldly from the sidelines.
As the Xuanhuang Realm quaked and gradually disintegrated, he too ended his life in this world.
In the cycles of rebirth that followed, Qiao Sidao experienced all kinds of mysterious worlds.
For instance, worlds where the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Ten Great Immortal Sects did not exist. Instead, the Xuanhuang Realm was unified under a Supreme Heavenly Sovereign. From birth, every person was required to cultivate specific techniques. The cultivation they accumulated would be exchanged for essential survival resources.
Or worlds where the Immortal Net enveloped everything, monitoring every action of cultivators. However, the same Immortal net allowed cultivators to earn contribution points to exchange for techniques and treasures. It even provided access to other cultivation worlds for conquest, earning massive military merits.
...
Despite his average aptitude, Qiao Sidao tried his best to live in every lifetime.
Yet he remained an ordinary person among the masses, leaving no mark in history. Each time, he experienced a mundane birth and an ordinary death.
And so, after countless reincarnations...
He returned to the same world where he had first awakened.
An inner disciple of the Seven Star Sect.
The Immortal Ancestor transmitting dharma from Congyun Marsh.
However, after witnessing countless cycles of destruction and resurgence, Qiao Sidao vaguely understood his current predicament.
Thus, he refrained from any drastic actions, behaving instead like an outsider.
Quietly observing the world’s changes.
This time, the Sect of Creation’s [Wu] did not appear. The preaching Immortal Ancestor successfully completed the sermon.
But as the new techniques began to spread, the Ten Great Immortal Sects immediately issued an extermination order.
The new techniques were labeled heretical, and any practitioners were to be executed without mercy.
It was said that this decree came from the Great Dao Sect’s [Zhi].
As a result, the new techniques met their demise before achieving any great feats.
Even the preaching Immortal Venerable himself died tragically under relentless pursuit.
Witnessing all this, Qiao Sidao seemed to understand something.
In the countless cycles of reincarnation that followed...
He never again encountered [Zhi] in this world.
“So, it’s all for these people.”
Most people in this world are ordinary.
But there are always a few extraordinary individuals.
These individuals, through their exceptional talents, could even alter the course of history.
For example, using one's own strength to research a "Medicine" method that completely solves the plague of Deceased Immortals Demise.
And also, after the Ten Great Immortal Sects and Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance abandoned all cultivators, standing up to reverse the tide, reuniting everyone.
Eventually, this person reignited the Reversal of Xuanhuang Plan and saved the entire world—the Immortal Emperor.
...
Through countless reincarnations, Qiao Sidao watched these geniuses rise and fall.
His heart grew colder.
He had realized the truth about the world he was in.
The various divergent worlds were merely tests to select those with exceptional talent.
While the rest of the world’s beings were nothing more than background props.
But...
What about himself?
Why was he able to retain his memories across countless reincarnations?
Qiao Sidao didn’t know the reason.
But he understood that this was his only leverage to escape this false world.
TLN:-[Oof... This took a long time to translate, hope you guys enjoyed it! And also do give your thoughts and theories on what's going on here]
Chapter 606.1: Extra Story – “For Me, A Thousand and Million Times” (Part 1)
The Immortal Ancestor had died.
When Qiao Sidao realized that he had been reborn into the ancient cultivation world—a time when the Ten Great Immortal Sects dominated the world and the new cultivation method had yet to emerge—a daring thought surfaced in his mind.
He would follow the Immortal Ancestor and become one of the earliest pioneers of the new way of cultivation!
At present, the Ten Great Immortal Sects were at their peak.
However, knowing the trajectory of the future, Qiao Sidao was keenly aware that their seemingly unshakable dominance would crumble before the sweeping tide of the new cultivation method.
It wouldn’t be long before the new cultivators—trained in a method that allowed them to plunder the heavens and earth, cultivating at an astonishing pace—would rise under the leadership of the Immortal Ancestor, They would crush the Ten Great Immortal Sects and establish the magnificent Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, destined to rule the Xuanhuang Realm for eons.
In such a grand revolution, the greatest merit lay in supporting the right leader.
If Qiao Sidao pledged his allegiance to the Immortal Ancestor before his rise, then when the Immortal Ancestor eventually ascended to the heavens, Qiao Sidao would undoubtedly secure a position within the supreme ruling body of the Alliance—the Dharma Transmission Council.
...
This was Qiao Sidao's vision.
And it was exactly what he acted upon.
He abandoned the hard-earned identity of an inner disciple of the Seven Stars Sect, traversing mountains and rivers from the heart of the Immortal Lands to reach the remote wilderness of Congyun Marsh.
After years of patient waiting, the day finally arrived when the great Immortal Ancestor—no, at this time, he was still known as the Dharma Transmission Immortal Venerable—began spreading his teachings.
News of the Immortal Venerable sharing his teachings had recently begun to circulate in the surrounding regions.
However, the Immortal Venerable's reputation was still modest at this time.
Announcing the dissemination of his teachings and blessings to the world was met with skepticism.
Few believed him.
Before Qiao Sidao stood only a dozen or so cultivators who had come out of curiosity.
Qiao Sidao made sure to secure a seat at the center of the front row, intending to make himself known.
Surveying those around him, Qiao Sidao realized that these individuals would one day become the key figures who wielded power within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. His heart began to race.
When the Dharma Transmission Immortal Venerable’s gaze swept across him, Qiao Sidao immediately composed himself, no longer daring to look around.
Three days later, despite the sovereign’s teachings being profound, only about thirty cultivators had gathered on the small island within Congyun Marsh.
The Immortal Venerable, however, remained unbothered.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he began his grand discourse.
He spoke of the world of Xuanhuang, the laws of immortality, the mysteries of the human body, and the secrets of vital energy. He then elaborated on the intricate connections between the universe and all living beings.
His words flowed eloquently, captivating every cultivator present.
As the Immortal Venerable continued, celestial phenomena began to manifest in the skies.
Golden light illuminated rolling purple clouds arriving from the horizon, creating a divine and majestic scene.
Even at night, the island radiated with a never-ending glow of purple and gold, visible from hundreds of miles away.
This attracted an increasing number of cultivators who, mesmerized by the spectacle, flocked to the island.
Respectful and awestruck, the newcomers settled wherever they could find space, silently regretting their delayed arrival and the missed opportunities to absorb the profound teachings from earlier days.
Eventually, the island was teeming with over ten thousand cultivators.
At this point, the Immortal Venerable declared:
“To ascend to immortality, why beseech the heavens? If the heavens do not grant it, then take it for yourself!”
“To follow the heavens is mundane; to defy the heavens is Immortality!”
The Immortal Venerable snorted coldly, lightly extending two fingers of his right hand to block it.
Who would have thought...
The silver gleam flashed like lightning, piercing through the Immortal Venerable's body in an instant.
Then, without losing momentum, it slammed violently into the ground.
"Boom!"
In the Immortal Venerable’s incredulous gaze, the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Island turned to dust in an instant.
As the massive silver shockwave crushed the island, it also swept through Congyun Marsh relentlessly.
In just a few breaths, the vast Congyun Marsh no longer had any signs of life.
Only the rampant silver serpents continued to dance in the void.
“Foolishness!”
Before Qiao Sidao’s consciousness faded, he only heard Wu’s cold snort,
and saw the gradually vanishing figure of the Immortal Ancestor.
...
When he awoke from a pitch-black void again,
Qiao Sidao was surprised to find himself back at the very start of his rebirth.
The outer disciples of the Seven Star Sect were still anxiously preparing for the inner sect assessment.
But this time, entering the inner sect no longer concerned him at all.
His mind was filled with countless doubts.
Why?
Why did the Immortal Ancestor fall so easily?
Who was this "Wu"?
Why had he never heard of such a person before?
Countless questions surged in his heart.
Days passed, and Qiao Sidao still couldn’t come up with a reasonable explanation.
However, since the world of his rebirth diverged from the historical trajectory he remembered,
he decided he must carefully consider the future.
With a figure like Wu around, it seemed unlikely that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could rise to prominence.
Though somewhat regretful, a wise man knows when to yield.
In this life, Qiao Sidao decisively chose to side with the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
But something unexpected happened once more.
In his previous life, Wu, who ended the Immortal Ancestor’s life with a single spear,
simply did not exist in this life.
Without Wu’s dramatic feat on the Ten Thousand Immortal Island, the new teachings spread like wildfire across the entire Xuanhuang Realm within a few years.
It was a vast, unstoppable force.
In the war against the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, Qiao Sidao, as cannon fodder for the Ten Great Immortal Sects, once again lost his life.
What is real, and what is false?
Having traversed so many worlds,
Each vibrant face,
Every heroic or tragic tale,
Rivers, lakes, seas, and mountain breezes,
Love and hatred, obsessions with immortality,
Heroes and cowards, saints and sinners...
Are these all illusions?
At first, Qiao Sidao was confused.
He wondered: if all worldly matters are mere illusions, what meaning remains in the lives of the myriad beings deceived by this world?
Their heartfelt desires, their painstaking pursuit of divine techniques, treasures, and realms of cultivation—
When time resets, it all begins again.
Even death, which they so fear, is not the end, but the start of something new.
In one lifetime, two souls might share a deep friendship, only to become strangers in the next.
What a sorrowful reality this is.
In his bewilderment, Qiao Sidao lost interest in everything.
Despairing, he began spreading the truth that the world was false.
He thought this would attract the attention of the "Observers" beyond the skies, bringing him liberation.
To his surprise, no one believed him.
Instead, they mocked him as a madman.
Even when he exhausted himself explaining the truth, people responded impatiently,
"Why don’t you see if my sword is real or not!"
When annoyed, they even sent sword lights his way, severing his legs.
At that moment, Qiao Sidao noticed the indifference in their eyes—there was no sympathy, only glee at his suffering.
In a world rife with madness, why would the Observers beyond care?
After this realization, Qiao Sidao gave up on exposing the grand conspiracy.
He adjusted his mindset and sought to blend into each world,
Abandoning the dream of being a savior, focused instead on finding a way to survive.
In this false world, escape was bound to be extraordinarily difficult.
Initially, Qiao Sidao was at a loss.
But soon, he found a path. He stopped openly proclaiming that the world was false.
Instead, he wrote fictional tales, narrating the story of someone living within an immortal artifact called the "Traveling Horse Lantern", experiencing countless fleeting and illusory cultivation worlds.[1]
With his vast experience across numerous civilizations, the grandeur of his depictions attracted many cultivators' attention.
As the tales spread, some cultivators began discussing whether the world they lived in was real.
Inevitably, discussions also turned to: "What would one do if they discovered the world was false?"
"If falsehoods can masquerade as truth, it means the laws of this false world must mirror those of the true world outside."
"To construct a flawless world framework... such an achievement is akin to creation itself."
"If so, the line between real and false blurs."
"Indeed, even if the beings within are false, the foundation of the world's operation might not be."
Someone mentioned an artifact called the "Stone of Dao Deviation" in the Taiyan Sect.
It was said that within its every instant, countless worlds evolved and perished. What might such fleeting worlds look like?
Through collective wisdom, the cultivators' discussions illuminated a path for Qiao Sidao.
From then on, his purpose became clear.
In each lifetime, he no longer sought cultivation or realms of power but delved into formations, restrictions, and simulation techniques.
Gazing at the vast ocean of information within the Immortal Spirit Tower, Qiao Sidao trembled uncontrollably.
He understood that the method to escape was hidden somewhere within.
Thus, Qiao Sidao devoted himself tirelessly to studying.
He lived in the Eternal Immortal Realm for 3,658 years without ever stepping away from the Immortal Spirit Tower.
Although he was still far from uncovering the [false world], he had finally glimpsed a sliver of hope.
After experiencing thousands of reincarnations and waking up from yet another cleansing, Qiao Sidao was thrilled to discover that, perhaps because his soul had grown more resilient, he had lost far fewer memories this time compared to before.
This gave him renewed confidence.
He continued to accumulate knowledge and insights, waiting for the next time the [Eternal Immortal Realm] would appear.
...
When Qiao Sidao arrived at the Eternal Immortal Realm for the ninth time, near the end of his life, he finally uncovered the secret of his world.
It was a false world, constructed around a certain mysterious artifact of deduction.
Most of the living beings within this world were virtual constructs.
Only a small fraction had real souls.
And Qiao Sidao was one of those rare true souls among millions.
"Deductions have their limits."
"This also means that the timeline of this world has gaps."
"Each smallest gap is an opportunity for me to escape."
"Of course, to avoid detection, the best time to escape is during a world reboot."
Standing atop the Immortal Spirit Tower, gazing at the sky above, Qiao Sidao silently resolved to act.
He spent the remainder of his life preparing.
When his life finally ended, as he sank into darkness, Qiao Sidao awoke from his slumber.
He sensed a fleeting opportunity, like a thread, breaking through the boundary.
In his mind, he had envisioned the [outside world] tens of thousands of times.
He had even imagined confronting the possible [Observers].
But what Qiao Sidao never expected was that the so-called outside world would be so cold and vast.
His once-mighty soul, which he thought invincible, was on the verge of collapse under the assault of this icy expanse.
It seemed like he would disintegrate entirely in the next moment.
To make matters worse, the halo he had escaped from began emitting an alarming sound.
Drifting aimlessly in the void, Qiao Sidao observed his surroundings in confusion.
"A... museum?"
He fell silent.
It turned out that his world was nothing more than an exhibit.
He vaguely sensed several powerful presences rapidly approaching.
Despite the vastness of the heavens and earth, there was no place for him to hide.
For the first time, Qiao Sidao experienced true despair.
At that moment...
He noticed a human skull in the center of the museum.
It sat there quietly, seemingly gazing at him.
From this skull, Qiao Sidao felt an indescribable warmth.
While the entire world rejected him, it exuded the greatest goodwill it could muster.
It was like a mother’s embrace, moving Qiao Sidao to tears.
Thus, as his soul was about to dissipate, Qiao Sidao used the last of his strength to dive into the skull.
[1] Traveling Horse Lantern 走馬燈 (Zǒumǎdēng) is also called zoetrope in english, which some of you might know is a pre-film animation device that produces the illusion of motion, by displaying a sequence of drawings or photographs showing progressive phases of that motion.
Under normal circumstances, the dormant cultivators inside the Medicine King True Cauldron would be protected by the 'Dream of Spring and Autumn Formation', making it considerably challenging for Li Fan to achieve his objectives.
However, the forced detachment from the Immortal Ruins had somewhat disrupted the formation's effectiveness.
More importantly, Li Fan was aware that a Medicine King Sect cultivator named Linghu Chang had not fully integrated into the Dream of Spring and Autumn Formation.
The room he occupied was not completely sealed; a small gap remained.
If Li Fan could access the memories within Linghu Chang's mind, the Medicine King True Cauldron would be virtually defenseless against him.
As for the cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage or higher, Li Fan planned to leave them undisturbed, allowing them to remain in slumber. For those below the Nascent Soul stage, if necessary, he could use his 'Insect Binding' divine ability to suppress them one by one.
Despite the fact that these disciples of the Medicine King Sect carried various magical artifacts and pills, such external items were of little significance to Li Fan in his current state.
What truly captured his interest was the Medicine King Cauldron itself, capable of traversing the void, as well as a set of navigational markers within the sect that could lead to another cultivation realm.
"Even with the existence of the Immortal Ruins, escape from the Xuanhuang Realm is currently impossible. Yet one day, I will leave this place," he thought.
"Having control of those markers is a prudent step for the future."
Another reason for Li Fan’s arduous journey was his desire to witness the Immortal Ruins firsthand.
Raising his gaze to the sky, he calmed his thoughts and awaited the arrival of the Medicine King True Cauldron.
While waiting, he observed the unique "Immortal-Suppressing Force" of the Cangwu Abyss, marveling at the wonders of creation.
Unlike restrictions or formations that merely weakened a cultivator’s strength, the Immortal-Suppressing Force seemed to proportionally scale down one’s cultivation level.
With his current Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivation, although his strength seemed unrestricted, he could only manifest power equivalent to that of the Golden Core Stage.
“How fascinating! It’s as if a mortal entered the land of giants—unchanged in stature, yet, relative to everything around them, reduced to a mere ‘small person.’”
While Li Fan was lost in thought, the ruins of a nearby structure, as though stirred by an unseen wind, began creaking and slowly moving toward his position.
Without warning, the ruins appeared animated, as if imbued with life, exuding a sinister aura.
Li Fan frowned slightly but refrained from destroying the ruins. Instead, he chose to evade them.
As the broken remnants brushed past him, Li Fan’s gaze sharpened. With a flash, he landed atop one of the stone pillars.
The pillar, weathered by countless ages, bore carvings that had become nearly indistinct.
Despite its condition, thanks to his mastery of the Transformation Dao - Divine One, Li Fan could mentally reconstruct its original form.
The faint, fragmented patterns on the pillar seemed eerily familiar to him.
“This is...”
His eyes lit up with intrigue. Comparing the markings before him with his memories, he found them to match perfectly.
Looking around at the sprawling ruins of the Lost City, Li Fan was filled with astonishment.
"Are these buildings perhaps all from within the mist?"
In the mysterious domain where Li Fan obtained the [Chaos] character formula, he had once seen twelve large ruins.
The patterns on those ruins’ structures were identical to those on the stone pillar before him.
He recalled the origins of the Cangwu Abyss—how an entire province’s mountains and rivers had vanished, leaving only this abyss shaped like a giant footprint.
Peering into the abyss’s depths, he saw only darkness, endless and unfathomable.
“Does the Cangwu Abyss connect to the depths of the white mist?”
“In ancient times, the Xuanhuang Realm had no Devouring Origin White Mist. Now, the mist separates the world...”
“Where did it come from? Who were those tragic, fallen cultivators I encountered within the mist?”
Questions surged in Li Fan’s mind, unanswered.
Before he could ponder further, a meteor streaked across the night sky, momentarily illuminating the heavens.
“It’s here!”
Looking up, Li Fan saw the fiery streak descending straight toward his location.
An inexplicable sense of foreboding arose within him—part terror, part confrontation with an unstoppable calamity.
His body trembled slightly, reacting to the lingering aura of the Immortal Ruins emanating from the recently freed 'Medicine King True Cauldron'.
Moving a bit away from the landing point, Li Fan kept his eyes fixed on the fiery meteor.
The cauldron descended rapidly, reaching the ground within moments, plunging into the depths of the Cangwu Abyss.
Passing through a gray membrane, he found himself in a space that seemed identical to the exterior of the Medicine King True Cauldron.
This illusion was due to the transparent interior walls of the Medicine King Cauldron.
Within the space were two skeletons: one standing and one lying on the ground.
"The standing one must be Liu Ruchen; the one on the ground should be Elder Huang."
"To escape the Immortal Ruins, Liu Ruchen had no choice but to sacrifice the life essence of some sect members."
Recalling his past life’s knowledge, Li Fan mused to himself.
"Just bones left—surely, they’re not still alive."
Li Fan cautiously approached Liu Ruchen's remains.
As he reached the skeleton, a phantom suddenly appeared beside him.
Startled, Li Fan quickly realized it was merely a projection without any life force.
The Longevity Green Energy leaking from his body was absorbed by the phantom.
As if completing some sort of verification, the phantom eventually spoke:
"Disciples of the Medicine King Sect, heed my words."
"If you are seeing this image, I have likely perished."
"I was wrong."
"I foresaw the arrival of the Great Calamity but did not expect something even more terrifying above our Xuanhuang Realm."
"The Ten Great Immortal Sects knew everything yet left us to die."
"This enmity is irreconcilable!"
"But remember, the Ten Sects are too powerful to confront directly. After returning to the Xuanhuang Realm, take refuge in the ‘Valley of Longevity’ and preserve your strength. Act cautiously after the calamity subsides."
"After my death, my son Liu Yihang will temporarily serve as sect master, supported by the elders. Once he breaks through to Soul Transformation, he may formally assume the position."
"In critical times of life and death, internal strife is unacceptable!"
...
The phantom recited Liu Ruchen's will mechanically. Li Fan stood quietly, listening.
Long after the message concluded, the phantom dissolved into starlight, leaving behind a glowing, diamond-shaped crystal.
Li Fan knew this was the control core of the Medicine King Cauldron.
Originally intended for Liu Yihang, it now belonged to the prescient Li Fan.
Using the control core with his energy body, Li Fan opened the Wall of Life and Death and entered the main control room.
After seven days of refining, he gained control over the Medicine King True Cauldron.
Although many advanced functions were temporarily unusable without Longevity Green Energy, most basic features were operational.
Li Fan reviewed the images recorded by the Medicine King True Cauldron.
They matched what Xiao Heng and others had seen in his previous life.
In the boundless void, the Xuanhuang Realm’s light sphere appeared insignificantly small, while the Immortal Ruins above threatened to devour everything.
The images continued.
The Medicine King Cauldron, unable to resist, fell toward the Immortal Ruins despite the light radiating from its surface.
Drawing closer to the Immortal Ruins, its collapse seemed inevitable.
At that moment, countless glowing particles emerged from the cauldron, seemingly granting it infinite power.
Amid resounding roars, the cauldron changed its trajectory.
Yet Li Fan’s focus remained on the recorded images of the Immortal Ruins.
Due to the proximity, he discerned a clearer view of the ruins’ outline.
The desolate land was strewn with remnants of destruction.
Amid the ruins stood a towering figure silently gazing downward.
It was as if he had glimpsed the presence of a higher-dimensional being, one that exuded an inherent oppressive aura.
The moment the figure appeared, Li Fan's heart began to pound violently.
The hairs on his body stood on end, and beads of cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
Even the recording of the scene by the Medicine King True Cauldron seemed to have been affected, becoming distorted and blurry.
Subconsciously taking a step back, Li Fan finally regained his composure, his face slightly pale.
"Even just the recorded image carries such overwhelming power."
"Could it be... a True Immortal?"
Before Liu Ruchen's fall, he had explained many things.
Among them was the terrifying existence that loomed over the Xuanhuang Realm, as if it could devour everything.
In ancient times, cultivators who broke through the Dao Integration realm and endured heavenly tribulations could ascend to the upper realm.
But one day, everything changed.
A cultivator who successfully transcended the tribulation and ascended to the Immortal Realm unexpectedly returned shortly afterward, looking grim.
It was then that people realized the path to the Immortal Realm had been severed.
The original Immortal Realm passage had become nothing but ruins.
At the time, most cultivators were only aware of the existence of the "Immortal Ruins."
What exactly the ruins were like, and their true state, remained unknown.
With the path to immortality broken, more and more Dao Integration cultivators lingered in the human realm.
However, the lifespan of a Dao Integration cultivator—at most a few millennia—was limited.
For those who reached this level, extraordinary talents all, the prospect of sitting idly by and awaiting death was unthinkable.
Thus, the Longevity Immortal Realm emerged.
There existed miraculous treasures in heaven and earth, capable of granting longevity.
Certain rare objects, imbued with the essence of heaven and earth, held special dominion.
When a cultivator's lifespan neared its end, defying fate meant seizing these dominions—this was the origin of the Longevity Attainment Position.
The earliest Longevity Immortal Realm cultivators achieved their state in precisely this manner.
However, the Longevity Attainment Positions were limited, while the number of Dao Integration cultivators was far too vast.
Conflict was inevitable.
In the midst of such chaos, a faction known as the Xuantian Sect rose rapidly to power.
The leader of the Xuantian Sect was none other than the cultivator who had ascended to the Immortal Realm and returned.
At the time, he was the only individual in the Xuanhuang Realm infused with immortal energy, standing just half a step away from becoming a True Immortal.
This was the only explanation for the complete severance of the path to immortality.
And that corpse atop the Immortal Ruins—it was likely an immortal who fled from the Immortal Realm.
Even a true immortal could not escape the terrifying pull of the Immortal Ruins. One could only imagine the catastrophic consequences if the Xuanhuang Realm were to fall into the Immortal Ruins.
There would likely be no living beings capable of surviving such a calamity.
The Ten Great Immortal Sects of the Immortal Dao, who led the overthrow of the Xuantian Sect and inherited their legacy, could not have been unaware of this matter.
Yet they kept it secret.
Even when the Medicine King Sect attempted to breach the boundaries of the Xuanhuang World, they issued no warnings, coldly watching as the entire sect marched to their deaths.
It was utterly detestable.
The scene continued playing, showing the Medicine King Cauldron violently trembling. Ultimately, it narrowly avoided disaster.
It circled the terrifying entrance of the Immortal Ruins and returned to the Xuanhuang World.
The vision faded, reverting to the scenery at the bottom of the Cangwu Abyss.
Yet, Li Fan remained dazed for a long time.
In truth, Liu Ruchen’s decision to use the Medicine King Cauldron to escape the Xuanhuang World was not an impractical plan.
After all, the lives of every cultivator in the sect were at stake, and Liu Ruchen was not a reckless man.
The elders of the Medicine King Sect ultimately agreed to his plan.
There were fundamental reasons behind this.
The Medicine King Sect’s ancestor, Sun Piaomiao, during the initial severance of the path to immortality, ventured into other cultivation realms nearby in search of a way to ascend.
But to his shock, he discovered that these worlds, like the Xuanhuang World, had also lost their connection to the Immortal Realm.
Further exploration into the void was beyond his capabilities.
Thus, he had no choice but to return.
The Dao Compass of the Medicine King Sect pointed toward a cultivation realm called [Xiaoyao], which Sun Piaomiao had visited in the past.
To Liu Ruchen, since the ancestor had traveled through the void without encountering danger, he believed that with enough caution, he could replicate this journey safely.
Who could have foreseen that disaster would strike before they even left the Xuanhuang World?
“At first, Sun Piaomiao could ignore the pull of the Immortal Ruins and freely travel to and from the Xuanhuang World.”
“But now, escaping has become almost impossible.”
“The Xuantian Sect and the Ten Great Immortal Sects have been continuously capturing nearby small worlds and dimensional realms in an attempt to resist the pull of the Immortal Ruins.”
“To this day, even the ‘weight’ of cultivators has become crucial to the survival of the Xuanhuang World.”
“So, the pull of the Immortal Ruins has been continuously strengthening over time?”
Li Fan was slightly startled. Piecing together the information, he reached this conclusion.
Chapter 611
“It’s very likely. And it makes sense,” Li Fan murmured after a long pause, nodding slowly.
This conclusion finally resolved a question that had puzzled Li Fan for a long time:
When the Immortal Ruins appeared, why didn’t they directly swallow the Xuanhuang Realm?
Instead, the cultivators within were given enough time to continuously capture nearby heavenly caves and small worlds to resist?
Given the terrifying suction power of the Immortal Ruins now, if it had been the initial Xuanhuang Realm alone, it would have been impossible to hold out.
Moreover, capturing small worlds is not something that happens overnight. The countless surrounding worlds must be the result of thousands of years of tireless efforts by sects like the Xuantian Sect and the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
All this evidence points to one conclusion: the suction power of the Immortal Ruins has been growing steadily stronger over time.
As for why the suction power keeps increasing...
It’s very likely because the Xuanhuang Realm is gradually getting closer to the Immortal Ruins.
A vivid picture formed in Li Fan’s mind:
On the endless Void Sea, countless cultivation worlds floated like ships on water.
One day, a black hole known as the “Immortal Ruins” appeared above the Void Sea.
Its powerful suction continuously devoured everything around it, forming a massive vortex.
Under the influence of the Immortal Ruins, the cultivation worlds in the Void Sea were uncontrollably pulled closer to it.
At first, due to the minimal changes, people in the cultivation worlds didn’t notice.
It wasn’t until the speed of descent toward the Immortal Ruins increased significantly that they realized something was wrong.
Out of survival instinct, akin to a drowning person clutching at anything to stay afloat, the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm began tying “ropes” to distant, relatively fixed “reefs” in the Void Sea — heavenly caves and small worlds — in an attempt to delay their inevitable demise.
Of course, during this process, there were cultivators who sought to abandon the ship and search for new vessels to escape on their own.
But if everyone did this, the Xuanhuang Realm would sink even faster.
Thus, the leaders of the Xuanhuang Realm — whether it was the Xuantian Sect, the Ten Great Immortal Sects, or the current Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association — unanimously decided to keep the true state of the Xuanhuang Realm’s plight a secret.
Adding to this, the Immortal Ruins’ presence has caused the Void Sea itself to shift, making previous landmarks unreliable.
This could explain why the Xuanhuang Realm suddenly lost contact with other cultivation worlds.
“What was once a luminous Void Sea turned dark in an instant. Each world now faces not only the threat of the Immortal Ruins but also the need to hide themselves to avoid detection by others.”
“A truly despairing scenario.”
Though Li Fan considered this grim reality, he felt no fear.
With the presence of the [Truth], finding a way out among countless possibilities was no challenge.
Moreover, if even the remains of True Immortals can remain intact within the Immortal Ruins, it suggests that falling into the Immortal Ruins doesn’t necessarily mean death. Survival might simply depend on sufficient strength.
...
After a long silence, Li Fan raised his head, his gaze piercing through the transparent wall of the Medicine King Cauldron and into the heavens.
“If my guess is correct, it’s easy to verify.
“All I need to do is leave the Xuanhuang Realm and face the Immortal Ruins directly.”
“Thousands of years ago, Liu Ruchen used the Medicine King Cauldron to fly in the Void Sea for a while before being drawn to the Immortal Ruins.
“Now, so much time has passed. Once I leave the Xuanhuang Realm and lose its protection, I might be pulled toward the Immortal Ruins immediately.”
“Perhaps one day, as we draw closer, we’ll even see the Immortal Ruins and the remains of the True Immortals standing silently there.”
Li Fan summoned the control core of the Medicine King True Cauldron into his hand.
“In this era, before I return with the [Truth], I should make the most of this opportunity to explore the truth.”
After a long time, Li Fan put the crystalline core away.
“Now that I have full control over the Medicine King True Cauldron, the lives of the Medicine King Sect’s slumbering members are in my hands.
“Currently, there are six Dao Integration cultivators, twenty-three Soul Transformation cultivators, and countless Nascent Soul and lower-level cultivators.”
“My greatest gain this time isn’t just these cultivators but also the knowledge of a hidden secret realm: the Valley of Longevity.”
“I wonder if it still exists after thousands of years.”
Chapter 612
The 'Valley of Longevity' was a secret realm accidentally discovered by the Medicine King Sect in ancient times.
Named after its abundant production of the ingredients required to refine the [Longevity Pill], the name speaks for itself: the Longevity Pill is a type of elixir capable of extending the lifespan of cultivators.
This pill was a closely guarded secret of the Medicine King Sect and the key to its immense wealth and power. Depending on the quality of the pill, the lifespan it could extend varied. The highest-quality Longevity Pill even surpassed the [Heavenly Transformation Feather Pill], capable of granting an additional thousand years of life.
To refine the Longevity Pill, one needed not only extremely high-quality medicinal materials but also the Medicine King Cauldron as the core, supplemented by 81 smaller Medicine King Cauldrons, forming the [Great World-Saving Longevity Formation]. During the process, the elixir had to be constantly infused with ‘Longevity Green Energy’.
This process took 49 days to complete one batch of refined pills. Though complex, the results were well worth the effort.
Compared to other longevity-extending treasures, the Longevity Pill had a significant advantage: it could be consumed repeatedly.
Although each subsequent pill's effect diminished significantly until it eventually became ineffective, it was still far superior to other treasures that lost their effectiveness entirely after a single use.
The Sea of Void was vast and boundless, requiring immense courage to traverse. The Longevity Pill and the [Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation], which allowed an entire sect to enter a state of suspended animation, were the two great lifelines of the Medicine King Sect.@@@@
“This Longevity Pill is truly a treasure. Unfortunately, before the Medicine King Sect departed, most of the pills were sold off in exchange for reserved resources,” Li Fan lamented.
“The remaining ones are now in the hands of those elders,” he noted after examining the inventory of resources stored in the Medicine King Cauldron, feeling a hint of regret.
However, he consoled himself with the realization that most of the Medicine King Sect’s cultivators were now under his control. There would be plenty of opportunities to have them refine more pills for him.
Feeling somewhat at ease, Li Fan remarked, “Let’s check on the current state of the Valley of Longevity. If it remains undiscovered, that would be ideal. After thousands of years, it’s hard to imagine what kind of herbs might have grown there.”
“But if it has already been found and developed by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance...”
“Well, that’s fine too.”
After reviewing the materials needed to refine the Longevity Pill, Li Fan realized they were still available for purchase in the Tianxuan Mirror, though they were rather expensive. However, refining the pills and selling them again would undoubtedly yield a profit.
Moreover, he currently wasn’t short on contribution points.
“Jiarong Territory in Southern Fuzhou...”
“What kind of place is this?”
When Li Fan tried to locate the Valley of Longevity based on the coordinates from Linghu Chang’s memories, he encountered difficulties.
That location no longer existed within the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
To obscure his true purpose, Li Fan provided a list of over 50 ancient locations from memory and requested Ximen Yu to calculate their current positions.
Ximen Yu, thrilled to receive such a large order for the first time, repeatedly offered to give Li Fan a discount.
But Li Fan waved it off generously, only asking him to speed up the process.
Having received the deposit, Ximen Yu readily agreed, hung up the communication, and hurried off to begin his calculations.
For Li Fan, the extra contribution points were insignificant—a mere drop in the ocean. Avoiding potential trouble was well worth the cost.
Recalculating over 50 locations was a massive undertaking, and it would take some time to obtain the results.
Meanwhile, Li Fan quietly arrived at Shenhua Island.
It had been seven years since the people from the Outer Realm were brought here.
Ye Feipeng, Xiao Heng, Sun Erlang, and others had all grown into young men full of vigor.
However, due to the rule Li Fan had set—that they must defeat the Tianyang Puppet to leave the island—they had been trapped on Shenhua Island all this time, unable to take a single step off it.
Being passionate and energetic youths, they were nearly going mad from the confinement.
Yet, they dared not provoke the Tianyang Puppet and instead spent their days sparring with one another to burn off energy.
Li Fan smiled as he scanned the group, ensuring they didn’t notice his presence. Then, he made his way to a secret chamber on the island.
This chamber, protected by a formation Li Fan had set up, could only be entered by the Tianyang.
Inside, jars of fresh, crimson blood were stored, faintly emitting the sound of angry roars.
These were the result of the Tianyang, acting under Li Fan’s orders, periodically extracting blood from Ye Feipeng.
After such a long time, a significant amount had accumulated.
Even though Ye Feipeng had the Kunpeng bloodline, being drained so frequently made it impossible for him to gain weight.
Thus, unlike his previous life where he was a chubby figure, this time Ye Feipeng was rather slender.
Referring to him as a refined gentleman would be perfectly accurate.
Li Fan suspended a jar of blood in midair and crushed it with a flick of his fingers.
The fierce aura of Kunpeng essence blood gushed out, writhing as if alive, inching outward with an unsettling vitality.
With a wave of his hand, Li Fan encapsulated the blood within the boundaries of his cave heaven domain and began to analyze and comprehend its properties carefully.
The purpose of this study was clear: to replicate the three divine abilities that Ye Feipeng had demonstrated in his previous life—Kun Devour, Peng Flight, and Bloodline Transmission.
Among these, Kun Devour had become almost irrelevant to Li Fan since he acquired the Five Elements Cave Heaven. Peng Flight, however, offered a form of escape technique worth adapting.
The most critical ability, and the one Li Fan urgently sought to master, was undoubtedly Bloodline Transmission.
This ancient beast-originated technique allowed the wielder to imbue their own essence blood into others, subtly influencing and eventually altering their thoughts.
Over time, this transformation would turn the recipient into a loyal subordinate who would unwaveringly serve the master of the essence blood.
In his previous life, Ye Feipeng, who initially loathed his demonic beast bloodline, had eventually grown proud of his Kunpeng heritage. His disdainful term “demonic beast” had gradually morphed into the reverent “sacred beast.”
Such a technique was ideal for controlling the disciples of the Medicine King Sect and others.
For now, Li Fan had managed to temporarily subdue individuals like He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan through coercion and persuasion. But managing a large number of people this way posed significant risks.
The disciples of the Medicine King Sect, who were familiar with each other, would be even harder to control without direct measures. Li Fan needed them primarily for refining pills and occasionally as combatants. Watching them constantly wasn’t feasible.
Without a method to enforce his control, he couldn’t fully trust them.
Thus, mastering ‘Bloodline Transmission’ became a necessity.
Under his meticulous observation, every particle of Kunpeng essence blood seemed to possess its own consciousness, emitting sharp, unsettling cries that made Li Fan frown.
Extracting a single droplet, he absorbed it into his body through his fingertip, closely monitoring how it transformed his physical being.
As soon as the Kunpeng essence blood made contact with his flesh, the sharp sounds abruptly ceased.
The blood became eerily silent as tiny tendrils extended deep into his tissues, anchoring themselves like parasites.
Scarlet flashes of light pulsed along the tendrils, siphoning energy from his flesh into the essence blood.
Moments later, the essence blood began to bubble as though boiling, undergoing a self-evolution.
In no time, it mimicked Li Fan’s own flesh so precisely that even he, the host, could barely discern the difference without close scrutiny.
Despite completing its transformation, the Kunpeng blood didn’t release its grip. Instead, it transmitted streams of dark red energy back into the attached flesh, initiating an enigmatic transformation.
To Li Fan’s astonishment, the altered tissues sprouted their own tendrils, attacking adjacent unaltered flesh like predators.
“So, this is homomorphic evolution...”
Seven days later.
After yet another failure, Li Fan paused for a moment.
“I’ve been too hasty,” he reflected.
“Expanding too quickly triggers the body’s natural backlash.”
...
“If I treat the target cultivator as a complete world, then my drop of essence blood is equivalent to a cultivator practicing the new path of cultivation.”
“I may not possess the Kunpeng divine abilities, but surely I can progress step by step.”
Suddenly, Li Fan seemed to have an epiphany.
This experiment was notably longer than the previous ones.
Li Fan also exhausted a great deal of mental energy.
However, the results were gratifying.
The "lucky subject" remained entirely unaware of the changes happening within their body, sleeping soundly and peacefully.
Yet Li Fan could sense a subtle, wondrous connection between himself and the subject.
It wasn’t as controllable as a clone, which could act as an extension of one’s limbs.
Instead, he could clearly perceive the state of the subject’s body and even vaguely sense fleeting thoughts crossing their mind.
Li Fan glanced at the system panel.
Sure enough, a new divine ability called "Bloodline Transmission" had appeared on the list.
Strangely, Li Fan did not seem particularly excited.
During the process of comprehending Bloodline Transmission, he had faintly sensed certain truths.
He recalled a fleeting inspiration he had experienced before—a revelation that had been forcibly erased from his memory.
If the "lucky subject" before him were to represent the Xuanhuang Realm,
And the cultivators of the new path of cultivation were the "mutated essence blood" subtly transforming the Xuanhuang Realm,
Then...
What role does the fabled Immortal Ancestor play in all of this?@@@@
Chapter 614
Thousands of years ago, the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor appeared out of nowhere, teaching the masses a new method to seize the heavens and plunder the earth.
From that moment onward, people no longer needed to be troubled by so-called talent. Everyone could cultivate!
The trajectory of the Xuanhuang Realm's history was thus altered.
At the beginning, the world of immortal cultivation indeed experienced a brief golden age due to the popularity of the new method.
Nascent Souls were as common as dogs, and Soul Transformation cultivators roamed everywhere.
However, just like Li Fan’s earlier experiment with the Kunpeng’s essence blood, such reckless proliferation and devouring inevitably invited retaliation from heaven and earth.
The emergence of the restriction against practicing multiple technique simultaneously was like a thunderbolt to the cultivators of that era.
Later, the unexpected descent of the immortal-mortal miasma dealt a fatal blow to the cultivators.
Subsequently, the Xuanhuang Immortal Cultivation World entered a prolonged dark age.
During this time, the Immortal Ancestor once again emerged.
In the desolate lands of immortal cultivation, he gathered the surviving cultivators and reestablished the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
The origin of the Immortal Ancestor has always been a mystery.
Neither the Ten Great Immortal Sects in ancient times nor modern cultivators have ever managed to uncover his background.
Yet, the Immortal Ancestor, who was both scholarly and peerless, remained elusive like a dragon’s head glimpsed but its tail hidden.
Even if the world wanted to probe his identity, it was as futile as "raising one's hand to touch the heavens," a goal out of reach.
Was he born with innate knowledge? Did he create this groundbreaking method without a teacher?
What was his purpose? If he truly acted for all beings, why was he absent during the great catastrophe that ravaged lives? Why did he only appear thousands of years later? Where had he been during that time?
Where is he now?
There are far too many secrets about the Immortal Ancestor that the world cannot unravel.
At this moment, as Li Fan meditated on comprehending the divine power of [Bloodline Transmission], the suppressed inspiration resurfaced.
Thus, he began to deduce the potential methods of the Immortal Ancestor.
Every cultivator practicing the new method seemed like a “mutated essence blood” assimilated by the Immortal Ancestor.
Originally part of the world, they had turned into aberrations devouring the world itself.
“Does the Immortal Ancestor aim to dominate the Xuanhuang Realm through this method?”
“Like how I manipulate cultivators using [Bloodline Transmission]?”
“Judging by the current results, one could say he has already succeeded. The myriad affairs of Xuanhuang lie entirely within his grasp!”
Li Fan couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
Without a doubt, the original Immortal Ancestor wasn’t so powerful.
He might have even been just an ordinary Dao Integration cultivator.
Yet, through this method, he carved out a unique path, akin to a snake swallowing an elephant.
"How did I return here?"
"It's already been several thousand years?"
Without doubting Li Fan's words at all, Xia Ye was left soul-shaken, struggling to accept this reality for the time being.
"I was inconsiderate. I should have waited until you recovered more before telling you the truth."
"For now, rest. I’ll watch over things here. You can be at ease," Li Fan said gently, seeing Xia Ye's distraught expression.
Xia Ye nodded, somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected care. Lying on the stone bed in the secret chamber, he soon fell into a deep sleep again.
...
Li Fan observed thoughtfully, "To completely disregard me, a stranger, this must be the power of [Bloodline Transmission]."
"The effect is unexpectedly good—immediate, even. However, this might also be because this kid is only at the Foundation Establishment stage."
"The stronger the target's power, the longer it might take to fully transform their mindset."
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan finally retrieved a green fruit from the Cave Heaven Domain.
This blue fruit appeared to exist somewhere between reality and illusion, disappearing from Li Fan's palm at regular intervals before reappearing.
"The Fruit of True Temptation," Li Fan murmured as he looked at this treasure from the Five Elders Association. He stepped forward again, returning to the Medicine King Cauldron.
Using Linghu Chang's memories, he located Elder Liu San of the Medicine King Sect, who had reached the Dao Integration stage.
Carefully controlling the formation, Li Fan avoided waking Liu San.
“I am Liu Yihang of the Medicine King Sect, the adopted son of Sect Master Liu Ruchen. By the late master's decree, I now oversee the Medicine King Sect...”
Li Fan pressed the green Fruit of True Temptation to his brow and began chanting.
A faint, imperceptible light flowed from his Sea of Consciousness into the fruit.
Moments later, the fruit shed its illusory nature, becoming an ordinary-looking fruit. However, it now emitted a peculiar fragrance that made even Li Fan swallow involuntarily.
Resisting the temptation, Li Fan carefully crushed the Fruit of True Temptation into green liquid and fed it to Liu San.
As he deactivated the Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation, Li Fan also activated the internal defense formation of the Medicine King's Cauldron. Standing outside the door, he waited patiently.
Soon after, Liu San stirred.
Unlike Xia Ye's initial dazed confusion, Liu San immediately sensed something was amiss upon waking.
His eyes flashed with a sharp glint as he sprang to his feet, his divine sense scanning the surroundings.
When he saw Li Fan standing at the door, Liu San's face revealed a trace of astonishment.
"Young Master?"
"You're awake too?"
Liu San instinctively asked.
Seeing this, Li Fan relaxed and calmly deactivated the formation. In a deep voice, he said, "Something major has happened."
Liu San frowned slightly upon hearing this and said, "Young master, why are you so flustered? As cultivators, even if mountains and seas collapse before us, we should remain unfazed..."
"We failed in our plan to escape the Xuanhuang Realm," Li Fan interrupted.
"What?" Liu San's expression changed abruptly.
"Foster father... he sacrificed himself to save us," Li Fan continued.
"What?"
It was as if Liu San had been struck by a thunderbolt. He stood frozen in place.
"The master... this is impossible!"
Liu San's body trembled slightly, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Li Fan pressed further, shattering Liu San’s composure: "While we were asleep, thousands of years passed in the outside world."
"What?"
"How could this happen?"
Liu San looked at Li Fan blankly, overwhelmed by grief, shock, and confusion.
In an instant, Liu San felt his mind thrown into chaos. Never in all his years of cultivation had he experienced as much shock as he did in this single day.
Yet Liu San failed to notice that, despite the outrageous and absurd nature of Li Fan’s words, he didn’t doubt them at all.
Even a mortal youth wouldn’t trust someone so easily, let alone a cultivator at the Dao Integration stage.
But such irrational belief occurred with Liu San.
"The principles of longevity Immortality are truly terrifying," Li Fan couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
To better control Liu San, a Dao Integration cultivator, Li Fan had imbued the Fruit of True Temptation with not only information about himself as Liu Yihang of the Medicine King Sect but also a setting of “Liu San’s absolute trust in Liu Yihang.”
This was to ensure that nothing could go wrong.
After all, even ancient Dao Integration techniques were far beyond what Li Fan, a mere Nascent Soul cultivator, could contend with.
If Li Fan wanted to take control of the Medicine King Sect, he had to ensure that Liu San was firmly under his command.
Of the six Dao Integration cultivators currently in slumber within the Medicine King Cauldron, Li Fan chose Liu San because of his loyalty.
Addressing “Liu Yihang” as “young master” revealed Liu San’s identity.
Liu San was an orphan whom Liu Ruchen had accidentally rescued years ago.
Li Fan’s expression suddenly grew grave. "Elder Liu, try circulating the Longevity and Lifespan Sutra and see for yourself."
Hearing this, Liu San was puzzled but complied.
Moments later, his face turned pale, and he closed his eyes, struggling to suppress the killing intent surging within him.
"What is this?"
His voice trembled slightly, betraying his inner turmoil.
“The great calamity of heaven and earth—inability to practice multiple techniques together.”
“Foster father’s premonition was correct, and the catastrophe is even more terrifying than imagined.”
Li Fan let out a long sigh. "Even the Ten Great Immortal Sects were wiped out during the great calamity, leaving only our Medicine King Sect barely surviving."
"This is also why I haven’t awakened the other members of the sect. If they were all to awaken at once, it would surely lead to a tragedy of mutual slaughter."
"In fact, it took me a long time and a change in cultivation techniques before I dared to awaken you, Elder Liu."
Liu San suppressed the lingering fear in his heart and nodded. "It seems that the Young Master has thought this through carefully."
"The place we are currently in is called the Congyun Sea. I was fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of a cultivator overseeing governance here, Zhou Qingang."
"With his help, I infiltrated the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. For now, I have barely managed to establish a foothold."
Li Fan slowly explained the current situation to Liu San.
"If it were just the two of us, living a decent life in this world shouldn’t be too difficult."
"But as for reviving the Medicine King Sect..."
Li Fan sighed softly and shook his head. "It’s exceedingly difficult!"
"The first issue we need to resolve is the inability to practice multiple techniques together. Otherwise, even if we awaken the sect members, it would only lead to more bloodshed."
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance does have countless techniques, but they require significant contributions to exchange for them."
"Although I have been working hard for some time, I have only just managed to exchange for the techniques I need for my own cultivation."
"So..."
Hearing this, Liu San fell into deep thought.
"The Longevity Pill?"
He asked.
"Exactly," Li Fan nodded approvingly as Liu San eagerly answered his question.
"The current world of cultivation, after enduring several catastrophes of heaven and earth, has seen cultivators' lifespans drastically reduced compared to our time," Li Fan explained.
"Furthermore, life-extending treasures have become exceedingly rare. Even a pill that extends life by a mere century can drive cultivators into a frenzy."
"If we can resume mass production of the 'Longevity Pills' and exchange them for cultivation techniques suitable for all sect members, there is hope for our future."
Li Fan spoke confidently, his tone steady and assured.
"It's nothing more than revisiting an old craft," Liu San chimed in. "As long as we have enough manpower, it’s not a difficult task."
As he spoke, he retrieved a jade bottle from his storage ring.
"Here, I have nine high-grade Longevity Pills that the sect master previously rewarded me with. Each of them can extend life by approximately 600 years."
"You, young master, should take these and exchange them for spirit... ahem, what’s it called now? Contribution points?"
"Exactly," Li Fan replied nonchalantly. "Although the name has changed, the essence remains the same." Without hesitation, he accepted the bottle of precious pills, now worth a fortune, with a gracious nod.
Liu San, however, voiced his concern. "Young master, as you mentioned, these Longevity Pills are extremely valuable. Selling them occasionally might be fine, but if we do so frequently, won’t it attract unwanted attention?"
Li Fan agreed with a nod. "You’re absolutely right, Elder Liu. That’s precisely why it’s not suitable for us to handle the transactions directly."
"I’ve mentioned this before—I've established a connection with Fellow Daoist Zhou Qingang. He has a powerful background and can manage everything on our behalf. We only need to share a portion of the profits with him."
Although Liu San frowned slightly, he refrained from commenting further.
Li Fan continued, "This is only a temporary solution. In the future, we will undoubtedly rebuild the Medicine King Sect."
"But it must be done gradually and with caution."
Hearing this, Liu San nodded in agreement.
"Elder Liu, stay inside the Medicine King Cauldron for now. I’ll head back and exchange the pills for cultivation techniques. Once we’ve awakened some disciples, we can discuss further plans."
After informing Liu San, Li Fan exited the Medicine King Cauldron.
However, the explanation he gave Liu San was merely to appease him. The Longevity Pills were not going to be casually traded.
With his current contribution points, Li Fan had more than enough to acquire the cultivation techniques necessary to revive disciples capable of refining Longevity Pills. R₳NОbÈʂ
Still, the identity of "Li Fan, a cultivator of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect" would be discarded after the fiery battle of Crimson Flame burning the Sea.
Yet, the disciples of the Medicine King Sect still held value.
The question was how to ensure their identities were "cleansed" without linking them to Li Fan or each other.
Gao Yuan was startled.
This was significant news. The higher the Secret Envoy’s cultivation, the more secure their standing would be. However, neither he nor He Zhenghao was aware of this development. Clearly, the Secret Envoy trusted Zhou Qingang more than anyone else.
If the Secret Envoy knew that Zhou Qingang was engaging in these backdoor dealings behind his back...
A thought flashed through Gao Yuan’s mind.
Once it appeared, it became impossible to suppress.
“Since Fellow Daoist Zhou has said so, I can’t refuse,” Gao Yuan said after a brief pause, his eyes flashing with cunning. “Let me know before you bring those cultivators here. I’ll personally handle their admission procedures into the alliance.”
“Great! Great!” Zhou Qing’ang left, satisfied.
Gao Yuan, however, paced back and forth as if caught in a dilemma.
In the end, he gritted his teeth and made up his mind.
He used the Fragmented Spirit Jade Slip left by the Secret Envoy to contact Li Fan.
“Lord Secret Envoy, I have something to report,” Gao Yuan said, his tone full of flattery.
“Speak,” Li Fan’s voice was cold, making Gao Yuan’s heart sink as a sense of foreboding crept over him.
Nevertheless, the arrow was already notched on the bowstring, and he had no choice but to proceed. Summoning his courage, he reported Zhou Qingang’s actions.
In response, there was only silence.
This silence made Gao Yuan increasingly uneasy.
“I understand,” Li Fan finally spoke after a long pause.
“However, Gao Yuan...”
“Little Zhou is right. Don’t bother me with such trivial matters in the future.”
Gao Yuan’s heart sank.
“And I hope you understand: unity is the most important thing.”
With that, Li Fan fell silent again, leaving the flustered Gao Yuan standing there, at a loss for what to do.
........................................................................
Read extra chapters on >>> /SpiritStonetranslation
The attitude of the secret envoy was very clear.
This matter was something he had known for a long time and didn't particularly care about. However, the secret envoy was greatly displeased with the act of slandering colleagues.
"Gao Yuan, oh Gao Yuan, you must have lost your mind! The secret envoy possesses methods as vast as the heavens. How could Zhou Qingang's petty schemes possibly escape his divine sight?"
"Such misplaced cleverness..."
"It seems you've grown too comfortable, dulling your sharp instincts," Gao Yuan thought bitterly.
But the mistake was already made, and there was no use in lamenting it now.
"Fortunately, judging by his reminder to focus on unity, it seems the secret envoy still has some regard for past ties."
After being sternly reprimanded by Li Fan, Gao Yuan was compelled to pay close attention to Zhou Qingang's entrusted matters.
In theory, when a cultivator joins the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the Alliance Headquarters must approve their membership. Only after their information is submitted will the 'Tianxuan Mirror' grant access to the new member.@@@@
In practice, however, the process was not so rigid. Since the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance governed over a hundred regions, requiring headquarters' approval for every matter would severely hinder efficiency. Thus, individual regions were granted a degree of autonomy. They could temporarily grant new recruits access to the Tianxuan Mirror with the condition that their information would be reported periodically to headquarters.
After headquarters verified the identity of new recruits, they would issue official access permissions to the Tianxuan Mirror. This process was seamless and unnoticed by the recruits.
For ordinary cultivators at the Golden Core stage or below, joining the Alliance only required a routine inquiry. Only those with profound cultivation, unclear backgrounds, or those seeking official positions within the Alliance were subjected to the trial of the White Jade Heart-Questioning Platform.
...
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had already made the necessary preparations, so Li Fan began to act.
"Old Liu, a thousand years have passed, and the world has undergone great changes. I had hoped to find the Valley of Longevity, as the sect master instructed, but the landscape has shifted so drastically that all my inquiries have yielded nothing."
"I'm afraid I must trouble you to go there in person."
Li Fan spoke gravely.
"In this era, Dao Integration cultivators are scarce. If you're cautious, you shouldn't encounter much trouble."
"If luck is truly against us and you run into unforeseen events, prioritize retreating and saving your life. The future revival of the Medicine King Sect cannot happen without you, Old Liu."
Grasping Liu San's hands tightly, Li Fan reluctantly gave his instructions.
"Rest assured, young master. Back in the day, I followed the sect master through countless hardships. While I may not excel in combat, when it comes to survival—hmph!"
"I dare say I'm no worse than these modern cultivators," Liu San declared confidently.
He accepted the map Li Fan handed him and studied it carefully.
After a moment, his brows furrowed deeply. "A thousand years have indeed turned the world upside down. But I will complete this task."
Li Fan hastily added, "Whether successful or not, return within thirty days. Your presence here in Congyun Sea is also indispensable."
Liu San nodded respectfully without further words. Leaving behind a communication talisman, he transformed into a streak of green light and sped towards the heart of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. ṜâNǒBƐş
...
After sending off Liu San, Li Fan entered the Medicine King's Cauldron.
Over several sessions, he completed the ‘Bloodline Transmission’ ritual for more than 40 Foundation Establishment cultivators. Feeling slightly dizzy, Li Fan paused for a moment.
Transforming into the guise of Liu Yihang, he began awakening the disciples of the Medicine King Sect one by one.
Initially, everything was fine. Without actively channeling their techniques, the disciples—still groggy—did not notice the restrictions of the heaven and earth’s law of "techniques cannot be cultivated simultaneously"
However, as more disciples woke up, an eerie tension began to spread among them.
Half a day later, Zhou Qingang arrived silently.
"No matter what you encounter, remain calm and silent. Leave everything to this senior, Zhou. Simply follow his instructions," Li Fan said.
The disciples of the Medicine King Sect all nodded in agreement.
Under Zhou Qing'ang's guidance, the first batch of disciples was taken to Congyun City, a towering and majestic place that rivaled the grandeur of their former sect.
As a result, the disciples were not overly surprised.
Meanwhile, the city's inhabitants, seeing Zhou Qingang leading a group of unfamiliar cultivators, were curious but assumed it was official business and paid no further attention.
With Zhou Qingang, a key official, leading the way, they passed through without obstruction and arrived smoothly at the Administrative Hall.
Gao Yuan was already there, waiting.
"Daoist Gao, I'll leave them in your care," Zhou Qing'ang said with a polite bow.
"No problem at all," Gao Yuan replied, reciprocating the gesture and carefully observing the group of cultivators behind Zhou Qingang.
As agreed, they were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, yet they gave Gao Yuan an unusual impression.
"These are..."
Gao Yuan's eyes narrowed. After a moment, as if realizing something, his pupils suddenly contracted.
"Ancient-path cultivators?!" he asked, probing Zhou Qingang.
Zhou Qingang smiled faintly. "What do you think? Did I not tell you the truth? These individuals were indeed discovered by a friend of mine in a secret realm."
"Like the envoy, they are genuine ancient-path cultivators!"
"No wonder the secret envoy turned a blind eye to this matter," Gao Yuan remarked with sudden understanding.
Feeling reassured, Gao Yuan dismissed his doubts.
Indeed, ancient-path cultivators differed vastly from modern cultivators in terms of cultivation methods, aura, and even their foundational techniques like Dao Foundations and Golden Cores. Anyone with sharp spiritual senses could immediately notice the distinction. Using ancient cultivators as spies...
The Five Elders Association surely wouldn't be so foolish.
Moreover, ancient-path cultivators had long vanished from the world. Even if the Five Elders Association wanted to recruit some, it would be nearly impossible.
With this in mind, Gao Yuan's concerns were completely allayed.
Since they weren't spies and merely sought to conceal their identities as ancient-path cultivators, the situation was manageable.
Gao Yuan took out a talisman, registering each cultivator's identity one by one.
"Meng Wushi, converted rogue cultivator, Foundation Establishment realm..."
"Ji Yu, converted rogue cultivator..."
Though Congyun Sea lay at the fringe of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, it was still a major region, with thousands of new cultivators joining the alliance annually.
Adding a few more was entirely inconspicuous.
Before long, the 30 disciples of the ancient Medicine King Sect had seamlessly integrated into the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
---
Author's Note:
While writing this chapter, I noticed a bug in the plot: Li Fan impersonating an ancient cultivator should have been easily exposed since ancient and modern cultivation methods differ significantly. I had to explain this with Li Fan’s use of the 'Sky Shrouding Hand' skill to mask his identity.
“Thank you for your trouble, Daoist Gao!” Zhou Qingang said with a smile, transferring 30,000 contribution points in the process.
This was naturally the reward for Gao Yuan. Resolving the matter with just 1,000 contribution points per cultivator wasn’t much, but it certainly wasn’t insignificant either—especially since it was just a matter of lifting a finger.
Both parties understood that this was only the beginning, with much larger matters to come.
Gao Yuan accepted the contribution points without hesitation and made a commitment: “If there are more ancient cultivators who wish to join the alliance in the future, feel free to come to me. I’ll make sure all the procedures are handled flawlessly without the slightest error.”
“To avoid drawing attention, though, it’s better to handle this in batches with intervals in between,” Gao Yuan added tactfully.
Zhou Qingang cupped his hands and said, “Daoist Gao, your foresight is commendable. We’ll be troubling you often in the days to come.”
Gao Yuan’s heart skipped slightly, and he lowered his voice. “Daoist Zhou, give me a hint—how many ancient cultivators are there in this secret realm?”
Zhou Qingang simply smiled and raised four fingers in response before leading the disciples of the Medicine King Sect away.
“Four hundred? This secret realm is quite vast. No wonder Zhou Qingang friend wanted to monopolize it...” Gao Yuan thought to himself, slightly startled.
With years of experience managing the affairs of Congyun Sea, Gao Yuan had gained considerable insight.
Even so, he couldn’t have guessed that the “four” gesture Zhou Qing’ang made didn’t represent four hundred—it represented four thousand.
...
Instead of taking the 30 Medicine King Sect disciples who had obtained Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance identities into the Tianxuan Mirror’s inner space, Zhou Qingang led them to a residence in the central district of Congyun Immortal City.
In a chamber within the residence, more than fifty miniature Tianxuan Mirrors were neatly arranged.
“Each of you, familiarize yourselves with the basic functions of the Tianxuan Mirror,” Zhou Qingang instructed after demonstrating the usage once.
Though the Tianxuan Mirror was extraordinary, the disciples of the Medicine King Sect were well-versed in dealing with mystical artifacts. After a brief moment of amazement, they quickly got the hang of it.
“Each of you starts with 1,000 contribution points as a beginner’s benefit. Don’t worry; keep an eye on the missions about to be published in the Tianxuan Mirror,” Zhou Qingang said with a wave of his sleeve.
A light screen materialized in the chamber, displaying tasks with odd requirements but generous rewards.
Examples included:
- Seeking biographical details of an ancient sect cultivator from thousands of years ago.
- Requesting clarification on a particular cultivation method.
- Offering high rewards for ways to woo a specific female cultivator.
“These are the standard answers. Once the tasks are posted, just copy the answers directly.”
“Each of you should complete no more than two tasks. Don’t compete, and avoid redundancy,” Zhou Qingang instructed, summoning another light screen that showed the corresponding answers.
The disciples of the Medicine King Sect, quick on the uptake, immediately realized the purpose of the exercise. Excitement gleamed in their eyes as they divided the tasks among themselves. ????A????О฿ÈⱾ
Zhou Qingang then escorted them back to Shenhua Island.
Meanwhile, the next batch of Medicine King Sect disciples was already prepared to depart.
As Zhou Qingang was an official of the Immortal Alliance, he was too conspicuous and risked exposure.
Thus, the leader this time was the first lucky person to awaken—Xia Ye.
Although Xia Ye appeared slightly nervous, he managed to stay composed. Furthermore, he had already informed Gao Yuan in advance, so there were no issues.
Soon, everything proceeded as planned. The second and third batches of ancient Medicine King Sect cultivators transitioned smoothly and became members of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
One month later.
When Liu San, worn out and defeated, hurried back, what greeted him was the sight of the Medicine King Cauldron brimming with newfound vitality as the disciples flourished.
Liu San was utterly astonished.
At this moment, Li Fan asked, "Elder Liu, how did things go?"
Liu San's face flushed red. Just as he was about to reply, he glanced at the disciples discussing something amongst themselves. In the end, he pulled Li Fan aside and spoke via sound transmission, "I’m ashamed to report, Young Master. Although I had studied the map, only by visiting the actual sites did I realize how much the landscape had changed."
Liu San sighed deeply. "I couldn’t even find a trace of the places I remembered. It was as though I had stepped into an entirely different world."
"Moreover, the Dao Integration cultivators here are far more perceptive than in our time. Even though I did my utmost to conceal my presence, I was still discovered."
Hearing this, Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Fortunately, he thought I was a member of the Five Elders Association and merely issued a warning, saying something about a 'Friendly Exchange Meeting' approaching and advising me not to wander around carelessly. Otherwise, it might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings. Hmph..."
Liu San snorted coldly, his expression tinged with discontent.
However, after a brief pause, he looked somewhat helpless. "Sigh. I could sense that the other party was at the mid-stage of Dao Integration. If it came to a fight, I fear I wouldn’t be his match."
Li Fan offered words of comfort: "The new cultivation methods harness the power of heaven and earth and contain inner cave-heaven and laws, giving their practitioners a natural advantage in combat compared to us ancient cultivators. Elder Liu, there’s no need to dwell on it. If you were to adopt the new methods, I’m sure your combat strength would rival theirs."
This statement somewhat alleviated Liu San’s frustration.
Li Fan continued, "The cultivators required to refine the Longevity Pill are now assembled, and we’re counting on you to oversee the process, Elder Liu."
"The contribution points used to exchange for the disciples' cultivation techniques were all credited by Fellow Daoist Zhou and me. We urgently need to sell a batch of Longevity Pills to repay the debt."
Li Fan explained.
Liu San nodded in agreement but soon furrowed his brows. "Currently, I’m the only one in the sect practicing the World-Saving Longevity and Lifespan Technique. The longevity essence I can produce is limited, and I fear the quality of the pills won’t be very high."
After a moment of thought, Liu San frowned and said, "At best, I estimate the pills will be of mid-to-low quality, capable of extending life by only 200 to 300 years."
"That’s more than sufficient. Elder Liu, please begin," Li Fan said firmly.
Chapter 619
“The exact location of the Longevity Valley remains unclear for now, but I’ve already purchased a batch of raw materials for refining Longevity Pills from the Tianxuan Mirror,” Li Fan said as he waved his hand, causing a storage ring to appear mid-air.
“Elder Liu, take a look at the quality. Can it meet the requirements for pill refinement?” Li Fan asked.
Liu San examined the ring’s contents, his expression astonished. “The quality is excellent, with most of the spiritual herbs being over a hundred years old. Did you select them personally, Young Master?”
Li Fan shook his head. “They’re merely common spiritual plants sold in the Tianxuan Mirror.”
Hearing this, Liu San couldn’t help but marvel, “After the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association unified the cultivation world and consolidated the world’s resources, they indeed became incredibly wealthy.
“In our time, even the ten great immortal sects wouldn’t have been able to provide such a large quantity of high-quality spiritual herbs.”
Li Fan smiled and nodded in agreement. “Perhaps it’s also because most cultivators have perished. The current scale of the cultivation world is nothing compared to what it used to be. Back then, our Medicine King Sect, with a few thousand disciples, would have been considered a medium-sized sect at most. In one state alone, there would have been countless sects like ours.”
“But now...” Li Fan paused, “If we were to suddenly reappear, it might cause a great stir in the world, drawing the attention of Longevity Immortal Realm experts.”
Liu San was startled, frowning slightly. “While flying across several states earlier, I noticed the same issue. Compared to the past, the cultivation world has become far more desolate. The land is vast, but the population is sparse. Outside of established cities, it’s rare to encounter cultivators in the wilderness. Back then, any mountain with a spiritual vein would be occupied by cultivators.”
“As the saying goes, the taller the tree, the more it attracts the wind. The Longevity Immortal Realm experts of today, who defy the laws of heaven and earth, are likely far stronger than the elders of the Ten Great Immortal Sect. If our Medicine King Sect, having traversed time from the ancient era to the present, were to reveal ourselves, we would inevitably attract their covetous attention.”
“Young Master, your decision is correct. Breaking into smaller groups and infiltrating the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is the best way for us to recover our strength without drawing attention,” Liu San said, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Li Fan.
“Within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, all cultivation resources are tied to contribution points. We already owe Fellow Daoist Zhou some favors. Although he hasn’t mentioned it, if we fail to produce results soon, it could lead to trouble. Binding ourselves to a shared interest with him is the most secure strategy.”
Li Fan explained, “Trust in people’s hearts is fleeting; only shared interests are eternal. To stabilize our position, we must produce Longevity Pills quickly. Elder Liu, I’ll need to trouble you!”
Liu San’s expression turned solemn. “Restoring the glory of the Medicine King Sect is my unshakable duty. Please rest assured, Young Master!”
Leading a group of disciples into the central alchemy chamber of the Medicine King Cauldron, Liu San said in a deep voice, “Young Master, please grant me permission to control the True Medicine King Cauldron.”
With a thought, Li Fan temporarily transferred the authority over the chamber. A shadowy image of the Medicine King Cauldron materialized in the center of the room.
Liu San lightly tapped the void, and the shadow transformed into a solid cauldron with a resounding “clang” as it landed on the ground.
“Form ranks!” Liu San swept his gaze over the disciples and commanded in a firm voice.
Ninety-nine carefully selected elite Foundation Establishment disciples each controlled their own small Medicine King Cauldrons. They arranged themselves in a specific formation around the central True Medicine King Cauldron.
His expression shifted slightly, and he suddenly shouted, “Not good!”
He lunged forward, forming a giant hand that enveloped the freshly refined Longevity Pill.
“Hm?”
Just as the others were puzzled, a loud explosion erupted from Liu San's palm.
Liu San’s body trembled slightly. Although he quickly composed himself and withdrew his hand, a trace of awkwardness was evident on his face.
“Did... the alchemy fail?”
Li Fan and the disciples of the Medicine King Sect looked at Liu San with strange expressions.
“Ahem...”
Liu San cleared his throat softly and explained, “I forgot about the drastic changes in the world and still used the old method of alchemy, so...”
“But it’s not a big issue. It only requires some minor adjustments.”
“Next time, next time it will definitely work,” Liu San declared confidently.
Li Fan nodded without saying much.
Thus, Liu San once again summoned a phantom of the Medicine King Cauldron and restarted the refinement of the Longevity Pill.
This time, while there was no explosion, the resulting product...
Li Fan glanced at the half-green, half-purple pill in his hand, his face twitching slightly.
Liu San’s expression faltered as he roared in anger, “Again!”
The elder's fury made the disciples tremble with fear, leaving them no choice but to continue assisting.
Finally, on the third attempt, they successfully refined a proper Longevity Pill.
At this point, Liu San let out a slight sigh of relief.
It must be noted that in Linghu Chang's memory, this Liu San was a highly skilled master of pill alchemy.
Even for such an expert, it took him three attempts to adapt to the changes in pill refinement brought about by the differences between ancient and modern times?
Li Fan observed everything quietly, deep in thought.
"I'll first take this Longevity Pill to Daoist Zhou to see how much it can sell for. Old Liu, please continue working hard and refine all the raw materials in the storage ring into pills as quickly as possible," Li Fan instructed Liu San.
"Rest assured, young master!" Liu San nodded in agreement. After allowing his disciples to rest briefly, he resumed the pill refinement process.
Li Fan then left the Xuanhuang Cauldron, tossing the freshly refined Longevity Pill in his hand as he walked.
"It's inconvenient to act under the identity of 'Heavenly Mechanism Sect Cultivator Li Fan'..." After some contemplation, Li Fan transformed into his original appearance and headed toward Congyun City.
When purchasing the Heavenly Spirit Flower earlier, Li Fan had used his original appearance to join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance through Huang Ranqi, the guardian of Chongwu Island, creating a brand-new alias for himself.
Now, he activated the Sky-Shrouding Hand secret technique, entered the Tianxuan Mirror, and took out the Longevity Pill.
First, he used the mirror's free appraisal function.
"Longevity Pill: Low-grade, can extend life by 186 years."
Li Fan's eyelid twitched slightly.
It seemed that even though Liu San had adapted to the differences between ancient and modern techniques, the quality of this first refined pill left much to be desired. At the very least, it fell short of his promised medium-grade pill that could extend life by 300 years.
After checking the recent market prices for life-extending treasures, Li Fan listed the Longevity Pill for 50,000 contribution points—a 30% markup.
The result? It was sold almost instantly.
Li Fan was momentarily stunned but quickly understood why.
Life-extending treasures lose their effectiveness after consumption. Before this, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had never seen a Longevity Pill on the market. For cultivators in need, this pill represented a genuine extension of their lifespan by nearly two centuries, making it far more valuable than common life-extending treasures.
Moreover...
As Li Fan expected, the buyer soon sent a message.
"Fellow Daoist, do you have more Longevity Pills?"
"I feel that this pill is somewhat different from other life-extending treasures. It seems to retain its effectiveness even with repeated consumption?" RáNŎbËS
Feigning surprise, Li Fan replied, "Is that so? How incredible! Then I must have underpriced it!"
The buyer, undeterred by Li Fan's act, pressed on: "Haha, Fellow Daoist, let’s not joke. That pill was clearly newly refined. How could you not know its properties?"
"I must say, Fellow Daoist, your luck isn’t great. Out of the dozens of places randomly chosen, so many of them have completely vanished," Ximen Yu teased.
"I don’t think I’ll be able to complete this task. I’ll refund the extra contribution points," he sighed.
Upon hearing this, Li Fan's gaze flickered slightly.
"Completely vanished? Fellow Daoist Ximen, do you know the reason?" Li Fan asked.
"There could be many reasons. First, a great upheaval in heaven and earth—rivers shift, seas turn into mulberry fields, and such places naturally disappear.
"Second, it could be the existence of the White Mist Barrier. The locations of these places in ancient times might coincide with where the White Mist Barrier is now, making them inaccessible."
"The third possibility..."
Ximen Yu stopped speaking here, falling silent.
"What’s wrong? Does Fellow Daoist have something difficult to explain?" Li Fan asked, puzzled.
"Not exactly, but my conjecture is rather bold and without evidence, so I didn’t want to speak and make a fool of myself," Ximen Yu hesitated.
Now Li Fan was even more intrigued. "No problem. Your vast knowledge is rare in this world. Sharing it would broaden my horizons."
Perhaps it had been a long time since someone acknowledged Ximen Yu so earnestly. Hearing Li Fan’s words, he became excited.
He immediately explained, "You may not believe it, but based on my years of comparing ancient and modern terrains, I’ve discovered that a significant portion of the ancient regions of the Xuanhuang Realm is missing."
"It’s as if someone forcibly took away part of the land."
"However..."
Ximen Yu’s tone became puzzled again.
"Some places, on the other hand, seem to have appeared out of nowhere, as if conjured from the void. These regions didn’t seem to exist in the ancient cultivation world."
"So, overall, compared to ancient times, the Xuanhuang Realm hasn’t shrunk. Instead, it has expanded."
"Truly bizarre, an enigma that defies explanation."
...
Hearing this, Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
"Are Fellow Daoist’s conclusions reliable?"
"Absolutely reliable! The Fallen Immortal Realm contains a panoramic view of the ancient Xuanhuang Realm. However, ordinary cultivators can only glimpse a small portion during each entry. By visiting many cultivators and piecing together fragments, I’ve essentially restored the ancient cultivation world’s landscape. This conclusion is irrefutable!" Ximen Yu declared firmly.
Hearing Ximen Yu’s confident assertion, Li Fan couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.
“Time flows, increasing and decreasing in an orderly manner. Is this the natural evolution of the Xuanhuang Realm, or is it caused by external forces?”@@@@
Li Fan instinctively thought of the elusive Immortal Ancestor.
No one else came to mind. If there were a cultivator in the Xuanhuang Realm capable of altering the heavens and earth so effortlessly, it would undoubtedly be this creator of the new laws.
“But if this guess is correct, why, as the Xuanhuang Realm approaches its fall into the Immortal Ruins, does the Immortal Ancestor not flee? Instead, He has been transforming the world for thousands of years as if nothing has changed. Why?”
“Could it be that the transformation of the world itself allowed the Immortal Ancestor to transcend?” Li Fan pondered further, recalling how, in his previous life, the Immortal Ancestor to 5left the Xuanhuang Realm a decade or so later.
As countless thoughts flashed through his mind, Li Fan temporarily suppressed his doubts.
“Brother Ximen, you truly are a rare genius who can perceive the essence of the world from the smallest details. Even Dao Integration stage cultivators pale in comparison to you!” Li Fan praised sincerely.
Then he shifted the topic: “Such groundbreaking research! Has my friend perhaps authored any detailed works on this? I’d love to study them thoroughly!”
At first, Ximen Yu was slightly pleased. But when Li Fan brought up the matter of writing, he hesitated and appeared rather embarrassed.
After persistent questioning from Li Fan, Ximen Yu finally revealed the truth.
It turned out that he had completed writing A Study of Mountains and Rivers Through the Ages and was preparing to publish it, dreaming of leaving a legacy for future generations.
However, he received a warning from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
The Alliance deemed the book to contain content unsuitable for public release, requiring revisions.
But they didn’t specify which parts were problematic.
Helpless, Ximen Yu removed some sections and resubmitted it for review. Yet it still failed to pass.
In the end, the once-thick manuscript was reduced to scattered fragments, leaving only a solitary essay intact.
“Haha, since then, I’ve felt disheartened. Now I just rely on my knowledge to earn some contributions and have shifted my research focus,” Ximen Yu said with a touch of melancholy.
“Oh, by the way, I’m currently studying the flow of earth veins. If you’re interested, we could exchange insights,” he added.
Li Fan pondered for a moment before softly asking, “Does my friend still have a copy of the original manuscript?”
"For now, I should focus on purchasing the materials for refining Longevity Pills through the Tianxuan Mirror. Once I’ve gathered enough, I’ll have Liu San use the Samantabhadra True Boat to venture into the depths of the White Mist Barrier and see if we can uncover anything."
"If that fails, I can consider planting them in the wood-attribute domain of my Five Elements Cave Heaven."
Currently, Li Fan’s Five Elements Cave Heaven was still in its embryonic stage.
In terms of size, scale, and spiritual energy concentration, it couldn’t yet compare to the one that previously sparked a war between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association.
Fortunately, its essence was no different, and its potential was limitless.
"Planting spiritual herbs will also aid in refining the laws within the wood-attribute domain. But... specialization is key..."
Li Fan suddenly thought of Chen Ying, the Nascent Soul cultivator from the Medicinal Hall of Congyun Sea.
Since being conscripted into the Five Elements Cave Heaven, Chen Ying had vanished without a trace.
However, unlike in his past life, thanks to Li Fan’s warning, Chen Ying had not fallen yet.
He just couldn’t be contacted.
"He should still be in the Five Elements Cave Heaven, though I have no idea what he’s been up to." Li Fan recalled that in his previous life, just a few years later, in Year 38, the Five Elements Cave Heaven collapsed into oblivion due to the extraction of vast resources, leading to an imbalance in its elements.
"I wonder if the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will repeat the same mistake in this lifetime." Li Fan was still unsure why the Alliance was so aggressively exploiting the resources of the Five Elements Cave Heaven. Yet, judging by Chen Ying’s continued absence, it seemed their operations there hadn’t ceased.
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan shook his head and dismissed the thought.
Just as he was about to return to Shenhua Island, a notification from the Tianxuan Mirror arrived.
The former island lord of Ten Thousand Immortals Island, Immortal Lord Hongxi—a Soul Transformation cultivator who had been conscripted into the Alliance’s headquarters for years—
Had finally returned.
He ordered Li Fan, the "Secret Envoy," to report to him immediately.
........................................................................
Read extra chapters on >>> /SpiritStonetranslation
"Finally back, huh..." Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Is he alone? Where is Immortal Lord Ziyun?"
In an instant, Li Fan had already played out the possible scenarios of their confrontation in his mind.
These included, but were not limited to:
1. Immortal Lord Hong Xi, facing the reality of being stripped of power and authority, launching a vigorous counterattack. Relying on the influence of his Soul Transformation cultivation, he could instantly regain the support of the majority of cultivators.
2. Alternatively, Immortal Lord Hong Xi might appear calm and cooperative on the surface while secretly biding his time. Once Li Fan relaxed his guard, he could strike swiftly and decisively, reversing the situation. In the end, Li Fan could be removed under a trumped-up charge.
However, what Li Fan never anticipated was that when Immortal Lord Hong Xi actually met him, there was no tension or hostility. Instead, Hong Xi burst into hearty laughter and gave him a big hug.
Li Fan's body stiffened slightly, and a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes.
"Are we even that close?" he thought to himself.
Immortal Lord Hong Xi, seemingly oblivious to the odd look in Li Fan's eyes, patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction.
"Good, very good! You've done well! When I heard that the Five Elders Association had nearly uprooted Ten Thousand Immortal Island, Ziyun and I were worried that Congyun Sea would descend into chaos. Who would have thought that you'd emerge out of nowhere? Over the past few years, not only did various evaluation metrics not decline, but they even rose by several ranks!"
"Why didn't you wake up earlier? If you had, I wouldn’t have been overwhelmed with all those issues over the years." @@@@
"Keep it up! From now on, the administration of Congyun Sea is yours to manage!"
Immortal Lord Hong Xi appeared genuinely pleased.
Li Fan fell silent.
Dressed in white, Hong Xi exuded a carefree aura. Humming an unknown tune, he returned to the long table in his quarters.
Gracefully pouring himself a cup of tea, he sipped it with evident contentment.
"Now, this is the life—lying back, watching achievements roll in without lifting a finger," he said lazily.
Seeing Li Fan still standing stiffly, Hong Xi called out, "Hey, don’t be so uptight. Have some tea with me!"
"Thank you, Lord City Master!" Li Fan didn’t refuse. He stepped forward and took a seat.
After finishing another cup of tea, Hong Xi said, "Ziyun and I have heard of your deeds from the headquarters of the Immortal Alliance. Remarkable, truly remarkable. As expected of a disciple from an ancient sect, far more capable than us modern cultivators."
"By the way, what’s your current cultivation level? Nascent Soul? Soul Transformation?" Hong Xi glanced at Li Fan, then shook his head.
Li Fan’s face twitched slightly but still cupped his hands respectfully, saying, “In that case, thank you for your generous favor, City Lord.”
Immortal Lord Hong Xi patted Li Fan’s shoulder again. “Do a good job! Even though the merit points you earn annually from your secret title are slightly less than mine, compared to those cultivators who toil away every year on merit tasks, it’s an entirely different league.”
“Moreover, I’ve heard that while you served as acting Island Lord and supervised the construction of Congyun City, your position was equivalent to that of a City Lord.”
“If we calculate it this way, your merit rankings should have increased quickly over these years.”
This time, it was Li Fan’s turn to be stunned.
“Merit points distributed annually? Why haven’t I received any?”
Immortal Lord Hong Xi, who was sipping tea, spat it out in shock, staring at Li Fan in disbelief.
“Impossible! You didn’t receive any merit points? Then what have you been working hard for all these years?”
“I...” Li Fan hesitated, words failing him.
Suddenly, he realized a significant generational gap between them and could only remain silent.
“You haven’t been participating in the annual settlements through the Tianxuan Mirror all this time, have you?” After a long pause, Immortal Lord Hong Xi looked at Li Fan with an exceptionally peculiar expression.
Li Fan shrugged. “No one ever mentioned it to me.”
Immortal Lord Hong Xi smacked his forehead.
“Ah...”
With a weary tone, he said, “You’d better go check it out quickly. Maybe you’ll find a surprise.”
Li Fan nodded, saluted, and left in a hurry.
Watching Li Fan’s figure gradually fade away, Immortal Lord Hong Xi shook his head. “Sigh, as expected of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. When it’s not their concern, they completely ignore it...”
When Li Fan returned to the Tianxuan Mirror and inquired further, he finally understood what the so-called annual settlement was about.
It turned out that the primary administrators of each province not only received an annual contribution as their “salary.”
They were also awarded “performance” rewards based on their province’s overall ranking within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
This was settled annually, and in addition to contribution points, a large amount of merit was distributed.
Chapter 624
“This is just a ceasefire in plain sight, switching to another form of competition.” Li Fan was quite familiar with this kind of situation.
“It’s a perfect opportunity to gauge the true capabilities of the elites on both sides.”
Li Fan found himself highly intrigued.
To make it easier for all cultivators to witness the grand event, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance specially crafted a magical mirror tool.
It was affordably priced—just 100 contribution points to purchase. Cultivators could use it to watch the scenes of the event anytime and anywhere. They could even replay the battles between both sides repeatedly. Most importantly, the mirror displayed real-time commentary synchronized with the Tianxuan Mirror, ensuring lower-level cultivators wouldn’t feel lost amidst the advanced techniques.
The “Tianling Viewing Mirror” became an instant hit among cultivators upon its release. @@@@
Apart from its low price and the rarity of missing such a grand occasion, some cultivators also bought it for collection purposes. According to veteran cultivators, during the first friendly exchange event, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had also released a similar viewing mirror.
At that time, it didn’t attract much attention because the event details could be casually searched in the Tianxuan Mirror. Only the more affluent cultivators purchased it.
What no one anticipated was that after the competition ended, the viewing mirrors became limited-edition treasures. Their inherent value wasn’t the main attraction; it was the battle scenes they recorded.
During the first exchange event, the representatives from both sides later rose to become prominent figures in their respective organizations. Almost all of them achieved the Dao Integration realm.
For lower-level cultivators, repeatedly analyzing the discussions and battles of these elites proved extremely beneficial. Some even presented these mirrors, which recorded the victories of key elites, as gifts to the individuals themselves, winning their favor.
Over time, with the deaths of many cultivators, the remaining viewing mirrors became increasingly scarce. Today, they were so rare they could hardly be found.
With such precedent, it was no surprise that this round of “Tianling Viewing Mirrors” sold out rapidly.
For just 100 contribution points, Li Fan naturally bought one.
Upon receiving it, Li Fan found the workmanship of the mirror rather crude.
It was incomparable to the Tianxuan Mirror and even far inferior to ordinary copper mirrors used by mortals. It was essentially a piece of polished stone.
“Could this have been outsourced production again?”
“Selling for 100 contribution points—who knows how much the cost was? Although the unit price is low, considering how many cultivators are in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance...”
“I wonder who’s profiting from this.”
Li Fan muttered to himself as he put the mirror away.
While the cultivators on the island were enthusiastically discussing the exchange event, he quietly returned to his private island.
Over the past few days, Liu San and the others worked tirelessly, exhausting all the raw materials they had prepared beforehand.
They successfully refined 28 Longevity Pills, with their quality fluctuating between 200 years of extended lifespan.
He arrived on the island and led Tianyang alone into a secret chamber.
"Junior Brother, there is now an opportunity for you to advance to the Dao Integration realm. Are you willing to seize it?"
At first, Tianyang tilted his head, seemingly unable to fully understand the meaning of Li Fan's words.
Only after Li Fan repeated himself did Tianyang straighten his posture. Despite his puppet body, a solemn expression appeared on his face.
"You know as well as I do that crises and opportunities have always coexisted in this world."
"The chances of success are slim. It is extremely dangerous, and there is a possibility of complete annihilation."
"Even so, are you willing to take this chance?"
Li Fan's face softened slightly as he patiently asked.
It didn’t take long for Tianyang to respond. In his fragmented mechanical voice, he declared:
"Tianyang’s life..."
"Will never be inferior to anyone!"
Even though Li Fan had already anticipated Tianyang's answer, hearing it from him still stirred some emotion.
"Good! If that’s the case, then I, as your senior brother, will give you my all!" Li Fan said firmly.
In his hand, the Heaven and Earth Divination Dice suddenly appeared. After a few rapid spins, Li Fan felt a faint premonition in his heart.
"Approximately a year from now, is it...?"
"That’s enough time."
Bringing Tianyang with him, Li Fan ventured into the depths of the Congyun Sea.
One after another, precious heavenly materials and earthly treasures were retrieved from Li Fan’s personal storage dimension.
He was preparing to enhance Tianyang's body once more.
At all costs.
Among them was even some ‘Eternal Tribulation Gold,’ a material that could survive the unification of the Five Elements.
"I’d like to see whether the Ink Death truly has the power to erase everything!"
Chapter 623: Calendar of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance
In the Tianxuan Mirror, beams of light and shadows appeared one after another.
Since the anchoring of the year 11 and the official foundation of the Congyun Immortal City under Li Fan's supervision, up until the end of year 14,
the settlement data for a total of four years instantly appeared before Li Fan.
"New Immortal Calendar, Year 2021: Comprehensive Ranking: 231st, rewarded with three Intermediate Grade B Merits and 11,000 Contribution Points."
"New Immortal Calendar, Year 2022: Comprehensive Ranking: 226th, rewarded with three Intermediate Grade B Merits and 15,000 Contribution Points. Additionally, due to active participation in the Congyun Sea Region's response to the Immortal Alliance’s recruitment policy during the Tianling Prefecture War, an extra reward of one Superior Grade B Merit."
...
With the completion of thirteen meritorious missions, Li Fan's merit level soared, eventually stopping at Level 22.
In his previous life, Li Fan had only managed to reach Merit Level 31 at the end of his lifespan by relying on unparalleled contributions, such as constructing the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation.
But now, by essentially being a hands-off overseer, he had effortlessly risen to Level 22.
Of course, this achievement was partly due to the Superior Grade A Merit reward from the foundation of Congyun City.
As his merit level increased, many cultivation techniques and treasures previously hidden in the Tianxuan Mirror were unlocked. However, having reached higher levels in his past life, Li Fan only needed a glance to notice that the list had only a few additional items. These were mainly treasures redeemable by regional administrators.
For example, the Mirror of All Living Beings, which monitors the overall number and cultivation levels of cultivators within a state; and the Bell of Myriad States, which displays the annual development status of other regions and predicts the local state's ranking in the annual comprehensive evaluation.
In summary, these tools were primarily designed to facilitate competition between regions and were of little practical use to Li Fan.
What truly caught Li Fan’s attention, however, was the date displayed in the settlement notification.
“New Immortal Calendar...”
As the name implies, the New Immortal Calendar was a system implemented starting from the year when the Immortal Ancestor rebuilt the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Previously, all time references in various ancient texts that Li Fan consulted were deliberately vague, using terms like ancient, distant ancient, primordial, or broad time spans such as thousands or hundreds of years ago.
This was the first time Li Fan had encountered a precise record down to a specific year.
As for Sima Changkong's Bloodline History, it also followed a "Year One" system, using his own lineage’s beginning as its baseline. It didn’t apply universally to the overall immortal cultivation world.
"It seems the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance must have a detailed recording system internally. It’s just kept secret from the public."
The cultivators’ hearts were stirred with tumultuous waves of realization. They lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the triumphant envoy before them.
Seeing their reactions, Li Fan understood their thoughts but chose not to explain. Instead, he imitated Hong Xi’s demeanor.
“The governance of the Immortal Alliance must prioritize stability. Everything in Congyun Sea will remain as it is. Zhou Qingang, He Zhenghao, and Gao Yuan will assist me in managing all affairs.”
Zhou Qingang, He Zhenghao, and the others were overjoyed and quickly agreed.
“Now, disperse!” Li Fan waved his hand and disappeared as well.
After Li Fan’s departure, the Bureau of Administration Hall erupted into a commotion.
“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Zhou!”
“Lord He, this is truly worth celebrating!”
...
Hearing their words as he walked away, Li Fan shook his head slightly.
He was about to return to Shenhua Island when he suddenly received another message.
“The Second Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals and the Five Elders Association’s Friendly Exchange Meeting will take place in Tianling Prefecture in ten days.”
“At this former battlefield, both sides will set aside their grudges and forge new friendships.”
Li Fan’s first thought was of the scene of devastation he had previously witnessed in Tianling Prefecture.
“Hosting a friendly exchange event in such a place? Is that really appropriate?” Li Fan muttered to himself.
“Could it be that, under the guise of friendly exchange, tensions will remain high?”
Li Fan carefully searched for related information and indeed found some suspicious details.
In addition to the mutual exhibition of both parties’ "World-Defying Supreme Treasures," the exchange event would also include competitions in martial arts, philosophical debates, and formation testing.
Representatives from both sides would be the top young talents from their respective organizations.
The entire process of the competitions would be broadcast live.
Beneath the Congyun Sea, where several vital ley lines converge, the energy of the earth veins surged turbulently, appearing far more agitated than before.
Using this powerful energy, Li Fan set up the [Earth-Fire Convergence Formation], placing the dormant Tianyang at its center.
He then gradually added materials such as Eternal Tribulation Gold, Radiant Heaven Crystal, and Purple Spirit Essence into the formation.
The formation resembled a massive furnace. Under the blazing heat of the Earthfire energy, these materials began to merge with Tianyang’s puppet body.@@@@
During Tianyang’s countless years of slumber, it was precisely this formation that allowed him to break through his own limits, ascending from a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator to become a Soul Transformation Immortal Monarch.
However, due to the mediocre heritage of the minor sect he had inherited, even with all its resources, Tianyang’s financial means were limited. Over millennia, reaching the Soul Transformation realm was already his peak achievement.
The puppet body, constrained by the innate limitations of its materials, lacked significant strength. While it could contend with those in the same realm, crossing realms to defeat enemies, as true prodigies did, was nearly impossible.
Now, with Li Fan’s assistance, all of this was about to change.
With so many rare treasures poured into its creation, even if it were purely a puppet, it could rival an ordinary Dao Integration cultivator.
Coupled with Tianyang’s indomitable spirit and will, he might even survive against the ultimate manifestation of the soul of heaven and earth—Ink Death.
Li Fan’s eyes reflected the fierce glow of the [Earth-Fire Convergence Formation]. After observing for several days, he noticed the process was slower than expected.
“Junior Brother, let Senior Brother give you a little extra boost.”
With that, Li Fan tossed a massive pile of top-quality spirit stones, brimming with pure spiritual energy, into the formation.
Like dry wood meeting a roaring fire, or a strong wind fanning the flames, the effect was immediate. The efficiency of the Earth-Fire Convergence Formation doubled.
Li Fan continued to stare at Tianyang within the formation, his gaze deep and contemplative.
...
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
The Tianling Prefecture’s friendly exchange event was about to begin.
To prevent any unforeseen incidents, the entire Tianling Prefecture was locked down. Even all teleportation formation were deactivated, barring unrelated individuals from entering and causing disturbances.
Thus, the opening ceremony and the unveiling of the World-Defying Supreme Treasures were closed to ordinary cultivators.
These so-called "World-Defying Supreme Treasures" referred to peerless magical artifacts possessed by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association, capable of drastically altering the course of their wars. ȒâNóᛒËṣ
According to rumors, both sides had unveiled one supreme treasure each. Those who witnessed their terrifying power were left utterly shaken, abandoning any thoughts of reigniting conflict. However, due to strict confidentiality, no details about these treasures were disclosed, leaving everyone itching with curiosity.
On the second day after the opening, the highly anticipated competition phase officially began.
Dao, Martial Arts, Tools, Formation, Pills, Talismans—
"Heh, you’re at least at the Nascent Soul stage. Should I, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, even say anything?"
...
Before the duel even began, it had already ignited worldwide debate. Cultivators speculated wildly about Di Luwu's background.
Even Li Fan’s eyes flickered with amazement and surprise.
After all, a nine-year-old at the Soul Transformation peak was simply beyond reason.
"Could it be the reincarnation technique like Senior Brother Zhang’s method? Or perhaps the body-possession rebirth technique of the Xuantian Sect’s Dharma King?"
"Or maybe..."
Li Fan stared intently at the perpetually cold expression on Di Luwu’s face, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
"A Heavenly Warlock?"
"Is this Di Luwu from the [Era]?"
While Li Fan was lost in thought, Xu Guzhi moved.
With a swift swing of his sword, a massive sword shadow materialized and descended from the sky.
"A thousand swords unbroken, stretching like mountains."
The viewing mirror immediately displayed a synchronized explanation.
Countless gigantic sword shadows overlapped and pressed down on Di Luwu from all directions with the weight of a mountain, creating an unparalleled sense of oppression without any earth-shaking noise—just a silent and seamless execution.
In the midst of the surrounding swords, Di Luwu seemed frozen with fear, unmoving and at a loss.
The hearts of the cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance tightened instantly.
Just as the countless massive swords were about to strike, Di Luwu made his move.
A silver dragon, like a sudden thunderbolt, lit up the heavens and earth.
It swiftly pierced through the encircling swords.
Before anyone could react, it had already penetrated Xu Guzhi's chest.
........................................................................
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The attack by Di Luwu was unbelievably swift.
It wasn’t until the silver dragon revealed its true form—a silver spear—that the scene became clear.
The explanation slowly appeared in the viewing mirror:
“The spear strikes like a dragon, breaking through all.”
After piercing through Xu Guzhi’s body, the silver spear swiftly turned back, shattering the countless sword shadows in its path.
Then, it leisurely returned to Di Luwu’s hand.
At this point, the giant mountain swords Xu Guzhi had swung still hadn’t managed to touch Di Luwu’s body.
In the dazzling silver brilliance, they vanished into nothingness.
Xu Guzhi coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood and stared in disbelief at the “child” before him, who showed no emotional fluctuations whatsoever.
The reversal of the battle took place in an instant.
In truth, most of the spectators couldn’t even discern what had happened.
Only after watching the slow-motion replay in the viewing mirror repeatedly did they begin to grasp the details of the fight.
Gasps echoed across the crowd.
“What incredible speed! Such sharp spear techniques!”
“Who is this Di Luwu? His strength is terrifying! I suspect even some Dao Integration Immortal Sages might not be his match!”
“Who exactly are you referring to? Don’t hesitate to name names.”
On the battlefield, Xu Guzhi, pierced by the silver spear, didn’t admit defeat immediately.
He took a deep breath, and his injuries healed completely.
Xu Guzhi slightly opened his mouth and swallowed the straight sword in his hand.
With the sword consumed, his body disappeared from sight.
Amid the stunned gazes of the audience, Xu Guzhi vanished entirely!
It was only through the explanation appearing in the viewing mirror that the onlookers understood what had occurred:
“The sword returns to the sheath; its strike conceals itself in the void.”
For the first time, a faint ripple of emotion appeared on Di Luwu’s face—but it was just a fleeting ripple.
Standing motionless in midair, he extended his right hand, curling his fingers in a provocative gesture.
Almost instantly, an invisible sword light emerged above Di Luwu’s head.
Silent and undetectable, it aimed to sever his head.
But as the strike descended, a burst of silver light erupted, intercepting the Hidden Returning Sword and neutralizing the killing blow.
As the battle dragged on endlessly, it seemed no conclusion could be reached. Finally, through mutual agreement, a dramatic result emerged:
The first duel of the first day ended in a tie!
This result surprised everyone, save for one cultivator who posted the following message in the Tianxuan Mirror's [World of Dharma] section:
"Wow! It really ended in a draw. With 300-to-1 odds? I've struck it rich!"
The post garnered a mix of envy and scorn from countless cultivators.
After Xu Guzhi and Di Luwu left the stage and rested briefly, the second duel began.
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance sent a cultivator Li Fan knew well: Shuo Feng, nicknamed "I Am Invincible".
Meanwhile, the Five Elders Association's representative was a limping disabled man.
This so-called "Limping Daoist" appeared unremarkable but was, in fact, incredibly powerful.
Every move he made seemed to carry immense force, distorting space itself and blurring the live broadcast from the viewing mirrors.
However, Shuo Feng was no easy opponent. Clad in radiant golden armor, he withstood all of the Limping Daoist's attacks.
After a prolonged fight, Shuo Feng seized an opportunity and deployed 49 flying swords, ultimately defeating the Limping Daoist.
Thus, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance won the second duel.
Yet, Shuo Feng showed little joy on his face. He clasped his hands toward the Limping Daoist in acknowledgment before leaving silently, seemingly dissatisfied with his victory.
"Shuo Feng's victory lies in the strength of his equipment, not the courage of his martial skill."
This post-match commentary even appeared in the viewing mirrors, a rare critique that praised an opponent while downplaying one's own side.
Such remarks should not have surfaced but somehow did.
"Who is Shuo Feng?"
"The treasures he's wearing are incredible! If I had those weapons, I wouldn’t be much weaker!"
"You? Dream on. He has a powerful mother; what do you have?"
"A powerful mother? Fellow Daoist, please elaborate..."
...
Cultivators across the world began discussing Shuo Feng fervently. Soon, everyone knew he was the favored son of the Immortal Sage Fei Xue. Many speculated that his participation in this duel was due to his mother's influence.
Regardless of Shuo Feng's feelings, amidst the heated debates, the third duel commenced.
Initially, everyone expected another intense battle, but the outcome was decided in an instant.
With a single punch, the representative sent by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was defeated.
The one who delivered the punch? A seemingly ordinary peasant-looking woman from the Five Elders Association.
[1. Wugui here means 'turtle' basically insulting Xu Guzhi by calling him coward]
As the punch landed, the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance fell into a deafening silence.
The woman, however, maintained a remarkably composed demeanor as she slowly retracted her fist. "Let’s go back," she said.
The representative of the Five Elders Association’s martial faction, though visibly shaken, followed behind the peasant woman, gradually disappearing from the viewing mirror’s display.
It wasn’t until Xu Jing, the peak Soul Transformation cultivator from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, regained consciousness with a confused expression that the spectators finally snapped out of their shock.
"Wow! That old lady is insanely powerful!"
"That punch... it felt like even the Dao itself was about to be annihilated!"
"Did anyone see clearly how she struck?"
Even Li Fan and the rest of the spectators repeatedly played back the scene captured by the viewing mirror.
However, despite slowing the footage to its limits, the peasant woman’s movements remained indiscernible. All they could see was a blur before the shadow of a fist appeared, and Xu Jing was overwhelmed by the punch’s energy, falling unconscious.
"Three punches from the peasant woman can bring down the heavens and collapse the earth," someone muttered.
Even the commentator seemed stunned by the punch, as a single line slowly appeared on the mirror:
"Three punches from the peasant woman? Does that mean there are two punches she hasn’t unleashed yet?"
"Gasp! If the first punch alone could suppress someone as prodigious as Xu Jing, who could possibly withstand all three punches?"
"Shuo Feng definitely can’t handle it. What about Di Luwu?"
"Di Luwu’s speed is incredible; the peasant woman might not even be able to land a hit on him."
"I wouldn’t be so sure."
...
Amid the heated debates, the first day of the competition finally came to an end.
The result was a draw, seemingly setting a harmonious tone for this "friendly exchange meeting."
However, as the days passed, and the outcomes of the remaining contests—focused on Dao, artifacts, formations, alchemy, and talismans—all unexpectedly ended in ties, the atmosphere gradually took on a peculiar vibe.
If the draws on the first and second days could be attributed to coincidence, then six consecutive days of evenly matched results suggested something more deliberate.
It seemed as though the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association had reached some sort of secret agreement, collectively sending a subtle message to all cultivators:
A message of "peace."
At the same level of power, not to mention competing with him, even Zhong Shentong, who mastered the Seven-Colored Divine Light, might not guarantee a clear victory.
Now it seemed there was indeed something fishy going on.
Li Fan arrived at the Administrative Hall, where Hongxi was already waiting.
Hongxi lightly tapped the table, and in an instant, the world’s scenery changed.
From the Congyun Immortal City, they were transported to the peak of a mountain surrounded by a sea of clouds.
Li Fan was initially startled. But seeing that Hongxi showed no hostility, he chose to wait and observe.
"The competition is about to begin. There’s no commentary, so how much you comprehend depends entirely on your own understanding," Hongxi said, waving his hand.
In the distance, the sea of clouds surged, revealing a square seal.
The seal’s engraved patterns seemed to resemble the scenery of the Congyun Sea.
At that moment, the seal projected a beam of light upward, illuminating the sky.
In the next instant, two figures appeared.
Not only were they lifelike images, but the aura and pressure emanating from them felt utterly real.
It was as if a massive mountain suddenly weighed down on him, and Li Fan almost bent under the pressure, struggling to breathe.
His internal cave-heaven energy circulated slightly, not at full power but enough to ease the burden a bit.
Li Fan stared intently at the two figures standing above the sea of clouds.
One of them bore an uncanny resemblance to the nine-year-old Soul Transformation genius who had appeared earlier. Even their attire and weapon were identical.
However, this figure looked even younger, appearing to be only five or six years old.
"Please grant me your guidance!" the child said in a soft, milky voice, sounding utterly adorable.
But when the child made a move, Li Fan's expression changed dramatically.
With a casual swipe at the void ahead, countless silver beams descended from the sky in an instant.
As the world was dyed entirely in silvery hues, the surrounding area seemed to transform into a domain under the child’s complete control.
In Li Fan's perception, the area ahead had become akin to an independent world.
"I fear my Binding Insect Divine Ability would be greatly weakened in that space," a thought quickly flashed through Li Fan's mind.
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's representative "Wu" displayed extraordinary skill, his moves creating an immense commotion.
Meanwhile, the Five Elders Association’s representative was no ordinary figure either. He was not the green-robed youth seen earlier, but a cold-faced, lean middle-aged cultivator exuding a murderous aura.
Countless silver rays descended around him but were effortlessly neutralized by the swirling gray-white energy emanating from him.
“Ice!”
The cold and indifferent voice of the lean cultivator rang out. Before his words faded, the space surrounding him seemed to freeze, as if encased in ice.
A chilling aura spread outward from him as its origin, seemingly capable of freezing even time itself. When a silver ray approached the cultivator, it froze mid-air on the spot.
As the frozen domain expanded, more and more silver rays became immobilized.
Only then did Li Fan clearly see the dancing silver serpents in the air, which turned out to be an array of various weapons: swords, spears, halberds, axes, and hooks.
Despite his moves being countered, "Wu" showed no trace of anger on his face. Instead, he clapped joyfully and laughed, then pointed lightly at the lean cultivator. His smile disappeared, replaced by a solemn and murderous expression.
“Bang!”
An invisible surge of lightning passed through the frozen domain, and cracks started to spread toward the lean cultivator.
However, just as the lightning was about to strike his body, the swirling gray energy reappeared, blocking it.
Within the gray aura, black streaks briefly emerged before vanishing, leaving behind a bleak, ghostly gray light.
"Wu" pointed again, unleashing another series of deadly strikes.
The lean cultivator, unchanged in expression, calmly called out: “Wind!”
A fierce gust of wind erupted from nowhere. Li Fan saw the invisible lightning, which had pierced through the frozen domain, being blown back as if carried away by the wind. It turned around and struck toward "Wu."
"Wu" furrowed his brow and summoned silver light to shield himself.
The crackling sound of colliding energy resonated continuously around him.
“This is more like it...” Although the spectacle left Li Fan puzzled, he could sense the brilliance of the battle between the two.
Not wanting to miss a single detail, he focused all his attention, carefully observing and recording every ripple of energy fluctuation on the battlefield.
Beside him, Immortal Lord Hongxi did the same. However, his gaze occasionally fell on Li Fan, a thoughtful expression flickering across his face.
While Li Fan was immersed in the enthralling duel between two geniuses of the Xuanyuan Realm, the outside world had gradually calmed down from discussions about the "Friendly Exchange Meeting."
Life had returned to normal, with more cultivators choosing to enhance their insights through secluded meditation.
Hongxi chuckled but did not refute.
"Understanding a little is enough. By the way, when you return, write an essay reflecting on the battle you observed. It should include, but not be limited to, a comparison of the strengths between the core members of our Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association, potential future developments, and possible breakthroughs."
"The more detailed, the better," Hongxi suddenly added.
"Huh?" Li Fan was startled by his words.
Hongxi, however, continued as if it were only natural, "Did you think that watching this remote [True Scene Reappearance] was free of charge? You should know that every moment of activating this feature costs countless contributions."
"Many people would kill for this opportunity. What’s wrong with asking you to write a reflection?"
"Besides, this is an assignment handed down from above. It’s also considered part of the administrative achievements of our Congyun Sea. Don’t slack off."
Hearing this, Li Fan could only remain silent.
He cupped his hands in acknowledgment, indicating that he understood.
"Go quickly, and make sure to send it to me as soon as possible," Hongxi said, waving his hand. The mountain-top and sea-of-clouds scene abruptly disappeared.
The two returned to the administrative hall.
After bidding farewell, Li Fan returned to the Tianxuan Mirror.
Seizing the moment while the memories were still fresh, he activated the "Awakening" state and swallowed a Dao Enlightenment Pill.
Reflecting and comprehending the scenes of the battle between geniuses, his mind immersed itself fully.
After some unknown amount of time, when he finally awoke from his epiphany, a sharp gleam shot out from his eyes before quickly retracting.
"Battling against geniuses—divine abilities and techniques cannot be as invincible as they are against ordinary cultivators."
"For example, my Congyun Sword and Heaven-Overturning Palm are both incredibly powerful. But hitting the swift martial artist or the emaciated cultivator who seemed capable of freezing everything was an arduous task."
"Only by mastering more divine abilities and merging them seamlessly to act as one with my will can I gain an absolute advantage."
"In the end, it’s still due to insufficient real combat experience."
...
Li Fan pondered for a moment and then opened the long-unused [Sitting and Discuss Dao] section within the Tianxuan Mirror.
Using the Congyun Sword and Heaven-Overturning Palm as templates, he virtually created a character.
"Would you like to spend 10,000 contribution points to conduct a deduction of a divine ability? The first attempt has a 1% success rate. Each subsequent attempt increases the success rate until it reaches 100%."@@@@
Li Fan stared at the prompt displayed by the Tianxuan Mirror, his expression unchanging, and selected "Confirm."
Within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance system, cultivators gradually unlock specific privileges as their merit levels increase.
These privileges manifest in various aspects of cultivation life, such as reduced contribution costs for using teleportation formations, or an increased number of items that can be sold to the Tianxuan Mirror at market-standard prices.
However, some significant privileges are only available upon reaching specific levels:
1. Level 5 Privilege: Once per year, one can request a free long-distance teleportation.
2. Level 10 Privilege: While searching the Tianxuan Mirror for information, one can preview materials and item details that are typically restricted to those a realm higher.
3. Level 15 Privilege: Every ten years, one can randomly contact a cultivator who is one major realm higher through the Tianxuan Mirror. This contact does not impose any obligations or responsibilities on either party, leaving the relationship to personal ability.
4. Level 20 Privilege: The ability to use contribution points for divine ability or combat technique deductions during the Sitting and Discussing Dao.
However, this deduction process has a reputation for being particularly harsh.
Not only does it consume a massive amount of contribution points, but success is far from guaranteed.
Many cultivators in the system ridicule it as a "contribution-recovery trap."
When Li Fan confirmed his choice, the miniature figure representing him in the mirror began to move.
Its expression was stern, eyes fixed on the void ahead. The left hand executed a palm strike, while the right hand wielded a sword.
A faint glow erupted from the figure, and the surrounding space distorted and blurred.
As expected, the Tianxuan Mirror notified him:
"This deduction attempt has failed. Would you like to spend 15,000 contribution points to continue?"
"If you proceed, the success rate will increase to 2%. If you abandon the process, all deduction data will be reset, requiring you to start over next time."
"You may also choose to supplement the divine ability's data details to further increase the success rate."
Li Fan decisively chose to continue.
The miniature figure resumed its movements. This time, the display of the "Congyun Sword" and "Heaven-Overturning Palm" techniques seemed more vivid than before.
However, the probability of success was still minuscule, and failure quickly followed.
The third deduction required 20,000 contribution points, raising the success rate to just 3%.
“You may also continue to refine the [Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword], enhancing it to perfection. Remember, the Dao has no limits.”
“The first advanced deduction comes at a 50% discount, costing only 50,000 contribution points. Success rate: 8%.”
As the series of prompts from the Tianxuan Mirror echoed in his mind, Li Fan’s expression fluctuated, and he finally couldn’t hold back his emotions.
He had initially believed his contribution points were abundant—enough to last him a lifetime.
But now...
Even with that, the Tianxuan Mirror still outmaneuvered him!
With a "let's give it a try" mindset, Li Fan initiated the advanced deduction.
The first discounted attempt cost 50,000 contribution points, with an 8% success rate. Failed.
The second attempt consumed 150,000 contribution points, but the success rate increased to 10%. Still failed.
...
Even though Li Fan had accumulated an enormous amount of contribution points—practically windfalls—watching them deplete rapidly left him heartbroken.
In this cultivation method deduction, contribution points seemed to lose their inherent value, becoming mere fuel to power the process.
If the success rate steadily increased with each attempt, Li Fan might have gritted his teeth and pushed through to achieve the advanced version of the divine ability.
But the Tianxuan Mirror’s schemes exceeded his expectations.
When the success rate reached 50% and another failure occurred, Li Fan discovered that it had stopped increasing!
Instead, a new progress bar appeared before him:
“Specialized Directional Deduction.”
“When the success rate of divine ability advancement deductions stagnates, failures can contribute to the progress of a directional deduction. Once the progress bar is full, you can specify the enhancement direction of the advanced divine ability.”
“For example: destructive power, mystique, priority, etc.”
...
The success rate did not steadily increase, but the contribution cost for each deduction unequivocally escalated.
At this rate, refining an advanced version of the [Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword] would require an astronomical amount of contribution points.
Li Fan thought for a moment and eventually decided to give up for the time being.
"You may choose to consume 100,000 contribution points to save the progress of this advancement and deduction."
"The next time, you can continue the deduction from the saved checkpoint."
"You currently have three divine ability deduction record slots available. Additional slots can be unlocked by spending contribution points."
...
Li Fan fell silent.
In the end, he reluctantly chose to save the progress.
Then, he infused the [Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword] with divine abilities.@@@@
A brilliant seven-colored radiance suddenly burst from the miniature figure of Li Fan.
The figure transitioned from solid to illusory, slowly solidifying. Finally, it transformed into a seven-colored prism that floated gently before Li Fan.
Li Fan reached out and grasped it. In an instant, the prism seemed to dissolve, shrinking smaller and smaller.
At the same time, countless images and insights surged into Li Fan’s mind.
It was the perfect fusion of the Congyun Sea Sword and the Heaven-Overturning Palm, forming a brand-new divine ability.
The effect of the divine infusion was even better than achieving an epiphany on his own.
When the prism in his hand completely disappeared, Li Fan had fully mastered the [Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword].
"Congratulations! You have successfully acquired a new divine ability."
"Would you like to apply the new divine ability to your character template?"
Of course, Li Fan confirmed his choice.
Moments later, a brand-new miniature figure of Li Fan appeared before him.
Its expression was calm, and its aura was noticeably stronger than that of the previous figure.
Using this new character, Li Fan initiated challenges against other cultivators.
Within moments, amidst the shifting heavens and earth and the flashing sword light, his opponent was already defeated.
"You have accumulated a battle experience entry. Would you like to extract and infuse it?"
The mechanical voice of the Tianxuan Mirror rang out once more.
"No need for now. Activate the auto-challenge function," Li Fan said in a deep voice.
However, he didn’t show any signs of knowing this and instead stared at Liu San in apparent surprise.
He then feigned shock and said, "Elder Liu, what happened to you? Has your lifespan decreased?"
Liu San nodded.
Li Fan pretended to be furious and said, "Outrageous! When I purchased that Samantabhadra True Boat, the seller swore it would completely isolate the White Mist’s effect of consuming lifespan."
"How dare he deceive me! I’ll make him pay for this!"
Li Fan, filled with anger, turned around as if to leave immediately.
Seeing how concerned Li Fan was and how angry he became on his behalf, a hint of emotion flashed in Liu San’s eyes.
He quickly stopped Li Fan and persuaded him, "Young Master, let it go. We are newcomers here, and it’s better to avoid unnecessary conflicts."
"It’s just a few years of lifespan. This old servant’s humble life is insignificant compared to the revival of the Medicine King Sect."
"Besides, merchants tend to exaggerate their claims to sell their products. It may not have been intentional deception."
Under Liu San’s persuasion, Li Fan’s expression shifted several times before he finally snorted coldly and gave up on immediate revenge.
"Did you gain anything during this trip, Elder Liu?" After making the appropriate gestures, Li Fan asked calmly.
"Thankfully, I did not fail in my mission!" Liu San’s face revealed a smile.
"The heavens have not forsaken our Medicine King Sect! I searched nearly all the locations you marked, finding nothing."
"Just as I was about to give up, I discovered traces of the Longevity Valley at the last location!"
Hearing this, Li Fan’s eyes lit up.
Liu San, looking excited, continued, "I entered the valley and saw it for myself. Perhaps due to its location within the White Mist Barrier, the secret realm seems untouched by cultivators for thousands of years."
"Compared to when we last left, the spiritual energy inside, the growth density of spiritual plants, and medicinal herbs have all improved significantly!"
"Moreover, the formation we set up back then is still operational, having automatically collected and stored a large amount of mature herbs over the years."
Liu San spoke at length, finally concluding, "Reclaiming the Longevity Valley gives us hope for the revival of the Medicine King Sect!"
Hearing this, Li Fan also became visibly excited. "Excellent! Elder Liu, this time you have truly made a great contribution!"
"Once the matters here at Congyun Sea are settled in a few days, we will head to the Longevity Valley."
Liu San nodded in agreement.
However, he seemed to recall something and furrowed his brows slightly.
This subtle change did not escape Li Fan’s sharp eyes. He asked, "Elder Liu, do you have any concerns?"
Liu San did not answer immediately but pondered for a moment before asking a question.
“Does the Young Master know if the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has any similar strongholds within the White Mist Barrier?”
Li Fan was slightly taken aback. “What does Elder Liu mean by this?”
Stroking his beard, Liu San slowly explained, “Earlier, while maneuvering the Samantabhadra True Boat through the vast white mist, I happened to glimpse a group of cultivators acting strangely.”
“They had no protective measures and were exposed directly to the essence-devouring white mist, moving sluggishly as though searching for something.”
“What was even more peculiar was that I could not sense any signs of life from them. At first, I thought they were corpses acting purely on instinct. But just as I was about to approach and investigate, one of them seemed to notice me and turned their head. At the same time, I felt a spiritual sense probing me.”
“At that time, my main task was to locate the Longevity Valley. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I sent out a spiritual message indicating I had no malicious intent, then withdrew on my own initiative.”
“Since Longevity Valley is hidden within the White Mist, it is possible that our Medicine King Sect may encounter these individuals again when entering or exiting. It would be wise to prepare in advance.”
As Liu San narrated this incident, Li Fan's expression gradually became serious.
“Cultivators within the White Mist, devoid of any life force, yet behaving just like ordinary cultivators?”
Almost instantly, Li Fan recalled the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivators from his previous life, who emerged from the White Mist over four hundred years later—dead yet still alive.
“Have they already succeeded in reversing the principles of life and death?”
Li Fan immediately asked Liu San for more details about those cultivators.
After a brief exchange, Li Fan’s heart settled slightly.
“Wandering mindlessly like walking corpses—they are still far from truly being reborn after death. However, they indeed exhibit characteristics of life emerging from dead bodies.”
This mysterious Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, who reversed the principles of life and death and secretly proved their Dao without anyone noticing, was utterly enigmatic.
Even in his past life, up until the unification of Xuanhuang and the establishment of the Heavenly Alliance, this person never revealed themselves.@@@@
Clearly, they intentionally concealed their identity. Regardless of their motives, it was evident they did not wish to be disturbed.
“This matter is undoubtedly bizarre, but it has nothing to do with our Medicine King Sect. If the sky falls, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance can hold it up. If we encounter them again, we should simply avoid them,” Li Fan instructed after pretending to deliberate for a moment. ṜáΝȰ????Ɛs̩
Looking at his "achievement," Li Fan roughly estimated the power of the Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword.
In fact, he hadn’t used his full strength, only employing the power of one of his Cave Heaven domains.
If the power of all five elemental Cave Heavens were fully circulated, the explosive destructive power would likely be at least ten times stronger.
At that time, it wouldn’t be just a scratch.
“To wound but not kill. After all, the gap between Dao Integration and Nascent Soul is far greater than that between Foundation Establishment and Nascent Soul,” Li Fan thought to himself.
In the days that followed, Li Fan instructed Liu San to select some trustworthy individuals from the still-dormant cultivators of the Medicine King Sect and awaken them first.
Before long, the Crimson Flame will burn the sea, and the great calamity would descend. The foundations Li Fan had laid in this place would be buried along with it.
Reestablishing his identity later would not be easy.
Therefore, it was necessary to take advantage of this remaining time to expedite the process of integrating the Medicine King Sect cultivators into the alliance.
Liu San also understood the current situation. In an environment where dual cultivation of laws was no longer possible, cultivation methods were more precious than ever, especially high-level ones. Thus, he was particularly cautious in his selection. However, Liu San had never indulged in power struggles in his earlier years, focusing instead on cultivation and alchemy while following Liu Ruchen.
As a result, he had few confidants and only a general understanding of the disciples' characters within the Medicine King Sect.
After much thought, he secretly approached Li Fan and suggested a method of "forcible control."
Although this fit perfectly with Li Fan's intentions, he still needed to act hesitant on the surface.
Pretending to hesitate, Li Fan lowered his head and remained silent.
Seeing this, Liu San persuaded him, saying, “Young master, you must understand that mercy has no place in leadership. The current circumstances are extraordinary and leave no room for error. Human nature is complex and unpredictable. You can’t expect everyone to be as devoted as we are, willing to give their all for the revival of the Medicine King Sect.”
As if recalling something, Liu San sneered, “There are quite a few traitors within the Medicine King Sect.”
“In those days...”
Liu San paused and continued, “Now that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is stronger than the Ten Great Immortal Sects, there’s no guarantee that when these people wake up and see the alliance’s grandeur, they won’t entertain the idea of defecting.”
"One person's defection is manageable, but what I fear most is them seeking merit by sacrificing our Medicine King Sect."
Liu San's eyebrows slightly furrowed as he said, "Therefore, the Young Master must prepare thoroughly."
Li Fan feigned hesitation but eventually let out a long sigh and reluctantly agreed.
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has everything one could need. As long as we have enough contributions, acquiring a powerful controlling technique shouldn't be too difficult."
"It's just that we've already accumulated significant contribution debt..."
Hearing this, Liu San patted his chest confidently, reassuring Li Fan.
"This time, when I returned, I brought some top-quality mature herbs from the Longevity Valley. They should be enough to refine some high quality Longevity Pills."
Li Fan nodded. "In that case, I will have to trouble you again, Elder Liu."
Liu San waved it off without concern and immediately led a group of disciples to begin refining the Longevity Pills.
Meanwhile, Li Fan exited the Medicine King's Cauldron, intending to return to Congyun Immortal City to make preparations for their eventual departure.
Once the Congyun Sea disappears, the Immortal Alliance will likely investigate the surviving cultivators from the area.
As members of the Medicine King Sect are all registered as being "from the Congyun Sea," if only they survive this calamity, it might arouse suspicion.
To avoid this, Li Fan planned to muddy the waters. He intended to find an excuse to send out another group of people from the Congyun Sea. The number of survivors would need to be at least double the registered cultivators of the Medicine King Sect to make it appear reasonable.
As he deliberated over names, one by one passing through his mind, he was about to leave when he suddenly heard the cry of a baby.
Startled, Li Fan scanned with his spiritual sense, and his expression became somewhat peculiar.
It turned out that, being young men and women full of vigor, some had inevitably developed romantic feelings for each other while living together on the island.
To his surprise, the newborn's mother was none other than the mother of Han Wuyou from his previous life, though her father was now a different man.
"So, in this lifetime, Han Wuyou won't exist?"
"Does this mean that nothing is truly predestined? Or does fate itself constantly shift with the actions of living beings?"
Li Fan's eyes narrowed slightly as he fell into deep thought.
The birth of new life always brings hope, especially to these young people who had been confined for so long.
They gazed at the wrinkled face of the baby girl with genuine joy, grinning foolishly.
Su Xiaomei, in particular, was overjoyed, hopping around and clamoring to hold the baby. However, she was firmly stopped by Xiao Heng.
Watching the warm scene on the island, a distant memory of a similar moment surfaced in Li Fan's mind, causing a fleeting ripple in his gaze.
But the emotion quickly dissipated.
"Without longevity, all is fleeting."
“Let me take a good look at you...”
He Zhenghao seemed to be in a dream.
“I never imagined that I’d have a daughter...”
He Xinxin’s eyes reddened as well, and she began to sob softly.
A reunion between a father and daughter who had been separated for many years was naturally a touching and emotional scene.
After a long time, their emotions finally calmed down.
He Xinxin said, “I wanted to come find you a few years ago, but Mother suddenly appeared and stopped me.”
“She wouldn’t let me come no matter what, so it was delayed.”
He Xinxin pouted, looking quite upset.
Hearing this, He Zhenghao’s expression grew somber.
“It’s my fault. It’s only natural that your mother wouldn’t want you to see me. Don’t blame her.”
As he spoke, He Zhenghao hesitated for a moment. “But why did your mother suddenly let you come now?”
“Has she forgiven me? Has she changed her mind?”
He Zhenghao was overjoyed.
He Xinxin’s face turned slightly red, and she tugged at He Zhenghao’s clothes, shaking her head slightly.
“No, Father. Mother doesn’t know. I succeeded in establishing my foundation and sneaked over here without telling her.”
He Xinxin stuck out her tongue, looking a little embarrassed.
He Zhenghao’s body stiffened slightly, and his expression became a bit awkward.
Seeing this, He Xinxin quickly changed the subject.
“Father, you don’t know, but I came here at the risk of being scolded because I have something very important to warn you about.”
He Xinxin’s face turned serious.
“What important matter?” He Zhenghao, though somewhat dismissive, still tilted his head to listen, noticing her solemn demeanor.
He Xinxin lowered her voice and said, “When I broke through, I had a premonition that your life is in danger, Father.”
“That’s why I traveled all this way to find you.”
“I’ve discovered that the danger comes from this Congyun Sea. Father, come back with me. As long as you leave this place and return to Tianyu Prefecture, you’ll be safe.”@@@@
“Danger?” He Zhenghao was slightly stunned.@@@@
Then, he dismissed the idea with a smile and said, “Xin Xin, you’re overthinking this! Your father now oversees the administration of the Congyun Sea and stays in the Bureau Hall all day, without venturing out. How could there be any danger?”
“It’s true!” Seeing her father’s disbelief, He Xinxin stomped her foot in frustration.
She leaned closer and whispered, “Father, you don’t know. My Foundation Establishment treasure is an innate companion artifact called the Dao Pattern Compass. The cultivation technique I practice was custom-made by Mother for me, known as [Heavenly Dao Net]...”
After listening to his daughter’s explanation, He Zhenghao was slightly tongue-tied.
He had thought that by following the secret envoy, he had done well for himself, earning enough contribution points to barely count as a prominent figure.
Yet, compared to the deep-rooted heritage of cultivation families like the Heng clan in Tianyu Prefecture, he realized there was still a vast gap.
At the very least, the concept of a custom-tailored cultivation technique was something far beyond his current capability.
This realization left He Zhenghao with a bitter feeling in his heart.
“There is indeed a real danger, Father. You should leave with me,” He Xinxin urged, running another deduction in front of him, which yielded the same unsettling result. She couldn’t help but try to persuade him again.
Looking at her serious demeanor, He Zhenghao began to feel doubtful.
“It’s impossible. How could there be a life-threatening crisis in Congyun City? I’ve been upright and honest lately, not doing anything to provoke the secret envoy’s wrath.”
Pondering over it carefully, He Zhenghao’s brow furrowed tightly.
“Could it be that the Five Elders Association is up to their old tricks, planning another surprise attack on Congyun Immortal City?” Suddenly, He Zhenghao recalled past events in the Congyun Sea and was startled.
“That can’t be... Didn’t we just host a friendly exchange meeting recently?” His expression grew uncertain.
Pacing back and forth in the room, his face betrayed his growing anxiety.
He Xinxin, seeing her father’s indecision, couldn’t help but feel both worried and frustrated.
Moreover, He Zhenghao’s reaction fell far short of her expectations. She had thought he would immediately follow her back to Tianyu Prefecture after hearing the deduction results. Disappointed, she began to feel a bit resentful of his lack of trust. ℞äΝȯbЕš
Unaware of his daughter’s emotional turmoil, He Zhenghao continued to hesitate.
It wasn’t that he didn’t believe her. As someone who had personally witnessed the power and influence of the Heng clan in Tianyu Prefecture, he understood their capability all too well. The [Heavenly Dao Net] his daughter practiced did not appear to be ordinary.
But He Zhenghao had risen from a destitute and marginalized guardian of an island to become a key figure in the Congyun Sea, with countless cultivators eager to curry favor with him.
This hard-earned status was not something he could abandon easily, not even for his daughter’s warning.
Furthermore, his roots were firmly planted in the Congyun Sea. Without the connections he had painstakingly built here, he would be reduced to nothing.
Even if he returned to Tianyu Prefecture, what would he become?
A silence fell over the room.
On the projection, the Heaven and Earth Divination Dice seemed to spin unceasingly in Li Fan's palm.
"Dao Pattern Compass? As expected, the Heng family of Tianyu lives up to its reputation."
"Your daughter possesses such exceptional talent that her future achievements will certainly not be beneath mine."
After a brief pause, Li Fan did not directly answer He Zhenghao's question but instead looked at He Xinxin and praised her.
He Zhenghao was stunned. He had not expected lord secret envoy to discern his daughter's abilities with just one glance.
He Xinxin, too, was astonished, her mouth slightly agape.
"You flatter me, Lord," He Zhenghao replied hurriedly.
"Such promising youth," Li Fan shook his head, seeming to recall something with a hint of nostalgia.
Then, he pointed a finger toward He Xinxin's forehead.
"Lord!" He Zhenghao's expression changed slightly, but he quickly realized Li Fan bore no malice and was merely imparting knowledge to his daughter. This calmed him.
Soon, golden light dissipated, and He Xinxin regained her composure.
She began examining the newfound knowledge in her mind.
Taiwei Celestial Calculations, Thousand Mechanisms Hidden Records,Theories of Qi Mechanism Circulation...
These were works of the Ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect?
Moreover, they were versions she had never encountered before.
Her eyes lit up, and she was overjoyed.
With a radiant smile, she bowed and said softly, "Thank you, Senior."
"No need to be so formal. It's rare to find a suitable candidate. Besides, these are not particularly valuable," Li Fan replied with a wave of his hand.
Then, he turned his gaze to He Zhenghao.
He Zhenghao felt his heart skip a beat.
"Will there be upheaval in the Congyun Sea?" Li Fan chuckled lightly.
"If I'm not leaving, what are you so afraid of, He Zhenghao?"
"You, what are you so afraid of?"
These words struck like a dagger to the heart. Hearing them, He Zhenghao broke out into a cold sweat on the spot.
"I swear I have no ulterior motives. Please, my lord, discern my sincerity!" He immediately voiced his loyalty.
"Think carefully and act wisely," Li Fan snorted coldly. Then his illusory figure shattered and disappeared without a trace.
It was only after a long while that He Zhenghao dared to straighten his bent posture.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he exhaled deeply. Suddenly realizing his daughter was nearby, he coughed lightly and quickly composed himself.
Fortunately, He Xinxin hadn't noticed her father’s awkwardness. She clapped her small hands on her chest and exclaimed, "Senior Li is truly awe-inspiring! He's almost on par with those Dao Integration Immortal Sages we've seen before. He really scared me."
"Hmph, that's only natural. The honored secret envoy might even be a Long..." He Zhenghao stopped himself abruptly, realizing his words might be inappropriate.
Luckily, his daughter hadn’t caught on to his implication. He quickly changed the topic.
"What did he mean by what he just said?"
"He didn’t outright deny Xinxin’s deduction. He merely said he wouldn’t leave..."
Moments later, a trace of alarm flashed through He Zhenghao’s eyes.
"Could it be that something truly shocking will happen in the Congyun Sea?"
He fell into deep thought for a while.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the Administrative Hall, Li Fan, who had been observing He Zhenghao’s every expression, remained indifferent.
"Abandon power and flee for your life, or cling to it with a gambler's hope and refuse to leave..."
"He Zhenghao, what will you choose?"
Based on Li Fan’s understanding of He Zhenghao, the latter would undoubtedly choose to stay in the Congyun Sea. Even so, Li Fan hoped this version of He Zhenghao might surprise him.
Shifting his focus away from He Zhenghao, Li Fan used the Envoy Token to summon various internal members of the Congyun Sea’s administration.
"Lord secret envoy hasn’t summoned us in ages. I wonder what the urgency is?"
"It’s strange. I haven’t heard of any critical missions lately."
As the crowd discussed, He Zhenghao remained caught in inner turmoil, his expression distracted.
Gao Yuan noticed this, his eyes revealing a thoughtful look. However, he refrained from asking immediately and instead made a mental note of it.
Before long, once everyone had gathered, Li Fan appeared leisurely.
"Greetings, Lord Secret Envoy!" the crowd greeted in unison.
"Brother Gao, enlighten me!" He Zhenghao, feeling as though he’d found a savior, eagerly pressed for an explanation.
"The lord is using this matter of the cave residence to give us a hint. If something is happening in the Congyun Sea, yet the lord himself is unwilling to leave, why is that?"
"Because opportunity and danger go hand in hand!" Gao Yuan said excitedly. "Given the resources the lord has at his disposal, for him to value this opportunity so much..."
"It must be something that could lead to transcendence..."
"The Spirit of Heaven and Earth?"
He Zhenghao exchanged a glance with Gao Yuan, and both arrived at the same conclusion.
"So that's how it is..." He Zhenghao murmured to himself as if everything suddenly made sense.
"The lord fell from the Longevity Immortal Realm and wants to reattain it. He will likely have to follow the steps of the new method. For him, this is undoubtedly a critical opportunity for integration. I’ve heard that when the Spirit of Heaven and Earth descends, it always stirs up chaos and bloodshed. At that time, not just us Golden Core cultivators but even Nascent Soul and Soul Transformation cultivators might not escape unscathed."
"The descent of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth cannot be spoken of directly. Any disclosure might trigger changes due to the sensitivity of destiny. As loyal subordinates of the lord, he cannot bear to see us perish meaninglessly in the calamity. Thus, he chose an indirect method to alert us."
...
He Zhenghao suddenly understood.
While his heart was filled with excitement, a certain inappropriate emotion began to stir within him.
"The Spirit of Heaven and Earth..."
He Zhenghao squinted his eyes.
"So, Brother Gao, what do you plan to do?" After some time, he looked at Gao Yuan, whose expression was also shifting unpredictably, and asked.
"Friend He, have you ever heard of this saying?" Gao Yuan looked at He Zhenghao.
"What is it?"
"There is no greater merit than following the dragon," Gao Yuan said in a faint tone.
"If the lord successfully integrates with the Dao, then we, his steadfast and loyal subordinates..."
Hearing this, He Zhenghao suddenly felt a fire of ambition ignite within him.
Even deeper in his mind, a thought he dared not voice began to take form.
The Spirit of Heaven and Earth belongs to those with virtue.
If the lord envoy fails to claim the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, then perhaps, just perhaps, there might be the slightest chance for him...
After all, history in the Xuanhuang Realm has recorded instances of such occurrences.
At this moment, He Zhenghao had already cast aside his daughter's warning.
In his mind, even if the process of refining the Spirit of Heaven and Earth was extremely dangerous, he was not a reckless person. He would act according to the situation—if it truly became impossible, he would not throw his life away in vain. Taking some risks to gamble on an opportunity to ascend in one leap—why not?
However, He Zhenghao could never have imagined that the true Spirit of Heaven and Earth was on an entirely different level from what he had envisioned.
Ultimately, it was a matter of his limited perspective. Despite his broad travels and wide social connections, He Zhenghao was only at the Golden Core stage. He had never personally seen, nor even found records in ancient texts, detailing the true power of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth.
He merely knew of its existence.
It was like a farmer imagining the emperor's golden plow—far from reality. This, too, seemed to seal He Zhenghao’s tragic fate in this lifetime.
...
Meanwhile, while the gathered cultivators were still in the Administrative Hall discussing Li Fan’s prophecy regarding the underwater ascension of a hidden cave,
Li Fan himself had quietly arrived at the cave’s location.
Over a mere few hundred miles, the seabed formed three major fault steps, resembling steep terraces. Each step had a height difference of four to five thousand meters. Due to intense earth vein activity, towering mountain ranges had risen from the seabed, creating a spectacular and breathtaking scene—more magnificent than even the mountains on land.
This was the very place where, in his previous life, He Zhenghao had formed his Golden Core: the Three Undersea Faults.
"In my past life, He Zhenghao, though somewhat unremarkable, never lost his drive for progress. The day he obtained the Hidden Dragon Art of Rivers and Mountains, he soared like a dragon from the abyss and rose powerfully. By comprehending the Golden Core through four laws, his future was boundless."
"But in this life, despite wielding far greater power and practicing a Dao Integration cultivation technique, he has been lax in his cultivation, forming his Golden Core with only a single law."@@@@
"I gave you the opportunity, but you failed to make use of it."
Li Fan felt a slight sense of regret in his heart.
Shaking his head slightly, he focused on the matter at hand.
Sweeping his divine sense across the mountainous faults below, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Chaoyuan Sect..."
What he had said earlier in the Administrative Hall was no empty talk. Though the Chaoyuan Sect was shrouded in mystery and filled with dangers, in his previous life, after Shuofeng, Su Xiaomei, and the others entered, they all returned safely—and each had ascended an entire cultivation realm.
Setting aside the unexpected variable of He Zhenghao’s Foundation Establishment in the previous life, this ancient ruin was originally supposed to leave the Congyun Sea in the year 22 of anchoring and travel toward Jiushan State Prefecture.
Moments ago, he had just informed everyone that a mysterious underwater cave dwelling had appeared. Many cultivators hadn't even left the Administrative Hall yet when the relics surfaced.
What a coincidence!
Some cultivators even suspected that the cave dwelling was a fabrication by Li Fan—an elaborate ploy to once again showcase his unfathomable prophetic abilities.
However, this theory was quickly dismissed. The reason was simple—the ancient and solemn aura radiating from the Chaoyuan Sect ruins was impossible to fake.
Furthermore, due to the immense attention the relics attracted, cultivators working together soon identified the origins of the Grand Hall of Taiyuan within the ruins.
The Ancient Immortal Sect—Chaoyuan Sect!
A seasoned Soul Transformation cultivator, well-versed in the history of ancient cultivation, personally vouched for its authenticity, solidifying the relics as genuine.
As a result, cultivators from across Congyun Sea and even throughout the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance were drawn in by the allure of this so-called "fortuitous encounter," pursuing the ruins on their journey.
Among them was someone Li Fan hadn’t expected.
Inside the Administrative Hall
"You're going too? No matter how great the Chaoyuan Sect’s opportunity is, it still can’t compare to... Or are you just going to observe for a while and then return?"
Facing Gao Yuan's farewell, He Zhenghao was completely taken aback.
"Heh. After returning, I kept feeling like something was off. I pondered for three days and nights before I finally figured it out," Gao Yuan said with some emotion.
"To forge iron, one must be strong themselves. No matter how favored I am by my lord, my cultivation is still only at the Golden Core stage. Here in Congyun Sea, I might still hold some authority. But if my lord truly succeeds in his Dao Integration breakthrough, his subordinates will inevitably be filled with Soul Transformation and Nascent Soul cultivators. How could I possibly command respect? To better follow in my lord’s footsteps, I, Gao Yuan, must fight for my own strength!"
He Zhenghao, however, was not convinced by these righteous words. He scrutinized Gao Yuan with a skeptical gaze.
"Don't look at me like that," Gao Yuan chuckled. "I'm not lying to you this time. I’ve already applied for leave from my lord and will be departing immediately."
"What about you, Daoist He?" Gao Yuan gave He Zhenghao a meaningful look.
He Zhenghao hesitated for a moment but ultimately declined the invitation, citing the need for someone to maintain and oversee the affairs of Congyun Sea.
Seeing this, Gao Yuan said no more. He cupped his hands in farewell and swiftly departed.
Chapter 636
Before his departure, Gao Yuan entrusted He Zhenghao with the task of "clearing the identities of the ancient secret realm cultivators."
As a gesture of sincerity, "Zhou Qingang" once again provided a considerable benefit.
Being old colleagues, He Zhenghao readily agreed. Along the way, he also inquired whether Zhou Qingang had any plans to leave Congyun Sea.
Zhou Qingang laughed heartily and assured him that he had no such intentions.
Hearing this, He Zhenghao was immediately relieved. Even someone as trusted as Zhou Qingang, a close confidant of the secret envoy, had no plans to flee, which meant that although the descent of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth carried some risks, it was unlikely to be catastrophic.
Feeling even more certain about his choice, he dismissed his worries and focused on handling the matter of "integrating secret realm cultivators into the alliance."
To him, this was no different from his time guarding Liuli Island, where he helped mortals from outside the realm smuggle across borders.
It was simply a matter of charging per head, something he was quite adept at.
Moreover, he was far bolder than Gao Yuan and had no fear of being discovered by the Immortal Alliance.
As a result, the integration and identity-cleansing of the Medicine King Sect cultivators progressed at an even faster pace.
One after another, cultivators were awakened through bloodline rituals and joined the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, with their contributions being discreetly transferred to Li Fan.
Yet even so, compared to the hundreds of millions of contribution points Li Fan needed to transfer, it was merely a drop in the ocean.
To complete the transfer before the Crimson Flame descended, Li Fan secretly exchanged and purchased standardized spirit stones from other cultivators.
At the same time, he once again reached out to the Five Elders Association.
As before, contact was made through Zhou Qingang. However, this time, the other party acted much faster than before.
Before long, Zhou Qingang once again met with the representative of the Five Elders Association.
The familiar black-robed figure concealed their appearance, yet they clearly remembered the contents of the last transaction.
Without preamble, they asked, "Do you have the results from our previous matter?"
Zhou Qingang smiled faintly. "It seems this matter is truly important to you. Even after so long, you still can’t let it go."
The previous matter, of course, referred to the Five Elders Association’s request for Zhou Qingang to investigate the identity of an ancient cultivator excavated from the ruins of the Purple Heaven Sect.
Li Fan had already extracted the information from Jiao Xiuyuan and intended to use it as leverage in this deal.
The Five Elders Association cultivator replied frankly, "Although we are currently in a ceasefire, everyone knows that peace is destined to be temporary. No one can predict when war will break out again. Moreover, this is only a broad-scale truce—there are still regions where the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and our forces remain in direct confrontation."
"As for the [Xuantian Nether-Locking Formation] of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, we have only found ways to counterbalance it, but to completely dismantle its effects, we need more intelligence."
Zhou Qingang waved his hand dismissively, signaling him to hurry up.
This round of approval took much longer than before. By the time the black-clad cultivator returned, he looked utterly drained.
“Uh... the higher-ups have agreed to your request. However...”
He hesitated before continuing, “The resource list we discussed earlier may need some adjustments.”
“Hm?” Zhou Qingang’s expression darkened with dissatisfaction as he turned to leave.
“Wait! Wait!” The black-clad cultivator hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.
“Everything is negotiable! But, Fellow Daoist, the sheer amount of standardized spirit stones you need is simply too vast. And making it completely undetectable by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is even more difficult!” he explained anxiously.
“If it weren’t difficult, why would I come to you? I could have handled it myself,” Zhou Qingang scoffed coldly.
The Five Elders Association cultivator nodded repeatedly, not daring to argue.
After further negotiations, they eventually reached an agreement.
As a golden light shot into Zhou Qingang’s body, the black-clad spy slowly dissolved within the radiance, disappearing completely.
Yet, there wasn’t a single trace of fear or panic on his face.
Before vanishing, he only reminded Zhou Qingang of the time and place for their next transaction.
Once the spy had completely disappeared, Zhou Qingang carefully examined the area, then shook his head slightly.
“Binding one's life to a contract, without fear of death... Truly an eerie method.”
With that, he erased all traces of the exchange and quietly departed.
Ten days later, Zhou Qingang met another black-clad spy with an eerily similar aura—yet it was clearly not the same person.
Just like before, the new spy handed him a [Voidbright Stone Mother], containing all the requested materials.[1]
After a brief inspection, Li Fan revealed the identity of an ancient cultivator who had been unearthed.
“The Xuantian Sect’s Dharma King?”
Upon hearing this, the spy was visibly shocked.
However, he seemed to have expected such a possibility, as he quickly regained his composure.
1. Previously it was called [Primordial Void Stone Mother] but decided to change it to [Voidbright Stone Mother].
"So, remnants of the former Xuantian Sect still survive in this world. The one who fled to the Purple Heaven Sect... who exactly is it?" A cultivator from the Five Elders Association murmured to himself in a low voice.
As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward Zhou Qingang.
"Confirming this matter is of great importance to our Five Elders Association. Although this is merely a transaction, we still owe you our gratitude, Daoist friend. As for the contribution points that need to be laundered..."
He paused briefly before continuing, "Within a month, more than ten cultivators with different identities will personally bring secure, standardized spirit stones to you. All you need to do is transfer the contribution points to them."
Sensing that Zhou Qingang might have concerns, he added, "These cultivators all use false identities that our Five Elders Association has carefully crafted over the years. Shortly after the transaction is completed, they will all perish due to various 'accidents.' There will be no risk of being traced or exposed."
With the secret phrases for their rendezvous carefully explained, the transaction between the two parties was essentially complete.
"I look forward to our future cooperation." As they parted ways, the black-robed cultivator from the Five Elders Association said to Zhou Qingang in a slow, deliberate tone.
"Likewise." Zhou Qingang cupped his hands and replied with a smile before turning and leaving.
It wasn't until Zhou Qingang’s figure disappeared beyond the horizon that the cultivator from the Five Elders Association furrowed his brows and muttered, "Zhou Qing’ang... Li Fan..."
"What are their true identities? We've investigated for so long and still haven't found a single useful clue."
"Does the Heaven-Suppressing Society truly exist? Or is it just a fabrication by certain cultivators within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, using the intelligence they possess as leverage to exchange for resources?"
After pondering for a while, he chuckled in amusement.
"Either way, as long as they provide us with intelligence, it’s enough. The more chaos within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the better!"
The figure of the Five Elders Association cultivator gradually faded until he completely disappeared into the air.
Meanwhile, Zhou Qingang, having completed the transaction, returned to Congyun Immortal City as if nothing had happened.
Spending such a vast amount of contribution points, he had already prepared for the possibility of his information being exposed. But it didn’t matter—at most, the Five Elders Association might deduce that "Li Fan, the cultivator from the Heavenly Mechanism Sect," was also a member of the Heaven-Suppressing Society. They might even suspect that his identity as an ancient cultivator was merely a disguise.
But as for Li Fan’s true identity? They would never be able to guess it.
After all, who would have thought that the cultivator making waves in the Xuanhuang Realm was, in reality, just a mere "mortal" from a small outer world?
Back then, Liu Ruchen had promised to lend him the Medicine King True Cauldron for research, which convinced him to stay.
Li Fan used the True Temptation Fruit to alter Fang Zaiji’s perception.
Now, in Fang Zaiji’s revised memories, his time in the Medicine King Sect was mostly distant from the other disciples.
Only Liu Yihang—who was actually Li Fan—constantly pestered him every day. He had practically watched Li Fan grow up and had already come to regard him as half a son.
Along with absolute trust in Li Fan’s commands, when the effects of the True Temptation Fruit faded and Fang Zaiji awoke—
After listening to Li Fan’s explanation, he quickly understood the current situation.
"It seems that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is even more sinister than the Ten Great Immortal Sects of back then," Fang Zaiji muttered, his eyes darkening.
"Sect Master, you should have awakened me earlier," he said with a trace of reproach in his tone.
Li Fan shook his head slightly and explained, "At the time, I wanted to secure Longevity Valley as a foothold first, so I awakened Elder Liu first."
"When I considered awakening you next, I learned that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was monitoring the number of cultivators in each state. At the time, I wasn’t sure what was going on, so I held off for safety reasons. Now that I understand the situation, it seems to be related to the new cultivation method of today’s cultivators. However, you remain unaffected, so I decided to awaken you."
Fang Zaiji nodded slightly, accepting Li Fan’s explanation.
"The monitoring of cultivator numbers might be connected to the Immortal Ruins," he said after a moment, as if recalling something.
"Oh?" Li Fan looked at him curiously.
"During my travels in the past, I once heard by chance that the Ten Great Immortal Sects had deployed a formation covering the entire Xuanhuang Realm," Fang Zaiji said, lost in thought.
"A formation like a blade hanging over all living beings. From the moment they are born, regardless of their cultivation level or race, they are all caught within it."
"This formation not only allows the sects to easily control all cultivators in the world but also gathers the power of all living beings to pierce through the endless void, locking onto the coordinates of other cultivation worlds. It can even establish cross-realm pathways to launch invasions."
Fang Zaiji slowly recounted.
At this moment, Liu San interjected.
"Really? Such a formidable formation—why have I never heard of it?" He scrutinized Fang Zaiji, his gaze full of skepticism.
Fang Zaiji snorted coldly. "You're just a mere servant, never having ventured far beyond the territory of the Medicine King Sect in your entire life. How could you possibly compare to someone like me, who has traveled across the world?"
"Besides, do you even know the kinds of people I associated with back in the day? Almost all of them were true disciples of the Ten Great Immortal Sects. It’s no surprise that I learned such secrets," Fang Zaiji said proudly.
Being called a servant, Liu San didn’t get angry. Instead, he retorted sarcastically, "Oh? If you're so incredible, then why didn’t anyone come to your aid when you were being hunted down? You only survived thanks to the old sect master!"
Fang Zaiji’s expression changed, and he retorted indignantly, "The Heavenly Sword Sect had issued a kill order—what could I do against that? The fact that I survived at all was already a stroke of great fortune. If it had been you, you’d have long since turned into a pile of bones!"
Seeing that the argument was about to escalate, Li Fan quickly spoke up to interrupt them.
"Master Fang, do you know the name of that formation?" Li Fan asked.
"I do not," Fang Zaiji shook his head. "Back then, a direct disciple of the Supreme Sect mentioned it in passing with a sigh."[1]
"He also said that if the grand formation hadn’t been damaged, the situation wouldn’t have deteriorated to this extent."
Hearing this, Li Fan slowly nodded.
"A blade hanging over all beings, capable of instantly stripping cultivators of their lives—this sounds strikingly similar to the [Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation] I encountered in my past life."
"By harnessing the power of all living beings, it locks onto other cultivation realms. My previous speculation that the Xuanhuang Realm uses it to anchor a ‘rope’ into the distant void now seems to be correct."
"From what I can tell, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance seems to have restored part of the formation's functionality, but not entirely. And this formation was definitely not constructed by the Ten Great Immortal Sects—it originates from the much older era of the Xuantian Sect."
As he pondered, Li Fan gradually connected all the clues together.
Now, with the aid of a Dao Integration cultivator, he proceeded with the relocation plan.
The people stranded on the island, including the now-awakened Medicine King Sect cultivators, were escorted by Liu San and Fang Zaiji aboard the Samantabhadra True Boat, setting off toward Longevity Valley ahead of him.
"I still have some unfinished business in Congyun Sea—I’ll catch up later," Li Fan told them.
Although Liu San and Fang Zaiji were a little worried, they had no choice but to respect Li Fan’s decision.
After repeatedly cautioning him, they reluctantly left.
At this time, within the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect, eerie phenomena had begun to surface. The boundaries between reality and illusion blurred, making it seem as if one had stepped into the ancient past, where they could retrieve cultivation techniques, pills, and magical artifacts from within the sect.
As word spread, the entire world was shaken. Cultivators, hearing the news, flocked to the ruins in droves. Among them, the Medicine King Sect’s group was barely noticeable in the massive crowd.
"It was as if I was the only one left in the world. But I didn’t know why—why was I the only one who remained alive?"
"And then..."
Master Yin arrived at a passage filled with his personal collection.
His tone suddenly grew agitated. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a flame, setting his collection ablaze.
Li Fan did not stop him. He simply watched as Master Yin’s expression shifted under the flickering flames and continued listening.
"The rain kept falling. It overflowed from the rivers, as if it intended to drown the entire land. And then, along with the rain, countless corpses began to descend from the sky."
"Most were incomplete, mere fragments. But some were still whole."
"I was almost paralyzed with fear. But when one of the more intact corpses landed right in front of me, I finally understood what true terror was."
By this point, Master Yin had reached the deepest part of the underground chamber.
Light illuminated the space, revealing countless corpses identical to Master Yin himself.
Now that Li Fan had reached the Nascent Soul stage, his perception had become even keener. In his senses, these corpses seemed... alive.
The blurred flesh and tissue squirmed ever so slightly—imperceptible to the naked eye.
Master Yin pointed at the countless corpses littering the ground, his expression gradually turning maniacal.
"Yes, the corpse that fell before me that day—was my own!"
"In fact, every corpse that fell from the sky bore my exact face!"
"And they were all smiling at me!"
Master Yin's eerie voice echoed through the underground chamber. The sinister truth he spoke of sent chills down the spine.
"How could such a terrifying thing happen in this world? Can you explain it?" He turned to Li Fan, staring at him blankly.
Li Fan could only remain silent.
"There is something wrong with this world."
Master Yin lifted his head, gazing at the sky.
1. Tai Shang will be translated as Supreme Sect from now on.
"The world is full of things that defy common sense—mountains and rivers shifting, the Devouring Origin White Mist, the Immortal-Mortal Miasma..."
"Ever since the Immortal Ancestor spread his teachings, it has been one grand performance after another."
"From that day on, I have done everything in my power to uncover the secrets behind it all."
Master Yin’s voice was deep and enigmatic, his expression dazed.
Li Fan also listened intently, focusing on every word.
But what followed was a long silence.
After a long pause, Master Yin turned his head and looked at Li Fan, a mocking expression appearing on his face. "Are you expecting me to tell you the answer?"
"What are you thinking?"
"I am merely an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. The hidden truths of this world—just the Immortal-Mortal Miasma alone—have exhausted all my efforts. As for the others..."
Master Yin sneered. "I have no interest."
Li Fan remained unfazed. He replied calmly, "If that is the case, could you at least share the mysteries of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?"
"Sure." Master Yin agreed readily.
"The Immortal-Mortal Miasma, it is..."
Halfway through his sentence, his face suddenly twisted in horror.
With a look of utter contempt, he spat on the ground and glared at Li Fan in fury.
"You? You dare ask?"
"A selfish, cold-blooded cultivator like you! To let you learn of his deeds would be the greatest blasphemy!"
"I would rather see his actions buried in history, never to be known by the world! Otherwise, people like you would not admire him but mock him in secret!"
Master Yin seemed to grow increasingly agitated, his gaze toward Li Fan filled with deep-seated hatred.
Li Fan’s eyes turned cold.
Without hesitation, he activated his Binding Insect Divine Ability, aiming to capture Master Yin and search his soul for answers. At the same time, he remained vigilant, prepared for Master Yin to suddenly reveal his true strength and counterattack.
But unexpectedly, everything went smoothly. There was no resistance—Master Yin was instantly subdued, unable to move.
Yet, moments later, Li Fan’s expression changed slightly.
Because he suddenly realized that the "Master Yin" bound by the divine ability had, in an instant, lost all signs of life—he had turned into a lifeless corpse.
Li Fan immediately turned his gaze to the other corpses in the underground chamber.
At that moment, the previously motionless bodies, once piled haphazardly like rotting flesh, all lifted their heads simultaneously.
Every single one of them was grinning menacingly at him.
"Tricks and illusions!"
Li Fan remained unfazed by this eerie sight. He let out a cold snort, and in an instant, the Five Elements Cave Heaven Law Domain engulfed Yin Yin Island.
The power of the Five Elements surged, forming an impenetrable prison, attempting to suppress all the corpses within.
However, before Li Fan could even act further, something even more bizarre occurred.
All the corpses within his domain suddenly lost all life signs, one after another, and truly perished.
It was as if his strike had landed on nothing but air, leaving Li Fan feeling frustrated.
Sweeping his divine sense across the entire island, he searched for any trace of Master Yin. But at this moment, aside from himself, there was not a single living being on the entire island.
"Suicide? I don't believe it!"
Because he realized that dealing with these corpses... was slightly more difficult than before.
The difference was almost imperceptible, but it was there—a growing resistance, an increasing drain on his strength.
And as the rain continued to pour, Li Fan repeated the process again and again, eliminating the corpses each time.
This cycle only confirmed his worst fear.
"This is bad..."
Li Fan's face turned grim.
He had already tried nearly every technique in his arsenal, yet he still couldn't shake off these grotesque corpses.
Moreover, the bodies, which looked more and more like himself, seemed to be growing stronger, becoming harder and harder to destroy.
If this continued any further...
"Am I really going to be forced to activate [Truth]?" Li Fan furrowed his brows.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a Divine Ability on his [Truth] Panel—one he had never fully used before.
[Chaos]
"A desperate gamble... but it's worth a try."
And so, as the cold rain fell once more, Li Fan stood firm amidst the grinning corpses.
With a solemn expression, he raised his hand as if wielding a brush, and with a single, fluid motion, he wrote the word—
"Chaos" (亂).
Boom!
The instant the Chaos Glyph formed, an uncontrollable surge of power erupted within Li Fan’s body.
It was as if an immense force was bearing down on him.
Inside his Five Elements Cave Heaven, ominous creaking sounds rang out as if the entire domain was on the verge of collapse.
Even the natural circulation of the Five Elements began to spiral into disorder.
Within the Wood-Element Cave Heaven, energies of water, fire, metal, and earth burst forth chaotically.
The same occurred in the other elemental domains.
In an instant, his newly-formed Five Elements Cave Heaven plunged into utter turmoil.
Strange and eerie phenomena began manifesting.
But as its master, Li Fan had no time to care.
Because at that very moment—his vision was overwhelmed by an infinite deluge of hallucinations.
No... rather than hallucinations, it was more like he had suddenly experienced a thousand lifetimes of reincarnation in a single instant.
Each cycle of life and death unfolded with terrifying clarity, flooding his mind with countless realities.
It was as if he had been split into countless versions of himself.
His head felt like it was about to explode.
Just as he was on the verge of breaking—
A scripture that had been silently operating in the background suddenly surged forth—
The [Xuanhuang Heart-Refining Mantra] roared to life.
Since Li Fan had begun cultivating the Heart-Refining Mantra, he had never experienced such a wild and frenzied operational speed.
It was as if some special switch had been triggered—the efficiency of the Xuanhuang Heart-Refining Mantra had increased not just by a hundredfold but by a thousandfold or more.
If Li Fan’s previous attempts at self-exploration were akin to a slow-moving millstone pulled by a donkey,
Then now, the Xuanhuang Heart-Refining Mantra was like a roaring, thunderous mechanical giant, absorbing all the countless surreal and lifelike experiences that had suddenly surged into Li Fan’s mind.
Restoring order, returning to clarity!
It was as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, instantly cooling down the searing heat within.
Li Fan gradually regained his senses, pulling himself out of his trance and confusion.
“This...”
“?”
In an instant, Li Fan understood what had just happened to him, and his heart was filled with shock.
He had not expected the backlash from the complete "Chaos" Character Glyph to be so terrifying.
Once it took shape, it was several times stronger than his previous simulated attempts, which had always fallen just short of completion.
Once the "Chaos" Character fully formed, it underwent a qualitative transformation, its power now incomparable to the fragmented pieces he had previously grasped.
"If even the backlash is this terrifying, then its actual effects must be..."
Suppressing the turmoil within his body and mind, Li Fan looked up toward the sky.
He saw that where the rain had once fallen and where the corpses had previously dropped, the scene seemed to twist and distort.
It was as if an invisible void existed there—rain and corpses alike disappeared into thin air the moment they came close.
However, after consuming the eerie rainwater, the twisted void seemed to be slowly shrinking.
Thus, the two forces reached a state of mutual balance, constantly neutralizing each other.
Finally, when the rain ceased to fall from the sky,
The influence of the "Chaos" Glyph vanished as well.
A battered and disheveled figure plummeted from the air—it was none other than Master Yin.
At this moment, his body had become semi-transparent. His face, filled with disbelief, stared blankly at Li Fan.
He tried to say something, opening his mouth, but no sound came out.
Master Yin lowered his head, looking at himself as if he had understood something. He no longer struggled in vain.
His body became increasingly faint, yet there was no trace of fear on his face at his impending demise.
Instead, he showed an expression of relief and liberation.
Moments later, Master Yin completely disappeared from this world.
Li Fan had no time to celebrate surviving the ordeal.
What did this mean?
Li Fan repeatedly recalled the moment when the Duplicating Me Rain disappeared.
“Chaos... Chaos...”
“Rather than being dispelled, it felt more like...”
“Chaos upon chaos, canceling each other out?”
A bold idea suddenly surfaced in his mind.
“Could it be that the root of all eerie anomalies in the world originates from this concept of 'Chaos'?”
Once the thought arose, it became impossible to suppress. At the same time, a deep and inexplicable fear gripped his heart.
“Back in the mist, I saw the word ‘Chaos’ carved into a stone. Its power seemed to have faded over the passage of time.”
“But without a doubt, it was the culprit that destroyed that entire mist-shrouded world.”
“If that was merely a weakened remnant of the original Chaos Character...”
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
“Furthermore, it seems that powerful beings in the Xuanhuang Realm are extremely interested in this Chaos Character. The moment they sense its presence, they descend to investigate.”
“It seems that unless I am faced with an absolute life-or-death crisis, I should avoid using it as much as possible.”
Li Fan silently contemplated.
After all, he had formed his Nascent Soul through the Five Elements Cave-Heaven, granting him boundless regenerative power.
By the time he returned to Congyun City, his injuries had completely healed, leaving no trace of abnormality.
Additionally, the 'Momentary Glimpse of Myriad Realities' that had surfaced in his mind had been absorbed and neutralized by the Xuanhuang Heart-Refining Mantra, which had been operating at full capacity.
However, something puzzled Li Fan.
Under normal circumstances, absorbing such a large amount of stray thoughts should have nourished and strengthened his divine soul, based on his past experiences.
Yet, from the moment it happened until now, he hadn’t felt the slightest increase in his soul’s power.
“Could it have been used to repair hidden wounds within my soul instead?”
With a hint of doubt, Li Fan examined himself carefully.
The Heart-Refining Mantra had gradually returned to its normal rhythm, yet he keenly sensed that it had undergone a subtle transformation.
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It felt as if it had achieved a form of sublimation—though not yet complete.
A sudden impulse drove Li Fan to open his [Truth] Panel, his gaze locking onto the technique descriptions.
The Xuanhuang Heart-Refining Mantra, previously ranked first, had silently changed its name.
Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra (Incomplete).
Li Fan’s pupils contracted sharply, his heart filled with shock.
Chapter 641
From "Refinement" to "Immortal"—though just a single character apart, the difference is as vast as heaven and earth.
For countless ages, the path forward in the Xuanhuang Realm had been severed. "Immortality" had become an unattainable goal, existing only in ancient texts, where it served as an object of longing and imagination for cultivators.
Yet now, Li Fan had come across a technique that might be related to "True Immortals"!
"True Immortal inheritance?"
Just the thought alone sent waves of excitement surging through Li Fan’s heart. The exhilaration and fervor he felt at this moment were reminiscent of the time he first encountered Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi—when he had finally confirmed the existence of cultivators in this world.
"No wonder the Xuanhuang Mantra has always been ranked at the forefront of all my cultivation techniques. Even the Cloud-Water Illusion Dream Technique passed down by Qin Tang at the Dao Integration realm pales in comparison! It turns out to be the true legacy of an Immortal!"
"The path to Immortality is not broken! The path to Immortality remains open!"
Li Fan’s heart surged with emotions, making it difficult for him to calm down.
Even with his current state of mind and cultivation, it took him quite some time to gradually regain composure.
After carefully comprehending this so-called "Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra," he realized that, perhaps because it was only a fragment, it did not seem significantly different from the previous Refining Heart Mantra.
Or perhaps, with Li Fan’s current level, he was still unable to discern the true distinction between the two.
He began to recall the origins of the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra.
Its earliest form was the widely spread technique in the Xuanhuang Realm, known for expelling miasma from the body—"Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra." Since this technique had no other benefits aside from purging mortal impurities, very few cultivators continued practicing it after drawing Qi into their bodies.
However, due to Li Fan’s poor natural aptitude, he had struggled to expel the miasma within him. Thus, while waiting for the opportunity to enter the Purification Spirit Pool, he tirelessly cultivated the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra day and night. Moreover, thanks to his [Truth] Insight ability, which allowed him to perceive even the slightest changes within himself with great clarity, he became convinced that the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra was indeed effective. As a result, he never abandoned it.
During the excruciating purification process in the Purification Spirit Pool, where the Immortal-Mortal miasma were forcibly expelled from his body, Li Fan never wavered in his pursuit of the Dao, even when he was on the verge of losing consciousness. His unwavering determination remained unshaken. With the power of [Truth], which allowed him to endlessly reincarnate and start over, he feared neither life nor death.
Ultimately, when he successfully transitioned from a mere mortal into a Qi Condensation cultivator, the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra evolved into the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Mantra.
Throughout his countless cycles of reincarnation, Li Fan continued to experiment and refine his cultivation method. Eventually, he discovered the true way to practice the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Mantra—cultivating the Dao Heart in reverse.
Like a great millstone, he shattered all his worldly attachments and transformed them into nourishment for his soul. The profundity of this technique far surpassed the cultivation methods currently circulated within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Originally, Li Fan believed that this was the ultimate form of the Xuanhuang Mantra. However, due to a fateful coincidence, when he activated the Chaos Character and endured its "Ten Thousand Lifetimes Shadow Reflection" backlash, the Refining Heart Mantra began to operate on its own—finally shedding its disguise and revealing its true nature.
"Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra..."
Li Fan kept repeating this name in his mind.
Without a doubt, this was an unfathomably powerful technique.
It was said that "worldly matters can taint even the gods and immortals." No matter how powerful a cultivator was, when entangled in the endless cycle of mundane affairs, their Dao Heart would inevitably suffer damage.
The "Ten Thousand Lifetimes Glimpse of Myriad Realities" was akin to personally experiencing hundreds or even thousands of lifetimes. Countless images and emotions surged into his mind all at once. If not for Li Fan’s own experience of reincarnating through a hundred lifetimes—granting him an unshakable will—he would have succumbed to madness and insanity on the spot.
Without the assistance of the Immortal Heart Mantra, no matter how extraordinary Li Fan’s willpower was, escaping the influence of the Glimpse of Myriad Realities on his own would likely take him several decades.
However, with the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, the result was entirely different. Almost in an instant, those sincere emotions and vivid memories were dissolved and absorbed.
"In an instant, I have experienced countless cycles of reincarnation, yet my immortal heart remains unchanged..."
"So this is the power of an immortal." Li Fan couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of yearning.
"With such an immortal technique, the various illusory realms of the Xuanhuang World will be nothing to me." A sharp glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
The first thing that came to his mind was the moment when Senior Sister Zhao had drawn him into the Grand Dao Sect.
"If I wield the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, perhaps I can maintain my true self within that real illusion. With self-awareness and active intent, I may even be able to steal more secrets."
"In my next life, I must give it a try."
After pondering for a long time, Li Fan focused his gaze on the character "Incomplete" that followed the Immortal Heart Mantra.
"This immortal technique is still incomplete, and to restore it, one must use the experiences and memories of countless past lives as raw material. Originally, using the Chaos Character technique to induce spiritual backlash was the best method."
"But..."
Li Fan frowned slightly.
He still felt lingering fear over that immense divine sense that had appeared afterward. His instincts told him that the owner of that divine sense had likely already marked the Chaos Character Technique. If he used it again, he would probably be discovered instantly.
"Perhaps I was able to escape before only because the Chaos Character technique had not appeared in this world for many years."
"Once may be fine, but never again..."
"No matter." Thinking of the mysterious treasure he carried, Li Fan smiled slightly.
"Even if I only get one surprise opportunity per lifetime, for me, that is as good as an endless supply!"
"No matter whether it was the one who deliberately hid the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, or that immense divine sense so concerned with Chaos, neither would ever expect that an anomaly like me exists in this world!"
Reflecting on his past experiences, Li Fan knew just how difficult it was to restore the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra step by step back into the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra.
Moreover, powerful figures were constantly watching, never letting their guard down.
Even if someone was lucky enough to rediscover it by chance, they could never remain in the blind spot of those great beings' perception like Li Fan had, completely unnoticed.
"Among the infinite possible futures, as long as a single sliver of hope exists, I will find it and turn the impossible into reality."
Li Fan once again grasped the terrifying nature of [Truth].
At the same time, he felt immense gratitude.
"If I did not possess this extraordinary treasure, no matter how much of a genius I might be, I would never be able to achieve transcendence from this Xuanhuang World."
Filled with emotion, Li Fan began searching through the Tianxuan Mirror for scattered information about the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Mantra.
"It makes sense. The Immortal-Mortal Miasma violates the fundamental laws of heaven and earth, so how could the method to dispel it possibly be simple?"
A flash of understanding passed through Li Fan’s mind.
With his current level of authority, he could access many things that ordinary cultivators were forbidden to see.
However, regarding the origins of the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Mantra, there were countless theories—none of which were definitive.
Chapter 642
At the end of the Great Plague Era, under the coercion of cultivators, the vast majority of mortals were relocated to various hidden realms and small worlds.
However, as the influence of the "incompatibility of immortal cultivation techniques" grew stronger, the cultivators ultimately could not escape the fate of mutual destruction. The immortal sects collapsed, and the cultivation civilization entered a prolonged period of darkness.
As the saying goes, "When one declines, another rises."
The number of cultivators dwindled to near extinction. Yet, mortals, like resilient weeds, began to emerge once again across the world.
Regarding the origins of these newly born mortals, some claimed they were survivors of the great migration. Others believed they were the descendants of cultivators. There were also those who suggested that mortals from the small worlds had broken through the blockade of the Immortal-Sealing Formation and returned.
Regardless, as cultivators gradually vanished from the land, the mortals of the Xuanhuang Realm began to thrive in the gaps left behind.
Along with the resurgence of mortals came the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra.
Like folk songs and legends of unknown origin, it spread by word of mouth. Eventually, nearly every human tribe became aware of this technique, which allowed mortals to escape the influence of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma and once again embark on the path of cultivation.
Today's cultivators speculate that this could very well be the work of the Mysterious Eastern Extremity Heavenly Sovereign of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
After all, the Purification Spirit Pool, which also removes the Immortal-Mortal Miasma, was created by the Eastern Extremity Heavenly Sovereign. It is highly possible that the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra was an earlier experiment before the creation of the Purification Spirit Pool.
However, now that Li Fan understands the true nature of the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra, he finds this possibility unlikely.
The Eastern Extremity Heavenly Sovereign, the nominal leader of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, only appeared a few times in the alliance's earliest recorded history before vanishing entirely.
Rather than believing he was a true immortal, Li Fan considered it more likely that, like himself, the Eastern Extremity Heavenly Sovereign had uncovered the secrets of the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra.
Perhaps, inspired by this discovery, he later created the Purification Spirit Pool.
"Could the disappearance of the Eastern Extremity Heavenly Sovereign also be related to the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra?" This thought surfaced in Li Fan’s mind.
Yet, when he tried to search for records on the Eastern Extremity Heavenly Sovereign, he found almost nothing—just as before, the information was nearly nonexistent, with no additional records to be found.
This was completely inconsistent with the status of a leader of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
"This is truly unsettling."
Li Fan decided not to dwell on it further and instead focused once again on comprehending the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra.
Half a month later, Li Fan gathered everyone in the Administration Hall once more.
At first, they thought he had another major announcement to make, but instead, they were greeted with the news that he was going into seclusion again.
"Didn’t he just leave seclusion not long ago? And now he’s going back? Could it be that ancient cultivators were all this diligent?"
"Lord Envoy doesn’t lack contribution points, so he can maintain the [Spiritual Awakening] state permanently. Cultivation for him is practically a pleasure. If I had the same opportunity, I’d do it too."
"There were rumors that Lord Envoy had already restored his Nascent Soul realm. Could it be that he is now breaking through to the Soul Transformation stage?"
...
Amid the heated discussions, only He Zhenghao appeared deep in thought.
"It seems that Lord Envoy is making preparations for the descent of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth."
He casually glanced at Zhou Qingang beside him.
When Lord Envoy announced this matter, Zhou Qingang’s expression remained completely unchanged, clearly indicating that he had already known about it beforehand.
Thinking back, he had once been the most trusted subordinate of Lord Envoy. Unfortunately, due to a moment of greed, he had lost that trust to this young man.
At this thought, a wave of discomfort surged in He Zhenghao’s heart.
His eyes flickered, and an idea surfaced in his mind.
He transmitted his voice to Zhou Qingang, saying, "Daoist Zhou, how has your cultivation been progressing lately?"
Zhou Qingang looked at He Zhenghao in surprise. After a brief moment of contemplation, he immediately understood He Zhenghao’s underlying intentions.
With a cold sneer in his heart, he responded along He Zhenghao’s line of questioning, "Hehe, Brother He, you must be joking. You know very well that Lord Envoy does not manage affairs personally, leaving all matters, big and small, to us. Originally, Gao Yuan helped share the workload, but he recently took a leave of absence to travel. That has made things even busier."
"Just handling political affairs takes up nearly all of my time—how could I possibly have the peace of mind to cultivate?"
He Zhenghao pretended to be in complete agreement, sighing as if sympathizing.
However, before long, he shifted the topic.
"I have something to say—would Daoist Zhou be willing to hear it?"
Zhou Qingang was momentarily stunned before responding quickly, "Please speak, Brother He."
He Zhenghao said solemnly, "Daoist Zhou, your dedication to assisting Lord Envoy is commendable."
"But..."
He Zhenghao continued meaningfully, "One must still rely on their own strength! No matter how much favor you have from Lord Envoy, your cultivation level remains at the Golden Core stage—moreover, at its weakest early stage. In a small place like Congyun Sea, you can still maintain authority over your subordinates. However, as Lord Envoy's cultivation continues to recover and his realm grows higher, he will inevitably attract numerous Nascent Soul and Soul Transformation cultivators. If you stagnate at your current level, how will you command their respect?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingang expression changed slightly.
He initially looked as if he wanted to argue, but after a moment, he fell into deep thought.
Seeing this, He Zhenghao secretly felt pleased with himself.
"That rhetoric from Gao Yuan is truly effective. If not for my firm Dao heart, I might have been swayed by him back then," He Zhenghao mused.
After a long while, Zhou Qing'ang seemed to have come to a realization, though a bitter smile appeared on his face.
"You are right. But I truly cannot spare the time—I find it difficult to cultivate in peace," he said, looking at He Zhenghao.
He Zhenghao's eyes lit up. "Daoist Zhou, why not follow Gao Yuan’s example? There must be great opportunities hidden within the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect. If you can obtain them, you could easily advance by one minor realm. Perhaps even breaking through to Nascent Soul isn’t out of reach."
Zhou Qingang hesitated, as if he wanted to speak but refrained.
However, He Zhenghao seized the moment and continued, "I know what worries you. You fear that your absence will affect governance, correct? Rest assured, I am here! If I’ve already taken on extra responsibilities, what’s one more?"
Zhou Qingang looked at him suspiciously. "If that’s the case, why don’t you go yourself? Since when have you been so considerate of your colleagues?"
He Zhenghao’s expression darkened slightly. "How could you say that? Lord Envoy once reminded us that we must prioritize unity among ourselves. If my two brothers can enhance their cultivation, what’s a little hardship on my part?"
"As Lord Envoy’s cultivation grows, more and more followers will rally to his side. We are natural allies—helping you is helping myself."
He Zhenghao paused, observed Zhou Qingang expression carefully, and then continued, "Besides, I’ve had some insights recently. I believe I’m not far from breaking through to Nascent Soul. Even without external opportunities, I’m confident I can advance within ten years!"
"Why not let me help you achieve this?"
Chapter 643
"Are you confident you can advance to the Nascent Soul stage within ten years?"
Zhou Qingang looked at the smug He Zhenghao, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.
This reaction was not feigned.
After carefully examining He Zhenghao for a moment, Zhou Qingang realized that his claim might not be mere boasting. A profound and mysterious aura lurked within him—extremely well-hidden. If He Zhenghao hadn't revealed it himself, and if the current "Zhou Qingang" weren’t actually Li Fan's true body in disguise, it would have been nearly impossible to detect.
As memories from the Dao Deviation Stone replayed in his mind, Li Fan quickly identified the source of this change. It was due to a simple white jade that He Xinxin had given to He Zhenghao before her reluctant departure, instructing him to nurture it within his dantian.
"He has never trained properly, yet just by relying on this jade, he is confident that he can advance from Golden Core to Nascent Soul in such a short time...?"
"This jade is indeed an extraordinary treasure! Even for the Heng Clan of Tianyu Prefecture, it must be quite rare. He Xinxin truly went to great lengths to ensure her father's survival."
"But unfortunately..."
With an almost imperceptible cold gaze, "Zhou Qingang" glanced at He Zhenghao, sneering inwardly.
He then feigned great astonishment, exclaiming, "Daoist He, your progress is truly astonishing! This is completely unexpected. It seems that your talent for cultivation far surpasses mine and Gao Yuan’s."
A trace of embarrassment flashed across He Zhenghao's face, but he quickly concealed it and arrogantly declared, "Haha, no need to feel discouraged! In cultivation, besides talent, perseverance and fortunate encounters also play a crucial role. Since your natural aptitude is slightly lacking, you must not let this opportunity slip by!"
Hearing He Zhenghao’s persuasion, Zhou Qingang appeared to lower his head in contemplation.
Just as He Zhenghao believed that he had swayed him and was secretly pleased, Zhou Qingang let out a long sigh and refused his proposal.
"You are right, Daoist He. To better serve Lord Envoy, personal strength is crucial. However, opportunities often come hand in hand with dangers. As for me..."
Zhou Qingang shook his head, feigning regret.
"I have never been blessed with good fortune! Even if there is some great opportunity within Chaoyuan Sect, I doubt it would ever fall into my hands! I'd rather stay here in Congyun Sea and focus on my duties."
"And besides, Lord Envoy..."
Zhou Qingang deliberately paused before continuing, "His Lordship never neglects his subordinates. If he sees our dedication and hard work, he might reward us with something that could help us break through our current bottlenecks!"
"But I still appreciate your kindness, Daoist He!"
Zhou Qingang cupped his hands in salute before turning to leave Bu Zheng Hall.
Watching Zhou Qingang departing figure, He Zhenghao’s expression flickered uncertainly.
"This brat truly deserves to be one of the Lord’s trusted aides—he must know something!"
"It seems my decision was right. Since even he refuses to leave Congyun Sea, that must mean this place is not only free of danger but also holds tremendous benefits...!"
With his last bit of hesitation erased, He Zhenghao solidified his resolve.
And seeing the greed and deep obsession in He Zhenghao’s gaze, Li Fan knew exactly what was going through his mind.
"The greedier one is, the more foolish they become. The more foolish they are, the greedier they get."
"A vicious cycle... The He Zhenghao of this life is no longer the Daoist He I once knew!"
"The experiences one goes through shape their personality and fate so profoundly."
Li Fan pondered for a moment, sensing a deeper truth within this realization.
"Perhaps... this has some connection to the foundation of the New Method, which thrives on boundless greed and ruthless plundering."
Shaking off these thoughts, Li Fan resumed his usual routine. For the time being, he continued acting as Zhou Qingang, handling various affairs methodically.
Meanwhile, his disguised clone, posing as the "Secret Envoy Li Fan," remained hidden deep within the Adminstration Hall’s secret chamber, claiming to be in secluded cultivation.
In secret, Li Fan had swapped places with his true body and clone, while also starting to craft a puppet in Zhou Qingang likeness.
Deep within Congyun Sea, he activated the Earth-Fire Returning Origin Formation, consuming a small amount of ordinary materials to forge a skeletal puppet.
Then, using the Mysterious True Spirit Transformation Technique, a method for refining clones, he coated the puppet’s bones with a layer of flesh and skin.
He once again attached a trace of his divine sense to it.
In the end, he successfully created a puppet body that looked exactly like Zhou Qingang.
After transferring his clothing, storage ring, and other belongings, Li Fan's true self took one last look at the vast azure sea of clouds and shook his head.
"It is time to leave," he thought.
Reverting to his original appearance, he sped toward the secret realm of the Longevity Valley without looking back.
Meanwhile, the puppet Zhou Qingang, controlled by the trace of Li Fan’s remaining divine sense, returned alone to Congyun Immortal City.
Since Zhou Qingang was always reserved and taciturn, his somewhat stiff expression did not immediately arouse suspicion among other cultivators.
Moreover, Li Fan deliberately reduced his interactions with outsiders. On the rare occasions he did meet others, he always appeared engrossed in official duties, busy to the point of being overwhelmed.
Thus, within the vast Congyun City—despite the endless flow of cultivators—no one realized that Zhou Qingang had already completed a seamless deception in the shadows.
Though there were still some flaws in the disguise, and in time, someone was bound to notice, it hardly mattered.
For the entire Congyun Sea and all the living beings within it were already approaching their final moments.
As Li Fan's true self was still on his way—
On this day, both he and his divine sense-possessed puppet suddenly felt a wave of unease.
"What is that?"
The startled cries from Congyun City stirred Li Fan’s heart, and he instinctively looked up at the sky.
There, a massive black fireball had suddenly appeared without warning in the firmament.
Trailing a dark tail, it hurtled toward Congyun Sea at a terrifying angle.
"This is—!" Li Fan’s pupils contracted sharply.
"Crimson Flame?" Sensing a vaguely familiar aura from the black fireball, Li Fan hesitated, uncertain.
The black fireball was unbelievably fast. Before the cultivators of Congyun Sea could even react, it had already crashed into the ocean.
Wherever it touched, the seawater instantly vaporized due to the extreme heat.
A massive void appeared in the sea before the black fireball violently struck the ocean floor.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Deafening explosions erupted, shaking the entire Congyun Sea. Even Congyun City, high above the clouds, was soon swept by the shockwaves, swaying like a floating leaf in a storm.
Amid the violent impact, towering tsunamis surged outward from the fireball’s impact site, engulfing everything in their path.
The cultivators watching in horror saw that within those colossal waves—hundreds of meters high—dark flames flickered ominously.
Wherever the waves passed, the fusion of water and fire obliterated countless islands in an instant, reducing them to ashes.
Chapter 644
The waves, engulfed in black flames, were utterly terrifying.
Not only were mortal islands easily destroyed, but even the large islands fortified with protective formations and guarded by cultivators were as fragile as paper. Under the horrifying destructive force, they turned to ashes in an instant.
The island-guarding cultivators had no chance to resist—they vanished completely into the sky.
The anomalies caused by their deaths lasted only for a brief moment before being engulfed by the dense black aura in the heavens.
The massive waves continued to sweep across the sea, while the colossal black fireball at the center of it all shattered into tens of thousands of black streaks of light in an earth-shaking explosion.
From the point of impact, these streaks of light shot out in all directions, scattering across the Congyun Sea.
Faced with this apocalyptic scene, the cultivators in Congyun City were momentarily stunned. Then, unable to suppress their fear, they let out terrified cries.
“By the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor! Is this the end of the world?”
“A great catastrophe! A terrifying calamity is upon us!”
“How could such a massive meteor fall without any warning from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance? What were they doing?!”
Some cultivators were terrified. Some went mad. Others were furious. But there were still those who held faith in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
They believed it was merely a natural disaster—an asteroid calamity. Even though the monstrous tsunami could wipe out all the islands in the Congyun Sea, the city floating high in the sky should remain safe.
Yet, there were always cultivators who prioritized survival above all else.
“Run!”
This was the first thought that flashed through their minds.
However, when they rushed to the Dharma Transmission Plaza, they discovered something that filled them with horror.
“Damn it! Why have all the teleportation formation stopped working?!”
“It's over! There's no escape! We're doomed!”
“A conspiracy! This must be the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s doing!”
Panic spread like wildfire through the plaza, and their cries of alarm quickly reached every corner of Congyun Sea City.
Within moments, all cultivators in the city knew that the teleportation formation had failed.
As they saw the approaching tsunami, fear and chaos took hold.
Yet, amidst the turmoil, He Zhenghao remained unnaturally calm. Though he felt a flicker of fear, he forcibly suppressed it through sheer willpower.
“Such an overwhelming force... This must be the Spirit of Heaven and Earth. When will it take form? According to legend, Spirits of Heaven and Earth always manifest in humanoid forms...”
A trace of unease crept into He Zhenghao’s heart.
“It should be fine... If the Lord Envoy could predict the descent of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, He must have prepared for this.”
He reassured himself.
Sure enough, just as he had this thought, a voice suddenly resonated throughout Congyun Sea City— Li Fan’s voice.
“Cultivators, do not panic! With Immortal Lord Hongxi here, nothing will go wrong!”
“All of you need only remain within the city!”
“Formation Hall, activate the grand defensive array formation at full power to withstand the disaster! Martial Hall squads, assemble and maintain order!”
The steady voice echoed through the city. Like a stabilizing anchor, it momentarily restored calm among the cultivators.
Soon after, a glowing barrier enveloped Congyun Immortal City, while cultivators rushed to reinforce various formation nodes.
For a brief moment, order returned to the city.
Meanwhile, Li Fan gazed at the endless black streaks of light in the sky and the ever-expanding tsunami. Then, his eyes drifted toward Immortal Lord Hongxi, dressed in white not far away.
Li Fan saw that his face was filled with solemnity.
“Black flames? Has Crimson Flame been enhanced, or is this the power of another Spirit of Heaven and Earth?”
“Ink Flame?”
Faced with this unexpected change in the world, Li Fan was somewhat surprised, but overall, this outcome was still within his expectations.
In previous lifetimes, the Crimson Flame had descended as a heavenly mandate, carrying out acts of burning the seas and annihilating the world.
However, after the Crimson Flame was sacrificed and refined by cultivators, it would trigger a violent counterattack from the will of heaven and earth.
The catastrophic Ink Death would descend, completely reducing Congyun Sea to nothingness.
But in this world, due to the battle between the Heavenly Doctor, the Sage, and the Fisherman, the predetermined timeline for the world's destruction was drastically moved forward.
"The Crimson Flame burning the seas... there is still room for maneuver."
"If the will of heaven and earth had intended complete destruction from the start, then what would have descended wouldn’t have been that feeble boiler worker, Crimson Flame."
"Instead, it would have sent a much stronger spirit of heaven and earth."
"Heaven's mandate, change, fate..."
As Li Fan’s thoughts turned, he vaguely came to an understanding.
"The will of heaven and earth is not immutable, but dynamically adjusts based on actual circumstances."
"Yet its ultimate objective remains the same...
"Congyun Sea must perish!"
"The reason behind this is perhaps not only because cultivators plunder the heavens and seize the land, making them the scourge of heaven and earth, but also due to the involvement of that group from the Heavenly Doctor!"
Li Fan’s eyes gleamed with sharp insight.
While he pondered, a massive wave was already approaching beneath Congyun City.
Even though Congyun Immortal City stood high above the clouds, a mere few hundred-meter-tall wave seemed incapable of posing a threat. However, for some unknown reason, an ominous premonition surged in the hearts of all the cultivators within the city.
And as it turned out, their instincts were correct.
The colossal wave, flickering with black flames, arrived beneath Congyun City—and then, as if it had come alive, its movement trajectory abruptly changed.
It surged upward, ferociously crashing toward the sky.
Cries of alarm rang out in succession.
At that moment, the silent Immortal Lord Hongxi finally made his move.
Beneath Congyun Immortal City, a vast mountain range suddenly rose from the ground.
Like a great wall, it forcibly blocked the oncoming wave.
The wave, obstructed, fell back onto the sea.
Yet Li Fan, who had witnessed Immortal Lord Hongxi’s full strength before, could tell that this seemingly casual move had actually cost Hongxi nearly half of his power.
"That strong?"
Feeling the faint tremor beneath his feet, Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
Although this was only one of his clone, it contained three divine abilities passed down from his true body, each executed with full force.
At a critical moment, he could make it seem real enough to deceive everyone.
The reason for such an elaborate act was to solidify the illusion that Li Fan, the cultivator from the Heavenly Mechanism Sect, had perished.
Li Fan was certain that even amidst this apocalyptic calamity of burning seas, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would find a way to uncover the final moments before Congyun Sea was obliterated.
Thus, his act had to be flawless—he could not afford to reveal a single flaw.
"It’s still not time to make a move."
"The Crimson Flame... no, where is the true body of the Ink Flame now?"
Li Fan kept his gaze locked onto the surface of Congyun Sea, trying to discern any clues.
Meanwhile, the temporarily blocked wave, as if retreating into dormancy, fell silent upon returning to the sea.
But what followed next was a rain of thousands of black fire meteors.
Almost as if they possessed intelligence, these meteors altered their original trajectory upon seeing the wave’s assault had been thwarted.
They all collectively hurtled toward Congyun City instead.
The sight was so overwhelming that it left the gathered cultivators speechless.
Boom!
The moment the first meteor collided with the protective barrier, the entire Congyun City trembled violently.
What horrified the cultivators even more was that—after just a single impact—fine cracks had already begun to spread across the protective shield.
Chapter 645
Within the Congyun Immortal City, the cultivators were instantly thrown into an uproar upon witnessing the scene.
Fortunately, ever since the last time Ten Thousand Immortal Island was raided and taken by the Five Elders Association, the defenses of the rebuilt Congyun City had been reinforced to a level far superior to that of ordinary state-level immortal cities. Its protection was now comparable to that of several central state capitals. As the defensive grand formation shimmered with flowing light, the crack in the barrier vanished in an instant.
Before the people could even breathe a sigh of relief, a second meteorite of flowing fire crashed into the protective barrier once more. This impact was even more intense than the previous one, causing the floating city in the clouds to tremble violently, as if it were about to plummet from the sky at any moment.
What truly filled the crowd with dread, however, was that this black meteorite did not fully dissipate upon impact. Instead, it left behind a viscous, tar-like substance that wriggled and corroded the protective grand formation. Even from a great distance, one could hear the eerie sizzling sounds coming from the outer edges of the array.
"Although the [Heavenly Origin Transformation Formation] of Congyun City is strong, it won’t hold out for long," said Li Fan, who quickly made his assessment as a formation master.
While the grand formation struggled against the corrosive black , countless more streaks of black fire rained down upon Congyun Immortal City. Though the Immortal Ancestor Statue continuously emitted bursts of violet radiance to intercept some of the incoming fire, many of them still managed to bombard the city unimpeded.
In an instant, Congyun Immortal City swayed like a lone leaf caught in a violent storm, teetering on the brink of destruction.
At that moment, Immortal Lord Hongxi finally displayed the decisiveness expected of a ruler of an entire prefecture.
He transformed into a towering giant, standing as high as the heavens, and intercepted the countless black fireballs. At the same time, he issued a cold, commanding order:
"Activate the entire [Transformation Grand Formation] of the Congyun Sea area! Draw power from all surrounding nodes and ensure Congyun Immortal City remains in peak condition!"
As he spoke, he cast a mystical seal, sending it soaring toward the highest point of the city.
For a brief moment, silence fell over the entire Congyun Immortal City. Most cultivators did not understand the full implications of Immortal Lord Hongxi’s words, but those who did turned pale in an instant.
Li Fan, too, narrowed his eyes as he looked at Hongxi, who had a resolute expression on his face, and silently praised him:
"Such boldness!"
Having studied formations for countless lifetimes, Li Fan had an in-depth understanding of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s defensive system. Each guardian city was equipped with protective formations. Within each state, a floating celestial capital served as the core, linking together hundreds of smaller defensive formations into a vast state-wide formation.
Moreover, throughout the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the state-wide formations were interconnected, forming an immense and terrifying array that covered nearly half of the Xuanhuang Realm.
A layered system—endlessly intricate, immeasurably powerful!
The defensive formation of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was replaced every five hundred years. In the past, Li Fan had once seen the remnants of an older array, the "Ten Thousand Mile Rivers-Mountains Formation," on a sunken island. However, the alliance was currently using the "Heavenly Origin Transformation Formation."
Although its defensive strength was slightly weaker than the previous formation, it possessed an irreplaceable ability—
It could absorb the life essence of all beings within the formation to enhance its power!
Thus, Immortal Lord Hongxi’s intent was crystal clear.
He planned to fully activate the Heavenly Origin Transformation Formation, drawing in the life essence of all living beings still surviving on the remaining islands of Congyun Sea area—sacrificing them to maintain the protective barrier of Congyun Immortal City.
From a purely logical standpoint, this decision was not wrong. After all, in the face of such a catastrophe, Congyun Immortal City was the only place that could still barely hold out, while all other islands were doomed to be reduced to ashes in an instant.
By sacrificing those who were already destined to perish, the formation might be strengthened just enough to grant the cultivators within Congyun Immortal City a sliver of hope for survival.
But...
Being annihilated by the Wrath of Heaven and Earth and being slaughtered by one’s own people were two completely different things.
Not everyone had the resolve to make such a cold and ruthless decision—to treat the lives of their fellow brethren as nothing more than expendable fuel.
So, after Immortal Lord Hongxi’s words spread, the cultivators of the Formation Hall remained silent and motionless.
Hongxi himself also seemed to lack the courage to repeat the order. His expression was grim as he watched the protective barrier on the verge of collapse, yet he did not issue another command.
"I shall lend you a hand."
A sharp glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes. His clone soared into the air and shouted loudly, "What are you all waiting for? This is a matter of life and death! Just follow orders! All consequences will be borne by Lord Hongxi and me alone!"
Hongxi glanced at Li Fan with some surprise.
The cultivators of the Formation Hall also exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and finally made up their minds.
One after another, talisman seals flew toward the various nodes of the Heavenly Origin Transformation Formation. The protective shield suddenly erupted with brilliance.
It was as if time had frozen for an instant. In the next moment, endless spiritual energy surged in from all directions. The purple barrier instantly became as solid as a tangible entity, effortlessly blocking the impact of the black firestorm.
The violent tremors ceased, replaced by continuous muffled explosions.
For now, the crisis was averted, yet the surviving cultivators of Congyun City showed little joy on their faces. Because along with the drastic enhancement of the Heavenly Origin Transformation Formation, the air was filled with agonized wails and curses. On the glowing barrier, horrifying scenes were faintly visible—humans being drained of all their vital energy in an instant, reduced to skeletons.
It was like a purgatory on earth, chilling to the bone.
"Though we can protect ourselves for now, this is not a long-term solution. All contact with headquarters has been severed. Staying here is nothing more than waiting for death."
"I intend to go out and confront this Spirit of Heaven and Earth. I leave this place in your hands!"
Immortal Lord Hongxi paid no heed to the terrifying spectacle surrounding him and transmitted his voice to Li Fan.
Then, he gazed into the distance toward the impact site of the black meteor and took a step forward.
His figure flickered rapidly, vanishing from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.
With the departure of Immortal Lord Hongxi, the cultivators who had just regained their composure became anxious again. Fortunately, Lord Secret Envoy was still present, allowing them to retain some measure of reassurance.
Li Fan, however, maintained a cold expression, staring intently at the center of Congyun Sea, patiently waiting.
Time passed slowly. As the first wave of black firestorm was completely repelled, the apocalyptic crisis seemed to have subsided. The once-raging Congyun Sea gradually calmed, leaving only the thick, sticky black substance clinging to the protective barrier—evidence of the catastrophe that had just unfolded.
Yet, this unnatural calmness carried the ominous tension of an approaching storm.
Li Fan sensed something was amiss.
"Ink Flame isn’t there?"
Sensing the rapid return of Immortal Lord Hongxi, Li Fan swept his gaze across the sky, then toward the deep sea.
It seemed as though some terrifying calamity was brewing beneath the waves.
Plop!
A single air bubble suddenly surfaced.
Then, a fish corpse—its belly upturned as if it had been boiled—floated to the surface.
And then—
In an instant, the entire Congyun Sea seemed to boil.
Countless bubbles surged violently, accompanied by the floating corpses of innumerable sea creatures.
In past lifetimes, the Crimson Flame boiled the sea, taking more than a dozen years to completely incinerate the Congyun Sea.
Yet now, the Ink Flame had descended for less than half a day, and it had already brought the entire Congyun Sea to a rolling boil.
Billowing steam continuously surged upward, forming dense mist like floating clouds above the sea.
At this rate, in just a few days, the Congyun Sea would be completely dried up!
The difference between the Crimson Flame and the Ink Flame was evident at a glance.
"But compared to Ink Death’s terrifying power that can obliterate everything, it's still somewhat lacking," Li Fan observed the churning, boiling sea below, contemplating silently.
Just then, Immortal Lord Hongxi had already flown back.
"The earth veins!"
Without further words, he swiftly formed a series of complex hand seals, activating the Heavenly Origin Transformation Formation.
The scene within the light screen shifted, and an enormous, glowing web appeared before everyone.
Li Fan immediately noticed that the outermost edges of this web were already tainted black!
Suddenly, realization dawned upon him.
The Ink Flame had been utilizing the vast, ceaselessly flowing earth veins scattered throughout the Congyun Sea, rapidly transmitting its scorching heat to every corner of the sea.
"No wonder it never showed itself. Not only is its martial strength on another level, but even its intelligence has evolved?"
"Extract the earth veins and force it to reveal itself!" Immortal Lord Hongxi’s face flashed with a ruthless glint as he commanded coldly.
The earth veins are the very foundation of the land. If they were damaged, the terrain of the entire region would be upheaved, potentially leading to unpredictable and eerie changes. It might even become completely uninhabitable for cultivators.
This was an absolute last resort. Even if they survived the calamity, they would not escape the punishment of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
But at this moment, having already committed the act of "slaughtering their own kin," the cultivators no longer cared about such consequences.
The Heavenly Origin Transformation Formation, originally linked to various earth vein nodes, was now reversed—starting to extract power directly from the earth veins.
Hummm...
Before long, a strange sound echoed in everyone’s ears.
It was as if the earth itself was toppling, mountains fracturing apart.
The already boiling sea grew even more violent. The Congyun Sea surged with monstrous waves, and dark storm clouds gathered from an unknown source, rolling in from the sky.
The howling wind roared, the ocean trembled.
Before the overwhelming might of heaven and earth, every cultivator in Congyun City turned pale as death, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
However, infused with the yellowish earth vein power, the protective formation of Congyun City became even more solid and unyielding. Amidst the world-shaking destruction, it stood firm like an unshakable fortress in a storm, offering a sliver of hope to the cultivators.
The waves grew even fiercer.
As the surface of the Congyun Sea continued to recede, parts of the shallow seabed began to emerge.
But unlike a normal seabed covered in sediment, this one was entirely shrouded in a layer of an unknown black substance.
It was as if the rocks had been completely incinerated to ash.
"Even if we survive this disaster, it'll take at least several decades—maybe even centuries—for the Congyun Sea to recover."
Many cultivators, witnessing the scene, sighed in lament.
Yet, seeing that the Ink Flame had still not revealed itself, Immortal Lord Hongxi hardened his resolve completely.
"Continue—do not stop!"
The rumbling sound of the seabed fracturing echoed as the Heavenly Origin Transformation Formation continued operating at full power.
Boom!
It seemed to have reached a critical threshold, as fiery magma suddenly erupted from the ocean floor.
Then, as if triggering a chain reaction, volcanic flames burst forth across the entire Congyun Sea, with lava shooting toward the sky.
A thousand fiery dragons soared, scorching the heavens and earth.
Amid the distorted air, a figure half-red and half-black silently emerged beneath Congyun City.
"So, you've finally come out?"
A flash of killing intent and greed flickered in Immortal Lord Hongxi's eyes before his figure vanished.
In the next moment, he transformed into a continuous mountain range, encircling the entity at the center.
"That is..."
"Crimson Flame! The Spirit of Heaven and Earth, Crimson Flame!"
Witnessing the evolved form of Crimson Flame, the cultivators were all thrown into a frenzy.
Even though they had already seen its terrifying power—capable of incinerating the sea with a mere gesture—it did nothing to quell their burning desire.
"So it wasn't a meteor catastrophe, but rather the descent of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth!"
"Indeed! This is a great opportunity!"
"Sacrificing the Spirit of Heaven and Earth can grant us an instant breakthrough to Dao Integration!"
Within just a few breaths, the cultivators were consumed by greed. Some began rallying others to hunt down Crimson Flame together.
Others, having completely lost their minds, rushed toward Crimson Flame like moths to a flame.
As expected, before they could even approach, they were reduced to ashes by the intense heat.
"It's still Crimson Flame, not Ink Flame?"
Li Fan paid no heed to their deaths, instead fixating on the half-red, half-black mutated Crimson Flame, lost in thought.
His clone felt the same surge of greed.
However, unlike in previous lifetimes, where the mere sight of Crimson Flame nearly made him lose his sanity, this time was different.
Without consciously activating the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, the greed from his clone dissipated on its own.
Like snow melting into water, it only caused faint ripples, leaving no real impact on him.
"Immortal techniques are truly extraordinary. Not only does my main body remain clear-minded, but even a clone thousands of miles away is unwavering."
Li Fan sighed inwardly.
Still, to avoid exposing himself, he feigned being deeply captivated by the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, struggling to restrain himself.
His eyes turned bloodshot, veins bulging, his body rigid.
He wanted to see—where did Immortal Lord Hongxi find the courage to face Crimson Flame alone?
After all, in the previous life, even a weakened version of Crimson Flame had been too powerful. Hongxi and several other Soul Transformation cultivators together were no match for it.
Let alone this black-red version in this life.
Without some secret weapon, Immortal Lord Hongxi would surely be instantly annihilated.
But clearly, Hongxi was not a reckless fool.
Under Li Fan’s watchful gaze, Hongxi flew toward Crimson Flame.
A towering mountain range materialized, momentarily trapping Crimson Flame. At the same time, Hongxi raised a small rectangular mirror and aimed it at Crimson Flame!
"That is..."
Li Fan’s pupils contracted sharply.
"Xuantian Sealing the Spirit!" Hongxi roared.
A radiant blue light shot forth from the mirror, striking Crimson Flame directly.
As if struck by a powerful gust of wind, Crimson Flame’s translucent body flickered unsteadily.
Yet despite its overwhelming might just moments ago, it was utterly powerless against this blue light!
As though inherently restrained, a look of astonishment appeared on Crimson Flame's face, and its body froze instantly!
A look of ecstasy surged onto Hongxi's face.
"This is bad!"
Li Fan’s heart sank.
"Could it be that in this life, Hongxi will actually succeed in Dao Integration so easily?"
He hadn’t expected that after returning from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters, Immortal Lord Hongxi would wield such a terrifying weapon—the Xuantian Sealing Spirit.
And in the face of this technique, the Spirit of Heaven and Earth was unbelievably feeble!
As the green pillar of light restrained Crimson Flame, countless thin threads split off from the mirror Hongxi held high. These threads, like long needles, pierced into Crimson Flame’s body.
Crimson Flame’s black-and-red body trembled violently, like a flickering candle in the wind.
Li Fan keenly noticed that the green threads seemed to be absorbing something. Crimson Flame’s body was gradually shrinking, and it's aura was continuously weakening.
Crimson Flame struggled desperately to break free, but it was like an insect caught in a spider’s web—the more he resisted, the tighter the threads wrapped around him.
The massive green net firmly locked Crimson Flame in place.
The sight of his current miserable state starkly contrasted with Li Fan’s past-life memories, where even in defeat, Crimson Flame had at least displayed the combat strength of a Dao Integration powerhouse imbued with the power of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth.
"The power of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth comes from the heavens and the earth. The Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation, however, can replace the heavens and sever his connection to the world. No wonder Crimson Flame is so utterly powerless," Li Fan thought to himself as he observed Crimson Flame’s tragic condition.
"But I wonder... will this formation be able to suppress Ink Death as well? If Ink Death is still sacrificed and refined, will the heavens respond by sending an even stronger incarnation of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth?"
Just as everyone in Congyun Sea thought the battle was already decided, a colossal hand suddenly emerged from beneath the ocean’s surface.
In the blink of an eye, the five fingers closed together, capturing both Hongxi and Crimson Flame in its grasp!
"Tianyang!" Li Fan instantly recognized the origin of the giant hand.
However, this time, Tianyang did not shout his signature phrase, ‘Tianyang’s life—never weaker than others!’ Instead, he had silently lurked beneath the battlefield, waiting for the perfect moment.
Like a cunning predator, he had swooped in to capture them both in one fell swoop.
"You court death!" Hongxi’s expression changed drastically upon realizing Tianyang’s ambush.
He maintained the Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation while simultaneously commanding layers of mountain-like formations to crash into the five imprisoning fingers around him.
"Boom!"
To Hongxi’s shock, the massive hand did not even attempt to resist his attack. It allowed the manifested mountains to crash into it directly. Yet, at the moment of impact, those towering peaks—indistinguishable from real mountains—shattered as if they had struck something a hundred times harder.
They crumbled into dust on the spot.
Immortal Lord Hongxi’s body trembled slightly. The immense counterforce almost caused him to lose control of the Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation.
Sensing a glimmer of hope, Crimson Flame immediately ceased his struggles.
Instead, he withdrew and conserved his strength, waiting for Hongxi to expose another opening.
“Damn it!” Hongxi cursed under his breath after suffering an unexpected setback. He chose to momentarily ignore Tianyang’s giant hand and instead focused all his efforts on the Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation, accelerating the refining of Crimson Flame.
However, Tianyang—who had been greatly enhanced by Li Fan’s relentless efforts—had evidently grown more intelligent. He was no longer just a brute relying on sheer force.
The five fingers of the enormous hand suddenly turned crimson, as if molten lava flowed within them. Some of the lava even seeped from the puppet’s body, freely circulating and forming intricate patterns.
Like fiery dragons soaring through the air, these streams of lava swiftly arranged themselves into a complete formation, trapping both Hongxi and Crimson Flame within.
“The Earth-Fire Return to Origin Formation!” Li Fan’s eyes flickered with sharp insight.
“It seems Tianyang’s transformation is quite significant. He’s no longer just relying on brute force but has actually learned to use formations!”
“Hongxi was too greedy. He had plenty of time to evade while the formation was taking shape, but he refused to give up on the Spiri of Heaven and Earth he had already captured.”
"Now, it’s just a matter of who’s faster. Will Hongxi drain and kill Crimson Flame first, advancing to the Dao Integration realm? Or will Tianyang absorb Hongxi entirely and ascend to become a Dao Integration Immortal Sage...”
With an amused expression, Li Fan watched the three-way standoff in the sky, ready to enjoy the show.
However, some of the cultivators within Congyun City could no longer sit still.
"The Spirit of Heaven and Earth belongs to the virtuous! Fellow Daoists, the opportunity to defy fate and change destiny is right before our eyes!"
Encouraged and incited by those with ulterior motives, dozens—if not hundreds—of cultivators could not resist the temptation in their hearts. One after another, they launched attacks on the three who were locked in a standoff, hoping to become the lucky one who would reap the benefits and ascend to greatness in a single step.
Li Fan noticed that He Zhenghao almost lost control as well. He had already flown forward, but for some reason, he suddenly came to his senses halfway and turned back.
"Wait a little longer... just a little longer."
Li Fan heard him mumbling under his breath.
His tightly shut eyes and trembling body clearly showed that he was desperately suppressing his own desires at this moment.
Li Fan chuckled and shifted his gaze back to Tianyang and the others.
The Earth-Fire Return to Origin Formation had already been pushed to its limit by Tianyang. Columns of magma erupted continuously from the seabed beneath Congyun, forming a spectacular scene of fire dragons surging through the ocean. Li Fan knew that Tianyang was exerting his full strength to harness the power of the Congyun Earth-Fire.
Ordinarily, Earth-Fire was bound to and restricted by the earth’s veins, making it nearly impossible for cultivators to control it so easily.
However, earlier, in order to force out Crimson Flame, Immortal Lord Hongxi had activated the Heavenly Origin Transformation Formation, completely destroying the earth veins of Congyun Sea.
As a result, the Earth-Fire magma lost its restraints and raged like a wild horse, allowing the Earth-Fire Return to Origin Formation to function at twice its normal effectiveness.
From a certain perspective, this was a case of cause and effect—Immortal Lord Hongxi was digging his own grave.
Noticing that his energy was depleting even faster than Crimson Flame’s, Hongxi’s expression kept shifting.
At this moment, if he withdrew the Xuantian Sealing Spirit Mirror and gave up suppressing Crimson Flame, focusing entirely on the situation at hand, he might be able to escape from the Earth-Fire Return to Origin Formation.
However, the Xuantian Sealing Spirit Mirror could only be used once. After activation, the mirror would turn into an ordinary object. To use it again, he would have to return to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters to request a recharge.
This meant that if he interrupted the process now, all his previous efforts would be wasted.
He might be able to save his life, but achieving Dao Integration? That would be out of the question.
On the other hand, if he fought to the death, there was indeed the risk of losing his life—but there was also a chance of breaking through to the Dao Integration realm! If he succeeded, the heavens and earth would be vast before him, and his fate would be forever changed!
With a ferocious expression, Immortal Lord Hongxi made his final decision in an instant.
Blazing streaks of light shot out from his body, attacking the Earth-Fire Return to Origin Formation, attempting to slow down his own refinement and absorption process.
Meanwhile, Hongxi’s eyes were filled with unwavering determination. He cast aside all distractions, focusing solely on controlling the Xuantian Spirit Sealing Formation to suppress and refine Crimson Flame.
Time passed, second by second.
Crimson Flame’s body grew dimmer and dimmer.
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It had become almost completely transparent, as if it could disappear from the world at any moment.
"Die for me!"
Hongxi roared, transforming into a golden-brown beam of light and charging at Crimson Flame without hesitation.
At the same time, the Xuantian Spirit Sealing Formation erupted with its most dazzling radiance.
Green and yellow intertwined like a sharp blade, about to pierce fiercely into Crimson Flame’s body.
Chapter 648
At that moment, Crimson Flame, who had seemingly given up struggling and was silently awaiting death, suddenly lifted his head.
On his blurred and flickering face, a mocking smile seemed to emerge.
Then, in an instant, his body, originally a mix of black and red, turned completely pitch black!
Like ink dripping into a pool of water, the surrounding space was instantly dyed into a deep darkness!
Li Fan’s mind trembled violently.
Even the surviving cultivators, who had once gazed at Crimson Flame with greed in their hearts, were now completely engulfed in fear.
Because what they sensed as the Spirit of Heaven and Earth – Crimson Flame had, without warning, transformed into the Spirit of Heaven and Earth – Ink Death!
“What is happening?!”
Not only were the onlookers overwhelmed with panic, but even Li Fan himself was filled with shock.
“The Spirit of Heaven and Earth... can switch between one another? Ink Death can replace Crimson Flame instantly without requiring his death?”
Li Fan’s heartbeat accelerated, his mind racing. What he witnessed today felt as though it had opened a completely new door before him.
Amid this sudden and drastic change, Hongxi, who had just risked everything in a desperate strike, was the first to bear the brunt of it.
His once resolute and determined expression turned into sheer terror and despair.
But there was no turning back—the arrow had already left the bow. He could no longer stop himself as he charged straight into the ink-black domain surrounding Ink Death.
There was no earth-shattering explosion. No dazzling bursts of light.
There was only the soundless dissolution—like snowflakes melting into water—as Hongxi’s entire body disappeared without a trace.
Ink Death tilted his head slightly, the corners of his mouth curling into an eerie smile.
Above, the sky gave birth to a strange phenomenon.
“Soul Transformation cultivator Hong Xi—
Seven hundred and sixty-three years of cultivation.
Established his Dao foundation through the Five Elements Mountain.
Formed his Golden Core with the laws of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.
Devoured the Hundred Ridge Cave-Heaven to condense his Nascent Soul.
Drew from Taihua’s Thousand Rising Peaks to transform his soul.
Now, struck by divine retribution—his Dao vanishes, returning to the heavens.”
The sky trembled as vast mountain ranges collapsed, signifying the fall of Immortal Lord Hongxi, the once-dominant Nascent Soul cultivator of the Cloud Sea Region.
From the moment Ink Death appeared, Tianyang had already sensed the danger.
Although he had vowed never to be weaker than anyone in his lifetime, that did not mean he would throw his life away in vain.
Without hesitation, he activated the Earth-Fire Return to Origin Formation to its full extent, sacrificing the integrity of the formation to trigger a massive eruption.
As the earth’s molten lava raged, Tianyang attempted to sever his own hand and escape.
Even as his severed hand remained to restrain Ink Death, his true body had already begun to flee in secret.
However, no matter how fast he was, he was still slower than Ink Death.
The blazing lava had not even reached Ink Death before it was tainted, transformed into fine, pitch-black particles.
Like a drop of ink falling into the world, the darkness spread rapidly.
Tianyang had barely gotten far before the ever-expanding ink-black domain caught up to him.
Unlike Hongxi, who had been silently dissolved, Tianyang’s demise was accompanied by crackling flames and agonizing creaks that echoed from within the darkness.
Even as the inky void spread further outward, signs of Tianyang’s desperate struggle could still be faintly seen in the center.
But in the end, it seemed only to prolong his suffering.
Before long, all disturbances ceased completely—the pitch-black domain fell into an eerie stillness.
Li Fan’s eyelids twitched violently.
He had fortified Tianyang’s body with materials, including the legendary Eternal Tribulation Gold, said to be indestructible across countless calamities.
Originally, he had hoped that Tianyang might at least endure a couple of exchanges against Ink Death.
But the result...
“The gap is simply too vast. Ink Death...”
“...is truly terrifying.”
Even though Li Fan had witnessed battles between Heavenly Doctor, the Grand Sage, and others, the sight of Ink Death’s power still sent a chill through his heart.
“And this time... Ink Death seems even more ‘alive’ than before?”
He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but as he stared at that ever-expanding abyss of darkness in the sky, a strange realization dawned upon him.
As for the other cultivators in Congyun City, they were not merely feeling a slight chill like Li Fan.
The sudden turn of events had left them in complete despair.
In the blink of an eye, the two Soul Transformation cultivators, who had once seemed to hold the upper hand, had both fallen.
The remaining survivors could only tremble in fear, their hearts sinking into the abyss of hopelessness.
Meanwhile, in Congyun City, many cultivators who had been secluding themselves within the Tianxuan Mirror were suddenly cast out. They wore expressions of utter bewilderment, having no inkling of what was happening.
“Even the Tianxuan Mirror has withdrawn its bestowed power—it appears to have abandoned the Congyun Sea.”
“What is meant to come will come.”
Li Fan looked around at the cultivators—crying out in despair and exposing their pitiable state—and thought as such.
After the fall of Tianyang, the spreading of the ink traces gradually slowed. Reappearing in human form, Ink Death’s gaze swept over everyone in Congyun City. Every cultivator who came under his stare found their bodies suddenly stiffened and immobilized, their hearts plunged into profound terror.
Then, perhaps in a mischievous, cat-and-mouse manner, Ink Death did not immediately attack these cultivators; instead, he flickered away, vanishing without a trace. The cultivators, their faces awash with disbelief, assumed that Ink Death had spared them. In that moment, a spark of hope ignited within their hearts. But clearly, that hope was in vain.
High above, black rain began to fall. As the droplets descended to the ground, everything they touched was rendered insubstantial. Soon after, an inky substance—of the same origin—surged forth from the void, devouring everything in its path. Under the watchful eyes of all, the Congyun Sea was slowly disappearing. Ironically, every drop of the black rain avoided the airborne Congyun City, as if to punish the cultivators inside, forcing them to witness the gradual erasure of the Congyun Sea. Ink Death orchestrated it all.
“This Ink Death sure has a twisted sense of humor,” Li Fan mused while staring at the increasingly dark surroundings, his heart growing ever heavier.
The horrifying scene drove the cultivators of Congyun City into complete madness. Realizing that they had no hope of survival, some resorted to self-destruction, ending their own lives; others, with eyes blazing red, unleashed lethal attacks toward the pitch-black expanse outside the city; still others collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
He Zhenghao was among them. His body trembled incessantly as his daughter’s earlier counsel echoed in his mind:
“A terrible calamity—a threat to life.”
“All you need to do is leave the Congyun Sea.”
...
With a look of bewilderment and regret on his face, images of his beloved Heng Ruoshui and his daughter He Xinxin materialized before him.
“I have been so foolish!”
A cascade of memories, like a revolving lantern, flashed through his mind, and He Zhenghao wept bitterly. But then, suddenly, he stopped and bolted in Li Fan’s direction.
“Esteemed Secret Envoy! Please, you must come up with a solution!”
“You surely have some way, don’t you?”
Crawling and stumbling, he reached Li Fan’s side, clinging to his last shred of hope as he pleaded.
Li Fan offered no reply; he silently soared upward into the sky. With a provocative stance aimed at the pitch-black realm beyond Congyun City, the inky darkness of the heavens and earth seemed to come to an abrupt standstill. Then, a figure appeared not far from Li Fan, watching him with keen interest.
Chapter 649
Ink Death and Li Fan, separated by the protective light shield of Congyun City’s [Heavenly Origin Transformation Formation], regarded each other from afar.
Their standoff instantly captured the attention of all the surviving cultivators.
Although it was hard to believe that the Secret Envoy could contend with the terrifying “Spirit of Heaven and Earth” before him—a force that had so easily slain two Soul Transformation-stage cultivators—the aura of mystery and the incredible legends surrounding Li Fan, the cultivator of the Ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect, inevitably rekindled a glimmer of hope in their hearts.
Under the gaze of countless onlookers, Li Fan stood with his arms folded, his voice thundering:
“How dare you, mere fragments of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, act so presumptuously!
Although my cultivation has not yet been fully restored, I will not tolerate your insolence in my presence!”
Enhanced deliberately by his spiritual power, his voice boomed and echoed throughout Congyun City.
Coupled with his transcendent, solitary demeanor, his domineering words truly exuded the aura of an unparalleled master.
While the cultivators of Congyun City were rendered silent, Ink Death’s reaction was noticeably subtle.
The true nature of Li Fan’s clone was, of course, not hidden from Ink Death. Yet even he had not expected that a cultivator at the Golden Core stage could not only overcome his inner greed and fear but also dare to speak so impertinently to him.
Clearly, such a feat was beyond the capabilities of an ordinary cultivator.
Doubting his own judgment, Ink Death stood momentarily stunned—as if Li Fan’s words had struck him with overwhelming force.
“Lord Secret Envoy is mighty!” cheers erupted throughout Congyun City.
But Li Fan paid no heed, his expression grave as he lightly pointed toward where Ink Death stood.
“Flying Star!” he commanded, his voice cold and lethal, utterly devoid of emotion.
Then, a small point of light appeared within the pitch-black domain surrounding Ink Death and soon burst forth with brilliant radiance.
An extremely terrifying force erupted from that light.
Under the shroud of white light, the dense, inky darkness began to fade and dissipate.
As space twisted and trembled, it seemed that a towering, tumultuous wave was rising from the sea of darkness. Ink Death’s body swayed incessantly—like leaves trembling in a wild, gusty wind.
In that instant, all the surviving cultivators, including He Zhenghao, were profoundly shaken.
The might of the Secret Envoy was indeed fearsome.
This never-before-seen divine technique, known as “Flying Star,” was utterly terrifying—so much so that even Ink Death found it hard to withstand.
As they caught sight of a renewed glimmer of hope, the onlookers were both shocked and elated.
However, among everyone present, only Li Fan knew that it was all but an illusion.
He did not actually possess any “Flying Star” divine technique.
The dazzling white light that appeared at his fingertips was merely the effect of the self-detonation of the Immortal City Cave—a remarkable treasure imbued with countless precious materials, including [Annihilating Thunder of Oblivion].
The Immortal City Cave itself was no ordinary artifact. Moreover, during its construction, Li Fan had ordered Zhou Kebao to incorporate various lethal modifications.
When it detonated at its extreme, even a cultivator at the Dao Integration stage, caught off guard, would suffer severe injuries.
Of course, Ink Death’s power was far beyond that of ordinary Dao Integration cultivators.
Thus, this seemingly formidable “Flying Star” could not truly harm Ink Death—it would at most only cause him a bit of trouble.
Li Fan was well aware of this; his intention was merely to delay Ink Death for a moment.
Only then would he unleash his trump card.
Under the cover of the dazzling white light, Li Fan silently retrieved a five-faced, ten-armed statue, and after uttering his final words to it...
Fiercely, he hurled it toward Ink Death.
The secret technique [Sky-Shrouding Hand] enveloped the battlefield, while the [Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword] unleashed an endless cascade of sword light, concealing the surroundings.
"Myriad Phenomena!"
As Li Fan roared in fury, the Five Faces, Ten Hands, and the Manifested Heavenly Sovereign Form had already arrived before Ink Death.
Faced with repeated provocations from a mere Golden Core cultivator, the killing intent in Ink Death's heart had reached its peak.
He decided to stop playing this game of cat and mouse.
Endless black particles coalesced into a black dragon, surging toward the incoming sword light of Li Fan, determined to annihilate this insolent challenger.
In an instant, as the black tide engulfed everything, the sword light imbued with the Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword was forcibly transformed.
Immediately afterward, the wriggling black particles launched a direct attack on the Manifested Heavenly Sovereign Form.
In the next moment—
The Five Faces, Ten Hands shattered with a deafening explosion.
A jade-like delicate arm suddenly emerged, slashing a sword toward Ink Death.
A robed man’s phantom figure lightly waved a dust whisk toward him.
A scholar-dressed white-robed cultivator flung an ancient wooden scroll at Ink Death.
A sleeping infant, with eyes closed, let out a series of wailing cries.
A golden talisman sheet, light as a feather, descended upon Ink Death with crushing weight.
"Now is the moment!"
Li Fan’s clone's eyes shone with brilliance as he crushed a storage ring filled with an immense quantity of Kunpeng essence blood and hundreds of Beast Soul Beads, meticulously crafted within an empire's small-world.
In an instant, waves of blood surged, and demonic aura soared skyward.
A misty purple energy immediately descended from the horizon.
"Still not enough!"
Li Fan then unsealed the divine ability [Kun Devours] from within his true body's core, activating the [Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Technique], wildly absorbing the countless top-grade spirit stones stored within the ring.
With this surge, he charged toward the already overstretched limit of his bottleneck—Calamity of Heaven!
"Demonic heretic!"
Just as the western winds carried the purple aura, a cold and merciless voice from Senior Brother Zhang rang out.
Sensing that Li Fan’s clone was about to shatter the Heaven’s Limit, a colossal hand suddenly emerged across the celestial sky.
"Aren't you all fond of hiding in the shadows and scheming? This time, I'll make you tear each other apart!"
A manic expression flashed across Li Fan’s clone as his Golden Core exploded with a thunderous roar.
His human body disintegrated inch by inch, yet his flesh, empowered by immense force, did not immediately disperse.
Eyes filled with a savage glow, his fingers danced rapidly in the void. Before his form could collapse entirely, he wrote a single character: [Chaos (亂)]!
This sequence of actions had already been rehearsed countless times in Li Fan’s mind.
Though it appeared to span an eternity, it all transpired in a single instant.
"Myriad Phenomena!"
Li Fan’s cold shout still echoed in the air.
As the sword light vanished and the shattered Manifested Heavenly Sovereign Form faded, five distinct figures emerged.
Ink Death, who had been brimming with killing intent, now showed a flicker of surprise on his face.
However, he would not retreat.
A boundless black tide surged, colliding with the divine abilities unleashed by the five Longevity Immortal Sovereigns.
Then, another purple lightning bolt tore through the void, striking directly into their battlefield.
The colossal celestial hand in the sky remained indifferent to the chaos below and continued to press downward with overwhelming might.
Meanwhile, Li Fan's final technique—sacrificing his clone to cast the [Chaos] mantra—plunged the battlefield into even greater turmoil and eerie unpredictability.
With so many unforeseen variables arriving in an instant, for the first time, a trace of shock appeared on Ink Death’s face.
Yet he still did not retreat.
The dark tide raged, surging into a towering tsunami, engulfing everything in its path.
In an unknown space.
Five statues with indistinct faces stood in a circle.
Their heads were lowered, gazing at the center.
There, a massive glowing cloud floated in the air.
Within the cloud, faint miniature landscapes of land, mountains, and flowing rivers could be seen.
The cloud was divided into isolated regions of various sizes, with each region containing a tiny floating point of light.
At the edge of this luminous cloud, in a small blue area, black specks were writhing and shifting.
Suddenly, in an instant, this region erupted with various brilliant lights.
Then, as if a violent explosion had occurred, faint tremors rippled outward, spreading across the surrounding cloud.
Like clouds swayed by the wind, the luminous cloud flickered and shifted gently.
Soon after, from the turbulent area at the cloud's edge, a vast swath of blackness surged forth.
In a flash, it engulfed everything.
As if some unseen entity had taken a single bite, the entire region was swallowed up in an instant, vanishing entirely from the glowing mass.
At the same time, apart from the statue in the center, whose eyes remained closed and head bowed, the other four statues suddenly opened their eyes.
They all gazed at the now-void region.
A strange atmosphere filled the space.
"Fellow Daoist Yi Xin, what do you think?"
"Hehe, my eyes were dazzled by the flash—I can’t see clearly."
"Some force has disrupted our perception... Wait, could this be..."
"Indeed."
"Impossible."
The space fell into silence.
It seemed they were sensing something.
After a long while, a voice broke the silence again.
"Besides [Chaos], there’s also [Xuanhuang Celestial Palm], [Purple Cloud Dharma Body]..."
"The Xuanhuang Realm hasn’t been this lively in a long time. I do hope this keeps happening," Senior Sister Zhao said lazily.
The other three ignored her.
"Each of us was drawn into activating a divine ability. It must be related to that entity we made a deal with through the [Heaven-Suppressing Alliance]."
"Zhou Qingang, Li Fan?"
"Are they all dead?"
"Heh, how interesting."
"These are mere trivial matters; it could just be a distraction meant to catch our attention. The real issue is—why has [Chaos] reappeared in the Xuanhuang Realm?"
"I'll have my subordinates investigate, but we shouldn't place too much hope in it. There’s something unusual about this."
"That old geezer Immortal Ancestor seems to have disappeared again recently."
"Oh? That reminds me of something amusing, hehe."
...
As the conversation continued, the five statues eventually closed their eyes once more.
Silence returned to the space.
Tianling Prefecture.
Looking toward the Congyun Sea in the distance, the vision in Li Fan's mind suddenly cut off.
He remained silent.
Focusing his senses, he detected no imminent danger.
After a long time, he finally let out a breath and flew swiftly toward the location of the Longevity Valley.
"As I expected, the 'Manifested Heavenly Sovereign Statue' isn’t just a simple communication tool linked to the Five Elders Association."
"Senior Sister Zhao, the robed cultivator, the scholar, the infant, and that invisible golden parchment..."
"They must correspond to the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns of the Five Elders Association."
Li Fan’s eyes flickered with thought.
As the most valuable artifact obtained from his dealings with the Five Elders Association, he refused to believe that the Heavenly Sovereign Statue was merely a transmission device.
Even his own Soul Fragment Jade Slip carried a trace of his divine sense, after all.
Therefore, although the Five Elders Association did not explicitly state it, Li Fan still speculated that the Heavenly Sovereign Statue must contain some of the power of the Five Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns.
Using it to deceive others while simultaneously testing Mo Sha's true strength was a perfect strategy.
"I just don't know whether, after using the Manifested Heavenly Sovereign Statue in this way, my final request—that the Five Elders Association hide my identity, command Samantabhadra True Boat, sneak into the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance through the White Mist Barrier, and create chaos across various locations—will be granted."
Li Fan pondered silently.
According to the Five Elders Association's spies, orders from the Manifested Heavenly Sovereign Statue were almost equivalent to a decree from the Heavenly Sovereigns themselves. As long as it did not threaten the rule of the Five Elders Association, it would be strictly carried out.
However, since it had only been a short time since the peace negotiations between the Five Elders Association and the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, and given that Li Fan had essentially tricked the Five Elders Association, it was uncertain whether all his orders would be implemented.
"No matter what, my goal has already been achieved. With so many forces erupting at once and the Chaos Technique further stirring the pot, everything has turned into an unsolvable mess."
"Even if someone wants to investigate, they likely won’t have the means to do so."
Restored to his original appearance, Li Fan thought to himself.
"The former cultivator of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect, Li Fan, is already dead. The only one who exists now is just an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator."
Li Fan knew that his mysterious "death" and the sudden disappearance of billions of contribution points from his account would undoubtedly raise many suspicions.
But...
So what?
He was already "dead," and he had died on a battlefield surrounded by powerful figures.
How could they investigate?
Who would dare investigate?
Most likely, the matter would be quietly dismissed.
"As long as I hide in Longevity Valley for a while longer, all of this will be forgotten."
"By then, even if I openly proclaim myself as Li Fan, it probably won’t cause much of a stir."
...
Li Fan's eyes gleamed as he sped toward Longevity Valley.
After about half a month, he finally arrived at his destination.
Within the Essence Devouring White Mist, he located the markings left behind by Elder Liu, broke through the seal, and finally entered Longevity Valley.
A surge of dense wood-attribute spiritual energy washed over him, making Li Fan unconsciously squint his eyes in comfort.
"Young Master, you've arrived!"
Sensing Li Fan's aura, Liu San hurried over to greet him.
"Was everything successful?" he asked.
Li Fan nodded but did not elaborate.
Since Liu San trusted Li Fan deeply, he refrained from asking further questions.
"For the next few years, we will focus on laying low. Unless necessary, do not venture outside. Our priority is refining the Longevity Pill," Li Fan declared, setting the course of action for the near future.
Liu San immediately agreed.
"Apart from the Longevity Pill, I have found several other medicinal pills that could also fetch a high price," Liu San suggested.
"I noticed that New Method Cultivators tend to have highly volatile emotions. Since Longevity Valley has all the necessary herbs, I can take some time to refine the Supreme Emotionless Pill."
Liu San then explained the pill's effects to Li Fan.
It was quite similar to Blue Flame, which Li Fan had previously used. This pill would allow its user to maintain an almost absolute state of rationality.
Not only could it enhance combat performance by up to 200%, but it also had miraculous effects in breaking bottlenecks and achieving enlightenment.
Li Fan was very pleased with this.
"Elder Liu, you are absolutely right. This pill will surely be well-received in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
"However, do not overly pursue high-quality versions. Try to refine ones with lower medicinal potency instead," Li Fan instructed.
"Oh, right."
As if remembering something, Li Fan began introducing Liu San and the others to the existence of the Fallen Immortal Realm.
........................................................................
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"A single glance reflects ten thousand years, and after falling, one becomes a world of their own?!"
"How is this possible?"
Liu San was shocked by the unbelievable reality that Li Fan had just described.
"How could the Xuanhuang Realm have a True Immortal? Why have we never heard of such a thing?"
Even as a Dao Integration expert, upon hearing of the existence of the Fallen Immortal Realm, Liu San's reaction was no better than Li Fan's.
Li Fan smiled and said, "Elder Liu, there is no need for doubt. This matter is absolutely true—I have personally experienced it."
"What my eyes saw was exactly as it was back then. Truly the work of a True Immortal." He shook his head, full of emotion.
Hearing this, Liu San was completely convinced, but his heart grew even more astonished.
Suddenly, as if he had realized something, his eyes flashed with excitement.
"Young Master, you just said that the Fallen Immortal Realm is a true projection of the ancient Xuanhuang Realm. Does that mean that the Medicine King Sect from back then still exists within it?"
"The old sect master, even you and me, as well as all the other cultivators of the Medicine King Sect..."
"During our exploration, is it possible that we might encounter them?" Liu San’s voice trembled as he slowly asked.
Li Fan pondered for a moment before nodding, giving him a definite answer.
Throughout the history of the Xuanhuang Realm, there were indeed cases where ancient slumbering cultivators entered the Fallen Immortal Realm and encountered another version of themselves.
However, strange phenomena such as "the two cannot meet" or "a mutual resonance" never occurred. At the end of the day, when ancient cultivators arrived in the present, everything from the past was already gone. The Fallen Immortal Realm merely contained a projection of their past selves at a certain moment in time. Other than evoking feelings of nostalgia and sentimentality, seeing another version of oneself was no different from encountering any other being.
Likewise, the "natives" of the Fallen Immortal Realm would not mistake outsiders who entered as mere projections of the past. Even if their appearance and aura were exactly the same, it wouldn’t matter. They would simply assume it was some kind of illusionary technique.
However, Li Fan had once come across a discussion in the [Seeking Immortals] section of the Tianxuan Mirror. It speculated that if a cultivator survived from ancient times to the present and reached an unimaginably profound level of cultivation, they might achieve something called "Eternal Presence, Timeless Freedom."
The so-called Eternal Presence referred to a cultivator transcending the River of Time, allowing them to exist simultaneously in the past, present, and future. Every instance of themselves across time would be the same transcendent being. If such a cultivator projected into the Fallen Immortal Realm, their projection and true self might indeed be considered one and the same.
Though this was only a theoretical concept, it represented the ultimate pursuit of the Dao for cultivators, making it a topic of much fascination.
Some cultivators further argued that if such a being truly existed, they would have long since reversed cause and effect, turning time itself into an unbroken cycle. How could they possibly be captured by a mere glance from a True Immortal and drawn into the Fallen Immortal Realm?
Thus, the idea that the Fallen Immortal Realm’s projections were actually the true selves of people from reality remained a paradox.
Li Fan roughly explained these ideas to Liu San. Though Liu San nodded on the surface, appearing reassured, he was still eager to enter the Fallen Immortal Realm and see for himself.
Seeing this, Li Fan didn't mind. He simply shook his head with a faint smile and then carefully explained the ritual procedure to Liu San.
"Blessings to the Celestial Venerable Of Xuanhuang!"
Without hesitation, Liu San activated the ritual before Li Fan and entered the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Li Fan, however, narrowed his eyes slightly and gazed toward the sky.
Perhaps due to his recent breakthrough in the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, his perception had become far keener than before.
At the very moment Liu San’s strand of divine consciousness vanished, Li Fan clearly sensed a shadow fleeting across the heavens of the real world.
"That was no illusion... The Fallen Immortal Realm, huh..."
The shadow disappeared from his perception in an instant, but Li Fan’s gaze lingered on the sky for a long time.
Li Fan had spent a long time wandering in the [Seeking Immortals] forum and knew that many cultivators had attempted to find traces of the Fallen Immortal Realm in the real world. However, it was said that without exception, they all failed.
They only knew of its existence and how to enter it.
But they could never observe it.
Yet now, Li Fan, who was merely at the Nascent Soul stage, had unexpectedly broken this pattern.
"My previous experiences in the Fallen Immortal Realm were different from others. I kept reliving certain scenarios in an endless cycle. I never understood the reason before. But now, it seems that it might be closely tied to the Xuanhuang Mantra."
"The True Immortal's legacy... the remnants of a True Immortal’s will... Maybe there really is some connection between the two."
"It’s been a long time since I entered the Fallen Immortal Realm. I hope that with the blessing of the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra this time, I’ll receive some surprises."
Li Fan pondered silently.
However, he did not act immediately. While waiting for Liu San to wake up, he took a stroll around Longevity Valley.
The valley was divided into separate areas by formations, each dedicated to growing different types of spiritual herbs. As expected from a secret realm sealed for a thousand years, even with the formations isolating the area, Li Fan could still feel the abundant vitality emanating from the spiritual fields.
From time to time, cultivators from the Medicine King Sect moved through the valley, using secret techniques to select and harvest the appropriate materials for alchemy.
In the distant open area, he could vaguely see several half-constructed buildings taking shape.
That was the new Medicine King Sect headquarters, being built under Fang Zaiji’s command.
"Quite an imposing sight," Li Fan nodded in admiration.
With the Congyun Sea Conflict settled, it was time to plan for the future.
His main objectives were twofold:
First, he needed to find a way to obtain the latter part of the Mountain Sitting Technique beyond the Nascent Soul stage.
Since the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had not yet enacted the "The Plan of the Heavenly Sovereign of Reality and Illusion" to lure out hidden spies, the Five Elders Association had not been forced to send a Dao Integration powerhouse as a test. As a result, the great battle between the two sides, the scheme against Immortal Sage Jicheng, and his impending death due to lifespan exhaustion had not yet occurred.
Therefore, if Li Fan wanted to acquire the "Audience Law Jade Plaque"—the key to access Law Derivation Jade—he would need to find another method.
Fortunately, he had already made preparations, so this wasn’t a major concern.
His second goal was to accumulate experience and insights for advancing to the Soul Transformation stage. The Nascent Soul stage was essentially the process of cultivating and perfecting one's Cave-Heaven Domain, while the gap between Nascent Soul and Soul Transformation was the key dividing line in a cultivator’s actual combat power.
Take, for example, Immortal Lord Hongxi, who had perished in the Congyun Sea Calamity.
He built his Dao Foundation through the Five Elements Mountain and achieved Golden Core using the five elemental laws—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
His talent was undeniable, and his initial path was smooth.
However, when it came to the crucial stages of "Seizing the essence of heaven and earth to form a Nascent Soul" and "Extracting the marrow of heaven and earth to obtain divine soul transformation," his promising future took a drastic downturn.
His so-called "Hundred Ridges Cave-Heaven" and "Taihua Giving Birth to a Thousand Mountains" were clearly far inferior in strength.
As a result, Immortal Lord Hongxi's combat power remained unimpressive. He spent his entire life trapped in the remote Congyun Sea, and breaking through any further was nearly impossible.
On the other hand, if Immortal Lord Hongxi had managed to cultivate the Five Elements Great Cave-Heaven to achieve Nascent Soul, how far could his potential have taken him?
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Chapter 652
With the Five Elements Great Cave-Heaven as a foundation, even if the Marrow of Heaven that Hongxi extracted during his Soul Transformation was unremarkable, his achievements would still be incomparable to today’s standards.
Was it because he didn’t want to?
No, it was simply because he couldn’t.
If rare treasures and heavenly laws could be obtained through personal effort, then at least there would still be some chance to strive for them.
However, by the time a cultivator reaches the Nascent Soul or Soul Transformation stage, acquiring a powerful and precious Cave-Heaven World or Heavenly Marrow is no longer just about diligence. Without a strong family background, sufficient resources, or extraordinary luck, how could one compete with other cultivators?
For an ordinary cultivator, simply securing enough resources to break through is already a great fortune. They have no luxury to pick and choose.
Take Diyi Jinglun, for example—he decisively abandoned the opportunity for Dao Integration when faced with the temptation of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth. Of course, this was partly because he was a peerless genius who looked down on the weak Spirit of Heaven and Earth. However, it was also because, as a high-ranking member of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the resources and knowledge he controlled were beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
The strong can afford to be selective about their path to immortality, carefully weighing every choice, making them even stronger.
Meanwhile, the weak must seize every rare opportunity for advancement, barely scraping by—thus, the weak remain weak.
This is why, from the Nascent Soul Realm onward, the gap between individual cultivators grows increasingly vast.
Even within the same realm, instant defeat in battle is not unheard of.
Now, with his breakthrough through the Five Elements Great Cave-Heaven, Li Fan has already reached the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul Realm.
But when it comes to finding a Marrow of Heaven that matches his cultivation, he is still completely lost.
What is the Marrow of Heaven?
Long Jiuyuan used the 'Heavenly Spirit’s Thousand Waters' to achieve Soul Transformation.
Hongxi relied on Taihua’s Thousand Mountains to break through.
From the heaven and earth notices issued upon their deaths, some clues can be inferred.
Just as human marrow produces blood, Marrow of Heaven produces laws.
When a new law appears in the Xuanhuang World, it manifests as a change in nature—the heaven and earth undergoes transformation.
In Tianling Prefecture, thousands of rivers will form over the next few millennia.
In Taihua Prefecture, thousands of mountains will rise in the coming ages.
These are preordained, inevitable changes in Xuanhuang World over a certain region and period.
Extracting the Marrow of Heaven means taking the fundamental laws that drive these natural transformations and drawing them into oneself.
By channeling the immense power of heaven and earth, one can achieve an enormous leap in cultivation and battle prowess.
Furthermore, the initial fusion of heavenly laws within one’s body lays the groundwork for the Dao Integration stage, when a cultivator must sacrifice the Spirit of Heaven and Earth.
"Heaven and Earth transformations take tens of thousands of years. With ordinary perception, cultivators wouldn’t even notice them. But under the new Heavenly Sovereign Laws, one can detect even the subtlest changes—first tearing open a gap, then continuously drawing in and absorbing the world's originally slow-releasing source power at an accelerated rate."
"Though this greatly depletes the world’s potential, for cultivators, it provides a rapid surge in strength."
Li Fan’s mind raced, analyzing everything he had learned.
"The Five Elements Cave-Heaven is self-sustaining, forming a perfect cycle. It is a rare and precious opportunity. If I advance to Soul Transformation and extract the Marrow of Heaven, it must be related to this."
"However, the Five Elements, when manifest in the world, tend to disperse. A single type of Marrow of Heaven will likely correspond to only one elemental attribute."
"Attempting to cultivate multiple laws at the Soul Transformation stage, like during the Golden Core stage, is far more difficult."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
Beyond law creation, Marrow of Heaven also possesses immunity and resistance mechanisms.
Once a cultivator has absorbed a particular Marrow of Heaven, attempting to extract another will trigger resistance from the world itself, leading to rejection.
“The more one masters, the greater the repelling force. With each additional type, the difficulty increases almost exponentially. So, for the vast majority of cultivators in this world, extracting even a single type of Marrow of Heaven is already the limit.”
“Even someone as powerful as Long Jiuyuan, who could single-handedly battle the Spirit of Heaven and Earth and ascend to Dao Integration, faced the same challenge. This alone shows how difficult it is.”
“I’m afraid I can, at most, accommodate only two types of Marrow of Heaven at the same time...” Li Fan thought to himself, not blindly overestimating his abilities.
“To achieve a perfect breakthrough, unless...”
A sharp glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes. “Extracting five different types of Marrow of Heaven simultaneously and utilizing the principle of mutual generation and restriction to achieve self-balancing.”
This was undoubtedly an outlandish idea.
Not to mention the rarity of encountering an opportunity to extract five types of Marrow of Heaven at once—even if such an opportunity arose, the chances of success would be minuscule.
Any rational cultivator would never attempt such a thing.
However, for Li Fan, it was not entirely impossible to try!
In his mind, the Dao Deviation Stone continuously emitted a soft blue glow, systematically integrating all the information he had ever come across, slowly deducing a potential method to realize his idea.
...
More than ten days later, Li Fan sensed Liu San awakening. His figure flickered, and he appeared in front of him.
It seemed that Liu San had spent an incredibly long time in the Fallen Immortal Realm. Just as he returned to the real world, he was still somewhat unaccustomed to it.
A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.
However, the moment he saw Li Fan, that trace of bewilderment quickly faded.
“Young Master!” Liu San stood up, his expression calm and composed.
“How was it? Did you encounter the alchemists from the Medicine King Sect of the past?” Li Fan asked kindly.
Liu San shook his head.
“Strangely enough, the scene I experienced this time in the Fallen Immortal Realm was not the ancient cultivation world you described, Young Master. Instead, it was a time and space I had never heard of before.”
“In that world, immortal arts had been completely severed, and no cultivators existed anymore. The only way people could wield extraordinary powers was by resonating with ancient artifacts left behind from ages past. They were called something like ‘Divine Weapon Wielders’...”
“And this time, the person I possessed was merely a little brat, no more than seven or eight years old.”
As Liu San recalled the experience, he narrated everything to Li Fan.
“In the end, after enduring countless hardships and experiencing endless bloodshed and slaughter, I finally managed to resonate with the legendary strongest divine weapon.”
“The ‘Immortal Execution Sword’...”
As he spoke, Liu San took out a long sword that radiated a dazzling seven-colored light, yet seemed to exude an endless aura of slaughter.
Li Fan’s gaze sharpened. But after taking a closer look, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
Liu San then remarked, “Quite the grand name. But in truth, it’s nothing more than a Natal Flying Sword forged by a Nascent Soul-stage sword cultivator.”
“It only stood out among a pile of so-called ‘divine weapons’ because it happened to be tainted with a wisp of a fallen cultivator’s lingering soul.”
Liu San glanced at the flying sword before him with some disdain and commented, “The forging technique is crude, and the material is extremely ordinary. What a piece of junk.”
With that, he applied a slight force.
The so-called strongest divine weapon, the ‘Immortal Execution Sword,’ instantly crumbled into dust.
"That was quite an interesting experience," Li Fan said with a slight smile after listening.
"In the Fallen Immortal Realm, apart from the original world, there are countless other derivative time-spaces. This time was just a matter of bad luck. If you still want to try your luck, Elder Liu, you can enter again after some time," Li Fan explained.
Liu San let out a long sigh and said, "I’ve come to terms with it. The past is gone. Even if I were to see him again, so what? In the eyes of the sect master, I am no longer that loyal old servant. I will leave it to fate. It’s better to focus my energy on reviving the Medicine King Sect."
"There are countless opportunities within the Fallen Immortal Realm. Why not let the disciples try their luck as well? Otherwise, keeping them from going out for so long will stifle them," Liu San suddenly suggested.
Li Fan had no objections.
Over the next period, the people of the Medicine King Sect devoted themselves wholeheartedly to building their new sect within Longevity Valley.
The general layout still followed that of the former Medicine King Sect, with structures rising one after another.
Seeing the familiar scene slowly taking shape again before them, Liu San and the disciples were filled with excitement and joy.
Meanwhile, outside their world, something unexpected occurred.
To Li Fan’s surprise, the destruction of Congyun Sea did not cause much of a stir.
Logically speaking, the complete annihilation of an entire region should have been an event that cultivators would discuss for a long time.
However, in this lifetime, perhaps due to the sheer magnitude of the disaster, both the suppression of information and the speed at which people forgot the catastrophe far surpassed previous cycles.
Li Fan disguised himself as a passerby and gathered some information, only to find that in less than a month, memories of the countless beings within Congyun Sea had faded from the world.
Even if someone occasionally mentioned it, they only recalled it as something that happened "a long time ago."
"The power of the Carefree Heavenly Sovereign is truly both awe-inspiring and terrifying."
Even as someone who personally witnessed the event, Li Fan’s own memory of it had started to blur. Fortunately, with the secret technique [Transformation of the Divine Dao], he could constantly remind himself of the truth.
Currently, the hottest topic in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was not the destruction of Congyun Sea but rather the sudden emergence of a group of mysterious cultivators from the White Mist.
These attackers looted and destroyed without restraint.
They came and went like the wind, highly trained, and seemed to be extremely familiar with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. They specifically targeted strongholds and fortresses rich in special resources.
Moreover, they never engaged in prolonged battles. As soon as reinforcements arrived, they would immediately retreat into the White Mist.
The Samantabhadra True Boat, which could greatly reduce the corrosive effects of the Devouring Essence White Mist, was still a rare item within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. Not every cultivator had access to one. As a result, they could only watch helplessly as these raiders vanished into the mist.
What? Chase them down at all costs?
Fellow Daoist, how much is your yearly salary? Why would you risk your life for this?
Just report it, and let the officials handle it.
As a result, in no time, the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was flooded with reports of attacks from various regions.
Naturally, the Alliance was furious.
Since the establishment of its dominance over half of the Xuanhuang Realm, it had never experienced such blatant humiliation on its own territory.
In response, they dispatched specialized cultivators to investigate the attacked locations.
However, the attackers were incredibly experienced, leaving behind no traces or evidence.
Instead, they simply avoided the areas where investigation teams were stationed and continued their attacks elsewhere, striking like phantoms.
Such open provocation completely enraged the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Squads of black-clad cultivators, brimming with killing intent, were transported to various regions via teleportation formation. They vowed to capture these criminals at all costs.
Yet, after this large-scale deployment, the raiders vanished entirely, as if they had never existed.
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had prepared extensively, only to punch empty air. It was beyond frustrating!
Eventually, they had no choice but to continue patrols in various regions for a while. After capturing a few suspicious rogue cultivators as scapegoats, they hastily concluded the operation.
As for the true identities of these raiders, the first suspect in the eyes of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was naturally the Five Elders Association.
However, accusations of this magnitude required evidence—especially since such claims could easily reignite a war between the two factions.
Before the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could make any statement, the Five Elders Association had already spoken.
They expressed regret and sympathy for the attack suffered within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s territory. Furthermore, they proposed, in the spirit of the mutual agreement for peaceful coexistence, that if the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had any difficulties handling the matter, the Five Elders Association could send specialists to assist in the investigation.
There was no way the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would agree to this. They strongly suspected that the attacks had been orchestrated by the Five Elders Association, who were now feigning concern just to further disgust them.
However, since they had not been able to find any conclusive evidence, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could do nothing but silently suffer the loss.
Not only could they not retaliate against the Five Elders Association, but they also had to begrudgingly express gratitude for their concern.
In this round of confrontation, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance suffered a complete defeat.
As a direct consequence, the alliance started taking the Samantabhadra True Boat, which could freely traverse the White Mist, much more seriously.
Orders were issued requiring every province to be equipped with a sufficient number of these vessels, along with regular patrols by cultivators outside the White Mist Barrier to guard against future sneak attacks.
To prevent another ambush.
This, in turn, led to a short-term surge in the price of Samantabhadra True Leaves, which had long remained at a low value.
Those cultivators who had been trapped in their investments finally made a significant recovery.
"Since they rule through contracts, it seems that the Five Elders Association does keep their word," someone remarked.
"But they’ve also gained quite a lot this time."
Scanning through the estimated property losses circulated privately among the people, Li Fan smiled and thought to himself.
"With such a dramatic event, the matters of Congyun Sea are nearly forgotten."
"Probably in another year, once the atmosphere calms down, I can gradually send the disciples of Medicine King Sect back to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance."
Letting out a deep breath, Li Fan adjusted himself to his optimal state before stepping into the newly constructed sect’s main hall within the valley.
He performed a talisman seal, activating the entrance to the underground secluded chamber beneath the main hall, and then sealed the doorway behind him.
Taking out an ice-blue pill, it was none other than Liu San’s refined "Supreme Emotionless Pill". Li Fan consumed it.
A familiar sensation surged through him as he initiated the ritual.
"Blessings to the Celestial Venerable Of Xuanhuang!"
He muttered softly. The next moment, a slight dizziness washed over him.
However, unlike before, he did not immediately enter the Fallen Immortal Realm. Instead, it felt as though he had arrived in a distorted transparent bubble.
In front of him, two constantly flickering scenes appeared.
Both were familiar to Li Fan.
One was [Ningyuan's Longevity Fruit], and the other was [The Beast-Taming Sect’s Upheaval]—both events he had previously experienced in the Fallen Immortal Realm!
"So, I can freely choose which scene to enter... Is this the effect of the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra?" Li Fan mused.
Without much hesitation, he chose to return to the [Beast-Taming Sect’s Upheaval] scene.
In an instant, the light and shadow in front of him surged toward him.
The surroundings became clearer.
"Sigh, I wonder when Senior Brother Lu Ya will return."
A slightly dejected voice from Xu Ke reached Li Fan’s ears.
Under the instinctive power of his possessed body, Li Fan struck Xu Ke with a claw.
Memories flooded into his mind naturally.
Since their return to the Beast-Taming Sect from the Sacred Beast Mountain of Nanming, Li Fan and Xu Ke had learned that both Emperor Sanmo and Senior Brother Lu Ya had gone out on important matters and were nowhere to be found.
As a result, the rewards promised for their mission could not be fulfilled, which Xu Ke had been complaining about ever since.
Of course, in Li Fan’s view, Xu Ke’s concern stemmed more from his pure longing for Senior Brother Lu Ya. After all, both were orphans from the Xuantian Temple in Ningyuan City and had joined the Beast-Taming Sect together. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that they were like family, relying on each other for survival.
Ignoring Xu Ke’s grumbling, Li Fan closed his eyes and focused on cultivating the Creation Furnace Technique.
It was indeed a perfect technique, modified by Mr. Bai himself. Ever since he had begun cultivating it, not only had his physical body become increasingly powerful, but his essence, energy, and spirit had also surged daily. Even if he stayed awake for days without rest, he wouldn’t feel the slightest fatigue. More importantly, his Heavenly Fate Black Bird bloodline seemed to have become purer.
Li Fan’s originally jet-black feathers now occasionally reflected a seven-colored radiance under the sunlight, making him appear extraordinarily majestic.
Even Xu Ke couldn’t help but reach out to touch them from time to time—only to be ruthlessly swatted away by Li Fan.
The enhancement of his bloodline brought comprehensive improvements to his abilities.
His divine ability, "The Mandate of Heaven is Mine," was now wielded with increasing ease, nourishing Xu Ke’s fortune while simultaneously reinforcing his own. By now, Li Fan had reached the first major breakthrough recorded in his inherited memories—he could form a Mandate Domain within a certain range around himself. This not only allowed him to foresee and avoid danger but also to use destiny itself as a weapon against his enemies.
This was an extraordinary feat.
Among the Heavenly Fate Black Bird clan, only adult black bird over a hundred years old could typically achieve this.
Yet, Li Fan had hatched less than five years ago—he was still a fledgling.
Breaking the growth limitations of spirit beasts demonstrated just how extraordinary Mr. Bai’s Creation Furnace Technique truly was.
"After returning from the Fallen Immortal Realm, everything besides the rewards for fulfilling obsessions will be forgotten—including all learned techniques. I wonder... with the support of the 'Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra,' will this rule be altered?"
Li Fan pondered in silence, immersing himself in the mysteries of the Creation Furnace Technique.
Even if he couldn’t bring the technique back to reality, the countless insights gained from cultivating it were already immensely beneficial.
Thus, even though the storyline of the Fallen Immortal Realm had yet to progress, he remained entirely unbothered, dedicating himself fully to cultivation every day.
Time passed.
On this particular day, deep in meditation, Li Fan suddenly jolted awake.
A wave of unease surged through his heart, and he instinctively looked up at the sky.
Although the sky remained clear and boundless, Li Fan could see an overwhelming aura of death and slaughter spreading across the heavens. It had almost materialized into a tangible force—rolling like dark clouds, shrouding the entire sky.
The oppressive presence was suffocating, terrifying.
"This is..."
"The Dao technique cannot be cultivated in parallel."
A sudden realization struck Li Fan.
Before long, panicked cries erupted from all over the Beast-Taming Sect.
"What’s going on?!"
"The Beast-Control Technique—why does the sect have exactly 36,482 practitioners?"
"No matter how I circulate my cultivation technique, I can’t gain any more spiritual power?!"
"This is absurd!"
The Calamity of Incompatible Cultivation Technique
For the Beast Taming Sect, which primarily cultivates only the Beast Control Technique, was nearly catastrophic.
Almost everyone could foresee that once countless cultivators were trapped at their current cultivation level, with their lifespan nearing its end, they would resort to extreme measures in a desperate attempt to survive.
As a result, the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect fell into a state of immense panic. In an instant, they distanced themselves from one another, their eyes filled with suspicion toward the senior and junior brothers and sisters they once held dear.
For now, due to the lingering rationality and conscience of the disciples, no one had resorted to violence.
Even with the Sect Master and the elders personally stepping forward to calm the situation, they were unable to halt the spread of fear that continued to fester within the sect.
Gradually, some disciples could no longer endure the pressure and began to secretly flee. Meanwhile, others, pushed to their mental limits, had bloodshot eyes and showed signs of hysteria.
It was like a powder keg, ready to be ignited by a single stray spark.
At this critical moment, Emperor Sanmo and Lu Ya returned.
"Did you bring it back?" Upon seeing Xu Ke, Lu Ya was the first to ask.
His expression was calm, showing no trace of panic.
Xu Ke nodded, reaching into the beast pouch in his robe and retrieving a small, slumbering flesh-like creature.
This was the peculiar exotic beast gifted by Emperor Yi—a creature capable of self-division and reproduction.
Upon seeing it, Lu Ya’s expression lightened with joy. He carefully took the small creature, examining it closely for a moment before finally breathing a sigh of relief.
"Senior Brother Lu, what exactly is this little thing for? Why are you so anxious about it?" Xu Ke asked curiously. He knew that Lu Ya was always composed and rarely revealed his emotions, making his reaction particularly unusual this time.
"Heh, this is our hope for overcoming this calamity," Lu Ya replied, his eyes flickering with an indiscernible emotion.
"This thing?" Xu Ke's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You’ll understand in due time," Lu Ya said before hastily departing, leaving behind a bewildered Xu Ke and a thoughtful Li Fan.
Three days later, the Beast Taming Sect’s Sect Master convened a grand sect meeting to address the calamity that had descended upon the world and to announce a series of plans:
To prevent mutual slaughter caused by the incompatibility of cultivation techniques, the Sect Master took the lead in dispersing the Beast Control Technique, requiring all disciples to follow suit—retaining only their cultivation base.
The entire Beast Taming Sect would evacuate from the main world of Xuanhuang in batches, relocating to designated small pocket realms for refuge.
Since the strength of Beast Taming Sect cultivators primarily lay in the spirit beasts they controlled, dispersing their own cultivation techniques would not significantly weaken their actual combat ability. Though slightly affected, they could still fight effectively.
Moreover, the spirit beasts raised by the disciples were carefully nurtured from birth, forming deep bonds with their masters. Even without the Beast Control Technique, the disciples could still command their beasts.
This plan successfully averted the danger of internal conflict, so there was little opposition. Those who initially refused eventually relented once the Sect Master personally led by example.
As for how they could disperse their techniques without affecting their cultivation base...
Li Fan watched as Xu Ke muttered incantations, and in an instant, his entire cultivation technique dissipated, leaving behind a purely refined cultivation base stored in his dantian.
"The Supreme Primordial True Scripture?"
Having seen this method before, Li Fan immediately recognized the technique used by the Beast Taming Sect.
"But... they only explained how to operate it, without mentioning its origin."
"What’s going on? As far as I remember, the event where the Immortal Ancestor forcefully seized the 'Supreme Primordial True Scripture' hasn’t happened yet."
"So where did the Beast Taming Sect obtain this technique?"
In that instant, a white-robed figure surfaced in Li Fan's mind.
"Could it be... him?"
[TL :- Changed Emperor One to Emperor Yi as it is more appropriate]
"The Supreme Primordial True Scripture is a secret art never passed down by the Supreme Sect. How could Mr. Bai possibly know it? Could it be that, just like the Immortal Ancestor, it was forcibly seized? But that's something only Immortal Ancestor could do after defying the heavens and achieving the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign realm. Although Mister Bai is strong, he doesn't seem to have reached the Longevity Immortal realm yet, right?"
A surge of doubt arose in Li Fan’s heart.
Meanwhile, within this brief moment, Xu Ke had already dissipated the energy of his own Beast Control Technique.
"Xiao Hei, look! This is amazing! My cultivation is really still within my dantian!" Xu Ke excitedly shouted toward Li Fan.
Hearing Xu Ke’s words, Li Fan no longer felt the same sense of closeness as before. Instead, a flash of blood-red flickered across his eyes, and a sudden surge of violent intent arose within him. Driven by instinct, he almost tore the noisy little creature before him into pieces.
Fortunately, the one controlling this body now was not the Black Bird itself but Li Fan. So, after just a brief moment, he regained his composure.
Xu Ke remained completely unaware that he had just brushed past death’s door. Instead, he foolishly rushed forward, patting and touching Li Fan in concern. "Xiao Hei, what’s wrong? You looked so scary just now!"
"It’s best if you stay away from me for now. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to hold back next time." Li Fan cast a sidelong glance at Xu Ke, warning him.
As if to confirm Li Fan’s words, the Beast Control Sect was suddenly filled with the sounds of ferocious beast roars and the anguished screams of cultivators.
"We are inherently ferocious by nature and see humans as mere food. It was only the Beast Control Technique that suppressed our instincts before. Now that the restraints have suddenly disappeared, those beasts who have been with their masters for a long time might still have some lingering attachment. But for those that were only recently tamed by ordinary disciples, they will likely turn on their former masters the moment they regain their freedom." Li Fan stated coldly.
The disciples' desperate screams continued to echo. Xu Ke glanced outside, seemingly catching sight of the bloody scene, and his face turned pale. "This is terrifying! How could the sect leader and the others not have foreseen this?"
Then, as if switching moods in an instant, he put on his usual playful grin and moved closer. "But I’ve always treated you well, Xiao Hei. I should be safe, right?"
Li Fan remained silent as he felt the violent energy within him—though temporarily suppressed, it hadn’t dissipated at all. At any moment, it could erupt again.
It was at this moment that he finally understood why, according to history, Xiao Hei would eventually part ways with Xu Ke.
Just as he had explained earlier, the nature of demonic beasts is inherently savage, making peaceful coexistence with humans difficult. Even if a bond forms through years of companionship, suppressing their killing instincts time and time again, those instincts will continue to accumulate.
One day, when they can no longer be restrained, that so-called bond will prove to be as fragile as paper.
Moreover, the vast power disparity between demonic beasts and the disciples of the Beast Control Sect meant that if such a loss of control occurred, the cultivators would be left with only one fate—death.
"Could this be the root of the Beast Control Sect’s Great Upheaval? Because the Heavenly Fate Black Bird, Xiao Hei, was unable to control his murderous instincts, he ultimately parted ways with his master Xu Ke, never to meet again?"
"If that’s the case, then perhaps this time, there is a way to resolve its obsession." A thought suddenly surfaced in Li Fan’s mind.
With the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra within him, Li Fan’s self-control far surpassed that of any demonic beast. He was confident that, no matter how violently the murderous intent surged like a raging tide, his willpower would remain an unbreakable dam, keeping it tightly sealed.
As his thoughts shifted, Li Fan chose not to answer Xu Ke’s question directly.
Instead, he sneered. "That Emperor Sanmo claims to be a beast of supreme wisdom. With him around, how could he not have considered this exact outcome?"
"Then still..." Upon hearing this, Xu Ke's eyes widened in shock.
"The great calamity has just begun, and one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, the Beast Taming Sect, is already preparing to flee. If word of this spreads, what a devastating blow it would be to the cultivators of the world. The other sects among the Ten Great Immortal Sects will most likely not agree to such an act and will surely step forward to obstruct it."
"Naturally, the cultivation world of the Xuanhuang Realm must be given an explanation. Since the dao technique cannot be cultivated together, disciples have turned against each other, and the sect has suffered heavy losses—what then? After all, the overwhelming stench of blood covering the ground is no illusion."
"This also serves as a perfect cover for evacuating the small world," Li Fan stated matter-of-factly.
Xu Ke involuntarily shivered. "My lord, your mind is truly terrifying."
Then, he stared at Li Fan, his face full of doubt. "But... Xiao Hei, since when did you become so clever? Did you secretly consume some kind of rare heavenly treasure again? That shouldn't be possible—I’ve been keeping an eye on you the entire time..."
Hearing Xu Ke’s words, a surge of violent killing intent arose within Li Fan. He ruthlessly swiped a claw at him to vent a little of his fury before slowly suppressing it.
The turmoil within the Beast Taming Sect lasted for three to four days.
Although many lower-level disciples were killed or injured, the rampaging spirit beasts were soon recaptured and imprisoned. Meanwhile, the core strength of the sect—including elite disciples and various elders—remained largely unaffected.
The plan to evacuate from the Xuanhuang Realm was proceeding in an orderly manner.
During this process, Li Fan also picked up snippets of conversation among the disciples, which revealed another pressing reason for the Beast Taming Sect's desperate retreat—to prevent the spirit beasts from seeking vengeance.
If spirit beasts and humans were two distinct races competing for survival resources, then the relationship between the Beast Taming Sect and spirit beasts was one of absolute enmity, an irreconcilable conflict.
Spirit beasts were inherently proud, considering their status to be far above that of mere humans. Yet, the Beast Taming Sect had used despicable means to enslave and subjugate them—a disgraceful humiliation in the eyes of the spirit beasts.
In the past, the Beast Taming Sect was located deep within human territory, and many of the captured and controlled powerful spirit beasts remained within its ranks.
Thus, even if some spirit beasts harbored thoughts of revenge, they were largely powerless to act. On the contrary, they ran the risk of being captured and enslaved themselves.
But the present was no longer the past. With the arrival of the 'dao cannot be cultivated together' calamity, word would inevitably reach the spirit beasts before long. Known for their vengeful nature, the spirit beasts would never let such an opportunity slip by. They would undoubtedly come seeking retribution.
Leaving aside whether the Beast Taming Sect could withstand the onslaught of the vengeful spirit beasts—once the battle began in earnest, it was uncertain which side the sect’s own captured spirit beasts would ultimately take.
To prevent such a dreadful scenario from occurring, relocating to a safe haven had become an urgent priority.
"All disciples of the Beast Taming Sect, hear this—only spirit beasts that pass the trial of the [Heart-Linking Ring] shall be permitted to evacuate with us.
"Those who fail..."
"Shall be set free!"
Soon, this announcement spread throughout the entire Beast Taming Sect.
The so-called "Heart-Linking Ring" was a mystical artifact personally crafted by Emperor Sanmo.
At first glance, it appeared as a circular doorway radiating a blue glow. When a beast passed through it, only an instant would pass in the real world. However, in that fleeting moment, the beast would experience countless lifelike illusionary realms, indistinguishable from reality.
The "Heart-Linking" test aimed to assess whether a beast would ever act against its master under extreme circumstances.
Forging this "Heart-Linking Ring" was no easy task, and in their haste, the Beast Taming Sect managed to create only one. Although the test itself took very little time, the sheer number of beasts in the sect was overwhelming. It wasn't just the personal spirit beasts of the disciples; there were also beasts used for labor, tending spirit fields, and guarding the sect—an entire horde of masterless beasts.
Although they were called "masterless," these beasts were all enslaved under the rule of the Beast Taming Sect.
The key to their control was the sect's supreme treasure, the Ten Thousand Beasts Reincarnation Wheel. It was said that this wheel bore engravings of nearly every known beast in existence. Even when a new species of beast emerged, its image would soon appear on the wheel.
From the moment a beast was born, the Ten Thousand Beasts Reincarnation Wheel would imprint a brand upon its soul, binding it for eternity, ensuring that it could never escape the wheel’s control.
It was said that this treasure had originally been brought from the Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain by Emperor Sanmo and given to the sect’s founding ancestor, Wan Shiyong. It was from the Ten Thousand Beasts Reincarnation Wheel that Wan Shiyong comprehended the profound [True Art of Beast Control].
However, despite its incredible abilities, the Ten Thousand Beasts Reincarnation Wheel had several fatal flaws. It could only be used on newborn beasts. Additionally, any beast imprinted with its brand would suffer excruciating, never-ending pain, known as the Agony of the Wheel. This agony severely stunted their intelligence, making them capable of only the simplest tasks.
True beast taming required perfect synchronization between beast and master. Only then could a tamer wield their beast as effortlessly as an extension of their own body, maximizing combat potential. In battle, even the smallest details could determine victory or defeat. If a controlled beast lacked intelligence, it was as good as fighting with one arm tied behind one’s back.
Thus, Beast Taming Sect cultivators used the True Art of Beast Control to nurture their life-bound spirit beasts from a young age. They never considered relying on the beasts controlled by the Ten Thousand Beasts Reincarnation Wheel.
This also led to the Beast Taming Sect suddenly falling into an extremely difficult situation after the great calamity of the inability to cultivate the same Dao technique descended
Fortunately, the evacuation was personally overseen by Emperor Sanmo. Under the gaze of this long-browed, white-haired elder, neither man nor beast dared to disobey. The Heart-linking Ring test was carried out in an orderly manner.
By the end of the first day, only one-tenth of the beasts had been tested. At this rate, the selection process would take nearly half a month to complete. Beasts that passed the test were reunited with their masters, shedding tears of relief, and were the first to board the Ten Thousand Beasts Ark.
Soon, they would embark on this flying artifact, leaving the Xuanhuang Realm to seek refuge in an unknown minor world.
As for the beasts that failed the test, no matter how much their masters wished otherwise, they were forcibly separated. It was said that these beasts would be temporarily imprisoned and later released after the Beast Taming Sect had fully evacuated.
On the seventh day of testing, that night—
Xu Ke, who had been absent all day, suddenly appeared before Li Fan, his face full of panic.
"Xiao Hei, this is bad! You need to get out of here, now!"
Li Fan, who was meditating and cultivating the Creation Furnace Technique, opened his eyes, glanced at him indifferently, and remained unmoved.
Xu Ke continued urgently, "This time, I’m not joking. If you stay here, you’ll really die. Forget about me—just leave the Beast Taming Sect quietly!"
Li Fan yawned, stretching his mouth.
Xu Ke became even more anxious. "Xiao Hei, did you even hear what I just said? Today, I overheard Senior Brother Lu Ya saying..."
"That the beasts who fail the test won’t actually be set free as promised, but will instead be executed. Isn’t that right?" Li Fan interrupted.
Xu Ke froze. "You... how do you know?"
"Did you eavesdrop on our conversation?" A trace of shock flashed across Xu Ke’s face.
Li Fan scoffed, raising his head arrogantly. "You don’t need to eavesdrop to figure that out—it’s just common sense."
"Think about it. These beasts, once belonging to the Beast Taming Sect, know countless sect secrets. The evacuation of the Xuanhuang Realm is a matter of life and death for the sect. If word gets out, who can guarantee that these beasts won’t lead pursuers to the minor world? If that happens, there will be no escape—it would be total annihilation!"
"That Emperor Sanmo is no kindhearted, merciful figure. Anyone who could hand over a method for enslaving his own kin to the humans..." A dangerous glint flickered in Li Fan’s eyes.
"In short—these beasts must all die!" Li Fan declared coldly, his words firm and unwavering.
After a long time, Xu Ke finally reacted. He stared blankly at Li Fan and asked, “Since you’ve figured everything out, Xiao Hei, why are you still so calm? Aren’t you afraid?”
Li Fan stood tall, staring intently at Xu Ke, pressing him, “What a joke! Why would I be afraid? Do you really think I wouldn’t pass that so-called Heart-Linking Ring test? Do you have so little confidence in me?”
Overwhelmed by Li Fan’s imposing aura, Xu Ke couldn’t even meet his gaze. He stammered, “That’s not what I meant... Nothing in life is absolute. What if...”
Li Fan flapped his wings and flew over Xu Ke’s head, landing a fierce claw strike. “There is no ‘what if’!”
He declared firmly.
Xu Ke hesitated, wanting to say more. Although he was deeply worried, he knew this stubborn bird’s temperament all too well, so he refrained from further persuasion.
Three anxious days passed, and finally, the day arrived for Xiao Hei to undergo the test.
Under the intense and watchful eyes of those around, Li Fan stepped into the Heart-Linking Ring.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze.
In the next instant, the Heart-Linking Ring burst into a gentle blue glow—a sign of successfully passing the test!
“Ah! Xiao Hei, you’re amazing!” Xu Ke shrieked and rushed forward, attempting to hug Li Fan tightly—only to be ruthlessly kicked away by a sharp claw.
“The test is complete. Next.” Lu Ya announced, glancing at Li Fan with slight surprise.
Five days later, after all the spirit beasts of the Beast-Taming Sect had completed the Heart-Linking Ring test, the Ten Thousand Beast Ark was filled to the brim.
It was finally ready to set sail towards an unknown homeland.
“Senior Brother Lu Ya, aren’t you coming?” On the deck, Xu Ke curiously looked at Lu Ya, who stood at the bow of the ship, tilting his head as he asked.
Lu Ya reached out and patted Xu Ke’s head. “Some people have to stay behind. The Ten Great Immortal Sects still care about appearances. If they don’t even bother to put on a show, it wouldn’t be good to provoke unnecessary trouble.”
Xu Ke nodded in half-understanding.
“Go on. The future of the Beast-Taming Sect depends on you now.”
Tying a red string around Xu Ke’s right wrist, Lu Ya spoke with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
“Wow! This is a red string woven by Mr. Bai!” Xu Ke immediately recognized the unique knotting style.
Back when they were still in the abandoned temple of Ningyuan City, every time Mr. Bai cured a sick child, he would tie such a red string around their wrist, praying for their future safety and well-being.
Xu Ke raised his hand, staring at the red string, inspecting it closely over and over again.
Li Fan also fixed his gaze on the red string, an indescribable feeling stirring in his heart.
No matter how one looked at it, the red string in Xu Ke’s hand appeared utterly ordinary—just a common object.
However, given that Mr. Bai could effortlessly bestow the supreme True Profound Art of Creation with a mere casual remark, how could he possibly gift the children something so mundane?
Especially when Li Fan’s gaze swept over Xu Ke, and the moment he slightly eased the killing intent in his heart, an overwhelming sense of imminent danger surged within him.
Li Fan instantly understood that if he truly lost control and attacked Xu Ke...
Then the first to die would undoubtedly be himself.
Yet Xu Ke remained completely unaware of the red string’s value. He simply felt immense joy, solely because it was a gift from Mr. Bai.
“Let’s go. It’s time.” Lu Ya’s gaze was deep as he took one last look at Xu Ke.
Then, he silently flew out of the Ten Thousand Beasts Ark and formed a hand seal.
A dim light enveloped the flying vessel in absolute silence. The Ten Thousand Beasts Ark tore through the void, sailing toward an unknown homeland.
The very moment the vessel departed from the Xuanhuang Realm, Li Fan, who was standing above Xu Ke’s head, suddenly felt as though everything around him had frozen in absolute stillness.
Then, just like an old photograph weathered by time, the colors gradually faded away.
In the end, everything shattered into countless fragments, dispersing like falling stars.
Li Fan understood—this was because he had resolved the lingering obsession of the Heavenly Fate Black Bird and completed the [Beast Taming Sect’s Upheaval].
However, unlike before, he did not immediately return to the real world.
Instead, he found himself back inside the distorted, transparent bubble where he had been after entering the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Before him, a new light projection emerged.
In the rapidly shifting images, a vast, spiraling abyss could be vaguely seen. Within it stood a colossal stone sword. Thousands upon thousands of cultivators toiled like ants beside it, fervently refining countless materials into the sword’s core, using the raging flames of the earth itself.
“This seems to be unlocking a new storyline... It looks like...”
“The Heavenly Sword Sect, and the World-Sundering Divine Weapon?”
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
Unfortunately, perhaps because he had just left the Fallen Immortal Realm, he was not yet able to enter this entirely new scene.
“I’ll have to wait until next time.”
In the flickering imagery, countless cultivators came and went, streaking through the sky like flowing lights. Yet that World-Sundering Divine Weapon stood immovable, its presence growing ever more imposing as time passed.
It exuded a peculiar power, drawing Li Fan’s gaze for a long while before he finally looked away.
When he turned his attention to the first two completed light projections, he noticed subtle differences between them despite both being marked as “cleared.”
The projection of Quest [Ningyuan's Longevity Frui] shone like a perfect sphere, radiating light in all directions—pristine and flawless.
However, the projection of [Beast Taming Sect’s Upheaval] was only partially illuminated, with most of it still shrouded in darkness.
Li Fan mused, “Perhaps Xiao Hei’s obsession, like Senior Brother Zhang’s, is merely a surface-level illusion. The true master of the Beast Taming Sect’s time-space continuum... may be someone else entirely.”
He carefully reflected on his experiences within the Fallen Immortal Realm, piecing them together into a coherent narrative.
Even as the surrounding distorted space grew increasingly unstable, he still had no clear answer.
Then, the bubble shattered.
Li Fan returned to the real world. At the same time, a black feather appeared in his hand.
“The Remnant of the Black Bird...”
Accompanying the Heavenly Fate Black Bird’s feather was a fleeting, blurred memory.
A moment from history—a real event that had once happened to Xiao Hei.
Just like what Li Fan did, Xiao Hei was full of confidence in himself. Ignoring Xu Ke's dissuasion, he insisted on taking the "Heart-Linking Ring" test.
However, after all, he was merely a demonic beast and did not have Li Fan’s extraordinary fortune of possessing the Immortal Heart Mantra.
Without a miracle, the final result was inevitable—he failed to pass the "Heart-Linking Ring" trial, which required him to never harm his master.
Originally, Xiao Hei was destined to be executed along with the many other demonic beasts that failed the test. However, due to Xu Ke’s desperate pleas, Lu Ya was moved by compassion. In the end, he made an exception and spared Xiao Hei’s life.
To prevent any leaks of information, Lu Ya requested Emperor Sanmo to intervene, banishing Xiao Hei to a desolate small world where he was forbidden from leaving for a thousand years.
"Xiao Hei, we will definitely meet again."
At the moment of their reluctant farewell, Xu Ke spoke with tear-filled eyes.
The Heavenly Fate Black Bird was also overcome with sorrow, letting out mournful cries. Yet, it understood that without the restriction of the Beast Control Technique, it could not suppress the violent nature within its heart. If it insisted on staying by Xu Ke’s side, it might end up harming him instead.
Forcing itself to remain calm, it gently brushed Xu Ke’s head with its wing as a sign of comfort.
"Xiao Hei, by the time we meet again, a long time will have passed. We will have grown up—will you still recognize me then?" Xu Ke asked with a trace of worry.
Xiao Hei was about to mock Xu Ke for this seemingly foolish concern when he suddenly saw Xu Ke slap his forehead, then extract a drop of his own essence blood.
Placing it inside a brown jade bottle, Xu Ke solemnly handed it to Xiao Hei.
"Here, take this. You must not forget me." Though Xu Ke’s little face had turned slightly pale, he still forced himself to smile bravely.
The Heavenly Fate Black Bird let out a sorrowful cry and swallowed the brown bottle into its stomach.
After parting ways with Xu Ke, Xiao Hei was banished by Emperor Sanmo’s spell, exiled to a barren small world.
The scene shattered, and the memory ended there.
...
Li Fan recalled the final image that flashed in his mind—the desolate and ruined scenery reflected in the Heavenly Fate Black Bird’s eyes. A sudden sense of familiarity struck him.
It was the very same small world that Han Yi had accidentally entered earlier—the one filled with various hybrid creatures of man and beast.
"So, the fallen Heavenly Fate Black Bird really was Xiao Hei."
Li Fan pondered for a moment, and suddenly, a thought sparked in his mind.
"I wonder if Xu Ke's drop of essence blood is still there."
"The Imperial Royal Bloodline... The method to control beasts..."
A vague plan began to take shape in Li Fan's mind.
Xiao Qing, Li Chenfeng, and the other members of the Empire had been extremely cautious.
Ever since Li Fan had warned them that the Xuanhuang Realm was about to face a great war and that they should halt all transactions for a time, they had completely withdrawn and disappeared.
According to the final surveillance scene from the Formless Killing Intent, they seemed to have temporarily returned to the Empire.
"I've never tried creating a clone using a cultivator's essence blood. If Xu Ke’s drop of blood is still there, I might just be able to give Xiao Qing and their people a ‘surprise’."
Li Fan's eyes flickered. After a moment, he temporarily suppressed this thought and carefully examined the [Remnant of the Black Bird].
The gains from the Fallen Immortal Realm this time included not only this feather but also some residual memories of Xiao Hei’s innate divine ability—[Mandate of Heaven is Mine].
Although he did not possess the bloodline of the Heavenly Fate Black Bird, with the help of this feather, he could still manifest some of its effects.
As he absorbed the [Remnant of the Black Bird] into his body, a familiar sensation, akin to when he had possessed the Black Bird for cultivation, surged through him.
His perspective suddenly shifted upward, allowing him to observe his own destiny.
A nearly imperceptible white pillar of smoke lingered around him, as if it could be blown away by the slightest breeze.
"White, green, blue, red, purple... Even among mortals, my fortune is considered among the worst."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly, but despite facing this discouraging fact, his heart remained calm.
What is known as fortune is merely one of the factors that influence a person's fate and opportunities. For someone like Li Fan, who can reincarnate repeatedly, if opportunities do not come to him, he can simply seek them out himself. As long as it is not the kind of black misfortune that brings endless calamities and unpredictable disasters, it doesn’t matter much.
Following the cultivation method of [Mandate of Heaven is Mine], Li Fan practiced for half a day. However, he soon frowned and stopped.
"After all, I am relying on a single feather. Compared to a true Black Bird, my progress is far too slow. Unlike Xu Ke, who can absorb fortune from benefactors, just cultivating foolishly like this would take hundreds of years before I could accumulate any substantial fortune."
"Fortune... hmph..."
Faced with a bottleneck in his cultivation, Li Fan immediately shifted his approach.
"With the aid of [Truth], I can foresee events ahead of time. I don't need fortune at all."
"Fortune and fate are intertwined, resonating with the heavens and flowing through the world. But if it manifests outwardly, it becomes a weakness. If I’m not careful, I might be targeted by cultivators skilled in this field..."
A thought arose in Li Fan’s mind, and a plan took shape.
Activating his divine ability, this time, instead of nourishing his own fortune, he did the opposite—he channeled his already meager fortune entirely into the Black Bird Feather within him.
From his perspective, it was as if a small vortex appeared on his body. The faint white column of fortune struggled momentarily but was ultimately unable to resist and was drawn in.
Perhaps because his fortune was already so thin, even after it was completely absorbed, Li Fan felt no discomfort at all.
Now, even if Li Fan used the Black Bird’s Divine Ability, he could no longer see a fortune column above his head.
It was as if he had become one of the legendary “Fortuneless Ones.”
"All good luck and opportunities have nothing to do with me. But on the other hand, without fortune backlash, my chances of encountering disasters are significantly reduced."
Upon observing the Black Bird Feather in his dantian again, Li Fan noticed that after absorbing his fortune, it seemed to glow just a little brighter.
"I am not truly a Fortuneless One after all. Even if my fortune disperses for a time, it will regenerate naturally through daily activities. However, with this feather, I can reabsorb my fortune at any time."
"At a critical moment, I can unleash all the fortune stored in the feather at once. Perhaps it will even allow me to turn the impossible into reality."
His thoughts raced, but once he sorted them out, Li Fan felt very satisfied with his gains in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Sensing the flow of time, he estimated that he would need to wait over a year before he could enter again.
"Heavenly Sword Sect..."
"In the past two scenarios, Mr. Bai has always played an important role in the shadows. I wonder how this sword-forging event at the Heavenly Sword Sect is related to him."
A moment later, Li Fan set aside his thoughts.
While he had been wandering through the Fallen Immortal Realm, Liu San had already informed all the sect disciples of the method to enter.
Hearing that they could travel back to ancient times in an unconventional manner, the disciples were all thrilled and eagerly tried it out.
The time periods they entered were diverse and strange—anything and everything was possible.
After they awakened, Liu San assigned a team to collect and organize their experiences. To him, the Fallen Immortal Realm was essentially an enormous treasure trove—a free trial ground. If used wisely, it could greatly accelerate the revival of Medicine King Sect.
When Li Fan emerged and learned of this, he compiled the "strategies" he had seen in the Seeker of Immortality section and shared them with the disciples to improve their efficiency in exploring.
Regarding the gains from the Fallen Immortal Realm, Liu San had once proposed that all disciples submit their findings to be distributed under Li Fan’s management.
However, Li Fan rejected this idea.
Seizing someone’s opportunity is akin to killing their parents.
However, the Bloodline Transmission Technique had yet to reach the level where others could be regarded as mere slaves. If it provoked rebellion among the disciples for the sake of insignificant benefits, it would be a complete loss.
"Stability comes first in all matters." Li Fan once again reminded Liu Sandao.
With Liu San's flattering words—"Young Master's foresight is beyond my own"—Li Fan quietly left the Longevity Valley.
As he traversed the white mist and was about to return to the normal territory of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, he suddenly discovered a patrol team of Nascent Soul cultivators guarding the barrier outside the mist.
It was clearly a response to the continuous harassment and attacks by the Five Elders Association.
With a slight smile, Li Fan silently bypassed them and headed straight for Luoyan Prefecture.
His target was none other than Han Yi, who had already turned into a stone statue.
Li Fan did not know what kind of transformation Han Yi had undergone, but the stone statue he had become was truly eerie.
Previously, when investigating through the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan had noticed that despite a long time passing and countless cultivators passing by, none had been able to detect Han Yi's presence.
Let alone the fact that the stone statue was continuously absorbing the fortune and fate of nearby living beings.
From the scattered clues Li Fan had gathered, it was evident that the influence of Han Yi was slowly expanding.
If he remained in this state indefinitely, it was conceivable that one day, the entire Luoyan Prefecture would be affected.
Although Li Fan had been aware of this before, he had no means to resist the method of absorbing fortune, nor was he willing to take the risk of investigating further.
But now, after obtaining the Heavenly Fate Black Bird Feather and gaining the ability to use the divine powers of the Black Bird, he felt he could attempt an investigation.
After more than ten days, Li Fan arrived at the mortal town from his memories.
It was not far outside this town where Han Yi had been turned into a stone statue by a single glare from the old fisherman.
At this moment, it was clear that the town had already fallen within the range of Han Yi’s influence.
Looking over, Li Fan saw pillars of fortune and fate rising from the heads of the mortals in town. Regardless of their quality, each one was entangled with a dense black mist.
The specific manifestations were evident—misfortune plagued every single resident.
Some stumbled and injured themselves for no reason, which was already considered fortunate. Others choked to death while eating, failed in business and lost everything, or even suffered complete ruin.
Some mortals had begun to notice that something was very wrong and attempted to flee.
However, as soon as they reached the outskirts, they died inexplicably due to various strange accidents.
Observing from the sky for a while, Li Fan noticed that when a mortal died, their pillar of fortune immediately shattered.
At that moment, the black mist entwining it devoured it ravenously, swallowing it entirely before suddenly vanishing, its destination unknown.
"Interesting," Li Fan mused.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, he suddenly felt a chilling sensation behind him—something was rushing toward him at high speed.
His expression changed slightly, and he swiftly dodged, barely avoiding a streak of sword light.
"Be careful, fellow Daoist!"
The sword light narrowly missed Li Fan and struck the mortal city below.
"Boom!"
In an instant, the entire city was annihilated by the sword light.
The mortals within had no chance to even scream before being completely wiped out.
A sharp sword aura seemed to brush past, leaving a chilling sensation. Li Fan looked down at the now-obliterated mortal city, which had turned into a massive crater, and couldn't help but twitch his face.
Fortunately, he reacted quickly. If he had been hit by that sword light, not only would his body have been destroyed, but even the foundation of his inner cave-heaven might have been damaged.
Luckily, he wasn't too unlucky and hadn't been too close. Otherwise, if he had been covered in the Immortal-Mortal miasma, he might have truly perished on the spot!
"To be affected this much even from such a distance from the statue..." Li Fan's expression turned serious. He extracted and replenished his lost fortune using the power of the Black Bird Feather and quietly activated [Domain of Mandate] to prevent further loss of his fortune energy.
As the smoke below dissipated, at the bottom of the crater, a wooden sword was firmly embedded into the ground.
It seemed... somewhat familiar.
"Ah! Fellow Daoist, my sincerest apologies!"
At this moment, the owner of the wooden sword finally arrived, wearing a look of embarrassment and guilt as he spoke to Li Fan.
"It's all my fault for lacking mastery in my techniques—I nearly cost you your life!"
Li Fan glanced toward the newcomer. Although the other party didn't recognize him, Li Fan, on the other hand, was very familiar with him.
This was none other than the famous second-generation immortal of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the obedient son of Immortal Sage Fei Xue, and the one known by the moniker "I Am Invincible"—Shuo Feng!
However, in the recent "friendly exchange duel" between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association, Shuo Feng had appeared as a Soul Transformation cultivator.
Yet now, he appeared to only be at the Foundation Establishment realm!
"It's not a concealed cultivation... Did he undergo some kind of enlightenment, disperse his power, and restart his cultivation?" Li Fan's gaze swept over Shuo Feng, his eyes flashing with a hint of undetectable curiosity.
"So, it's Fellow Daoist Shuo Feng!" Li Fan cupped his hands in neither an overly respectful nor dismissive manner. "I almost thought it was another scoundrel from the Five Elders Association causing trouble!"
Shuo Feng's face reddened slightly.
He wasn’t surprised that Li Fan recognized him but hurriedly explained, "It’s a misunderstanding! A total misunderstanding. I was in mid-air, comprehending my cultivation, but for some reason, this wooden sword suddenly lost control. Fortunately, you reacted fast, or else I would have unintentionally committed a great sin!"
"Heh, no worries. I can tell you didn't do it on purpose. However... what happened to your cultivation, Fellow Daoist Shuo?" Li Fan examined him deliberately, pretending to be puzzled.
Shuo Feng didn't hide anything and replied frankly, "Nothing much. I just felt I was on the wrong path before, so I decided to start over!"
Although Li Fan had already guessed as much, he still put on a shocked expression. Studying Shuo Feng for a moment, he shook his head slightly and sighed, "Reaching Soul Transformation is already the ultimate goal that most cultivators dream of... Yet, Fellow Daoist, you had the resolve to start over just like that..."
"Truly admirable! Admirable!" Li Fan cupped his fists in praise.
Shuo Feng chuckled, indifferent to the compliment. "I'm not as extraordinary as you make me out to be. I simply have my mother backing me up. Even if I fail this time and remain a Foundation Establishment cultivator for the rest of my life, how many in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would dare to look down on me? But for an ordinary cultivator, if they fail... that would be a true disaster."
Li Fan smiled without commenting, neither agreeing nor refuting the remark.
Instead, his gaze shifted to the wooden sword embedded in the crater below. Frowning slightly, he remarked, "Even though you restarted your cultivation, you're clearly not an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. Judging by the speed and power of that wooden sword, it could likely kill an average Golden Core cultivator with ease."
Shuo Feng nodded in agreement. "You have sharp eyes, Fellow Daoist. This wooden sword..."
He paused momentarily before continuing, "To be honest, this sword is a natural treasure that I acquired upon rebuilding my foundation. However, despite successfully using it to establish my foundation, I still can't fully control it."
"It's quite the headache," he added, pointing downward.
Yet, the wooden sword in the crater merely trembled slightly, refusing to heed his summons and remaining firmly stuck in the ground.
Even with his usual composure, Shuo Feng couldn't help but show a trace of awkwardness.
Clearing his throat, he tried casting multiple techniques, three in total.
Finally, the wooden sword reluctantly returned to his hand.
Li Fan carefully observed the wooden sword before him. The term "plain and unremarkable" wasn’t enough to describe it.
There were no engravings on the sword, no mysterious aura emanating from it.
In fact, it looked incredibly simple—almost like a child's toy, carved crudely from wood.
However, given the overwhelming power of its earlier strike, Li Fan knew this weapon was far from ordinary.
A thought flashed through his mind, and Li Fan suddenly suggested, "This sword is quite interesting. Coincidentally, I have some insights into the way of the sword myself, but I've long struggled to find a worthy opponent to spar with. How about...?"
Shuo Feng's eyes lit up upon hearing this and clapped his hands in excitement. "I've just made a breakthrough and was worried about finding a sparring partner. Fellow Daoist, your words are exactly what I was hoping for!"
His expression turned serious as he gripped the wooden sword lightly, taking a few steps back to put some distance between them. He pointed his sword at Li Fan and declared, "Just to the point of learning!"
"Agreed!" Li Fan responded loudly.
Before his words had fully left his lips, eighty-one azure water swords had already taken shape, assembling into a sword formation and whistling toward Shuo Feng.
This was Li Fan's adaptation of Cloud Water Palace's "Sea-Stabilizing Divine Sword", utilizing the water-attribute power of his inner cabe-heaven. He did not hold back, even though Shuo Feng was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator—he mobilized the full power of his domain.
"Water Dragon Roar!"
The azure water swords, guided by Li Fan’s battle cry, spread out like a sea of dragons, surging toward Shuo Feng from all directions.
Yet, instead of fear, Shuo Feng showed exhilaration.
Closing his eyes, he made a single, slow-yet-lightning-fast sword swing just as the eighty-one water swords reached him.
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
The wooden sword flickered like white lightning, weaving through the storm of water dragons.
With each strike, a crisp metallic clang echoed as his wooden sword clashed with each of the water swords.
In the blink of an eye, his wooden sword had parried all eighty-one attacks.
Shuo Feng withdrew his sword.
It seemed to have drained all his strength, his arm trembling slightly.
But in the next moment, something astonishing happened—the eighty-one azure water swords, which should have been under Li Fan’s control, suddenly turned against him, reversing their trajectory and charging at him!
Moreover...
A faint mysterious transformation had taken place—the assembled azure water dragon seemed to come alive in Li Fan’s eyes.
Faintly, he could even hear a dragon’s roar, and the sword aura surged as the water dragon roared toward him.
"This is..."
A sharp gleam flashed in Li Fan’s eyes, yet his reaction was swift.
In an instant, the sky was bathed in blue light.
A single sword radiance slashed out from Li Fan’s position, cutting through the water dragon like a blade through paper.
And without losing momentum, it streaked toward Shuo Feng’s face.
In the next moment, it seemed that Shuo Feng was about to be cleaved in half by Li Fan’s sword light.
But just then, Shuo Feng swung his sword once more.
"Clang!"
The sword light struck the wooden sword, producing a sound like a hammer pounding against a massive bell.
The two forces clashed momentarily.
Then, in an instant, the sword light abruptly changed direction and shot toward Li Fan with even greater speed and sharper momentum!
Once locked onto by the returning sword light, there was no way to dodge. Li Fan had no intention of revealing his true strength, and his probing attack had already served its purpose.
Thus, he extended his right hand, directly manifesting his Water-Attribute Cave Heaven, drawing upon the power of the domain to suppress the incoming sword light.
"Boom!"
The sword light, originally unleashed by Li Fan, seemed to have gained an even sharper edge after being rebounded by the wooden sword.
Even though it was trapped within the domain, it did not lose its momentum. It roared forward with unstoppable force, determined to break through the restraints placed upon it.
Li Fan let out a cold snort and exerted a bit more power.
Only then was he able to fully suppress it.
When he looked back at Shuo Feng, the latter had not seized the opportunity to launch another attack. Instead, he seemed to be experiencing some kind of internal struggle, as he tried to calm the violently trembling wooden sword.
"Let’s end this sparring session here!" Li Fan sighed and shook his head. "I am two major realms above you, yet our battle was evenly matched. That alone means I have already lost."
"A heaven’s chosen will always be a heaven’s chosen. A Foundation Establishment cultivator battling a Nascent Soul cultivator..."
"It’s simply beyond the reach of us ordinary cultivators."
Li Fan appeared somewhat dispirited.
Seeing this, Shuo Feng, who had just regained control over his wooden sword, couldn’t help but console him. "Fellow Daoist, don’t be discouraged. The only reason I was able to fight on equal footing with you is largely due to the power of this wooden sword."
Perhaps it was because Li Fan’s temperament resonated with Shuo Feng, or perhaps Shuo Feng simply had nothing to fear.
After hesitating for a moment, Shuo Feng spoke with a hint of pride. "To be honest, Fellow Daoist..."
"This sword... is a wonder of the heavens!"
"Your defeat is not a fault of battle!"
Gently stroking the wooden sword’s blade, a trace of infatuation flickered across Shuo Feng’s face.
Hearing this, Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
Feigning extreme shock, he stared at the unremarkable wooden sword in Shuofeng’s hand. "A wonder of the heavens?"
"Fellow Daoist, surely you must be joking? The Wonder of the Heavens are attuned to the Dao itself, elusive and unseen, never revealing themselves to the world. The only one widely known is the legendary Derivative Law Jade."
"And you’re telling me this broken sword is a Wonder of the Heavens?" Li Fan deliberately voiced his skepticism.
Shuo Feng chuckled. "How could I be mistaken when I built my Foundation upon it? This Wonder of the Heavens... is called [Sword]."
As he spoke, Shuofeng lightly swung the wooden sword, forming a dazzling sword flower in the air.
"Sword?"
Li Fan’s heart trembled.
"Could it be... that this object is the embodiment of the very Dao of the Sword in the Xuanhuang Realm?" he couldn’t help but ask.
Shuo Feng nodded and pointed the wooden sword toward a lush, towering tree in the distance.
Under Li Fan’s gaze, the tree underwent a mysterious transformation.
A gentle breeze passed by, and as a leaf detached from its branch and drifted through the air, it brushed against another tree—yet in that moment, it was as if the leaf had become an incomparably sharp sword.
A single slash.
The tree was severed at its trunk.
Another gust of wind swept through, carrying countless leaves aloft. The tree, now imbued with the sword’s essence, moved like an unparalleled swordsman, continuously striking.
One tree after another fell in its wake.
This bizarre sight left Li Fan utterly dumbfounded.
"Perhaps... what Fellow Daoist says is true!" He feigned a stammer, as if in awe.
Shuo Feng smiled faintly. "Of course. I obtained this sword from the ruins of the former Heavenly Sword Sect, risking my life countless times to do so."
Looking at the wooden sword in his hand, Shuo Feng recalled that moment. "If you had seen it with your own eyes, Fellow Daoist, you would never be able to imagine the shock I felt. Within the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Sword Tomb, over a million swords were buried. Those countless ancient swords, chaotically plunged into the ground, all bowed slightly in the same direction."
"As if paying homage to the Emperor of Swords."
"And at the very center of that million-sword tomb, I found this."
A trace of pride appeared on Shuo Feng’s face. "That day, I knew—I knew that defying my mother’s wishes and insisting on retraining was the absolute right choice."
"Otherwise, how could I have encountered such an opportunity?"
"The Heavenly Sword Sect... the Sword Tomb..."
Li Fan stared at the Wonder of the Heavens, [Sword], as countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
However, in the end, he abandoned the idea of immediately using his Binding Insect Divine Ability to claim the treasure for himself.
"A Wonder of the Heavens..." Li Fan's eyes were filled with envy.
Then, as if suddenly realizing something strange, he asked, "Such a secretive matter, yet Fellow Daoist is casually telling a mere passerby like me? Aren’t you afraid that this information will spread and be known to all?"
Shuo Feng waved his hand boldly and declared, "I have always acted according to my whims. You knew my identity yet still fought me without reservation—that is commendable!"
"Besides, what if you tell others? If I possess such a divine treasure and do not flaunt it, but instead keep it hidden, how would that be any different from wearing embroidered robes in the dark?"
Li Fan hesitated. "But possessing such a rare artifact will inevitably invite covetous eyes..."
"Petty thieves coveting it?" Shuo Feng suddenly burst into laughter, exuding an undeniable dominance.
A radiant golden armor materialized over his body, emanating an overwhelming pressure. Even Li Fan instinctively took a step back.
"Though my Wonder of the Heavens is exceedingly rare, it is useless to cultivators of the Dao Integration realm and beyond."
"And below Dao Integration, who can possibly harm me? Even if they could, I doubt they could break through the defenses of this armor." Shuo Feng gestured toward the golden armor with a complex expression.
Li Fan had no words to reply.
"So this is the confidence of a top-tier immortal scion of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance..."
"But this works in my favor. If you weren’t this arrogant, I’d have to put in much more effort to extract information about this Wonder of the Heavens from you."
Suppressing his thoughts, Li Fan looked at Shuo Feng, who had already retracted his golden armor, and asked, "Although your wooden sword is indeed extraordinary, I feel that it still falls short of the legendary Wonder of the Heavens."
"Is it because Fellow Daoist has not fully mastered it yet?"
Shuo Feng smiled bitterly. "Your observation is sharp, Fellow Daoist! A Wonder of the Heavens is indeed extraordinary. Even though I have built my Foundation upon it, I still cannot fully control it. Sometimes, it even resists my will."
"Just now, it almost wounded you—that was why."
Hearing this, Li Fan suddenly recalled a past life battle between Shuo Feng and Su Xiaomei...
At that moment, Shuo Feng seemed to have fully mastered the Heavenly Wonder [Sword]. From beginning to end, there were no signs of it going out of control.
However, unlike now, back then, when facing Su Xiaomei’s relentless attacks, Shuo Feng had only defended, never once taking the initiative to attack.
"A streak of white light reflected all of the enemy’s attacks back at them. In fact, the counterattack was even several times stronger than the original strike."
"The characteristics are exactly the same as a wooden sword. It just can't take the initiative to attack..."
Li Fan seemed to have figured out why Shuo Feng had never been able to completely control [Sword].
After pondering for a moment, he thought that since Shuo Feng would eventually have to comprehend it himself, he might as well offer him a helping hand.
He then fixed his gaze on the wooden sword in Shuo Feng’s hand and furrowed his brows slightly:
"Logically speaking, with your unparalleled talent, even if it were the legendary Wonder of Heaven, it shouldn’t be something that is difficult to control."
Shuo Feng agreed and nodded. "I, too, am puzzled by this."
Li Fan pondered for a moment before suddenly realizing something.
"I have a theory. I don't know if it's correct."
"Oh? Please share it," Shuo Feng responded politely, though he did not believe Li Fan would say anything truly insightful.
"A sword is a weapon of slaughter. Ancient sword cultivators were capable of taking a person’s head from a thousand miles away; a single strike could break ten thousand techniques. The essence of the sword manifests in the world in various forms—gold, jade, stone—but why, of all things, is this [Sword] a wooden sword?"
Li Fan posed this question, and Shuo Feng immediately furrowed his brows, his expression turning serious.
"I once heard that in the ancient sects of sword cultivators, disciples would only use wooden swords in friendly sparring matches where victory or defeat was not the goal. Therefore..."
Li Fan paused for a moment and then spoke in a solemn tone:
"I believe that [Sword] is the pinnacle of all swordsmanship. As the saying goes, ‘extremity begets reversal.’ Every trait of a mundane sword has been completely inverted in the Heavenly Wonder [Sword]."
"Slaughter becomes non-slaughter. Seeking defeat is victory. Not attacking is triumph. Motionlessness is invincibility!"
Li Fan's words were like a great bell ringing in Shuo Feng’s ears, or a bolt of lightning under a clear sky. He was stunned.
A strange glimmer flashed in his eyes as he re-examined the wooden sword in his hands, seemingly entering a profound and mysterious state.
He stood there like a stone statue, murmuring something under his breath.
"It seems he was just one step away from enlightenment. Now that I have pointed it out, he has instantly comprehended it," Li Fan thought to himself as he quietly activated his Black Bird Divine Ability to observe Shuo Feng's fate.
A towering pillar of purple qi shot into the sky, spiraling like a dragon tornado, coalescing without dissipating. This was a sign of supreme destiny, only slightly weaker than Xu Ke’s.
The pillar of fortune was so resilient that even Han Yi's Fortune Absorption Domain, formed by his transformation into a statue, could not affect it.
"Well, of course. Without great destiny, how could one be born into such a favorable position? What countless cultivators struggle for their entire lives to obtain, he has never lacked since birth," Li Fan sighed as he observed Shuo Feng’s astonishing and heaven-defying fortune.
"In this Xuanhuang Realm, it is rare for two Dao Integration Immortal Sages to choose to have a child together," he mused, recalling the rumors about Shuo Feng and his mother.
It was said that after Immortal Sage Fei Xue realized she had no hope of attaining Longevity Immortality, she decided to place her hopes in her offspring. To produce the most exceptional descendant, she chose the oldest yet most effective method—a martial contest for a spouse.
She declared that any Dao Integration cultivator who could defeat her in combat would be qualified to become her Dao companion. Given the rarity of Dao Integration cultivators—each one a one-in-ten-million genius—the combination of their bloodlines, along with the full support of both parents’ resources, might produce another Longevity Immortal.
When the news broke, the entire world was shaken. Countless cultivators, eager to witness a grand battle among Dao Integration cultivators, gathered to watch. However, the outcome was a major disappointment.
Few responded to the challenge, and nearly a year passed before a single Dao Integration cultivator stepped forward to challenge Fei Xue. He ultimately failed.
It was then that the broader community of cultivators realized:
Dao Integration cultivators are incredibly rare across the Xuanhuang Realm. Those who have reached this stage have exceptionally high ambitions. Unless faced with extraordinary circumstances, they would never so easily abandon their pursuit of Longevity Immortality, their ultimate goal.
Furthermore, while Fei Xue’s combat strength was only average among Dao Integration cultivators, she was extremely skilled in artifact refinement. With her formidable arsenal of defensive treasures, defeating her was easier said than done. Without absolute confidence, any challenger would simply be seeking humiliation.
Thus, due to these various factors, Fei Xue’s martial contest for a spouse fell into an extremely awkward and quiet state.
Just when everyone thought this matter would gradually fade into obscurity, an event that shocked the world once again occurred—
Fei Xue was suddenly pregnant!
And apart from herself, no one knew who the father was!
She refused to speak on the matter and officially declared the contest null and void.
From that moment on, she devoted herself entirely to nurturing the child in her womb—Shuo Feng.
There was no doubt that the one who had managed to make Immortal Sage Fei Xue conceive in complete secrecy must have been a terrifyingly powerful Dao Integration cultivator. That much was certain.
As for why he chose to conceal his identity, that remained a mystery.
"Not only does he have a Dao Integration mother, but he also has a father hiding in the shadows, keeping his true identity a secret..."
"No wonder Shuo Feng is so confident. The world may be vast, but he can go anywhere he pleases."
As Li Fan was lost in thought, Shuo Feng slowly emerged from his enlightenment.
A faint joy surfaced on his face, but after taking a deep breath, his expression gradually calmed.
The hands gripping the wooden sword no longer trembled. As a mysterious aura descended and locked onto him—
The Heavenly Wonder [Sword] transformed into a gentle white light and gradually merged into his body.
In an instant, Shuo Feng’s presence completely changed.
His sharpness was entirely withdrawn.
From being as sharp as an unsheathed blade, he now appeared utterly ordinary.
Even the towering purple fortune pillar above his head gradually faded under Li Fan’s gaze, eventually turning into an unremarkable white mist—so subtle that, if one didn’t look closely, it could easily be overlooked.
Shuo Feng turned his gaze toward Li Fan. Li Fan withdrew his Black Bird Divine Ability and cupped his hands.
"Congratulations, Daoist friend, for returning to your true nature and achieving supreme mastery!"
"Supreme mastery? That’s an overstatement. However..."
Shuo Feng made a refined gesture of invitation.
"I would like to ask you to test my sword!"
Li Fan naturally understood his intention.
With a flick of his fingers, several blue water swords flew toward Shuo Feng.
Shuo Feng stood with his hands behind his back, neither dodging nor blocking.
Just as the water swords were about to strike him—
A streak of white light flashed.
The water swords completely reversed direction.
Chapter 662
"Fellow Daoist, this Reversal Sword of yours—what is the highest level of power it can reflect?" Feeling the rebounded attack nearly doubled in strength, Li Fan's expression changed slightly. With a wave of his hand, he suppressed the Water Sword before turning to ask Shuo Feng.
Shuo Feng seemed to still be reflecting on the self-protective reaction of the wooden sword. After a long while, he finally returned to his senses.
"The Reversal Sword..." He shook his head. "I see it as the Sword of Pacification, the Sword of No Battle."
Without further explanation, Shuo Feng continued, "Ordinary Nascent Soul cave-heaven power can be countered effortlessly. If it were a full-force strike from a Soul Transformation cultivator, it would be somewhat difficult. As for Dao Integration and beyond..."
"Fellow Daoist, you are only at the Foundation Establishment stage, yet you have already achieved such an astonishing feat. If you advance to the Soul Transformation stage, wouldn't you be able to fight against Dao Integration cultivators?" Li Fan expressed his shock.
"It's not that simple. Even among Dao Integration cultivators, there are vast differences. The Spirit of Heaven and Earth is divided into..."
Li Fan's heart stirred, and he was about to concentrate and listen carefully. However, he suddenly noticed that Shuo Feng's lips were moving, but no sound came out.
Shuo Feng quickly realized this himself and decisively fell silent.
Li Fan, deep in thought, tactfully refrained from pressing further.
"In any case, though I possess the Heavenly Wonder, I still have a long road ahead before I can defeat my mother." Shuo Feng smiled bitterly.
"Moreover, although the Heavenly Wonder makes my Foundation Establishment extremely powerful, it also has its drawbacks. For instance, advancing in cultivation is much more difficult and slower compared to ordinary cultivators. Even with abundant resources and the aid of new cultivation methods, this remains true."
This was the first time Li Fan had heard of such a thing, so he immediately asked, "Why is that?"
Shuo Feng answered straightforwardly, "The Heavenly Wonder is, in essence, the Law of Heaven. Once one establishes their foundation with it, it becomes nearly impossible to incorporate anything else."
"Ordinary cultivators must observe the laws of heaven and earth, seize its essence, extract its marrow, and refine its spirit step by step to ascend. But a cultivator of the Heavenly Wonder is different. They use the Heavenly Wonder as their law, as their cave-heaven domain, as the transformation of heaven and earth, and as the very spirit of heaven and earth itself."
"As long as they continuously comprehend their own Heavenly Wonder to the utmost, they can progress all the way to the Dao Integration stage without obstruction."
Hearing this, Li Fan couldn't help but ask, "Isn't that a good thing? Why do you say it makes cultivation more difficult?"
Shuo Feng countered with a question, "Fellow Daoist, don’t you think that compared to forcibly absorbing external elements, a cultivation method that relies solely on personal comprehension would be much slower?"
"Naturally, that..." Li Fan suddenly realized something and fell silent.
"Daoist Shuo, do you mean that cultivating with the Heavenly Wonder is more akin to practicing the ancient methods?" Li Fan unconsciously changed the way he addressed him and quickly asked.
"More precisely, it is practicing the ancient methods while bound in chains." Shuo Feng sighed lightly. "This is both its advantage and its drawback. However, I have no regrets. Although the path is more arduous, the potential ceiling is much higher!"
Seemingly reminded of something, Li Fan suddenly asked, "If one reaches Dao Integration through the Heavenly Wonder, then the next step would be to reverse the principles of the Heavenly Wonder?"
A flicker of admiration flashed in Shuo Feng’s eyes. "Exactly! The difficulty of achieving Longevity Immortality lies in this—Heaven and Earth’s principles are intangible and abstract concepts, difficult for ordinary people to perceive. To reverse them is even harder."
"One must search for the laws of Heaven and Earth, familiarize themselves with them, master them, and then finally overturn them..."
"All of these steps must be completed within the Dao Integration stage. While Dao Integration cultivators enjoy long lifespans, every step forward requires an immense price. Throughout history, how many peerless geniuses have fallen just before taking the final step?"
"But those who build their foundation with the Heavenly Wonder naturally bypass the first step. From the moment they begin cultivation, they are already practicing the second and third steps. It's almost like skipping half the effort."
Shuo Feng explained patiently in a way that was easy to understand.
And Li Fan gradually began to grasp the concept.
"Seeking, familiarizing, mastering, and reversing—it seems these correspond to the different sub-realms within Dao Integration."
Li Fan suddenly recalled something. Back when Ji Hongdao was confronting Senior Sister Zhao, he had once said, "After a Heavenly Sovereign establishes their 'Definitive Law,' they should no longer meddle in worldly affairs."
"A 'Definitive Law' means that one has already reversed the laws of Heaven and Earth, ultimately replacing them and transforming into a part of the universe itself. This is the true path to Longevity Immortality."
"Before that, Dao Integration cultivators still have four major steps to complete."
Shuo Feng saw Li Fan lost in contemplation and couldn't help but caution him, "What I have shared today is merely in gratitude for your earlier guidance. Do not become too ambitious or lose yourself in these thoughts. If that happens, my goodwill would have led to harm."
Li Fan snapped back to reality and smiled. "Daoist Shuo, you worry too much. I am not someone who fails to appreciate good advice. I used to believe that Longevity Immortality was just a few major realms away from us cultivators, and that I might one day reach it."
"But now, I realize that the gap is not just a few realms, but rather multiple chasms—each one capable of making a person despair."
"One must always have hope, though." Shuo Feng nodded in agreement, before suddenly making an unexpected remark.
"By the way, I still don’t know your title. Given your character and talent, you must not be an unknown figure." Shuo Feng looked at Li Fan with curiosity.
Li Fan cupped his hands and said, "I am Li Fan."
Shuo Feng narrowed his eyes and examined Li Fan carefully.
"It's just a common name. I have been mistaken for others many times in the past." Li Fan explained.
Shuo Feng slowly nodded.
"I have a talent for sensing auras. Passing by this place, I noticed something unusual, so I descended to investigate. Who would have thought that before I could find anything, I was nearly killed by you, Fellow Daoist?" Li Fan actively explained the situation.
"In that case, I also feel something strange about this area." Shuo Feng suddenly realized and looked off into the distance.
His gaze landed on a particular direction—the place where Han Yi’s stone statue stood.
However, he did not seem to notice the statue itself, only that something felt off about that location.
"Interesting..."
"Fellow Daoist, why don’t we go and investigate together?" Li Fan suggested.
"That was exactly my thought." Shuo Feng, clearly someone unafraid of trouble, immediately agreed.
Just as the two were about to set off, the sky suddenly turned pink.
Shuo Feng's expression changed drastically.
Scarlet snowflakes drifted down.
A melodic female voice suddenly echoed, "Feng'er, you’ve been away from home for long enough. It’s time to return."
Shuo Feng's face stiffened slightly.
Yet, he dared not resist his mother’s will. He only cast an apologetic glance at Li Fan.
"I understand, Mother." He responded.
As he grasped a snowflake, the scarlet color melted in his palm.
Moments later, his figure blurred and gradually faded from sight.
Suddenly, a communication talisman fell from the sky and flew toward Li Fan.
"If Brother Li ever needs help, feel free to contact me."
Shuo Feng’s voice lingered faintly in the air.
Shuo Feng’s voice grew quieter and quieter.
In the end, as it became almost inaudible, the scarlet snowflakes falling from the sky also disappeared without a trace.
As if it had all been nothing more than an illusion.
"Was it merely a coincidence, or was it his extraordinary fortune leading him to avoid disaster?"
"Or perhaps, Immortal Sage Fei Xue has always been watching over Shuo Feng, unwilling to let him suffer harm? And upon seeing him about to step into danger, intervened to stop him?"
Li Fan remained silent, turning his gaze toward the stone statue of Han Yi.
After a moment of contemplation, he descended to the ground and activated the Heavenly Mandate Domain, walking step by step toward it.
His pace was extremely slow because he was carefully sensing the power of fortune absorption in the surroundings.
Since he was already infinitely close to the state of a "Fortune-less Being," he was particularly sensitive to changes in his own destiny.
After walking about ninety steps forward, Li Fan suddenly noticed a flaw appearing in his Heavenly Mandate Domain.
It was like a hole had been pierced in a cup of water—his already near-nonexistent fortune was rapidly draining away. The moment the last trace was completely exhausted, he saw dense black mist beginning to swirl above his head.
An intense, ominous feeling surged through his heart, as if an impending catastrophe was about to befall him in the next moment.
Li Fan quickly retreated, retrieving the fortune stored within the Black Bird Feather at the same time.
Even though his reaction had been swift, the effects of the drained fortune were immediate. As he stepped back, he stumbled, almost falling to the ground.
A Nascent Soul cultivator like him—one who had formed his Nascent Soul using the Five Elements Cave-Heaven, the pinnacle of methods—was actually tripping while walking?
And yet, such an illogical event had truly occurred.
Li Fan dared not hesitate. While firmly engraving the sensation into his memory, he accelerated the process of replenishing his lost fortune.
Once he had stabilized himself and retreated to a safe distance, Li Fan discovered that nearly half of the fortune stored within the Black Bird Feather had been consumed just to dispel the ominous black mist above his head.
"Even from this distance, so much fortune has already been drained. This Fortune-Draining Statue is truly terrifying. Even someone as blessed as Shuo Feng wouldn't have been able to resist it and would have been completely drained. No wonder his mother took him away."
"This is not something mortal power can resist—unless..."
"Worldly Fortune."
A thought suddenly struck Li Fan, and he immediately recalled the world where Xiao Hei had perished.
That Beast Realm’s fortune had clearly been refined and integrated by Xiao Hei. But not long ago, Xiao Hei had fallen for unknown reasons, causing that fortune to shatter and scatter everywhere.
Even with Han Yi’s meager cultivation back then, he was able to absorb and control the free-floating Worldly Fortune.
With the Black Bird Feather in hand, Li Fan would undoubtedly have an even easier time absorbing the World’s Fortune.
"Moreover, a drop of Xu Ke’s essence blood was also buried there. It seems I must make a trip."
"There are many powerful beast species hidden within that small world. In the past, when I was merely at the Nascent Soul stage and alone, I would have had some concerns. But now..."
A sharp glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
He temporarily withdrew from the fortune-draining field and returned to Longevity Valley, summoning Liu San.
Just as he was about to instruct Liu San to lead a group of Medicine King Sect disciples into the Beast Realm to clear out potential threats, Li Fan suddenly sensed something amiss and hesitated.
"Young Master, what troubles you?"
Liu San looked at Li Fan with a hint of confusion.
Li Fan pondered for a moment, then reviewed the records stored in the Dao Deviation Stone, and finally came to a realization.
At some point, he had once again forgotten about the calamity that had befallen Congyun Sea.
"I wonder what Congyun Sea looks like now. Is it a void of nothingness, or a barren wasteland?"
"If it has already turned into the void, then does the entrance to the Beast Realm still exist...?"
As thoughts raced through his mind, Li Fan’s expression grew solemn.
"On my recent journey, I discovered something utterly terrifying."
Without delay, Li Fan told Liu San about how Congyun Sea had been destroyed and how the world had gradually forgotten about it.
"Congyun Sea?" Liu San was initially puzzled, but then, as the memories resurfaced, his face turned pale with shock.
"It’s fortunate that, due to our move to Longevity Valley, we unknowingly avoided this calamity," Li Fan sighed.
But Liu San was more focused on the fact that he had forgotten about Congyun Sea’s destruction.
"To make the entire world forget without them even realizing it... Is this the power of the New Method Longevity Immortality?"
Liu San, whose understanding of Longevity Immortal Sovereigns was still rooted in ancient times, was deeply shaken.
After all, as one of the strongest Dao Integration cultivators of the Medicine King Sect, he had once met the Longevity Immortal Sovereigns of the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
Although he had never considered himself their equal, he had at least believed he could put up some resistance.
But now...
In an instant, Liu San’s pride shattered. The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
Noticing Liu San’s abnormal state, Li Fan reassured him, "Elder Liu, there is no need to dwell on this. The world has changed, and although the title ‘Longevity Immortal Sovereign’ remains the same, the New Method Longevity Immortal and Ancient Method Longevity Immortal are clearly not of the same level anymore."
Despite his deep trust in Li Fan, Liu San took a long time to calm down.
After a prolonged silence, he sighed deeply before turning to Li Fan and saying, "Today, I have finally witnessed the power of the New Method Longevity Immortal. Before, I was merely a frog at the bottom of a well."
"The gap between the New and Old Method is this vast..."
"Young Master, I wish to transition to the New Law cultivation method." Liu San solemnly declared.
Li Fan was not surprised by this decision at all. He nodded in approval, "I support you! Elder Liu, reigniting your ambition is a blessing for our Medicine King Sect. Who knows? You might attain enlightenment and achieve Longevity Immortality. If that happens, with a Longevity Immortal Sovereign watching over us, our sect will finally return to the world openly and proudly."
"However..."
Li Fan’s tone suddenly shifted. "The Old and New Laws cannot be cultivated together. If Elder Liu wants to advance further and defy the natural order, he must completely rebuild his cultivation with a different Dao Integration technique."
"First, such techniques are incredibly rare. Second... the refinement of the Longevity Pills still requires your expertise."
Liu San immediately understood Li Fan’s meaning. His previous enthusiasm dimmed slightly.
The gap between ideals and reality forced him to make a choice.
However, as someone devoted to the Medicine King Sect, Liu San only hesitated for a moment before making his decision.
"I understand, Young Master. For now, I will prioritize the revival of our sect," he said with some regret.
Li Fan smiled faintly. "Elder Liu, you misunderstand me. I fully support your transition to the New Method, and your cultivation breakthrough does not contradict our sect’s revival."
"It just requires some preparation, that’s all."
"Although it may seem a bit inconsiderate, we must admit that it was precisely this calamity that led to the demise of Daoist Zhou Qingang. As a result, the enormous debt we originally owed no longer needs to be repaid. As long as Elder Liu refines more Longevity Pills and other useful elixirs for sale, after a few years of accumulation, exchanging them for a Dao Integration cultivation method won’t be a problem," Li Fan said confidently.
Upon hearing this, Liu San’s eyes regained a glimmer of spirit.
A few years of waiting was insignificant to him. As for Zhou Qingang, who had unfortunately fallen, Liu San had only met him a few times and had no deep connection with him. Naturally, he felt no sorrow.
"This person’s death is truly convenient! It saved me years of effort!" Liu San thought to himself.
Li Fan continued, "During this period of accumulating contribution points, I also need to devise a reasonable identity for Elder Liu. After all, with your Dao Integration cultivation, it’s not as easy to conceal yourself as it is for people like us. Originally, I planned to use the excuse of an ‘Ancient Cultivator Awakening from Slumber’ to get past any inquiries. But for some reason, recent events have made the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance more cautious and skeptical of such claims. So, I need to come up with a more reliable explanation."
"But Elder Liu, don’t worry, I already have some ideas in mind."
Liu San did not dwell on the details of Li Fan’s words. His natural trust in Li Fan made him simply nod in agreement. "Young Master, you make the decisions!"
After temporarily reassuring Liu San, one of the two Dao Integration cultivators of the Medicine King Sect, Li Fan headed to the newly built artifact refinement workshop in Longevity Valley. There, he met another Dao Integration cultivator—Fang Zaiji.
At this moment, Fang Zaiji was staring intently at the Medicine King True Cauldron floating in the air before him, his eyes filled with fascination.
After relocating to Longevity Valley, Li Fan had placed the Medicine King True Cauldron here for Fang Zaiji to study.
Beyond providing some comfort, Li Fan also hoped that Fang Zaiji’s artifact refinement skills would improve further—ideally to the point where he could enhance and modify the Medicine King True Cauldron.
As for why this was necessary...
In this lifetime, Li Fan intended to use his clone to control the Medicine King True Cauldron and break free from the Xuanhuang Realm, plunging into the Immortal Ruins to uncover its secrets!
He wanted to see with his own eyes—the figure within the Immortal Ruins. Was it alive or dead? What did it truly look like?
Li Fan knew that upon approaching the Immortal Ruins, the terrifying gravitational pull would warp even time and space.
A mere moment inside the Immortal Ruins could mean tens of millions of years had passed in the outside world.
Under normal circumstances, if one were to send an clone to explore, the immense time dilation would make it impossible to receive any information. The original body would simply perceive a loss of connection, and before any message could be transmitted back, the main body would have perished from the passage of time.
But Li Fan had a way to circumvent this issue.
It was thanks to the new ability [Incarnation] that he had awakened after absorbing the remnants of Tianyang.
Transforming into an object—traversing the ages!
In his previous life, with only a Golden Core cultivation, he had managed to exist in an [Incarnation] state for over three thousand years. Now, with his Five Elements Cave Heaven having elevated him to the Nascent Soul stage, his strength had undergone a qualitative transformation. Furthermore, he had awakened the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, which should allow him to endure even longer.
It would be enough to withstand the long years and wait for his clone’s report.
The Immortal Ruins concealed great secrets, including but not limited to the lost history of the Xuanhuang Realm and its future destiny.
If he could glimpse its truth, it would be of immense significance to Li Fan—perhaps even revealing the mystery of the Fallen Immortals!
Of course, all of this was based on the premise that the Medicine King True Cauldron could withstand the terrifying gravitational force of the Immortal Ruins for long enough without disintegrating.
"The Medicine King Sect, due to material and cost limitations, did not forge the Medicine King True Cauldron from the highest-grade materials. However, its artifact refinement philosophy and techniques are unique and worth studying."
"Give me enough time, and I will definitely return to you a stronger Medicine King True Cauldron!"
When Li Fan presented his request for strengthening the cauldron, Fang Zaiji responded with this firm declaration.
And Fang Zaiji was indeed highly skilled. The small cauldrons he casually refined in recent times were far superior to those used by disciples, already carrying traces of the True Cauldron’s essence.
At that moment, Fang Zaiji was so engrossed in his work that Li Fan had to call out to him several times before he finally snapped out of it.
Li Fan then narrated the events of the disappearance of Congyun Sea and the existence of Carefree Heavenly Sovereign.
Unlike Liu San’s shock, Fang Zaiji remained exceptionally calm.
He merely responded with a simple "Oh," before once again focusing his gaze on the Medicine King True Cauldron.
After a while, seeing that Li Fan had not left, he finally asked, "Sect Master, is there anything else?"
Li Fan hesitated briefly before saying, "I intend to return to Congyun Sea. However, since the calamity has only recently passed, I am uncertain about the current situation. There may still be hidden dangers, so I would like to ask you to accompany me."
Fang Zaiji’s expression instantly brightened.
He smirked smugly and said to Li Fan, "So, you finally understand who’s truly reliable in critical moments, huh? That Liu San is nothing more than a short-sighted servant who got lucky. When real trouble arises, you still have to rely on me!"
"Let’s go! We’ll set off immediately! With me here, you will be safe!"
Li Fan simply smiled and nodded without arguing.
Without alerting the other members of Longevity Valley, Li Fan and Fang Zaiji headed east, swiftly traveling toward Congyun Sea.
With Fang Zaiji’s assistance, they neared their destination in just over ten days.
However, upon entering Shilin Prefecture, Fang Zaiji suddenly halted and cast a glance toward the neighboring Yuandao Prefecture, his expression turning serious.
"Strange..." Fang Zaiji furrowed his brows, then shook his head and muttered to himself.
Li Fan’s heart stirred, but he feigned surprise and asked, "Sir, what’s the matter?"
"I sensed a familiar aura," Fang Zaiji explained.
"A familiar aura? Could it be an old acquaintance?" Li Fan asked, astonished.
"No, it seems like [Heavenly Capital Purple Qi], but there’s something slightly different about it," Fang Zaiji observed the distant scene carefully before speaking again.
"Heavenly Capital? That name sounds familiar, but I can’t quite recall it," Li Fan followed Fang Zaiji’s gaze and pondered aloud.
Fang Zaiji chuckled, "It’s no surprise that you juniors don’t know. Even Liu San might not have heard of the name [Heavenly Capital]. I only learned of it during my travels, when I explored with the direct disciples of the Ten Great Immortal Sects."
"You must have heard of the Xuantian Sect, right? Back then, the Xuantian Sect was at its peak, dominating the Xuanhuang Realm. The so-called Ten Great Immortal Sects were nothing more than its vassals, treated like mere cattle and horses."
"Under normal circumstances, we cultivators would never have had a chance to rise up."
"But one day, a surge of purple qi descended from the heavens, transforming into a massive, towering city that hovered in the sky."
"The Xuantian Sect swiftly issued a decree forbidding anyone from approaching. But some cultivators, disregarding the risks, ventured inside."
"And that... was the origin of the Ten Great Immortal Sects!"
"Hmph, you actually kept this from me..." Fang Zaiji muttered under his breath as he followed behind Li Fan into the spatial passage.
"Hiss!"
As soon as they stepped into this small world, Fang Zaiji's vision blurred, and he saw dozens of Green-Winged Flying Serpents baring their fangs, lunging toward him.
"You beasts dare to attack me?!" His expression darkened as he waved his wide sleeve. Instantly, the space in front of him trembled, and the ferocious beasts were reduced to dust, leaving no remains.
The entrance was located at the bottom of a deep ravine, shrouded in mist, with faint traces of spiritual energy dispersing into the air. The disturbance caused by Li Fan and Fang Zaiji's arrival quickly drew the attention of countless beasts above.
Like waves of an unending tide, they charged forward fearlessly.
"Sir, please protect me while I work." Despite their overwhelming numbers, these beasts were at most at the Foundation Establishment stage, posing no real threat to Fang Zaiji, who had reached the Dao Integration realm. Li Fan smiled, spoke briefly, then took out a Star-Stealing Lodging Talisman and placed it at the passage entrance.
In no time, after completing the transcription of this spatial node, Li Fan sent the talisman to Liu San, who was preparing inside the Longevity Valley.
"Young master, constructing the spatial passage will take approximately thirty days. Will you return first, or...?" Liu San's voice faintly echoed through the gateway.
"No rush. I will explore this place with Mr. Fang first. With him here, Elder Liu, you need not worry about my safety," Li Fan replied.
"Hmph, it's exactly because you're with him that I am worried."
"What did you say?!" Fang Zaiji, still clearing out the beasts, suddenly turned around upon hearing this.
Just as he was about to argue with Liu San, he realized the connection had already been cut off. Feeling stifled, Fang Zaiji could only vent his frustration on the reckless beasts.
Before long, the creatures that had lived in this ravine for countless generations were slaughtered to near extinction.
Flying out of the gorge, Li Fan landed on a desolate plain. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and focused. The Black Bird Feather within him emitted a faint black glow. In an instant, he became aware of the omnipresent, free-flowing Heavenly Fortune within this small world.
Like a whale drawing in water, like leaves returning to their roots—without much effort, the Heavenly Fortune from hundreds of miles around surged eagerly into Li Fan's body.
Or rather, into the Black Bird Feather.
As he absorbed more and more of this power, Li Fan felt a shift within himself. With a mere flick of his finger and a thought, a massive rift split the ground with a thunderous roar.
Countless plants and beasts were swallowed by the crevice, while those that survived let out terrified howls. No longer caring about this sudden intruder, they frantically tried to flee.
Watching the beasts retreat, Li Fan stirred his thoughts, and suddenly, fierce winds swept through the heavens and the earth.
Sand and stones rose into the air, howling as they lifted the fleeing beasts into the sky—only to hurl them back to where they started.
These creatures, already lacking in intelligence, were completely overwhelmed by terror. Trembling, they collapsed to the ground.
Satisfied, Li Fan withdrew his power.
"My fortune is the heavenly fortune, my fate is the heavenly fate. Every word and deed carries the might of heaven and earth."
"Marvelous!" he thought to himself in admiration.
"Sect Master, was that... all your doing?" Fang Zaiji asked in shock.
Even with his Dao Integration cultivation, effortlessly splitting the earth and summoning stormwinds was no easy feat.
Li Fan simply smiled without answering.
For the next period of time, under Fang Zaiji’s protection, Li Fan continued gathering the free-flowing Heavenly Fortune within this world while making his way deeper into the wilderness.
If the Black Bird Feather’s faint guidance was correct, then Xiao Hei’s remains should be there.
During this journey, Li Fan discovered something rather intriguing...
The closer they got to Xiao Hei's corpse, the fewer human-like external features the beasts had. At the same time, these beasts became significantly stronger.
"The beasts in this small world belong to a branch of hybridized [Beastkind] that fuses humans and beasts. However, after thousands of years of reproduction across countless generations, the beastly bloodline has not weakened. Instead, it has exhibited an atavistic phenomenon."
"Interesting."
As Fang Zaiji cleared a path forward, Li Fan also noticed that some of these beasts had actually mastered various "spells" that allowed them to utilize the free-flowing Heavenly Fortune for combat.
This somewhat hindered Li Fan's ability to absorb Heavenly Fortune, but it was merely an inconvenience.
No matter what kind of divine abilities or mystical arts these beasts possessed, in the face of absolute power disparity, all of them were meaningless—they would all be crushed.
Fang Zaiji advanced relentlessly, while Li Fan leisurely followed behind, harvesting the remains.
"Mr. Fang, go easy on them. Leave some of the beasts alive. This place could make a fine ranch for our Medicine King Sect in the future." Holding a blue crystal core in his hand, Li Fan examined it carefully while giving his instructions.
"Whatever you say, Sect Master." The prolonged slaughter had made Fang Zaiji somewhat impatient. Now that Li Fan had spoken, he could rightfully slack off a bit, so he readily agreed.
This blue crystal core was something Li Fan had discovered within the corpse of a beast at the Golden Core stage.
It was identical to the beast cores described by Li Chenfeng—beast cores that the Empire’s cultivators relied on for cultivation.
Crushing the core, a surge of boiling-hot energy gushed forth like scalding water. As Li Fan absorbed it, he noticed that part of this searing, unfamiliar energy transformed into spiritual qi, flowing through his meridians. Another small portion dispersed into his physical body in tiny specks, strengthening his flesh and enhancing its resilience.
"Not bad, this is good stuff." Li Fan thought to himself.
At this moment, Fang Zaiji also noticed Li Fan’s actions. Casually slaughtering another beast, he retrieved a crystal core and absorbed it.
"Interesting... Back in the day, we cultivators couldn't absorb these demon cores. I never expected that after thousands of years, they would become usable to us!" After a brief moment, Fang Zaiji sighed.
"Indeed, the world has changed over these millennia!" Li Fan laughed in agreement.
"Perhaps this is precisely due to the fusion of demon beast and human bloodlines over the past thousands of years." Li Fan thought to himself, recalling those [Beastkind] that looked nearly identical to humans.
Continuing forward, they saw a towering black three-legged pagoda standing on the distant land. At its peak, a massive black bird stood with its wings outstretched.
"So it really is that thing." A glimmer of sharpness flashed in Li Fan’s eyes. The black bird’s appearance was exactly the same as the Xiao Hei he had encountered in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
As if sensing that Fang Zaiji’s power was utterly unstoppable, the beasts no longer attempted to hinder their approach.
Li Fan could only watch as thousands upon thousands of beasts knelt beneath the black three-legged pagoda, bowing their heads in reverence toward the black bird, as if pleading for mercy.
In Li Fan’s field of vision, under the worship ceremony of the exotic beasts, the drifting heavenly fate in the depths of the wilderness began to madly converge toward the top of the black three-legged tower.
Like a massive storm vortex, lightning flashed and thunder roared, making the sky darken ominously.
Seeing this, Li Fan attempted to use the Feather of the Black Bird to seize control of the heavenly fate. However, the outcome was clear—it was utterly futile. Compared to a mere feather, the black mysterious bird perched at the top of the three-legged tower was the true ruler of this beast race world.
Under that immense suction force, Li Fan even faintly sensed that the strands of drifting heavenly fortune he had previously absorbed into his body were beginning to loosen and show signs of being forcibly drawn away.
Although Fang Zaiji could not see the changes in heavenly fate, the increasingly lifelike appearance of the black mysterious bird was visible to the naked eye.
A solemn look flickered across his face, but he remained disdainful. "The dead are dead—do you really think bowing and begging will bring them back to life?"
Despite his words, Fang Zaiji remained extremely cautious. Without waiting for the beasts to complete their ceremony, he conjured a towering giant hand, gripping a massive gray-black hammer, and violently smashed it toward the black bird atop the tower.
"Buzz!"
The colossal hammer filled the sky, making even the towering three-legged tower seem like nothing more than a toy. As the hammer descended, a piercing boom erupted.
It was as if, in the next moment, the black three-legged pagoda and the thousands of exotic beasts below would be completely obliterated by the sheer force of the hammer!
However, at that very instant, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck from the sky, smashing into the gray hammer. The hammer momentarily paused mid-air, and then dozens of massive lightning bolts, each as thick as a water bucket, rained down.
With each strike, the hammer’s form shrank slightly. In just a brief moment, the once-mountainous hammer had diminished to the size of an ordinary human tool.
As the lightning struck the tower's peak, Fang Zaiji’s expression subtly changed—not merely because the hammer was attacked, but because the very space around him underwent a cataclysmic shift.
Dark clouds rolled across the sky, thick and heavy, as if they could drip water. A yellow demonic wind howled, its razor-sharp edges slicing through the earth like sentient blades, all converging toward Fang Zaiji. Beneath his feet, violent earth fire erupted, like a furious dragon roaring to consume him. Chains of golden talismanic script emerged from the void without warning, coiling tightly around his limbs. Overhead, black lightning continued to flash.
It was as if the entire beast race world had declared him its mortal enemy. Wind, fire, thunder, lightning—every force in existence, under the decree of fate, launched an unrelenting assault upon him.
"Young Master, stay back for now," Fang Zaiji said seriously, tossing out a cyan bell that shielded Li Fan, who had already retreated to a safe distance.
Then, he opened his mouth and spat out thirty-six willow-leaf-shaped flying blades.
The emerald-green blades danced with extraordinary agility, as if they were alive. In an instant, they surrounded Fang Zaiji, effortlessly deflecting the raging wind, fire, and lightning.
With a composed expression, Fang Zaiji strode toward the spire of the pagoda. The golden chains wrapped around him tightened instantly, attempting to restrain him. Yet, his steps remained firm. After just a moment of resistance, cracks began to form in the space where the chains were anchored.
The chains stretched longer and longer. Ultimately, they could no longer withstand the force and shattered piece by piece, scattering golden light across the sky.
"The entire world stands against him—this is the ultimate form of the Formless Killing Intent. But even so, it cannot harm Fang Zaiji in the slightest. After all, this world is inherently weaker. No matter how fiercely it resists, it cannot contend against a Dao Integration-level powerhouse from another realm," Li Fan thought calmly as he observed from within the protective bell.
Fang Zaiji drew closer to the black three-legged pagoda, and the exotic beasts that had been bowing in worship gradually lost their composure.
Some, overwhelmed with fear, prostrated themselves even more fervently. Others, in blind panic, attempted to flee—only to be instantly executed by the leader-like beasts. Still, some, with reckless determination, charged at Fang Zaiji without regard for their lives, hoping to sacrifice themselves in a desperate attempt to exhaust this terrifying invader.
But their fate was already sealed. The power gap between the two sides was too vast. When Fang Zaiji finally stood atop the three-legged pagoda, looking down at the trembling, kneeling beasts below, he felt an overwhelming sense of boredom.
"How dull!" He snorted coldly before summoning Li Fan from the distance.
"Sect Master, is this the thing you were looking for?" Fang Zaiji asked.
Without the support of the exotic beasts' ritual, the Black Bird's projection at the pagoda's peak returned to its original form—it was merely the projection of a black bird statue.
The vast amount of drifting Heavenly Fate that had gathered above the tower, now unrestrained, began to scatter like flowing water toward the corners of the world.
Standing before the small black statue, Li Fan lifted his head and gazed at it. At the same time, he activated the divine ability [Heaven's Mandate is Mine], using the Black Bird’s Feather to frantically absorb the drifting Heavenly Fortune.
Like a hundred rivers converging into the sea, the process of absorbing Heavenly Fortune was astonishingly smooth. There was almost no resistance, and in less than half a day, Li Fan had completely drained the accumulated Heavenly Fortune in this place.
The effect was immediate.
With the three-legged pagoda as the center, within a radius of several thousand miles, every movement of the wind and grass was instantly perceivable to Li Fan with just a thought. Moreover, within this area, Li Fan nearly achieved the ability to replace Heaven itself."
Sunshine or storm, wind or rain—everything was under his control with a single thought.
After closing his eyes and searching for a moment, Li Fan furrowed his brows slightly.
He realized that Xiao Hei's remains were not here. The reason the beasts had been able to manipulate fate through their rituals was merely because the statue had been imbued with a trace of Xiao Hei's divine authority.
"No matter. As long as I remain in this minor world, I will find it sooner or later." Li Fan did not mind.
In the following days, Li Fan and Fang Zaiji traveled across the Beast Realm. Everywhere they went, the beasts had no power to resist and submitted one after another.
Any lingering thoughts of defiance quickly vanished when a new passageway was established, and Liu San led the main forces of the Medicine King Sect into the realm.
"Young Master, you’ve really found a great place this time! I was just worrying that Longevity Valley was too small for the disciples to train in!" Liu San scanned the Beast Realm with his divine sense and nodded in satisfaction.
"Most of these beasts are too weak to be of any real use, but they can still help with farming and managing the spiritual fields. The slightly stronger ones would make decent guards."
"This plan is feasible. Once I refine a batch of Beast-Controlling Rings, we won’t have to worry about these creatures going out of control."
...
With just a few casual remarks from the two Dao Integration cultivators, the fate of the Beast Realm’s creatures was already decided.
With the disciples of the Medicine King Sect joining the management, Li Fan no longer had to worry too much.
After spending a month absorbing all the drifting Heavenly Fortune of the Beastkind Realm, he finally reached a qualitative transformation.
Within the feathers of the Black Bird, a faint image of a newly hatched chick—its feathers not yet grown—could be seen.
It bore some resemblance to Xiao Hei when it was young, yet there were also differences.
Li Fan closed his eyes, and in the next moment, the entire Beastkind Realm appeared before him like a sphere of glowing mist.
He could instantly perceive every detail of the realm with perfect clarity.
However, he also noticed that around the two Dao Integration experts, Fang Zaiji and Liu San, there were distortions in the light and shadow, making the area unclear. And this was despite the fact that the two had noticed Li Fan's gaze and had not actively attempted to block it.
"In the Xuanhuang World, the influence of a Dao Integration expert can span nearly an entire province. But in this small world, a Dao Integration cultivator can already rival the world itself. This is a natural difference in levels," Li Fan grasped in realization.
With a mere thought, he stepped forward, instantly crossing ten thousand miles to arrive at a clear spring atop a mountain peak.
Previously, when he and Fang Zaiji had swept through the Beastkind Realm, they had passed by this mountain. Yet, surprisingly, they had not noticed the pool at its summit.
It was only after Li Fan had fully mastered the world's Heavenly Fate that he became aware of the anomaly here.
By the pool, there was a wooden hut. Li Fan pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside.
Inside the room, a Black Bird with feathers that had lost their luster stood proudly.
Though it still looked majestic, it no longer carried the breath of life.
"Xiao Hei..." Li Fan instantly recognized the Black Bird.
"So... it has died of old age?"
After observing for a while, Li Fan murmured to himself.
Even though its lifespan was far longer than that of a cultivator, this Heavenly Fate Black Bird had ultimately reached the end of its life, having lived since ancient times.
However, Li Fan soon noticed something unusual.
By all logic, Xiao Qing had lived in the same era as Xiao Hei, yet Qingluan birds were far weaker than Heavenly Fate Black Birds.
Moreover, Xiao Hei had fused with the Heavenly Fate of this world.
There was no reason why Xiao Qing was still alive while Xiao Hei had perished first.
"Could it be that Xiao Hei exhausted its lifespan for some reason?"
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
Activating the divine ability [Heaven's Mandate is Mine], he shielded himself with the domain of Heavenly Fate and gently touched the Xuan Bird's corpse.
"Whoosh!"
Like a breeze, Xiao Hei's body instantly disintegrated into countless tiny particles, scattering into the air.
At the same time, countless blurry images flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
At first, the events mirrored what he had experienced in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Growing up joyfully alongside Xu Ke in the Beast Taming Sect, encountering Mr. Bai who intruded into the sect, and later being sent to the Sacred Beast Mountain of the Nanming...
Ultimately, Xiao Hei had failed the "Heart-Linking Ring" trial and was exiled here by Emperor Sanmo.
The difference was that, in the real timeline, Xiao Hei had missed the opportunity to meet Mr. Bai.
Without the True Profound Art of Creation, upon arriving in this small world, it could only cultivate using the divine abilities inherited through its bloodline.
Even after countless years, it barely managed to attain the [Heaven's Mandate is Mine] divine ability, but it had already become bound to the fate of this world.
Leaving this world was not impossible, but it came at an extremely steep price.
However, as long as one did not frequently leave their origin world—or replenished themselves with Heavenly Fate upon returning—it was not easy to suffer fatal damage.
Yet, Xiao Hei had chosen to do just that.
And the reason was...
Li Fan sifted through and examined Xiao Hei’s memories from after it arrived in the Beastkind Realm.
At the beginning, in order to prevent Xiao Hei from feeling lonely, Xu Ke would frequently send messages, sharing his experiences and observations.
"Xiao Hei, do you know how thrilling and dangerous this journey has been? We’ve encountered countless strange small worlds and were even hunted by demonic beasts!"
"At first, we thought someone had leaked information. But later, we realized it was just our bad luck—we ran into a group of demonic beasts that, for some unknown reason, also appeared in the small world. We struck first, but in the end, one of the beasts managed to escape, exposing our retreat."
"Luckily, we're almost at our destination!"
...
"Xiao Hei, Xiao Hei! Do you still remember Mr. Bai? I originally thought he was already incredibly powerful. But I didn’t expect him to be even stronger than I imagined! My senior brothers and I were sent to explore a small world, but unexpectedly, we encountered a terrifying monster!"
"It had nine heads, a colossal body lying across the sky! Every time it opened its mouth, it seemed as if it could tear apart and devour a portion of the world!"
"I thought I was doomed! That I would never see you again, Xiao Hei!"
"But before I left the Xuanhuang Realm, Senior Brother Lu Ya gave me a red string woven by Mr. Bai. Just as that nine-headed monster fixed its gaze on me, a thin thread suddenly shot out from the red string!"
"Before I could even react, the red thread slashed through the air like a sharp sword—instantly cutting off six of the monster’s heads!"
"And the red string didn’t stop there—it forcibly dragged the beast down from the sky!"
"I was completely stunned! Mr. Bai is truly incredible!"
...
"Xiao Hei, I have received an extremely important mission. I may not be able to contact you for a long time."
"I'm really sorry. But don’t worry, I’ll come back once it's over!"
...
"Xiao Hei, tell me, why is it that cultivators were originally humans too, yet once they step onto the path of cultivation, they become so ruthless toward their own kind?"
...
Scenes flashed rapidly before Li Fan’s eyes.
He now knew that Xu Ke had once come to this Beast Realm and met Xiao Hei.
At that time, Xu Ke had already grown into a refined and heroic young man.
Master and beast companion reunited, sitting by the clear pond atop the mountain, chatting for a long time.
But in the end, Xu Ke came in a hurry and left just as quickly.
Xiao Hei originally wanted to follow Xu Ke, but at the time, the restrictions set by Emperor Sanmo were still in place. Moreover, Xu Ke had said that great upheavals were occurring in the outside world, and if Xiao Hei left with him, it might be dangerous.
So, Xu Ke told Xiao Hei to wait here until the time was right—he would come back to take him away.
After their farewell, they communicated a few more times.
However, the intervals between their conversations grew longer and longer. Through the tone of Xu Ke’s messages, one could witness his growth.
Until one day...
Xiao Hei suddenly lost all sense of Xu Ke.
As Xu Ke’s companion beast, even though their master-servant bond had faded, a profound connection still existed between them.
No matter how many millions of miles apart they were, even across multiple worlds—
Xiao Hei could always faintly sense Xu Ke’s existence.
But now, for that connection to completely disappear, there was only one possibility.
Xu Ke was dead.
As the Heavenly Fate Black Bird, Xiao Hei was naturally well aware of how extraordinary Xu Ke’s fortune was.
A Purple-Gold fourtune, one in a billion. No matter where he went, he could turn misfortune into blessings, transform crises into opportunities, and effortlessly obtain countless treasures and opportunities.
How could someone like him possibly die so easily?
Of course, destiny is not omnipotent. Possessing great fortune does not mean one is immortal. If an individual encounters a calamity beyond what their fate can withstand, they still face the risk of perishing.
However, aside from his own formidable destiny, Xu Ke also had the Red String Protection of Mr. Bai. Even a single strand from that red string was capable of severely injuring a top-tier powerhouse from the Demon Beast Clan, (Red Nine-Headed). The sheer might of Mr. Bai was simply unimaginable. From his last conversation with Xu Ke, Xiao Hei learned that there were still some remnants of that red string on Xu Ke’s wrist. Xiao Hei firmly believed that, no matter what dangers Xu Ke encountered in the Xuanhuang Realm, the remaining red string should have been enough to help him escape alive.
Therefore, Xu Ke’s inexplicable death was something Xiao Hei simply could not understand or accept. He vowed to uncover the truth behind Xu Ke’s demise.
When the seal placed by Emperor Sanmo weakened, Xiao Hei forcibly broke free from the restrictions of the Beast Realm, disregarding the shackles this world had imposed upon him. He sought to retrace Xu Ke’s life path and investigate the mystery surrounding his death.
The Xuanhuang Realm was vast, filled with innumerable subsidiary worlds. Trying to piece together the truth from mere fragments of past events was an incredibly difficult task. However, as the Heavenly Fate Black Bird, Xiao Hei had once been Xu Ke’s companion, bound by fate’s unseen threads. After spending a thousand years searching, a chance encounter finally led him to an expansive minor world—a place where a massive floating corpse of Red Nine-Headed lay suspended in the sky. At that moment, Xiao Hei knew he had found the right place.
Upon meeting an old acquaintance, the Azure Luan Bird, Xiao Hei finally learned the full story.
After escaping, the Beast Taming Sect found refuge in a minor world known as the Lingxu Realm. There, they experienced a period of relative stability. Though the spiritual energy in Lingxu was weaker than in the Xuanhuang Realm, it was still sufficient to sustain their disciples. However, due to the lingering restriction on practicing multiple cultivation paths, the sect devised a dual strategy for the future.
Due to the continued restriction of 'incompatibility of cultivation techniques,' the Beast-Taming Sect devised two parallel future plans. The first was to gather the most talented disciples within the sect and have the sect leader and elders teach them everything they had learned in their lives, hoping that this group could eventually develop new cultivation techniques for the sect's members to practice. The second was to research a method that would allow disciples to establish a mental connection with beasts even without practicing the 'True Beast-Taming Technique.'"
Although Xu Ke lacked talent in comprehending Dao, he possessed an innate affinity with spirit beasts. Following the sect master’s guidance, he joined the group researching new methods of beast taming. Day after day, he immersed himself in studying the sect’s sacred artifact, the Ten Thousand Reincarnation Beast Wheel, losing himself in the pursuit of knowledge, unaware of time's passage.
One day, however, he received shocking news—his senior brother, Lu Ya, had suffered severe injuries and fallen into a coma. Despite everyone's objections, Xu Ke secretly returned alone to the Xuanhuang Realm.
At that time, a terrifying miasma had begun to spread from mortal bodies, engulfing the entire cultivation world. Upon his return, Xu Ke, too, became infected. Fortunately, his luck held, and he inexplicably recovered after seven days.
At the same time, the dying Lu Ya suddenly regained consciousness, his complexion returning to a healthy glow. However, Xu Ke knew it was nothing more than a final burst of energy before death. Grief overwhelmed him.
Lu Ya, however, remained serene. Dismissing everyone else, he called Xu Ke to his bedside.
That night, no one knew what the two of them talked about.
From that moment on, Xu Ke remained in the ruins of the Beast Taming Sect in the Xuanhuang Realm. When the Great Migration Plan was later initiated, he became the sole representative of the sect, tasked with relocating countless mortals to the Spirit-Devoid Small World.
A hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.
The final group of mortals was sent to the very minor world where Xu Ke had once encountered Red Nine-Headed.
Having completed his mission, Xu Ke never returned to the Beast Taming Sect in the Lingxu Realm. Instead, he deliberately severed all ties, hiding his identity and choosing to live among mortals.
Of course, this did not mean he lived as an ordinary mortal.
Without those around him realizing it, Xu Ke used the six severed heads of Red Nine-Headed, which had fallen into this world, as incubators. He combined them with gentler beast species he had brought from the Beast Taming Sect, breeding and cultivating various mutant spirit beasts.
His two loyal avian companions, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong, never understood his true intentions. Yet, they assisted him, meticulously recording all his research findings.
Over the generations, the number and variety of mutant spirit beasts grew exponentially.
Though these mutant creatures were weaker than their original counterparts, their innate aggression had diminished. At the very least, they no longer attacked humans indiscriminately.
Many years passed, and the world witnessed an explosion of new exotic beast species.
Then, one day, Red Nine-Headed reappeared—without warning.
It seemed to still be haunted by lingering fear, lying atop the firmament and observing for a long time. Only after confirming that there were no threats did it finally relax. Accompanying it was a brown Great Peng. Both creatures looked extremely battered, with multiple scorch marks covering their bodies.
"If I had known earlier, I would have left with Lord Di Yi.. There was no need to suffer this humiliation in the Xuanhuang Realm!"
"Without the great leadership of Lord Di Yi, we demon beasts have indeed declined year after year. Originally, we thought that after the Great Catastrophe descended, humanity would soon be wiped out. But unexpectedly, powerful figures keep emerging one after another! This is simply unjust!"
"That guy from the Purple Heaven Sect is alright, not too outrageous. Speaking of true powerhouses, back in the day, I was right here..."
"Tsk tsk, the scars on my head still ache from time to time!"
The two fearsome demon beasts conversed freely in the sky, treating the many mortals of this world as nothing more than livestock to replenish their blood and vitality.
"Heh heh, big brother, don't take it to heart. Once we devour this realm and restore our strength, we'll go and settle the score with those people!" The Great Peng's eyes were fixed on the shivering mortals below, its saliva nearly dripping.
However, among demon beasts, hierarchy was strict.
"Big brother, please go first!" The Great Peng forcibly suppressed its hunger and flattered its companion.
Red Nine-Headed let out a cold snort, and in an instant, its body expanded once more. Its three remaining heads opened their enormous bloodthirsty mouths, ready to swallow this entire world.
But at that very moment, it caught sight of that familiar streak of red once again.
"How is this possible...?!"
This time, Red Nine-Headed was not as lucky as before.
Threads of silk directly pierced through its body, dragging it down from beyond the world.
Seeing its elder brother being slain in an instant, the Great Peng was so terrified that its soul nearly shattered.
No longer caring about any bonds of kinship, it transformed into a streak of black light and fled in panic.
The mortals, whose eyes could not perceive the full extent of what had transpired, only saw the two ferocious demon beasts about to commit atrocities—only to be slain by an immortal at the last moment.
Rejoicing in their miraculous survival, they erupted into cheers, chanting praises of the immortal’s divine grace and power.
Only Xu Ke, standing among the crowd, silently caressed the now noticeably thinner red string around his wrist, saying nothing.
The corpse of Red Nine-Headed came at the perfect time to resolve Xu Ke's urgent dilemma.
With the increasing variety and number of exotic beasts, the six original heads used as breeding vessels had gradually been depleted.
Red Nine-Headed, despite being a single entity, possessed nine heads, each with a distinct personality.
Perhaps it was precisely this unique biological trait that allowed the exotic beasts cultivated from it to evolve in countless different directions.
If the breeding materials had been replaced with other equivalent demon beasts—such as that brown peng—it might not have produced the same effect.
Thus, the arrival of Red Nine-Headed was incredibly timely.
According to Xu Ke's calculations, once the number of existing exotic beast species reached a certain threshold, even without the flesh and blood of Red Nine-Headed, the sheer vastness of their population would be sufficient to sustain their self-propagation and evolution.
With that in mind, Xu Ke shifted his focus to how to control these exotic beasts.
Since most of the world's exotic beasts had been cultivated from Red Nine-Headed’s flesh and blood, and given his past research on the Ten Thousand Beasts Reincarnation Wheel, Xu Ke, after several generations of mortal lifetimes, finally devised the Unified Heart Technique—an advanced method of communication and control based on insights from the ancient text True Beast-Taming Technique.
After Xu Ke imparted this technique to the mortal tribes of this world, humans quickly established complete dominion over the land by commanding the countless exotic beasts within it. In doing so, they founded a vast human empire.
Xu Ke was revered by the mortals as the "Holy Emperor", while Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong, his two lifelong companions, were honored as the "Holy Masters".
However, despite being exalted as an emperor, Xu Ke showed little interest in the mundane affairs of mortals.
He delegated authority, allowing humanity to govern itself. As for himself, he became increasingly reclusive, engaged in mysterious endeavors that even Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong knew nothing about.
Then, one day, Xu Ke unexpectedly brought a young boy before them.
He claimed that this was his descendant, created through his research on the gift left by the ancient being Di Yi. He had developed a technique known as the "Holy Blood Embryo Transformation", allowing him to generate offspring from his refined blood essence.
The Holy Blood Embryo Transformation was a technique that converted a portion of one’s own blood essence into an embryo capable of inheriting the majority of the creator’s memories.
This embryo required no maternal womb—only sufficient nourishment—and could mature into a human child in just seven days.
Moreover, both physical strength and intelligence would develop to an exceptionally high level.
Staring at the unfamiliar yet eerily familiar child, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong felt a sense of unease creeping into their hearts.
Their premonition was correct.
Xu Ke instructed them not to interfere with human affairs unless the empire faced an existential crisis.
As for the Holy Embryo, bearing his bloodline, it would only serve as a puppet emperor.
After leaving these final instructions, Xu Ke abruptly departed.
He disclosed nothing about his destination and vanished without a trace.
Until Today, Many years later, Xiao Hei appeared at their doorstep.
By then, Xu Ke's aura had completely vanished—a fact Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong had already sensed.
Faced with Xiao Hei's furious accusations, the two could only remain silent, bearing the weight of her anger.
But after venting, Xiao Hei calmed down.
He knew Xu Ke well—his carefree yet stubborn nature.
Once he made a decision, not even Xiao Qing or Xiao Hong could change it.
When he saw his descendants—the Holy Embryo, now self-propagating through more than a dozen generations—Xiao Hei felt a deep sense of disappointment.
Though traces of Xu Ke’s presence still lingered in them, even their aura faintly resembled his...
But...
It was not Xu Ke.
Without a word, Xiao Hei turned and left the empire, never to return.
For years, Xiao Hei wandered through countless minor worlds, tirelessly searching for the true cause of Xu Ke’s disappearance.
But in the end, he found nothing.
His years of roaming beyond the Primordial World had drained his lifespan at an alarming rate.
As his final moments approached, Xiao Hei returned to the last place where he had seen Xu Ke.
There, lost in memories, he silently awaited death.
...
Xiao Hei’s body completely turned to dust, scattering into the heavens and earth.
Meanwhile, the image of Xiao Hei on the Black Bird Feather within Li Fan’s body grew increasingly vivid.
"Xiao Hei once merged with the world of the Beast Realm. Although he perished when his lifespan ended, by gathering the remnants of his drifting fate and using this feather from his own body..."
"Perhaps a form of rebirth could be achieved."
"However, even if it succeeds, this Xiao Hei will no longer be the same as before."
Li Fan shook his head slightly.
Leaving the wooden house, he arrived at the clear pool atop the mountain peak.
Raising his right hand, in the next moment, a brown jade bottle containing several grams of vital blood flew out from beneath the water, landing in Li Fan's palm.
The bottle was sealed with several layers of restrictions set by Xiao Hei, preserving the blood’s vitality even after thousands of years.
“There’s no rush. I should first uncover the mysteries of Han Yi’s statue.”
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan put away the jade bottle.
With a single step, he returned to the black three-legged pagoda.
Through his perception, he noticed the disciples of the Medicine King Sect busy in various corners of the Beast Realm.
Judging by their movements, they seemed to be engraving a formation onto the land.
“Elder Liu, what are you all working on?”
After carefully observing for a while but failing to recognize the formation, Li Fan asked curiously.
"Heh, this was my idea!" Before Liu San could respond, Fang Zaiji hurriedly spoke up to claim credit.
"This world, while vast enough for our disciples to relax and train, has spiritual energy that is far too thin, making long-term cultivation difficult. On the other hand, the Longevity Valley is rich in spiritual energy. So, we are planning to transfer some of the spiritual energy from Longevity Valley to this place—of course, only on the condition that it does not affect the valley’s medicinal herbs."
Liu San then added, “For safety, I have already ordered the disciples to investigate whether any other passageways exist. If any are found, Old Fang and I will seal them off together.”
"This way, the only entrance from the outside world will be through Longevity Valley. And if Longevity Valley ever comes under attack and we are unable to resist, we can simply reopen the passage and retreat with ease."
"With this, the safety of our Medicine King Sect will be fully assured!"
Liu San explained proudly.
"Thank you both for your efforts."
Hearing this, Li Fan revealed a satisfied expression and nodded approvingly.
After entrusting Liu San and Fang Zaiji with the task of managing the connection between Longevity Valley and the Beast Realm, Li Fan took the Black Bird Feather infused with the fate of a small world.
He once again approached Han Yi’s stone statue.
As he felt an immense suction force coming from the statue, Li Fan focused his mind. Streams of fortune surged from the Black Bird Feather, counteracting the suction force.
At the same time, he pushed his speed to the limit and flew rapidly toward Han Yi.
With every inch he advanced, the suction force drawing in his fate grew stronger.
The world’s heavenly fate stored within the Black Bird Feather gushed out uncontrollably, like a flood bursting through a dam, making Li Fan’s expression change slightly.
The terrifying Fortune-draining ability of Han Yi’s stone statue exceeded his expectations.
If it were an ordinary cultivator, they would likely be drained of all their fortune in an instant, bringing calamity upon themselves and dying on the spot!
Even someone as blessed with fortune as Xu Ke would struggle to last long here.
However...
An individual’s fortune alone was indeed incapable of sustaining itself within this fortune-absorbing domain. But the fate of an entire world—now, that was a different story.
After all, the stone statue had a limit to how quickly it could absorb fortune. Even as Li Fan rapidly approached its side, the amount of fortune being drained each moment was nothing compared to the immense reserves stored within the Black Bird Feather—merely a drop in the ocean.
By Li Fan’s estimation, even if he remained stationary and allowed the statue to absorb his fortune freely, it would still take at least half a day to fully deplete it!
"This is what is meant by 'Divine Powers Cannot Overcome Heavenly Fate!"
Once again drawing upon the world’s heavenly fate stored within the Black Bird Feather, Li Fan enveloped himself in a protective barrier, ensuring his absolute safety before quietly observing the Han Yi stone statue before him.
Its face was frozen in terror, eyes filled with despair—so lifelike, as if time itself had stopped at the very moment it suffered a fatal blow.
"Han Yi must have encountered the Fisherman before ending up like this. Was it the Fisherman’s doing, or the effect of the Heavenly Fortune Sutra?"
Li Fan did not act recklessly but instead carefully analyzed the situation.
"Neither alive nor dead... something is strange about this."
Previously, through the Cloud-Water Dream Art, Li Fan had gained a general understanding of the Heavenly Fortune Sutra. However, none of its recorded techniques described such an eerie transformation.
If anything came close, it would be a divine ability known as [Severing Fortune, Return to the Pivot].
This technique allowed one to sever their own fortune in moments of life-threatening danger—completely cutting off all ties to the world and entering an realm of the Pivot, where there is no space and no self.
In this state, one’s body and mind would completely stagnate, as if they had escaped into the void itself, making them undetectable by others.
The state of returning to the Pivot may last anywhere from several months to several years, only gradually restoring itself once all external threats had passed.
It was a technique with severe side effects but also unparalleled survival potential.
"Perhaps the Fisherman’s attack interacted with [Severing Fortune, Return to the Pivot], leading to the creation of this stone statue."
After a long period of contemplation, Li Fan came to a realization.
"Although Han Yi activated this life-preserving divine ability, the power gap between him and the Fisherman was simply too vast. He didn’t even have time to fully enter the Returning To Pivot state before he was struck by the Fisherman’s technique."
"Hmm..."
"The Fisherman likely had no intention of killing Han Yi. He was merely searching for clues regarding the Heavenly Calamity Sword within Han Yi’s mind. But even so, Han Yi couldn’t endure it. The sheer force of the attack engulfed him, turning him into this stone-like state."
"Severing fortune means returning one’s fortune to the heavens—essentially forsaking it. But now, this state has transformed into one that absorbs fortune from the outside world instead."
"Is this due to the Fisherman’s attack?"
Li Fan’s thoughts raced, his expression turning serious.
After a while, he emerged from his deep contemplation and gazed at Han Yi’s frozen figure, his eyes cold.
"If this were a normal Return to Pivot state, you would eventually wake up one day. But with the Fisherman’s interference... in your current condition, you will never return to normal again."
"A fate worse than death. Let me put you out of your misery."
As he spoke, Li Fan pointed a finger in midair and cast the Purple Heaven Soul-Viewing Technique on Han Yi.
At this moment, Han Yi's thoughts were in absolute stasis. Because of this, Li Fan faced no resistance as he roamed freely through Han Yi’s mind. Every secret, even the darkest corners of Han Yi’s heart, were laid bare before Li Fan.
It could be said that at this moment, Li Fan understood Han Yi better than Han Yi himself.
After extracting every single thought from Han Yi’s mind, Li Fan flicked his finger, releasing a streak of pitch-black sword light.
The dark sword light swiftly pierced through the statue’s chest.
In an instant, the statue disintegrated into countless tiny particles, scattering into the heavens and earth.
At the same time, the Fortune-draining Domain that had enveloped the statue vanished without a trace.
Rather than any ominous signs appearing in the sky due to a cultivator’s fall, an invisible storm instead surged in place. The fortune energy that Han Yi had absorbed over time also returned to the heaven and earth following Han Yi’s demise.
Li Fan would not let such a rare opportunity slip by. He immediately activated the Black Bird Feather, seizing the moment before this unclaimed fortune completely dispersed and devoured it all. Then, before anyone could notice the anomaly in this place, he quietly disappeared.
Returning to Longevity Valley, he did not disturb Liu San and the others, who were still busy.
Li Fan entered the Sect Master's secluded cultivation chamber, where he placed the brown jade bottle containing Xu Ke’s essence blood and the materials needed to refine a clone in front of him.
Just as he was about to start the process, an inexplicable sense of unease arose in his heart.
"I am currently at the early Nascent Soul stage. The clone I refine will be limited to the Peak Golden Core stage. I intend to use the clone to cultivate Han Yi’s Heavenly Fortune Sutra. But if I create the clone first and then have it cultivate and break through on its own..."
"The bottleneck imposed by the Calamity of Heaven may be even more rigid than my own, causing unnecessary delays. It would be better for my main body to cultivate first and break through to the Mid Nascent Soul stage. That way, I can achieve twice the result with half the effort."
After contemplating this, Li Fan temporarily put away the materials and ascended into the sky of the Beast Realm.
"I achieved my Nascent Soul through the Five Elements Cave-Heaven. To break through quickly, I must deeply comprehend the Laws of the Five Elements."
"In the Xuanhuang Realm, I would have to spend great effort searching for suitable opportunities. But in this Beast Realm..."
"The laws of the heaven and earth operate, the Five Elements circulate—all within my grasp!"
"Although this small world is of a lower tier, and I must avoid excessive entanglement with it due to what happened to Xiao Hei... It is still more than sufficient to aid my rapid breakthrough to Mid Nascent Soul."
Closing his eyes, Li Fan focused, and in an instant, a massive inverted hourglass seemed to appear in the sky. The Five Elements Power sustaining the Beast Realm was slowly drawn into it. As the Five Elements clashed, deafening explosions echoed through the air. The sky itself transformed into a brilliant tapestry of five-colored radiance, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
Liu San and Fang Zaiji looked up, gazing at Li Fan, who stood motionless above the clouds, and nodded slightly.
"Young Master's aura when cultivating is truly extraordinary. He has quite a bit of the old master’s demeanor!" Liu San said with some relief.
"Heh, I think even Liu Ruchen can’t compare to him!" Fang Zaiji retorted without giving Liu San any face.
Liu San’s expression stiffened, but surprisingly, he did not argue back this time.
"For the new to surpass the old—that is a good thing. Otherwise, wouldn’t our Medicine King Sect be doomed to repeat the past?"
"It is a good thing!" Liu San repeated.
Ordering the disciples not to disturb Li Fan’s cultivation, the two of them then joined forces to set up protective barriers around him, finally putting their minds at ease.
Time flowed on as Li Fan immersed himself in cultivation.
In the blink of an eye, two years passed.
Everything fell into place naturally, without the slightest obstruction.
When Li Fan awakened from his secluded cultivation, he had successfully broken through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
“It has already been anchored for seventeen years...”
“After all, I only had the assistance of the Enlightenment Pill. Without the spirit-awakening effects of the Tianxuan Mirror, my progress was significantly slower.”
He checked his internal state. The scale of the Five Elements Cave-Heaven within his body had expanded more than threefold compared to the early Nascent Soul stage. Each Cave-Heaven was now brimming with vitality, no longer as eerily still as before. However, the emergence of true creation was still a little way off. The circulation of the Five Elements’ power had accelerated noticeably, as if something was brewing within his Cave-Heaven world.
At this point, Li Fan had achieved complete control over his own Five Elements Cave-Heaven and the Beast Realm. He was akin to the very Dao governing these worlds.
Yet, upon closer comparison, he noticed many differences between the two.
The Five Elements Cave-Heaven had been seized from the Xuanhuang Realm. Although he had integrated it into himself using new techniques, it was akin to how a mortal, despite owning their own body, could not exert absolute control over every function. The operation and evolution of the Cave-Heaven mostly occurred autonomously, following a set of inherent laws. While he could perceive every change occurring within it, his current level of comprehension was insufficient to fully understand, let alone manipulate or create at will.
The Beast Realm, however, was different. Wind and rain, thunder and lightning, ice and fire—every manifestation of the world's laws could be dictated at a single thought. If he wished, he could freeze the Beast Realm in a fixed state, preventing any future changes. At the same time, he could also reshape it as he pleased. Raising mountains or leveling rivers with a single thought was merely a trivial matter.
“Under normal circumstances, even if one seizes all the heavenly fortune of a small world, they wouldn’t be able to wield such absolute control in the beginning. It would take years of comprehension and resonance with the world’s origin. But this process has already been completed for me—Xiao Hei has paved the way. I am merely inheriting its legacy, reaping immense benefits.”
Li Fan gazed at the familiar image within the Black Bird Feather in his body, suddenly realizing everything.
Shifting his focus back to the Beast Realm, he saw that two years had passed, and the world had undergone drastic transformations. The concentration of spiritual energy had surged, now only slightly weaker than the Xuanhuang Realm. The once barren land had become lush and full of life.
Various spirit herbs and medicinal plants were now categorized and cultivated systematically. Surprisingly, those tending the spiritual fields were none other than the beast species. However, their necks bore no sign of the so-called "Beast-Controlling Rings" that Fang Zaiji had previously mentioned.
Li Fan scanned the entire world with his divine sense and found that only the most powerful exotic beasts bore any signs of control.
“As long as the rulers are subjugated, the rest will follow. Dealing with these beast species indeed requires little effort.”
At this time, Liu San and Fang Zaiji were nowhere to be found within the Beast Realm. Passing through the spatial passageway to Longevity Valley, Li Fan discovered that the two were gathered, seemingly deep in discussion.
Sensing Li Fan’s presence, both of their faces lit up with a trace of joy.
“Sect Master, you have emerged from seclusion!”
“What has happened? You both seem somewhat tense,” Li Fan asked as he stepped forward.
“Congratulations, Young Master, on advancing your cultivation once again!” Liu San sized him up with a smile.
Fang Zaiji, however, directly explained the reason for their solemn expressions.
About half a year ago, a group of cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had arrived at the White Mist aboard the Samantabhadra True Boat. Initially, Liu San feared that their target was Longevity Valley and went on high alert, even mobilizing all the cultivators of the Medicine King Sect, preparing for the worst.
However, it soon became apparent that it was a false alarm. The cultivators did not stop at the entrance of Longevity Valley; their actual destination seemed to be even deeper within the White Mist.
Relieved, Liu San assumed that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivators were merely passing through by coincidence.
However, what happened next made Liu San realize that he had been gravely mistaken.
Over the past six months, every once in a while, dozens of Samantabhadra True Boats filled with cultivators would sail deep into the White Mist. They seemed to be carrying out some kind of mission, exuding a faint yet chilling aura of determination. Occasionally, some cultivators would retreat from the depths of the White Mist, looking dejected and gloomy.
These cultivators were generally not of very high cultivation levels, but to be safe, Liu San refrained from probing too deeply—he merely observed from a distance.
Although the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivators did not seem to be targeting the Medicine King Sect, their frequent passage through the area was concerning. No one could guarantee that, by coincidence, they wouldn’t discover the location of Longevity Valley. And if they did, who could say whether a conflict with the Medicine King Sect would break out?
Because of this, Liu San and Fang Zaiji remained on high alert during this time.
“This... is this a covert operation by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, or is it an open and large-scale action? Do ordinary alliance cultivators even know about this?” After listening to their report, Li Fan's eyes flickered as he immediately asked.
“Ordinary cultivators are unaware of it—at least, from what we’ve gathered so far,” Fang Zaiji replied.
Li Fan pondered for a moment before saying, “Something about this is strange. We should stay put and observe for now. I’ll go out and investigate the truth before making a decision.”
Having full confidence in Li Fan’s abilities, the two immediately agreed.
Afterward, Liu San took out twelve jade bottles and handed them over. “These are the pills I refined during this period. Nine bottles contain a total of eighty-one Longevity Pills, two bottles hold twenty Supreme Emotionless Pills, and there is also one...”
Liu San paused for a moment, his expression turning slightly strange. “It is a Heart-Desire Ascension Pill.”
“Elder Liu, you've worked hard.” Li Fan put away the other pills and took the jade bottle containing the Heart-Desire Ascension Pill, intending to open it and inspect its contents.
But suddenly, Liu San stopped him.
“Is there something wrong with this pill?” Li Fan frowned.
Liu San let out a bitter smile. “This pill is not poisonous, but its actual harm is no less than that of the deadliest poisons in the world.”
“The Heart-Desire Ascension Pill is an extremely rare byproduct that can appear during the refinement of the Supreme Emotionless Pill. Any cultivator who consumes it will experience an overwhelming illusion of comprehending the Great Dao and achieving immediate ascension to immortality.”
At this point, Fang Zaiji added, “Furthermore, the more one consumes, the stronger this illusion becomes. In the end, those who become addicted to it will do anything just to relive the ‘taste of ascension’ once more.”
Li Fan instinctively tightened his grip on the jade bottle in his hand.
He now understood exactly what this so-called Heart-Desire Ascension Pill was.
“In the past, this pill caused massive turmoil, so it was completely forbidden under the jurisdiction of the Ten Great Immortal Sects . However, based on what our disciples have found, the current Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance does not seem to have banned this pill.”
“I thought this item might be of use to the Young Master, so I did not destroy it,” Liu San explained.
"The addictive nature of this Heart-Desire Ascension Pill—how severe is it?" Li Fan weighed the jade bottle in his hand with interest and asked.
"The closer one is to the legendary True Immortal Realm, the greater the craving for it after consumption," Liu San said with an extremely solemn expression.
"Perhaps someone with an extraordinarily strong will could resist the temptation to take another one, but..." Liu San shook his head.
"At least, in our era, such individuals were exceedingly rare."
Li Fan's eyes flickered slightly as he stored the jade bottle away.
"If Elder Liu refines more of this pill in the future, you should keep them all. They may be useful at a critical moment," Li Fan instructed.
Liu San nodded in agreement.
"By the way, I also need to trouble Mr. Fang to refine a few protective artifacts for me." At this moment, Li Fan turned to Fang Zaiji and spoke.
"Oh? What kind does the Sect Master want?" The mention of his expertise immediately piqued Fang Zaiji's interest.
"At the very least, they should be able to withstand attacks from ordinary Soul Transformation cultivators. Can you manage that, Mr. Fang?" Knowing Fang Zaiji’s temperament well after spending time together, Li Fan deliberately set a lower requirement and smiled.
As expected, Fang Zaiji, who was quite prideful about his craftsmanship, was provoked:
"Young Master, you underestimate me! Forget Soul Transformation cultivators—even refining artifacts that can withstand Dao Integration cultivators is not difficult! However..."
"It would just require more materials," Fang Zaiji murmured.
Seeing that this concerned the Young Master’s safety, Liu San spoke up:
"No problem. The Medicine King Cauldron still holds some materials, enough for you to craft them."
Fang Zaiji was momentarily stunned. "The Medicine King Cauldron? Impossible! I've studied it for so long—how could I have missed that?"
Liu San sneered. "Looks like your skills still have a long way to go."
Without further explanation, he flew into the Medicine King Cauldron. Moments later, he returned and casually tossed a storage ring to Fang Zaiji.
Fang Zaiji took the ring, glanced inside, and immediately cried out in excitement:
"Xuanwei Ancient Bamboo, Black Demon Gold, Purple Essence Sand...!"
"So many rare treasures?"
Liu San smirked dismissively. "Our Medicine King Sect was once one of the wealthiest sects. If we truly decided to withdraw, do you think we wouldn't have prepared adequately?"
A sudden thought made Liu San’s expression dim slightly.
"Don't worry about that—just focus on crafting the protective artifacts for the Young Master. If the materials aren't enough, you can ask me for more."
This time, Fang Zaiji did not argue. Instead, he gazed delightedly at the various rare materials in the ring and began contemplating what kind of artifacts to forge.
"Mr. Fang, could you craft a white robe and a folding fan for me?" At that moment, Li Fan suddenly suggested.
"A white robe... and a folding fan?" Fang Zaiji was stunned.
But seeing Li Fan's unquestionable gaze, he had no choice but to mutter in agreement.
After temporarily leaving the two, Li Fan entered a secluded chamber.
He once again took out Xu Ke’s blood essence and various materials. Following Xiao Hei’s memories of an adult Xu Ke’s appearance, he even enhanced the facial features, concentrating fully on refining a new clone.
This clone was crucial for obtaining the subsequent techniques of the Mountain-Sitting Art, so Li Fan was more meticulous than ever.
Seven days and nights passed.
A perfectly refined male body appeared before Li Fan.
His features were exceptionally handsome, his skin smooth and fair like porcelain. Stars seemed to glimmer in his eyes, and his faint smile carried an ethereal charm—like a banished immortal from the heavens!
Even Li Fan couldn't help but be momentarily captivated by the clone’s unparalleled beauty.
It was only then that he realized—while striving to perfect the clone’s appearance, he had unconsciously modeled it after the most handsome man he had ever seen—Mr. Bai.
This also resulted in the clone bearing a striking resemblance to Mr. Bai. Of course, it was only a resemblance. The general mold was still based on Xu Ke's appearance.
"There shouldn't be any issues, right?"
The clone's appearance was so flawless that even with some minor unexpected deviations, Li Fan had no intention of refining a new one.
"Besides, all of Xu Ke’s essence blood has already been used up. If I were to refine another one, it wouldn't be nearly as effective as this one."
Li Fan stared at the clone before him. After a moment of contemplation, he finally slashed his finger through the air, activating the clone.
The sensation of experiencing two perspectives simultaneously surged once again.
"Although it is at the Nascent Soul stage, it's merely an empty shell..."
"But that’s fine."
The clone dressed itself, sat cross-legged on the ground, and immediately began cultivating the Heavenly Fortune Sutra.
Meanwhile, the original body retrieved the Feather of the Black Bird and handed it to the clone.
Using a Foundation Establishment technique at the Nascent Soul stage was already an overwhelming advantage. Coupled with the terrifying heaven and earth fortune stored within the Black Bird Feather, the clone instantly absorbed it and completed the Foundation Establishment process.
However, the Foundation Establishment stage was far from sufficient to fulfill the clone’s mission requirements—it had to continue advancing.
Li Fan crushed several top-grade spirit stones, unleashing an incredibly pure aura that instantly formed a swirling vortex within the chamber, madly rushing into the clone’s body.
The clone absorbed and refined all the energy like a great whale drinking water.
In less than half a day, a Golden Core formed in the clone’s dantian.
The surface of the Golden Core occasionally flashed with a faint purple hue, radiating an extraordinary air of nobility.
"Though it is a single-method Golden Core, this Heavenly Fortune Technique is practically tailor-made for the clone. Furthermore, Xu Ke’s essence blood has a unique connection with the Black Bird Feather..."
"Its power might not be inferior to an ordinary Four-Method Golden Core." Li Fan nodded in satisfaction.
After the Golden Core stage came the Nascent Soul stage.
Under normal circumstances, to maintain a perfect disguise, one would have to find a Cave-Heaven for the clone to absorb.
However, thanks to the existence of the Beast Realm, this trouble was easily bypassed.
With a single thought, the original body carried the clone into the Beast Realm.
Compared to Li Fan himself, the clone was far more adept at perceiving and manipulating the world's fortune within the Beast Realm.
"Indeed, people should not be judged by the same standard."
Realizing the disparity between them, Li Fan couldn’t help but sigh slightly.
The clone closed its eyes and levitated mid-air.
Spiritual energy from all directions in the realm began converging upon him.
Even more astonishingly, mountains and rivers within the Beast Realm rose into the sky, rushing toward Li Fan’s feet.
The land compressed itself, forming a miniature Cave-Heaven at a speed tens of millions of times faster than natural evolution.
This grand spectacle naturally startled the disciples of the Medicine King Sect.
However, upon seeing their Sect Master, Li Fan, present, none dared to act recklessly.
Instead, all their gazes fixated on the breathtakingly handsome man beside Li Fan, unable to look away.
Privately, they speculated about his true identity.
Extracting nearly one-thirtieth of the Beastkind Realm’s world essence, a [Beast Realm Cave-Heaven] was formed.
Under the watchful eyes of many, the clone swallowed the Cave-Heaven into its body.
With the successful formation of his Nascent Soul, the clone now exuded an even more ethereal and transcendent aura, as if detached from the mortal world.
Not to mention the ordinary disciples of the Medicine King Sect, who were staring in awe—even Liu San and Fang Zaiji, who had hurried over after sensing the disturbance, were momentarily stunned.
“With Xu Ke’s blood essence and appearance, combined with Mr. Bai’s demeanor...”
“How about calling him Xu Bai from now on?”
Li Fan looked at his clone with satisfaction and nodded approvingly.
Xu Bai cupped his hands toward Li Fan and offered a faint smile.
The gathered disciples below gasped audibly in astonishment.
“Young Master, this is...” Liu San stepped forward, looking at Xu Bai with a trace of doubt in his eyes.
During this period, he had been guarding the entrance to the Longevity Valley to prevent any cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance hidden in the white mist from infiltrating. Yet, he had no idea when this person had entered—it was as if he had materialized out of thin air. A suspicion formed in Liu San’s mind, but he still found it hard to believe. So, he sought confirmation from Li Fan.
“This isn’t the right place to talk. Follow me.”
Noting Fang Zaiji’s similar look of confusion, Li Fan led both of them—along with Xu Bai—into a secluded meditation chamber.
“This is a clone that I refined.” Xu Bai spoke directly.
“As expected.” Liu San suddenly understood but still had lingering doubts.
“The technique of refining clones is indeed rare, but with Young Master’s abilities, obtaining such a method wouldn’t be difficult. However, why did you refine a clone that is so...”
“So high-profile?” Liu San glanced at Xu Bai again, still unable to understand.
Li Fan simply smiled and did not answer. Instead, he changed the subject:
“By the way, how is the artifact refinement coming along, Mr. Fang?”
Fang Zaiji immediately caught on.
“The white robe and folding fan—are they for this clone?” He chuckled. “I was wondering! That style doesn’t suit you at all, Sect Master!”
“Refining an artifact at the Dao Integration level is no easy feat. It’ll take at least another six months. Besides...”
Fang Zaiji took a closer look at Xu Bai and suddenly frowned.
“The original design I planned won’t be a good match for this clone. No, no, I need to start over!”
The more he looked, the more he felt that the previously envisioned white robe and folding fan would not do justice to Xu Bai’s presence.
Just as he was about to rush off to draft a new refinement plan, Li Fan stopped him in time.
“Three years have passed since the Crimson Flame Burning Sea incident. It’s time for the disciples to re-enter the mortal world. Besides, my plans require their cooperation.” Li Fan said calmly.
Liu San and Fang Zaiji had no objections to this decision.
“However, returning to the mortal world also means increased risks. If any disciples are unfortunate enough to encounter danger and have their souls forcibly searched, the secrets of Longevity Valley and the Beast Realm may be exposed...”
“What should we do then?”
Li Fan looked at the two Dao Integration cultivators and asked for their opinions.
“I only specialize in artifact refinement. You’ll have to ask Old Liu about this one.”
Fang Zaiji shrugged, indicating that this was beyond his expertise.
Liu San did not decline and, after pondering for a long time, gave his answer:
"A single person's mind can be broken, but the minds of millions are difficult to breach. Currently, inside the Medicine King True Cauldron, the [Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation] is still operating. As long as our disciples connect a strand of their divine sense to it before leaving, the formation will activate a counterattack if they are forcibly subjected to a soul search. Unless the enemy's soul is stronger than the combined souls of all the Medicine King Sect cultivators, even in their slumber, they will not be able to extract any information from our disciples' minds."
"The Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation essentially links the thoughts of all participating cultivators into a grand dreamscape. This not only allows them to unite and resist external divine sense attacks but also enables them to use the power of dreams to seal specific memories. Just as mortals do not realize they are dreaming, disciples will be unaware of the sealed information. Moreover, even if they are scattered across different regions of the Xuanhuang Realm, they can instantly communicate through the formation without being noticed by outsiders..."
Liu San carefully explained another wondrous function of the Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation to Li Fan.
Hearing this, Li Fan was very satisfied:
"Then I will have to trouble Elder Liu with this matter. Once the disciples go out, they may act freely, only needing to casually inquire about the [Heavenly Spirit Flower] when the opportunity arises. The Heavenly Spirit Flower is a unique treasure of the Tianling Prefecture within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance—blessed by the essence of the heavens, it is breathtakingly beautiful. However, after the great battle in Tianling Prefecture several years ago, it underwent a strange transformation..."
Liu San did not question Li Fan's reasoning for this order but firmly committed it to memory.
After issuing the necessary instructions, Liu San immediately began organizing the disciples' connection to the formation.
Meanwhile, Li Fan departed ahead of time, leaving Longevity Valley.
Longevity Valley was located within the White Mist Barrier, at the border between Luoyan Prefecture and Lueying Prefecture.
Avoiding patrolling cultivators, Li Fan silently left the mist and arrived in the city of Tiancheng within Luoyan Prefecture.
Although located in the heart of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, Luoyan Prefecture was not much more prosperous than Congyun Sea. In fact, it had even fewer cultivators. Most of Luoyan Prefecture was barren and lacked resources, but more importantly, it was plagued by strange occurrences.
For example, Li Fan was quite familiar with the [Heart Monkey], which had once broken out in a massive outbreak in this region. Although the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance did not keep detailed records of this event, in previous lifetimes, Li Fan noticed that when purchasing Heart Monkey bones in large quantities, most of them originated from Luoyan Prefecture. This led him to suspect the connection.
At this moment, Luoyan City was rather desolate.
Upon arriving at the Tianxuan Mirror, the first thing Li Fan did was search for information on addictive pills.
Although Liu San had mentioned that the disciples had already inquired and it seemed that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance did not prohibit such substances, Li Fan knew that many secrets were hidden behind the merit ranking system. Not all knowledge was accessible to ordinary cultivators.
There were plenty of cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance who had unknowingly broken taboos and died without ever understanding why.
Since this matter was crucial to his future plans, Li Fan had to confirm the alliance's stance.
His current identity was still that of a "clean slate" with a merit rank of one, but this did not prevent him from gathering information.
Taking out a jade bottle containing "Heart-Desire Ascension Pill", Li Fan prepared to list it for sale in the market.
Suddenly—
"Warning! The pill you are attempting to sell is a prohibited item. Your trading privileges have been temporarily frozen. Please dispose of the contraband immediately."
"Warning..."
A sharp, mechanical voice from the Tianxuan Mirror suddenly sounded, repeating itself incessantly.
Li Fan feigned an expression of extreme shock and innocence:
"What? A contraband item? What do you mean by that?"
"Isn't it just an ordinary pill...?"
The Tianxuan Mirror's cold voice repeated:
"Heart-Desire Ascension Pill—Ranked 3,674 on the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's list of prohibited circulation items."
"Hazard Level: Grade B-Plus."
"Please dispose of it immediately."
Upon hearing the prompt from the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan's eyes narrowed instantly.
"Heart-Desire Ascension Pill... and its danger level is only ranked a little over three thousand? What kind of things have the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance been tinkering with all these years?"
Though a certain plan had just fallen apart, Li Fan wasn't particularly surprised.
After all, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance prioritized stability above all else.
Any item capable of disrupting the balance of power would inevitably be subjected to strict control.
Just imagine: if a Dao Integration cultivator addicted to the Heart-Desire Ascension Pill were to suffer withdrawal, how much destruction would they unleash?
The fact that it was banned wasn’t surprising—it would have been odd if it weren’t.
"Just my luck! Turns out this damn thing is contraband!"
Inside the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan feigned an expression of frustration.
"But, after all the effort I put into obtaining it, instead of destroying it..."
He pretended to flash a ruthless look in his eyes.
"I might as well take it myself!"
With that, he made a show of swallowing the pill right in front of the Tianxuan Mirror.
"Warning: Consumption of the Heart-Desire Ascension Pill will result in imprisonment for a duration proportional to the cultivator’s potential danger level, along with forced withdrawal treatment. This will cause irreversible damage to both body and mind."
"Warning..."
Li Fan’s body stiffened slightly, stopping just before he could actually consume the pill.
Cursing under his breath, he crushed the Heart-Desire Ascension Pill into powder with a single squeeze.
"Satisfied now?!"
"No! I can't let this go! That bastard dared to deceive me—I have to settle this score!"
As if growing angrier by the second, Li Fan stormed out of the Tianxuan Mirror, left Luoyan City, and flew deep into the wilderness.
Only when he reached a desolate, uninhabited place and ensured that no one had followed him did he finally stop.
Turning into a streak of light, he descended underground and skillfully excavated a secret chamber.
From within his palm, he carefully retrieved and recondensed a small amount of the Heart-Desire Ascension Pill's powder, which he had deliberately preserved.
Moments later, a miniature version of the Heart-Desire Ascension Pill, shrunken by dozens of times, appeared in his hand.
Splitting it in two, Li Fan gazed at one half before consuming it.
He wasn’t taking it due to addiction but to verify a certain suspicion he had.
The micro-dose melted the moment it touched his tongue, transforming into a warm current that surged through his entire body.
A slight dizziness washed over his mind.
For a fleeting moment, Li Fan felt as if he was once again witnessing the interwoven celestial network—the vast and intricate net of Heaven and Earth’s truths that he had previously glimpsed while comprehending the Human Dao Stardust.
However, this time, it was a hundred times clearer than before!
It felt within reach, as if he could grasp it at any moment.
The fundamental truths of Heaven and Earth were laid bare before his eyes!
His eyes widened involuntarily, eager to see more.
But just then, the pill’s effects wore off.
Like an illusion dissolving into mist, the profound scene before him shattered and vanished.
An indescribable emptiness surged into his heart.
"Damn it! I was so close!"
"The truths of Heaven and Earth... they were right there within my grasp..."
"Quick, I need to have Liu San refine more of it!"
Thoughts like these, fierce and overwhelming, stormed through Li Fan's mind like a raging hurricane.
He shot to his feet—
But he did not leave the chamber.
Instead, his expression twisted with determination.
"I seek immortality—why should I rely on mere pills?"
"To ordinary people, missing a chance at immortality might mean eternal regret. But for me..."
"A single fleeting opportunity is meaningless. My chances are infinite—limitless, inexhaustible! If I miss it in this life, then I’ll seize it in the next. If I miss it again in the next, then I will try once more in the life after that!"
Li Fan, driven by his own will, began to resist the effects of the Heart-Desire Ascension Pill.
His face contorted, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
Exerting all his strength, he fought against the wild, unrestrained desires surging within him.
Thus, half a day passed.
After all, it was merely some powdered residue rather than a complete Heart-Desire Ascension Pill. Yet, Li Fan managed to endure the addiction.
All sorts of distracting thoughts receded like a tide, and when he recalled the pill, he no longer felt the slightest craving.
"This thing is truly terrifying. If it had been a complete Ascension Pill, relying solely on my current willpower, I fear I still wouldn't have been able to resist its temptation."
"However, if I use the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra to assist me, it will be a different story."
Li Fan let out a deep breath, steadied his mind, and then swallowed the remaining half of the Ascension Pill.
The moment the desire surged again, he activated the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra.
Just as before, Li Fan once again saw the immense net woven from the principles of heaven and earth.
But under the influence of the Immortal Heart Mantra, his mind was as calm as still water, completely devoid of impulsive urges.
And so, he waited in silence for the effects to subside.
When the hallucinations before his eyes abruptly vanished and the emptiness and longing resurfaced in his heart, the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra began to operate slowly. Before these desires could affect his mind, they were instantly absorbed, transformed into nourishment for the mantra itself.
"Claiming to be an immortal before true immortals—what an utter joke." Li Fan felt not even the slightest ripple in his heart.
"No matter what, at least one thing is confirmed. Taking this Heart-Desire Ascension Pill can indeed assist in cultivating the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, and I don’t even have to worry about side effects."
Once the desires faded, Li Fan ceased operating the Immortal Heart Mantra.
At present, he was still unable to keep the mantra running instinctively, like breathing. Perhaps only when he fully completed the mantra would he achieve such an effect.
As he left the underground chamber and set off toward Tianling Prefecture, a sudden thought surfaced in his mind.
"The heaven and earth principles seen under the effects of the Heart-Desire Ascension Pill are nothing more than illusions that are nearly real. No matter how many I take, they will never lead to true enlightenment. But on the other hand, if I could witness the real laws of heaven and earth—the kind that cultivators are inherently incapable of comprehending—wouldn’t the effect be even better?"
"After all, no matter how real an illusion may seem, it can never compare to true existence."
"A pill that can genuinely help cultivators attain enlightenment wouldn’t be something the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would ban. But what if, among a batch of ineffective pseudo-law pills, there were one or two that actually contained a trace of heaven and earth’s true principles..."
Lost in thought, a strange smile crept onto Li Fan’s lips.
When he arrived at Tianling City, he temporarily set his thoughts aside.
He headed straight for a shop that sold Heavenly Spirit Flowers.
"Shopkeeper, give me a pot of Heavenly Spirit Flowers," Li Fan said.
"Right away, sir! Please take a look over here. We have top-quality ones with sixteen to twenty petals—our shop has them all!" the shopkeeper responded enthusiastically.
However, after scanning the dozens of Heavenly Spirit Flowers displayed in the shop, Li Fan's expression darkened immediately.
"You scoundrel! Are you trying to take advantage of me just because I’m an outsider? These pathetic things dare to bear the name ‘Heavenly Spirit’?"
"Why do all these flowers have a strange, eerie blood-like flow within them? What an absolute eyesore!"
Li Fan cursed loudly, his voice booming like thunder, instantly drawing the attention of many cultivators nearby.
"Ah, sir, you may not know this," the shopkeeper sighed bitterly, "but ever since a few years ago, all the Heavenly Spirit Flowers that have grown in this region have been like this!"
"Could such a thing really happen? Are you trying to fool me because I don’t understand?" Li Fan still looked unconvinced, unwilling to let the matter go.
After the shopkeeper explained repeatedly and bystanders chimed in to confirm, he finally, though reluctantly, accepted the explanation.
"So, you’re telling me that the Heavenly Spirit Flower, once the most stunning bloom in the entire Xuanhuang Realm, has now completely disappeared?"
Li Fan looked dazed and filled with regret, muttering, "Had I known this would happen, I would have done anything to come and witness its beauty a few years ago!"
"I heard that the Heavenly Spirit Flower’s petals bloom in different shapes. When it fully blossoms, each petal reveals a unique vision—some depict vast green mountains, some show surging rivers, while others resemble snow falling from the heavens. A single flower encompasses all the wonders of the world, embodying the essence of heaven and earth, an unparalleled beauty..."
Li Fan’s words instantly stirred memories among the cultivators present.
Most of them were native to the Tianling Prefecture and had once seen the breathtaking elegance of the Heavenly Spirit Flower. As they began reminiscing, sharing their own accounts one after another, the atmosphere grew wistful.
The unattainable is always the most beautiful.
The more they thought about it, the more they felt it was a great loss. Many cultivators sighed and shook their heads in lament.
Seeing that the atmosphere had reached its peak, Li Fan suddenly declared in a loud voice, "Such a rare treasure—if I cannot witness it with my own eyes, it will be a lifelong regret! The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is filled with extraordinary individuals; I refuse to believe that no one preserved the original Heavenly Spirit Flower back then!"
"I hereby offer a reward—anyone who can grant me the opportunity to see the original Heavenly Spirit Flower in person will receive a Longevity Pill capable of extending one’s lifespan by three hundred years!"
With that, he openly displayed a pill in the palm of his hand, allowing everyone to see.
The moment his words spread, an uproar followed. When they laid eyes on the pill in his hand, many felt an irresistible pull from within their souls.
A treasure that could extend life by three centuries was already incredibly rare. Yet, this man was willing to exchange it merely for a chance to gaze upon the Heavenly Spirit Flower!
"You are truly a man of passion, my friend! I respect that! Rest assured, I have a friend who once specialized in cultivating Heavenly Spirit Flowers—perhaps he still has a preserved specimen."
"I’ll ask around as well!"
...
The crowd instantly became lively.
Even the florist's eyes flickered with interest as he picked up a communication talisman to make some inquiries.
Li Fan, however, simply stood tall in the middle of the gathering, quietly waiting.
As expected, the result was just as he had anticipated.
After half a day, expressions of deep regret appeared on everyone's faces. Word had spread throughout Tianling City, yet no one had been able to produce an intact Heavenly Spirit Flower.
Li Fan let out a long sigh, his disappointment palpable.
"If I cannot fulfill this wish, I shall never rest in peace!"
"My offer remains indefinitely. I kindly ask everyone to keep an ear out for me!" He cupped his hands toward the crowd before departing with a melancholic air.
Though this matter seemed insignificant on the surface, in the quiet and desolate Tianling City—still recovering from the great war—it became a rare and intriguing topic.
As people discussed it, the previously overlooked news of the "extinction of the original Heavenly Spirit Flower" began to spread.
After all, the number of cultivators who had seen or heard of the legendary flower was not small.
And as this story continued circulating, their memories of the Heavenly Spirit Flower resurfaced from the depths of their minds.
"Ah, it really is a pity."
"Such a rare treasure, and I never got to see it myself? Once missed, it is gone forever!"
More and more cultivators found themselves lost in similar thoughts, unable to shake off their lingering regret.
The mastermind behind all this, Li Fan, was watching discussions about the Heavenly Spirit Flower increasing across various regions through the Tianxuan Mirror. Satisfied, he nodded.
"Next, I need to let the emotions ferment for a while. The ordinary cultivators have already set a good precedent. With the disciples of the Medicine King Sect adding fuel to the fire, there shouldn't be much of a problem."
"However, if I truly want to inflate the value of the Heavenly Spirit Flower, it will still depend on the real aristocrats of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance."
A sharp gleam flashed in Li Fan’s eyes as he took out the communication talisman left to him by Shuo Feng.
"Brother Shuo, how have you been lately?"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Fan got straight to the point: "I have a matter that I need to trouble you with."
"The Heavenly Spirit Flower..."
After sending his message, Li Fan quietly waited for a response.
Before long, Shuo Feng replied, "The Heavenly Spirit Flower? I think I’ve heard of it before. No big deal, I'll ask around for you."
Li Fan smiled slightly. "Then, I'll thank you in advance, Brother Shuo!"
On Shuo Feng’s side, there was silence for the time being.
"Now, all I need to do is wait for the flower to bloom."
Instead of rushing back to Longevity Valley, Li Fan browsed through the past two years' worth of events in the Xuanhuang Realm using the Tianxuan Mirror, reviewing everything in detail.
Being well-versed in the course of history, Li Fan was naturally able to detect traces of hidden and unusual changes from the smallest clues.
For example, something he had been particularly concerned about—the information regarding the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect in Jiushan Prefecture—had completely vanished overnight. It was as if the flying abode that once soared into the sky, attracting cultivators to explore it, had never existed. All that remained were sparse records about the ancient Chaoyuan Sect.
Another example was the mysterious drafting of cultivators from martial academies across various regions. No one knew where they were being sent. This sudden vacancy in positions had even sparked competition and unrest.
...
Li Fan carefully committed these clues to memory.
"I still need to resolve the issue of authority. The amount of information I can gather as an unranked individual is too limited. There are too many restrictions."
After half a day, Li Fan temporarily stopped his search.
After some thought, he sent another message to Shuo Feng:
"Brother Shuo, I recently comprehended a new divine ability. Thinking back to our past sparring sessions, I can't help but feel a little eager. Do you have time for another duel?"
This time, Shuo Feng replied swiftly.
"Oh? What’s this? After more than two years, you think you can beat me now? I forgot to mention, I’ve already broken through to the Golden Core stage. Even if you go all out with your Nascent Soul cultivation, I’m afraid you might not win."
"There's no need for words—let’s test it in battle," Li Fan replied bluntly.
His response immediately ignited Shuo Feng’s fighting spirit.
"Come here." Shuo Feng sent him a location.
Li Fan glanced at it—it was in a mountain range on the outskirts of Tianquan City, in Tianquan Prefecture.
"Alright, I’ll be there soon. Please wait a moment, Brother Shuo."
"No rush. I'll be here for the next few days." After Shuo Feng sent this message, there was no further response.
Li Fan then exited the Tianxuan Mirror and used a teleportation array to travel to Tianquan Prefecture.
Tianquan Prefecture was filled with the cave dwellings of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s aristocracy.
Naturally, the location Shuo Feng had chosen was one of them.
Soaring through the sky, Li Fan carefully avoided the defensive formations that enshrouded the area and headed straight for his destination.
While flying, Li Fan occasionally sensed divine consciousness scanning him from below.
However, upon realizing he was merely passing by, the probing forces quickly retracted.
After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Li Fan arrived outside the mountain range marked by Shuo Feng.
The mountains stretched like a winding dragon, with sixteen towering peaks standing proudly.
Even through the protective formation, one could faintly sense the dense spiritual energy lingering in the mountain range.
The moment Li Fan arrived, a female cultivator in a pale yellow dress flew out from one of the peaks, approaching him.
"You must be the young master's guest. Please, follow me."
The female cultivator displayed utmost respect, leading Li Fan through the protective formation and into the mountain range.
Glancing at the guide, Li Fan noticed that she, like him, was at the mid-stage Nascent Soul Realm.
Yet, here she seemed to hold the status of a mere servant.
Li Fan, however, did not feel awkward. Instead, he maintained a composed expression and inquired about this place.
The woman in the yellow dress, unfazed by Li Fan’s cultivation level, answered in detail as long as it was permissible to do so.
This mountain range was named Shuofeng Mountain.
Indeed, it was purchased by Immortal Sage Fei Xue and named after Shuo Feng. Back when Shuo Feng successfully established his Dao Foundation, this mountain range was a gift from Shuo Feng.
Although called a mountain range, it was actually a meticulously crafted cultivation cave estate. The sixteen peaks were arranged in a formation that gathered spiritual energy from heaven and earth. Moreover, they were forged from rare materials imbued with the laws of the universe. Residing here, even without actively cultivating, one would naturally absorb these laws, steadily refining their power.
Despite its remarkable nature, after Shuo Feng broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm, Immortal Sage Fei Xue gifted him another estate in Tianquan City.
Thus, Shuofeng Mountain gradually fell into neglect.
Now, he only visited occasionally for leisure.
Before long, at the summit of the central peak, Li Fan saw Shuo Feng in a flowing blue robe—
He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm and indifferent.
Surrounding him were six late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, launching relentless attacks against him.
Yet, Shuo Feng did not activate his Cave-Heaven Power—he simply responded with pure spell techniques.
Li Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight.
Strictly speaking, these six Nascent Soul cultivators were no weaklings. Their attacks included Five Elemental Spells, spiritual weapons and flying swords, and even black arrows capable of teleporting unpredictably through space.
Yet, Shuo Feng did not dodge nor flinch.
He didn't even blink.
A radiant white sword light danced through the air—
Heavenly Wonder Sword!
In an instant, it blocked and reflected all incoming attacks.
Boom! Boom!
Explosions echoed through the mountains.
The six Nascent Soul cultivators lasted no more than a dozen breaths before being overwhelmed by their own countered attacks and forced into defeat.
Shuo Feng showed no mercy.
Their injuries were severe—one even had his entire body obliterated, only managing to regenerate after his Cave-Heaven Power circulated for some time.
"Too weak. Bring the next batch." Shuo Feng’s voice was cold, his expression showing a hint of impatience.
The six defeated cultivators wore bitter expressions but dared not protest. Bowing respectfully, they quickly withdrew.
"Hahaha! Brother Shuo, you are quite formidable!"
At this moment, Li Fan suddenly burst into laughter, clapping his hands without the slightest sign of fear.
"Brother Li, you mock me!" Shuo Feng’s icy demeanor softened, revealing a faint smile.
The six retreating Nascent Soul cultivators discreetly glanced at Li Fan, their eyes filled with curiosity about his identity before hurriedly leaving.
"It has been a while, Brother Shuo. Your strength has indeed advanced...
But I am no weaker than you!"
"Please, enlighten me!"
Without further words, Li Fan’s expression turned cold.
He raised his right hand and pointed at Shuo Feng from a distance.
Whoosh...
A gentle breeze passed.
Yet, Shuo Feng, who had been on high alert, waited for a long moment but felt no change in his surroundings.
His smile faded.
His eyes turned sharp.
"Brother Li, are you toying with me?"
Li Fan’s expression remained unchanged, smiling lightly.
"It’s my first time using this divine ability—small mishaps are expected."
"But no worries. This time, it should work."
"Be careful!"
In an instant, Li Fan’s voice turned icy.
He retracted his right hand—
Then, lightly pointed once more.
"Thread Extraction!"
The wind remained calm, and the clouds drifted lightly, as if nothing had happened. Only Li Fan's emotionless voice echoed across the mountain peak.
Shuo Feng was just about to speak when he suddenly sensed something, and his expression changed dramatically.
Threads, one by one, began to unravel from his azure long robe.
The fine strands floated through the air, dissolving as if merging into water, vanishing in an instant.
Shuo Feng was about to take action, but before he could react, a muffled groan escaped his lips involuntarily.
In the blink of an eye, a crimson wound appeared on his body, as if a sharp blade had sliced through his flesh, exposing the muscle beneath.
And in front of him, a single red thread had appeared in mid-air.
"Sssss..."
"Sssss..."
A strange, eerie sound kept ringing out.
With each sound, another crimson thread appeared in the air. And with each thread, another bloody wound opened on Shuo Feng’s body.
In mere moments, he was covered in cuts, his body drenched in blood.
An icy chill surged through his heart.
Because he understood his own condition far too well—these were not mere surface wounds.
His very being was being extracted, disappearing into nothingness!
It was as if...
A puppet woven entirely of thread was having its strings slowly pulled away, unraveling its form.
Moreover, from beginning to end, his Foundation Establishment artifact—the sword—had not made a single move to defend or counterattack!
"So this is why it's called 'Thread Extraction'..." Shuo Feng couldn't help but think.
"If this continues..."
A horrifying image flashed through his mind—his own body shrinking bit by bit as the threads were pulled away, until he became nothing more than a tattered, lifeless ragdoll, collapsing helplessly to the ground, awaiting his doom.
A deep terror gripped his heart.
Yet, even as his mind raced for a solution, he could not think of a way to counter this Thread Extraction technique.
Li Fan, meanwhile, remained motionless in midair, his finger still locked onto Shuo Feng.
He had no intention of stopping!
"This guy... He really will kill me!"
Looking into Li Fan’s unfathomable gaze, Shuo Feng felt a chilling realization strike him.
"I surrender! I surrender!"
Driven by sheer survival instinct, Shuo Feng shouted repeatedly.
Hearing his words, Li Fan finally withdrew his right hand.
"Poof!"
In that instant, it was as if countless severed threads had snapped apart.
Blood mist burst from Shuo Feng’s body in layers.
"Young Master!"
The female cultivator in the yellow dress turned pale with fright, letting out a panicked scream.
"I'm fine!"
Shuo Feng waved his hand to stop her from rushing over.
"Thank you for the match."
Li Fan clasped his hands in a polite gesture, his expression calm.
Shuo Feng's gaze was complicated as he looked at Li Fan.
"What an incredible technique, Daoist friend."
He couldn't help but admit it with sincerity.
"It's just a clever trick, nothing more. Brother Shuo, your Foundation Establishment artifact, the [Sword], is not adept at initiating attacks, but its defensive counterattacks are unparalleled. However, this [Thread Extraction] technique mimics the natural cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death—the changes of human existence. Rather than an attack, it is more of a state-inflicting ability. That is why it did not trigger the [Sword]'s counterattack."
Having won the duel, Li Fan did not show any arrogance. Instead, he took the initiative to explain the reasoning to Shuo Feng.
Back when he was cultivating within the Root of Heaven and Earth, nurturing the Five Elements Cave-Heaven, Li Fan had experienced his own body being woven like delicate silk threads, continuously being drawn out.
At that time, he had gained an initial insight.
However, he was still far from being able to directly manifest it as a divine ability in the real world. It wasn’t until now—after gaining control over the Beast Realm's fate and breaking through to the Mid Nascent Soul stage—that he had almost become akin to the Dao of a small world itself.
In his mind, all life and death were but a single thought away.
Through this, Li Fan developed an entirely new and profound understanding of the composition and disintegration of all things.
Thus, the divine ability [Thread Extraction] was born.
As he explained to Shuo Feng, strictly speaking, [Thread Extraction] is not a direct offensive technique. Instead, it attaches an accelerating decay effect to the target—it is a transformation of the target itself.
Just as mortals inevitably age and die, all things in existence eventually reach their end and dissolve back into the world. [Thread Extraction] merely hastens this natural process.
During his battle with Shuo Feng, Li Fan had demonstrated [Thread Extraction] at full power, making it appear overwhelmingly destructive. However, it had one critical weakness—its execution required continuous casting. If interrupted or disrupted, its effectiveness would be significantly diminished.
It was only because Shuo Feng's cultivation emphasized defensive counterattacks that [Thread Extraction] was particularly effective against him.
In reality, the optimal usage of Thread Extraction was not in the explosive, rapid application used in the duel. Instead, it should be employed covertly, working silently over time—gradually unraveling a target’s “threads” without them noticing.
By extending the timespan, the target would not develop visible wounds as Shuo Feng had during the battle.
Instead, they would simply feel increasingly weak, their body inexplicably deteriorating, their spirit and vitality steadily fading—yet they would never be able to pinpoint the cause.
In the end, they would watch helplessly as their life force withered away, perishing in agony.
The phrase "life fades like drawn silk" perfectly encapsulates the technique’s essence.
It was, without a doubt, an exceptional assassination technique—even surpassing many formless killing arts in effectiveness.
As someone who always kept a trump card hidden, Li Fan had deliberately concealed the true lethality of [Thread Extraction] during his match with Shuo Feng.
"Brother Li, you once praised me as a natural talent, but I believe your comprehension surpasses mine by far. This [Thread Extraction] technique is truly remarkable!"
Despite being defeated, Shuo Feng showed no anger. Instead, his attitude had grown noticeably more friendly.
The fleeting cold killing intent he had exhibited earlier had now vanished as if it had never existed.
"Brother Shuo, you flatter me. It was merely an insight I gained while traveling." Li Fan replied with a faint smile.
"Brother Li, there's no need for false modesty! In the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, there are countless who claim to be geniuses, but few can comprehend divine abilities on their own as you have!"
As he spoke, Shuo Feng patted his body. In an instant, a flash of white light enveloped him, and his attire changed.
Leading Li Fan up the mountain, he guided him to a small pavilion at the peak, inviting him inside.
A female cultivator in a yellow dress briefly left the room before returning, bringing two bowls of spiritual tea.
The fragrance of the tea filled the air, invigorating the spirit.
Shuo Feng took a sip and said, "Brother Li, I have yet to think of a way to counter your divine ability. But once inspiration strikes, I will certainly seek you out for another match!"
Li Fan nodded slightly. "I’ll be waiting."
Shuo Feng laughed heartily. "Refreshing! Brother Li, your temperament suits me well! You’re far better than those spineless flatterers, who lack ability yet seek favor through sycophancy!"
Li Fan did not continue the topic but instead changed the subject.
"Speaking of sycophants, I actually have a matter where I’ll need your help, Brother Shuo."
"Oh? What is it? Speak freely."
Li Fan then expressed his desire to improve his merit ranking.
"Having insufficient authority is truly frustrating. Being restricted everywhere is so uncomfortable!" Li Fan sighed.
Hearing this, Shuo Feng dismissed it indifferently, "Hmph, it's just a threshold deliberately set by the Immortal Alliance to consolidate its rule. For those true powerholders, there’s no need to climb step by step to raise their authority level..."
"But since Brother Li has such a need, it’s easy to handle. Zhi Jin..."
The female cultivator in the yellow dress immediately responded.
"Are there any vacant guest elder positions available recently?" Shuo Feng asked.
"There are still three vacancies this year. However..." Zhi Jin glanced at Li Fan, hesitating to continue.
"His cultivation level doesn't meet the requirement, right?" Shuo Feng chuckled. "No problem. Special cases require special handling. Just say I appointed him. You just need to give them a heads-up."
Zhi Jin nodded slightly. Her figure blurred and disappeared from the scene in an instant.
Only then did Shuo Feng explain, "Serving as a guest elder under my family grants an initial authority level of thirty. Additionally, you will receive a fixed amount of merit points annually."
Upon hearing this, Li Fan did not show joy but instead frowned. "Thank you, Brother Shuo. However, I am used to my freedom. If—"
Shuo Feng waved his hand. "No worries. You won’t need to do anything—just hold the honorary position. You and I are like-minded individuals; are we the type to be willingly bound by restrictions?"
"However..."
Shuo Feng looked at Li Fan, a glint of battle intent flashing in his eyes. "If one day your hands itch for a sparring match, you must not refuse me!"
Li Fan, feeling relieved, immediately cupped his hands in gratitude. "Then, I must thank Brother Shuo in advance!"
Shuo Feng truly lived up to his status as a top-tier second-generation immortal of the Immortal Alliance—his efficiency was remarkably high.
Before they even finished drinking the spiritual tea on the table, Zhi Jin had already returned.
A snowflake-shaped ice crystal talisman was handed to Li Fan, signifying that his guest elder appointment had been officially registered.
"Brother Li, you can check the effect," Shuo Feng tapped his index finger on the table, and a small Tianxuan Mirror appeared before Li Fan.
When Li Fan checked his information in the mirror, he indeed found a new title: "Guest Elder of the Xuan Family."
His authority level, as Shuo Feng had mentioned, had directly risen to level thirty.
However, there was also a note stating that this authority level was tied to the "Guest Elder" position. If he lost this title, his authority level would disappear accordingly.
Meanwhile, any merit points he earned personally would accumulate from level one.
The two were independent of each other.
This was within Li Fan’s expectations, but what caught his attention more were the four words: "Xuan Family Guest Elder."
"Xuan Family?" Li Fan looked at Shuo Feng with some confusion.
Shuo Feng did not shy away from the question and openly explained, "My mother’s surname is Xuan. As for my name..."
He shrugged, looking as if he wasn't entirely sure himself.
Li Fan nodded without probing further.
"I had only heard of your esteemed mother by chance before. A person of profound strength, highly skilled in artifact refinement, and widely revered. Yet, I never realized that your Xuan family held such influence within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance."
"For an unknown rogue cultivator like me, I understand that earning merit within the Immortal Alliance is no easy feat. Many cultivators toil tirelessly, risking their lives, only to barely attain the 20th Rank. Yet, with just your approval, Brother Shuo, one could immediately gain 13th Rank authority..."
"Meeting you that day was truly the greatest fortune of my life!" Li Fan sighed slightly as he drank another cup of spiritual tea.
"Hahaha! I never expected that a momentary loss of control over my sword would lead me to meet such a remarkable individual as Brother Li. In the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, there are only a handful of Nascent Soul cultivators who can defeat me with their divine abilities!" Shuo Feng held Li Fan in high regard, showing no condescension despite his lack of background.
"You and I must truly be fated..." Shuo Feng, in high spirits, ordered Zhi Jin to bring in some rare delicacies.
Halfway through their meal, accompanied by the fragrant aroma of spirit wine, they suddenly heard a voice from outside.
"Brother Shuo! Brother Shuo!"
A trace of displeasure flashed across Shuo Feng’s face, and his smile vanished instantly.
Before he could even respond, a white figure swiftly flew into the central hall.
The newcomer was a young woman dressed in a white gown. She had a slender figure, and her skin was as smooth as white jade.
"Brother Shuo, why didn’t you tell me you had returned?" She puffed her cheeks in annoyance, seemingly a little angry. However, her eyes were filled with admiration as she gazed at Shuo Feng.
"I just got back not too long ago," Shuo Feng replied impatiently.
"Fine..." she muttered, clearly displeased.
Her gaze then shifted to Li Fan, her large eyes blinking curiously. "Brother Shuo, who is this? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before."
Shuo Feng answered indifferently, "This is my new friend, Li Fan."
"That name... It sounds familiar..." The young woman tilted her head slightly, scrutinizing Li Fan.
Li Fan merely glanced at her briefly before averting his eyes. His heart stirred slightly.
Although she did not recognize him, he was quite familiar with her.
She was none other than Lu Xuejing, the daughter of Lu Xichan, the chief formation master of the Strategy Formation Hall—a person with whom Li Fan had once shared a master-servant relationship in his past life.
"As fellow second-generation members of the Immortal Alliance, it’s only natural that they know each other. However, I didn’t expect that the usually arrogant and privileged Lu Xuejing—who is always surrounded by young admirers—would act so meek in front of Shuo Feng," Li Fan thought to himself.
He quickly shifted his gaze away from Lu Xuejing and turned to Shuo Feng, pretending not to know her. "Brother Shuo, this is...?"
"Her surname is Lu. She is Lu Xuejing." Shuo Feng merely stated her name without mentioning her mother’s identity.
The meaning was clear—Li Fan didn’t ask further.
"Since you have a guest, I won’t intrude any longer." Li Fan cupped his hands in farewell, preparing to leave.
"About the Heavenly Spirit Flower, I’d appreciate it if you could continue looking into it for me, Brother Shuo," he casually reminded before departing.
Unexpectedly, this one sentence provoked Lu Xuejing’s anger.
"What? The Heavenly Spirit Flower was for you?" She glared at Li Fan furiously. "Brother Shuo told me he wanted it for himself! I even went through so much trouble to get my people to search for it!"
Li Fan turned to look at Shuo Feng.
"How did I deceive you? Brother Li’s business is my business," Shuo Feng said awkwardly. However, seeing Lu Xuejing’s aggrieved expression, he seemed a little troubled as he quickly tried to explain.
Lu Xuejing, however, covered her ears like a child, refusing to listen.
Instead of venting her anger on Shuo Feng, she began to dislike Li Fan even more.
"Whose family do you belong to? You look very unfamiliar! You’re not a spy from the Five Elders Association trying to get close to Brother Shuo just to find out the location of the Tianxuan Mirror, are you? You don’t look like a good person at all! Brother Shuo has never lied to me before..."
"Lu Xuejing, what nonsense are you spouting!" Seeing her speak so recklessly, Shuo Feng's expression changed slightly, and he immediately reprimanded her.
However, Li Fan, who was inexplicably implicated by Lu Xuejing’s wild imagination, was not particularly angry.
Instead, after hearing her words, his gaze sharpened slightly.
"So, the Xuan family does have some connection to the Tianxuan Mirror."
"Brother Li, I sincerely apologize. Let’s end things here for today. I’ll invite you over another day." Shuo Feng said apologetically.
While instructing Zhi Jin to see Li Fan out, he also had to console Lu Xuejing, who was on the verge of tears.
Taking a deep look at the two, Li Fan left the cave dwelling.
"Brother Shuo, you must believe me. That Li Fan just now is definitely not a good person. His gaze was so unsettling. You should keep your distance from him in the future."
After Shuo Feng’s patient persuasion, Lu Xuejing finally calmed down.
She then declared firmly,
"I'm absolutely sure of it!"
Compared to someone else's one-sided claims, Shuo Feng clearly trusted his own judgment more.
"Mm, alright, I got it." He responded perfunctorily, not taking Lu Xuejing's words to heart at all.
"Immortal Sage Fei Xue, highly skilled in artifact refining. Has a son, but his father is unknown."
"Lu Xichan, chief of the Strategy Formation Hall. In her past life, she was the leading figure behind the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation. Has a daughter, but her father is also unknown."
"The two are acquainted, possibly close friends."
"Both have connections to the Tianxuan Mirror..."
On his way back to the Longevity Valley, Li Fan analyzed the limited information he had and vaguely pieced together some clues.
"Interesting. I wonder if there will be a chance in this lifetime to have the Fisherman take action again. However, the Stealing Heaven and Replacing the Sun Order was lost in the Cloud-Water Heavenly Palace in this era. Even if Lu Xuejing gets captured, I have no idea what could be used to exchange for her release." Li Fan pondered in his heart.
Upon returning to the Longevity Valley, he found that Fang Zaiji had already disappeared. He had likely gone off somewhere to craft the protective treasure needed for Xu Bai's clone.
Meanwhile, Liu San was busy overseeing the process of integrating the disciples of the Medicine King Sect into the Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation.
"In half a year, once everything is ready, the clone can leave the valley."
"Until then, my true self should continue to stay hidden."
Entering his secluded cultivation chamber, he found that the restriction on entering the Fallen Immortal Realm had been lifted.
"Blessings to the Celestial Venerable Of Xuanhuang!"
Performing the ritual, Li Fan once again stepped into the distorted, transparent space.
Before him, three different scenes flickered.
A newly unlocked scenario—‘Heavenly Sword Sect: Sword Refining’—was now accessible.
Without hesitation, Li Fan focused his mind. In the next moment, after a brief dizziness, he entered the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Before he could even make sense of the identity he had assumed this time, he heard voices filled with both excitement and anger in his ears.
"Hurry, there’s a good show to watch! A newly admitted outer disciple is making an outrageous claim—he wants to challenge the Senior Brother!"
"Are you joking? Senior Brother’s cultivation is on an entirely different level. How could an outer disciple even withstand a single move from him?"
"Sigh, it's hard to explain. Just go and see for yourself. Earlier, Senior Brother Zhao, who is at the Golden Core stage, was displeased and wanted to teach that person a lesson, but he was sent flying to the ground with a single sword strike."
"I heard about that too. That guy only seems to be at the Qi Condensation stage. Do you think that's possible? He must be an imposter who infiltrated our sect. I don't think he came with good intentions."
"Hurry up, or we’ll miss the sparring match."
Amidst the murmurs, Li Fan followed the crowd to an arena where the sparring matches were taking place.
At the same time, he began to understand the details of the body he now inhabited.
Ji Zhaoxuan—Golden Core cultivator, an inner disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
He was a man of few words, disinterested in socializing, and completely devoted to the way of the sword.
"Senior Brother Chen, I appreciate your guidance!"
A pleasant voice suddenly jolted Li Fan back to reality.
Because he was all too familiar with the owner of that voice—it was none other than Mr. Bai!
Li Fan followed the direction of the voice and saw the speaker, a seemingly unremarkable cultivator who looked nothing like Mr. Bai.
However, the subtle aura he exuded made Li Fan certain—this was indeed Mr. Bai!
"He must have changed his appearance to avoid drawing attention."
"But why now? And why would he disguise himself as an ordinary person to join the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
A flood of questions surged in Li Fan's mind.
With these doubts, he continued watching the match.
The Golden Core cultivator surnamed Chen had just been defeated by Mr. Bai, who appeared to be only at the Qi Condensation stage. However, rather than looking devastated, Chen simply clasped his hands in respect and said sincerely, "Thank you, Senior, for your guidance."
Then, with a hint of excitement, he swiftly departed to enter seclusion and reflect on his insights.
The watching cultivators erupted in an uproar.
Everyone now understood that this so-called "Qi Condensation" cultivator was anything but ordinary.
At that moment, Li Fan finally noticed something.
His gaze locked onto the wooden sword in Mr. Bai’s hand.
"That sword..."
Li Fan was instantly shaken.
He hurriedly asked his fellow disciples about it and soon learned that when Mr. Bai had started his match, he had no suitable weapon.
So he casually broke off a piece from a nearby tree and crafted this wooden sword on the spot.
Upon hearing this, Li Fan was thrown into an even deeper shock.
"There's no mistake; this wooden sword is the one that will be in Shuo Feng's hand later on..."
"A Heaven’s Wonder—the [Sword]!"
"How is this possible? Such an extraordinary artifact... was merely something Mr. Bai created on a whim?"
"Just what level of cultivation has he reached?"
This realization sent Li Fan's thoughts into turmoil.
The Heavenly Wonder, the [Sword], was a manifestation of the very laws of the Dao of the Sword.
In theory, it could only be nurtured through the power of the heavens and the earth.
Yet now, in Mr. Bai’s hands, it was nothing more than a child's toy, effortlessly created.
Just how profound was his understanding of the Dao of the Sword?
Just how deep was his comprehension of the very laws of the world?
Li Fan could hardly fathom it.
As he stood there in stunned silence, another Nascent Soul sword cultivator suddenly arrived, flying in on a streak of sword light...
A formation of forty-nine paired swords shot out like a torrential rain of pear blossoms, surging toward Mr. Bai.
Mr. Bai raised his hand and lightly waved his sword.
In an instant, all forty-nine swords turned against their wielder, plunging into chaos.
Within mere moments, the sword cultivator had been defeated.
"Did you all notice? He’s even stronger than when he fought Senior Brother Chen just now!"
"He must be hiding his true cultivation, toying with us!"
"Now our Senior Brother has no choice but to step in. I just wonder if he’s sobered up yet."
As murmurs spread among the crowd, memories of the legendary Senior Brother of the Heavenly Sword Sect resurfaced in Li Fan’s mind.
The eternal senior disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
In truth, his seniority surpassed even that of the current sect master.
However, he was naturally lazy, disliked handling sect affairs, and only loved drinking. Using the excuse of being "the eternal Senior Brother to all junior disciples," he had monopolized the title of "Senior Brother" for years.
His name: Situ Yao.
Back in the day, Senior Brother Situ Yao was hailed as the strongest combatant in the world. His reputation attracted countless battle-hungry cultivators to challenge him.
Annoyed by the constant interruptions, Situ Yao somehow procured two massive boulders and placed them at the sect’s entrance.
With his sword, he carved two lines into them:
"Idlers, keep out."
"Challengers, lay down your swords."
It was said that after carving those words, Situ Yao downed a jug of fine wine and laughed heartily. He declared that, from then on, he would finally have some peace and quiet.
Sure enough, from that day forward, most challengers found themselves unable to even overcome the restriction placed on the boulders.
Realizing the immense gap in strength between them and Situ Yao, they could only leave in shame.
...
"Hiss... It seems that Situ Yao is indeed an extraordinary figure."
Years later, standing before those now-legendary boulders that had turned into artifacts of heaven and earth, Li Fan couldn’t help but think so.
"However, compared to Mr. Bai, there is still a considerable gap."
"One is merely a wonder of man, while the other has reached the realm of heavenly wonders..."
"Truly unfathomable."
Situ Yao’s legendary status only added to the enigma surrounding Mr. Bai.
At this moment, facing the challenges from the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples, the immeasurably powerful Mr. Bai accepted them all.
Yet with a single move, he defeated every challenger.
Surprisingly, rather than feeling frustrated, the defeated disciples were overjoyed, as if they had gained immense enlightenment from their sparring session.
Realizing this was a rare opportunity, the disciples were eager to take their turn.
Seizing the moment, Li Fan stepped forward before anyone else and stood before Mr. Bai.
Even though he could overlook all beings in the Xuanhuang Realm as insignificant, in front of this enigmatic Mr. Bai, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a slight nervousness.
Since he had entered the Fallen Immortal Realm in an incarnated form, he was unable to use his own divine abilities.
Taking a deep breath, Li Fan recalled the cultivation technique of the body he had possessed—Ji Zhaoxuan.
It was an obscure technique that condensed alchemic energy into swords.
However, mastery of one technique leads to mastery of all.
By relying on sword energy, he could still manifest a portion of the power of his divine ability, Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword.
"Please enlighten me, sir."
Li Fan spoke in a deep voice.
In the next moment, with a shift of his mind, several sword auras shrouded in black demonic energy materialized around Mr. Bai.
The black swords let out piercing cries, as if they sought to shred Mr. Bai into countless pieces.
"Not bad. The creativity is commendable, but... does your heart truly align with your sword?"
Just as the black swords were about to strike Mr. Bai, they suddenly halted mid-air.
Time seemed to freeze.
In the eerie stillness, Li Fan faintly heard Mr. Bai’s gentle voice.
"If you treat your sword as a mere tool, then your sword will treat you as a tool in return."
Boom!
Like a bolt of lightning piercing through the fog, countless insights burst into Li Fan’s mind.
Endless possibilities for evolving the Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword unfolded before him.
So many, in fact, that he felt overwhelmed, unable to decide which path to take.
"So a sword... can be used like this too!"
Just like when he had first witnessed the perfected version of the Creation Furnace Technique taught by Mr. Bai and was completely captivated, Li Fan once again found himself utterly immersed in the boundless mysteries of Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword after receiving Mr. Bai's guidance.
He was so entranced that he didn’t even manage to utter a simple "Thank you, Senior, for your guidance." In a daze, he left the dueling arena without even realizing how.
No one knew how much time had passed until a chorus of "Senior Brother!" from the outside world finally pulled Li Fan out of his enlightenment.
Following everyone's gaze, Li Fan looked over and saw Situ Yao, wobbling unsteadily as if he was still drunk. Two disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect were supporting him as they forcefully brought him into the arena.
"Wine... where's my wine?" Situ Yao hiccuped, completely ignoring the presence of Mr. Bai, and drowsily glanced left and right, searching for his drink.
"Situ, why pretend to be drunk?" Mr. Bai was not offended. Instead, he smiled faintly.
Hearing this, Situ Yao knew he couldn’t keep up the act anymore. He cleared his throat, straightened his posture, and looked at Mr. Bai.
A helpless expression surfaced on his face. "Seriously... I was hoping to save face as the Senior Brother of the Heavenly Sword Sect. But now that you’ve exposed me, I guess there's no avoiding this fight."
Somehow, Situ Yao pulled out a gourd of wine and took a deep swig.
His eyes sharpened as he carefully studied Mr. Bai.
"Can't win... can't win at all." He muttered under his breath.
Though spoken softly, his words caused an uproar among the watching cultivators.
Situ Yao was undisputedly the strongest in the Heavenly Sword Sect. He hadn't fought seriously in years, and no one knew his true limits.
Yet, this absolute powerhouse of the Xuanhuang Realm, before even making a move, had already admitted he wasn’t Mr. Bai’s match!
Situ Yao was not the kind of person to lie or downplay his abilities. If he said he couldn't win, then it meant he truly believed it.
So, who exactly was this unremarkable-looking man? Where did he come from?
For a moment, every disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect had their eyes locked onto Mr. Bai, filled with uncertainty and astonishment.
"To do the impossible, despite knowing it's impossible—isn't that your life’s creed, Situ?" Mr. Bai encouraged, seeing that Situ Yao was hesitating.
"That sword of yours... you've kept it hidden for a long time. Isn't it time to test it out?"
His tone was light, but to Situ Yao, the words hit like thunder.
A sudden surge of energy erupted from his body. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Mr. Bai, a flicker of doubt crossing his gaze.
However, being a true powerhouse, Situ Yao quickly suppressed his doubts and focused his mind.
"If that's the case, then I won't hold back," he said solemnly.
He took a step forward, raised his right hand, and swept his gaze across the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect who were watching.
Then, with utmost seriousness, he called out:
"Junior Brothers, bring your swords!"
In that instant, every single cultivator of the Heavenly Sword Sect—regardless of their location—heard Situ Yao's words.
They were momentarily stunned, but without the slightest hesitation, they all threw their lifebound flying swords into the sky.
As the Senior Brother of the sect, Situ Yao had always taken great care of the new disciples. He never put on airs or distanced himself. Whenever his junior disciples were in trouble, he would always stand up for them—even if it meant being biased in their favor.
He had held the title of Senior Brother for so many years. Every disciple, whether directly or indirectly, had received his kindness.
Now that he was asking to borrow their swords—how could they refuse?
And so, in the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of flying swords soared into the sky.
All of them surged toward Situ Yao.
For disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, half of their cultivation and battle strength resided in their lifebound flying swords.
From the Foundation Establishment stage onward, they poured their blood, sweat, and soul into forging their flying swords, strengthening their durability and lethality, gradually achieving complete harmony with them.
Thus, when Situ Yao uttered "Bring your swords",
It was not just tens of thousands of swords that took flight—
It was half of the entire Heavenly Sword Sect’s battle power.
Countless sword auras interwove, illuminating the sky in dazzling colors.
Situ Yao raised his hand, fingers shifting into a sword gesture.
The storm of swords roared toward their target—Mr. Bai.
Countless flying swords gathered into one, seemingly forming a giant sword that spanned the heavens and earth in the void.
It locked onto Mr. Bai from afar and arrived in an instant.
It seemed that in the next second, Mr. Bai would be pierced by ten thousand swords, dying a tragic death on the spot.
However, there was not the slightest trace of panic on Mr. Bai's face.
He merely revealed a faint smile and then raised the wooden sword in his hand.
Facing the ten thousand swords.
Buzz...
A resonant sword hum echoed from the wooden sword.
In that instant, time seemed to come to a halt.
Wherever the sword hum passed, the countless flying swords first stopped in mid-flight, frozen in place.
Then, their blades trembled violently, as if struggling fiercely against some invisible force.
Finally...
The first flying sword lost control and fell from the sky.
It plunged into the ground, its blade quivering slightly.
Then came the second, the third...
In the blink of an eye, countless flying swords rained down from the sky like a torrential storm, embedding themselves into the earth.
Densely packed, they formed an impenetrable graveyard of swords within a small area.
Yet, not a single one had touched even the corner of Mr. Bai’s robe.
The ultimate killing move that Situ Yao had cultivated for most of his life had been effortlessly neutralized.
At that moment, the entire Heavenly Sword Sect fell into a deathly silence.
The wooden sword in Mr. Bai's hand emitted another sword hum.
Then, all the disciples, including Li Fan, witnessed a scene that would remain etched in their memories forever.
All the flying swords embedded in the ground suddenly bent toward Mr. Bai's direction of their own accord.
As if paying homage to their emperor, they bowed in reverence.
Mr. Bai stood calmly, holding his wooden sword, his expression indifferent.
“You are...” At this moment, as if recalling something, Situ Yao’s pupils shrank abruptly, and he blurted out in shock.
Mr. Bai smiled slightly and gently waved his wooden sword once more.
In an instant, the countless flying swords returned to their respective owners.
“I came today to ask for a favor.” Having effortlessly resolved the conflict, Mr. Bai casually tossed his wooden sword aside and smiled as he addressed Situ Yao.
“Please, speak.” Situ Yao's tone was filled with deep respect.
Mr. Bai glanced around but did not immediately speak.
Situ Yao suddenly slapped his forehead as if realizing something. “Please, follow me.”
With that, he led Mr. Bai toward the grand hall of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Only the many cultivators still standing in shock remained, unable to recover from the scene they had just witnessed.
“So this... is the true power of a supreme expert from the ancient cultivation world.” Li Fan was also awed by the overwhelming might of Situ Yao’s sword strike.
He had a vague feeling that if that single massive sword had been successfully unleashed, it could have torn a rift in the Xuanhuang Realm itself.
And yet, the fact that Mr. Bai had so casually neutralized the attack...
Somehow, it did not surprise him at all.
After all, based on the current information available, Mr. Bai’s status has risen to an even higher level.
He seems to have surpassed the power limits of ordinary cultivators, and he may even be connected to the True Immortal who created the entire Fallen Immortal Realm.
Although Situ Yao’s sword strike was powerful, it was ultimately insignificant before an immortal.
A long time passed before the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect finally recovered from the shocking scene they had just witnessed.
No one dared to speak loudly, fearing they might disturb Mr. Bai, who was still within the sect.
Instead, they whispered among themselves, some even expressing their shock in a near-hysterical manner.
At that moment, under everyone’s watchful eyes, a figure suddenly flew towards the wooden sword that Mr. Bai had thrown.
It was Li Fan.
Ignoring the murderous gazes of the other cultivators who wished to kill him, Li Fan took a deep breath and gripped the wooden sword tightly.
In that fleeting instant, it felt as if a radiant white light illuminated the heavens and earth.
Countless profound mysteries of the "sword" unfolded within his mind in an instant.
Li Fan was completely entranced.
But in the very next moment...
A violent tremor shook the ground, and the wooden sword was forcibly wrenched from his grasp.
Li Fan snapped out of his enlightenment.
A trace of frustration and reluctance flashed through his heart, and he suddenly realized that, for some unknown reason, he had been flung several meters away.
Seeing this, the other cultivators also tried to imitate Li Fan, attempting to pull out the wooden sword.
But without exception, the moment they grasped it, they were immediately repelled.
"Sigh, it makes sense. How could we possibly take away something that belongs to such a powerful figure so easily?"
"Perhaps only Senior Brother could pull it out..."
Everyone sighed in regret, gazing greedily at the lone wooden sword in the field, wiping the drool from the corners of their mouths.
Just as recorded in true history,
Mr. Bai did not take the wooden sword with him. Without a sound, he simply left the Heavenly Sword Sect.
No one knew what he and Situ Yao had spoken about.
But from that day onward, the Heavenly Sword Sect bore a new mission:
To forge a legendary weapon that only exists in the stories of the sect— the World-Rifting Divine Weapon.
At any cost.
As an inner disciple, Li Fan was naturally required to contribute as well.
Like the other disciples, his task was to absorb insights from the wooden sword and channel them into a Sword Embryo—a type of primal stone.
One by one, countless primal stones infused with their sword comprehension were thrown into the massive crater at the back of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Using molten flames, they forged the prototype of the World-Rifting Divine Weapon.
No one knew the true purpose of this divine weapon, but Senior Brother Situ Yao held immense authority, and the unparalleled power displayed by Mr. Bai had left the entire Heavenly Sword Sect in awe.
Thus, the disciples held no resentment toward this endeavor.
On the contrary, by comprehending the wooden sword’s mysteries, they could elevate their own cultivation and mastery of the sword. So why not?
And just like that, time passed swiftly.
Before Li Fan could fully savor the experience, the journey through the Fallen Immortal Realm had already come to an end.
As the surrounding scene faded, Li Fan found himself back in the warped, transparent bubble of space.
The three visions before him had dimmed and were no longer selectable.
However, he did not immediately leave. Instead, he silently reflected on everything he had witnessed in the Heavenly Sword Sect.
"Based on the timeline, the [Heaven Sword Sect's Divine Refinement] happened after [Ningyuan's Acquisition of the Longevity Fruit] but before the [Beast-Taming Sect’s Upheaval]."
"I never expected that the creation of the World-Rifting Divine Weapon was also Mr. Bai’s directive... Raising a Rift Whale, forging a World-Rifting Divine Weapon..."
"What exactly is Mr. Bai planning?"
"On the surface, it seems like he is preparing for an impending catastrophe, creating multiple contingencies and backup plans. But is that truly the case?"
Judging others by oneself, Li Fan always felt that behind everything Mr. Bai did, there might be other unknown secrets.
However, Mr. Bai was an extremely mysterious figure. His thoughts were not something that Li Fan could fathom at his current level.
After pondering for a long time, Li Fan still came up empty-handed and had no choice but to set it aside for now.
"Within the Fallen Immortal Realm, there is also a condensation of the Sword Dao’s laws. If I could take it out of the Fallen Immortal Realm, what kind of consequences would it bring?"
Back in the mortal small world, Li Fan had conducted a similar experiment before.
He understood that in the natural order, two identical heavenly treasures could not exist.
If, for some special reason, two did come into existence, then eventually, they would merge and elevate each other.
The weaker one would vanish, while the stronger one would remain.
"Although the wooden sword in Shuo Feng’s hands is said to be a wonder of the heavens, I have always felt that the one Mr. Bai wielded thousands of years ago was its complete form."
"After enduring a thousand years of trials and tribulations, its power may have weakened."
"So if I can take the wooden sword out, wouldn’t that mean..."
"Interesting."
Imagining the moment when Shuo Feng suddenly lost his foundational treasure, Li Fan shook his head slightly.
"I’m thinking too far ahead. I should first see what I’ve gained this time."
Leaving the Fallen Immortal Mirror and returning to the Longevity Valley, Li Fan carefully recalled everything he had witnessed in the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Moments later, a trace of disappointment appeared on his face.
"I didn't fulfill my obsession, so I can't bring back my insights after all..."
"Wait a moment..."
Li Fan's eyes gleamed. With a flick of his fingers, countless streaks of blue sword light flashed through the void in front of the meditation chamber.
Fixing his gaze on the continuously flickering [Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword], a familiar sensation surged in his heart.
"So that’s how it is. Although memories and insights cannot be brought back to the real world, the traces of enlightenment still remain."
"It’s like the ebb and flow of tides—though they return to the sea, they leave their marks on the shore."
"In this way, even if I don’t directly obtain comprehension, it is still immensely beneficial for me to deduce divine abilities. It’s as if I’ve inexplicably gained a great deal of proficiency."
Feeling a surge of joy, Li Fan immersed himself in comprehending the Sword Dao while the familiar sensation still lingered.
Time passed unknowingly.
It was only when a message from Fang Zaiji arrived that Li Fan was pulled back to reality.
It turned out that his secluded cultivation had already lasted for more than half a year. The white robe and folding fan—protective artifacts he had instructed Fang Zaiji to craft—had finally been completed.
"Truly, in cultivation, time is meaningless," Li Fan sighed softly, but he did not rush to leave.
Instead, he first checked the situation in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Compared to the previous two times, the duration of his [Heavenly Sword Sect Training] seemed significantly longer.
Even after half a year had passed, there were still about five months remaining before he could re-enter.
"Could it be because I came into contact with a higher level of power?"
Li Fan speculated in his heart.
Without dwelling on it too much, he simply memorized the next entry point and then exited seclusion, where he was greeted by the excited and immensely proud Fang Zaiji.
"Haha! Sect Master, I really outdid myself this time! The artifacts I’ve crafted—even someone like Liu San wouldn’t be able to easily break through their defenses!"
“That’s because the Young Master urgently needs these items. I was afraid that if I used my full strength, I might accidentally destroy them,” Liu San glared at Fang Zaiji before turning to Li Fan and explaining.
“But Young Master, to be fair, Old Fang really put effort into refining these treasures this time. They are indeed well-crafted.”
Hearing Liu San’s words, Fang Zaiji beamed with joy. “Of course! The Sect Master lent me the Medicine King True Cauldron for research for such a long time. Naturally, I should have gained something from it.”
...
Watching the two bicker, Li Fan smiled slightly.
“Mr. Fang, aren’t you going to show me the treasures? I must say, I’m rather eager to see them.” The one who spoke, however, was not Li Fan himself, but his clone, Xu Bai.
While Li Fan’s true self had spent the past six months exploring the Fallen Immortal Realm and comprehending the Dao of the Sword, Xu Bai had remained in the Beast Realm, continuing to comprehend the principles of the Five Elements and the World’s Laws.
This body was highly compatible with the Beast Realm, making cultivation exceptionally easy. His talent was no less than that of any so-called prodigy.
The two had long been accustomed to the existence of the clone, so when Xu Bai suddenly appeared in the secret chamber, neither Liu San nor Fang Zaiji found it surprising.
“Young Master, please take a look.”
With a proud expression, Fang Zaiji waved his hand, and four spheres of light immediately appeared before them.
Within the spheres of light were a white robe, a folding fan, a scented pouch, and a jade pendant.
“The Pure Glaze Robe is crafted from rare materials such as Hundred-Color Glaze and Floating Life Pure Light. It remains untainted by dust and untouched by calamities. Conventional attacks below the Dao Integration Realm can be completely ignored. Even cultivators at the Dao Integration level would need considerable effort to break through its defenses.”
“The Shadowless Hundred-Flower Fan is refined from Shadowless Stone and Heavenly Hollow Jade. The folding fan is adorned with a painting of a hundred blooming flowers, but in reality, it seals hundreds of actual flowers within it. The wielder can freely select and mix floral fragrances at will. More importantly, in times of crisis, the fan can create a phantom illusion that attracts the enemy’s attention while the true body silently escapes a hundred miles away...”
“The Thousand-Knot Silk Pouch—aside from its standard storage function, it can also capture female cultivators of interest. Through the Thousand-Knot Love Web, their minds will gradually change over time. Even if they were once mortal enemies, they would eventually come to love the owner of the pouch with unwavering devotion.”
Fang Zaiji spoke enthusiastically, unable to contain his excitement.
Li Fan and Liu San, on the other hand, exchanged odd glances.
“The last item, the Heavenly Treasure Carriage Token—one’s mode of transportation is just as important as their appearance. Simply flying with sword flight like an ordinary cultivator would be far too lacking in style. Within this carriage token are over a hundred different types of flying carriages and vessels. Every time you go out, you’ll be spoiled for choice.”
“Each flying treasure has a spacious interior. Even if you bring along a dozen or twenty ladies, it will still be more than sufficient...”
Cough, cough. “Mr. Fang, that will do.”
Li Fan’s expression twitched, while Xu Bai, his clone, helplessly interrupted.
Fang Zaiji finally noticed the slightly awkward atmosphere. Taking the hint, he wisely shifted to guiding Xu Bai on how to refine these four treasures.
“By refining them with your blood essence and divine sense, not only will the treasures recognize you as their master, but when you suffer serious injuries, these four treasures can collectively share the damage.”
...
After half a day, Xu Bai had successfully refined all the treasures.
He now wore the white robe, held the folding fan, and had the scented pouch as a small ornament hanging from the end of the fan. The jade pendant rested on his body.
Whoosh!
Xu Bai opened the fan with a gentle flick, waving it slightly. A soft white glow enveloped him, while a faint fragrance emanated around him.
“What an elegant and refined young master,” Liu San’s eyes brightened as he couldn’t help but praise.
As the saying goes, "A man is judged by his attire." Xu Bai was already exceptionally handsome, with an outstanding demeanor. Now, adorned with the magical artifact meticulously designed by Fang Zaiji, he appeared almost otherworldly, leaving those who beheld him momentarily dazed.
Fang Zaiji couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
However, after a moment, he furrowed his brows. "But I still feel like something is missing."
Liu San was puzzled. "Missing what? I think it's already perfect."
Fang Zaiji suddenly realized something and clapped his hands. "They say a hero is best accompanied by a beauty. With how celestial the young master’s clone looks, it would be a shame if there were no beauties by his side!"
Liu San, who usually enjoyed contradicting Fang Zaiji, surprisingly nodded in agreement this time.
"Heh."
Xu Bai chuckled but did not respond.
After admiring Xu Bai’s striking appearance for a while, Li Fan finally shifted to more pressing matters. "How is the disciples’ secular world integration plan progressing?"
Liu San regained his focus and replied seriously, "Over the past six months, nearly two hundred disciples have left the Longevity Valley. Following your instructions, Young Master, they have infiltrated various regions, lying low."
"While spreading information about the Heavenly Spirit Flower, they are also gathering any noteworthy intelligence. Through the [Great Dream of Spring and Autumn Formation], all findings are transmitted back to our sect’s headquarters in Longevity Valley."
"I’ve also established a specialized organization to systematically categorize and analyze this information, extracting useful insights..."
When it came to this matter, Liu San was indeed reliable. Without Li Fan needing to micromanage, everything was organized and executed flawlessly.
Hearing this, Li Fan was very pleased. He reminded, "Very good. Our disciples should not seek merit, only ensure they make no mistakes. In their daily activities, they should blend in as ordinary cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, prioritizing their own safety above all."
Liu San nodded in acknowledgment.
"However..." He hesitated, looking at Li Fan.
"Speak freely, Elder Liu."
"With so many disciples entering the secular world, manpower within Longevity Valley is becoming stretched thin. Should the Young Master consider awakening more people?" Liu San tentatively suggested.
Li Fan pondered for a moment before ultimately shaking his head. "We currently don’t have any surplus cultivation techniques. Even if we awaken more people, it would only bring unnecessary trouble without much benefit."
"The exotic beasts in the Beast Realm, however, can be put to use for now. With my clone suppressing that realm, they won’t dare harbor any rebellious thoughts."
"Everything must be done step by step. The revival of our Medicine King Sect is not something to be rushed."
Liu San nodded slowly in understanding.
"But it won’t be long now. On this trip, barring any unexpected circumstances, I should be able to obtain a batch of unclaimed cultivation techniques. Elder Liu, just be patient," Li Fan reassured.
After issuing a few more careful instructions, both his main body and his clone, Xu Bai, left Longevity Valley.
After passing through the white mist barrier, they went their separate ways.
Li Fan, altering his appearance to that of a middle-aged cultivator, headed straight for Qihong Isle in Leyang Prefecture.
Meanwhile, his clone, Xu Bai, leisurely made his way toward the Tianling Prefecture.
Now, let’s first discuss the main body’s journey.
Li Fan’s objective in Leyang Prefecture was none other than Ximen Yu, an expert in studying changes in ancient and modern topography.
Ximen Yu possessed a detailed comparison of the past and present geographical differences of the Xuanhuang Realm.
Li Fan intended to use this information to visit the ancient Sacred Beast Mountain of the Nanming.
His goal was to confirm whether the demonic beast race’s retreat plan had been successful.
Although, according to Xiao Hei’s memories and the dying words of Red Nine-Headed, the demonic beast race should have successfully retreated.
However, since this information has been relayed through multiple people, there is inevitably some distortion.
It’s better to see it with one's own eyes.
If the demon race, under the leadership of Emperor Yi, can truly pass through the Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain and break through the world's boundary into the void—
Then it would prove that the Heavenly Sword Sect had also accomplished the same in the past.
Perhaps, the next step in the Fallen Immortal Realm should focus on researching how to obtain the forging methods of world-rifting divine weapons.
Not only would this provide a means of retreat for oneself,
but such a secret technique would surely be of great interest to both the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association.
Leyang Prefecture is located in the southwest of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, not too far from the four central prefectures.
Within its territory lies a great lake, named Yueyang Lake.
The prefecture derives its name from the lake.
According to legend, at sunrise every day, a magnificent scene unfolds—
a crimson sun leaps from the depths of the lake.
In that moment, the Solar Qi is far denser than in other regions.
Absorbing and comprehending it for just a short while is equivalent to days of arduous cultivation.
Thus, many cultivators have gathered along the shores of Yueyang Lake.
Moreover, the lake is rich in resources—
the fish in its waters, nourished daily by the dense Solar Qi, have become extraordinary.
Their flesh is exceptionally delicious, and consuming them is akin to swallowing fire-attribute spiritual stones, filling one’s body with warmth.
Thanks to this great lake, even cultivators of mediocre talent can advance rapidly.
Of course, such a fortunate place naturally draws envy from the world.
To prevent outsiders from seizing their resources, the cultivators of Yueyang Prefecture formed an alliance, claiming the vast majority of Yueyang Lake for themselves.
Foreign cultivators who come seeking its riches can only compete for the lower-quality areas left for them.
After more than ten days of travel, Li Fan finally entered Leyang Prefecture.
Instantly, he sensed several gazes falling upon him.
However, upon seeing that Li Fan was not heading toward Yueyang Lake, they gradually withdrew their surveillance.
Ignoring these people, Li Fan flew toward Qihong Isle.
Qihong Isle lies along a tributary that feeds into Yueyang Lake—Jinsha River.
Whenever the sun rises over Yueyang Lake and Solar Qi erupts,
Jinsha River shimmers with golden waves.
It is considered the afterglow of pure Solar Qi, yet for some unknown reason, it carries traces of baleful Qi, making it impossible for cultivators to absorb.
As a result, very few cultivators visit this place, making it one of the quieter regions in Yueyang Prefecture.
Ximen Yu's name is fairly well known in this area.
It didn't take Li Fan much effort to find his cave dwelling.
From a distance, he could already hear Ximen Yu’s loud complaints:
"How many times do I have to tell you?! If you want a complete copy of Study of Ancient and Modern Mountains and Rivers, come find me at Qihong Isle!
If you try to transmit it through the Tianxuan Mirror, it will be blocked!"
"What? You don’t believe the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would do such a thing?
You think I’m lying to you?
You’re even threatening to report me as a fraud?"
"You damn—"
After Ximen Yu’s furious outburst ended, Li Fan finally spoke loudly:
"Is Daoist Ximen Yu present?"
"I am Han Wuyou. I have long heard of your esteemed reputation and have come to pay a visit!"
A lazy voice replied:
"Come in."
The door swung open, and Li Fan entered the cave dwelling.
It wasn’t very large and had no decorations.
The floor was littered with jade slips, paper books, and wooden tablets.
Sweeping his gaze over them, Li Fan realized that many were written in unfamiliar scripts.
"You’re here for the Study of Ancient and Modern Mountains and Rivers, aren’t you?"
Ximen Yu didn’t even lift his head, his eyes fixated on a withered tree branch growing out of the cave floor.
"That’s right."
Li Fan replied directly.
Ximen Yu casually pointed his finger, causing a paper book to fly from the cluttered floor.
"Ten thousand contribution points. Confidential. No reselling."
At the same time, a golden light, along with the book, flew toward Li Fan.
Li Fan smiled and signed the contract while tossing over ten top-grade spirit stones.
For now, he put away Study of Ancient and Modern Mountains and Rivers without reading it in detail.
Li Fan was in no hurry to leave. Instead, he asked with interest, “Fellow Daoist Ximen, why do you use paper books instead of recording on jade slips?”
Ximen Yu paused his study of the withered branch, glanced at Li Fan, and replied indifferently, “The contents recorded on jade slips can generally only last for ten thousand years. If the spiritual energy dissipates, the time is even shorter.”
“But if written with Baleful Ink on paper made from Evergreen Wood, it can last thirty to fifty thousand years without fading.”
“If inscribed directly onto Evergreen Wood, even after a hundred thousand years, it will still be clearly visible.”
Upon hearing this, Li Fan chuckled. “Fellow Daoist, your thinking is truly different from ordinary people—measuring time in tens of thousands of years...”
“In ten thousand years, who knows whether the Xuanhuang Realm will even still exist?” Li Fan sighed.
Ximen Yu suddenly turned his head, his gaze solemn.
“What do you mean by that, Daoist friend?”
Li Fan was slightly taken aback. “It was just a casual remark. What’s wrong?”
“Hmph. In that case, you may leave now.” Ximen Yu gave Li Fan another glance, then turned away without speaking further.
“Until we meet again!” Li Fan cupped his hands in farewell and was about to leave.
“Boom!”
Just as he reached the entrance of the cave mansion, he suddenly felt the ground tremble slightly.
A familiar yet unfamiliar energy appeared within Li Fan’s perception.
He couldn’t help but turn back, only to see a surge of earth-yellow energy erupting from the withered branch that Ximen Yu had been observing.
Ximen Yu seemed to have been waiting for this moment. He took out a small white jade bottle and absorbed all the yellow energy into it.
The eruption lasted for nearly half a cup of tea’s time before gradually subsiding.
Seeing his harvest, Ximen Yu revealed a satisfied smile.
“This is Earth Vein Energy?” Li Fan stepped forward and asked curiously.
Ximen Yu’s expression changed slightly. He put away the jade bottle and blocked Li Fan’s gaze from the withered branch.
“You do have some knowledge, Daoist friend. That’s right, I have completed my research on Study of Ancient and Modern Mountains and Rivers, and now I am studying Earth Veins.”
“This is a private matter, so it’s best if you don’t inquire further.” Ximen Yu’s tone was unfriendly.
Li Fan showed a hint of apology. “It was not my intention. It’s just that I feel this withered branch looks somewhat familiar.”
“Oh?” Ximen Yu was slightly stunned, and then his expression changed subtly. “Daoist friend, don’t joke with me!”
“I never speak falsehoods,” Li Fan said seriously.
“Once, in Tianling Prefecture, I encountered a similar withered branch in the wild. When I touched it, I found myself momentarily transported to an unknown space.”
“There, I saw a colossal, decaying tree standing tall, filling one’s heart with a sense of desolation. I didn’t stay long before waking from the vision.”
“The withered branch in my hand had disappeared, as if it had all been a dream.”
Li Fan sighed slightly. “This withered branch of yours resembles what I saw that day, though there are some subtle differences...”
The more Ximen Yu listened, the more surprised he looked.
By the time Li Fan finished speaking, Ximen Yu waved his hand, shutting the cave mansion’s door. Then, in a deep voice, he asked, “Fellow Daoist, where in Tianling Prefecture did you see that withered branch?”
"It was in..." Li Fan furrowed his brow, seemingly trying hard to recall something.
Ximen Yu stared at him intently, listening with full concentration.
"I can't remember." After a long pause, Li Fan shrugged helplessly and said.
"You..." Ximen Yu's face stiffened. "Such a strange event—how could you forget so easily?"
His expression was filled with disbelief as he scrutinized Li Fan.
"Daoist Ximen, why don’t you tell me about this withered branch? Maybe as you talk, I might remember something," Li Fan suggested with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Ximen Yu narrowed his eyes, scanning Li Fan up and down.
Yet, Li Fan remained completely unfazed, meeting his gaze with calm composure.
Unable to gauge Li Fan’s true strength, Ximen Yu ultimately chose not to act recklessly.
He shifted slightly, revealing the withered branch he had been guarding behind him.
After a brief silence, he finally spoke: "As for this item’s origins, I’m not entirely sure myself. Back then, my research on the earth veins had reached a bottleneck."
"Under the rule of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the power of the earth veins is tightly sealed by a protective formation that covers the entire region. Without proper authorization, attempting to tap into or study it is extremely difficult. I tried many methods, but I couldn't find a breakthrough. Just as I was considering switching to a different research direction..."
"About two years ago, the power of the earth veins in this area suddenly erupted. It was as if a catastrophic disaster had occurred thousands of miles away, one capable of annihilating an entire province, triggering a chain reaction. Seeing this rare opportunity, I seized the chance to absorb the overflowing power of the earth veins."
"And this withered branch—this is what I discovered within the energy of the earth veins."
Ximen Yu spoke slowly, while Li Fan listened, deep in thought.
"Two years ago... that was around the time of the Crimson Flame Burning Sea incident. Could it be that Hongxi, in his attempt to force out the hidden Crimson Flame within the earth veins, caused this disturbance by forcefully extracting its power?"
The Xuanhuang Earth Veins are interconnected—though separated by vast distances, they can still influence one another. In the past, in the Congyun Sea, there was a sunken island that emerged from the ocean due to the distant event of "A Hundred Mountains Flattening into Plains."
The seismic activity Ximen Yu observed here might very well be the residual shockwaves from the battle with the Crimson Flame back then.
Looking at the withered branch, which was still continuously emitting a yellowish-brown energy from the earth veins, Li Fan asked with some confusion:
"The power of the earth veins is supposed to be pure and pristine. How could a withered branch be mixed into it? Ordinary trees would be crushed into dust within mere moments in the depths of the earth veins due to the immense pressure. What exactly is the origin of this branch? Not only has it endured in the earth veins, but it can also draw upon and absorb the suppressed energy within?"
Li Fan then turned his gaze toward Ximen Yu once more.
"I assume the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance hasn’t detected the disturbances in the earth veins here yet? If they had, considering this concerns the safety of their grand protective formation, they would have definitely sent people to eliminate this hidden threat."
Ximen Yu’s expression shifted slightly, but he did not deny it.
"This withered branch does indeed possess some kind of mysterious power. It seems to be of the same origin as the earth veins, so my small-scale extractions for research have only been perceived as natural fluctuations of the earth veins themselves."
The withered branch’s emission of earth vein energy seemed intermittent, following a specific pattern. At this moment, the outflow was gradually weakening until finally, no more energy seeped out.
Ximen Yu carefully stored the jade bottle containing the branch.
"Of the same origin as the earth veins?" Li Fan pondered over these words carefully.
Ximen Yu then retrieved a stone tablet from his storage ring. It appeared to have been separated from an ancient rock wall, bearing extremely old marks.
The carvings on it were abstract, but the general depiction was still somewhat understandable.
Countless tiny dots represented humanity. They worshiped and lived upon the earth.
Meanwhile, beneath the surface, an inverted great tree grew.
Its roots spread densely, anchoring themselves into every corner of the land.
Yet its crown extended deep underground, reaching the very core of the earth.
“This is something I discovered in a geological fault while studying the changes in ancient and modern landforms. It should be a relic left behind by an ancient mortal civilization.”
“And it’s not just this mural. I have found similar ancient records in various places across the Xuanhuang Realm.”
“I suspect that what we call the earth’s spiritual veins are actually derived from the roots of this ancient tree. And this withered branch I have belongs to that very tree.”
Ximen Yu explained.
“Although the information left behind by mortals is extremely simplistic, and their perspective may not reveal the full truth, it is precisely because it comes from mortals that we cultivators often choose to ignore it. As a result, records that should have been erased have instead managed to survive.” Ximen Yu sneered.
“The Tree of Earth’s Veins...” Li Fan stroked his chin.
“No, that’s not right.” Suddenly, he shook his head.
“It’s very similar to what I once saw in an illusion, but there were still some differences.” Li Fan said with certainty.
Ximen Yu was not surprised. After thinking for a moment, he said, “It’s possible that the ancient tree you saw was even older.”
“It might even be the origin of the Tree of Earth’s Veins.”
Li Fan was astonished. “The Tree of Earth’s Veins has an origin?”
Ximen Yu took out several black stones from somewhere, crushed them, and scattered the powder onto the withered branch planted in the ground. The black powder was quickly absorbed, and the branch seemed to regain some vitality.
“It is said that in the beginning, there was only a single Mother Tree that governed the lifespans of all living beings.”
“Then, a great catastrophe occurred, and the Mother Tree suffered severe damage. Some of its branches broke off and fell into the world.”
“One of them became the ancient Tree of Earth’s Veins.”
Ximen Yu gazed at the carefully nurtured withered branch with deep affection as he spoke slowly.
A sharp glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes. “Where did you learn of this, Daoist Ximen? I have never heard of such a thing.”
Ximen Yu kept his gaze fixed on the withered branch and did not answer.
Li Fan paused, then nodded slightly.
“Ah, after hearing you say this, I seem to recall something. Back then, I encountered that withered branch right here.”
Casually, he sketched out a map of Tianling Prefecture and marked a location.
Only then did Ximen Yu shift his focus from the branch and firmly memorize the location before erasing the map.
“Times have changed. Over the years, I have revisited that place many times, but I have never been able to find that withered tree again. Daoist Ximen, you should not place too much hope on this.” Li Fan cautioned.
Ximen Yu chuckled, “Such a rare object can only be found by chance, not sought after. But I’ve always been lucky. Once I finish my research on the Theory of Earth’s Veins, I will definitely try my luck.”
“Then allow me to wish you success in advance!” Li Fan cupped his fists in salute, preparing to leave.
“Han Wuyou, was it?” Ximen Yu tossed a communication talisman over. “I feel like there’s some fate between us. Keep this. Perhaps we’ll meet again in the future.”
Li Fan stored the talisman away and did not linger.
Once his figure disappeared, the doors of the cave mansion closed once more.
Ximen Yu furrowed his brows deeply. “In Heaven and Earth stands the Ruòmu tree, by day and night it wanes yet fosters eternal life...”
“Could it still exist in this world?”
Li Fan left Qihong Isle and took out Study of Ancient and Modern Mountains and Rivers.
With a sweep of his divine sense, he flipped through its pages. In just a few breaths, he had read the entire contents.
A ball of flame leaped from his hand, reducing the book to ashes.
Li Fan gazed toward the southeast.
"The Extreme South... has shifted to the southeast, huh? The changes between ancient and modern times are truly unfathomable."
"What Ximen Yu said before was indeed true. Over millions of years, the Xuanhuang Realm has actually expanded as a whole. Some places have completely vanished, while others have emerged out of thin air..."
"The once-sacred Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain has now transformed into a deep-sea vortex that connects to the endless ocean."
"According to Ximen Yu’s investigations, the Sacred Beast Mountain no longer exists. However..."
A sharp gleam flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
Around the grand whirlpool, a ring of islands coiled like a dead giant serpent.
"This must be the red snake I saw back in the Fallen Immortal Realm, the one that wrapped around Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain."
"If even it has perished, then the demonic beast race's journey when they left the Xuanhuang Realm might not have been as smooth as they had hoped."
Li Fan flew toward Tiancheng of Yueyang Prefecture.
On the way, he reverted to his original appearance. As a guest official of the Xuan Clan, he held a Level 30 authority, granting him free access to the Long-Distance Teleportation Formation.
Originally, traveling through conventional teleportation formations would have taken at least half a month.
With the Long-Distance Teleportation Formation, he could arrive in just half a day.
Upon reaching Yueyang Tiancheng, he entered the inside of Immortal Ancestor’s Statue Hall. The attending reception staff verified Li Fan's identity and were slightly startled.
They then respectfully led Li Fan to the teleportation formation chamber.
Moreover, he was given priority over the cultivators ahead of him in the queue—the formation was activated for him first.
The cultivators who had been bypassed showed little resentment. Realizing that Li Fan’s status was extraordinary, they only revealed curiosity and envy in their gazes.
A slight dizziness washed over him. In the next instant, Li Fan arrived at Lingxu Prefecture, where the deep-sea grand vortex resided.
"Hmm?"
As he stepped out of the teleportation formation and adjusted to the anomalies in his body, he sensed something unusual.
He had used Long-Distance Teleportation Formation before.
Since the process involved crossing multiple prefectures and passing through many layers of Devouring Essence White Mist barriers, it typically resulted in more than just dizziness and discomfort.
The loss of lifespan from the journey was also quite noticeable—like a part of himself being extracted, leaving behind a faint sense of emptiness.
But this time...
Li Fan checked his [Truth] Interface for his current age.
"It's not an illusion. My lifespan hasn't decreased significantly."
"Has the Devouring Essence White Mist weakened, or has the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance improved the Long-Distance Teleportation Formation technology?"
Recalling his previous experience crossing the White Mist from Longevity Valley, Li Fan pondered.
"The Devouring Essence White Mist is still effective. Then what does this mean...?"
He also remembered that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had been secretly dispatching personnel into the White Mist, seemingly searching for something.
"It seems that, apart from the Samantabhadra True Boat, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance may have found another way to counter the Devouring Essence White Mist."
"What exactly is hidden within the White Mist?"
In an instant, Li Fan recalled the Chizha Abyss he had seen in his previous life and the many Lost Maze Zone rumored to be concealed within the White Mist.
"Wait a moment."
Li Fan suddenly halted his steps.
Because he recalled the time when he had encountered the Inverted Monster and comprehended the "Chaos" Character on the Broken Stone within that mysterious zone.
"Could it be that my use of the 'Chaos' Character back then led the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to delve deep into the White Mist?"
Li Fan's thoughts raced.
"It's not impossible. However, under normal circumstances, the initial investigation should have been focused within the Xuanhuang Realm. Yet, they directly set their sights on the depths of the White Mist."
"Does that mean they've already searched the Xuanhuang Realm and found nothing? Or..."
"Has the 'Chaos' character appeared before, and its origin is actually within the White Mist?"
"If that’s truly the case, what does it imply?"
Li Fan couldn't help but fall into deep contemplation.
The Dao Deviation Stone emitted a dazzling blue light as he continuously deduced various possibilities.
Yet, his body never stopped moving, flying swiftly toward the great vortex.
Before long, the increasingly dense and violent water-element spiritual energy in the air reminded Li Fan that he was approaching his destination.
"Hiss..."
A sharp pain snapped Li Fan out of his thoughts.
"The spiritual energy here is rather strange," he frowned slightly.
With his current physique, merely absorbing a trace of this violent water-element energy caused unbearable pain—
as if countless sharp blades were cutting through his body from the inside.
Li Fan temporarily sealed his body's pores to block the influx of external spiritual energy. He then captured a wisp of it in his palm, carefully analyzing it.
"Not only is its nature violent and difficult for cultivators to absorb, but it also naturally contains the attribute of 'Rend'..."
"No wonder this region is sparsely populated. The closer one gets to the great vortex, the more desolate it becomes."
Li Fan continued flying toward his destination, noticing that the surrounding spiritual energy was becoming even sharper.
"Whoosh!"
During his flight, the astral winds slashed against his face, causing stinging pain.
He had no choice but to form a protective layer of spiritual energy around himself.
"Luckily, I have the Five Elements Great Cave-Heaven, forming a self-sustaining cycle within my body. If it were an ordinary cultivator, they’d likely deplete their spiritual energy in no time."
Sensing the rapid consumption of spiritual energy within him, Li Fan was secretly alarmed.
Thus, he continued to fly at full speed.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he finally saw the grand, surging Deep Sea Vortex and the serpent-shaped island coiled beside it.
Rather than approaching immediately, he observed from a distance.
For a moment, it felt as if he had returned to thousands of years ago—when the beast clans had collectively retreated from this place.
"This vortex must be an anomaly caused by the collapse of the Sacred Beast Mountain and the Rifting of Realms."
"Even after thousands of years, it has yet to subside. This alone shows how catastrophic the event must have been. Is this not also a form of damage inflicted upon the Xuanhuang Realm?"
At this thought, Li Fan suddenly had an epiphany.
"Every group that forcefully leaves this realm is like cutting an opening in the great balloon of the Xuanhuang Realm, which is already on the verge of being devoured by the Immortal Ruins."
"Naturally, those within the realm wouldn't allow it once they discovered the truth."
"They would inevitably try to stop it. That Red Serpent—perhaps it perished in battle for this very reason."
"Then what about the Heavenly Sword Sect? Was it because they were one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects that no one confronted them? Or...
"Was it that those who left with the World-Rifting Divine Weapon were not only members of the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
"Or perhaps, after the Heavenly Sword Sect departed, the other cultivators of the Ten Great Immortal Sects only realized it too late?"
Li Fan's thoughts remained turbulent, making him even more eager for his next journey to the Fallen Immortal Realm.
"The greater the turmoil, the deeper my Dao enlightenment!"
"This place... shall be my proving ground for ascension!"
Suddenly, amidst the howling gales stirred by the great vortex, a series of wild, frenzied shouts faintly reached Li Fan’s ears.
Li Fan followed the direction of the sound and looked over. At the very center of the massive vortex, where wind and thunder clashed violently, stood a cultivator with a bare upper body, his frame lean but covered with tempered, powerful muscles. He was roaring toward the sky in fury.
Around him, countless tiny tornadoes could be faintly seen swirling. At the heart of the whirlwind, an abyssal darkness loomed, as if space itself had been torn apart.
The burly man drifted with the wind, the miniature tornadoes flickering in and out of existence in sync with his movements.
Even from a considerable distance away from the vortex’s core, Li Fan could feel the fierce winds slicing painfully against his skin. Yet, at the very heart of the storm, that muscular cultivator had no protective measures at all. He simply let the raging gales slam against his body, producing crisp, metallic collision sounds.
"That man is..."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
Though it was their first time meeting in this life, in his previous life, he had once crossed paths with this individual.
It was Dongfang Yao, the one who had overseen the construction of the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation in the Ten-Thousand-Mile Scorching Sand Flats and Transformation Spirit Ravine. He was a close confidant of Huangfu Song and had already reached the Soul Transformation realm at that time.
However, it seemed that in this life, he had yet to break through that threshold and was still at the Nascent Soul stage.
"Interesting. No spiritual energy fluctuations at all, yet he can withstand the gales purely through his formidable physical body. If I recall correctly, body-refining techniques in the Xuanhuang Realm are limited by the world's natural laws, making progress extremely slow past a certain point. I wonder how he managed to refine himself to this level..."
Li Fan did not rashly approach but instead observed Dongfang Yao from a distance, contemplating his insights.
The violent winds howled as the vortex's currents grew even more turbulent. Dongfang Yao attempted to steady himself within the storm, pushing toward the vortex’s core. Each step forward caused his body to emit ominous creaking noises, as if he were being compressed by immense pressure.
"Hmph!"
Dongfang Yao let out a deep roar, the veins on his neck bulging as a faint golden glow enveloped his muscles.
With unwavering resolve, he continued advancing toward the vortex’s center.
Suddenly, a black rift, resembling a bolt of lightning, appeared out of nowhere before Dongfang Yao. It was as if a sword had descended from the void, slashing directly across his body.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion resounded, its force so immense that it pierced through the storm and rain. A fresh wound split open across Dongfang Yao's body, forcing him several steps back.
Yet, instead of fear, his expression showed excitement.
"I've finally been waiting for you!"
With a strange shout, the grievous wound on Dongfang Yao’s body healed in an instant. He stomped hard against the void, and in a sudden burst of energy, he leaped forward dozens of feet in an instant.
A colossal black rift loomed ahead. It was unclear whether it had just appeared or had always been there, hidden since ancient times, beyond the sight of ordinary beings.
A black radiance, sharp as a sword, slashed straight down Dongfang Yao’s midline.
"Pfft!"
Dongfang Yao's flesh was instantly torn apart, nearly splitting him open from chest to abdomen. His body was flung backward, retreating a thousand feet in the blink of an eye, returning to the outer perimeter of the vortex where it was relatively safe.
"Are you alright, Fellow Daoist?"
Seeing this, Li Fan called out at the right moment.
Without approaching, he flicked over a healing pill—a Hundred-Heal Pill, specially prepared for him by Liu San before this expedition. Though not quite a miraculous panacea that could revive the dead or regrow lost limbs, it was still an exceptional healing medicine. For ordinary injuries, it could heal completely within just a few breaths.
Dongfang Yao reached out and caught the Hundred-Healing Pill. With just a glance, he swallowed it whole.
"This is nothing! Many thanks for your concern, fellow Daoist!" As he spoke, the originally severe wounds on his body had already healed completely.
Not even a scar remained.
While part of the credit belonged to the Hundred-Healing Pill, the greater reason was Dongfang Yao's exceptionally strong physique.
Li Fan couldn’t help but take notice.
"How should I address you, fellow Daoist?" Dongfang Yao temporarily halted his training amidst the wind and rain, soaring over to Li Fan’s side.
"I am Li Fan. I heard of the Grand Vortex Phenomenon in Lingxu Prefecture, so I passed by to witness it for myself. I never expected to meet such an extraordinary individual like you, fellow Daoist!" Li Fan's gaze swept over Dongfang Yao’s well-defined muscles, his eyes filled with admiration.
"My name is Dongfang Yao!" He waved his hand dismissively. "I’m not extraordinary, just a bit sturdier than most!"
"Fellow Daoist Dongfang, you are being far too modest. With such an incredibly strong body, even the legendary body cultivators of ancient times might not compare to you!" Li Fan clicked his tongue in amazement.
Dongfang Yao burst into laughter. "Now, that’s something I like to hear..."
Just as he was about to continue speaking, he suddenly turned his head and looked toward the center of the Grand Vortex.
Amidst the roaring wind and thunder, a dark shadow seemed to surface once again.
"Fellow Daoist, wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back!"
His voice still echoed in the air as his figure shot toward the whirlpool’s core like a bolt of lightning.
A series of deafening explosions and collisions resounded once more.
A few breaths later, Dongfang Yao returned, covered in fresh blood and looking rather battered.
This time, however, Li Fan did not take out another Hundred-Healing Pill. Instead, he quietly observed Dongfang Yao heal himself.
His injuries were even more severe than before, but with just a bit more effort, he had fully recovered once again.
"So I worried for nothing and wasted a top-grade pill," Li Fan remarked in feigned exasperation.
"Haha, it wasn’t wasted! I still have it stored in my stomach!" Dongfang Yao smugly patted his abdomen and laughed.
Li Fan was momentarily stunned before shaking his head with a wry smile. "You truly are a fascinating person, fellow Daoist."
Dongfang Yao simply smiled without replying.
"To remain here at the Ancient Rift’s Vortex for so long without even flinching, you must be hiding some extraordinary abilities as well, Daoist Li," Dongfang Yao said meaningfully after a moment of contemplation.
A trace of helplessness appeared on Li Fan’s face. "The Xuanhuang Realm is riddled with dangers. Without some means of survival, how could I dare to wander about? But it’s nothing more than a quick spiritual recovery technique—not even close to comparing with your abilities, fellow Daoist."
"I’ve heard that body cultivation is extremely difficult. To reach this level, you must be a once-in-a-generation genius!" Li Fan remarked with genuine admiration.
Dongfang Yao waved off the praise, but the pride in his expression was impossible to conceal.
"It’s just that my physique is naturally a little special."
As he spoke, the dark fissure at the whirlpool’s center reappeared. Dongfang Yao halted their conversation and charged into the chaos once more.
Again, he returned with severe injuries, and again, he conversed with Li Fan after healing.
After several repetitions of this cycle, Li Fan gradually pieced together some truths from Dongfang Yao’s words.
It turned out that Dongfang Yao, much like Ye Feipeng, carried a trace of ancient beast bloodline within him.
Though diluted over thousands of years to the point of near insignificance, Dongfang Yao had once encountered a rare treasure that fully awakened the latent potential of his beast lineage.
"At first, I worried it might turn me into something neither human nor beast, but that thing... truly miraculous," Dongfang Yao sighed in amazement.
"It merely extracts and amplifies the effects brought by the demonic beast bloodline within me, allowing me to absorb them. It does not have any adverse impact on my body."
"My ancestors... I have no idea which demonic beast they originated from. I don’t have any special abilities, except that my body is exceptionally resistant to attacks." Dongfang Yao said with a hint of pride.
"As long as I’m not beaten to death, I can recover within just a few breaths." He patted his chest, producing a loud thud.
"The legacy of your predecessors, combined with your own good fortune. That’s not something one can simply envy." Li Fan sighed and shook his head.
"I can see that you’re not far from breaking through to the Soul Transformation Realm. Are you planning to advance here?" After a moment, Li Fan asked.
"Not at all, not at all. I am here for two reasons: first, to temper my body; and second, to comprehend the Dao of [World-Rift]." Dongfang Yao spoke confidently. "Though my defense is extremely strong, I lack offensive means. If I get into a fight, I’d be nothing more than a punching bag. How could that not be frustrating? That’s why I found this place, which is perfect for me to comprehend the Dao."
"World-Rift..." A subtle glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
"I’ve heard you mention this term multiple times just now. What exactly does it mean?"
Dongfang Yao shrugged. "I’m not entirely sure either. But from the vague memories I inherited from my ancestors, I know that this place holds something akin to a scar on the Xuanhuang Realm. Compared to ordinary spatial rifts, it is several times more dangerous."
"Moreover..." He paused briefly.
"Before coming here, I made some inquiries. It is said that, in this great vortex, some cultivators have occasionally witnessed an extraordinary sight."
"A massive pillar of light bursts forth from the center of the vortex, piercing through the heavens and the earth. The entire world seems to tremble slightly, and the wind and clouds shift in response."
"The magnificent scene only lasts for a few moments before disappearing. And that pillar of light, as if it never truly existed, leaves no trace behind—just like an illusion. Some say it is a Time Mirage, a phenomenon that replays a real event from thousands of years ago. I don’t quite understand it myself."
Dongfang Yao, appearing open and straightforward, told Li Fan everything he knew.
"I actually know a little about this Time Mirage," Li Fan’s gaze flickered as he explained.
"When certain conditions are met, specific events in the world get recorded and then replayed at particular moments, over and over again..."
Dongfang Yao suddenly understood. "So, you're saying that this light pillar once tore apart the Xuanhuang Realm, creating this great vortex? That’s truly astonishing! If I could comprehend even a fraction of its power..."
As he spoke, excitement flashed across Dongfang Yao’s face.
The moment another black spatial fissure appeared, he let out a loud cry and charged toward the vortex’s center.
"Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain, the World-Rifting Divine Weapon..."
"If that’s the case, then at the former site of the Heavenly Sword Sect, there should also be such a [scar] left on the Xuanhuang Realm. Perhaps I could ask Shuo Feng about it—he was the one who found the precise location of the Sword back then."
As Dongfang Yao immersed himself in comprehending the power of Rift, Li Fan did more than just observe.
His Formless Killing Intent had already locked onto Dongfang Yao.
Though his physical body was not as resilient as Dongfang Yao’s—meaning he could not recklessly charge into the vortex’s core—by observing through Dongfang Yao’s perspective, he could still closely study and perceive the power of the black rift.
"Interesting... This seems somewhat similar to the force produced when the Five Elements merge into one. No wonder a Time Mirage manifests here as well."
While Li Fan's true self was outside the Great Vortex, comprehending the Dao amidst the storm,
His clone had already arrived in Tianling City.
Xu Bai, with his peerless beauty, naturally drew attention wherever he went.
However, his cold and aloof demeanor, coupled with his extraordinary attire, made it clear that he was no ordinary person.
As a result, no cultivators dared to approach him recklessly.
He leisurely wandered through Tianling City.
Over time, the name of the Heavenly Spirit Flower had spread widely throughout the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
What was originally a niche interest, only known to a select group, had now gained widespread recognition. First, Li Fan had offered longevity treasures as a bounty for it. Then, Shuo Feng and Lu Xuejing ordered people to inquire about it, while disciples of the Medicine King Sect, dispersed across various regions, secretly fueled the trend.
With multiple forces pushing it forward, almost every cultivator, unless they lived in complete isolation, had at least heard of the Heavenly Spirit Flower.
After a prolonged collective effort, people were finally forced to accept a cruel truth—
The Heavenly Spirit Flower no longer existed in this world!
The battle between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association had resulted in countless fallen cultivators. The entire state was soaked in unimaginable bloodshed.
The Heavenly Spirit Flower, born from the essence of heaven and earth, was naturally sensitive to such changes. Now, every flower petal carried faint traces of red blood energy.
“What an eyesore! It ruins the elegance!”
“Alas, what good does war bring? Instead of gaining anything, countless cultivators perish, and the world loses its former beauty. Peace is hard to come by—fellow Daoists, you must cherish it and not recklessly start another conflict!”
Some mourned, some reflected.
But others saw an opportunity.
"Although the original Heavenly Spirit Flower no longer exists, this particular one has only a faint trace of blood energy—almost imperceptible. Compared to the original breed, it’s not much different. If you're interested, why not take a look for yourself?"
As its fame grew, the value of the Heavenly Spirit Flower skyrocketed.
Sharp-witted cultivators seized this moment to capitalize on the hype, deliberately selecting flowers with minimal blood energy to sell.
After all, the original breed had gone extinct—seeing a lower-grade substitute wasn’t a bad alternative.
While not many were willing to spend large sums on it, the vast number of cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance meant there were always buyers.
Moreover, the Heavenly Spirit Flower had a fixed annual yield, and those with less blood energy were even rarer. This naturally led to a continuous rise in its price.
Tianling City, which had been somewhat desolate after the war, was now bustling once again.
Some came out of curiosity, hoping to witness the flower in person. Others sought to profit through speculation.
Meanwhile, the merchants selling Heavenly Spirit Flowers came up with innovative methods.
Their shops were filled with unopened Heavenly Spirit Flowers.
Customers could try their luck, gambling on how much blood energy would appear on the petals once the flower bloomed.
If fortunate enough to pick one with minimal blood energy, they could sell it immediately for several times the price.
Of course, the vast majority suffered losses.
But the world has never lacked cultivators who believed in their own luck. As a result, even unopened Heavenly Spirit Flowers became highly sought after. The flowers barely stayed on display before they were quickly sold out.
“Luck, huh...”
Xu Bai smiled slightly as he stood among the crowd.
Without much thought, he casually picked one.
“Shopkeeper, this one will do.”
After paying the spirit stones, he did not take the flower with him but patiently waited for it to bloom.
Chapter 690
Xu Bai lingered in the shop, and the owner did not stop him.
After all, with his breathtakingly exquisite appearance, Xu Bai merely standing there, doing nothing, was enough to attract the attention of passing cultivators.
Even though cultivators could reshape their appearances, and those with stunning looks were not uncommon, Xu Bai was still someone who could leave people in awe at first glance.
Moreover, the otherworldly and mysterious aura he carried only added to his allure.
Both men and women paused in the store, secretly observing Xu Bai while casually purchasing a Heavenly Spirit Flower as a cover.
Business boomed, and the shop owner was naturally overjoyed. Overwhelmed with excitement, he wished Xu Bai could stay in the store day and night.
However, that was obviously impossible.
Two days later, the Heavenly Spirit Flower Xu Bai had chosen bloomed in full splendor.
At first, no one paid much attention, as their gazes still frequently drifted toward Xu Bai.
But when Xu Bai held the flower in his palm, and people caught a glimpse of it—
A chorus of exclamations erupted.
“This is...?”
“The petals are truly red, yet tinged with an almost imperceptible pink... This can be rated as a first-grade Heavenly Spirit Flower!”
“Hiss... I heard that a first-grade Heavenly Spirit Flower recently sold for a sky-high price of 100,000 contribution points! No matter what, this one can’t be worth any less, right? But he only spent 1,000 contribution points to buy it—that’s an enormous profit!”
“Wow, not only is he beautiful, but even his luck is this good? How enviable.”
...
“So this is the power of fortune. Even without deliberate pursuit, every word and action causes things to develop in a direction beneficial to oneself"
Holding the Heavenly Spirit Flower, Xu Bai remained silent, contemplating how fortune influenced reality.
Sensing that part of his luck had been depleted, he immediately drew from the Feather of the Black Bird to replenish it.
As he returned to his senses, he noticed that the cultivators, including the shop owner, were all looking at the flower in his hands with intense excitement. ŘaΝŏꞖĚS
Xu Bai smiled slightly.
“No matter how beautiful one’s appearance, nothing moves the human heart more than profit.”
Then, in front of everyone, he spoke indifferently:
“First-grade? What trash.”
With that, spiritual energy surged in his palm, and in an instant, the twelve-petaled, first-grade Heavenly Spirit Flower turned to ash.
“What are you doing?!”
The crowd erupted in shock.
Although Xu Bai was the rightful owner of the flower and could dispose of it however he wished, it was still a treasure worth over 100,000 contribution points!
Destroying it so casually—while even calling it "trash"—was simply too much!
The faces of the cultivators darkened, their expressions turning grim.
One scholar-like cultivator, clutching a Heavenly Spirit Flower in his arms, stepped forward with a livid expression.
“Fellow Daoist! You may not love it, but please, do not harm it!”
“The life of a Heavenly Spirit Flower is already fleeting. In its full bloom, it should be admired and shared with the world...”
He continued speaking in righteous indignation.
“Move aside. You’re in my way.”
Xu Bai, however, simply flicked open a folding fan and effortlessly brushed the scholar to the side.
Ignoring him completely, Xu Bai walked away unhurriedly.
“You—!”
The scholar’s face flushed red with anger.
Strictly speaking, this scholar was not bad-looking, but compared to Xu Bai, he lacked a certain charm. He had already felt somewhat displeased with Xu Bai, and now, being looked down upon, jealousy and anger surged within him all at once.
"All first-grade Heavenly Spirits are trash? What an arrogant statement! You should know that unless the Original Species appears, the most beautiful Heavenly Spirits in the world are merely a few top-grade ones. Have you ever seen one yourself?" The scholar shouted at Xu Bai.
"From what I know, those few top-grade Heavenly Spirits had just bloomed and were immediately bought, gifted to various Immortal Alliance dignitaries for their viewing pleasure. Who exactly are you, and when have you ever seen one?"
The scholar was somewhat cautious, afraid of offending someone he shouldn't. His tone was restrained, carrying a hint of probing.
Xu Bai turned around upon hearing this.
With a crisp swish, he unfolded his folding fan, gently fanned himself, and shook his head with a smile. "As for those so-called top-grade Heavenly Spirits, I have never seen them either."
"Then you are just being pretentious and ignorant!" The scholar, relieved, immediately lashed out in anger.
"But in my eyes, those so-called top-grade Heavenly Spirits are nothing more than trash."
Although Xu Bai's voice was light, it fell upon everyone's ears like a thunderclap.
The scholar was momentarily stunned.
Then, overcome with rage, he let out a bitter laugh. "By your logic, then only..."
Xu Bai calmly finished his sentence for him. "That's right! Only the Original Species can truly be called a Heavenly Spirit Flower!"
As he spoke, he extended his right hand.
A translucent, paper-thin sheet—delicate as cicada wings—unfolded in his palm.
A Heavenly Spirit Flower appeared on the sheet, as vivid as if it were alive.
All seventeen of its petals were incomparably detailed, to the point where one could even see the entire flower trembling ever so slightly.
The scene instantly fell into an eerie silence.
Everyone present was well-versed in Heavenly Spirit Flowers, and the moment they laid eyes on the one in Xu Bai’s hand, it seized their full attention.
"The Original Species?"
After a brief moment, someone snapped out of their trance and cried out in shock.
"What?! That’s the Original Species!"
"The absolute pinnacle of Heavenly Spirits—worthy of its name! Compared to the Original Species, any so-called top-grade or first-grade Heavenly Spirit, if tainted with even a hint of blood, is nothing but garbage!"
...
Not only was the previously arrogant scholar stunned, but the cry of "Original Species" had also drawn the attention of nearly all the cultivators in Tianling City.
More and more cultivators rushed over upon hearing the news, staring at the Heavenly Spirit Flower in Xu Bai’s hand in a daze.
"Crash!" The scholar's pot of Heavenly Spirit Flowers fell to the ground, yet he seemed completely indifferent.
Instead, he stared at the Original Species in Xu Bai’s hand, his eyes filled with obsession as he slowly stepped closer.
Just as he was about to reach Xu Bai, Xu Bai suddenly withdrew it.
"No...!"
As if losing the most cherished thing in his life, the scholar's face contorted with madness. He lunged at Xu Bai in a frenzy.
In Immortal Alliance’s Cities, combat was strictly forbidden.
Before the towering statue of the Immortal Ancestor could even deliver its punishment, a radiant glow flickered on Xu Bai's clothes.
Xu Bai remained motionless while the scholar let out a miserable cry, violently rebounding and flying backward.
A divine light then descended from the Immortal Ancestor’s statue, instantly scorching the scholar’s body into a charred husk.
After struggling for a moment, he lost all signs of life and collapsed to the ground, dead.
The enforcement cultivators from the Martial Hall rushed over to collect the corpse. The heavenly phenomenon marking the death of a cultivator finally suppressed the restless crowd.
Xu Bai clasped his hands in a courteous salute to those around him before drifting away.
"It’s over. The Heavenly Spirit Flower business is finished."
The shop owner watched Xu Bai’s departing figure, his face ashen as he muttered to himself.
Glancing at the neatly arranged Heavenly Spirit Flowers in his shop, he quickly wrote a sign: "90% Clearance Sale", and hung it outside.
Chapter 691
My Longevity Simulation
The news that an original species of the Heavenly Spirit Flower had appeared in Tianling Prefecture spread like a whirlwind throughout the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
All the cultivators who had just been admiring and playing with their so-called top-grade or first-grade Heavenly Spirit Flowers suddenly found them dull and uninteresting.
"So, an original species truly exists in this world..."
With this thought in mind, they discarded their previously prized Heavenly Spirit Flowers like worthless trash and began frantically searching for the original species.
However...
Days turned into weeks.
Despite mobilizing nearly half the forces of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, they were still unable to locate the legendary original species of the Heavenly Spirit Flower.
This led many to doubt the credibility of the rumor.
But after thorough interrogation of those cultivators who had personally witnessed the event, they finally confirmed—the news was real!
The Heavenly Spirit Flower that had appeared that day was undoubtedly the true original species.
Now, things were getting interesting.
It was known that the environment of Tianling Prefecture had changed, and no more Heavenly Spirit Flowers without blood essence could be born.
Yet, the one displayed by that mysterious white-clad cultivator was unlike any ordinary Heavenly Spirit Flower.
It appeared to be sealed within a thin piece of paper.
This led to a shocking conclusion—
Before the great battle in Tianling Continent, that white-clad cultivator had somehow preserved a seventeen-petaled Heavenly Spirit Flower!
And most crucially—
This might be the only original species left in existence!
Unlike other short-lived original species that could only appear for a few brief moments before vanishing, this one could be preserved indefinitely and taken out for viewing at any time! ŘANồꞖЁʂ
The implications of this...
The value of something is determined by its rarity.
And something truly unique in the world—
Is priceless.
The world went into a frenzy, searching for the white-clad cultivator who had possessed the original Heavenly Spirit Flower that day.
Yet, to everyone’s bewilderment, after that day, this person seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth. His past was shrouded in mystery, as if he had suddenly dropped from the sky. No one knew his background or identity.
Even Dao Integration Realm cultivators attempted to divine his whereabouts using fate-tracing techniques, but they found nothing.
This led to endless speculation.
Some claimed he was a spy from the Five Elders Association, and that the Heavenly Spirit Flower original species was a fabrication meant to disrupt and destroy the newly booming Heavenly Spirit Flower market.
Others believed he might be a reclusive rogue cultivator, living in seclusion within a hidden realm. His sudden appearance and equally abrupt disappearance could mean he was waiting for the highest bidder.
As the outside world grew increasingly curious about this mysterious cultivator, Xu Bai had already returned to the Beast Realm.
His own fortune was now merged with the world’s fortune, making him one with his small world, resisting any external attempts to trace or predict him.
"Rest assured, Young Master. Since you are within this small world, the outside world’s ability to sense you is already weakened. Moreover, with both myself and Old Fang working together to conceal your heavenly fate..."
Elder Liu San stroked his beard confidently. "Unless a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign takes action personally, they will never be able to locate this place."
Xu Bai, however, wasn’t worried at all.
Besides the protective measures Elder Liu mentioned, he also had his own [Sky-Shrouding Hand] secret technique. Even Heavenly Net had been deceived, so within the current Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, no one should be able to deduce his existence.
Of course, if Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor were to personally descend just for this trivial matter—
Well, so be it.
After all, his true body was in the Great Vortex, millions of miles away, completely safe.
"Master, your strategy of ‘playing hard to get’ is truly brilliant! According to reports from our disciples outside, those people are getting desperate. They are scratching their heads in frustration, willing to offer outrageous prices just for a glimpse of the legendary original species of the Heavenly Spirit Flower!"
Fang Zaiji looked at Xu Bai with admiration, his voice filled with excitement.
"Some cultivators have even spoken out, willing to exchange a Dao Integration True Technique with the Sect Master in return for the Primal Seed. Tsk tsk..."
Xu Bai’s expression remained unchanged as he said indifferently, “No rush, let them wait a little longer.”
“The Sect Master is wise,” Fang Zaiji responded with a knowing smile.
“However, Sect Master, the commotion you caused this time is quite significant. I fear that when you go out again, the few magical treasures I crafted for you may not be able to withstand the pressure.” He suddenly furrowed his brows, expressing concern.
“If three to five Dao Integration cultivators conspire together to seize it by force, then your clone, Sect Master, would indeed be in real danger.”
Xu Bai’s face twitched slightly.
“Don’t worry, I have my own plans. Mr. Fang, you should focus on researching the True Cauldron of the Medicine King.”
Fang Zaiji chuckled before his figure flickered and disappeared.
“Elder Liu, there is something I need you to do.” After Fang Zaiji left, Xu Bai suddenly turned to Liu San.
“Young Master, please instruct me,” Liu San said solemnly.
“Find this person for me.” Xu Bai projected an image of Jiao Xiuyuan into the air.
“He has countless incarnations, with clones spread throughout the entire Xuanhuang Realm. In every state’s Heavenly City, there is a branch of the Qianli Hall where one of his clones resides. Normally, I could contact him directly, but at the moment, both my true self and my clone are preoccupied.”
“And since you do not yet have an official identity within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, you are unable to enter the Immortal Alliance’s Heavenly City. Therefore, you will have to trouble yourself by searching for him in the wilderness.”
“Focus on the ruins of ancient sects; it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“When you find him, give him this item and tell him I have a business proposition to discuss.”
Xu Bai instructed carefully.
“Young Master, rest assured.”
After receiving the order, Liu San immediately left Longevity Valley to track down Jiao Xiuyuan.
Meanwhile, Xu Bai’s attention was mainly focused on his true self.
Lingxu Prefecture, The Great Vortex.
“Fellow Daoist, look! Could that be the Time Mirage you spoke of?”
Dongfang Yao pointed excitedly at the massive pillar of light rising from the center of the vortex.
Even though he was practically shouting at the top of his lungs, his voice was barely audible in the midst of the raging storm.
Even spiritual voice transmissions were being distorted by the twisted spiritual energy in the surroundings.
During the past few months of Dao comprehension alongside Dongfang Yao, Li Fan had sensed that something unusual was brewing within the Great Vortex.
Dongfang Yao had not noticed anything amiss, but Li Fan felt an inexplicable premonition.
Sure enough, on this very day, as Dongfang Yao was tempering his body in the black rift at the Vortex’s core, he suddenly froze in place.
The rift’s energy tore several deep wounds into his body, and blood streamed freely, yet he remained motionless.
Within the vortex, an inexplicable towering mountain suddenly appeared.
Scarlet serpents coiled around the peak.
Then, from the summit, a dazzling white light erupted—
Like the sharpest blade, it ripped through space.
It surged forth, piercing straight into the heavens.
Heaven and earth trembled, and the mountain began to crumble.
The scarlet serpents, hissing furiously, were forced to retreat.
“The World Rift... This is the true World Rift...”
Dongfang Yao stared at the breathtaking spectacle in a daze, murmuring to himself.
Meanwhile, Li Fan’s expression grew solemn.
“A Time Mirage... something that only appears once in a century, and yet, I encountered it so effortlessly...”
Chapter 692
My Longevity Simulation
“Du'e Sect...”
“They just won’t let go!” A cold glint flashed through Li Fan’s eyes.
If it had only happened once, it could be brushed off as coincidence. But for it to occur repeatedly—luck alone could no longer explain it.
It was almost certain that this was related to what Jiao Xiuyuan had mentioned: Li Fan being the so-called "Calamity-Bearing One."
However, how exactly did the Du'e Sect, lurking in the shadows like relentless flies, manage to detect and lock onto him? That was something Li Fan still had no clue about.
After all, even in the ancient cultivation world, the Du'e Sect was an incredibly mysterious existence, let alone now, thousands of years later.
“Each time the cycle resets, the Du'e Sect must also be affected. So from their perspective, I might just seem like a cultivator with a mysterious background, harboring some unknown secret. But how are they always so certain that I am their so-called Calamity-Bearing One—the one who can help them overcome disaster?”
“Could it be that aside from the [Truth], I have some other special quality? Or is it purely because the Du'e Sect’s techniques are so profound that they can foresee the future?”
Thoughts raced through Li Fan’s mind.
Regarding whether he could escape the desperate situation of the Xuanhuang Realm and attain true immortality, Li Fan, who possessed the [Truth], had absolute confidence.
Conversely, if there truly existed a savior in this doomed world, then as the only variable, "Li Fan" was undoubtedly the most likely candidate.
“But if that’s the case, Ruomu letting me go back then was probably because he foresaw the boundless slaughter I would commit, bringing unimaginable disaster upon the world of cultivators.”
“So... does my future hold both salvation and destruction?”
...
Li Fan’s contemplation was abruptly interrupted by an overwhelming burst of white light before him.
Perhaps due to the astonishing nature of the recorded images within the Time Mirage, even the fabric of reality and space seemed to have been affected.
At the moment when the Sacred Beast Mountain of the Nanming emitted its world-shattering radiance, Li Fan noticed that the already turbulent spiritual energy around him suddenly resonated in unison, trembling violently.
“Not good! Fellow Daoist Li, retreat at once!”
Dongfang Yao, who had been excited moments before, suddenly paled, his figure flickering as he rapidly retreated beyond the vortex.
Though not entirely selfish, he still found the time to call out to the dumbfounded Li Fan.
“This is...”
As Li Fan’s body drifted backward, his gaze remained fixated on the enormous vortex and the surrounding sea, where space itself seemed to be sliced into fragmented sections.
Each black spatial rift seemed to contain the ferocious shadow of a monstrous beast.
They roared. They howled.
They clawed and tore through the very fabric of space.
A myriad of beasts, working as one, sought to rip apart the Xuanhuang Realm.
In an instant, Li Fan recalled the forging of the World-Rifting Divine Weapon in the Fallen Immortal Realm by the Heavenly Sword Sect.
They had cast a [Sword Embryo], infused with the various understandings of swordsmanship from multiple cultivators, into the Divine Weapon Furnace.
This scene of the Sacred Beast Mountain's world rupture felt eerily similar in principle.
“Tsk tsk tsk, I wonder what truly happened back then. Even after a thousand years, we can still catch a glimpse of that magnificent spectacle through mere illusions.” Dongfang Yao sighed in amazement. ℞аꞐοᛒƐS
The dazzling white pillar of light lasted for the time it takes to finish half a cup of tea.
Then, it vanished abruptly without a sound.
The stark contrast between the intense brilliance and the sudden darkness made the world seem as if it had plunged into twilight in Li Fan’s eyes.
With the disappearance of the Time Mirage, the tempest surrounding the massive vortex also began to calm, as if it had entered a period of silence after a great battle, slowly gathering its strength once more.
“What a pity. Who knows how long it will be before another rift appears?” Dongfang Yao said regretfully.
“But from the looks of it, Fellow Daoist, you seem to have gained some insights.” Li Fan smiled.
Dongfang Yao waved his hand dismissively. “Gaining insights from a wondrous scene is always beneficial. But my comprehension is still far from matching the true might of that world rift. It’s a shame this place isn’t like the [Mortal Ascension to God Wall], which appears at a fixed location and time. Here, it’s purely a matter of luck.”
“I once studied the Mortal Ascension to God Wall over and over, and eventually managed to form my Golden Core using four different methods. But unfortunately, my comprehension is limited, and I could not glean anything further from it.” A hint of nostalgia flashed in Dongfang Yao’s eyes.
“The Mortal Ascension to God Wall.” Li Fan’s heart stirred.
It was another Time Mirage, recording the transformation of Mr. Bai from a mere mortal into a Godhood in a single step.
Li Fan had long heard of it.
However, due to lingering doubts, he had never gone to observe it personally.
His main concern was whether Mr. Bai, who was hailed as "the kindest man in the world," was truly as benevolent as he appeared—and whether he was still alive today.
From Li Fan’s repeated experiences in the Fallen Immortal Realm, it was clear that Mr. Bai had achieved a level of mastery close to that of an immortal.
If such a figure still existed somewhere in the Xuanhuang Realm, then even seeing him through the recorded images of the Mortal Ascension to God Wall might be no different from encountering him in reality.
What consequences that might bring—no one could say for sure.
Until he uncovered Mr. Bai’s true nature, Li Fan dared only to observe his “past” through the Fallen Immortal Realm.
After all, the treasured [Truth] was something that even a true immortal would fight tooth and nail to obtain.
As these thoughts passed through his mind, Li Fan casually responded, “The [Mortal Ascension to God Wall] is indeed extraordinary—a true wonder of Tianyun Prefecture!”
Dongfang Yao donned a green robe before suddenly recalling something. His expression turned a bit strange. “The Ascension Wall is remarkable, but if you ask me, the strangest thing in Tianyun Continent is actually a black dog!”
“A black dog?” Li Fan was momentarily stunned before his mind flickered with light from the Dao Deviation Stone. He suddenly recalled a legend he had once heard from Shenyu Zi.[1]
“Are you referring to that infamous man, Chen Shimei—the one who ruthlessly refined his own Dao companion into his cultivation foundation?”
Dongfang Yao nodded vigorously. “Exactly! That vile act enraged the [Fairy Kongyou], who transformed him into a black dog. Countless cultivators, eager to curry favor with her, would bring all sorts of wild beasts just to torment him.”
“The sight of it...”
Dongfang Yao shivered, as if recalling something terrifying.
“But actually, there’s something even more bizarre about this whole affair.” Dongfang Yao suddenly lowered his voice.
“Oh? Could there be more to the story?” Li Fan raised an eyebrow.
“You know that I possess the bloodline of ancient divine beasts. As my physique grew stronger, I discovered another unique ability that comes with it—”
“I can communicate with all beasts.” Dongfang Yao spoke in a conspiratorial tone.
“Once, when I passed through Tianyun Prefecture, I encountered that tormented black dog. To others, its cries sounded like pitiful howls of pain, but to me, they were words of grievance.”
“The dog swore solemnly, saying that everything was the idea of its perverted Dao companion. It claimed that it had simply fallen asleep and woke up to find that its fellow cultivator was gone, but it had gained an additional foundation of the path within its body.”
Li Fan was momentarily speechless.
Dongfang Yao shrugged. “At first, I didn’t believe it either. But once Chen Shimei realized I could understand him, he clung to me like his last hope, desperately pleading his case...”
“What's even more terrifying is that he said his Daoist partner actually hasn't died. Through some unknown method, they can still communicate and talk every day.”
“Suffering a wrongful accusation, enduring both mental and physical torment every day, 'Chen Shimei' has become utterly insane.”
“That time, he pleaded with me, begging me to help him find release. But, well...”
Dongfang Yao had a helpless expression on his face. "Fairy Kongyou has countless admirers; I wouldn't dare offend her. Even if she were wrong, I couldn't say it outright."
"So, in the end, it’s always Chen Shimei who suffers."
Dongfang Yao let out a sigh.
"Since then, I’ve come to realize just how terrifying women can be. I’d rather avoid them entirely."
"Men like Fellow Daoist Li, who are straightforward and genuine, are much more to my liking."
He glanced at Li Fan, nodding in satisfaction.
"Heh..." Li Fan discreetly took a slight step away from Dongfang Yao.
"This is the first time I’ve heard of this incident. It’s truly interesting. Fairy Kongyou..."
The name Fairy Kongyou was familiar to Li Fan. In fact, in his past life, he had even met her once.
That was at the commendation ceremony held after the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation was completed.
She was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, living up to the name of a fairy.
More importantly, she had a unique constitution, possessing a rare Innate Yin-Yang Jade, an existence that was half a heavenly wonder.
Through the dual cultivation method, she could fuse the Yang half of her Yin-Yang Jade with her Dao companion. This process would elevate the companion’s Foundation Establishment treasures, Golden Core, Nascent Soul Cave-Heaven, and even their life transformations to a higher level.
It was enough to turn an ordinary cultivator into a peerless genius overnight.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it defying fate itself.
Because of this, Fairy Kongyou was fervently pursued by countless talented young cultivators.
She also seemed to have a powerful background. Some reckless cultivators had once attempted to force her, but they all mysteriously vanished—neither their bodies nor their souls were ever found again.
Dongfang Yao noticed Li Fan's subtle change in expression and couldn't help but warn him, "Fellow Daoist Li, trust me. Beauty is a disaster; brotherhood is eternal."
"Haha, Brother Dongfang speaks wisely! A woman like that is beyond my reach!" Li Fan laughed heartily, cutting him off.
"The Great Vortex's turmoil has settled. Where will you be heading next?" Li Fan asked.
Dongfang Yao was pleased to hear Li Fan agreeing with him and grinned. "I have a friend named Huangfu Song. We get along extremely well, like brothers. Since you and I are so compatible, I imagine you would also get along well with him."
"Recently, I heard he's heading to Chizha Abyss, saying it’s a rare opportunity to make great contributions. He invited me to join him. I’ve got nothing better to do, and I’ve just comprehended a new divine ability. My hands are itching for action, so I figured I’d join the fun."
"So, Brother Li, are you interested?" Dongfang Yao looked at Li Fan with anticipation.
"Chizha Abyss? White Mist, Maze Zone, great contribution..." Li Fan narrowed his eyes as countless clues connected in his mind.
"It is what I desire, though I dare not ask it of you." After a moment of thought, Li Fan agreed without much hesitation.
"Great!" Dongfang Yao was overjoyed.
"I’ll ask him where he is now and go meet up with him!"
With that, he took out a communication talisman and sent an inquiry.
A short while later, Dongfang Yao put away the talisman.
"Tianyu Prefecture, let’s go!"
Hearing this familiar place name, Li Fan smiled slightly, then followed behind Dongfang Yao, flying towards the nearest teleportation formation.
In the Beast Realm...
Amid his deep meditation on the world’s destiny, Xu Bai suddenly opened his eyes.
Standing in the sky, he parted his lips slightly, as if uttering a command.
The world fell into an eerie silence.
A moment later, an earth-shaking chorus of millions of ancient beasts roaring erupted across the realm.
Unlike the dominant powerful beasts that once ruled the Beast Realm, these roars came from the most formidable ancient beasts of the primordial era.
Their cries carried a primal savagery and terrifying ferocity.
At that moment, every beast in the realm—no matter how mighty—stopped in its tracks and trembled in fear.
Uncontrollably, they knelt in submission, gazing toward the source of the sound.
Before Xu Bai, the space itself fractured, forming cracks as deep and dark as those seen in the Great Vortex’s Time Mirage.
The surrounding space was torn apart, distorting the very fabric of reality. Even the realm itself seemed to become unstable.
A figure suddenly appeared.
It was Fang Zaiji.
"Sect Master, what happened?"
Seeing this shocking scene, Fang Zaiji was alarmed and asked anxiously.
He feared that an enemy had forcefully broken through space and attempted to abduct Xu Bai. Preparing to strike in defense, he steadied himself.
Yet, Xu Bai merely sealed his lips.
Instantly, the deafening beastly roars vanished, and the world returned to silence.
The space fractures disappeared as if they had never existed.
Xu Bai glanced at Fang Zaiji and said indifferently, "It’s nothing. I merely comprehended a new divine ability."
"Uh..." Fang Zaiji was stunned as he examined Xu Bai.
"The phenomenon just now—was that really caused by the Sect Master’s comprehension? Are you serious? Even Liu San and I can’t cause something like that..."
His face showed clear disbelief.
Xu Bai ignored him and simply relived the process of casting his divine ability.
"Strange... this clone’s talent is ridiculously high."
"While observing the World-Rift Time Mirage, my main body only had some insights... But this clone..."
"When witnessing the forms of the ten thousand beasts, it felt as if I were there in person, hearing their roars firsthand."
"Even those obscure, unrecognizable ancient beasts—I could see their images vividly in my mind."
"And..."
Xu Bai looked at his hands.
"To perceive essence beyond appearance... to instantly comprehend and replicate the power of World-Rifting..."
"Could it be because of Xu Ke’s bloodline, combined with the Feather of the Black Bird?"
"Or... is it because of Mr. Bai?"
As this thought crossed Li Fan’s mind, he found it utterly absurd.
It was merely a resemblance in demeanor based on Mr. Bai's, a coincidental similarities they just happen to share.
But...
What if it wasn’t just a coincidence?
TL- [Shenyu Zi was previously translated as Oracle]
"Simply by bearing a resemblance in spirit, one can receive the favor of Heaven and Earth, as well as the wonders of creation..."
Li Fan suddenly recalled an anecdote from the previous dynasty of the Great Xuan.
The last emperor of the previous dynasty, Emperor Zhengxu, was originally a rare ruler capable of revitalizing his empire. From the moment he ascended the throne at the age of sixteen, he executed treacherous ministers, quelled bandits, improved water conservancy, and abolished taxes—sweeping away the signs of the empire's decline and resembling the sage-kings of old. In just over twenty years, the land was peaceful, prosperous, and thriving. The common people had no worries about food or clothing and sang praises of the wise ruler. The officials submitted wholeheartedly, writing books extolling the emperor’s virtues.
Had he continued this way, the founding emperor of the Great Xuan might never have had the opportunity to overturn the heavens and establish a new era.
However, everything took a sharp turn when Emperor Zhengxu reached the age of thirty-seven. The reason? His beloved Empress Duanmu passed away due to illness.
Upon hearing the tragic news, Emperor Zhengxu nearly fainted on the spot. Overcome with grief, he withdrew from state affairs for several months. Had it ended there, the empire would have remained stable under the guidance of its many capable ministers, even if the emperor himself remained secluded. But perhaps the fall of the Zheng Dynasty was already predestined—on a visit to the place where he had first met Empress Duanmu, Emperor Zhengxu encountered a woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to her.
Not only was her appearance nearly identical, but even her expressions and mannerisms were indistinguishable from the woman he had lost.
And she was younger.
Shaken to his core, Emperor Zhengxu believed it was fate. Without hesitation, he brought her back to the palace, made her his concubine, and indulged in her company day and night.
To please her, he engaged in all manner of extravagance—constructing lavish palaces and gardens within the imperial city and even digging a canal connecting the royal court to the outskirts, so they could drift upon its waters at their leisure. He commanded his officials to scour the land for rare treasures to entertain his beloved concubine.
The entire court was thrown into chaos, and the people’s resentment boiled over. Those who dared to admonish him were either dismissed from office or executed.
Even so, the empire did not collapse immediately, thanks to the strong foundation Emperor Zhengxu had built in his earlier years.
But when the concubine gave birth to a son, the emperor seemed to lose all reason. Ignoring the vehement opposition of his ministers, he sought to depose the crown prince. The crown prince, unwilling to sit idly by, rallied his supporters under the banner of "eliminating the wicked concubine and purging the court." His rebellion was backed by many noble families in the capital, including the Duanmu clan.
After days of fierce battle, the rebellion was ultimately crushed, and the crown prince took his own life in defeat. But the Zheng Dynasty had suffered a devastating blow.
From that point on, Emperor Zhengxu withdrew entirely from court affairs, indulging solely in pleasure.
The empire fell into decline. By the time Emperor Zhengxu turned fifty-six, the imperial palace was stormed by rebel forces. The emperor and his concubine perished in each other's arms, consumed by fire.
Later scholars, when studying this period of history, were baffled by how an emperor who had once shown such promise could lose himself to lust and bring ruin to his empire.
The only explanation was that his love for Empress Duanmu had reached an unfathomable depth. So when he encountered someone who resembled her, he completely lost his reason—perhaps even falling into madness—and in the end, destroyed a once-glorious kingdom in a single day.
There are no new things under the sun.
Similarly, if Xu Bai’s clone could gain such extraordinary favor from Heaven and Earth simply by resembling Mr. Bai, then there were only two possibilities:
Either Mr. Bai was an incarnation of the Dao itself.
Or he held an unparalleled significance to the Xuanhuang Realm—so much so that the world constantly yearned for the emergence of another "Mr. Bai." To the extent that even a mere resemblance could grant someone an extraordinary affinity with the laws of Heaven and Earth.
"Mr. Bai..."
Memories of all he had seen in the Fallen Immortal Realm surfaced in Xu Bai's mind, yet he remained silent.
After a long while, his thoughts settled. He retrieved the seventeen-petal Heavenly Spirit Flower, which had been sealed with a special secret technique.
With narrowed eyes, he once again examined the countless scenes imprinted upon its petals. This time, a perception completely different from his original self began to emerge.
It was as if he was gazing down upon the world from a celestial perspective, sweeping across the entire Tianling Prefecture in an instant. In that moment of illusion, he glimpsed vast mountains and rivers, the myriad beings of the land, the ever-changing winds and clouds, and the cycle of prosperity and decline.
Before him, the Heavenly Spirit Flower seemed to reflect all that transpired within the continent—like a divine mirror revealing the essence of the world itself.
A trace of enlightenment quietly passed through Xu Bai’s heart. However, like snowflakes melting into water, it vanished without a trace in an instant, leaving him with a sense of loss.
"This feeling... it's just like when I once used the Canghai Pearl to observe the grand transformations of the world from the vast perspective of heaven and earth, ultimately comprehending the [Formless Killing Intent]."
"The divine abilities and spells of cultivators largely originate from heaven and earth itself. Observing from the perspective of heaven and earth naturally makes comprehension easier."
"However, in the end, a flower is merely a record of nature’s scenery—it is not truly one with heaven and earth. Gaining insight from it is not so simple; it requires exceptional perception. Just like before, when my true self personally crafted it, studied it carefully countless times, yet still saw it as nothing more than an ornamental object."
"But this is not the flower’s problem—it is the person’s problem."
"Hmph."
Xu Bai made fine adjustments to the plan in his mind. Before Liu San returned, Xu Bai's mind continued to settle into contemplating the flower and understanding the Dao.
Tianyu Prefecture.
After spending quite some time, Li Fan and Dongfang Yao finally arrived in Tianyu City. However, instead of heading to the Huanyu Courtyard, where Li Fan had received formation training in his previous life, they went to a private room in the Dao-Discussion Tower.
"Let's wait a bit. I've already notified Brother Huangfu, and he should be here soon," Dongfang Yao said casually, sitting cross-legged on the ground. He tapped his fingers on the floor, and before long, a cup of spiritual tea emerged.
"Damn, how stingy," Dongfang Yao muttered under his breath, downing the tea in one gulp.
Li Fan was no stranger to the Dao-Discussion Tower and knew that Dongfang Yao was short on funds, so he could only drink the complimentary tea.
Smiling slightly, Li Fan connected his divine sense with the control jade token of the room.
Before long, a dark green teapot appeared.
"Brother Dongfang, please!" Li Fan gestured with a smile.
"Brother, you’re too generous!" Dongfang Yao beamed with joy, happily pouring himself a cup and drinking it in one go.
"This is the finest [Thousand Cultivators’ Dao Discourse] tea! Brother Li, you are truly magnanimous! The last time I had tea of this caliber was when I returned from the [Thousand Pages Book Forest] and couldn’t resist celebrating!" Dongfang Yao praised endlessly.
Shaking his head, he closed his eyes slightly, as if savoring some deep insight.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out.
"Dongfang Yao! You dare to enjoy [Thousand Cultivators’ Dao Discourse] alone without sharing it with me?"
A plump cultivator with a kind and amiable face stepped into the room.
His face bore a mock expression of anger, but there was a trace of a smile at the corner of his lips.
His gaze briefly swept over Li Fan before settling on Dongfang Yao with an unreadable expression.
"Brother Huangfu, you’re just in time!" Dongfang Yao’s eyes snapped open. He poured a cup of spiritual tea and tossed it over.
Huangfu Song steadily caught the teacup and tilted his head back to drink it.
"Now that you've had Brother Li’s tea, we are brothers from now on," Dongfang Yao said with a satisfied nod.
"Brother Dongfang, you haven’t introduced me yet. Who might this be?" Huangfu Song glanced at Li Fan, who was sitting upright beside him, and asked tentatively.
"This is Li Fan," Dongfang Yao said, raising his head. "I happened to meet him while comprehending the Dao in the Grand Vortex of Lingxu Prefecture. We hit it off instantly. When you mentioned this rare opportunity to earn contribution, I discussed it with him, and we decided to come together."
A glint flashed in Huangfu Song’s eyes as he discreetly gave Li Fan another look.
Li Fan remained composed, cupped his hands, and said, "I've long heard of Brother Huangfu’s great name. It’s an honor to meet you!"
However, Huangfu Song did not display any particular enthusiasm. He merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
After some casual conversation, the straightforward Dongfang Yao finally got to the point.
"Huangfu, stop keeping us in suspense. What is this once-in-a-century opportunity for contribution you mentioned? Speak now!"
Huangfu Song pondered for a moment before slowly speaking. "Although this matter is still confidential, it will soon be officially announced. Since both of you are our own people..."
"I won’t hide it anymore."
"The Immortal Alliance is about to issue an order encouraging all cultivators to explore deep into the White Mist. Not only will they provide the Samantabhadra True Boat needed for the expedition free of charge, but all treasures obtained during the exploration will belong entirely to the individual. The Immortal Alliance will not interfere in the slightest."
"Furthermore, merely reporting the terrain and discoveries of the White Mist will earn contribution points, merits, and even access to top-secret cultivation techniques as rewards."
...
Huangfu Song continued to explain the new policy of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance in great detail.
After he finished, Dongfang Yao still looked puzzled.
"Did I hear that right? Deep into the White Mist? Other than the White Mist itself, could there be anything else inside?"
Huangfu Song cast an exasperated glance at Dongfang Yao before explaining, "Within the White Mist, there exist Maze Zone. Each Maze Zone is vast, even larger than many Cave-Heavens or small worlds."
"And that’s just the surface of what we’ve discovered. According to the latest investigations, many hidden rifts and passageways exist within the White Mist, leading to unknown destinations."
"The higher-ups of the Immortal Alliance are extremely determined to explore the White Mist this time, and the rewards are unprecedentedly generous. Many cultivators who got wind of the news have already ventured into the mist ahead of time. Once the policy is officially finalized, they’ll report their findings and immediately claim their merit rewards."
"Though we received the news a bit late, if we move quickly, we can still get a share of the rewards. If I hadn’t been waiting for you, Brother Dongfang, I would have set out seven days ago."
Huangfu Song sighed and took a sip of tea, glancing at Dongfang Yao helplessly.
"Good brother, you’re really looking out for me!" Dongfang Yao slapped Huangfu Song’s shoulder forcefully, causing his round belly to wobble.
"So what are we waiting for? Let’s set off immediately! I’m practically broke. The resources I need to strengthen my physical body are ridiculously expensive!" He urged impatiently.
Huangfu Song rolled his eyes at Dongfang Yao. "The White Mist is full of dangers. Since we’re already late, a little more preparation won’t hurt. We need to be fully equipped before we go. We may not be extraordinary, but at the very least, we shouldn’t be a burden to the team."
As he spoke, his gaze subtly swept over Li Fan.
Li Fan smiled slightly. "Since Brother Huangfu has said so, I won’t hide it either. My combat strength may be somewhat lacking, but I am quite wealthy. I can provide the Samantabhadra True Boat required for this journey, as well as artifacts that can temporarily resist the energy-draining effects of the White Mist."
"If we encounter challenges beyond the Nascent Soul level during exploration, I will voluntarily withdraw so as not to put my brothers in a difficult position."
...
Seeing Li Fan's frankness, Huangfu Song was somewhat surprised. Meanwhile, Dongfang Yao was slightly dismissive. "What is Li Fan saying? So what if it's a Nascent Soul cultivation? Am I not also at the Nascent Soul stage? When brothers work together, their strength can cut through metal. How could a mere Devouring Essence White Mist possibly stop us?"
Li Fan frowned and instead offered a word of caution. "I know that Brother Dongfang has an exceptionally strong physique, and even the spatial rifts within the Great Vortex couldn't harm you. However, the depths of the White Mist are truly extraordinary. I once heard Brother Shuo mention that within the mist lies a Maze known as the Chizha Abyss. Even he must tread carefully, or else he risks falling to his doom. Brother Shuo possesses the combat power of the Soul Transformation stage and carries a protective artifact gifted by his mother. If even he says such things, then the dangers of the White Mist are self-evident."
Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao were momentarily stunned.
"Brother Shuo? Which Brother Shuo?"
Huangfu Song’s expression subtly changed. "Could it be...?"
Li Fan nodded slightly. "I won’t hide it from you two—Shuo Feng and I are close friends, and he has invited me to serve as a guest elder for the Xuan family."
Dongfang Yao showed little reaction, but Huangfu Song suddenly stood up, his face full of shock.
"Brother Li, are you serious?"
Li Fan smiled. "I doubt there’s a single Nascent Soul cultivator in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance who would dare impersonate a guest elder of the Xuan family."
Upon hearing this confirmation, Huangfu Song’s attitude shifted immediately.
"Amazing! Why didn’t you mention this earlier, Brother Li? With your help, this expedition into the White Mist is sure to be a fruitful one!"
His words were full of flattery, while he subtly probed for more details regarding Shuo Feng.
After Li Fan revealed a few details, Huangfu Song finally confirmed the truth and became even more enthusiastic.
"With Brother Li's assistance, our chances of success have increased significantly. We must set out as soon as possible!" Huangfu Song declared decisively.
"One day should be enough to prepare the necessary supplies," Li Fan responded.
Dongfang Yao shrugged, indicating that he was ready at any time.
Thus, the three of them agreed to meet at the same place the next day.
After temporarily parting ways, Li Fan entered the Tianxuan Mirror, took out a communication talisman, and inquired with Shuo Feng about the Immortal Alliance’s decision to conduct a large-scale exploration of the White Mist.
Before long, Shuo Feng sent a reply.
"Oh, I think I did hear something about that. Why? Are you interested? There are too many strange and unpredictable things inside—there's no need to take that risk. If you need contribution points or anything, I can speak with my family and increase your offerings instead. There's no need to get involved in the chaos. If you die in there, it wouldn't be worth it." His tone remained as indifferent and carefree as always.
After declining Shuo Feng's offer, Li Fan asked about the original species of the Heavenly Spirit Flower before ending the communication.
"A Maze..."
The thick White Mist was indeed eerie and filled with countless dangers.
In his past life’s knowledge alone, he had heard of the Chizha Abyss and the Chaotic Character Maze Zone.
In fact, the Eternal Immortal Fortress that guarded the Chizha Abyss was built from the severed hand of an Ancient Heavenly Sovereign who had fallen.
That severed hand of the Heavenly Sovereign had drifted out from within the White Mist.
This alone was proof of the immense danger and mystery hidden within.
Chapter 695
Li Fan speculated that within the white mist, besides the remnants of ancient cultivation worlds, there might also be the remains of other cultivation realms.
After all, no one truly knew how many worlds the Xuanhuang Realm had absorbed over the years to delay being devoured by the Immortal Ruins. Even the Xuanhuang Realm itself had undergone drastic changes, as if it had expanded in size. Not to mention the white mist barrier, which seemed to be a buffer zone where worlds merged.
However, for Li Fan, though the white mist was full of dangers, its actual level of threat might not necessarily surpass that of the Xuanhuang Realm itself.
The Xuanhuang Realm hid too many terrifying entities. Since Li Fan’s reincarnation, he had encountered beings such as the Heavenly Physician, Ruomu, and the mysterious Heavenly Palm. Each time, he barely escaped with his life. Who knew how many other hidden powerhouses still lurked in the shadows?
In comparison, while the white mist was perilous, most of the danger came from the Devouring Essence Mist itself. Even if he encountered eerie and terrifying entities, they would not be as overwhelmingly powerful as the great cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm, who could prevent him from even using his [Truth] ability.
"Compared to the Xuanhuang Realm, the white mist is like the corpse of a dead cultivation world. And the living are often more terrifying than the dead."
"With my clone Xu Bai handling the planning for the later chapters of the ‘Mountain Sitting Technique,’ there shouldn't be any major issues. My true body can take this opportunity to explore the white mist and see what the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is up to."
Clearing his thoughts, Li Fan used his past life's experience to purchase useful supplies from the Tianxuan Mirror.
For example:
Eight Directions Purity Formation Diagram – A formation that could temporarily block the invasion of the Devouring Essence Mist, providing a crucial moment to catch one's breath.
Black Death Talisman – A necessary item to resist the Devouring Essence Mist's effects and allow movement within the white mist.
Various spirit pills and elixirs to rapidly replenish internal spiritual energy.
Li Fan keenly noticed that the prices of these items had been steadily rising in recent times. The Black Death Talisman, in particular, had silently doubled in price. It was clear that a significant number of people were already aware of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's plan to send cultivators into the white mist and were taking advantage of the last moments to profit.
Among all these supplies, the price increase of longevity-related treasures was the most astonishing, with most of them tripling or even quadrupling in price. Longevity-enhancing items had always been rare and expensive.
After consuming one, a cultivator would need to find a different type for further effect. This made them highly sought after, often commanding exorbitant prices and always being in short supply.
Now that the era of white mist exploration was approaching, these longevity treasures had essentially become life-saving artifacts against the Devouring Essence Mist.
In his previous life, Li Fan had been trapped in the white mist and had barely escaped. However, he had stayed inside for too long. By the time he returned to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold, he had aged drastically. If he had possessed Longevity Pills back then, he could have avoided such a fate.
Other cultivators did not have the luxury of Li Fan’s ability to restart. It was only natural to stock up on life-saving resources to ensure survival.
Glancing at the over one hundred Longevity Pills that Liu San had prepared for him, Li Fan, who was not lacking in contribution points, had no intention of selling them. Instead, he planned to use them at critical moments.
"It's a pity that at this point in time, Zhong Shentong has yet to rise to fame. I've searched for a long time, but I haven't been able to find any trace of him. Otherwise, if I could learn his Seven-Colored Divine Light technique, moving around would be much easier. As for his incomplete manuscript of the ‘Life and Death Profound Art’... I’ll wait until I have the opportunity to obtain the full version."
Time passed quickly.
The next day, Li Fan met up again with Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao.
As promised, Li Fan took out the large batch of supplies he had purchased and handed them over to them.
"Damn, brother, you’re really generous!" Dongfang Yao grinned widely as he happily accepted the storage ring filled to the brim with supplies.
Huangfu Song glanced at the ring, his face showing surprise. "Brother Li, you’ve truly gone all out!"
"Since we’ve agreed to explore the white mist together, we must make thorough preparations. A little money is nothing compared to our lives," Li Fan said casually, waving off their concerns.
"Besides that, I also prepared these."
Li Fan’s expression turned serious as he took out two jade bottles and handed them over.
Huangfu Song and his companion took the items and opened them. Inside, they saw three pills emitting a faint cyan glow.
The enticing fragrance of the pills filled the air, making it almost impossible for them to resist the urge to swallow them immediately.
Both of their expressions changed slightly, and they spoke in unison, "Longevity Pills?"
Li Fan nodded slightly, lowered his voice, and whispered, "I went through great effort to obtain these. These pills are called 'Longevity Pills.' Each one can extend life by two hundred years. What’s even more remarkable is that they can be taken multiple times. Although the effect gradually diminishes, it is said that within ten doses, it can still guarantee an additional hundred years of life."
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Song and his companion immediately realized the immense value of the Longevity Pills.
Without hesitation, they carefully stored the jade bottle and looked at Li Fan with deep emotion. "Brother Li..."
Li Fan smiled slightly and raised his hand to interrupt them.
Huangfu Song's expression fluctuated as if he was struggling internally. Finally, he gritted his teeth, as if he had made up his mind.
"Brothers, please wait a moment. I will be back shortly."
Without waiting for Li Fan’s response, Huangfu Song hurriedly left the private room in the Dao-Discussion Tower. To an outsider, it might have looked like he had taken the items and fled.
However, neither Dongfang Yao nor Li Fan showed any such suspicion.
They remained calmly waiting in the room with unwavering patience.
Dongfang Yao had known Huangfu Song for many years and was well aware of his character, so he had no concerns. However, the fact that Li Fan remained just as composed left him quite impressed.
"Hehe, my judgment is truly excellent. Brother, you are indeed worth befriending!"
"In the White Mist, dangers lurk everywhere. If we cannot trust our companions, then what is the point of traveling together?" Li Fan responded indifferently, exuding an air of confidence.
However, as time dragged on and Huangfu Song still did not return, even after half a day, and his communication talisman remained unanswered, it seemed as if he had vanished from the world.
This time, even Dongfang Yao couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Yet, Li Fan remained as calm as ever, his demeanor unshaken.
Dongfang Yao couldn't help but marvel at him.
The reason Li Fan remained so composed was not just because he understood Huangfu Song's character and knew that he was not a short-sighted person. More importantly...
To Huangfu Song and his companion, these were extremely "precious" resources.
But in Li Fan's eyes, they were nothing worth mentioning.
Another half-day passed, and by the time night had fallen, Huangfu Song finally returned, quietly slipping back into the room.
"Brother Li, since you have been so honest, I will take a leap of faith as well."
"My brothers, take a look at this..."
After sealing the door, Huangfu Song set up an formation to prevent eavesdropping.
Then, with a solemn expression, he took out an ancient, square-shaped mirror from his robes and placed it in front of them.
"What in the world is this?" Dongfang Yao was completely puzzled.
Li Fan, however, was visibly shaken, his eyes locked onto the mirror in Huangfu Song’s hands.
Mirrors of the world, countless and numerous.
However, the only one that could make Li Fan take it so seriously was [Tianxuan].
Although the square mirror in Huangfu Song’s hands was not exactly the same as the Tianxuan Mirror he had seen before, the familiar aura emanating from it made Li Fan almost certain that it was undoubtedly connected to the Tianxuan Mirror in some way.
Sure enough, Huangfu Song whispered nervously, “Brother Dongfang, be careful with your words. This little mirror may look unremarkable, but it is a great creation born from the collective efforts of almost all the top formation masters of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.”
“The Heaven-Measuring Mirror.”
Li Fan’s eyes flickered, but Dongfang Yao was still completely lost.
Impatiently, he said, “Stop acting so mysterious. If you have something to say, just say it clearly.”
Huangfu Song didn’t take offense. He gently stroked the Heaven-Measuring Mirror and sighed, “Even if I explained it in detail, you wouldn’t understand. Just know that this artifact is forged using a formation core and refined from the Qingxuan Mirror as the primary material, making it an invaluable treasure.”
“It can be considered a portable fragment of the Tianxuan Mirror. The most crucial part is that the user has almost complete control over it.”
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yao's eyes widened. “A fragment of the Tianxuan Mirror? Such a treasure—quick, let me have a look!”
Saying this, he immediately reached out to grab the Heaven-Measuring Mirror from Huangfu Song’s hand.
However, something unexpected happened. His hands clearly touched the square mirror, yet they passed right through as if grabbing at air, like trying to scoop water with a bamboo basket—completely futile.
“A fake?” Dongfang Yao was stunned on the spot.
“Haha.” Huangfu Song smugly tossed the Heaven-Measuring Mirror in his hand. “Such a treasure can only be wielded by those who are worthy. Without the Immortal Alliance’s authorization, even if an ordinary cultivator were lucky enough to obtain it, they wouldn’t be able to touch it at all.”
At this moment, Li Fan, who had been silently observing, finally spoke, “For Brother Huangfu to be able to borrow such a priceless treasure, you must have paid a significant price.”
“However, how exactly does this Heaven-Measuring Mirror help us in exploring the White Mist?” Li Fan frowned as he asked.
Huangfu Song stopped keeping them in suspense and explained, “As its name suggests, the Heaven-Measuring Mirror is capable of measuring the heavens and the earth. In the vast White Mist, even a cultivator’s divine sense cannot penetrate far, forcing us to explore blindly, relying purely on luck. But with this mirror...”
Huangfu Song smiled and continued, “Within a hundred-zhang radius, everything will be revealed in intricate detail. Even with the obstruction of the White Mist, nothing will be hidden.”
“Unfortunately, I exhausted years of accumulated merit just to borrow this single low-grade Heaven-Measuring Mirror from Dean Ji. If it were a higher-grade version, it could scan everything within ten thousand li in an instant.” He sighed regretfully.
“A hundred-zhang radius is already extraordinary. With such a powerful tool, our exploration of the White Mist will be twice as effective with half the effort.” Li Fan couldn’t help but praise.
Huangfu Song added, “Since the Heaven-Measuring Mirror and the Tianxuan Mirror share the same origin, any discoveries it records are immediately reported rather than being stored and tallied upon our return.”
“Is that so?!” Dongfang Yao exclaimed in delight. “I was worried we’d have to constantly go back to report our findings. Now, we can just charge straight into the White Mist without concern!”
“Haha, unlike you two, I have no wealth or power—I’m just a penniless man who can only rely on brute force.”
Dongfang Yao patted his chest and promised, “If there’s any fighting to do, leave it to me. You guys can just sit back and watch the show.”
Li Fan shook his head. “Brother Dongfang, you jest. If not for you, how would I have had the fortune to meet Brother Huangfu? The fact that I can get ahead of other cultivators in exploring the White Mist—half the credit belongs to you!”
A few words made a bright expression appear on Dongfang Yao’s face.
The three of them discussed briefly and, feeling that everything was well-prepared, immediately decided to set off.
"In ordinary white mist zones, at most, you’ll earn some contribution points as a reward. If we want to obtain truly generous rewards, we need to seek out unknown Maze Zones. Even though we have the Heaven-Measuring Mirror to lead the way, the white mist regions are vast, making it no different from searching for a needle in a haystack. However, I once heard from Dean Ji that Maze Zones are drawn to each other and tend to merge. So, around known Maze Zones, there’s a high chance of discovering new ones. As it happens, I know of a Maze Zone within the white mist barrier of Tianyu Prefecture called [Wandering Living Words]. Why don’t we try our luck there?" Huangfu Song suggested.
"Wandering Living Words? What kind of bizarre place is that?" Dongfang Yao scratched his head, asking curiously.
"It is said that, among the explored Maze Zones, its danger level ranks relatively low. However, the words inside cannot be fixed in place by any means—they float in the sky like living creatures. The scenery is rather peculiar," Huangfu Song briefly explained.
Li Fan nodded in agreement. Dongfang Yao had no objections either.
Thus, the three of them controlled the Samantabhadra True Boat, following Huangfu Song’s guidance as they charged into the white mist barrier.
As soon as they entered the boundless white mist, Huangfu Song tossed the Heaven-Measuring Mirror above his head.
A soft cyan glow spread from the mirror, radiating outward and forming a circular area with a hundred-zhang radius around the Samantabhadra True Boat.
Under the cyan light’s protection, Li Fan squinted slightly. After a careful check, he found that his body showed no abnormalities, allowing him to relax slightly.
"Bad luck. Someone's already beaten us here," Huangfu Song muttered, shaking his head.
"It’s only natural to be a step behind since we’ve just entered the white mist barrier," Li Fan remarked. However, his real focus was on the large map that had suddenly appeared in his mind.
Most of the map was a vast, blank expanse of white. However, small dots and thin lines had begun to appear, slowly spreading.
Zooming in, he saw a black dot marking his own location.
The surroundings were a mix of deep blue and black, standing in stark contrast to the boundless white of the outer regions.
"So, while the explored areas are marked, their specific contents remain unknown?"
Li Fan was not surprised by this.
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had launched the White Mist Exploration Project for a clear purpose. The environmental data within the white mist was highly classified—there was no way they would let the pathfinding cultivators gain access to such critical information.
Huangfu Song controlled the Samantabhadra True Boat, navigating around the deep blue-black regions marked on the map as they advanced toward the Wandering Living Words Maze Zone. They traveled while accumulating contribution points along the way.
The vast white mist stretched endlessly, much like a boundless ocean.
Along their journey, aside from the white mist itself, there was nothing else in sight.
Li Fan checked his contribution points through the Heaven-Measuring Mirror, but the accumulation was painfully slow.
After three or four days, he had barely gained just over two hundred points.
"For ordinary cultivators, this rate of earning isn’t considered slow. But for me, it’s practically useless."
"No wonder Shuo Feng didn’t bother with it."
Aside from contribution points, there was another type of currency called [Qingxuan Points], which could be used to exchange for special resources.
However, since Li Fan’s current balance of Qingxuan Points was still zero, he couldn’t view the specific exchange list yet.
"Exploring the ordinary white mist regions grants contribution points, so exploring the Maze Zone should reward these Qingxuan Points instead."
Li Fan's gaze inadvertently swept over the Heaven-Measuring Mirror suspended above the Samantabhadra True Boat, emitting a brilliant azure light that illuminated a hundred-foot radius.
"The Xuantian Formation as the core, and the Qingxuan Mirror as the foundation..."
Li Fan had heard Zhang Zhiliang mention the Qingxuan Mirror in his previous life.
It was one of the secondary derivatives of the Tianxuan Mirror, storing all the knowledge and information that existed within the main body before it separated.
A vast repository of knowledge—essentially an offline version of the Xuanhuang Realm's Encyclopedia.
As for the core formation...
In this life, after the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance excavated the Xuantian Dharma King, who had been slumbering in the Purple Heaven Sect, the formation centered around the Tianxuan Mirror had undergone drastic changes.
It had evolved from "Tianxuan Spirit Locking" into "Xuantian Spirit Sealing"— A far more aggressive version.
More importantly, the sequence of the characters "Xuan" and "Tian" seemed to imply that the Xuantian Spirit-Sealing Formation was now within the control of cultivators.
Whether it was the small mirror that Immortal Lord Hongxi summoned against Crimson Flame, or the Heaven-Measuring Mirror, which functioned independently while still possessing part of the Tianxuan Mirror’s power—both served as proof of this transformation.
"Speaking of which... I wonder if the [Dissociation Disc], which was the biggest highlight of the previous life's 'Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation' construction competition, will appear in the Qingxuan Points exchange list this time."
As a secondary derivative of the Tianxuan Mirror, it was naturally inferior to the main body, but it still ranked as one of the top-tier artifacts in the Xuanhuang Realm.
From what Li Fan knew:
The Qingxuan Mirror recorded all things in existence.
The Dissociation Disc had unparalleled computational power and was unmatched in breaking formations.
The Calamity Destruction Stone Disk could even shield perceptions from the Mysterious Net and create loopholes...
"If I can obtain one of these secondary artifacts in this life, then when I reach the stage of selecting a preservation option, it would absolutely be the top choice."
"After all, even if I return to the Golden Core stage, achieving Nascent Soul would merely be repeating a familiar process."
As Li Fan was lost in thought, a sudden whispering voice brushed past his ears, pulling him back to reality.
He abruptly turned his head, scanning his surroundings.
Within the white mist, there was absolute silence. The sudden emergence of these mysterious whispers was particularly eerie and conspicuous.
Narrowing his eyes, Li Fan tried to pinpoint the source of the sound.
But the whispering drifted unpredictably—now to the left, now to the right, sometimes in front, sometimes behind, and at times, it even seemed to come from directly beside his ear.
A chill ran down his spine.
His unusual reaction quickly caught the attention of Huangfu Song.
"Brother Li, what's wrong?" he asked with concern.
Even Dongfang Yao, who had been lethargic, suddenly perked up and looked over inquisitively.
"Did you two hear anything?" Li Fan asked, his expression serious.
"Hmm? Sound? But it’s completely silent in this white mist..." Dongfang Yao and Huangfu Song exchanged puzzled glances.
Waving his hand to cut off further questioning, Li Fan leapt to the bow of the Samantabhadra True Boat, focusing his mind and carefully listening to the whispers in the mist.
The flying boat advanced continuously.
Only after an entire incense stick's time had passed did the whispers finally fade from his ears.
"Strange."
Li Fan connected his consciousness to the Heaven-Measuring Mirror, checking his current location.
He had already left the previously explored vast expanse of dark-blue mist, now carving a thin passage through the endless white mist.
Then, a sudden thought flashed through his mind.
"Turn around. Head back."
Li Fan ordered Huangfu Song in a deep voice.
Huangfu Song hesitated briefly but, seeing Li Fan's serious expression, immediately complied.
Following their original path back—
It didn’t take long before the whispers, which had vanished, returned to Li Fan’s ears.
"Fly in this direction."
Standing at the bow, Li Fan carefully identified the source of the whispers, guiding Huangfu Song in adjusting their course.
As the Samantabhadra True Boat changed direction, the murmuring whispers grew increasingly louder and clearer.
Until finally—
When they crossed a certain threshold, Li Fan could distinctly make out the words within the whispers:
"Tian..."
"Yi..."
A tremendous sense of oppression surged into his heart in an instant. However, since he had already anticipated it, he wasn’t frightened by the content of the whispering voice.
“It seems that the ‘Heavenly Doctor’ voice I heard in my past life while heading toward the Chizha Abyss wasn’t merely an auditory hallucination caused by my deepest fears.”
“It truly exists.”
Li Fan suddenly came to a realization.
The Samantabhadra True Boat continued flying forward under Li Fan’s guidance.
The surroundings remained a vast expanse of white, seemingly unchanged.
However, Li Fan keenly noticed that, in an instant, the trio on the ship had their Qingxuan Points increase from zero to one hundred.
And as the Samantabhadra True Boat continued its relentless exploration, the number kept rising rapidly.
“Slow down. We have most likely entered a Maze Zone,” Li Fan cautioned in a low voice.
Huangfu Song was momentarily stunned. After checking the Heaven-Measuring Mirror, he couldn’t help but rejoice.
“Brother Li, how did you know there was a Maze Zone here? Was it because of the voices you mentioned earlier?” he asked hurriedly, staring at Li Fan.
“That’s right. But what’s strange is that upon entering this place, those eerie voices suddenly disappeared,” Li Fan nodded in response while extending his divine sense to explore the surroundings.
“This is a huge find! This must be an unexplored, unknown Maze Zone. Our Qingxuan Points are skyrocketing!” Huangfu Song said gleefully.
Dongfang Yao, however, cautioned, “We should still be careful. I have a bad feeling about this place... it’s unnervingly eerie.”
As they continued flying forward, the Devouring Essence White Mist gradually thinned.
Eventually, it dissipated completely, revealing the true face of the Maze Zone.
Upon seeing the scene before them, even the well-traveled and knowledgeable Huangfu and Dongfang stood frozen in place, their hands and feet ice-cold.
Li Fan took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart.
What lay before them was an endless black ocean of deathly silence. The surface was utterly still, devoid of any waves, with only countless ice-crystal cubes floating upon it.
Inside each cube, a cultivator’s corpse was frozen.
Through the ice crystals, one could vaguely make out their final expressions before death.
Rage, fear, confusion...
Lifelike, as if they were still alive.
A sea of densely packed ice coffins filled the entire field of vision, stretching endlessly across the black ocean.
It was impossible to estimate how many there were.
It was as if the entire world’s cultivators had been entombed in ice here.
The overwhelming visual impact plunged the Samantabhadra True Boat into an eerie silence.
After a long while, Huangfu Song swallowed hard and whispered, “How about... we just leave?”
Clearly, even the usually greedy Huangfu Song was shaken by the utterly bizarre sight before him.
....
Translator’s Note:
Hey everyone! Starting from here, "Tian Yi" and "Heavenly Doctor" will be used interchangeably. They refer to the same thing, so whenever you see either term, just know they’re identical. It might take a few chapters for me to settle on one consistent translation, so bear with me! In the meantime, what do you all prefer—"Tian Yi" or "Heavenly Doctor"? Let me know your thoughts!
"I'm afraid that even if we want to leave, we won’t be able to for the time being," Li Fan reminded in a cold voice.
At this moment, Huangfu Song suddenly remembered that once they entered the Maze Zone, the only way to leave was by finding and passing through specific locations.
Otherwise, despite being seemingly within reach, they would remain forever separated, unable to cross even the shortest distance.
In an instant, a drop of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
"This..."
Dongfang Yao, having a bit more courage, patted Huangfu Song’s shoulder and comforted him: "Relax, Brother Huangfu. This place may seem eerie, but after all, it's just a bunch of dead people. There shouldn’t be any danger."
"If you’re really scared, just hide behind me. I’ll take the lead," he promised, patting his chest confidently.
Huangfu Song nodded repeatedly. "I’ll leave it to you then. But be careful, this place..."
After hesitating for a moment, he lowered his voice and said, "I don't sense even a trace of death aura. These cultivators... they might still be alive."
Hearing those words, Dongfang Yao's body trembled instantly.
"Brother Huangfu, it's fine if you don’t want to help, but don’t say such things recklessly." Dongfang Yao scanned the countless ice coffins floating on the dark sea, his face turning grim.
"There's no need to scare ourselves. Since we’re here, let’s stay calm and first figure out the situation," Li Fan, who appeared much calmer than the others, spoke decisively. Unlike them, he possessed a rare treasure that could allow him to escape at any moment, giving him a sense of security.
At his command, the three of them put away the Samantabhadra True Boat, formed a protective battle formation, and activated defensive arrays around them. They also donned all their prepared defensive artifacts before cautiously gliding over the sea.
The Heaven-Measuring Mirror flickered with blue light, collecting and recording data from the areas they passed through.
They dared not get too close to the frozen cultivators floating on the sea but observed them carefully from a distance.
"Judging by their attire, they should be cultivators from the Ancient World of Immortal Cultivation. However, I can't sense any aura from them, making it impossible to determine their cultivation levels."
"Strange. They don’t seem alive, but they also don’t entirely resemble the dead."
"I wonder what they saw before they were frozen. Their expressions are utterly twisted in terror."
"And who did this? To instantly freeze so many cultivators at once... their cultivation level must be..."
The three of them continuously exchanged thoughts through divine sense but refrained from making reckless moves, such as attempting to break the ice coffins below.
Indeed, the countless ancient cultivators must have carried valuable treasures, pills, and even cultivation techniques. However, none of them dared to guarantee that shattering the ice would not trigger an unknown disaster.
Besides, with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's reward system, as long as they could return safely, they would already be gaining substantial benefits.
Compared to the lucrative rewards from the alliance, the ancient cultivators’ belongings seemed much less tempting.
In the deathly silent Black Sea, even time itself seemed frozen. There was no cycle of sunrise and sunset—only an eternally dim, gray sky.
The Heaven-Measuring Mirror also appeared to have lost connection with the Tianxuan Mirror, and their rapidly increasing reward points were recorded only in the ancient square mirror, without synchronizing with the main system.
Huangfu Song and his companions knew that if they could not make it out alive, all the Qingxuan Points would be nothing more than a meaningless set of numbers, completely useless. However, if they managed to complete the exploration and escape successfully, even if they gained nothing else in future endeavors, what they had obtained here alone would already be enough.
Thus, they proceeded with extreme caution.
According to their perception, they had been flying for dozens of days, yet they still had not reached the end of this black sea.
Everywhere they looked, all they saw were frozen corpses.
Even Dongfang Yao realized something was wrong.
“Are we going in circles?”
Huangfu Song nodded in agreement. “It does seem that way. Although we appear to be moving in a straight line, it’s evident that some kind of force here is distorting our perception. Otherwise, based on the number of corpses we’ve encountered, we’ve already seen tens of billions of them. Even if every cultivator from the ancient cultivation world were buried here, it still wouldn’t add up to such a number.”
Li Fan remained silent.
He was comparing and reorganizing the images recorded in the Dao Deviation Stone within his mind.
A blue light flickered, as if his thoughts were operating at their peak.
Soon after, Li Fan discovered a chilling truth.
In reality, so far, none of the frozen cultivators they encountered had actually repeated.
Or rather, even if a few similar-looking ones had been overlooked, the vast majority of the cultivators they saw in this desolate black sea were indeed unique individuals.
“There are exactly 2,679,800,000 cultivators lying dormant here.”
“And that’s just what I’ve seen so far.”
Li Fan couldn’t help but gaze into the distance. The endless sea of black was filled with floating ice coffins, stretching far beyond what the eye could see.
“What in the world...”
The eerie nature of this place had far exceeded his imagination.
“We can’t keep going like this. We need to find a way out, fast,” Huangfu Song said, but then he suddenly coughed lightly.
Li Fan and Dongfang Yao were momentarily stunned. They exchanged glances, their expressions shifting slightly.
“Huangfu, are you alright?” Dongfang Yao quickly flew to his side, grabbing his shoulder to check his condition.
A moment passed.
“That’s strange... there’s nothing wrong. But why did you just cough?” Dongfang Yao’s expression was grave.
Huangfu Song also sensed that something was off. After closing his eyes and carefully examining his condition, his face darkened. “I feel... weaker. It’s as if my vitality is slowly draining away...”
He looked down at the deathly still black sea. “This ocean... it seems to be siphoning our life force.”
“So that’s what’s happening. My physique is a bit stronger than yours, so I haven’t felt anything—yet.” Dongfang Yao paused mid-sentence.
He turned to Li Fan. “But, Brother Li Fan... why do you...”
Huangfu Song narrowed his eyes as well.
After all, it was Li Fan who had led them to this eerie maze. Huangfu Song knew of Dongfang Yao’s unique constitution.
Yet, Li Fan, who outwardly only had the cultivation of a Nascent Soul cultivator, was exhibiting more vitality than even Huangfu Song, who was at the Soul Transformation stage. He seemed to be withstanding the sea’s effects far better...
It was impossible for Huangfu Song not to be suspicious.
Li Fan understood this perfectly. He smiled faintly and shook his head. “Brothers, there is no need for doubt. Perhaps it is because my personal cave-heaven domain follows the Dao of Wood, allowing me to possess a stronger life force.”
“In times like this, we must stand united. The last thing we should allow is distrust among ourselves.”
“Huangfu, take the Longevity Pill I gave you. It might help.”
Seeing how calm and open Li Fan was, Huangfu Song temporarily suppressed his suspicions. He took out the jade bottle, swallowed the Longevity Pill, and immediately felt his complexion improve.
“It really works. Brother Li, thank you!” Huangfu Song said with some guilt.
“No need,” Li Fan waved his hand, as if he didn’t mind at all.
“As for getting out of here... Brother Huangfu, do you have any ideas?” he asked.
The medicinal power of the Longevity Pill was slowly being absorbed, and Huangfu Song's complexion gradually returned to normal.
He surveyed the densely packed frozen coffins around him, pondered for a moment, and then said, “Although these ice crystals appear to be randomly arranged—merely stacked without any discernible pattern—based on my years of experience with formations, this place might...”
As he spoke, he took out a formation-breaking jade disk and projected a light screen before everyone, beginning his calculations on the spot.
On the light screen, the countless ice coffins they had seen before transformed into black dots, each precisely positioned and recorded. As the perspective of the display continued to rise, the number and speed of these black dots increased rapidly.
Faintly, one could discern that these ice coffins were not simply crammed together but were indeed bound by some force, arranged according to an unknown pattern.
“We still cannot grasp the full picture. Perhaps only after thoroughly exploring this place will we uncover the formation that enshrouds this maze.” Huangfu Song scrutinized the light screen for a long time before shaking his head in regret.
“Then let’s not waste time—let’s move out. Who knows what other eerie things we might encounter if we linger here too long?” Dongfang Yao urged. The three of them continued their exploration of the remaining unknown areas.
After an indeterminate period of time...
“Stop! Stop!” Suddenly, Dongfang Yao raised his hand, blocking their path forward.
“What is it, Brother Dongfang?” Li Fan scanned the surroundings but did not notice anything amiss.
Dongfang Yao’s expression was uncertain as if he were listening carefully to something.
Moments later, his gaze locked onto the depths of the black, deathly still sea.
“There seems to be something alive down there... something like...”
“A kind of demonic beast?” Dongfang Yao was unsure.
Huangfu Song’s expression turned grim upon hearing this. “Impossible. This seawater is composed entirely of deathly energy. Forget ordinary demonic beasts—even if a cultivator were to fall in and become tainted by this death energy, they wouldn’t last long.”
Li Fan also gazed at the eerily calm black sea, deep in thought. “When death reaches its peak, life is reborn...”
“I trust Brother Dongfang’s judgment,” he continued. “If there truly is a creature living in this Dead Sea for so long, it might hold the key to our escape. Brother Dongfang, since you can communicate with beasts, why not try speaking with it?”
Dongfang Yao hesitated but eventually nodded. He let out a strange, rhythmic sound—rising and falling as if an ancient beast itself was roaring.
Before long, the once motionless sea surface suddenly rippled.
“There really is something alive?!” Huangfu Song’s face showed shock.
Dongfang Yao, however, cursed under his breath. “Damn it, that thing didn’t understand me—it got scared and ran away!”
“No matter, we’ll just follow it. Brother Dongfang, lead the way!” Li Fan instructed in a deep voice.
Dongfang Yao immediately snapped to attention, quickly discerning the creature’s movement beneath the black sea before flying off in pursuit.
Li Fan and Huangfu Song followed closely behind.
The unknown creature wasn’t particularly fast, and the three of them trailed it without much difficulty.
During the chase, Li Fan could almost tell with the naked eye that the number of ice coffins around them was gradually decreasing.
"Right here, it suddenly disappeared!"
Abruptly, Dongfang Yao halted his movement and turned back to look at Li Fan and the others.
Li Fan ascended a certain distance, gazing into the distance.
Countless ice coffins, appearing as mere dots, formed intricate lines resembling a black dragon stretching endlessly from the horizon.
From all directions, they converged at this location.
These lines were like the veins of the land, channeling and gathering the deathly aura of the maze zone into this very spot.
The density of the aura had reached an extreme level, faintly undergoing a qualitative transformation.
Huangfu Song also flew over to Li Fan’s side. After carefully observing the surroundings, he noticed something peculiar.
"This place... it seems to be the core formation node of the grand formation enveloping this maze-like zone." His expression turned grave.
"A formation node? Doesn't that mean we can escape from here?" Dongfang Yao exclaimed in delight.
However, Huangfu Song shook his head. "Without understanding the full structure of the formation, we cannot jump to conclusions. It could lead us out of this trap... or it could..."
"Trigger the formation’s self-defense mechanism," Li Fan continued, picking up on Huangfu Song's train of thought. "The scale of this formation is almost unheard of, and it seems to be vaguely tied to the Dao of Life and Death—exceedingly eerie. Even a Dao Integration powerhouse may not survive if the formation launches a full-scale attack."
Huangfu Song scrutinized Li Fan, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Brother Li, you are well-versed in formations?"
"Just a little," Li Fan nodded slightly, acknowledging it.
"Then what do we do now? Are we just going to stand here wasting time? I can feel the deathly aura affecting me—my vitality is constantly depleting. I’m even starting to feel sore all over," Dongfang Yao grumbled. After hesitating for a moment, he finally took out a Longevity Pill and swallowed it.
"Damn it, that feels much better!" He absorbed the medicinal energy far faster than Huangfu Song, regaining his vigor almost instantly.
"We must fully comprehend the formation first," Li Fan and Huangfu Song exchanged glances and reached a silent consensus.
"We need to hurry." Huangfu Song coughed lightly as he spoke. His expression darkened, and with no other choice, he took another Longevity Pill to slow down the loss of his vitality.
Having found no immediate threats in the maze aside from the constant erosion of their life force, and with their supply of Longevity Pills running low, the three of them abandoned caution and flew forward at full speed.
Finally, after Huangfu Song consumed his last pill, they completed the full mapping of the grand formation.
"A stroke of genius... A masterpiece..."
Huangfu Song stared at the projection on the formation-breaking jade disc, muttering to himself in awe.
Even Li Fan couldn’t help but be captivated by the sheer intricacy of this unknown grand formation.
Under normal circumstances, given their level of mastery over formations, both Huangfu Song and Li Fan would have been able to deduce the formation’s basic function and infer its remaining structure without needing to see it in its entirety.
However...
Before this unparalleled formation—constructed using the frozen bodies of billions of cultivators as its foundation—their accumulated knowledge and experience were rendered utterly useless.
Before witnessing the formation in its entirety, it was like glimpsing only a fragment of a divine dragon shrouded in misty mountains, its form obscured and indiscernible. Without prior knowledge of its existence, one would never realize what they were looking at.
Until the final piece of the formation was revealed before their eyes.
That last sequence of formations instantly linked everything they had seen together—like the finishing touch on a dragon painting, bringing the entire formation to life in all its divine completeness.
This formation was beyond words, truly indescribable.
It seemed to contain the mysteries of heaven and earth, defying even the laws of life and death.
Before the formation’s sketched blueprint, both Li Fan and Huangfu Song stood in stunned silence, unable to speak.
Could they escape through the formation node?
They had no answer.
The intricacy of this formation was so profound that it was almost on par with the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation that Li Fan had studied in his previous life.
Even with the considerable expertise in formations that he and Huangfu Song possessed, it took them a long time—engaging in thorough discussion—before they could barely comprehend its structure.
Of course, they only understood it in theory.
As for how the formation actually operated, or how it converted deathly energy into vitality, it was beyond their current scope of understanding.
"Reversing the principles of life and death..."
"Could this formation be related to the cause of Blue Feather’s Dao-seeking failure, or to the cultivator who walked out of the white mist, lingering between life and death?" Li Fan's heart trembled with shock.
Meanwhile, Huangfu Song murmured to himself, "When one dies, both body and Dao should perish—how could there be a principle that allows one to return from death? Unbelievable... utterly inconceivable..."
Watching his two companions lost in deep thought, seemingly entranced for an extended period, Dongfang Yao—who had no understanding of formations—became both frustrated and anxious.
Finally, he couldn’t hold back anymore and let out an angry shout, snapping them out of their trance.
"You two have been studying this for so long—do you have any conclusions or not?" He frowned and asked.
Huangfu Song shook his head decisively and answered, "In my opinion, the formation here, even if the head of our Formation Hall, Chief Lu, came personally, might not be able to set it up. Such a grand and massive formation, yet it remains unknown to the world, quietly hidden within the White Mist Maze Zone..."
A trace of fear flashed across his face. "It seems we have unknowingly stepped into a place arranged by a great being who is in the process of proving the Dao of Eternal Life."
"The Maze Zone within the White Fog is vast, yet we just happened to encounter one that contains this formation. I really don’t know whether to call it fortune or misfortune." Huangfu Song sighed bitterly.
"Perhaps, this isn’t just a mere coincidence." Li Fan suddenly spoke. "What if this formation isn’t limited to just this one zone?"
Huangfu Song was stunned for a moment, then his expression changed drastically, falling into a fearful silence.
However, Li Fan had more thoughts that he didn’t voice out.
He had been led here by a faint murmuring voice—one that sounded suspiciously like 'Heavenly Doctor'.
This zone contained a grand formation capable of reversing life and death. In his previous life, a cultivator had indeed succeeded in doing just that—and ultimately ascended to become the new Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign.
When linking these facts together, it seemed only natural to infer that it was the Heavenly Doctor who had orchestrated all of this from the shadows.
It was he who would soon ascend to become the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign.
And yet...
Li Fan still had some lingering doubts.
Logically speaking, if this formation within the Maze Zone was the key to the Heavenly Doctor proving the Dao of Eternal Life, such a crucial place should not allow any margin for error.
Then why was it so easy for Li Fan and his companions to stumble into it?
"This place has absolutely no defensive measures at all..."
"Is it a trap? Or does the owner of this place simply not care? Or perhaps... he is so confident that even if someone enters by accident, they would still be incapable of affecting the foundation of this formation?"
Li Fan suddenly recalled the small wooden hut on the peak of Jieli Mountain in the Great Xuan World.
That had been his place of seclusion, where he rested and cultivated while waiting for [Truth] to fully recharge. Like this Maze Zone, he had left it unguarded.
He had only set up a minor illusionary barrier around Jieli Mountain to prevent mortals from wandering in by mistake.
Because, in his eyes, there was simply no need for further precautions.
"Do I see mortals the way that 'he' sees cultivators?"
"Is 'he' the Heavenly Doctor?"
Li Fan wasn’t certain.
But when he asked himself honestly—if his own ascension were at stake, he would take extra precautions, just to be safe.
"Yet 'he' has deliberately chosen not to..."
Just as Li Fan was deep in contemplation, Dongfang Yao suddenly said something that unintentionally enlightened him.
"Brother Huangfu, I think you're mistaken. Even though I don’t understand the intricacies of this formation, you mentioned it can reverse life and death. In that case, wouldn’t the one who set it up be even more capable of doing so?"
"After all, if one doesn’t understand the principle, how could they construct such a formation? The ability to overturn life and death—this is already within the realm of the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, isn’t it? Then why have I never heard of this particular Heavenly Sovereign before?"
Li Fan suddenly realized, "That's it. Earlier, I thought the master of this place was using this formation to reverse the cycle of life and death. But it's also possible that they had already achieved that ability long ago. In that case... this place..."
Li Fan looked around.
"This isn’t a place for proving the Dao—it’s a testing ground after achieving enlightenment!"
His thoughts raced.
"After attaining eternal life, even the laws of heaven and earth would change accordingly. Logically speaking, with a mere thought, one could revive these frozen cultivators. And yet, they went through the trouble of setting up another formation..."
"What else were they researching? Achieving immortality wasn't enough—they sought to go even further?"
Li Fan’s gaze shifted toward the formation core of the life-and-death reversal formation he had discovered earlier.
"Perhaps the answer lies there."
With a solemn expression, he said, "This senior... has most likely already become a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign. This place has been abandoned by them, which is why we were able to enter so easily. Leaving through the formation core should be safe. Let’s move quickly."
Without waiting for Huangfu and Dongfang to respond, Li Fan took the lead and flew toward the formation core.
Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao were briefly stunned. But upon considering Li Fan’s reasoning, they found it logical and quickly followed.
Before long, they arrived at the center of the grand formation, where the deathly aura was most intense.
The strange beast from the dark sea of death had vanished right in this spot.
"Brother Li, should we reconsider?" Huangfu Song looked at the black seawater below, feeling uneasy.
Li Fan, however, was fixated on the 200% charge displayed on his [Truth]. Shaking his head, he said, "Hesitation in times of crisis only leads to disaster. We've already explored this place thoroughly—staying longer won’t change anything. Unless you plan to comprehend the entire life-and-death reversal formation and break through it yourself? Rather than waiting for death, it’s better to take the risk!"
With that, a dense surge of wood-attribute spiritual energy surrounded his body.
"Stay close to me!" Li Fan shouted coldly before diving headfirst into the sea of death.
Seeing the situation unfold, Huangfu and Dongfang gritted their teeth and followed.
The moment they entered the seawater, an unimaginable deathly aura swept in from all directions—like countless wriggling worms gnawing at their vitality. The sensation was eerily similar to the life-draining white mist.
Having once personally experienced the complete depletion of his lifespan in that white mist, Li Fan was not unfamiliar with this feeling.
He remained calm, retrieving five Longevity Pills in one breath and tossing them into his mouth.
As the medicinal effects surged, he forced the longevity-infused green energy out of his body, forming a protective barrier against the corrosion of the deathly aura.
Pushing his escape technique to the limit, he rapidly descended into the pitch-black depths of the sea.
In just a few breaths, he was already nearing the seafloor.
Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing the presence of a small vortex ahead.
Within the vortex, a faint trace of life flickered.
"That’s it!"
Focusing his mind, Li Fan transformed into a streak of radiant light and plunged into the vortex.
In the next moment...
After a brief moment of dizziness, light suddenly filled his vision.
A gentle sea breeze, the salty and humid air, the occasional cries of seabirds...
As Li Fan adjusted to his surroundings, he found himself above a vast, azure ocean.
Brimming with vitality.
"Finally, we made it out!"
The relieved voices of Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao echoed in Li Fan's ears.
Li Fan turned to look at them and realized they were in a much worse state than he was.
In just a short time, they had visibly aged. Strands of white hair had appeared in their tied-up hair, and wrinkles had formed on their faces.
"If it weren’t for you, Brother Li, charging ahead and drawing in most of the deadly aura, Huangfu and I would have likely perished here!" Dongfang Yao said with lingering fear.
Huangfu Song nodded in agreement.
"You two should take some more Longevity Pills first. I still have a few left," Li Fan said, his expression showing both pain at the loss and decisiveness. He took out a jade bottle, turned it over, and poured out the last three pills.
"I should have bought more back then," Li Fan sighed, dividing the pills and handing two to Huangfu and Dongfang.
Seeing this, the two men couldn’t help but feel touched.
"I knew I wasn’t wrong about you! Brother Li, you are truly righteous!" Dongfang Yao said emotionally as he solemnly swallowed the last Longevity Pill. "At the brink of life and death, you never abandoned us. People like you are rare in the Xuanhuang Realm!"
"Traveling with Brother Li this time has truly been our great fortune," Huangfu Song said as he refined the pill's medicinal power, dispelling the negative effects of the deadly aura before echoing his agreement.
"By the way, Brother Li, where did you obtain these Longevity Pills? Their effects are extraordinary! I have taken six in a row, yet I can still feel the immense life force within them. I have never heard of such a divine medicine before," he asked after a brief pause, shifting the topic.
"To be honest, I bought them from a cultivator I met by chance in Tianyu City. He boasted about how powerful these pills were, but I was skeptical at the time, so I didn't stock up. In my haste, I even forgot to get his contact information," Li Fan shook his head regretfully.
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Song's expression turned disappointed. "What a pity! A divine medicine like this will definitely cause a frenzy among the cultivators in the Immortal Alliance once the official decree is issued. If only we could have prepared some in advance..."
"For now, let's focus on finding a way out. We've only escaped from the Sea of Death; we still haven't left this Maze," Dongfang Yao interrupted Huangfu Song's wishful thinking rather bluntly.
With this, the three of them took a closer look at their surroundings.
Before them was a vast, azure ocean—completely different from the pitch-black Sea of Dead they had just escaped.
Not only was it different, but it was the exact opposite.
One side was filled with dense death energy that even Soul Transformation cultivators couldn’t easily resist or dispel. Meanwhile, this side, though not overwhelmingly filled with life energy, was like the morning sun, the vigor of youth, and the revival of spring.
Life flourished.
It was like a newly born world, brimming with vitality.
Even the three of them, upon entering, felt as though both their bodies and minds had become more "youthful."
"What do you think, Brother Li?" Dongfang Yao asked.
Li Fan remained silent in contemplation.
Huangfu Song then shared his theory: "This Sea of Life might be the counterpart of the Sea of Death, both part of this maze—two sides of the same coin."
"Which means that somewhere in this place, there must also be a formation core. Since life and death are opposites, the cores must be located in different places within their respective realms. If we find the core of the Sea of Life and pass through it, we might be able to escape this maze."
Dongfang Yao scratched his head. "Why wouldn't it just lead us back to the Sea of Death?"
Li Fan smiled and answered on Huangfu Song’s behalf. "Because this maze formation is the ‘Grand Reversal of Life and Death Formation.’ Furthermore, considering how dense the death aura was in the Sea of Death, if there had been a place as full of life force as this one connected to it, it would have stood out like ink dropped into water. Yet we searched the entire Sea of Death and didn’t find even the slightest trace of life force. This suggests that the exit of this Sea of Life isn’t over there."
"Brother Li, your thoughts align perfectly with mine!" Huangfu Song praised.
"Alright, since you both agree, let's hurry and find this so-called formation core," Dongfang Yao said, conceding to the majority.
At first glance, this Sea of Life seemed like an ordinary ocean. Other than the abundance of marine creatures, there were no apparent anomalies.
Their journey was smooth, encountering no danger at all.
What surprised Huangfu Song was that their exploration here still counted toward the expansion of the unknown White Mist territory.
The rapidly increasing Qingxuan Points filled him with excitement. He couldn't help but exclaim that they had come to the right place, seemingly forgetting the life-or-death crisis they had just experienced.
Li Fan’s face also carried a hint of joy, but in truth, this was merely an act to blend in with the group.
His real focus was on a single question.
Was this Sea of Life actually the experiment of that Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign who reversed life and death?
"Creating an entirely new world of vitality from a world of extinction?"
"Raising the concept of life and death from all beings to the level of an entire world... It is indeed a step further."
"Who exactly is this powerful figure?"
Li Fan felt that there might be other hidden secrets behind all of this, but at the moment, he was unable to fully grasp them.
"If my guess is correct, then the principle of [Reversing Life and Death] has already been claimed by someone. At this point in time, the Immortal Sage Blue Feather, who also seeks to attain Dao through this concept, has not yet faked his death and gone all in."
"Perhaps, there is an opportunity to profit from this."
"But dealing with a tiger is always dangerous—utmost caution is needed. For Blue Feather to have survived since the ancient cultivation era, he is definitely not an ordinary figure."
While Li Fan pondered in silence, the three of them thoroughly explored the Sea of Life.
In the end, they actually found the [Formation Core].
"Last time, Brother Li took the lead, so this time, let me go first." Feeling the faintly discernible miniature vortex ahead, Dongfang Yao patted his chest and volunteered.
Li Fan had no objections to this suggestion.
Huangfu Song also nodded in agreement, not competing with Dongfang Yao. Instead, he simply followed behind him.
Li Fan took up the rear, and one after another, the three of them plunged into the vortex.
The familiar white mist surged in from all directions. This terrifying existence, which could normally consume one's lifespan, now instead brought them a sense of joy.
"We finally made it out alive!"
"We earned over thirty thousand Qingxuan Points this time! I bet no one in the entire Immortal Alliance has more than us!"
Unable to contain his excitement, Huangfu Song immediately raised his Heaven-Measuring Mirror, eager to synchronize their recorded data with the Tianxuan Mirror.
However, in the very next moment, his expression drastically changed, and he let out a miserable cry.
"What’s going on? Why have our Qingxuan Points reset to zero?"
Huangfu Song clutched the Heaven-Measuring Mirror tightly, as if he had seen a ghost, his eyes filled with utter disbelief.
Meanwhile, Dongfang Yao, who usually appeared open-minded and carefree, turned bloodshot the moment his divine sense connected to the Heaven-Measuring Mirror. He watched as the 30,000-plus Qingxuan Points they had risked their lives to earn instantly dropped to zero.
"Huangfu! Is this thing even reliable? How did it just swallow up all our hard-earned merit?" His veins bulged on his neck, and his face twisted with rage.
In contrast, Li Fan remained much calmer.
After checking the records, he confirmed that during the brief period when the Heaven-Measuring Mirror disconnected from the Xuanhuang Realm, all the Qingxuan Points they had accumulated from exploring the Life-and-Death Maze had indeed vanished without a trace.
"This only happened after we left the Maze and reconnected with the Tianxuan Mirror..." Li Fan pondered, summoning the Samantabhadra True Boat to pull Huangfu and Dongfang, who were still exposed to the Devouring Essence White Mist, into the cabin.
"Calm down, brothers. We should be thankful that we made it out alive. We can always earn more Qingxuan Points in the future," Li Fan reassured them while standing at the bow of the boat, gazing into the dense white mist not far away.
Beyond the thick, milky veil, something seemed to be changing quietly, beyond the limits of their sight.
"No! We can’t just let this slide. Either something went wrong with the Tianxuan Mirror, or someone stole our merit. I have to get an explanation!" Huangfu Song gritted his teeth.
"Damn it! They dare mess with me?! If I find out who took our Qingxuan Points..." Flames of fury burned in Dongfang Yao’s eyes, his chest rising and falling violently as he struggled to contain his rage.
Seeing their determination, Li Fan no longer tried to dissuade them.
After such an incident, they had lost all interest in further exploration. Besides, they had already used up a significant amount of supplies, and embarking on another expedition wouldn’t be wise. Thus, they quickly returned to Tianyu City.
"Wait for my news. I'm going straight to Dean Ji!" As soon as they arrived, Huangfu Song couldn't wait any longer and rushed off to find Ji Hongdao.
Dongfang Yao, however, couldn't suppress his anger. Even after they entered the discussion hall’s private room, he didn’t sit down. Instead, he kept pacing back and forth, stretching his body as his joints crackled loudly.
Li Fan remained silent. He ordered a cup of spiritual tea, took a sip, and closed his eyes to wait.
Half a day later, Huangfu Song returned, looking completely dejected.
He collapsed onto the floor, his eyes empty.
"Huangfu, what did he say?" Dongfang Yao immediately sensed something was wrong but couldn't hold back his impatience.
"It... doesn’t exist... It doesn’t exist anymore..." Huangfu Song mumbled under his breath.
"What doesn’t exist?! Speak clearly, damn it!" Dongfang Yao roared.
"Dean Ji said... the Life-and-Death Maze we reported..." Huangfu Song stammered, his face pale. "That place doesn’t exist at all."
Dongfang Yao was stunned for a moment before his fury exploded. "How dare they lie in broad daylight?! We experienced it firsthand, and we have that damned mirror as proof!"
"I told Dean Ji the same thing. But..." Huangfu Song’s expression turned even more ghastly.
"He asked me to take him there again. But when I followed my memory back to the location... the Life-and-Death Maze was gone."
"What?" Dongfang Yao froze.
"There was only the Devouring Essence White Mist. No great Reversal Life-and-Death Formation, no Sea of Death and Life—everything we went through... it was as if it had all been an illusion," Huangfu Song murmured in confusion.
"Did we really experience all that? Or were we affected by some strange entity within the white mist, trapped in an illusion?" His expression was filled with doubt, as if even he couldn’t tell reality from deception anymore.
Dongfang Yao opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he simply slumped beside Huangfu Song and grabbed a cup of spiritual tea, downing it in frustration.
"An illusion? Hmph..."
In Li Fan’s mind, the Dao Deviation Stone emitted a dazzling blue light, instantly reconstructing the image of the Reversal Life-and-Death Formation.
"What kind of illusion could create a formation like that?"
Li Fan was certain that the experiences he and his two companions had in the Life-and-Death Maze were entirely real.
However, for some reason, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance officially refused to acknowledge the existence of such a place.
"It seems that the high-ranking officials of the Immortal Alliance, or perhaps the Tianxuan Mirror, are aware of the true identity of this Heaven-Defying Life-and-Death Sovereign. Moreover, they appear to have a deep connection with them. Since this being has no intention of revealing themselves to the world, the Immortal Alliance is actively covering their tracks."
Li Fan noticed that after they left the Life-and-Death Maze and the Heaven-Measuring Mirror established a connection with the Tianxuan Mirror, faint fluctuations emanated from the location of the Maze.
That was probably when the Maze was relocated elsewhere.
"Such a method..."
"Interesting."
Although more than thirty thousand Qingxuan Points had vanished without a trace, Li Fan was not as grief-stricken as Huangfu and Dongfang were.
"If my guess is correct, the compensation from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance should already be on its way."
"After all, they need to turn a big issue into a small one, and a small one into nothing. Otherwise, if Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao become enraged and start spreading the news, it will be difficult to contain the situation."
Having figured out the intricacies of the matter, Li Fan leisurely sipped his spiritual tea, patiently awaiting their visitor.
Sure enough, after a short while, a knocking sound came from outside the private room.
"Who is it?" Huangfu and Dongfang both showed a hint of vigilance in their eyes.
Before they could react, the door opened on its own. A black-robed cultivator, whose face was obscured, suddenly appeared before them.
"You..." Dongfang Yao’s expression changed drastically. His muscles tensed as he instantly entered a combat-ready state.
Just as he was about to strike, he suddenly froze, his heart pounding in shock.
Because at that moment, he saw the Heaven-Measuring Mirror automatically fly out of Huangfu Song’s robes and float before the black-robed cultivator.
The black-robed cultivator tapped lightly on the mirror and then spoke coldly:
"The currently explored regions within the White Mist Barrier are all stored in here."
"If you wish to explore more efficiently, head toward the unmapped areas."
"Remember—there are things you must never speak of. Otherwise, no one will be able to protect you."
"Take care of yourselves."
With a flick of his finger, a glowing orb flew toward Huangfu Song.
Then, the figure of the black-robed cultivator began to distort, gradually fading away until he vanished into thin air.
Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao stood frozen, staring at the glowing orb before them.
After a long while, as if finally grasping the weight of the situation, cold sweat dripped from their foreheads, and their bodies trembled slightly.
Only after some time did they manage to collect themselves.
Exchanging a glance, they remained silent, as if tacitly agreeing never to speak of this again.
Probing the light with his spiritual sense, Huangfu Song's pale face lit up with a hint of joy.
"Talisman of Exemption!"
As he spoke, he retrieved three talismans radiating seven-colored light from within the orb.
"With this thing, we can at least recover some of our losses," Huangfu Song let out a slight sigh of relief as he put away one of the Exemption Talismans. He then distributed the other two to Li Fan and Dongfang Yao.
"Just this worthless thing?" Dongfang Yao held the seven-colored talisman up to his eyes, scrutinizing it with disbelief.
"I’ve actually heard of this item before," Li Fan narrowed his eyes, recalling, "It seems that when the Immortal Alliance issues a compulsory mission, cultivators can use this Exemption Talisman to completely ignore the mission’s requirements."
"Exactly!" Huangfu Song nodded with satisfaction, his previous frustration dissipating.
"What’s the use of that?" Dongfang Yao muttered under his breath, still somewhat unconvinced.
Huangfu Song shot him a glare. "It might not seem useful in everyday situations, but at critical moments, it could literally save your life! For instance, if a war breaks out with the Five Elders Association and cultivators are drafted to the battlefield, others will have to pull every string they can find or resign themselves to fighting on the front lines. But with this Exemption Talisman, we can avoid such calamities altogether."
"In a way, this is like an imperial pardon of death!" Dongfang Yao suddenly realized the true value of the item and immediately stored it carefully.
"That’s right. And more importantly, this Exemption Talisman is unregistered. Any cultivator holding it is considered its rightful owner. If someone offers a high enough price, we could even trade it away." Huangfu Song added, "To prevent anyone from coveting it, you two should avoid carrying it on you at all times. Store it in the Tianxuan Mirror’s space instead."
Dongfang Yao nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Meanwhile, Li Fan was examining the map in the Heavenly-Measuring Mirror. "Although we’ve received these Exemption Talismans as compensation, our Qingxuan Points have dropped to zero—meaning all our previous efforts were in vain. What are your plans now? Do we challenge the White Mist again, or do we call it quits?"
"The real game has just begun; how could we stop here? Now that we have a partially mapped route, we can directly push into uncharted territory. Our exploration efficiency has increased many times over," Huangfu Song’s stance was clear, and his eyes flickered with boundless greed.
Dongfang Yao naturally sided with Huangfu Song.
Li Fan clapped his hands in admiration, "To rise stronger after setbacks—that is the spirit of a true hero! In that case, I’ll restock on supplies first, and then we’ll set off immediately."
"However..." Li Fan hesitated, looking troubled. "I’m afraid we won’t be able to find any more Longevity Pills—affordable yet effective life-extending treasures like that are incredibly rare."
Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao both nodded in understanding.
"We can’t keep making you take the losses. I’ll find a way to contribute too," Dongfang Yao offered, taking the initiative.
The three of them agreed to meet again in two days, then went their separate ways.
Beastkind Realm.
Xu Bai lay motionless, floating in the sky with his eyes tightly shut, as if in deep slumber.
Above his forehead hovered a Seventeen-Petal Heavenly Spirit Flower, emitting a faint, milky-white radiance.
A mysterious energy surrounded him, distorting the air. Layer after layer of seven-colored halos rippled outward from him, expanding across the sky.
From the ground of the Beast Realm, it looked as if a seven-colored sun had appeared in the heavens.
Countless exotic beasts felt an instinctive reverence, kneeling in worship.
The disciples of the Medicine King Sect exchanged uncertain glances, whispering amongst themselves.
Of course, with Liu San standing guard beside Xu Bai, no one dared to speak out of turn.
More than ten days ago, Liu San had already located Jiao Xiuyuan.
Jiao Xiuyuan had shown great interest in the deal Li Fan had mentioned.
However, he insisted on personally verifying whether the Heavenly Spirit Flower in Li Fan’s possession was as miraculous as the rumors claimed.
But with Li Fan’s true body absent and impossible to contact, Liu San hurried back with Jiao Xiuyuan’s communication talisman, intending to report to Li Fan’s clone.
Yet, upon arriving in the Beast Realm, he discovered that Xu Bai was in a state of epiphany.
Not daring to disturb him, Liu San instead stood watch over him.
"Old Liu, the sect master’s enlightenment this time... seems rather extraordinary."
A voice rang in Liu San’s ears—it was Fang Zaiji speaking.
However, Fang Zaiji himself was nowhere to be seen. The voice originated from a golden eyeball floating in midair.
This was an experimental creation following his research on the True Cauldron of the Medicine King. Drawing inspiration from the [Great Dream of Early Autumn Formation], which connects the consciousness of multiple individuals within the Medicine King’s Cauldron, he crafted a set of Eighty-One [Eyes of Shared Vision].
The holders of these Eyes could not only communicate with one another but also synchronize and share everything they saw and heard. Even their perceptions of the changes in the world’s spiritual energy and their cultivation insights could be mutually sensed, as if they were experiencing them firsthand.
“You could clearly communicate with me directly in my Sea of Consciousness, yet you insist on speaking right next to my ear.” Liu San’s expression darkened slightly.
“You don’t understand. This is called a sense of ritual.” Fang Zaiji scoffed and retorted immediately.
Liu San turned his head and glanced at the golden eyeball.
The golden eyeball immediately darted to the side. “Old Liu, let’s talk this over calmly. This artifact was not easy to refine...”
Liu San was not one to indulge the other party. Just as he was about to act, he suddenly sensed something, raising his head to look toward the sky.
In his sleep, Xu Bai suddenly lifted his right hand. Using his finger as a brush, he made a sweeping motion in the air.
Countless specks of light gathered in the sky. Moments later, a vivid and lifelike painting of a roaring, rushing river appeared in the heavens.
“Go!”
Xu Bai pointed downward.
The painting transformed into a stream of light and plummeted toward the Beast Realm.
Then...
“Boom!”
A mighty river descended from the sky, manifesting out of thin air and crashing onto the land.
Yet Xu Bai did not stop.
Majestic mountains, ancient pines, deep ravines...
One breathtaking landscape painting after another materialized, descending like falling stars, scattering across the Beast Realm.
The earth roared continuously.
Ancient trees broke through the ground. Towering mountains rose from the land. Plains split open with thunderous cracks.
Like a divine creator, Xu Bai floated in the sky, shaping existence from nothingness, remodeling the Beast Realm according to his will.
Liu San and Fang Zaiji watched in stunned silence.
“...This...” Fang Zaiji hesitated, unsure.
“This is not an alteration made through resonance with this small world's Heavenly Dao. Rather, it is a direct manipulation, forcibly rewriting reality using an external, mysterious force.” Liu San saw through it at a glance.
“Such effortless control... While part of it is due to the Young Master’s clone fighting on home ground, that only enhances the power he can wield here.”
“It does not change the essence of this divine ability.”
A sharp light flashed through Fang Zaiji’s eyes. “In that case, if this technique were used in the outside world or even in the Xuanhuang Realm, as long as one’s power was great enough, wouldn’t it be possible to reshape mountains and rivers as easily as painting them?”
Liu San’s expression grew heavy as he slowly nodded.
“Issue a strict gag order to all sect disciples. This matter must be kept absolutely confidential.” Liu San spoke in a deep voice.
With their knowledge, even in the ancient cultivation era, this would have been considered an extraordinary divine ability.
Destruction and creation have always been fundamentally different concepts.
Powerful cultivators can easily move mountains and boil seas. However, to create mountains and rivers from nothing with their bare hands is an infinitely more difficult task.
It may seem like many cultivators can achieve this, but in reality, they are merely relocating water and earth from one place to another within the world.
What Xu Bai had just done in the Beast Realm was completely different.
It was like bringing forth flowers with a flick of the wrist—creating something from nothing.
Or rather, reshaping the heavens and the earth.
As Dao Integration experts, Liu San and Fang Zaiji saw this with perfect clarity.
The mountains, rivers, and trees that had suddenly appeared in the Beast Realm had never been part of the world's natural evolution.
Yet, Xu Bai had forcibly rewritten the laws, compelling the world to undergo these changes.
This was not merely about the transformation of physical matter—it involved the very alteration of fundamental laws.
The rumbling within the Beast Realm gradually subsided. As Liu San and Fang Zaiji watched with complex emotions, Xu Bai awoke from his enlightenment.
Noticing the gazes gathered upon him, Xu Bai was momentarily stunned.
Then, as he observed the transformed landscape of the Beast Realm, realization dawned upon him.
"Even while still comprehending, my body naturally manifested it. My will merged with the heavens, and everything flowed seamlessly."
"Incredible!"
Of course, Li Fan was not praising himself from the depths of his heart, but rather, his clone.
Or more precisely, the unique essence left within this clone by Mr. Bai.
With a single thought, all the events that had unfolded within the Beast Realm during his moment of enlightenment instantly replayed in his mind.
Xu Bai pondered, "Using my hands as a brush to reshape the heavens and earth—this technique shall be called (Heaven's Transformation)."
The initial inspiration for Heaven’s Transformation originated from the Reverse Five Elements Life-Death Sword.
Back then, Li Fan had comprehended this divine ability from the grand phenomena of the Five Elements Converging into One, the Shattering of the Five Elements from the roots of heaven and earth, and the Weaving of the Five Elements into a Cave-Heaven.
This ability allowed him to perform simple acts of "creation," such as condensing scattered spiritual energy into spirit stones.
However, as the complexity of creation increased, Li Fan found himself powerless.
Yet this time, he had managed to alter the world with a mere wave of his hand. The key to this breakthrough lay in the seventeen-petaled Heavenly Spirit Flower.
Upon the petals of the Heavenly Spirit Flower, the mountains and rivers of the Heavenly Spirit Continent were depicted. As Xu Bai carefully observed them, he felt as if he were soaring above the prefecture itself, witnessing its vast landscapes unfold.
The entire process of how mountains and rivers were formed in the world was displayed before him.
Simply put, Heaven and Earth had become his teachers, using the Heavenly Spirit Flower to demonstrate the act of creation.
Thus, in his moment of enlightenment, Xu Bai instinctively imitated and followed the guidance of the world itself. Without conscious effort, he replicated this process within the Beast Realm.
"Heaven’s Transformation—Xu Bai wields it effortlessly. But for my true self to master it completely, I will need repeated practice."
Strictly speaking, Heaven’s Transformation was far more ornamental than practical outside the Beast Realm.
After all, Li Fan was still only in the Nascent Soul Realm, and the impact he could have on the world was quite limited.
However, this technique possessed limitless potential.
The greatest application Li Fan could currently envision was the creation of "Essence of Heaven and Earth."
As a necessary catalyst for advancing to the Soul Transformation Realm, Essence of Heaven and Earth was a driving force behind world-changing transformations.
From the Heavenly Spirit, a thousand rivers would be born.
From the Great Hua, a thousand mountains would arise...
A Nascent Soul cultivator seeking to break through to the Soul Transformation realm must first observe an imminent change within a particular region.
Afterward, they must extract and absorb this "force of transformation" to complete their advancement.
In Congyun Sea, there are hundreds of Nascent Soul cultivators, yet only two Soul Transformation cultivators—Ziyun and Hongxi.
This vast numerical disparity clearly illustrates the immense difficulty of this breakthrough.
For an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator, merely detecting the transformation of heaven and earth is already an insurmountable challenge. Even more difficult is absorbing the "Essence of Heaven and Earth" while evading the watchful eyes of other Nascent Soul cultivators—an endeavor akin to ascending the heavens.
However, for Li Fan, who had mastered the divine ability "Heaven's Transformation", it was entirely possible to initiate a transformation of the heavens in a remote and uninhabited area.
He could then steal this power and complete his advancement with ease.
And if he dared to be even bolder...
Mass-producing Soul Transformation cultivators wouldn't be impossible!
Dao Integration cultivators were essentially the rulers of their respective provinces, while Soul Transformation cultivators formed the core strength of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
If an organization suddenly emerged with dozens or even hundreds of Soul Transformation cultivators, both the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association would have no choice but to take it seriously.
Of course, all of this was predicated on one crucial factor: that the process of using "Heaven’s Transformation" to manipulate the Xuanhuang Transformation Force remained undetected by stronger cultivators.
A few discreet attempts, properly concealed, might go unnoticed. But large-scale disturbances?
Those would undoubtedly expose everything.
At that point, attracting the attention of Dao Integration cultivators—or even Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns—would be inevitable.
Thus, for now, Li Fan needed to gradually experiment with casting "Heaven's Transformation" in the Xuanhuang Realm while ensuring his own safety.
"Congratulations, Young Master, on making further progress along the Dao!"
Seeing Li Fan awaken, Liu San flew forward to offer his congratulations, his expression tinged with joy.
Even as he spoke, he casually sealed the surrounding space to prevent the secret from being exposed—that Xu Bai was actually Li Fan’s clone.
Meanwhile, Fang Zaiji maneuvered the "Shared Vision Eye" closer and chimed in:
"Using mountains and rivers as a canvas, laws as ink, and divine abilities as a brush...Sect Master, you are truly extraordinary!"
"I recall that the Divine Brush Sect once had a similar technique. Unfortunately, shortly after Chu Youhong created that move, the sect was utterly annihilated..."
"This move..."
Liu San’s face twitched. Before Fang Zaiji could finish, he waved his sleeve and retracted the golden eyeball.
Fang Zaiji's voice abruptly cut off, and silence enveloped the area.
Liu San then turned to Xu Bai and relayed Jiao Xiuyuan’s conditions.
"Daoist Jiao still refuses to act without seeing tangible benefits first, huh?"
Xu Bai had expected this response.
He extended his left palm, and seventeen petals of the Heavenly Spirit Flower floated into his grasp.
He plucked a petal with a smile.
Although the frozen Heavenly Spirit Flower remained completely intact, a transparent petal—one reflecting the image of the rising sun slanting over mountain ridges—appeared in his right hand.
"This is something I 'copied' from the original Heavenly Spirit Flower. It holds only a tenth of its essence, but... it is more than enough."
"Elder Liu, deliver this to Jiao Xiuyuan. He will naturally recognize its value."
Xu Bai spoke calmly.
Liu San solemnly cupped the transparent petal in his palm before nodding and swiftly departing.
"We need to speed things up."
"This must be completed before the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance officially announces the start of the Great Exploration Era."
"Otherwise, once everyone rushes off to explore the White Mist, who will still be around to buy my Heavenly Spirit Flowers?"
Xu Bai muttered to himself while waving his hand like a brush, sketching out one imitation Heavenly Spirit Flower petal after another in midair.
Seven days later, under Jiao Xiuyuan's deliberate influence, a piece of news spread throughout the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance in just half a day.
The mysterious cultivator who possessed the Heavenly Spirit Flower was about to appear once more.
At that time, he would host a Flower Appreciation Gathering, inviting all cultivators interested in this flower to come and admire it.
The location of this Flower Appreciation Gathering was set in Tianling Prefecture!
Most cultivators found the news rather baffling when they first heard it. After all, things like flower appreciation and admiration seemed far removed from their daily struggles—earning contribution points, calculating how long it would take to acquire their desired cultivation techniques, and simply trying to improve themselves. If they had the spare time, they’d rather take on another mission or two.
However, those who had been keeping an eye on the Heavenly Spirit Flower were now growing restless. They began making inquiries, trying to uncover the identity of this mysterious cultivator.
As soon as the Qianli Hall, which had branches in every city of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, began displaying “replica copies” of the true Heavenly Spirit Flower, things started to spiral into madness.
The true Heavenly Spirit Flower—a title newly coined by the Qianli Hall for the world's only original Heavenly Spirit plant.
Although there had long been rumors about how mystical and extraordinary this flower was, only a handful of fortunate individuals had actually witnessed it with their own eyes.
No matter how convincing the stories were, nothing compared to seeing it in person.
Thus, when those initially indifferent cultivators laid eyes on the transparent petals within the Qianli Hall, their skepticism quickly turned into awe.
"Gifted by the heavens... truly gifted by the heavens! I thought people were exaggerating, but now..."
"I heard that the divine aura of these transparent petals isn't even one-tenth of the true Heavenly Spirit Flower? If the replica is already this astonishing, then what kind of supreme existence must the real one be?"
"Ah... it can only be admired from afar, never possessed. A divine artifact like this will never fall into the hands of ordinary cultivators like us."
For most cultivators, while they were indeed stunned and captivated by the beauty of the true Heavenly Spirit Flower, if it was merely a matter of aesthetics, they would have simply sighed in admiration, etched the memory in their minds, and eventually forgotten about it over time.
Would they go through the trouble of traveling thousands of miles to Heavenly Spirit Prefecture just to attend a Flower Appreciation Gathering?
The sheer lifespan loss from the journey alone was significant, not to mention the various costs and dangers along the way...
There were countless beautiful treasures in the world—losing out on one Heavenly Spirit Flower was hardly a big deal.
That was how most cultivators felt—until a series of inexplicable events occurred, completely overturning their perception of the flower.
It all began with a late-stage Golden Core cultivator who had been trapped for years due to the Heavenly Calamity. Upon witnessing the transparent petals displayed at the Qianli Hall, he was struck with sudden enlightenment, inexplicably breaking through his bottleneck.
He advanced to the Golden Core Perfection stage, with the Nascent Soul realm now within reach.
At that moment, he was so overwhelmed with emotion that he wept openly, letting out a long cry of joy.
Soon after, more and more similar cases began emerging across different prefectures.
Rumors spread of cultivators achieving breakthroughs upon merely seeing the replica petals—some even claimed to have comprehended powerful divine abilities from the mystical visions hidden within the flower’s essence.
As the stories became more and more exaggerated, skepticism arose.
Some people began to suspect that this was all just a publicity stunt by the Qianli Hall—a scheme to artificially inflate the value of the true Heavenly Spirit Flower.
"Instant enlightenment? Sudden breakthroughs? Hah, it’s all an act! A ploy to drive up the price!"
Conspiracy theories always had an audience.
Yet, regardless of the rumors, the number of cultivators flocking to Heavenly Spirit Prefecture continued to grow...
This skepticism quickly resonated with many cultivators. They spontaneously began investigating the identities of those who had recently broken through within the Thousand Mile Hall.
However, after thorough investigations, an unexpected discovery emerged.
Every cultivator they could find was genuinely someone who had been stuck at a cultivation bottleneck for many years.
And indeed, in recent times, they had successfully broken through. Each one had their friends, family, and numerous records as evidence—there was no room for falsification!
Facts spoke louder than words, and the investigation results immediately caused an uproar.
This True Heavenly Spirit Flower was not only beautiful—it could even help cultivators break through bottlenecks and comprehend divine abilities!
The difference in value between something merely beautiful and something that could enhance cultivation was immeasurable.
More importantly, treasures that could aid in Dao comprehension were typically monopolized by the powerful, making them nearly impossible for ordinary people to obtain.
Yet now, this Heavenly Spirit Flower was freely available for public viewing!
Even though the displayed ones were only replicas, they still had the effect of aiding comprehension!
Cultivators couldn't help but be tempted.
Thus, before the news spread too widely, they rushed toward the nearest Qianli Hall in a frenzy.
In an instant, the Qianli Hall became overcrowded.
Long lines formed at the entrance, and Jiao Xiuyuan beamed with joy as he maintained order.
"Young Master, was this within your expectations?"
In the Beast Realm, Liu San raised an eyebrow in confusion as he read the joyous report from Jiao Xiuyuan.
"The True Heavenly Spirit Flower does indeed have unique properties. But even the imitations you created can help cultivators comprehend the Dao?"
A trace of doubt flickered in his eyes.
"Perhaps it's because Elder Liu’s natural talent is too low," a thoughtful voice suddenly echoed from the floating golden eyeball beside him.
"Why are you haunting me like a lingering ghost?!" Liu San's expression darkened.
He reached out to grab the Eye of Shared Vision, but his grasp caught nothing but air.
"Tch, trying to catch me? Do you think I’d make the same mistake twice?" Fang Zaiji spoke smugly.
Meanwhile, Xu Bai's clone ignored Fang Zaiji’s antics, temporarily halting his painting of the Heavenly Spirit Flower replicas. He turned to look at Liu San.
"It’s not just about my replicas capturing a fraction of the True Flower’s essence. Even a blank sheet of paper—if enough cultivators observe it—will eventually inspire some to gain insights." He smiled.
"Hiss... So that’s how it is. Master, since when did you become so cunning?" Fang Zaiji's incredulous voice rang out.
Xu Bai remained expressionless and extended his hand.
This time, Fang Zaiji failed to dodge. The golden eyeball was caught firmly in his grasp.
Fang Zaiji’s voice was abruptly silenced.
Li Fan turned to Liu San and explained, "Elder Liu, your divine sense is still synchronized with the Eye of Shared Vision, which is why Elder Fang could anticipate your movements. If you temporarily disconnect, you won’t miss again."
Liu San suddenly realized, "I completely forgot about that."
Xu Bai smiled slightly, choosing not to comment further.
His expression then turned serious as he asked, "Elder Liu, how is the pill refinement coming along?"
Liu San carefully took out a wooden box from his robes.
"The Soul-Melting Body-Dissolving Pill is refined from over a hundred highly toxic ingredients. Upon ingestion, the body will dissolve completely within a single breath’s time—erasing one’s existence from the world. Even Dao Integration cultivators are no exception."
"Young Master, you intend to...?"
"It’s for myself—to make suicide more convenient when the time comes." Xu Bai said indifferently.
Chapter 706
Xu Bai's words startled Liu San.
However, he quickly realized that when Xu Bai mentioned "suicide," he was referring to his clone.
"Young Master, why go to such lengths? With Old Fang and me here, along with the Medicine King's True Cauldron, even if we are outmatched, escaping shouldn't be too difficult." Liu San looked at Xu Bai with some confusion.
Xu Bai did not elaborate further. "This is just a precaution, nothing more."
Seeing this, Liu San did not press the matter. Instead, he advised, "If it is for the sake of a swift end, Young Master can use spiritual power to envelop the Soul-Melting Body-Dissolving Pill and store it in your dantian. At the critical moment, dissolving the pill will allow its effects to spread throughout your body in an instant. During this process, you must also be mindful of..."
After listening to Liu San's detailed instructions, Xu Bai calmly swallowed the highly toxic pill.
Feeling the lethal presence within his dantian, Xu Bai suddenly felt much more at ease.
"With the additional safeguard of the Mysterious True Spirit Transformation technique, which allows me to discard this clone's life at will, I should never find myself in a situation where I cannot die if needed."
After all, this clone was heading to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters to meet with Law Derivation Jade. The level of power he might encounter there was unpredictable.
Moreover, Xu Bai's unique appearance and aura made him easily recognizable...
It was only natural to make thorough preparations.
"Next, it all depends on how Fellow Daoist Jiao performs."
Standing in the void of the Beast Realm, Xu Bai gazed into the distance as if his vision could pierce through space and time, seeing the events unfolding in Tianling Prefecture.
"Damn it, the last time Tianling Prefecture was this lively was..."
Inside Tianling City, a guard cultivator responsible for maintaining order looked at the vast crowd of gathered cultivators and cursed under his breath.
However, before he could finish his sentence, his words caught in his throat.
It was as if he had forgotten something important, leaving him momentarily lost in thought. "When was the last time Tianling Prefecture had this many people?"
He was puzzled.
"It was during the Tianling Prefecture War."
Beside him, a lean and serious-looking cultivator responded coldly.
As the lost memories resurfaced in his mind, the guard cultivator felt as if he had traveled back in time to centuries ago. His expression grew distant. RαNŏᛒÈṥ
"Yes, before the Tianling Prefecture War, the city was just as crowded."
"Old Sun, your memory is really something. I had almost forgotten about that..."
Sun Qi ignored his colleague's mumbling. Instead, he carefully examined the Floral Invitation in his hands, his eyes flickering with excitement.
The Floral Invitation was an exclusive entry ticket to the upcoming Flower Viewing Gathering.
Due to the overwhelming number of cultivators arriving for the event, even the massive space that Tianling City's Lord had prepared was nearly full.
To prevent chaos, all cultivators hoping to enter and witness the True Heavenly Spirit Flower had to do so in an orderly manner, based on their arrival sequence.
Since they had come from far and wide, most cultivators didn't mind paying the 100 Contribution Points entry fee.
The real issue was time.
The queue of cultivators had completely filled Tianling City, and in an unprecedented move, the teleportation formations leading into the city had been temporarily shut down.
For ordinary cultivators, it was impossible to predict how long they would have to wait to see the True Heavenly Spirit Flower.
Moreover, the Flower Viewing Gathering had no official duration.
The True Heavenly Spirit Flower itself was merely being stored at Qianli Hall by its owner, who could retrieve it at any moment.
If one missed this opportunity, there might never be another.
Naturally, the sooner one could see the True Heavenly Spirit Flower, the better.
The Floral Invitation granted its holder priority entry, bypassing the queue entirely.
Rumors had it that these invitations had already been scalped to prices as high as 10,000 Contribution Points per ticket, and even at that price, they were extremely limited and difficult to obtain.
The only reason Sun Qi had one was because his uncle had gifted it to him.
Sun Qi’s uncle, Sun Liancheng, was the newly appointed Lord of Tianling City in Tianling Prefecture.
A Dao Integration cultivator, he guarded the entire Tianling region.
“This Tianling Flower does seem to have some unique qualities. It appears to be somewhat different from what I have seen before. You can take a look—perhaps it might help you break through,” Sun Liancheng said in a detached tone, as if he held little hope.
It was no surprise—Sun Qi had been trapped at the Golden Core stage for far too long due to the Calamity of Heaven.
He had exhausted countless methods, even risking his life by throwing himself into the battles of the Tianling War-zone, hoping that the immense terror between life and death would help him break through his bottleneck. But in the end, every attempt ended in failure.
Apart from Sun Qi himself, the rest of the family had already given up on him.
“Heavenly Spirit Flower...” A vivid image of it emerged in Sun Qi’s mind.
As a native cultivator of Tianling Prefecture, he was naturally familiar with it.
Before the great war, he would occasionally buy a few pots of the flower for personal enjoyment when the mood struck him.
However, after the war, the Heavenly Spirit Flower had become tainted with the scent of blood.
Every time he saw one, it would remind him of the hellish battlefield during the war in Tianling Prefecture. From then on, he never purchased another.
“I never expected that a original Heavenly Spirit Flower would still exist in this world.” Sun Qi was momentarily lost in thought.
After completing his task handover with a fellow cultivator, he hurried home, changed into fresh robes, and set off for the Paradise Amidst Flowers.
Paradise Amidst Flowers was the venue prepared for the Floral Appreciation Gathering in Tianling City. It had been jointly created by his uncle, Sun Liancheng, and a cultivator named Zhao Chong.
Zhao Chong was well-known for his love of flowers.
Upon hearing that the Floral Appreciation Gathering was to be held in Tianling Prefecture, he personally sought out Sun Liancheng and volunteered to help set up the venue free of charge—his only request was to witness the true Heavenly Spirit Flower with his own eyes.
Though Zhao Chong was only a Soul Transformation cultivator, he had an extensive network of connections, with ties to several esteemed Dao Integration cultivators within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Sun Liancheng found it difficult to refuse and had no choice but to accept.
The entrance to the Paradise Amidst Flowers was located at the Dharma-Transmitting Plaza within the city. There, a dark-skinned man named Jiao Xiuyuan had set up a table, beaming as he blocked the entrance.
Only after presenting his Floral Invitation was Sun Qi allowed to enter the Paradise Amidst Flowers.
Before he could take in his surroundings, a rich and intoxicating floral fragrance enveloped him.
In an open space covered in a vibrant array of flowers, rows of chairs woven from green vines were arranged neatly, already occupied by numerous cultivators.
Sun Qi, being a solitary individual by nature, scanned the crowd but found no one he recognized. Without hesitation, he located his assigned seat and patiently waited.
It was unclear how much time had passed when a sudden wave of noise rippled through the venue.
The first group of lucky participants had begun to enter the deeper parts of the Paradise Amidst Flowers.
Once all the cultivators had gathered inside, Jiao Xiuyuan abruptly appeared on the grand stage at the front, a platform adorned with beautiful and exotic flowers.
In his hands, he held a red wooden box, immediately drawing the attention of every cultivator present.
“Fellow Daoists, the Flower Appreciation Gathering officially begins!”
Without unnecessary words, Jiao Xiuyuan made the simple yet exciting announcement.
Amid the attention of the entire audience, Jiao Xiuyuan opened the wooden box.
A thin, translucent "paper" as light as a cicada's wing and emitting a gentle white glow slowly floated into the air.
"The True Heavenly Spirit Flower!" A cultivator in the crowd couldn't help but exclaim.
Some were even so stunned by the flower’s beauty that they stood up in astonishment.
Strangely enough, even though the True Heavenly Spirit Flower was sealed within a flat surface, those who gazed upon it did not perceive anything unnatural.
It was as if a real flower were blooming slowly before their very eyes, breathtakingly beautiful.
Even a faint floral fragrance seemed to drift through the air.
As the crowd fell into complete silence, entranced by the True Heavenly Spirit Flower’s beauty, Jiao Xiuyuan smiled triumphantly and gently pointed at the translucent paper in midair.
In an instant, countless rays of light shot out from it, projecting the originally palm-sized flower into the sky above the venue.
The projection magnified the flower tens of thousands of times without losing any of its ethereal charm. Every petal's intricate details became even more vivid and clear.
While all the cultivators were captivated by the sight, Jiao Xiuyuan discreetly crushed a small round bead in his hand.
A faint white mist, carrying an aura of profound mystery, began to spread across the venue.
Even though his body was only a puppet, Jiao Xiuyuan instinctively avoided the mist. He subtly cast a protective barrier around himself, keeping the mist at bay.
He recalled the words of the Dao Integration cultivator named Liu San—clearly an alias—who had given him this item.
"Ahem, this is an elixir I have meticulously refined. It aids cultivators in their cultivation. Once inhaled as mist, it induces an almost—but not quite—genuine state of enlightenment..."
As Jiao Xiuyuan observed the entranced expressions of the cultivators around him, he muttered to himself:
"Even though he swore that this improved version has absolutely no addictive properties..."
"It's still best to avoid this kind of mysterious stuff whenever possible."
The True Heavenly Spirit Flower continued to bloom radiantly. Its petals cast mesmerizing reflections on the faces of every cultivator in the Paradise Amidst Flowers.
Each viewing session lasted only three hours. Once the time passed, the opportunity would be lost forever. Thus, almost every pair of eyes remained locked on the projected True Heavenly Spirit Flower above.
Only one person, however, was staring blankly at the frozen thin paper in the center of the venue.
"There's no mistake—Ice Dew Condensation, Image Capture, Thousand-Color Elegance..."
"This is exactly the same technique I use in my Floral Anthology to preserve flowers. But I have never shared this method with anyone else!"
Zhao Chong's eyes were filled with disbelief.
"Could it be... that someone else in this world has managed to think of the same technique as I did?"
After laying eyes on the True Heavenly Spirit Flower, Zhao Chong's lifelong yearning was finally fulfilled. He no longer cared about breaking through realms or comprehending divine abilities.
Instead, his curiosity was drawn toward the mysterious owner of the Heavenly Spirit Flower, who had yet to reveal themselves.
Time passed slowly as the cultivators remained immersed in their trance.
As the three-hour mark approached, no one had shown any signs of breaking through or achieving enlightenment.
"This is the first exhibition—I can't afford to mess this up."
Just as Jiao Xiuyuan was about to activate his pre-arranged backup plan, a sudden fluctuation stopped him in his tracks.
"It's that kid! Perfect—now I don't have to waste extra effort advertising this!"
Seeing who was undergoing a breakthrough, Jiao Xiuyuan was overjoyed.
He instantly teleported next to the cultivator and sealed off the energy fluctuation to prevent any disturbances to the others' comprehension.
The first to break through was none other than Sun Qi.
As he gazed at the breathtaking scene of the Heavenly Spirit Flower in the sky, he suddenly felt as if he had been transported back to a brutal battlefield.
Yet, unlike the current blood-soaked battlefield infused with the Heavenly Spirit Flower’s aura, this time, he felt no urge to kill.
Instead, the world's beauty flowed through him like water, healing and soothing the deep psychological scars left by war.
It was as if time had reversed—blood, corpses, and the cracked earth all vanished. His vision soared above the Tianling Prefecture, returning to an era before the great war.
Sun Qi was completely mesmerized by everything he saw.
In that moment, he forgot his family's expectations, the disappointment of his elders, the mockery of his peers, and even his own relentless desire to break through.
His mind was filled solely with the beauty of the Heavenly Spirit and the world itself.
His hostility dissipated entirely, and his cultivation advanced naturally.
By the time he regained consciousness, the seemingly insurmountable bottleneck of the Heaven’s Calamity—which had troubled him for years and nearly driven him to despair—had completely vanished without a trace.
Now, all he needed was a suitable cave dwelling to refine the energy, and he would instantly step into the Nascent Soul Realm.
For the Sun Family, this was an easily achievable feat.
In the past, if he had broken through suddenly, he might have been overwhelmed with joy.
But at this moment, Sun Qi felt neither happiness nor sorrow.
He remained seated in silence, ignoring the occasional glances cast his way, and continued to gaze intently at the True Heavenly Spirit Flower above.
It was only when the host, Jiao Xiuyuan, finally stored the flower back into the wooden box and announced the end of the first appreciation event that he snapped out of his trance.
Excited voices, sighs of regret, and words of admiration filled the air.
"Daoist Jiao, name your price! How much for this Heavenly Spirit True Flower?"
Having witnessed its wonders firsthand, some cultivators could no longer hold back and asked impatiently.
Their inquiries quickly gained support from others.
Jiao Xiuyuan, however, only smiled and replied:
"How many times do I have to tell you? The flower’s owner is very clear about his stance: Not for sale. Not for sale. Still not for sale!"
"Even though I'd love to broker this deal, there's nothing I can do if the owner refuses to sell!"
A commotion erupted among the crowd.
A rotund, middle-aged cultivator stood up arrogantly and said, "I refuse to believe that there’s anything money can't buy! Ten million contribution points—does that work? If not, I’ll offer more!"
Before Jiao Xiuyuan could respond, another voice from the crowd mocked him sarcastically:
"Oh? Isn't this Daoist Zhu Yuhua from the Tianshu Prefecture? I heard you’re quite wealthy, but why start with only ten million contribution points? Are you looking down on us?"
"Heh, with such a low offer, you might as well settle for those imitation flowers!"
Zhu Yuhua's expression darkened as he turned toward the speakers. They were indeed all influential figures.
Realizing that ten million contribution points were insignificant to them, he swallowed his words and prepared to increase his offer.
However, Jiao Xiuyuan quickly stepped in as the mediator.
"Everyone, everyone..."
Raising his voice, he once again captured the audience’s attention.
"The Heavenly Spirit Flower’s owner is an extraordinary person, unmatched in both grace and elegance. Naturally, he treasures the world’s only Heavenly Spirit Flower beyond measure and would never sell it."
"However..." He paused before continuing,
"While he won’t sell it, he has agreed to an alternative arrangement after some persuasion on my part."
"The True Heavenly Spirit Flower will be available for rental instead of sale!"
"If any of you are interested, stay behind to hear the details."
...
"Only for rent, not for sale. This Master of the Heavenly Spirit Flowers truly knows how to do business." Sun Qi chuckled.
Watching the crowd of cultivators swarming toward Jiao Xiuyuan, Sun Qi knew that he lacked the ability to rent the Heavenly Spirit Flower. Shaking his head, he quietly left the Paradise Amidst Flowers.
After leaving, the first person he visited was his uncle, Sun Liancheng. After all, his recent breakthrough was primarily due to the Floral Invitation that Sun Liancheng had gifted him.
He had only waited for a short moment in his uncle’s cave dwelling before Sun Liancheng arrived in a hurry.
"Good... good..." Sun Liancheng examined him from head to toe, even more excited than Sun Qi himself about his breakthrough.
"The prodigy of the Sun Clan has finally returned after all these years," Sun Liancheng sighed with emotion.
Sun Qi let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Prodigy...?"
"Born at the Foundation Establishment realm, reaching Golden Core by the full moon—I did indeed live up to the title of 'prodigy' back then. But now, I am already 213 years old..."
Sun Qi gently shook his head. "How can I be considered a prodigy? Uncle, please refrain from calling me that in the future. Others have long since reached the Nascent Soul and Soul Transformation stages, while I am still lingering at the Golden Core stage..."
"If word gets out, I will surely be ridiculed."
Sun Liancheng, however, remained unconcerned. "Why should our Sun family care about what others think? Qi’er, you have remained at the Golden Core stage for over two hundred years, but now you have finally broken free. With such a solid foundation, your future is boundless."
"Moreover..."
A peculiar expression flickered across Sun Liancheng’s face. "Breaking through is so difficult—it’s not your fault. After all, the entire clan's bottleneck has been placed upon your shoulders."
"On top of that, with the Primal Qi of Heaven and Earth as your innate companion artifact, you naturally draw the hostility of the world. To have even broken through the Golden Core Heaven's Calamity within your lifetime is already a blessing. Many ancestors never even reached the Golden Core stage before exhausting their lifespan and perishing. But now..."
Sun Liancheng patted Sun Qi's shoulder, his tone filled with satisfaction. "The future is promising!"
Sun Qi’s expression remained entirely unchanged.
"The next major bottleneck in Reversing the Heaven and Earth Record should be in the late Soul Transformation stage, correct?" Sun Liancheng asked.
Sun Qi gave a slight nod.
"Don’t worry. The Cave-Heaven, Heavenly Marrow, and all necessary resources will be prepared for you by the clan. You only need to focus on cultivating."
After a long silence, Sun Liancheng suddenly sighed. "Qi’er, the burden of the entire clan rests solely on your shoulders. This has hindered your cultivation, and you cannot even voice your struggles to anyone. You must endure it all in silence. Do you feel wronged or resentful?"
Sun Qi remained composed. "It is simply my duty. Countless ancestors have made silent sacrifices just as I have. It is precisely because of their dedication that the Sun family is as powerful as it is today. How could I possibly feel resentment?"
Sun Liancheng narrowed his eyes, carefully scrutinizing Sun Qi, as if trying to determine whether his words were genuine.
After a long moment, just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly shifted. "We have a guest."
"Then I shall take my leave, Uncle." Sun Qi cupped his hands and turned to leave.
"No need, just stay here. It's nothing important," Sun Liancheng stopped him.
"Hahaha, Old Sun, we've hit the jackpot this time!" A voice rang out before the person even arrived.
Upon hearing Jiao Xiuyuan’s voice, Sun Qi remained silent and motionless.
Moments later, Jiao Xiuyuan strode in, brimming with confidence.
"The number of cultivators who have traveled here is far beyond your expectations, hahaha..."
Mid-sentence, he noticed Sun Qi standing quietly in the room and immediately halted, his eyes flashing with an unreadable expression.
"Haha, no need for secrecy, Daoist Jiao. Qi’er is not an outsider," Sun Liancheng waved his hand dismissively.
Jiao Xiuyuan opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately let out a light chuckle instead.
"Old Sun, you misunderstand. Of course, I know the relationship between this boy and you. However, we agreed to confidentiality when signing the contract."
His voice suddenly became inaudible as his lips moved in silence. Upon hearing his words, Sun Liancheng’s expression shifted between shock and delight.
After exchanging a few more words, Jiao Xiuyuan retrieved a small Tianxuan Mirror from his sleeve.
Following the completion of their transaction, he promptly departed in a hurry.
"I never expected someone to be willing to trade a Dao Integration-level Derivative Jade Token just to be the first to lease that Heavenly Spirit Flower..."
"It seems that compared to the true elites of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, our Sun family still has a long way to go." Sun Liancheng sighed lightly. "The road ahead is arduous."
Hearing this, Sun Qi was momentarily stunned. "Wasn’t this supposed to be confidential?"
"The contract only binds Jiao Xiuyuan, not me," Sun Liancheng replied indifferently.
"That Master of the Heavenly Spirit Flower is rather intriguing, though. An ancient cultivator from the distant past, emerging from the White Mist, now seeks my help in obtaining an entry status into the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance..."
"Qi’er, what do you think?" Sun Liancheng asked after a brief moment of contemplation.
Sun Qi pondered for a moment before responding, "A schemer. Possibly a spy from the Five Elders Association."
Sun Liancheng burst into laughter and shook his head. "Qi’er, you are still too young. The Master of the Heavenly Spirit Flower has gone through so much trouble simply to meet Derivation Law Jade and request a Dao Integration cultivation technique suited to himself. If he were truly a spy, would he waste such a rare opportunity on something like this?"
"Besides, Derivation Law Jade is stationed at the headquarters of the Immortal Alliance Guardian Hall. With the True Intent of the Dao suppressing the area, what kind of spy would dare to cause trouble there? That would be a blatant act of suicide."
Sun Qi remained silent.
These hidden secrets were beyond the understanding of a mere Golden Core cultivator like himself. His uncle, Sun Liancheng, was subtly reminding him—no matter how much he advanced in cultivation, even if he broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, he was still nothing compared to the entire Sun family. His sole duty was to cultivate the Reversing the Heaven and Earth Record and bear the clan's bottleneck. He must never develop any rebellious thoughts.
"Hmph."
Firmly burying his fleeting thoughts of defiance deep within his heart, Sun Qi dared not reveal even the slightest change in expression.
Sun Liancheng seemed quite satisfied with his reaction. From that day forward, Sun Qi was permitted to stay in the City Lord’s Mansion.
Seven days later, Sun Qi finally encountered the mysterious Master of the Heavenly Spirit Flower, Xu Bai.
Despite priding himself on his unshakable composure, Sun Qi found himself momentarily dazed upon seeing the man. Only then did he realize that Jiao Xiuyuan's claim—"Master of the Heavenly Spirit Flower is a rare, unparalleled figure"—was not an exaggeration.
Xu Bai had come seeking status within the Immortal Alliance.
For Sun Liancheng, who held dominion over an entire province, this was a trivial matter.
In less than half a day, he bypassed all the necessary verifications and successfully secured Xu Bai’s membership.
After personally verifying his identity using the Tianxuan Mirror, Xu Bai nodded in satisfaction.
After offering a few words of praise regarding Sun Liancheng’s immense authority, he folded his fan and departed gracefully.
Sun Qi’s gaze followed his silhouette until it disappeared.
"He does seem to bear the favor of the heavens..."
"But what a pity—he has strayed from the righteous path," Sun Liancheng snorted coldly, giving his evaluation.
Sun Qi was momentarily stunned. He wondered if he had unknowingly done something to anger his uncle.
It was only after a few moments that he realized his uncle was not referring to him—
But to Xu Bai, who had just left.
"Strayed from the righteous path? Uncle, what do you mean?" Sun Qi asked, puzzled.
"Those favored by the heavens—back in the Ancient Cultivation Era, they would have been sought after by the great sects, natural-born prodigies of the Dao."
"But in this era..." Sun Liancheng’s eyes flashed with disdain.
"The New Method of the Immortal Ancestor is an act of defiance against the heavens themselves. The more one benefits from the heavens, the harder it becomes to defy them in the future."
"When the time comes to sacrifice one's Spirit of Heaven and Earth, the backlash from the will of the heavens will be exponentially stronger. No matter how talented one may be, they will likely never surpass the Soul Transformation stage."
"Just like your Primal Qi of Heaven and Earth—a fragment of the Heavenly Wonder, a gift of the heavens. Have you not sensed the world's hostility towards you? As your cultivation grows, this hostility will only intensify."
"Once, the heavens showered them with blessings, and yet, they choose to turn against it. How could they not be despised?"
Sun Qi silently nodded, lost in thought.
Neither he nor the Dao Integration-level Sun Liancheng noticed—
That from the very beginning, their conversation had been silently observed, every word recorded.
By none other than Li Fan—who lurked in the shadows, concealed within a formless killing intent.
Outside the void of Tianling Prefecture, Li Fan, who had successfully stolen the Five Elements Grand Cave Heaven and broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, was preparing to quietly escape.
However, he noticed that a cultivator named Sun Qi, stationed below, seemed to vaguely perceive his presence.
Sun Qi even had a faint awareness of his Formless Killing Intent.
It was important to note that even ordinary Dao Integration cultivators would have difficulty detecting the Formless Killing Intent Li Fan unleashed while still at the Nascent Soul stage under the guise of false destiny.
Yet, this seemingly insignificant Golden Core cultivator managed to perceive it.
This series of signs indicated that Sun Qi was no ordinary person. As a result, Li Fan casually released a Formless Killing Intent to lock onto him.
For a long time, Sun Qi showed no unusual behavior. Like any ordinary cultivator, he practiced diligently and carried out missions assigned by the Immortal Alliance.
That was until recently, when the Lord of Tianling City, Sun Liancheng, approached him and handed him a Floral Invitation.
Within the Maze Zone, Li Fan, who was watching events unfold from millions of miles away, hesitated slightly in his movements.
"The more one benefits from the heavens, the harder it becomes to defy them..." Li Fan mused to himself.
"Brother Li, are you struggling to hold on?" Huangfu Song’s voice pulled him back to reality.
Dongfang Yao shouted, "Stay behind me! Huangfu, how much longer?"
"Just 1% left! Once this Maze Zone is fully resolved, hold on a little longer!" Huangfu Song called out.
"Damn it, hurry up!" Dongfang Yao roared, punching out and shattering dozens of lurking Shadow Beasts into fragments.
Li Fan looked outward—countless Black Shadow Beasts surged in from all directions like tidal waves, surrounding the three of them completely.
This was already the third Maze Zone they had explored during this period.
Compared to the previous two, which were barren and lifeless, the danger level here had suddenly multiplied several times over.
The seemingly calm ground was filled with strange Shadow Beasts hiding among jagged rocks.
During the daytime, they remained relatively dormant.
But as night fell and a crimson moon rose, the eerie beasts seemed to come alive under its orange-red glow.
They launched relentless assaults on the intruders—Li Fan and his companions.
These Shadow Beasts were not only swift and elusive but also incredibly lethal.
Even with Dongfang Yao’s formidable physical strength, he was left covered in wounds after taking a few hits from their claws.
What frustrated Li Fan and the others the most was that, no matter how much effort they put into slaughtering the crazed Shadow Beasts each night,
When the crimson moon rose again the following evening, the beasts reappeared in full force.
Not only did their numbers remain unchanged, but they also seemed to retain memories of the previous night’s battle.
This plunged Li Fan and his companions into a bitter struggle.
They barely managed to hold on, exhausting almost all their supplies in the process.
By the third day, before they could even finish exploring the entire Maze Zone,
The crimson moon descended earlier than expected.
Their situation immediately became critical.
Fortunately, both Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao were powerful, while Li Fan had concealed the vast majority of his true cultivation and combat prowess.
As a result, despite the constant peril, they remained unscathed.
Though their defensive line appeared on the verge of collapse under the Shadow Beasts' relentless assault, it held firm—unyielding and unwavering.
Finally, when the Heaven-Measuring Mirror completed its full data recording,
The trio unleashed their full power, instantly clearing the surrounding area.
Then, the Samantabhadra True Boat shot into the sky, racing toward the crimson moon above.
Even though the Shadow Beasts had gone completely berserk, they still couldn’t stop them. They could only watch helplessly as Li Fan and the others flew into the Crimson Moon.
“Damn, that was way too close!” Dongfang Yao, covered in blood, couldn’t help but curse when he saw the familiar white mist around them.
“In the future, we shouldn’t listen to you anymore, Huangfu. If we had followed Brother Li’s plan from the start—avoiding an all-out battle on the first night and instead fighting while exploring—we would have completed the progress long ago and made our escape.” Complaining, he took a deep breath, and the deep, bone-exposing wounds on his body wriggled as they slowly healed.
“Hey, you can’t blame me for that. It’s all because of those damn Immortal Alliance rules. There’s a huge difference in rewards between 99% and 100% exploration—the reward points literally double! It’s practically forcing us to explore the entire Maze Zone.” Huangfu Song wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, looking somewhat innocent.
Li Fan, on the other hand, remained calm. “After all, the real danger is likely hidden within that last 1%. A full 100% exploration means eliminating all risks. The Immortal Alliance’s approach makes sense.”
“Let’s check our earnings this time. We gained another 1,600 points, plus what we had before...”
“Only 2,400 points.”
The expressions of the three turned sour.
“Didn’t expect such a huge difference in value between different Maze Zone.”
“I really miss the days when earning 30,000 Qingxuan points was effortless...” Dongfang Yao muttered.
“Shut up already!” Huangfu Song snapped irritably.
Li Fan didn’t join their bickering; instead, he focused on the Qingxuan Points exchange list displayed on the Heaven-Measuring Mirror.
"Dissociation Disc: 50,000 Qingxuan Points."
"Remaining stock: 8."
Li Fan sneered internally. “So they finally pulled this thing out to bait people. I wonder which poor fool bought the first one.”
This time, possibly to encourage cultivators to explore the white mist further, the rare items on the Qingxuan Points exchange list had limited stock—once exchanged, they were gone for good.
However, the rewards were indeed generous. Aside from the nine Dissociation Discs, the list also included the [Spirit of the Xuan Mirror] and [Endstone Plate].
The Spirit of the Xuan Mirror was a sentient consciousness with a decent level of intelligence. It could be fused into any magical treasure, significantly enhancing its power.
As for the Endstone Plate, it was a newly emerged secondary artifact. It appeared as a circular stone plate, hence its name.
Its exact function had yet to be discovered.
“This Endstone Plate Plate... seems to be the [Calamity Destruction Stone Plate]. In my previous life, the Heaven-Suppressing Society used this item to mass-produce [Calamity Stones], which could block the Mysterious Net’s detection. It took their cultivators years of research to uncover its true potential. Since the item has only just emerged, it makes sense that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance hasn’t figured out its effects yet.”
“100,000 Qingxuan Points, huh...”
Li Fan stroked his chin, recalling the areas he had secretly noted along the way—places where the wails of the "Tian Yi" could be heard continuously.
Based on his experiences so far, not every Maze Zone emitted the faint sound of the "Tian Yi."
However, whenever the "Tian Yi" sound appeared, it always meant that a Maze Zone could be found nearby.
"It shouldn’t all be the experimental grounds of that Heavenly Sovereign who reversed life and death."
"A bit risky, but not necessarily impossible to explore."
A sense of eagerness stirred in Li Fan’s heart.
While his true self was exploring the white mist, in the Beast Realm, Xu Bai had already prepared to head to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
"Sect Master, why are you taking off all the protective artifacts I refined for you? Are you dissatisfied with me or something?" Fang Zaiji panicked as he saw Xu Bai remove the folding fan, white robe, scented pouch, and other items one by one.
Xu Bai chuckled lightly. "Once I arrive at the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, if real danger arises, these items won’t be of much use."
"Rather than letting them be buried along with my clone, it’s better to leave them here."
Liu San shot a fierce glare at Fang Zaiji before reassuring Xu Bai, "Young Master, you need not worry. I asked Daoist Jiao about this—the Immortal Alliance cultivators who use the Derivative Jade Token have almost never encountered any accidents. Nearly all of them return safely."
"Your clone should be no exception."
Xu Bai waved his hand dismissively. "You two don’t need to worry. It’s just a clone. Even if it’s lost, I can refine another one."
"Elder Liu, is the [Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation] ready?"
Liu San nodded solemnly. "We have already linked your clone’s consciousness to a blank node. If an irresistible force intervenes, it will help him maintain clarity of thought for a brief moment."
"That’s sufficient." Xu Bai smiled.
Then, he set off alone from the Longevity Valley.
Using the teleportation formation, he traveled across multiple prefecture and arrived in Fuyu Prefecture, located in the central region of the Immortal Alliance.
In a secluded area, he activated the Derivative Jade Token.
Moments later, a square-shaped gate appeared out of thin air. A black-clothed cultivator stepped out from within.
After glancing at the Derivative Jade Token in Li Fan’s hand, the black-clothed cultivator said nothing.
He simply led Li Fan through the transparent portal.
A brief moment of dizziness followed, and Li Fan immediately realized he had arrived inside the headquarters of the Immortal Alliance.
Unlike the Statue of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor he had seen in his past life, this time, upon entering the headquarters with his clone, he saw a different vision—a thin and solitary figure.
Hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at the sky, letting out a soft sigh.
"Before us, The path to immortality lies ahead, yet it cannot be treaded. The Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor stands above!"
It was as if the entire world responded to that figure's words, plunging into darkness in an instant.
Xu Bai vaguely heard a sound of helpless wailing.
Then, the thin figure slightly shook his head and turned around.
Their eyes met.
Boom!
Xu Bai's mind instantly exploded, roaring with noise. He was shocked to discover that the figure's appearance was identical to his own!
No...
In a flash, his vision blurred, and the face abruptly changed. Xu Bai seemed to see the peerless visage of Mr. Bai.
However, it was different from the time he saw him at the Beast-Taming Sect. Back then, Mr. Bai appeared as an unrivaled, celestial being.
Now, there was a profound sense of compassion and sorrow—a more genuine, mortal presence.
His clear eyes seemed to carry countless emotions and stories waiting to be told, like a vortex gradually engulfing Xu Bai’s mind.
"Wake up!"
A soft yet powerful voice rang out, like a great bell echoing from beyond the heavens. It pierced through the endless worlds and suddenly resounded in Xu Bai's ears.
Xu Bai’s previously dull, lifeless gaze instantly regained a trace of clarity.
When he looked again at Mr. Bai, the flesh on his face melted away like a candle, revealing a horrifying and sinister sight.
The once breathtakingly beautiful face now appeared eerie and grim.
In just a brief moment, the terrifying transformation spread from Mr. Bai's face to his entire body.
Like being stripped away by a gust of wind, he instantly became a skeletal figure, his hollow eye sockets staring straight at Xu Bai.
Xu Bai was overwhelmed with shock.
The surroundings shattered like glass, cracking and breaking apart in an instant.
A faint sense of dizziness washed over him as the illusion completely dissipated.
The black-robed cultivator who came to guide him scanned him briefly before speaking slowly:
"This space contains a lingering aura of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor. Any cultivator coming here for the first time will sense it and experience hallucinations."
Having visited the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters before, Xu Bai naturally understood.
The last time his true self came, he had seen the towering statue of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor.
From that statue, Li Fan felt an extreme sense of danger, as well as a vague sense of familiarity.
This time, however, he used Xu Ke's blood essence and Mr. Bai's divine charm to refine a clone to come here.
What he saw was a strange and eerie scene.
"The path to immortality lies ahead, yet it cannot be treaded. The Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor stands above..."
"Mr. Bai’s face turned identical to that of the clone. And in the end, he suddenly transformed into a skeletal figure..."
"What exactly does all of this signify?"
Even after escaping the illusion, Xu Bai remained deeply shaken, instinctively following behind the black-robed cultivator who led the way.
It seems that Xu Bai’s heaven-defying appearance had an effect, as the black-robed cultivator did not disturb them upon seeing him.
He merely led the way in silence.
When the two of them passed through the teleportation formation and transformed into beams of light, swiftly traversing the space of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance headquarters, Xu Bai slowly emerged from the illusions' influence.
At this moment, the black-robed guide cultivator explained to Xu Bai, “This trace of aura left behind by the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor is usually referred to as the ‘True Meaning of Dharma Transmission.’ The True Meaning of Dharma Transmission is profoundly mysterious and possesses countless wondrous applications. A cultivator only experiences its effects the first time they enter the Alliance headquarters, caught off guard and falling into illusions. Once they stay here for a while and their body adapts to the presence of the True Meaning of Dharma Transmission, it becomes almost impossible to face such illusions again.”
In his previous life, when Li Fan’s original self came here with Han Yi and Ximen Yue, the guide did not explain things in such detail.
“It seems that judging people by their appearance is human nature. Even as cultivators, we cannot completely escape from this mundane mindset.”
Xu Bai silently ridiculed in his heart but seized the opportunity to ask,
“According to what Senior said, the chance to directly face the ‘True Meaning of Dharma Transmission’ is extremely rare—possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But aside from seeing some illusions, I didn’t notice any other effects?”
The black-robed cultivator responded solemnly,
“We practitioners all follow the new methods passed down by the Heavenly Sovereign. Hence, when confronting the ‘True Meaning of Dharma Transmission,’ it’s not just simple illusions we see. It is highly likely to be related to each individual’s ‘Ultimate Dao.’”
Before Xu Bai could ask, the guide took the initiative to explain the concept of the ‘Ultimate Dao’:
“Every cultivator, from the moment they set foot on the path of cultivation, generally feels that the immortal path is vast and the future perilous. How to cultivate each realm and choose the most suitable technique—these are things we must explore on our own.”
“But life offers no second chances. One mistake can lead to lifelong regret, forever severed from the Dao. Therefore, every step we take must be careful and prudent.”
“The ‘Ultimate Dao’ represents the final destination of our cultivation as seen from the perspective of the Heavenly Sovereign—the path most suited for us. The Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor is an extraordinary being whose vision far surpasses ours. What he acknowledges is almost indistinguishable from the truth.”
“That is why the illusion just now is of utmost importance. If you contemplate it day and night, you will certainly gain tremendous insights each time.”
Countless floating lands flashed rapidly behind them as the black-robed guide calmly spoke of the profound nature of the ‘True Meaning of Dharma Transmission,’ eventually concluding with a sigh:
“The path of cultivation is like a road to the heavens, shrouded in dense fog. A single misstep can lead to a fatal fall, shattering one’s path to immortality.”
“The ‘True Meaning of Dharma Transmission,’ which reveals the Ultimate Dao, is like an unmistakably bright torch at the peak of the heavenly road. Its light pierces through the fog, illuminating the way forward.”
“This is the Heavenly Sovereign’s compassion toward all living beings under the heavens!”
As the two transformed from beams of light back into human form and their feet touched the ground again, the black-robed cultivator fell silent, resuming his usual cold demeanor.
A straight, verdant stone path stretched toward a towering black stone stele at the end, which marked the headquarters of the Protectorate Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
As he stepped onto the Path of Dharma, the spiritual energy within Xu Bai instantly sank, rendering him as ordinary as a mortal. Step by step, he walked solidly toward his destination, traversing the rather long path.
Upon reaching the end, the black-robed guide spoke once again, this time in a softer tone:
“Present your Derivative Jade Token here, and you may enter. I am not permitted to follow, so I will wait here.”
Xu Bai slightly bowed, then took out the jade token.
As in his previous life, a colorful passage emerged from the stone stele, and Xu Bai strode into it.
...
“Applicant for the Derivation Law Token: Xu Bai.”
“Number: 03. Authority Level: Dao Integration.”
“Please wait here patiently. Estimated remaining waiting time: thirteen hours.”
A somewhat familiar voice rang in Xu Bai’s ears.
Chapter 711
Xu Bai's heart sank.
Based on his experience from his previous life, when the countdown ended, he would be directly transported out of this space.
If there was still no result by then, wouldn’t it mean that his trip here would have been in vain?
According to the "Guidelines for Using the Derivation Law Jade", such situations had indeed happened before. It was merely his own greed at fault—there would be no chance to start over.
However, looking at the little girl of the Derivation Law Jade sleeping soundly, Xu Bai pondered for a moment but did not rashly wake her up.
Instead, he continued to wait patiently in silence.
Even as the countdown approached its end, he remained calm and composed, not making a sound.
The countdown reached zero, and just as the surrounding scenery began to blur and fade—
"Wait a minute..."
The little girl, still in her sleep, raised her hand with a hint of annoyance.
Just like that, Xu Bai watched as the previously fuzzy countdown became clear once more, rapidly increasing until it reset to two days before stopping.
This time, the countdown did not disappear but remained constantly visible in front of Xu Bai, ticking away like a final warning.
"As expected, I bet correctly."
Xu Bai ignored the countdown completely, his expression unwavering as he continued to focus on the Derivation Sphere above him.
"If my true body were here, I could use a Dao Deviation Stone to record every subtle change in the scenery during this period. Wouldn't that mean I could also record the spell derived by the Derivation Law Jade during this time?"
"Of course, it’s just a sequence of character combinations. To truly comprehend the technique, only the original Derivation Law Jade would know the specific correspondence between the characters and the technique."
Xu Bai's plan to "coax the Derivation Law Jade" became even more refined.
Of course, the plan’s execution would not be immediate.
Another day and a half passed, and the massive Derivation Sphere gradually stopped spinning.
The little girl suddenly raised her head, waking from her deep sleep.
Her exquisitely carved face surprisingly showed two faint dark circles.
She rubbed her eyes and yawned before boasting proudly, "Done!"
She lightly tapped the table.
Countless small characters surged from the tabletop, transforming into a white paper that flew towards Xu Bai.
Receiving it solemnly, Xu Bai did not rush to read the newly derived technique but instead bowed to the little girl again.
"You’ve worked hard," Xu Bai said softly.
"Hahaha, it’s fine! I’m really strong!" The little girl from the Derivation Law Jade yawned again and scratched her head with a satisfied grin.
Xu Bai glanced at the countdown and said gently, "There’s still half a day left. Please take some time to rest."
Upon hearing this, the little girl’s face drooped.
"No way! This is my hard-earned vacation. I have to use it sparingly."
"You better leave quickly."
"The next technique to derive is a Nascent Soul-level one, so I can take the chance to slack off a bit."
Treating Xu Bai like an old acquaintance, the little girl giggled as she waved him off.
"I look forward to meeting you again." Xu Bai gave a slight bow, memorizing the contents of the paper in his hand.
The countdown abruptly ended, and the surroundings turned illusionary.
In the next moment, he found himself standing outside the Guardian Hall Black Stone Tablet.
"How did it go?" asked the black-robed guide cultivator.
"Very satisfactory." In his mind, Xu Bai reviewed the Dao Integration Technique derived from the Derivation Law Jade and nodded slowly.
"Sitting Immortal Technique..." His gaze showed a trace of surprise.
The "Immortal" in the Sitting Immortal Technique did not refer to a True Immortal but rather to an Immortal Cultivator.
The Derivation Law Jade had used its own vacation time and took three and a half days to deduce this Dao Integration technique, which was truly extraordinary.
It perfectly met the requirements Xu Bai had put forward.
Still using [Sitting and Reaping the Fruits of Others' Labor] as the core concept of the technique, the upper limit of the technique's realm was raised to the Dao Integration Realm.
From now on, until reaching the Longevity Realm, Li Fan no longer needed to worry about lacking a cultivation technique.
Additionally, the Sitting Immortal Technique had been improved in several aspects.
For example, when the conditions for feedback cultivation are met, it is further reduced.
The "Mountain Sitting Technique" only grants cultivation feedback when the benefactor’s cultivation level has progressed significantly, and only if the favor shown to the cultivator has reached a certain threshold.
However, the "Sitting Immortal Technique" is different.
Even a casual piece of guidance, as long as there is a [causal connection], will generate a trace of corresponding cultivation feedback once the other party's cultivation improves. This feedback will nourish the practitioner of the "Sitting Immortal Technique." Even if the "favor" is minimal, the feedback cultivation will be almost negligible, barely worth mentioning. Nevertheless, it still exists.
As the saying goes: "A drop of kindness should be repaid with a drop of kindness."
Moreover, the "Sitting Immortal Technique" further strengthens the bond between the practitioner and the recipients of their favor.
Anyone who receives Li Fan's kindness will establish a "causal connection", allowing Li Fan to sense them through an ethereal link.
The deeper the kindness, the stronger the connection.
A monumental kindness, such as "Passing on Dharma", would almost make the connection as profound as the [Formless Killing Intent], as if experiencing it personally.
Li Fan can further utilize the continuous stream of feedback cultivation to deepen the causal bond with the beneficiary cultivator.
Once the connection reaches a certain level, it can even disregard spatial distance and exert a degree of spiritual influence.
Xu Bai was thoroughly impressed by the various mystical aspects of the [Sitting Immortal Technique], his heart surging with emotion.
"Even if it doesn’t truly compare to true immortal arts, it can still be called a genuine [True Mysterious Creation Art]!"
While his heart was filled with excitement, the thought of claiming the Derivation Law Jade for himself once again inevitably arose.
"Brother Li? Brother Li!"
In the vast white fog, the sound of someone calling pulled Li Fan back to his senses.
"Did you hear any strange sounds nearby?" Huangfu Song asked.
Li Fan pretended to listen intently, then shook his head after a while.
"Distinguishing the strange sounds of the Maze Zone consumes too much mental energy. Thanks to Brother Li’s ability, we’ve already completed two low-danger level explorations in the Maze Zone," said Dongfang Yao, slightly reproaching.
Huangfu Song looked embarrassed and admitted, "That’s my mistake. I was just too excited!"
Connecting his spiritual sense to the Heaven-Measuring Mirror, Huangfu Song saw that their Qingxuan Points had soared to 15,000, and he praised cheerfully, "Brother Li’s ability is truly extraordinary, being able to hear the sounds within the mist."
"No matter how much Dongfang and I tried, we couldn’t hear anything at all!"
"I knew Brother Li was reliable and worth building a friendship with!" Dongfang Yao also chimed in with praise.
Li Fan smiled and was about to speak when his expression suddenly grew tense.
He looked sharply in a particular direction within the white mist. After a brief moment, his face changed slightly.
"Danger! Dodge immediately!"
As he spoke, he seized control of the Samantabhadra True Boat and abruptly maneuvered the vessel to the right, shifting it more than ten zhang (approx. 33 meters) away.
Before Huangfu and Dongfang could react, they saw a massive black light pillar shoot out from the depths of the mist, roaring past them at incredible speed.
It barely grazed the Samantabhadra True Boat, howling as it continued to blast into the distance.
The power was so immense that even the eternally unchanging white mist was torn open, leaving a long, empty gap in its wake.
"This..."
Huangfu and Dongfang, who had narrowly escaped death, were both pale, cold sweat streaming down their foreheads.
They stared blankly at the long, gaping void not far away, rendered speechless.
If Li Fan had been even a step slower just now, the three people on the Samantabhadra True Boat would have already been pulverized into dust!
Swallowing hard, Huangfu's legs softened, and he almost collapsed onto the deck.
"What the hell was that..." Dongfang Yao, being a bit more courageous, managed to recover from his shock, forcibly suppressing his fear as he cautiously looked outside the boat.
The destructive power of the black pillar of light was terrifying beyond imagination. Even after a long time, the Devouring Essence White Mist that had been pierced through still had not recovered.
Moreover, the black light seemed to contain some strange corrosive power. Even though the light pillar had dissipated by now, just looking at that void from a distance gave everyone an unsettling sense of impending danger.
"Hey, how about we move farther away for now? If another one comes, we're dead for sure," Dongfang Yao whispered, after carefully observing for a while.
At this moment, Li Fan, who had managed to maintain relative composure, spoke up, "Not a good idea! It’s better to stay put and not act rashly. Although I don’t know the origin of that black light pillar, since this direction has already been struck once, the chances of it being hit again are..."
"Not high..."
Before he could finish the word "high," Li Fan’s expression changed again.
He instantly circulated his spiritual energy to the maximum, pouring it into the Samantabhadra True Boat, making it suddenly accelerate and soar upward a considerable distance.
Just as he finished this, another terrifying black pillar of light shot out from the depths of the white mist.
This time, it was even more dangerous than before—the Samantabhadra True Boat narrowly evaded it. Even through the boat’s hull, they could feel the suffocating, all-destroying power of the black light.
Having been frightened twice in such a short period, Huangfu finally couldn't take it anymore and collapsed directly onto the deck.
Li Fan, having just been proven wrong, cursed inwardly but maintained his unwavering determination, suppressing his instinct to flee and remaining steadfastly still.
After that, sure enough, seven more black pillars of light blasted out from the depths of the white mist, almost sweeping across the entire area.
The Devouring Essence White Mist, which had existed for tens of thousands of years, seemed to have been scoured by this world-shattering power, becoming significantly thinner.
This magnificent and terrifying scene left all three on the boat stunned and speechless.
"World-Suppressing Ultimate Weapon... This is the Sky-Splitting Cannon of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance!" Huangfu Song suddenly exclaimed as if recalling something.
His words immediately drew the attention of Li Fan and Dongfang Yao.
"World-Suppressing Ultimate Weapon?" Li Fan's eyes flickered with curiosity.
The so-called World-Suppressing Ultimate Weapons are powerful treasures capable of altering the course of war between two sides, renowned for their unmatched destructive power.
During the previous Friendly Exchange between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association, both sides had each showcased one of these weapons. It was said that the demonstration had caused many militant cultivators to change their original stance.
The existence of World-Suppressing Ultimate Weapons is considered classified information within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, and ordinary cultivators rarely get to witness them.
Who would have thought that Li Fan and the others would encounter one here?
Moreover, it was fully operational, seemingly engaged in a battle with something...
"Could it be that they've gotten into a fight with the Five Elders Association again?" The Samantabhadra True Boat fell silent for a moment before Dongfang Yao couldn't help but whisper his guess.
"It shouldn't be..." Huangfu Song replied hesitantly, though it was clear he still harbored some concerns. Taking out a Communication Talisman, he contacted someone briefly before finally breathing a sigh of relief.
"Stop being so paranoid. It's just the Immortal Alliance Martial Hall clearing out a Maze Zone. We were just unlucky enough to run into them." Huangfu Song shot Dongfang Yao a glare.
"What kind of Maze Zone requires such a massive weapon? And there wasn't even a warning! If it weren't for Brother Li reacting quickly, we'd all be dead here. It's really reckless disregard for human life!" Dongfang Yao cursed angrily.
"Just stop talking," Huangfu Song quickly urged him to calm down.
Meanwhile, Li Fan stared deeply into the depths of the white mist, riddled with countless holes. Even from a great distance, he could faintly sense the spiritual energy fluctuations coming from there.
After waiting a while and confirming that the Sky-Splitting Cannon bombardment had ceased, the three of them piloted the Saman True Boat and quickly left the area.
"Have you two thought about what items to exchange for?" On the way back to the city to purchase supplies, Huangfu Song opened the Heaven-Measuring Mirror's item list, happily browsing through it while asking.
"I've got my eye on that technique that nourishes the body by eating. Even though I have a special constitution that can recover from most injuries instantly, I still feel like there might be hidden internal damage. It’s not a big deal in daily life, but I’m worried it might hold me back when breaking through to higher realms." Dongfang Yao spoke honestly, laying out his plans without reservation.
"Heh, I've got my sights set on the Tianxuan Secondary Body, the Dissociation Disc. There are still six left, and if we act fast enough, we might still have a chance." Huangfu Song chuckled but didn't explain why he chose it.
"What about you, Brother Li?" Dongfang Yao asked curiously.
"I'll take my time and look around first—no rush to decide." Li Fan replied calmly.
However, when they arrived at Tianyu City, the originally relaxed trio suddenly grew anxious.
It turned out that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's Decree had been officially issued.
Cultivators from all over the world moved at the news. Friends gathered in small groups, and countless Samantabhadra True Boat rushed out from every corner of the Xuanhuang Realm, racing toward the white mist.
The Great Exploration Era had officially begun!
Although those without powerful backers or connections had missed the initial opportunity and fallen behind in exploration progress, their sheer numbers remained overwhelming. Who could say whether one or two of them might defy the odds and stumble upon a place as significant as the Reversal Life-and-Death Maze Zone?
If someone were lucky enough to discover a similarly important location, they would instantly earn 30,000 Qingxuan Points.
To put it in perspective, even after risking their lives, Li Fan and his group had only managed to accumulate a little over 21,000 points! In the face of truly favored individuals, this meager head start meant nothing at all!
After hastily restocking essential supplies, they didn't even take a break before plunging back into the white mist.
It was worth mentioning that the supposedly "cheap" yet highly effective Longevity Pills that Li Fan had "accidentally" purchased had now, with the arrival of the Great Exploration Era, suddenly flooded the Immortal Alliance Market like bamboo shoots after the rain.
Every city's Qianli Hall had them available for purchase.
"I wonder which organization is behind these Longevity Pills—they don't even need to explore the white mist like we do. Just relying on this single pill, they must be making a fortune."
Looking at the crowds swarming the Qianli Hall to buy Longevity Pills, Huangfu Song couldn't help but speak with a hint of envy.
Beastkind Realm.
"Sect Master, we painstakingly refined the Longevity Pills, yet that Jiao guy is taking almost half of the profits. Is this really okay?"
A golden eyeball circled around Xu Bai, spinning continuously. A somewhat resentful voice from Fang Zaiji emerged from within.
"Let me talk to him. I can definitely squeeze some more out of him. Sigh, Old Liu is good at everything, except he's too honest. Even after getting taken advantage of, he still speaks up for others like a fool."
Although Liu San had gradually grown accustomed to Fang Zaiji’s blunt nature, he couldn't help but feel annoyed upon hearing this.
He reached out to grab the [Eye of Shared Vision] that Fang Zaiji was possessing, but the latter nimbly dodged.
"Heh, trying to catch me? Do you really think I'd let myself suffer twice in the same place? I’ve already improved—"
Before he could finish, Xu Bai suddenly caught him in his hand.
A buzzing sound came from the golden eyeball as it struggled, but this time, Fang Zaiji's voice was absent.
"Mr. Fang, don't dwell on it. As the saying goes, 'If you wish to take, you must first give.' If we didn’t let Jiao Xiuyuan take such a large share, would he have been so enthusiastic and proactive in promoting our Longevity Pills? For us, all it costs is a few herbs from the Longevity Valley—pure profit with no investment. The only difference is whether we earn more or less."
"Besides, Jiao Xiuyuan has countless clones spread across the Xuanhuang Realm, and his strength is unfathomable. Do you really want to argue with him?"
Xu Bai asked with a half-smile.
The golden eyeball immediately stopped struggling.
Xu Bai released his grip, and after a moment, Fang Zaiji's weak voice emerged, "Sigh, I was just saying. Since you, Sect Master, have no objections, then forget it."
After a pause, he added, "I heard that in Jiao Xiuyuan’s Qianli Hall, they sell everything? Then if I refine some little trinkets and sell them there, that should be fine, right?"
Liu San snorted coldly. "The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance now mass-produces magical artifacts and treasures in standardized batches, selling them at far lower prices than before. Even if you can refine something, how much could you possibly earn?"
Fang Zaiji's impatient voice replied, "Old Liu, you don’t understand artifact refinement at all, so stop worrying about it. Sect Master, just give me a straight answer—yes or no?"
Liu San was about to say more, but Xu Bai raised a hand to stop him.
"If Mr. Fang wishes to do so, then go ahead. If you lack materials, you can request them from Elder Liu." Xu Bai replied with a smile.
"Sect Master, you're so generous!" The golden eyeball flipped up and down excitedly.
"Just wait for my good news—you'll be in for a big surprise!"
With that, the golden eyeball turned into a streak of light and vanished into the distance.
"Young Master, you're too soft-hearted. Always indulging Fang Zaiji like this—who knows what kind of trouble he might stir up in the future?" Liu San sighed.
"It’s fine. Nothing serious will come of it. While Mr. Fang may seem a bit unreliable, he has never neglected my task of strengthening the Medicine King True Cauldron. He just doesn’t show it in front of you, Elder Liu." Xu Bai explained with a smile.
"Is that so?" Liu San looked slightly surprised.
Not continuing the topic, Xu Bai instead inquired about the progress of refining the Longevity Pills.
Liu San furrowed his brows and said, "The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has recently lifted restrictions on Maze Zone Exploration, greatly increasing the demand for Longevity Pills among cultivators. Our stockpile has nearly been depleted, and with only me providing Longevity Green Energy, the rate of pill refinement is far too slow to keep up with consumption..."
He hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Young Master, do you think we should consider awakening a few more?"
Xu Bai pondered for a moment and did not answer immediately. Instead, he asked, "Elder Liu, do you have any suitable candidates in mind?"
Inside the Medicine King True Cauldron, there were originally six Dao Integration cultivators in slumber...
Liu San and Fang Zaiji have already been awakened; now, four others remain within the Grand Dream of Spring and Autumn Formation.
After pondering for a moment, Liu San gave his suggestion: "I recommend awakening Jiang Yushan, Elder Jiang."
He then explained to Xu Bai the reason for his choice.
"The primary reason why we cannot awaken all the cultivators of the Medicine King Sect at once is the restriction of incompatible cultivation methods. If all those who practice the World-Saving Longevity Scripture were to wake up together, a brutal slaughter would likely break out immediately."[1]
"But if it’s Yushan, I believe such murderous intent would have no effect on her." Liu San spoke slowly.
It turns out that Jiang Yushan was originally a disciple of Indeterminate Prison, one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
Indeterminate Prison is a rather unique existence among the immortal sects. As its name suggests, rather than a sect, it is actually a prison—one that has suppressed countless cultivators who defied the commands of the Ten Great Immortal Sects ever since their rule over the Xuanhuang Realm began.
These exiled cultivators were confined to the same space, left to slaughter each other at will.
The location of this exile drifts unpredictably, and aside from a select few, no one knows how to enter it.
Thus, it is called Indeterminate Prison.
Jiang Yushan was originally a warden of this prison, tasked with keeping these ruthless criminals from escaping.
After spending a long time in Indeterminate Prison, she inevitably became tainted by the overwhelming killing intent that permeated the place.
Even the most resolute of cultivators cannot guarantee that they will always maintain their clarity of mind in such an environment.
For this reason, the prison rotates its wardens every thirty years.
New wardens are selected through various means. While their cultivation level may not always be the highest, their combat strength must be formidable. Furthermore, they must be ruthless—otherwise, they would never be able to suppress the countless criminals within Indeterminate Prison.
After leaving the prison, Jiang Yushan joined the Medicine King Sect to cleanse herself of the murderous aura lingering around her.
She dedicated herself to healing the sick and saving lives, accumulating merit and virtue—concealing her once bloodthirsty nature.
...
"The near-tangible killing intent within Indeterminate Prison could not shake Yushan’s mind. If it’s just the hostility generated by two people cultivating the same technique, she should be able to withstand it with ease." Liu San declared confidently.
Xu Bai remained silent for a moment before suddenly asking,
"Then what about you, Elder Liu? The consequences of incompatible cultivation methods affect both sides. Can you guarantee that you won’t attack Elder Jiang?"
Liu San blurted out,
"Even if I were to die, I would never become Yushan’s enemy..."
Xu Bai immediately smiled.
"Very well. Since that’s the case, let’s proceed as planned. However, some preparations are still necessary. Elder Liu, calm your mind first. When the time comes, I will notify you."
"Good, good." Liu San seemed somewhat excited.
He conjured a Water Mirror, carefully examining his own reflection.
"Although Jiang Yushan is an outsider and unfamiliar with the internal affairs of the Medicine King Sect, my use of a clone to impersonate Liu Yihang will remain undiscovered."
"Still, I must be cautious."
Xu Bai’s eyes flickered with thought.
[TL- The Longevity and Lifespan Sutra/Technique will be translated as World-Saving Longevity Scripture because the former was not really that accurate]
An item capable of influencing or even altering the mindset of a Dao Integration cultivator must undoubtedly be a supreme treasure.
After all, with the Longevity Immortals remaining hidden, Dao Integration cultivators stand at the pinnacle of authority in the Xuanhuang Realm.
Thus, even after experiencing multiple reincarnations and uncovering countless secrets of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, Li Fan still did not know whether the alliance possessed an artifact comparable to the [Fruit of True Temptation].
Therefore, to resolve Jiang Yushan’s hidden concerns, he had no choice but to seek out the Five Elders Association!
Fortunately, Li Fan had already determined his bargaining chip for this trade with the Five Elders Association.
As for how to establish contact with them...
During this period, disciples of the Medicine King Sect had been scattered throughout various regions of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, gathering intelligence.
Following Li Fan’s instructions, they identified a number of suspicious individuals based on previously known methods used by Five Elders Association spies to make contact.
After reviewing the list of cultivators and cross-referencing it with knowledge from his past lives, Li Fan finally confirmed the identity of one particular spy.
Wang Qiupo of Tianliang Prefecture.
This Wang Qiupo, despite only being at the Golden Core stage, had already reached the astonishing age of eight hundred years.
His lifespan far exceeded the typical limits of a Golden Core cultivator. Though his hair had turned completely white, his spirit remained vigorous, showing no signs of aging.
Having lived for such an extraordinarily long time, all those from his era who were still alive had already ascended to Soul Transformation or Dao Integration levels, holding key positions within the Immortal Alliance.
As the saying goes, one must respect the monk for the sake of the Buddha. Even though Wang Qiupo himself lacked remarkable abilities, his vast network of connections made him influential.
As a result, even the City Lord of Tianliang treated him with great courtesy.
Yet, no one would have ever imagined that such a figure was, in fact, a spy for the Five Elders Association.
This infiltrator had remained hidden for so long—buried so deeply—that when he finally perished in Li Fan’s previous life, the Five Elders Association openly revealed his identity, intending to mock the Immortal Alliance.
Embarrassed by the revelation, the Immortal Alliance immediately suppressed all information regarding the matter.
Li Fan had only heard rumors of a deeply hidden spy whose exposure had caused the Immortal Alliance great humiliation but had never known the spy’s actual name.
Only in this life, after observing Wang Qiupo’s unusual behavior—combined with intelligence gathered by Medicine King Sect disciples and his own past-life knowledge—was he able to deduce the truth.
"It seems that Wang Qiupo’s lifespan is nearing its end," Xu Bai mused before swiftly departing Longevity Valley.
Stepping into the White Mist, he soon encountered a Samantabhadra True Boat.
The occupants of the vessel failed to notice Xu Bai and continued flying deeper into the mist.
"More and more people are passing through here. I wonder how much longer this place can remain hidden."
With that fleeting thought, Xu Bai exited the White Mist and set out directly for Tianliang Prefecture.
Tianliang Prefecture.
Located in the northwest of Tianling Prefecture, Tianliang was renowned for its perpetual autumn-like climate.
It was said that the lingering killing intent from an ancient war had never dissipated, leaving the land barren and unable to sustain normal growth. This unique phenomenon was what gave the region its distinct character.
Wang Qiupo did not reside in Tianliang City.
Instead, he lived in seclusion beneath Liang Mountain, in a humble cottage.
Though his dwelling was remote, many cultivators eager to benefit from his connections frequently visited to curry favor.
Most of them, however, were turned away, leaving disappointed.
When Xu Bai arrived, he found a long queue already formed at Wang Qiupo’s doorstep.
Over ten cultivators were patiently waiting for their turn.
Xu Bai’s presence immediately attracted their attention.
One cultivator even offered to swap places with him in line.
Xu Bai first thanked the cultivator for their kindness before politely declining with a smile.
His courteous demeanor won over the gathered cultivators, who, in turn, enthusiastically began explaining the situation to him.
Old Wang didn’t know why, but he had been feeling quite irritable lately. He had already rejected the visits of a hundred cultivators in a row.
"Old Wang has always been eccentric. No one can guess what he’s thinking. But that doesn’t stop people from trying. Who knows? Maybe when it's their turn, his mood will suddenly improve. After all, there’s precedent for this!"
"That’s right. There was once a young Foundation Establishment cultivator, completely unknown. But after receiving Old Wang’s recommendation, he soared to prominence overnight and directly entered the Immortal Alliance system."
The gathered cultivators were engaged in heated discussions.
Meanwhile, under Wang Qiupo’s repeated angry shouts of "I’m not seeing anyone!" the line outside gradually shortened.
Some cultivators who were turned away left with their heads hanging low, while others had expressions of frustration.
However, none dared to speak out of turn.
Otherwise, even without Wang Qiupo lifting a finger, the waiting cultivators at the entrance—eager to win his favor—would immediately step in to teach them a lesson.
Xu Bai, however, remained composed, patiently waiting in silence.
Finally, when it was his turn, he stepped forward and heard a deep voice from inside:
"You brat, why have you come?"
Xu Bai’s cultivation was actually higher than Wang Qiupo’s, yet the latter still addressed him that way.
None of the surrounding cultivators found this surprising.
Xu Bai, too, was unfazed. He cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile:
"I have come to..."
"...send you off!"
His voice was as loud as a bell, echoing at the foot of Cool Mountain.
The gathered cultivators were stunned. They stared at Xu Bai in disbelief, as if unable to comprehend how such an elegant-looking person could utter something so disrespectful.
Many even showed regretful expressions.
"This is bad. He’s completely enraged Old Wang now. We probably won’t get to see him for months!"
However, things took an unexpected turn.
At first, the hut fell into complete silence.
Then, Wang Qiupo’s hearty laughter erupted from within.
With a loud boom, the doors swung open. Wang Qiupo instantly stopped laughing and said:
"Interesting. Come inside, brat. I want to see what gives you such a bold tongue!"
Xu Bai remained calm and strode into the house.
The doors closed behind him, cutting off everything inside from the outside world.
Inside the hut—
Wang Qiupo scrutinized Xu Bai and raised an eyebrow.
"You’ve got quite the fine appearance. Brat, you—"
Before he could finish, Xu Bai interrupted him:
"Do you realize that you don’t have much time left?"
Wang Qiupo’s eyes narrowed instantly.
"You..."
"Do you want to die alone in a foreign land, or do you wish to return home before the end?" Xu Bai continued, completely ignoring the other’s reaction.
"!"
Wang Qiupo abruptly stood up from his reclining wooden chair, his movements so swift that he showed no sign of age.
"Young man, what exactly do you mean?" He clutched his wooden staff tightly, pressing it against the floor, his eyes glinting with danger.
Xu Bai met his gaze without a hint of fear and asked, enunciating each word clearly:
"Where is your homeland? The Land of Carefree Bliss? Realm of Reality? Or the Humane Heavenly Domain?"
In an instant, a violent surge of spiritual energy erupted from his body.
The wooden staff in Wang Qiupo’s hand glowed with a cyan light, as if he was ready to fight to the death.
But just then, Xu Bai spoke a single sentence that made him change his mind.
"Do you want to go home?"
"Our Heaven-Suppressing Society can help you."
Xu Bai smiled—a sincere and confident smile.
After Xu Bai spoke those words, the violent aura brewing within Wang Qiupo suddenly calmed down.
His somewhat clouded eyes locked onto the excessively handsome cultivator before him, his mind pondering over the words "Heaven-Suppressing Society."
This name—of course, Wang Qiupo had heard of it before.
Previously, he had received a secret order from the Five Elders Association, instructing him to investigate information related to this organization in secret. He had expended a considerable amount of resources but found absolutely nothing. Not a single soul had even heard of this name.
At one point, Wang Qiupo had even suspected that the organization had made a mistake in transmitting the target’s name.
Eventually, the matter was left unresolved.
Until today—when this young cultivator, claiming to be a member of the Heaven-Suppressing Society, suddenly appeared before him.
“Not only does he know about my identity as a spy, but he also seems to know my physical condition inside out...”
“It seems there must be a traitor within the organization.”
As one of the most outstanding spies still alive in the Five Elders Association, this was Wang Qiupo’s first instinctive thought.
After all, the news of his nearing lifespan exhaustion had only recently been transmitted. He had hoped to have the organization cooperate with his staged death, using it as an opportunity to stir the waters.
Wang Qiupo had been in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance for nearly eight hundred years. The first half of his life had been unremarkable.
It was only in the latter four hundred years, when the cultivators he had befriended in his youth began to rise to prominence, that he ushered in the most glorious period of his espionage career.
Throughout these years, the number of young cultivators he had recommended into the alliance exceeded ten thousand!
Of course, this was partly due to the goodwill of his old friends, who agreed to help him out of past camaraderie.
But more importantly...
These individuals were, without exception, outstanding young talents!
And this was precisely why outsiders found his personality so peculiar.
If they weren’t geniuses, he would never recommend them!
As a top-tier spy, Wang Qiupo understood that planting low-level spies in enemy ranks could bring temporary benefits. However, all spies would eventually be exposed. When that day came, all the operatives he had painstakingly nurtured would be wiped out in one fell swoop.
In the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, rising to a high position required the test of time. These young spies would never last that long. Even if, by sheer luck, some managed to ascend quickly, whether they could truly acquire valuable intelligence remained uncertain.
Thus, such an approach posed only a limited threat to the alliance.
What Wang Qiupo truly intended was to personally expose his identity as a spy before his death—only then could he deal a devastating blow to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance!
Imagine the uproar when news broke that Wang Qiupo had actually been a Five Elders Association spy all along.
All the cultivators he had recommended over the years would undoubtedly fall under suspicion!
Even if investigations later proved their innocence...
Would the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance dare to continue trusting and using them?
Who could guarantee that these individuals had not undergone some kind of secret technique to evade detection?
With such concerns in mind, these once-promising cultivators, originally poised to become the backbone of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, would—at best—be exiled to insignificant positions for quiet disposal.
The wise and capable would fade into obscurity, while their vacated positions would be filled by mediocre individuals.
This was Wang Qiupo’s meticulously crafted "Poisoned Nail" Plan, which had been in the making for eight hundred years.
A small, inconspicuous "nail"—yet capable of crippling a vital portion of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
For a mere Golden Core-level cultivator like Wang Qiupo, this was the greatest devastation he could achieve.
Originally, the Poisoned Nail Plan had been flawless, with its final phase just around the corner.
But unexpectedly, an unforeseen variable had emerged at this critical moment.
“Young man, what exactly do you mean? Speak plainly.”
Wang Qiupo remained composed, carefully probing.
Xu Bai smiled faintly and got straight to the point:
"You must be a spy planted by the Five Elders Association, aren’t you?"
Wang Qiupo narrowed his eyes and openly admitted, "That's right!"
Such straightforwardness was somewhat beyond Xu Bai's expectations.
However, it did not affect anything.
"Old sir, there's no need to be nervous. If you have any understanding of our Heaven-Suppressing Society, then you should know that, in reality, we are on the same side," Xu Bai said with a reassuring smile.
"The more chaos you create within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the better. Why would we expose you?"
Just as Wang Qiupo was deep in thought, Xu Bai suddenly put away his smile, his expression turning serious. "Actually, I came here today to discuss a deal with you."
"And it involves something extremely important. I was afraid that sending an ordinary spy might risk leaking information, so I came directly to you."
Seeing how serious the other party was, Wang Qiupo's expression also became more solemn.
However, having lived for 800 years, he was no fool. He wouldn't easily believe Xu Bai’s words.
He remained silent, waiting to see what Xu Bai was hiding.
Yet, Xu Bai’s next words nearly made him crush the bamboo staff in his hand.
"Do you know that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is about to give birth to another Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign?" Xu Bai said.
"What did you just say?"
No matter how deep his composure ran, upon hearing such an earth-shattering piece of news, Wang Qiupo's expression changed dramatically.
"So, you weren’t aware of this? That’s strange..." Xu Bai frowned.
Wang Qiupo took a deep breath, seemingly trying to discern the truth in Xu Bai’s words.
But Xu Bai didn’t give him the chance to think and immediately dropped another bombshell.
"We have already uncovered the fundamental law that this new Heavenly Sovereign is trying to overturn—it is highly unusual."
"Previously, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had only one Preaching Heavenly Sovereign, and your Five Elders Association could still hold your own against them. But now, with another Heavenly Sovereign joining their ranks..."
"You’d better start preparing now."
"At this moment, this new Heavenly Sovereign has not yet officially 'solidified their law' and can still participate in mortal conflicts. If you’re caught off guard..."
Wang Qiupo's mind was in complete turmoil.
Though he prided himself on being a successful spy within the Five Elders Association, his knowledge of Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns was quite limited.
All this talk of overturning laws and solidifying laws—it left him somewhat confused.
However, if what this Heaven-Suppressing Society cultivator said was true...
Then he must report this to the organization immediately.
Wang Qiupo glanced at Xu Bai again.
The latter seemed to have guessed his thoughts and handed over a jade slip.
"I told you—I came here to make a deal. The specific details regarding this Heavenly Sovereign can be disclosed to you, but you must pay the required price."
"The importance of this information is far greater than in our previous transactions. We haven't raised the price, which shows our sincerity. After all, we are still counting on you to fight the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to the death."
Xu Bai revealed a strange smile and then gestured invitingly.
Wang Qiupo first examined the jade slip, and his pupils suddenly contracted.
The jade slip listed items of immense value, far beyond Wang Qiupo’s imagination.
As a spy who had left home at a young age, some of these items were things he had never even heard of.
In that moment, Wang Qiupo found himself believing Xu Bai’s words a little more.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he gestured for Xu Bai to wait.
Then, he quietly lay back onto the rattan chair behind him, closing his eyes as if he had fallen into a deep sleep.
From Xu Bai’s perspective, Wang Qiupo’s vitality was dissipating at an astonishing rate.
In just a brief moment, it seemed as though he had died of old age, becoming indistinguishable from a corpse.
"No wonder he managed to remain hidden as a spy for eight hundred years without being exposed. He certainly has some remarkable tricks," Xu Bai thought to himself as he observed Wang Qiupo for a long time.
Even the thatched hut where Wang Qiupo resided seemed to possess some mysterious qualities. His life force had disappeared, yet the people outside remained unaware. They were still lined up outside, waiting patiently.
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a gentle breeze seemed to stir within the hut.
Then, like a withered tree experiencing spring’s revival, Wang Qiupo’s vitality returned.
However, Xu Bai keenly noticed that this elder, who had lived for eight centuries, was now one step closer to death.
With a light cough, Wang Qiupo stood up again and approached Xu Bai.
"I have already confirmed with the organization, young man. Your words are not false," he said.
"Our previous transactions also prove that your Heaven-Suppressing Society has credibility. However..."
Wang Qiupo’s aged eyes locked onto Xu Bai.
"How do you prove that you are truly a member of the Heaven-Suppressing Society?"
"And not someone from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance who has uncovered my true identity and is trying to use this to launch a counterattack?"
"What were the contents of our last two transactions?"
Faced with Wang Qiupo’s barrage of questions, Xu Bai remained unfazed. He smiled faintly and gave his answer.
"The first was the Immortal Alliance’s entrance examination questions. The second was the true identity of an ancient cultivator the Immortal Alliance was searching for."
Hearing these two statements, Wang Qiupo’s tense body immediately slumped.
After a moment of silence, he spoke in a deep voice.
"The organization has indeed detected traces of the laws of the world reversing. However, we have yet to pinpoint the true identity of this Heavenly Sovereign..."
"This deal is accepted."
"However, since it involves the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, signing a contract might alert him. So, this transaction can only be a verbal agreement, relying on mutual trust."
Xu Bai’s eyes flickered slightly before he shook his head with a smile.
"No problem. There will be many opportunities for us to collaborate in the future. I trust that you won’t go back on your word."
"Since that’s settled, I’ll share the information with you now."
Xu Bai’s expression grew serious as he whispered,
"The law this Heavenly Sovereign is reversing is that of life and death."
"Recently, we discovered some beings in the Devouring Essence White Mist—neither truly alive nor truly dead. They resemble living corpses."
"Coupling this with our observations of the world’s laws being reversed, our investigations have confirmed this theory."
"As for this Heavenly Sovereign’s true identity, we are still uncertain."
"However, we do have some suspicious targets."
After speaking, Xu Bai lifted his hand and, as if writing in the air, inscribed two names—"Lan Yu (Blue Feather)" and "Tian Yi (Heavenly Doctor)."
Wang Qiupo narrowed his eyes and firmly memorized the names.
Just as he was about to recline back into his rattan chair, Xu Bai suddenly asked,
"Old sir, do you wish to return home?"
"If you use the information I provided to negotiate with the Five Elders Association..."
"I believe they would agree to your return."
A flicker of hope appeared in Wang Qiupo’s eyes, only to be quickly extinguished.
He finally shook his head and said softly,
"The fate of spies like me is to have both our bodies and souls rot away in foreign lands."
"As for my homeland..."
"I have long forgotten what it looks like."
His voice was low as he lay back in the rattan chair. Once again, his life force gradually faded.
"The items on the list will be delivered to you as promised."
"Now, leave. This time, I will not wake up again."
Before his vitality completely dissipated, he uttered these final words.
Xu Bai nodded.
"In that case, why don’t I borrow your death for a moment?"
Wang Qiupo was momentarily stunned before understanding dawned on him.
With his last ounce of strength, he slowly nodded.
Before his life force completely vanished, Xu Bai struck out with a palm.
Wang Qiupo was instantly reduced to ashes.
At the same time, Xu Bai bellowed,
"So, you were a lackey of the Five Elders Association? Courting death!"
With Wang Qiupo’s death, the restrictions placed upon the hut vanished. Xu Bai’s voice spread beyond its walls.
Coupled with the celestial phenomenon of a meteor falling from the sky, the cultivators outside immediately realized what had happened.
The handsome young man before them had actually killed Wang Qiupo, a well-known figure in Tianliang Prefecture!
The crowd erupted into an uproar.
Rage, shock, disbelief...
Countless emotions surged in their hearts.
"Seize him!"
The cultivators, full of righteous indignation, surrounded Xu Bai as he calmly stepped out of the hut.
However, Xu Bai remained utterly composed. Facing the enraged cultivators, he coldly rebuked,
"Are you all planning to become accomplices of a spy from the Five Elders Association?"
Hearing this, the cultivators stiffened.
Though they had vaguely overheard mention of the Five Elders Association earlier, they hadn’t linked it to Wang Qiupo.
After all, the old man’s reputation was far too renowned—practically a household name in Tianliang Prefecture.
Yet, the young man before them didn’t seem like someone who would make baseless accusations.
"What exactly is going on?"
They exchanged uncertain glances, momentarily stunned by Xu Bai’s words.
"Report this to the authorities immediately!" Someone finally reacted.
"Until the City Lord arrives, you’re not allowed to leave!" They blocked Xu Bai’s path.
Xu Bai remained unfazed.
"No problem. In fact, you should call the Martial Hall and the Defense Bureau as well. Once they investigate, you’ll see that my words are true."
Seeing how calm he was, the cultivators grew even more uncertain.
"If what he says is true, and Wang Qiupo was really a spy for the Five Elders Association..."
"Then the sky is about to fall."
Thinking of the countless cultivators he had recommended over the years, the crowd swallowed nervously, a chill rising in their hearts.
They didn’t have to wait long before an orange streak of light flew down from the sky.
It was none other than the Lord of Tianliang City, Xiang Rongxin.
Sweeping his gaze around, he locked eyes on Xu Bai.
Without a word, without even questioning, he raised his hand high, forming a massive palm from above—
He was going to kill Xu Bai on the spot!
“This is a cover-up!”
The cultivators present were all shocked, but no one dared to intervene.
Just as they thought this handsome cultivator was about to meet a tragic end, they saw him calmly pull out a folding fan and, with a crisp swish, unfold it.
Before the massive palm could strike him, an invisible ripple spread out, neutralizing the deadly attack.
“Hm?”
A trace of astonishment appeared on Xiang Rongxin’s face.
Seeing Xu Bai’s gaze carrying a hint of mockery, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
Just as he was about to unleash his full strength to ensure Xu Bai’s death—
A lazy voice suddenly came from the horizon.
“Hold on, City Lord Xiang!”
“I heard someone reported that a spy from the Five Elders Association was executed. Is this true?”
Before the voice even faded, a black-robed cultivator appeared at the scene.
Xiang Rongxin’s expression immediately darkened.
The newcomer was none other than Nangong Shirong, the Commander of Tianliang Prefecture’s Defense Bureau Office.
With him here, there was no way to suppress the matter.
This was troublesome.
Glancing at the lingering celestial phenomenon above, Xiang Rongxin sighed internally.
“Wang Qiupo... Wang Qiupo... You’ve really put me in a tough spot.”
After receiving reports from his subordinates, Xiang Rongxin quickly made a judgment. Regardless of whether “Wang Qiupo being a spy from the Five Elders Association” was true or not—
He had to turn it into a falsehood.
Otherwise...
Seeing the smile on Nangong Shirong’s face, Xiang Rongxin could already foresee the storm of bloodshed about to engulf Tianliang Prefecture—perhaps even the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
“This young friend, please come with me,” Nangong Shirong said to Xu Bai in a friendly tone.
“I was thinking the same.” Xu Bai cupped his hands in response, his expression fearless.
What followed progressed swiftly.
Xu Bai firmly insisted that, based on subtle clues, he had suspected Wang Qiupo of being a spy.
Acting in the interest of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, he personally approached Wang Qiupo to probe him.
To his shock, Wang Qiupo openly admitted his true identity and even attempted to assassinate him.
Left with no choice, Xu Bai fought back and killed him.
It was a simple matter.
Nangong Shirong seemed uninterested in verifying Xu Bai’s claims and immediately ordered his subordinates to investigate Wang Qiupo.
Even if Wang Qiupo wasn’t a spy, he wouldn’t be able to withstand the meticulous scrutiny of the Defense Bureau Office.
Wherever one walks, traces are left behind.
Moreover, Wang Qiupo truly was a spy from the Five Elders Association.
It didn’t take long before Nangong Shirong held a wealth of irrefutable “evidence” in his hands.
“Hahaha! Young friend, you have done a great service for the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance this time!” Nangong Shirong laughed heartily, patting Xu Bai’s shoulder with great satisfaction.
“Until the dust settles, stay here and avoid going out to prevent retaliation. Rest assured, once everything is clarified, you will receive your rightful rewards!”
Xu Bai replied solemnly, “Eradicating traitors for the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is our duty.”
Seeing Xu Bai’s strong sense of duty, Nangong Shirong was very pleased.
He patted Xu Bai’s shoulder again in encouragement before hurriedly leaving.
The conclusion of this matter came even faster than Xu Bai had anticipated.
Because the Five Elders Association had also stepped in.
In response to the accusations from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the Five Elders Association firmly denied everything. They claimed Wang Qiupo had absolutely no connection with them.
The Five Elders Association maintained its principle of peaceful coexistence and would never intentionally undermine relations between the two sides.
They urged the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to stop fabricating stories and making baseless accusations.
...
The more they denied it, the deeper the suspicions grew.
Although many clues suggested that this might have been Wang Qiupo’s final attempt to sow discord before his death—
Even so...
Better to kill a thousand by mistake than to let a single one slip away.
In just over ten days, all the cultivators who had been promoted thanks to Wang Qiupo’s recommendations were placed under isolation and investigation.
Even those on missions deep within the White Mist had been forcibly recalled.
The results were predictable.
A small number were indeed found guilty and immediately taken down.
Most, though lacking direct evidence of wrongdoing, were permanently sidelined—relegated to meaningless roles with no future prospects. If nothing unexpected happened, they would spend the rest of their lives in obscurity.
While the entire Immortal Alliance was in turmoil—
A cultivator from the Defense Bureau Office, who had seized an empty position left by the removed officials, approached Li Fan.
“These are the agreed-upon supplies.”
“The organization is very pleased with this transaction.”
“We look forward to working together again.”
The young guard cultivator appeared to be full of righteousness. No one would have expected that he was actually a spy for the Five Elders Association.
Even more ironically, he had previously participated in the capture of Five Elders Association spies...
This only made the situation seem even more absurd.
After casually leaving behind these words and a Voidbright Stone Mother, he quickly departed without drawing any attention.
Xu Bai also remained calm, swiftly stowing away the fully packed stone core.
Upon inspection, he confirmed that the types and quantities of resources were exactly as he had requested—down to the last detail.
"In this regard, the Five Elders Association is actually quite reliable. At the very least, they're far more dependable than the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance." Xu Bai mused to himself.
After some twists and turns, he had finally obtained the True Fruit of Temptation he needed.
However, Xu Bai still could not leave Tianliang Prefecture.
Due to the unresolved cases caused by Wang Qiupo, he, as the initiator of the events, had a duty to continue cooperating with the investigation.
At this moment, however, public attention was largely focused on the purging of Wang Qiupo's old faction and the power struggle over vacant positions.
Thus, he had been momentarily forgotten, allowing him to enjoy some peace.
Meanwhile, amidst the boundless white mist...
"What’s going on? Yesterday, when I checked, there were only five Dissociation Discs left. Why has the number returned to six now?"
Huangfu Song suddenly exclaimed in shock as Samantabhadra True Boat sped through the mist.
Dongfang Yao's face changed drastically. "Could it be that we've entered another strange maze zone? Have we gone back in time by a day?"
Li Fan was silent for a moment before speaking with some helplessness:
"It’s likely due to the impact of the Wang Qiupo case. Among the four people who redeemed the Dissociation Discs, one must have been related to Wang Qiupo and is now suspected of being a spy. Since the Dissociation Disc is an invaluable treasure of the Immortal Alliance, it naturally wouldn't be left in his hands. It must have been confiscated."
The three had only just escaped a maze domain and reestablished communication with the Tianxuan Mirror, so they were aware of this major recent event in the Immortal Alliance.
Upon hearing this, both Dongfang Yao and Huangfu Song immediately understood.
"Brother Li, you really think fast," Dongfang Yao chuckled.
Huangfu Song sighed in relief. "I was worried that at our current pace, we wouldn't be able to snatch a Dissociation Disc. But now that an extra one has appeared, our chances should be solid."
All three of them instinctively checked their Qingxuan Points.
“36,000 points.”
Based on previous experience, they only needed to complete one or two more maze explorations to make up the remaining 14,000 points.
"Nowadays, even the most remote areas within the white mist are swarming with cultivators. It’s as if the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has flooded in. This is ridiculous! The maps they gave us for the explored regions are completely useless now," Dongfang Yao grumbled.
"Yeah. Good thing Brother Li has exceptional abilities and can hear those mysterious voices from the mist," Huangfu Song said, glancing subtly at Li Fan.
"Speaking of which, Brother Li, what exactly do those voices sound like? Could you describe them to us?" Huangfu Song probed cautiously.
Li Fan smirked coldly in his heart, just about to reply—
"Tian..."
"Yi..."
That ghostly voice suddenly echoed in Li Fan’s ears once again.
"There’s a Maze Zone nearby."
Having grown accustomed to this phenomenon, Li Fan did not feel fear. Instead, he immediately halted the speeding Samantabhadra True Boat, focusing his mind to discern the direction of the voice.
However, this time, something felt different.
Because the wailing, which sounded like “Tian Yi”, was growing louder and louder—
As if...
A maze zone was rapidly approaching them!
Li Fan's expression instantly changed. His divine sense expanded outward, probing the mist to detect any danger.
But the mist was like a deep, still pool—completely undisturbed.
There was no way of knowing where the threat was coming from.
"Tian..."
"Yi!"
The sound of wrath and resentment grew clearer, the voices filled with anger and resentment became increasingly distinct.
One could clearly hear the words—"Tian Yi."
The sound came from all directions, as if countless ancient, berserk beasts had lost their reason, roaring and closing in.
The sheer intensity of it made Li Fan’s eardrums ache.
He glanced at Huangfu and Dongfang beside him, only to realize that despite the deafening roar, they seemed oblivious to the terrifying noise.
"Something feels off around us," Dongfang Yao, being the more alert one, suddenly spoke up.
"Go!"
A sudden surge of crisis flooded Li Fan’s heart, growing stronger by the second. He made a swift decision.
The Samantabhadra True Boat instantly accelerated, attempting to break through the mist.
At that moment, a colossal hand suddenly emerged from the white fog below.
Its five fingers curled inward, forming a cage, aiming to seize the Samantabhadra True Boat in its grasp.
"What the hell is that?!" Huangfu Song’s face turned pale. He let out a shrill cry, but his hands moved swiftly.
He flung an apricot-yellow formation flag, which shot forward like an arrow towards the giant hand.
The flag exploded upon contact, transforming into strands of golden silk that wrapped around the massive hand, momentarily halting its movement.
"Go! Quickly!"
Huangfu Song shouted in panic.
Li Fan didn’t need the reminder—he had already pushed the Samantabhadra True Boat to its limits, fleeing in the direction they came from.
It wasn’t that they lacked the courage to fight; rather, the sudden appearance of this hand was far too horrifying.
Li Fan had once seen the severed hand of an Ancient Heavenly Sovereign outside the Chizha Abyss, at the Eternal Immortal Fortress.
But even that sight paled in comparison to what they had just witnessed!
Because this so-called "hand" was not a natural entity—it was grotesquely stitched together from the corpses of countless cultivators.
In that brief moment of terror, Li Fan could clearly see their twisted bodies, their contorted faces, and the strange black threads that bound them together.
What sent chills down his spine, however, was that despite the complete absence of life in these corpses, their mouths continued to move, letting out hellish howls:
"Tian!"
"Yi!"
Though the Thousand Silken Vine Formation temporarily restrained the giant hand, another one suddenly emerged from the depths of the white mist.
With sheer brute force, it ripped apart the golden silk strands.
The three of them could now see it clearly—
It was another ghastly, monstrous arm, grotesquely fused from countless corpses.
It was as if a colossal undead giant lurked within the mist, watching and hunting them.
"Could it be that the Immortal Alliance’s 'Sky-Splitting Cannon' was meant to deal with this thing?!" Dongfang Yao shouted, his voice trembling.
Gritting his teeth, he swung a powerful fist towards the monstrous giant behind them.
A black rift tore through space like a blade, erupting in an explosion—this was the divine ability Dongfang Yao had comprehended within the Great Vortex of the Rift Realm.
Yet even this attack, strong enough to sever space itself, failed to slow the undead giant.
The shattered corpses making up its body were obliterated, only for new ones to squirm out from the depths of the corpse pile, instantly replacing them.
This terrifying scene made both Huangfu and Dongfang shudder in absolute fear.
"Hurry up and leave! This monstrous thing is beyond our ability to resist!"
Huangfu Song shouted in alarm while simultaneously setting up several formations outside the Samantabhadra True Boat.
The speed of the flying vessel instantly multiplied several times.
Yet, the terrifying corpse giant continued its relentless pursuit.
Moreover, its speed seemed to be only slightly slower than the Samantabhadra True Boat!
"Quick, return to the nearest Luoyan Prefecture! A creature like this can only be dealt with by the official forces of the Immortal Alliance!"
Without needing further instructions, Li Fan was already controlling the flying vessel according to the fastest escape route.
However...
Based on the map’s distance and their current speed, they should have long since escaped the range of the white mist.
But their surroundings remained shrouded in thick fog, unchanged as if frozen in time.
"This is bad... We must have unknowingly been dragged into a Maze Zone by that corpse giant," Li Fan said grimly.
"What?!" Huangfu Song was shocked. After checking their surroundings, he realized that Li Fan was right.
"This... We can’t defeat it, and we can’t escape either. Isn’t this a dead end?" Dongfang Yao’s face turned pale.
"Keep running and find a way out," Li Fan responded decisively.
The Samantabhadra True Boat maintained its high-speed flight, trying to locate the exit of the Maze Zone. Meanwhile, the corpse giant chased closely behind them, determined to capture Li Fan and his companions at all costs.
Several times, the Samantabhadra True Boat was nearly grabbed by the giant’s decayed hand. Fortunately, thanks to Li Fan’s exceptional skills—honed during his time navigating the Great Immortal-Severing Formation—he narrowly avoided disaster.
"Damn it! Why is it fixated on us?! What kind of grudge does it have?!" Huangfu Song roared in frustration.
"Hmm?"
That seemingly thoughtless complaint suddenly sparked an idea in Li Fan’s mind.
This terrifying and eerie corpse giant was clearly connected to the Heaven Doctor. It lacked conscious thought and seemed to act purely on instinct.
So why was it relentlessly pursuing the three of them?
As it chased them, it let out wails filled with hatred and resentment.
"Could it be sensing the aura of the ‘Heaven Doctor’ on me?"
That thought crossed Li Fan’s mind.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
Not just in this lifetime—
Ever since his clone exposed a flaw before the Heaven Doctor, leading to his desperate escape through [Truth] through the rupture in the Tianxuan Space—he had not come into direct contact with the Heaven Doctor for a long time.
Let alone carrying any lingering traces of its aura.
Li Fan then glanced at Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao.
They couldn’t even hear the corpse giant’s eerie cries of "Tian Yi," which meant they were even less likely to be connected to this powerful being.
"So... is it something I’m carrying that’s attracting this corpse giant?"
At lightning speed, Li Fan considered the possibility.
He quickly scanned and checked all the items in his possession. Without hesitation, he discarded several suspicious objects, but the corpse giant’s pursuit remained unchanged.
Finally, Li Fan’s gaze locked onto a single white rib bone.
This was the only item that had dropped from Yin Shangren after he was killed.
The first known infected of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma.
"Could this be the cause?"
Li Fan hesitated for a moment before gripping the bone tightly.
Its touch was chilling yet oddly smooth.
With force, he hurled it in the opposite direction of their flight path.
Moments later—
"Tian..."
"Yi..."
The giant corpse, as expected, shifted its target of pursuit!
Abandoning the Samantabhadra True Boat, it roared and went after that single white rib bone!
"......"
"What does this mean?" Li Fan was momentarily stunned, his brows furrowed as he pondered carefully.
What happened next made him even more bewildered.
When the giant corpse obtained the rib bone, Li Fan initially thought it would go on a rampage and seek revenge.
However, its movements suddenly slowed, and then it stood still in place, dazed.
The agonized howls of the "Tian Yi" gradually subsided.
The giant corpse clumsily cradled the rib bone in its hands, holding it close to its chest.
Then, it sank into the vast white mist and disappeared.
The entire transformation occurred in an instant. Aside from Li Fan, the other two people on the boat failed to grasp what had happened.
All they saw was Li Fan seemingly tossing something away, and that terrifying giant was lured away.
Surviving by sheer luck, they stared blankly at Li Fan.
It took Li Fan a long while to snap out of it. Shrugging, he said, "It was just good luck, that's all."
Huangfu and Dongfang remained silent. However, since Li Fan had saved their lives, and he was unwilling to elaborate further, they did not press him.
Over this period of time, they had truly gone through life and death together.
Even if they were not the closest of friends, their bond was far deeper than that of most cultivators in the world.
At the very least, in Huangfu and Dongfang's eyes, that was the case.
Everyone has their own secrets, and they unanimously chose to avoid discussing this matter further.
With the giant's threat gone, the three of them spent considerable effort and finally escaped from this maze zone.
For some reason, however, this zone did not grant them any Qingxuan Points as a reward.
Simply surviving was already a great fortune. One could not ask for more.
Still shaken, the three discussed their next steps and initially decided to return and rest for a while.
However, upon seeing that two more Dissociation Discs had disappeared from the Heavenly-Measuring Mirror, their plans changed.
Ignoring the fact that they had just escaped death, they plunged once more into the white mist.
"So, as the saying goes, 'Men die for wealth, birds die for food.' This is the law of the heavens and the earth. Even we cultivators are not exempt from it. Unless a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign appears to overturn this principle, similar incidents will continue to occur within our Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance in the future."
Nangong Shirong spoke confidently before Xu Bai—not about Huangfu Song and his companions, but rather about the Lord of Tianliang City, Xiang Rongxin.
After a thorough investigation lasting several dozen days, coupled with negotiations among various factions, the scapegoat for the Wang Qiupo Incident had finally been decided.
It was none other than City Lord Xiang.
There was no way around it—after all, most of the cultivators recommended by Wang Qiupo had followed Xiang Rongxin’s path. Moreover, he openly admitted to accepting a large number of treasures from Wang Qiupo in the past.
As a result, he was stripped of his position as City Lord. However, he was fortunate enough to keep his life—and even his cultivation remained intact.
The only punishment was exile to the Cangwu Abyss in the extreme southwest, where he would be tasked with guarding against the increasingly frequent uprisings of abyssal monsters.
Having rendered significant service in this case, Nangong Shirong naturally and effortlessly succeeded Xiang Rongxin’s position.
The internal decision had already been made, and in just a few days, the official decree would be issued.
Now basking in his success, Nangong Shirong had not forgotten Xu Bai, the "key contributor" to the case.
He even extended an olive branch to Xu Bai, inviting him to take up a position in Tianliang Province.
After all, though his rise to power had been swift, he had also offended a great many people.
His foundation was weak, and he was in urgent need of cultivating his own power base.
Xu Bai did not immediately refuse.
Instead, he pondered for a moment, his expression showing hesitation.
“What’s wrong? Do you have some unspoken concerns, young friend?” Nangong Shirong asked.
“To be honest with you, Senior Nangong, I am not actually a member of the Immortal Alliance. I am an ancient cultivator who was in deep slumber...” Xu Bai then recounted the story of how he had used the Heavenly Spirit Flower to obtain his identity within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Nangong Shirong burst into hearty laughter. “You need not worry, young friend. I have already investigated these matters thoroughly. Including that Dao Integration-level Derivative Jade Token—it's in your hands, isn’t it?”
Xu Bai’s face revealed a look of shock.
However, Nangong Shirong simply waved his hand, signaling him to relax.
“Although it does bend the rules slightly, your identity within the Immortal Alliance has already been recognized by the Tianxuan Mirror. That’s all that matters!”
“Even the cultivators of the Five Elders Association can reform and be accepted into the Immortal Alliance—so why not ancient cultivators like you?”
“Besides, the Wang Qiupo incident has proven your loyalty to the Immortal Alliance beyond any doubt! If it weren’t for your vigilance, who knows how many more spies he would have planted within our ranks?”
Nangong Shirong let out a cold snort before softening his expression as he looked at Xu Bai.
“Young friend Xu, I am in need of capable people. Why not lend me a hand?”
“Don’t worry—with me here, no one will dare to question your past!”
At this point, if Xu Bai still refused, he might not be able to leave the room at all.
So, after pretending to hesitate for a moment, he responded with heartfelt gratitude, “In that case, I thank you for your guidance, Senior!”
Hearing Xu Bai’s affirmation, Nangong Shirong laughed heartily once more.
With his approval, Xu Bai’s official induction into the system went exceptionally smoothly.
Even the White Jade Heart-Questioning Platform’s assessment was nothing more than a formality.
After asking just a few insignificant questions, the process was hastily concluded.
Xu Bai was appointed as the Tianliang Communication Liaison Envoy.
His duty was to report directly to the ruler of the state, a position neither too powerful nor too insignificant.
Everything depended on the Tianliang City Lord’s discretion.
If Li Fan’s previous role as the Secret Envoy had been to manage the state’s affairs on behalf of the City Lord...
Then the Communication Envoy was responsible for coordinating between Tianliang State, other states, and the headquarters of the Immortal Alliance.
It was common for those in power to appoint their trusted juniors to official positions.
However, to avoid suspicion, they wouldn’t place them directly within their own territories but would instead send them to serve in familiar neighboring regions.
After accumulating experience for a decade or two, they would then be transferred back, making the appointment seem more legitimate.
This method ensured the move was justified and widely accepted.
Even if the Immortal Alliance headquarters investigated, it would all appear to be within proper regulations—making it impossible to challenge.
Among the duties of a Communication Envoy, this type of arrangement constituted the majority of their work.
As soon as Li Fan took office, this became his first challenge.
After all, it was widely known that Tianliang State had a large number of vacant key positions.
Would Nangong Shirong monopolize all the benefits for himself? At the very least, he had to leave some leftovers for others, right?
Countless factions were vying for a share of the spoils, and balancing their interests while keeping everyone satisfied was no easy task.
If handled well, it would be seen as part of his responsibilities. But if a mistake were made, Nangong Shirong could simply use Xu Bai as a scapegoat to quell public outrage.
A well-played move indeed.
Faced with the flood of invitation cards and requests, Xu Bai ignored them all.
Instead, he took leave, concealed his presence, and returned directly to Longevity Valley.
When Nangong Shirong sent a message inquiring about his absence, Xu Bai simply smiled and replied:
“Let them wait for now. If there are any complaints, just say that everything is up to me.”
After pondering for a moment, Nangong Shirong simply said, "Brilliant," and then fell silent.
Xu Bai, who had returned successfully, took out the True Temptation Fruit and entered the Medicine King Cauldron.
Jiang Yushan’s resting chamber was located right next to Liu San’s.
Xu Bai entered without any difficulty.
Without making extensive modifications to her thoughts, he only changed the appearance of Liu Yihang in her memory to resemble Li Fan instead.
Additionally, he implanted a subconscious suggestion that made her deeply trust "Liu Yihang."
Then, he called Liu San inside and awakened Jiang Yushan in his presence.
Jiang Yushan’s eyelashes trembled slightly, while Liu San’s face was filled with excitement.
Xu Bai, however, quietly took a few steps back.
Sure enough, as soon as Jiang Yushan woke up, her eyes were momentarily filled with confusion.
But her expression soon changed, and she immediately fired a black death ray toward Liu San.
The black light, like a sword, carried an intense killing aura.
Yet, within it, Xu Bai faintly sensed an aura identical to Longevity Green Energy, which was rather peculiar.
"Yushan, it’s me!" Liu San hurriedly blocked the black death ray and called out anxiously.
Jiang Yushan was briefly stunned, then shut her eyes tightly, suppressing the murderous intent in her heart.
After a brief moment, she reopened them.
"What’s going on? Have we reached the Xiaoyao Realm?"
Her voice was not the soft and melodious tone of an ordinary female cultivator. Instead, it was hoarse and sharp, like the grating sound of metal scraping against metal.
Liu San didn’t mind at all and began explaining the entire sequence of events to her.
"We’re back in the Xuanhuang Realm?"
"Thousands of years have already passed?"
Even though this female cultivator had endured the harsh environment of Indeterminate Prison for a long time, she was still momentarily bewildered upon hearing such an absurd revelation.
"I need to go out and take a look!"
Clearly, she did not fully trust Liu San.
At Liu San’s signal, Xu Bai released her from the Medicine King Cauldron.
Liu San then led her on a tour around the current Xuanhuang Realm.
Not long after, she returned, looking somewhat dazed and lost.
"Just now, your subconscious action against me was precisely due to the great calamity of 'the cultivation technique cannot be practiced together" Liu San proactively explained.
Jiang Yushan frowned slightly and said, "To avoid accidentally killing you, I’d better switch back to my original cultivation technique."
Liu San quickly waved his hands. "No need, no need. Right now, the sect urgently needs Longevity Pills, and you can use Longevity Green Energy to help me refine them."
However, Jiang Yushan refused without hesitation. "The Longevity Green Energy I cultivate is likely different from that of your Medicine King Sect. The pills I refine might cause an uncontrollable surge of killing intent when consumed."
"You’d better find someone else!"
Liu San’s face immediately stiffened upon hearing this.
"Right now, aside from me, you’re the only one who still possesses the World-Saving Longevity Scripture."
"The calamity of Incompatible Cultivation technique is truly terrifying. If more than three people practice together, it will be nearly impossible to control."
Liu San stammered as he explained.
A cold glint flashed through Jiang Yushan’s eyes, and Liu San fell silent.
"Elder Jiang, please proceed with refining the pills. Even if there are some minor side effects, the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance surely won’t mind at this point."
At the crucial moment, it was Xu Bai who stepped in to resolve the situation for Liu San.
Chapter 720
Jiang Yushan looked at Xu Bai.
His handsome appearance did not stir any emotional waves in her heart.
However, the image of "Liu Yihang" flashed through her mind, causing her to hesitate for a brief moment.
From Liu San, she had learned that "Xu Bai" was a clone created by Liu Yihang. Now that Liu Ruchen had fallen, Liu Yihang was the current sect master of the Medicine King Sect.
Her expression softened slightly. After a moment of hesitation, Jiang Yushan finally nodded.
"Since the sect master has said so, we might as well give it a try."
"However, I once lived in the Indeterminate Prison and have been tainted with an immense and unremovable baleful aura. Are you certain this won’t be a problem?" She frowned slightly, somewhat doubtful.
"Given how desperately the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance seek the Longevity Pill, even if it has some minor side effects, it should still be within an acceptable range. After all, the choice is between dying of old age or suffering some bodily harm—anyone can see which is the lesser evil." Xu Bai spoke confidently.
At the same time, he briefly explained to Jiang Yushan the origins of the Devouring Essence White Mist and the current policy of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, which encouraged cultivators to explore the mist.
"When I was flying outside just now, I noticed those towering walls of white mist that stretch across the heavens and earth. They consume lifespan and divide the world..."
"A thousand years have passed, and such great changes have taken place." Jiang Yushan sighed almost imperceptibly.
"This is the best time for selling the Longevity Pill—demand far exceeds supply. With Elder Liu alone, he cannot meet the demand. I hope Elder Jiang will lend us your aid." Xu Bai spoke softly.
"Refining pills... I suppose I can give it a try." Jiang Yushan nodded in agreement.
A hint of joy appeared on Liu San's face.
Immediately, within the alchemy chamber of Longevity Valley, they gathered ninety-nine Golden Core disciples and set up the World-Saving Longevity Grand Alchemical Formation.
Liu San and Jiang Yushan sat cross-legged at the center of the formation, channeling their Longevity Green Energy into the core of the formation—the Medicine King Cauldron.
As the two forces were unleashed, Xu Bai keenly sensed the difference between them.
If Liu San's Longevity Green Energy was like the vibrant vitality of spring, then Jiang Yushan’s carried a faintly chilling aura of slaughter within its vitality.
Moreover...
There was something familiar about this baleful aura.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Xu Bai remained composed and silently waited for the Longevity Pills to be refined.
With Jiang Yushan's assistance, the formation's operation speed increased more than threefold. Combined with Liu San’s experienced control, it wasn’t long before the first batch of Longevity Pills was successfully produced.
Three pills were formed. However, on the otherwise flawless, sky-blue pills, an ominous trace of black mist marred their appearance, disrupting their aesthetic harmony.
Even the natural medicinal fragrance of the longevity elixir was suppressed.
Holding the pill in one's hand did not evoke the usual urge to consume it immediately.
"Sect Master, is this kind of pill really viable?" Jiang Yushan frowned slightly.
Xu Bai did not answer immediately. Instead, he tossed one of the pills into his mouth and closed his eyes to sense its effects.
He paid no attention to the increase in lifespan but instead focused on how the pill dissolved in his body, merging with the Longevity Green Energy and—along with it—the baleful aura that wreaked havoc within his flesh. ᚱАNОbĚṦ
"As expected..."
"Heavenly Baleful Qi..."
Xu Bai's expression turned slightly grave.
"Elder Jiang, could you explain in detail the origin of this baleful aura?" Circulating his spiritual energy, he slowly repaired the damage the aura had caused and then opened his eyes to ask.
Jiang Yushan was briefly stunned but then began explaining.
"In ancient times, cultivators underwent heavenly tribulation before ascending. This tribulation was both a test and an opportunity. Although it carried the risk of death, those who succeeded would be bathed in celestial energy and transform into immortals."
"However, when the path to immortality was severed, heavenly tribulation ceased to appear. Yet, the killing intent of the heavens still needed an outlet—thus, the baleful aura descended upon the world."
"This was the original source of the baleful aura within the Indeterminate Prison. Later, as countless heinous criminals were imprisoned there, the boundless killing intent of humanity became intertwined with it..."
"The resonance between heaven and man has made this baleful aura increasingly eerie and persistent. Even though I have distanced myself from it for decades, constantly cleansing myself with a healer’s heart, I still find it difficult to dispel." Jiang Yushan spoke slowly. "Over time, the damage this baleful aura inflicts on a cultivator’s body is irreversible. This rather unique voice of mine is one such consequence."
Jiang Yushan’s expression grew slightly dazed as she continued, "The great upheaval in the Xuanhuang Realm... I wonder what has become of Indeterminate Prison now."
Xu Bai's face showed a contemplative expression. "Heaven's Calamity... Heaven’s Slaughter..."
"Elder Jiang, have you ever encountered this person or a sword brimming with baleful energy?" As he spoke, Xu Bai traced an image in the air, depicting the Fisherman and the Heavenly Calamity Sword.
Jiang Yushan stared at the image for a while before shaking her head. "I have never seen them."
"Then, let’s leave it at that."
This result was within Xu Bai’s expectations. With a wave of his hand, he dissipated the image of the Fisherman and turned to Jiang Yushan and Liu San. "The two of you need not worry. Though the Longevity Pill you refined together does indeed harm the physical body of cultivators, its merits outweigh its flaws. As long as its life-extending effects remain unchanged, I am certain many will still clamor to buy it. At most, we can lower the price a little."
Reassuring them, Xu Bai instructed them to focus on refining the pills.
"How many should we refine?" Jiang Yushan asked directly. "I am quite curious about this world after thousands of years and would like to go out and explore."
Xu Bai was momentarily speechless.
He glanced at Liu San, only to see him staring at Jiang Yushan in a daze, clearly not objecting to her decision.
After a brief moment of thought, Xu Bai said, "Use up half of the raw materials for the Longevity Pill in the Longevity Valley. Otherwise, keeping them unused would just be a waste."
Clearly, Xu Bai did not have a precise understanding of the quantity of medicinal ingredients in Longevity Valley. Jiang Yushan nodded in agreement without hesitation.
"Then, I’ll leave it to you both."
With a faint smile, Xu Bai gracefully left Longevity Valley.
"At the very least, she won’t be coming out for the next year or so."
"However..."
A figure flashed in Xu Bai’s mind—[Tian Jue] Fisherman.
The baleful aura clinging to Jiang Yushan was strikingly similar to the aura surrounding Tian Jue.
Yet, there was a subtle difference.
It was difficult to put into words, but for someone like Li Fan, who had interacted with both, distinguishing between them was easy.
If he were to use an appropriate analogy, it would be like comparing "two bodies of seawater with different salt concentrations."
Similar yet distinct, as if...
"They come from two different worlds."
A glint flashed through Xu Bai’s eyes.
Jiang Yushan hailed from Indeterminate Prison and the Medicine King Sect, both of which still had records in the current Xuanhuang Realm.
That meant the answer was obvious.
For a long time, he had harbored a suspicion in his heart.
The likes of Tian Yi, Tian Jue, Tian Yu, and the Cloud-Water Heavenly Palace—these people likely did not originate from the Xuanhuang Realm.
Rather...
They were outsiders.
Because not only is there currently no record of them, but even the people from the Medicine King Sect, who have traversed time from the ancient cultivation world, know nothing about the Tian Yi.
This anomaly inevitably raises suspicions about their origins. After all, such powerful beings could not possibly remain obscure and unknown.
"If that's the case, then many things can be explained."
"Back when I intended to form a Golden Core using the Heavenly Calamity Law and the Vast Ocean Law, I sensed a mortal danger. If I had formed the core solely with these two techniques, it would have undoubtedly provoked a backlash from the heavens. Only by incorporating other laws like Blue Flame and Ink Death could I stabilize the core. This is because the Law of Heavenly Calamity and Vast Ocean studied were not originally laws of the Xuanhuang Realm."
"If one forcibly forms a core using only these two law, it might be treated by the world as a complete outsider. The outcome would be..."
In Li Fan’s mind, scenes of the Congyun Sea being utterly destroyed flashed by.
"Perhaps this is the reason why the Congyun Sea had to be annihilated."
"An existence that doesn’t belong to the Xuanhuang Realm, yet thrives on its resources and flourishes like a foreign object lodged within the body, must be eliminated without delay."
"However, the fact that Zhang Haobo successfully built his foundation with the Heavenly Calamity Sword Intent proves that these ancient outsiders are gradually becoming part of the Xuanhuang Realm."
"Just like the Congyun Sea, which once faced annihilation by Crimson Flame and Ink Death but then regained vitality—the world’s hostility toward it seems significantly reduced."
"Assimilation... integration..."
Li Fan pondered deeply.
On that day, within the Cloud-Water Heavenly Palace, when the Vast Ocean accused the Fisherman of being the murderer who wiped out the entire sect, he once said:
"The Heavenly Calamity Weapon—other than the Venerable Tian Jue, no one else can wield it."
Originally, Li Fan thought that what he meant was the two words [Tian-sha]. After all, when Zhang Haobo fell in the past, the foundation of Zhang Haobo’s Dao, revealed through the anomalous phenomena of heaven and earth, was the [Heavenly Calamity Sword Intent]. And one of Li Fan’s nine laws was precisely the Law of Heavenly Calamity.[1]
Now it seems that, perhaps in the original world of the Heavenly Doctor, [Heavenly Calamity] might have been [Heavenly Slaughter].
However, upon arriving in the Xuanhuang Realm, their laws underwent a convergent transformation, giving rise to subtle differences.
Li Fan also recalled that the current Xuanhuang Realm has almost doubled in size compared to ancient times.
In its quest to devour other realms and avoid the fate of being consumed by the Immortal Ruins, conflicts between different world laws arose.
This might be the true origin of the world's anomalies.
"The amnesia of Tian Jue... the transformation of Tian Yu and the Cloud-Water Heavenly Palace disciples into anomalies—could it all be the result of world fusion?"
"In that case, the fact that the Heavenly Doctor remains unscathed throughout this process only makes his power seem all the more terrifying."
"Moreover, the Heavenly Doctor has lived for thousands of years, and the countless eerie and strange areas within the white fog clearly have some connection to him. Who knows what he's planning?"
"The strangest thing of all is the reaction of the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns of the Xuanhuang Realm. It’s impossible to believe they know nothing of the Heavenly Doctor’s subtle manipulations, yet they remain utterly indifferent. Have they reached some kind of agreement, or is there another reason..."
The image of the Heavenly Doctor surfaced in Xu Bai’s mind.
After a long moment, he shook his head slightly and suppressed his thoughts for the time being.
Upon returning to Tianliang Prefecture and reestablishing the connection with the communication talisman, countless messages flooded in like snowflakes.
Xu Bai remained calm and handled them one by one.
Balancing interests without causing conflict was a skill he had honed to perfection during his time as the Grand Tutor of the Great Xuan Dynasty.
Currently, there were still 640 positions available in Tianliang Prefecture. Of these, only around 200 had been approved by Nangong Shirong for negotiation and compromise with other forces.
However, the number of parties hoping to gain a share exceeded a thousand.
To satisfy the majority while offending the fewest possible people required careful deliberation.
As he continued to investigate the backgrounds of those involved and respond to their messages, Xu Bai remained composed and thoughtful.
...
While Xu Bai was busy with his new position, a major event suddenly captured the attention of the entire world.
The leader of Yuandao Prefecture, Immortal Sage Blue Feather, whose lifespan was nearing its end, announced to all cultivators that he was seeking any and all longevity-extending treasures.
At the same time, he released a list of longevity treasures he had already consumed.
He proclaimed that anyone who could provide an effective treasure would be allowed to choose freely from his vast collection.
Immortal Sage Blue Feather had ruled over Yuandao Prefecture for thousands of years.
His collection was immensely rich—so much so that it far surpassed even the rewards offered by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to encourage cultivators to explore the White Mist.
The world was shaken.
Many cultivators hurriedly returned from the White Mist, choosing instead to embark on dangerous quests in search of longevity treasures.
Li Fan stared at the news, momentarily lost in thought.
“Has Blue Feather given up on risking everything to reverse life and death?”
“It seems news of a Heavenly Sovereign attaining the Dao has already leaked. Was it an internal leak from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, or...”
“The Five Elders Association?”
While Li Fan was still deep in thought, Huangfu Song carefully studied Lanyu’s announcement and shook his head with a sigh.
“Immortal Sage Blue Feather has ruled one state for thousands of years—what kind of longevity treasure hasn’t he consumed? This list is practically an Encyclopedia of Longevity Treasures in the Xuanhuang World. Trying to earn a reward from him...
“Well, I certainly don’t have that kind of luck,” he said with a touch of self-mockery.
“Damn it, so many of these things—I’ve never even heard of them,” Dongfang Yao exclaimed, sticking out his tongue. “He’s eaten everything under the sun. If you ask me, the doomed are bound to die. Why struggle and cling to life? Wouldn’t it be better to find peace sooner?”
Listening to his companions’ complaints, Li Fan suddenly gained a moment of clarity.
“A long-prepared plan, suddenly disrupted. What Blue Feather needs most now is time. Offering a reward to the entire world is his only choice under these circumstances.”
“What will he do next?”
At this point, Blue Feather didn’t have many options left.
First, he could attempt to change the fundamental laws of life and death and fight for a slim chance to attain immortality.
However, it was obvious that mastering such a reversal was not something achievable in a short time. If it were, Blue Feather wouldn’t have waited until death was imminent before setting up a great formation and risking everything.
Therefore, the only option left for him was the most realistic one.
“To once again defy the laws of life and death and contend with that mysterious Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign!” Li Fan’s heart suddenly became clear.
“Although this path is also incredibly challenging, Blue Feather is, after all, more familiar with the principles of life and death. Compared to changing the nature of principal in reversal, his chances of success might actually be slightly higher.”
“It’s possible that he might even gain support from the Five Elders Association.”
Li Fan’s thoughts raced.
“This is getting interesting. Let’s see how the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance decides.”
“Will they support that mysterious Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, or will they back Blue Feather?”
TL Note: ‘天煞’ (Tiansha) here means ‘heavenly calamity,’ but it sounds just like ‘天杀’ (also Tiansha), which means ‘heavenly slaughter’—same sound, different meaning!"
Huangfu Song noticed Li Fan lost in thought and assumed he was considering taking a chance by going back to search for longevity treasures.
He quickly tried to persuade him otherwise.
After all, without Li Fan, it would be much harder for him and Dongfang to explore the Maze Zone efficiently. The hope of exchanging for the limited treasures on the Qingxuan List would become even more remote.
“This bounty issued by Immortal Sage Blue Feather might actually be a good thing for us,” Huangfu Song analyzed earnestly. “The principle of rising and falling forces—many cultivators are being drawn back. The competition pressure here in the White Mist will lessen...”
Li Fan smiled faintly and waved his hand to interrupt, “Brother Huangfu, don’t worry. I have no intention of going back. Besides, I might stay here in the White Mist even longer than you.”
Dongfang Yao couldn’t help but become curious. “Oh? Brother Li, did something on the Qingxuan List catch your eye?”
Li Fan did not hide it and said, “The Endstone Plate.”
Dongfang and Huangfu exchanged glances. “A hundred thousand Qingxuan Points, to bet on that still-unknown secondary body...”
Dongfang Yao couldn’t help but advise, “Brother Li, think carefully! The risk is just too great. If it turns out to be just an impressive-sounding name with little practical use, wouldn’t you lose everything? It might be better to look at something else. Even if you exchange for a Dao Integration technique that you can’t use, you could at least trade it with others...”
Dongfang Yao continued to ramble, while Huangfu Song pondered and gave his own opinion. “The Endstone Plate...
“I heard that after this secondary body was born, there were no more Tianxuan secondary bodies appearing for a full ten years. The headquarters became so nervous they thought there might never be another one.
“That’s why it earned the name ‘Endstone.’
“However...” Huangfu Song frowned slightly and said, “The prolonged anomaly caused by the Tianxuan Mirror originally led people to believe it had some unique feature. Yet, after extensive research, they couldn’t reach any definite conclusion, and ultimately had to give up. That might be why the Immortal Alliance decided to put it on the Qingxuan List.”
“After all, it’s still a Tianxuan secondary body—there might be some practical use that the Immortal Alliance hasn’t discovered yet. Although the price of a hundred thousand Qingxuan Points is steep, if the gamble pays off...”
Li Fan smiled and said, “A single investment for endless profit! I’m willing to take the risk!”
Dongfang Yao clicked his tongue and said, “Brother Li, you sure have a big appetite for risk. What if that thing turns out to be just a useless stone?”
“At the very least, it would still have collectible value. It wouldn’t be a total loss!” Li Fan laughed heartily, his attitude carefree.
“The only thing I worry about now is whether someone else will compete with me. There are countless Immortal Alliance cultivators, and I can’t be the only one willing to gamble.”
Huangfu Song clapped his hands and said, “Looks like we’ll need to pick up the pace. We’re still quite a ways off from a hundred thousand Qingxuan Points!”
After that discussion, the three of them aligned their goals and continued to explore the Maze Zone with renewed vigor.
Time passed quickly during their relentless exploration.
Huangfu and Dongfang had already exchanged their points for the Dissociation Disc and the Yuan-Devouring Saint Physique Technique, and they set their sights on other treasures.
The accumulated Qingxuan Points were inching closer to a hundred thousand.
Up to now, they had explored thirteen Maze Zone in total, including the initial Life-and-Death Maze Zone.
With experience, their exploration skills became increasingly proficient, and Li Fan also deduced some patterns regarding the existence of the “Maze Zone.”
Based on the conclusion that the current Xuanhuang Realm was formed from the fusion of the ancient Xuanhuang Realm with many other worlds, Li Fan suspected that the so-called Maze Zone might be fragments shed from the original worlds during the process of fusion and collision.
These Maze Zone were often eerie and followed their own unique rules, much like the bizarre phenomena within the Xuanhuang Realm itself.
By comparing the clothing styles of the corpses and the patterns on the buildings within the Maze Zone, Li Fan further discovered that these zones clearly originated from different sources.
“It seems that world-level evolution is occurring through collisions, and the White Mist serves as a buffer zone...”
After completing the exploration of yet another labyrinth domain, Li Fan gained some insight.
Perhaps this could also explain why there is such a vast space within the white mist—because it is originally the distance between worlds.
“Damn it, it’s getting harder and harder to find unexplored Maze Zones,” Dongfang Yao couldn’t help but curse as the Samantabhadra True Boat sped through the white mist for several days. They passed by several maze zones, but each time, the Heaven-Measuring Mirror indicated that they had already been documented.
Huangfu Song, absentmindedly fiddling with the Dissociation Disc, said, “It’s normal. It’s been almost a year since the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance issued the exploration decree. Considering the number of cultivators in the alliance, the shallow layers of the white mist should be mostly explored by now. To gain any more rewards, we’ll have to go deeper...”
“Boom!”
Before Huangfu Song could finish speaking, a sudden loud noise interrupted him.
It was as if something had fallen from above and crashed onto the Samantabhadra True Boat, causing the ship to shake violently for a moment.
Huangfu Song instinctively put away the Dissociation Disc, scanned the surroundings with his spiritual sense, and revealed a strange expression.
The object that had collided with the speeding Samantabhadra True Boat turned out to be the corpse of a cultivator!
Moreover, judging by the clothing on the corpse, it did not originate from a maze zone but belonged to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance!
The three people on the ship instantly tensed up, thinking that an alliance cultivator had encountered some unexpected danger and died in this place. They immediately heightened their vigilance.
But what happened next made Li Fan and the others visibly horrified.
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
At first, there were one or two sounds, but then the noises became more and more frequent.
A continuous barrage of crashing sounds erupted, and the Samantabhadra True Boat trembled unceasingly. The protective barrier suddenly appeared on the verge of collapse.
Huangfu Song quickly reinforced the barrier with a spell while looking at the scene outside, his face pale.
Overhead was a dense, pitch-black sky, from which countless cultivator corpses rained down like raindrops.
Some of the bodies were still relatively intact, while others were already broken into pieces, with only fragmented limbs remaining.
Without exception, the edges of their bodies seemed to bear traces of twisted, wriggling black threads.
Occasionally, they caught glimpses of the faces on the corpses, which were not as ferocious or terrifying as those seen in maze zones.
Instead, their eyes were tightly closed, and their expressions were peaceful.
The endless rain of corpses seemed as if it would never stop.
Forcing their way out of the rain of corpses at high speed could damage the Samantabhadra True Boat.
The three of them halted the flying vessel and took action to intercept the falling corpses from above.
Although these lifeless entities posed little threat, the eerie scene still made them feel a chill creeping into their hearts.
Witnessing this scene, Li Fan immediately recalled the "Replicate Rain" that Master Yin mentioned.
However, this time, what he encountered was not the same—it was not the so-called "Replicate Rain."
The corpses falling from the sky were clearly different in appearance.
He quickly realized that it was not "Replicate Rain" but rather the disintegration of the "Ten Thousand Giant Corpses" they had previously encountered.
It was evident that Huangfu Song also realized this instantly, just like Xu Bai. With his brows tightly knit, he muttered,
"What’s going on now? Did we just happen to run into the Immortal Alliance taking action against the Giant Corpse?"
Dongfang Yao and he were both confused, but Li Fan vaguely guessed the reason.
"Is this... a sign that the principle of life and death has been reversed again?" Li Fan’s heart skipped a beat.
"If I calculate the days, even if Blue Feather took some life-extending treasures, it should be nearing the end of his lifespan."
"It seems he ultimately chose this path. But within such a short time, he has already managed to neutralize the manifestation of reversing the principle of life and death..."
"Is Lan Yu really that powerful?"
A trace of doubt flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
"Or... is there some other assistance involved?"
Although Xu Bai still did not fully understand how the reversal of the heavenly principle and its impact on all things had come to be, the scene unfolding before his eyes—the sudden collapse of the freely moving Giant Corpse—unquestionably indicated that two entirely opposing forces were clashing against each other.
"However, it doesn't necessarily mean that Blue Feather has gained the upper hand in this confrontation.
It could simply be that the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, who reversed life and death, was caught off guard by Lan Yu’s counterattack.
After all, it has not been long since He defied the principle, and He may not have had time to complete the process of establishing a [Principle]."
"The gap between not truly stepping into the Longevity Immortal Realm and merely achieving Dao Integration may not be as vast as imagined."
While Li Fan was deep in thought, the corpse rain finally ceased.
Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao looked at the countless corpses vanishing into the depths of the white mist with uncertain expressions.
"Damn it, this white mist is getting more and more eerie." Dongfang Yao muttered under his breath.
After taking a short rest, the three of them continued their journey into the white mist, still searching for traces of the Maze Zone.
At that moment, in Tianliang Prefecture, Xu Bai, who had been happily conversing with other prefectural envoys, suddenly found an excuse to leave.
He returned to the Tianxuan Mirror and started investigating any clues related to the conflict between the principles of heaven and earth.
Everything was eerily quiet, as if nothing unusual had occurred.
But that was precisely the most unusual aspect.
Even the depths of the white mist were affected by the clash between the two opposing forces.
How could the Xuanhuang Realm itself remain unaffected?
There must have been some anomalies contrary to common sense, deliberately concealed by the Immortal Alliance.
After pondering for a while, Xu Bai exited the Tianxuan Mirror and contacted Liu San.
He instructed him to temporarily halt his pill refining and ordered the disciples of the Medicine King Sect across the regions to investigate any strange occurrences nearby.
The disciples' consciousnesses were connected through the Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation, allowing them to act swiftly.
Within half a day, reports from various states began to pour in continuously.
Report 1:
"A cultivator rushed out of the white mist, attacking everything in sight like a madman, showing no fear of death.
Before the Immortal Alliance cultivators could kill him, he collapsed on his own. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the man had long been a corpse."
Report 2:
"In Tianlin Prefecture, a Golden Core cultivator died suddenly during the Core Formation process.
An unusual phenomenon appeared in the sky above, but as his friends prepared to collect his body, the man suddenly revived.
The phenomenon abruptly halted, yet the drifting clouds in the sky seemed reluctant to disperse."
Report 3:
"In Taihua Prefecture, there was a pair of Dao companions. The wife had passed away long ago, but the husband, unwilling to accept reality, preserved her body in ice.
Recently, this devoted man appeared in public alongside a female cultivator.
At first, everyone thought he had moved on and found a new companion.
However, upon closer inspection, they were shocked to discover that the woman was none other than his long-deceased wife!
Her expression was dull, her movements abnormal, and she did not recognize any of her former friends."
"Interesting..." Xu Bai’s eyes glinted with intrigue.
Xu Bai’s expression gradually became solemn as he continued to read.
Because, apart from the initial rumors about some seemingly living yet non-living people suddenly losing their ability to move, more and more incidents of resurrection began to emerge from various places.
It was not limited to just one state—the entire territory of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was experiencing the same phenomenon.
"Not just the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, even the Five Elders Association..."
Xu Bai’s expression turned serious.
"Is this because of Blue Feather’s interference? Has that Heavenly Sovereign of Life and Death started accelerating the progress of the [Principle]?"
According to Xu Bai’s knowledge, there were no signs of battle in the Yuandao Prefecture, where Blue Feather was located.
"Without engaging in combat, he directly dealt with his rival by reversing the principle and crushing him through sheer momentum."
Xu Bai squinted his eyes. "It seems that this Heavenly Sovereign of Life and Death doesn’t even consider Lan Yu worth his attention, not even having the interest to make a move against him."
"He just needs to follow his step-by-step plan to prove his Longevity Dao. The obstacle before him—Blue Feather—is no more than an ant trying to block a cart, destined to be crushed."
Xu Bai seemed to already hear the roar of Blue Feather’s failure in achieving the Dao.
"Perhaps the conclusion will come soon—just need to wait patiently."
Xu Bai continued to instruct the disciples of the Medicine King Sect to gather information. To prevent any external disturbances, he simply sealed his communication talisman once again.
He focused solely on observing the progress of the situation.
As expected, just as he anticipated, the increasing occurrences of resurrection finally stirred vigilance among the cultivators of the Immortal Alliance.
The atmosphere grew increasingly anxious and uneasy, and eventually, it led to an official statement from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance:
"Fellow cultivators of the Immortal Alliance, remember this great day."
"After countless years, our Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is about to welcome a new Heavenly Sovereign of Longevity Immortal."
"The principle that 'the dead cannot be revived' is a fundamental law of heaven and earth."
"But from this day forward, this established fact will be completely rewritten."
"Reversing the principle of life and death, the Heavenly Sovereign shall be known as Rebirth (Wangsheng)."
"Therefore, do not panic—rejoice without restraint."
"Under the divine power of Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign, any fallen cultivator can be resurrected after eighteen years, retaining memories of their previous life."
"A new era has arrived!"
After the announcement was issued, all the cultivators throughout the world were left stunned.
Shock, doubt, and fear...
All kinds of emotions erupted at once.
The branches of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance in every state were instantly surrounded by cultivators, leaving not a single gap.
They were all desperate to know the details of this so-called rebirth and how the resurrection process would unfold.
However, even the local officials were completely clueless about the matter, leaving them with no choice but to maintain order as best as they could, while waiting for the day when the final answer would be revealed.
"The changes in this world are truly happening too fast. As old relics like us, it’s hard to keep up with the times." Nangong Shirong looked up at the sky, where a countdown number "14" was displayed, and sighed without saying more.
Xu Bai stood behind him and smiled as he spoke, "Lord, there's no need to worry. Who would have thought that a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, capable of reversing the fundamental laws of heaven and earth, would suddenly appear without any warning?"
"So mysterious, not a single trace can be found. It’s truly unbelievable."
"Even if it were a Nascent Soul True Lord, it wouldn’t just appear out of thin air like this." Xu Bai's tone was deep and contemplative.
Nangong Shirong nodded slightly, "That’s why people outside are speculating that this 'Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign' might very well be an ancient cultivator who survived the Great Catastrophe."
"Just like you," Nangong Shirong glanced at Xu Bai and said slowly.
Xu Bai lowered his head, deep in thought. "An ancient cultivator..."
Cultivators across the world were immensely curious about the true identity of the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign. However, despite the extensive investigations that had taken place over a long period, not a single piece of information about him had been leaked.
After all, the number of Dao Integration - Immortal Sage cultivators within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was limited. They had scrutinized every candidate, yet none matched the profile. This led to a strong possibility that this newly ascended Heavenly Sovereign originated from ancient times, always hidden within the mist, silently comprehending the principles of heaven and earth, and only recently succeeded in proving the Dao.
As for the speculation that the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign was a cultivator from the Five Elders Association...
The recent frequent actions of the Five Elders Association seemed to disprove that theory.
First, they officially released a statement, congratulating the birth of the new Heavenly Sovereign. Then, they rapidly recalled all their cultivators who had been conducting friendly visits within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance territory. All living forces near the borders were ordered to retreat and consolidate...
It was clear that the Five Elders Association was extremely wary of the emergence of this new Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign.
"Lord City Master, do you think that under the protection of the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign’s power, cultivators who have fallen can truly be resurrected?" After a long silence, Xu Bai suddenly asked.
"I personally remain skeptical about it. Although the divine power of a Heavenly Sovereign is both awe-inspiring and fearsome, resurrection itself is too fantastical." Nangong Shirong shook his head. "Even if it is possible, I fear it would still require specific conditions. If a cultivator has already perished without leaving behind any remains or their soul has completely dissipated, then attempting resurrection in such a case..."
Nangong Shirong snorted coldly, "Not to mention a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, even the legendary Grand Luo Golden Immortal would likely be powerless."
"But whatever the truth is, it will be revealed in fourteen days. We just need to wait patiently."
Upon hearing this, Xu Bai focused his gaze on the sky, where everyone could see the countdown.
The numbers, appearing both black and white, flowed in a mystical manner, quietly floating in the sky. According to the official statement of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the countdown represented the process of Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign’s reversal of natural law.
When the countdown reaches zero, the fundamental laws of life and death in the Xuanhuang Realm will be completely reversed.
An era where everyone can be resurrected will follow.
"Let’s see what methods this Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign truly possesses." Xu Bai narrowed his eyes, taking out a folding fan and gently fanning himself.
Meanwhile, as the countdown in the sky of the Xuanhuang Realm continued to decrease, the one who failed in the Contest of Reversal, Blue Feather, did not seem willing to accept his fate.
He did not stop offering rewards for life-extending treasures; on the contrary, he increased the stakes.
He even took out his cultivation technique, Heavenly Metamorphosis Feather Art, as part of the reward.
It seemed that Blue Feather was desperately trying to delay the arrival of his demise.
However, the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign clearly did not intend to spare him.
On the day the countdown changed to "1", without warning, a phenomenon marking the fall of a Dao Integration cultivator suddenly appeared in the skies above Yuandao Prefecture.
"Dao Integration Cultivator Blue Feather, one who cultivated the path of Dao..."
Unlike the previous lifetimes where Li Fan witnessed heaven and earth mourning together, this time it was different. Perhaps it was because Blue Feather's actions in this life had gone against the fundamental laws of heaven and earth. In the sky, a phenomenon resembling the fall of a new-method cultivator appeared.
However, this scene had just emerged when, before the cultivators of Yuandao Prefecture could react, the countdown numbers on the celestial screen of the Xuanhuang Realm transformed into swirling black and white energies, rushing straight toward Yuandao Prefecture.
As the phenomenon of Blue Feather's fall was obscured, the number "One" instantly returned to zero.
The entire Xuanhuang Realm trembled slightly, as if some mysterious transformation was taking place.
When the sky cleared once again, all the cultivators could vaguely see an ancient and solemn mansion appearing on the celestial screen of the Xuanhuang Realm.
"Rebirth Mansion"
The large characters on the mansion plaque were clearly visible.
All cultivators who saw the Rebirth Mansion naturally had information about the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign's resurrection appear in their minds.
Under the influence of the Rebirth Mansion, when any cultivator falls, a trace of their true soul will be drawn into the mansion.
After the eighteen-year cycle passes, the true soul, carrying the memories of the fallen cultivator, can return to the world from the Rebirth Mansion.
If a prepared physical body has been made in advance, the true soul will directly merge with it.
If death occurred abruptly and no preparation was made, the true soul would randomly descend into the body of a newly born being in the Xuanhuang Realm.
...
After seeing the detailed rules of the Rebirth Mansion, the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm were in an uproar.
They never expected that the so-called "resurrection" would turn out to be real.
However, this method of resurrection was beyond what they could accept.
Survival and reproduction are inherent human instincts.
If the path of cultivation proves hopeless, one might entrust the future to the next generation.
But according to the rules of the Rebirth Mansion, the newborn child, cherished like a precious gem, might actually be occupied by the soul of a cultivator who fell eighteen years prior...
What difference is there between this and soul possession?
Who could guarantee that a resurrected cultivator from the past does not harbor old grudges or enmities?
What if one painstakingly raises a child to adulthood, only to be stabbed in the back one day?
How could one bear the absurdity of having everything they’ve accumulated ultimately benefit an "outsider"?
The operation of the Rebirth Mansion clearly conflicted with the ethical and moral values of the cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm, leaving them unable to accept it for the time being.
Fortunately, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance soon released a more detailed explanation.
In the Rebirth Mansion, the true soul only preserves the memories of the past life. All previous emotions—love, hatred, resentment, and grievances—are thoroughly cleansed. When reflecting on past experiences, it feels more like recalling a dream, without deeply identifying with it.
Moreover, the true soul’s rebirth does not directly take over the body. Instead, it merges with the new soul. The essence of life does not change—only an additional set of "past life" memories exists.
...
After this explanation, although the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm still felt some resistance, they knew they could not defy the Heavenly Sovereign’s decree or the unstoppable trend.
Whether they liked it or not, they could only choose to quietly accept it.
Thus, the intense debate about "rebirth" and "resurrection" slowly spread throughout every corner of the Xuanhuang Realm.
“Have you heard? It is rumored that the Rebirth Mansion possesses a secret technique capable of preventing Ressurected True Souls from taking over the bodies of their descendants!”
“Hmph, I asked around, and it does seem to be true. However, it is already clear that obtaining this secret technique will come at an enormous cost. Those prestigious families, in order to maintain the ‘purity’ of their bloodlines, will go to any lengths to make it happen, no matter the price!”
“If you ask me, fellow Daoists, there is no need to resist this concept so strongly! The existence of the Rebirth Palace may actually be a blessing for us!”
“Oh? What do you mean by that?”
“Think about it—since we can be resurrected in eighteen years anyway, if we feel that our talent in this life is too mediocre and cultivation is hopeless, we could simply commit suicide. Perhaps in the next life, we will be born into a better family with an extraordinarily gifted body...”
Such a naïve remark immediately drew laughter from the other cultivators.
“Fellow Daoist, have you had too much spirit wine?”
“Not to mention whether or not you would be so lucky, have you even considered why resurrection requires an eighteen-year wait? Do you really think the descent of True Souls into newborns is completely random? I’d bet anything there’s something shady going on behind the scenes!”
“Well... I actually think he makes a bit of sense. Consider this: we are already of mediocre talent with no hope of rising in this life. Even if we have children, they will only suffer the fate of being treated as mere servants, bullied and oppressed. Because of this, I never even considered having descendants before. But now...”
“...Perhaps it’s worth taking the gamble. Even if the True Soul merging with my child wasn’t a genius in their past life, just the additional lifetime of cultivation experience would already be an invaluable asset. And if luck is on our side and the soul belonged to a powerful being in their previous life... well, then I, as the father, would rise in status as well! Haha!”
“Hiss... When you put it that way, it does seem reasonable.”
Similar debates took place across the entire Xuanhuang Realm.
Meanwhile, Xu Bai, through Nangong Shirong, learned more details about the Rebirth Mansion.
“So the rumors are true. There really is a secret technique that can prevent a newborn from being merged with a True Soul. But...”
“Eight million contribution points—and it must be performed while the child is still in the womb.”
“Damn it, that’s daylight robbery! I’ve worked in Tianliang Prefecture for so many years, and I’ve never saved up that much.”
“And then there’s the Rebirth Mirror, which allows one to glimpse the memories of the True Soul before it merges with a newborn. If you don’t like what you see... hiss...”
“Then there’s the True Soul Guide, which, when placed on a prepared body in advance, increases the probability that one’s True Soul will reincarnate into the designated vessel.”
“The Perfect Vessel, which allows one to perfectly replicate their current body within the Rebirth Mansion—ensuring an ideal resurrection in the next life.”
“The Soul Stability Seal, which preserves the emotions and memories of the previous life even after the Rebirth Mansion’s eighteen-year cleansing process.”
“And the Rebirth Decree—with this, there’s no need to wait eighteen years. A fragment of the True Soul can be resurrected immediately upon death.”
Xu Bai and Nangong Shirong stared at the jade slip before them, each with a different expression.
“There are so many flashy and expensive options! Ordinary people could never afford any of this!” Nangong Shirong cursed.
“But that Rebirth Decree... that’s a real treasure. If you combine it with the Perfect Vessel, wouldn’t that be like having an extra life? No, wait... if you have enough contribution points, wouldn’t that make you immortal? Able to revive indefinitely?” He exclaimed in amazement.
“We just don’t know if there are any hidden limitations,” Xu Bai’s eyes flickered as he nodded in agreement.
“It seems like the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has prepared for every possible scenario. There may be some initial chaos, but I believe cultivators will adapt quickly,” Xu Bai said as he scanned the list of offerings in the jade slip.
“Achieving immortality in a single moment—the world will be turned upside down. This Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign is truly remarkable. The history of the Xuanhuang Realm is about to enter a new era,” Nangong Shirong mused.
“I just wonder what the Five Elders Association thinks about all this. Can the power of the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign reach their domain?” Xu Bai suddenly asked.
“Uh...” Nangong Shirong hesitated. “I’m not sure. But I heard that some sort of deal has been made—only a small test area has been approved for now...”
Xu Bai's eyes flickered slightly.
From that moment on, the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm gradually adapted to the presence of the Rebirth Mansion in the sky.
Not long after, the first resurrection case emerged.
A Golden Core cultivator named Ximen Yang self-detonated in full view of the public, his soul completely scattered.
However, before long, he reappeared alive, standing before the masses once more.
His form and demeanor remained exactly as before.
He even remembered his self-detonation and would boast to anyone he met about his experience of exploding, dying, and being reborn.
News of this spread rapidly. The cultivators who had initially been skeptical about Rebirth began to believe in it.
As more cases of resurrection surfaced across the lands of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the existence of Rebirth gradually became accepted by the public.
Within the Devouring Essence White Mist
Even through the vast, hazy fog, the three could vaguely make out the Rebirth Mansion looming above them.
“Damn it, cultivators these days are acting like they’re unafraid of death! Even the depths of the White Mist are crowded with people now,” Dongfang Yao cursed angrily. Just as he finished speaking, a Samantabhadra True Boat roared past him.
“Aren’t you just stating the obvious?” Huangfu Song sneered. “With the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign around, everyone can resurrect. Why fear death? Worst case, after eighteen years, I’ll be a hero again!”
“I don’t believe in this Rebirth Mansion nonsense,” Dongfang Yao said, his face serious. “There’s definitely something off about it. Think about it—this so-called preservation of a tiny fragment of one’s true soul... Even if you’re revived, you’re merging with something else. Are you really still yourself? Even if a prepared body ensures so-called resurrection, the fact remains—I truly died back then. The one reborn is merely someone else who happens to have my memories.”
He warned, “Brothers, don’t be fooled by this. We must still treasure our lives and be cautious!”
“Since when did you get so sharp, Dongfang?” Huangfu Song frowned slightly, contemplating his words. “You actually make some sense...”
Meanwhile, Li Fan remained silent as he listened to their debate. His mind, however, was occupied with something else entirely.
“In my past life, this Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign never revealed himself to the world, let alone established the Rebirth Mansion.”
“The reversal of life and death should have naturally become a fundamental law of existence—just like the Carefree Heavenly Sovereign, who seamlessly integrated into the world’s order.”
“But now, this reversal of life and death requires the Rebirth Mansion as a medium. Doesn’t this mean that the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign has yet to reach his ultimate, ideal state?”
“Perhaps this was merely a hasty, desperate measure, influenced by Blue Feather...”
Of course, all of this was merely Li Fan’s speculation.
His understanding of the Reversal of Heaven and Earth and the Struggle for Immortality was still too shallow. He could only analyze and judge based on the different historical evolutionary directions of the Xuanhuang Realm that he had experienced. He could only glimpse the surface but could not grasp its essence.
Perhaps only when he truly reached the realm of Reversal could he fully comprehend the events unfolding in the Xuanhuang Realm during this period.
While Li Fan was deep in thought, the argument between Huangfu and Dongfang had finally reached a reluctant consensus.
One should not act recklessly just because of the resurrection methods of the Rebirth Mansion. It was still necessary to cherish one's life.
However, if one had the resources, it wouldn’t hurt to purchase rare treasures like the Soul-Stability Seal or the Rebirth Decree as a last resort. After all, life and death are unpredictable—no one could guarantee they wouldn’t suddenly perish due to unforeseen circumstances. It was always better to be prepared.
“The number of resurrected cultivators is still very small for now. I can’t even begin to imagine what will happen eighteen years from now when a large number of fallen cultivators return to life. What kind of impact will that have on the Xuanhuang Realm?” Huangfu Song sighed.
“I don’t know what the future will look like, but one thing is clear—the day when the White Mist Barrier is fully explored isn’t far away!” Watching another Samantabhadra True Boat rush past them, Dongfang Yao let out a cold snort.
“Brother Li, if you want to exchange for the Endstone Plate, you’d better hurry up,” he reminded.
“Almost there. One more Maze Zone to complete, and I’ll have one hundred thousand Qingxuan Points.” Li Fan nodded as he carefully distinguished the sounds coming from deep within the White Mist, constantly adjusting his course.
As they delved deeper into the mist, Li Fan once again picked up the sound of the Tian Yi’s Wail.
However, this time, the sound was strange compared to before. It was as if something was interfering with or distorting its transmission. When Li Fan heard it, it barely resembled the “Tian Yi” anymore. If he hadn’t heard its wailing so many times while traveling through the Maze Zone, he might not have recognized it at all.
After contemplating for a moment, Li Fan chose not to act rashly.
Huangfu and Dongfang, seeing Li Fan stop, immediately asked why.
After hearing his explanation, the two of them spoke in unison, “We’ve been through all kinds of dangers together. Even if there’s a risk, there’s no need to be afraid. Besides, we can still resurrect, can’t we? Brother Li, don’t worry—let’s charge in!”
It seemed that although they had expressed concerns about the mysterious nature of resurrection, deep down, they had developed a sense of confidence.
After all, they could come back to life!
Li Fan smiled faintly.
“Alright, since both of you say so, then let’s venture into this Maze Zone.” He spoke in a deep voice, immediately steering the flying vessel toward the source of the distorted sound at full speed.
It was unclear how long they traveled, but after crossing an indistinguishable boundary, something suddenly and inexplicably happened—
The Samantabhadra True Boat came to an abrupt stop.
“What’s going on, Brother Li?” Huangfu and Dongfang looked at Li Fan with surprise.
“It wasn’t me,” Li Fan explained.
The three of them exchanged glances, their expressions turning solemn.
They extended their spiritual senses outward, scanning the surroundings of the Boat, but found nothing unusual.
Yet, they also couldn’t determine why the boat had stopped.
Li Fan thought for a moment, then took out the Black Death Talisman to protect himself before flying out of the Samantabhadra True Boat.
He planned to circle around and personally inspect the surroundings.
Above, ahead, behind—there was nothing unusual.
But when Li Fan flew to the underside of the Boat, the scene before him made his pupils contract sharply.
From the white mist below, a mass of black, viscous tendrils extended outward, their tips clinging to the underside of the Samantabhadra True Boat.
This black, unidentified substance seemed alive, producing a faint “rustling” sound as it wriggled, slowly spreading outward.
Li Fan could even hear the sound of it crawling along the bottom of the ship.
“This is...”
Li Fan was completely unable to sense anything with his divine sense and could only rely on his naked eye to discern the situation.
He flicked his fingers, sending out a burst of flame in an attempt to burn off the black tentacle clinging to the ship’s hull.
However, to his astonishment, the flames seemed to exist in an entirely different space. No matter how fiercely they burned, they failed to affect the black tentacle in the slightest.
Li Fan then unleashed a sword aura, but the result was the same. It was as if the tentacles did not exist at all—the sword light passed straight through them and shot off into the distance.
Yet, the thick black substance remained firmly adhered to the ship's hull, showing no signs of breaking.
As Li Fan remained silent for a long time, spiritual energy fluctuations began to spread. This made Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao uneasy. The two of them flew out of the ship together, witnessing the strange phenomenon with their own eyes.
They tried various methods but still could not sever the black tentacles.
"We can only follow them downward and see where they originate from," Huangfu Song suggested.
As he spoke, he took out the Heaven-Measuring Mirror and placed it above his head.
"As expected, we've entered a new Maze Zone that no one has explored before," he said, his tone carrying a hint of excitement.
"There are still three Samantabhadra True Boat as backups, but until we figure out what this thing is, it’s best not to use them. If they get entangled again, we might be forced to escape into the white mist with just our physical bodies," Dongfang Yao advised.
Li Fan reassured them, "No worries. I have plenty of Black Death Talismans. Even without the Samantabhadra True Boat, the talismans alone are enough to ensure our safe return."
Huangfu and Dongfang both nodded in praise. "Brother Li, you are always meticulous in your preparations."
With their concerns addressed, the three of them immediately decided to follow the long black tentacle downward in search of its source.
Their flight was not particularly fast, but the sheer length of the thick black substance exceeded their expectations. It took them the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before they finally reached the origin.
Upon seeing what lay before them, all three were rendered speechless.
A massive black sphere, resembling a grotesque tumor, floated silently in midair.
It was composed of the same thick, black substance.
Hundreds of tentacles extended from the sphere, reaching in different directions through the white mist, seemingly clinging to something unknown.
At first glance, it looked like an enormous black web, with the sphere trapped at its center.
"Can you sense its presence with spiritual sense?" Huangfu Song asked through spiritual sense transmission, his expression somewhat tense.
Li Fan closed his eyes and concentrated. In his perception, there was nothing but empty space ahead. However, when he opened his eyes again, the black sphere was right there in front of him.
"No, I can't," Li Fan shook his head slightly, his expression solemn.
"Forget it. Let’s not disturb this thing. We’ll finish exploring this Maze Zone and then leave," Dongfang Yao, who was usually bold, felt a rare sense of unease and suggested cautiously.
Li Fan stared at the black sphere for a long time before nodding slightly.
Anything that could block spiritual sense perception was certainly no ordinary object.
Caution was never a mistake.
However, things did not go as planned.
After thoroughly exploring the entire maze, Li Fan and his two companions still could not find an exit. They had no choice but to return to the black spherical object once more.
"It seems that if we want to get out, we’ll have to figure out something from this thing," Huangfu Song said, his expression somewhat grim.
"Could the exit be inside this thing?" Dongfang Yao shuddered.
"What exactly is this black sphere? You two are knowledgeable and well-traveled—do you have any clues?" Li Fan stared at it for a long while before voicing his question.
"I know of some things that cannot be sensed with divine perception, but clearly, none of them match this thing!" Dongfang and Huangfu were both at a loss.
After another moment of silence, the black talisman light above Li Fan's head gradually dimmed as its energy was depleted.
"Standing around won’t do any good. We might as well test its nature first."
Replacing the exhausted talisman with a new one, Li Fan cautiously approached the tentacles protruding from the black sphere, gently touching one.
It felt like an illusion—his hand passed right through, grasping nothing but air.
"It's as if it doesn’t exist. But why can it trap the Samantabhadra True Boat?" The three exchanged glances, utterly perplexed.
After a brief hesitation, Li Fan shielded himself and flew straight toward the massive black sphere.
Huangfu and Dongfang hesitated for a moment but quickly followed suit.
The writhing mass of viscous black substance coalesced, filling the entire field of vision with an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Suppressing the uneasiness in their hearts, the three gritted their teeth and "dove" into the sphere’s interior.
Though neither divine sense nor physical touch could detect the black substance, once their bodies were fully enveloped, a bizarre sensation washed over them.
It felt like their entire bodies were crawling with cold, slimy insects—clammy and nauseating.
Fortunately, aside from the unnerving feeling, the viscous black substance did not seem to cause any other harm.
The three of them trudged forward as if walking through a muddy swamp, cautiously making their way toward the center.
Time seemed to lose meaning as they advanced through the endless black sea, until finally, a faint glow appeared in the distance.
"Quick! That must be the exit ahead!" Huangfu Song transmitted through divine sense, his voice tinged with excitement.
Just as Li Fan and Dongfang Yao were about to respond, the previously calm black sea suddenly boiled over.
The viscous black substance, as if coming to life, surged madly toward Huangfu Song.
What was once an untouchable, ethereal substance had seemingly found an outlet to pour into—rushing toward Huangfu Song’s seven orifices, forcibly invading his body.
"Ugh... ugh..."
His face twisted in utter terror, and his body began to swell like an inflating balloon.
"Help me!"
Unable to utter a sound, Huangfu Song frantically transmitted his plea through divine sense to his companions. However, his panic only seemed to accelerate the black substance’s invasion.
A savage and agonizing expression appeared on his face.
Countless treasures emerged from his body, and he even retrieved the Dissociation Disc, instantly setting up a formation around him.
But...
All efforts were in vain!
In a flash of lightning and sparks, his body swelled more than ten times its original size.
Boom!
Finally, under the horrified gaze of Li Fan and Dongfang Yao, it exploded with a thunderous roar!
There was no flesh and blood flying everywhere—just a massive amount of black, viscous substance spraying in all directions.
According to common sense, cultivators at or above the Nascent Soul True Lord level, even if their physical body perishes, can instantly revive as long as their Cave Heaven remains intact.
But at this moment, a terrifying situation unfolded before their eyes.
After waiting for a while, there was still no sign of Huangfu Song's physical rebirth.
Instead, they seemed to notice a speck of dim light breaking through the void, vanishing into the unknown.
“Is... is he dead?” Li Fan suddenly froze in disbelief.
“Huangfu!” Dongfang Yao's eyes widened in rage as he rushed forward, trying to find any trace of Huangfu Song.
However, at the spot where the explosion occurred, he only found Huangfu Song’s personal belongings, like the Heaven-Measuring Mirror and the Dissociation Disc—nothing else remained, not even a single hair.
Recalling the sudden incident in his mind, a bold speculation surfaced in Li Fan’s heart.
These black, viscous substances... could they be...
Materialized Divine Spiritual Sense!
A cold shiver ran down his spine as Li Fan shouted, “Brother Dongfang, remember—do not let your spiritual sense leave your body! Communicate only through words!”
Dongfang Yao immediately understood, his face turning pale.
Li Fan flew to Dongfang Yao's side and collected Huangfu Song’s relics.
Then he spoke in a low, urgent tone, “This place is too dangerous. We must leave—now!”
Grabbing Dongfang Yao, he sped toward the center of the Black Sphere Spiritual Sense.
Just outside the black sphere, the Spiritual Consciousness Aggregates were relatively dispersed. Thus, even when they probed with their own spiritual senses, it did not trigger any unusual reactions.
But within the core of the black sphere, the density of spiritual sense had reached an unimaginably horrifying level.
Huangfu Song recklessly transmitted his spiritual sense, which was like poking a hornet’s nest, giving these condensed materialized spiritual senses a breakthrough point.
Before Huangfu Song could even resist, the overwhelming spiritual sense poured into his Sea of Consciousness.
Even with the tenacity of a Soul Transformation True Monarch's soul, it was utterly impossible to withstand such an immense influx of spiritual sense.
He exploded on the spot, with his soul scattered and perished!
Dongfang Yao was overwhelmed with sorrow while simultaneously breaking out in a cold sweat.
If it had been him whose divine sense had left his body just now...
Li Fan led Dongfang Yao through the glowing central layer, entering a relatively empty inner space.
Although this place had not formed substantial black spiritual sense, countless transparent faces floated around.
Joy, anger, sorrow, fear.
The expressions on these countless faces varied, yet none of them had eyes.
Like a school of fish, they lingered and wandered ceaselessly.
Dongfang Yao was deeply terrified, frantically avoiding the drifting transparent faces.
However, Li Fan casually reached out and captured one of the faces, absorbing it.
Moments later, a vague image appeared in his mind.
Wailing and sobbing echoed from all directions.
Under the blood-colored sky, the shadow of death rapidly devoured every living being it encountered.
But as if his vision was veiled, he could only make out a rough outline of the scene.
When the shadow moved from the horizon to right before him, everything turned pitch black, and the vision in his mind abruptly shattered.
Li Fan carefully contemplated for a moment, unsure whether the strength of his soul and spiritual sense had increased.
However, the sudden disappearance of the transparent face had alerted the other existences in the area.
They seemed to become restless and agitated, wandering even faster.
After pondering for a while, he refrained from acting recklessly.
"Let's go!"
With Dongfang Yao in tow, Li Fan headed to the highest point in the space, where the light shone the brightest.
There, he found the exit of the Maze Zone.
His vision blurred, and moments later, the two of them had returned to the outside of the Maze Zone.
"Brother Huangfu!"
It was only then that Dongfang Yao came to his senses, bursting into tears.
T/N: For anyone finding it tough to read My Longevity Simulation on Patreon, check it out on: [Scribblehub] The comment section there is also super active, so you can jump in for discussions and share theories.
Chapter 728
"Brother Dongfang, don’t be too heartbroken. Although Brother Huangfu has met a tragic fate, fortunately, the Rebirth Mansion exists. He still has a chance to be revived." Li Fan let out a long sigh, trying to console him.
He then summoned a new Samantabhadra True Boat and pulled the grief-stricken Dongfang Yao inside.
After that, he brought out the Heaven-Measuring Mirror.
Once the synchronization of the Divine Consciousness Maze’s exploration records was complete, he glanced at his just over 100,000 Qingxuan Points and the still-unclaimed Endstone Plate. Without hesitation, Li Fan chose to redeem it.
His long-accumulated Qingxuan Points were instantly depleted.
A faint white glow flickered, and a heavy gray stone disc materialized in Li Fan’s hands.
"So, this is the Endstone Plate?"
It was only about the size of a palm. He weighed it in his hand and examined it for a moment.
As its name suggested, it looked no different from an ordinary stone. Neither Spiritual Sense nor Spiritual Power could interact with it in any way.
"I wonder how the Heaven-Suppressing Society in my past life managed to figure out its usage."
However, Li Fan knew there was no need to rush. He had plenty of time in this life to uncover its secrets.
For now, he put the stone disc away and retrieved Huangfu Song’s relics, arranging them before him.
Apart from the Heavenly-Measuring Mirror and the Dissociation Disc, there were also two storage rings.
"Brother Dongfang, do you know if Huangfu has any close relatives still alive?" Li Fan asked.
Dongfang Yao, having slightly regained his composure, shook his head and said, "Like me, he was alone in this world, with no attachments."
Li Fan frowned at this and muttered, "Then these items..."
Dongfang Yao only took a glance before deciding, "Brother Li, you risked your life to retrieve Huangfu’s belongings. You should hold onto them for now. When we find Huangfu’s reincarnation, we can return them to him."
Li Fan sighed. "That’s the only option, then. But the Xuanhuang Realm is vast. Who knows where Huangfu will reincarnate in eighteen years? If he is still within the Immortal Alliance’s territory, then it won’t be too difficult—we’ll just need to search for him. But if he ends up in the hands of the Five Elders Association..."
"The Rebirth Mansion has plenty of mystical methods. There must be a way to roughly track a true spirit’s reincarnation. Since Brother Huangfu has passed, I have no interest in exploring the White Mist any further. Once we return, I will inquire about this matter immediately. I must find Brother Huangfu as soon as possible," Dongfang Yao said solemnly.
"I’ll ask around as well. Brother Shuo Feng might know something," Li Fan suggested.
With that, the two began their journey back from the depths of the White Mist.
Their first stop was the Huanyu Courtyard in Tianyu Prefecture, where they informed the others of Huangfu Song’s unfortunate demise.
The cultivator who received them was someone Li Fan had met before—Shangguan Shi, a lean man.
Having been colleagues for many years, Shangguan Shi’s expression darkened upon hearing the news. He sighed and said, "I will inform Dean Ji of this matter. Thank you both for your efforts."
Dongfang Yao, feeling guilty, had no face to linger. After a brief salute, he quickly took his leave.
Once outside Huanyu Courtyard, he also bid farewell to Li Fan, leaving behind a communication talisman before setting off to investigate the Rebirth Mansion.
"This Dongfang Yao is indeed a person of character," Li Fan thought to himself as he watched the other person's gradually disappearing figure..
Instead of returning to Longevity Valley, he headed straight for Tianquan Prefecture.
During his time exploring the White Mist, Shuo Feng had repeatedly sent messages challenging him to a duel.
However, Li Fan had used his entanglement in the White Mist as an excuse to decline each time.
After all, he was still nominally a Guest Elder of the Xuan family.
Although Shuo Feng had not openly expressed any dissatisfaction, it was inevitable that his tone had subtly changed after being repeatedly rejected multiple times.
Thus, as soon as Li Fan had some free time, he immediately reached out. After all, at the moment, the status of a Guest Elder in the Xuan family still had some value. A mere few sparring matches were enough to maintain this position, so it wasn’t too much of a hassle.
Shuo Feng was currently residing in a separate courtyard within Tianquan City.
This residence was also a gift from his mother, Immortal Sage Fei Xue. Compared to Shuo Feng Mountain in the outskirts, this place was much smaller in terms of land area, but its price was more than ten times higher.
Moreover, even having enough contribution points wasn’t enough; without the right connections, purchasing such a place was impossible.
Arriving at the central Cave Dwelling District of Tianquan City, one could see the towering Administrative Hall at the city’s core. Standing outside, already waiting, was a female cultivator in a red dress.
However, she was not the yellow-dressed cultivator Zhi Jin from before, but rather a different person.
Li Fan remained calm and composed as he followed the red-dressed female cultivator into the courtyard.
“This is so frustrating! Even though Rebirth Mansion exists now, allowing cultivators to be resurrected, my mother still places so many restrictions on me.”
From a distance, Li Fan could already hear Shuo Feng’s exasperated voice.
The red-dressed female cultivator showed no reaction on her face, as if she hadn’t heard Shuo Feng’s complaints at all. After leading Li Fan inside, she simply bowed before quietly leaving.
"Haha, Brother Li! It’s been a long time!"
Sensing Li Fan’s presence, Shuo Feng was overjoyed.
However, instead of a warm embrace, what greeted Li Fan was a flash of white sword light!
Li Fan’s eyes flickered, and in the blink of an eye, a blue water sword formed before him, blocking the attack.
Boom!
Amidst the explosion, Li Fan laughed and said, "Congratulations, Brother Shuo, on solving the problem of not being able to strike first."
"It seems that my [Thread-Extraction] divine ability is no longer a match for you."
Soaring through the air, Li Fan landed in front of Shuo Feng. Upon seeing the scene before him, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Shuo Feng was still dressed in his usual simple robes, but floating above his head was a green willow-leaf flying dagger.
Yet, the dagger’s tip was not pointed at an opponent—it was aimed directly at Shuo Feng’s own head!
"Haha! Brother Li, what do you think of my method? Since the ‘sword’ refuses to strike first, I simply force it to act. With a flying blade suspended above my head, my life hangs by a thread. Since it is part of me, when my life is in danger, it will instinctively counterattack. I then control the sword light it releases and use it against my enemies."
Shuo Feng glanced at the flying dagger above him with a look of satisfaction.
"To come up with such a brilliant technique, Brother Shuo is truly a prodigy."
Li Fan followed along with the praise while shifting his gaze toward a cultivator seated beside Shuo Feng.
This man had sharp brows and bright eyes, exuding an air of heroic spirit. Although his appearance did not quite match Xu Bai’s peerless beauty, he was still an outstanding figure among men.
Though this was Li Fan’s first encounter with him in this lifetime, he was not unfamiliar with the man.
He was none other than Tantai Tao, a peerless genius in array formations who, in Li Fan’s past life, had tragically perished during a formation training exercise.
But in this life, that incident had not occurred—thus, Tantai Tao was still alive.
"And this is...?" Li Fan turned to Shuo Feng, feigning ignorance.
"Brother Tantai is a rare genius in the Dao of Formations. You should get to know him."
Shuo Feng gave a brief introduction.
"A pleasure to meet you."
Tantai Tao regarded Li Fan warmly and greeted him with a nod.
After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them began to chat about Rebirth Mansion.
"I had originally planned to stay in the white mist for a few more days, but unfortunately, my companion, Huangfu Song, perished. Watching someone I had traveled with for so long die so tragically right before my eyes left me deeply shaken."
Li Fan sighed, his face full of sorrow. "You have to understand, Huangfu Song's cultivation was a whole major realm higher than mine, yet he still died so suddenly and inexplicably. Life and death are truly unpredictable. At that moment, all my greed vanished, and I decided to return immediately."
"Fortunately, with the divine power of the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign, Huangfu now has a chance at revival."
Hearing that Li Fan had fought his way back from the white mist, a barely perceptible trace of disdain flashed in Tantai Tao’s eyes.
Shuo Feng, on the other hand, chuckled. "I warned you not to go, but you refused to listen. All for a measly reward—hardly worth it."
Li Fan shook his head slightly. "Unlike you, Brother Shuo, I don’t have a powerful family backing me. If I want something, I have to fight for it myself. Fortunately, luck was on my side..."
As he spoke, Li Fan took out the [Endstone Plate].
This immediately caught the attention of both Shuo Feng and Tantai Tao.
Casually handing over the plate, Shuo Feng took it in his hands, examining it carefully for a moment before clicking his tongue in amazement. "You really do have incredible luck. From what I know, quite a few people had their eyes on this thing, yet you were the first to exchange for it."
"But whether it’s a profit or a loss remains to be seen."
Finding nothing unusual, Shuo Feng tossed the plate to Tantai Tao for him to inspect.
Tantai Tao narrowed his eyes, observing it for a moment before shaking his head slightly and handing it back to Li Fan.
"Did either of you notice anything?" Li Fan asked casually.
"The Immortal Alliance has already researched it thoroughly and found nothing. How could we possibly discover anything in such a short time?" Shuo Feng smirked.
Tantai Tao went further, saying, "I think this might just be an ordinary stone, nothing more."
Li Fan shook his head in disagreement. "I don’t think this object is that simple. I’ll study it further when I get back. If I make any discoveries, I’ll be sure to inform you both immediately!"
A flicker of displeasure flashed in Tantai Tao’s eyes.
Shuo Feng, however, clapped his hands and praised, "Then I’ll be looking forward to it!"
Tantai Tao could only follow along and nod in agreement.
"By the way, when I arrived just now, I overheard you, Brother Shuo, mentioning that the honored Immortal had...?" After a brief moment of silence, Li Fan changed the subject.
Shuo Feng waved his hand in frustration. "Don’t even bring it up. Recently, I’ve been sensing an opportunity to form my Nascent Soul, but she refuses to let me leave, saying I need to wait a little longer."
"Being stuck in this tiny courtyard all day is driving me insane," Shuo Feng complained.
"The Immortal Sage must have her reasons for this. If she’s making you wait, could it mean that something major is about to happen within the Immortal Alliance?" Li Fan didn’t speak ill of Immortal Sage Fei Xue but instead frowned in thought.
"I did hear something," Tantai Tao suddenly spoke up.
"Oh?" Shuo Feng turned to him with interest.
"I heard that the exploration of the white mist barrier is nearly complete. They’ve gathered enough data, and perhaps the Tianxuan Mirror is about to..."
Halfway through his sentence, Tantai Tao abruptly stopped.
"No worries—Brother Li is a guest elder of my Xuan family. You can speak freely!" Shuo Feng instantly saw what Tantai Tao was hesitating about and waved his hand dismissively.
Only then did Tantai Tao continue explaining.
"The Tianxuan Mirror was left behind by the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor and is the most mystical treasure of the Immortal Alliance. Within the Xuanhuang Realm, everything in the heavens and on earth is reflected in its light."
"Except for the White Mist Barrier."
"The regions within the White Mist are completely new and unfamiliar to the Tianxuan Mirror."
"If the Tianxuan Mirror were likened to a cultivator, its method of cultivation would be the measurement of the heavens and the earth. However, over thousands of years, it has reached a bottleneck and has been unable to advance further."
"The Five Elders Association naturally would not allow the Tianxuan Mirror to pry into their affairs. Therefore, the only way for it to progress further is to measure the regions within the White Mist."
"If enough data is gathered, there is a chance that the Tianxuan Mirror can break through and undergo a transformation."
"This is also why the Immortal Alliance is pushing for large-scale exploration of the White Mist Barrier this time."
Tantai Tao explained at length.
Shuo Feng couldn’t help but ask, "So the reason why you formation masters were summoned to the Immortal Alliance headquarters was related to this matter? I wasn’t entirely clear on these secrets."
Tantai Tao merely smiled and remained silent, tacitly confirming it.
"The current Tianxuan Mirror can already be considered the foundational artifact of the Immortal Alliance. If it can complete its transformation..." A hint of longing flashed in Tantai Tao’s eyes.
Li Fan, deep in thought, said, "If the Tianxuan Mirror evolves, it will certainly have a profound impact on the Immortal Alliance. Immortal Sage Fei Xue must have her reasons for not allowing you to leave, Brother Shuo. Just be patient and wait—it seems, according to Brother Tantai, that day is not far off."
Shuo Feng snorted lightly and did not continue the discussion.
The three chatted idly for a while longer.
In the end, at Shuo Feng’s insistence, Li Fan dueled him once again.
Deliberately slowing down his spellcasting, Li Fan was in the middle of executing the Thread-Extraction divine ability when Shuo Feng’s sword light shattered it.
A sword wound was left on Li Fan’s body, fresh blood flowing, and he admitted defeat immediately.
Shuo Feng, on the other hand, laughed heartily and waved his hand, restoring the bloodstains left by the countless fine threads on his own body.
Having finally broken the Thread-Extraction divine ability, Shuo Feng was satisfied and did not urge Li Fan to stay.
After lingering for a moment longer, Li Fan bid farewell and left.
Leaving Tianquan Prefecture, he returned to the Longevity Valley.
Liu San, Fang Zaiji, and Jiang Yushan all came to pay their respects.
After reporting the number of Longevity Pills that had been refined, Liu San brought up another matter.
"By the way, we’ve found some information about the cultivator you asked us to investigate—Zhong Shentong."
"Oh? What did you find?" Li Fan’s eyebrows rose.
Liu San’s expression turned somewhat strange. "Young Master, are you sure this is the person you’re looking for?"
As he spoke, Liu San displayed an image of an elderly man with white hair.
Li Fan narrowed his eyes—it was indeed Zhong Shentong, whom he had met in his past life.
After confirming it, Liu San said in an odd tone, "We found him, but apparently, he was nearing the end of his lifespan. He failed to break through his cultivation bottleneck... and has already died."
"Died?" Li Fan was momentarily stunned.
"Are you sure there’s no mistake?" He repeated his question.
Zhong Shentong’s Life and Death Profound Arts and Seven-Colored Divine Light were both exceedingly rare and extraordinary techniques.
Someone who had mastered both could not have been an ordinary cultivator.
Could he have perished so quietly in this life?
Liu San smiled bitterly. "Young Master, you personally assigned this task, so I naturally understood its importance. We've confirmed it from multiple sources—Zhong Shentong is indeed dead."
Hearing this, Li Fan furrowed his brows deeply.
After pondering for a moment, his brows relaxed again.
He had likely figured out the reason why Zhong Shentong had fallen in this life.
It was probably because of the existence of the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign.
Zhong Shentong cultivated the Life and Death Profound Art, a unique technique that harnesses the immense terror between life and death as a means of cultivation.
According to Zhong Shentong himself, he suffered from an extreme case of "procrastination."
Even at the Foundation Establishment stage, he could only break through when he was on the verge of death, using the immense pressure of impending demise to force advancement.
That was before.
In this lifetime, due to the Heavenly Sovereign of Rebirth reversing the laws of life and death and establishing the Rebirth Mansion, everyone could now be resurrected. The fear of death no longer existed.
After all, "Eighteen years later, I’ll be a hero again"—so why fear death?
At worst, he could just start over in the next life. Why work so hard?
With such a "slacker mindset," it was only natural that Zhong Shentong failed to break through.
Thinking of this, Li Fan's face twitched.
"It seems that in this life, the Life and Death Profound Art is useless. But I still don’t understand how Zhong Shentong managed to comprehend the Seven-Colored Divine Light in the first place."
Shaking his head, he waved his hand and said to Liu San, "Forget it. Dead is dead. Let’s pretend I never brought it up."
Liu San’s expression turned slightly strange, but he didn’t ask further.
Instead, Fang Zaiji praised, "Sect Master, you truly have an open mind and see through the cycle of life and death."
Li Fan ignored him and continued giving orders:
"Elder Liu, we can slow down the refining of the Longevity Pill for now. Let’s sell off all our current stock first."
Liu San was briefly stunned before quickly realizing, "The era of cultivators exploring the White Mist is coming to an end?"
Li Fan nodded. "It has been about three years since the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance officially issued the decree. With the existence of the Rebirth Mansion, cultivators have become fearless of death. I estimate that the complete exploration of the White Mist is not far off. We should start preparing in advance."
Then, he turned to Jiang Yushan, who remained expressionless.
"Elder Jiang, haven’t you always wanted to see the outside world? I have found a way to conceal your true cultivation level and forge a Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance identity for you."
With that, Li Fan took out the Endstone Plate.
"This item can interfere with and block the Tianxuan Mirror, the supreme treasure of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance." He spoke with absolute confidence.
Fang Zaiji's eyes lit up instantly.
He quickly flew closer and stared intently at the small stone disk in Li Fan’s hand.
After a moment, he scratched the back of his head and asked, "Sect Master... how do you use this?"
Li Fan shrugged. "I have no idea. You’ll have to figure it out yourselves."
Fang Zaiji gave him a skeptical look. "Sect Master, you’re not just making up an excuse to stop Little Jiang from leaving, are you?"
Jiang Yushan shot Fang Zaiji a sharp glare, a trace of killing intent in her eyes.
Li Fan simply chuckled. "Heh, I didn’t expect Mr. Fang to be wrong for once. This stone plate may look unremarkable, but it is actually a secondary body of the Tianxuan Mirror."
"However, I can’t blame you. Even though you claim to be well-traveled, the Xuanhuang Realm has changed over so many years. It’s only natural that you’ve fallen behind the times..."
Fang Zaiji's eyes widened in shock. "A secondary body of the Tianxuan Mirror?"
He immediately grabbed the Endstone Plate, clutching it like a priceless treasure, and began studying it with great excitement.
At the same time, he muttered under his breath, "This is a real treasure..."
Li Fan let Fang Zaiji take the stone plate without stopping him. Remembering the Calamity Destruction Stone Disk that the Heaven-Suppressing Society used in his past life, Li Fan gave a reminder:
"Perhaps this object itself does not possess any special traits, but if a small portion of it is cut off, it may undergo some unexpected changes."
Fang Zaiji nodded, though it was unclear if he truly took it to heart. He was completely entranced, his entire being fixated on the Endstone Plate.
"Once Mr. Fang makes progress in his research, Elder Liu and you will be able to walk around freely without issue," Li Fan said to Jiang Yushan with a smile.
"Good, good! I'll be sure to keep a close eye on Old Fang!" Liu San grinned excitedly.
However, Jiang Yushan hesitated as she looked at the Endstone Plate and asked, "Is this so-called Tianxuan Mirror related to the Xuantian Sect's Xuantian Treasure Mirror?"
Seeing Li Fan's puzzled expression, Jiang Yushan explained, "The Xuantian Treasure Mirror was the supreme treasure of the ancient Xuantian Sect. After the Ten Great Immortal Sects destroyed the Xuantian Sect, this artifact vanished without a trace. The Ten Sects captured and tortured many Xuantian Sect remnants, but they never found any answers. I only learned about this when I was a prison warden in the Indeterminate Prison, from my colleagues’ discussions."
Upon hearing this, Liu San was shocked. "Xuantian... Tianxuan... The names are so similar! Could it be that the one who founded the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and destroyed the ancient cultivation world—the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor—was actually a member of the Xuantian Sect?"
Li Fan shook his head. "That, I do not know. However, since Elder Jiang brought it up, we can look into it in the future."
Liu San quickly advised, "If this speculation is true, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would have surely sealed all information regarding the Xuantian Sect. If you inquire about it too openly, it might arouse suspicion."
"Besides, even if the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance originated from the Xuantian Sect, what does it matter? Back then, the Ten Great Immortal Sects stood by and watched as we charged out of the Xuanhuang Realm to meet our doom..."
"If anything, we should be thanking the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance for avenging us." Liu San snorted coldly.
Jiang Yushan furrowed her brows. After a moment of silence, she looked at Li Fan. "I do know of a method that can test whether this Tianxuan Mirror is truly a relic of the Xuantian Sect."
"Back then, the Ten Great Immortal Sects developed a secret technique called [Exterminate Xuantian] in order to hunt down Xuantian Sect remnants. When activated, the technique would create a sensory reaction if there were any objects related to the Xuantian Sect within a small radius."
"However, the range of this sensing ability is extremely limited. You must be very close to the object—almost brushing past it—to detect anything. That made it impractical. But I’ve heard that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has placed Tianxuan Mirrors everywhere. We could try using this technique."
Li Fan's eyes flickered with thought, and he nodded. "Very well. Elder Jiang, please teach me!"
The secret technique was not particularly complex. Within moments, Li Fan had already mastered it.
He immediately activated the technique and approached the Endstone Plate.
Nothing happened.
"Could it really just be a coincidence in naming?" Liu San was surprised.
Li Fan suddenly thought of something and focused his consciousness on his clone, Xu Bai.
At that moment, Xu Bai was at the Bureau of Governance, casually chatting with his newly arrived colleagues from the Hall of Rebirth.
The Hall of Rebirth was an organization established by the Rebirth Mansion in every prefecture, responsible for all affairs related to "reincarnation and resurrection," much like the Formation Hall and the Martial Hall.
Without drawing attention, Xu Bai excused himself and headed toward the Tianxuan Mirror in the city, quietly activating the [Exterminate Xuantian] secret technique.
"Ding! Ding! Ding!"
A sharp, piercing sound suddenly rang in Xu Bai’s ears.
In his vision, the once unremarkable and ancient-looking mirror now radiated a glaring, blood-red glow.
"As expected! The Tianxuan Mirror is none other than the supreme treasure of the Xuantian Sect—the Xuantian Treasure Mirror!"
Xu Bai’s heart tensed, and in an instant, he withdrew the secret technique.
All abnormal signs disappeared without a trace. Keeping his expression calm, Xu Bai stepped into the Tianxuan Mirror.
Within the Tianxuan Mirror Space, Xu Bai listened to the slightly metallic, mechanical voice coming from the mirror. His mind, however, was racing with thoughts.
"Even if the Tianxuan Mirror is not the original Xuantian Treasure Mirror, there must be an extremely close connection between the two."
"Since the Tianxuan Mirror originates from the Xuantian Sect, does that mean the Immortal Ancestor is also related?"
"Was it all for revenge against the Ten Great Immortal Sects for their destruction of the sect?"
Xu Bai suddenly recalled the fact that, for thousands of years, the Tianxuan Mirror had continuously given birth to secondary clones.
"Even though the Xuantian Sect was annihilated long ago, the Execution of Xuantian secret technique can still be used to sense the connection between the Tianxuan Mirror and the sect. Does this mean that the mirror has never completely escaped the control of the Xuantian Sect?"
"That’s why the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance went to such great lengths to search for the Xuantian Sect's Dharma King buried within the Purple Heaven Sect—to seize the final control over the Tianxuan Mirror."
"And it all started with the prophecy I made while pretending to be a cultivator from the Heavenly Mechanism Sect: ‘The Tianxuan Lock Spirit, Xuan-Huang Return to Unity.’”
At that moment, all the scattered events of this world suddenly connected.
Xu Bai saw past the surface of these events and grasped the deeper reasons hidden beneath them.
"And now, the Immortal Alliance is actively ushering in the Era of Great Exploration, seemingly to facilitate the further evolution of the Tianxuan Mirror. Does this mean that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has already succeeded in obtaining this supreme treasure left behind by the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor?"
Xu Bai's eyes flickered.
Once, he had speculated that the true ruler behind the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was not a cultivator but rather the Tianxuan Mirror itself.
However, due to a series of coincidences, he later learned of the existence of the Dharma Transmitting Practitioners. This led him to deduce that the Transmitting Dharma Practitioners and the Tianxuan Mirror restrained each other, jointly leading and governing the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
But now, was it the cultivators who had ultimately won this power struggle?
In his mind, the images of Shuo Feng and Lu Xichan suddenly flashed.
"The Xuan Family..."
A past conversation replayed in his mind.
When Lu Xuejing saw his true form, she had said:
"Which family are you from? You look completely unfamiliar! You’re not some spy from the Five Elders Association, trying to get close to Brother Shuo just to find the Tianxuan Mirror’s location, are you? You don’t look like a good person at all! Brother Shuo has never lied to me before..."
Like a bolt of lightning, the truth cut through the fog.
"So that's how it is." Xu Bai's eyes filled with understanding.
"The so-called 'outside the party, there is no party, only imperial thinking; within the party, there are no factions, yet a thousand oddities and wonders abound.'"
Not all cultivators stand on the side of the Dharma-Transmitting Practitioners.
At least, based on the current information, the Chief of the Formation Hall, Immortal Sage Fei Xue, and the Xuan-surnamed cultivators were on the side of the Tianxuan Mirror.
The Dharma Transmitting Practitioners sought to fully control the Tianxuan Mirror through Xuantian Sect techniques.
Meanwhile, those who followed the Tianxuan Mirror naturally sought ways to counteract this. Perhaps they lacked the strength to stop the Dharma Transmitting Practitioners directly, so they took an alternative approach—pushing the Tianxuan Mirror to complete its transformation and evolution, resisting the control of the Xuantian Sect’s secret techniques.
However, such a large-scale operation, mobilizing almost the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to encourage cultivators to explore the White Mist, couldn’t possibly have happened without the approval of the highest governing authority—the Dharma Transmitting Practitioners themselves.
Xu Bai found it hard to believe otherwise.
"Unless, the decree to explore the mist comes from a higher will, one that even the Dharma Transmitting Practitioners cannot defy. And the Tianxuan Mirror is merely taking advantage of this force to evolve."
"And in the Xuanhuang Realm, the only existence capable of making the Dharma Transmitting Practitioners bow their heads is..."
After analyzing everything, a realization sent a shiver through Xu Bai’s heart.
"The Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor!"
"He never left? He's still in the Xuanhuang Realm?"
A crushing sense of oppression descended upon Xu Bai.
Suddenly, he recalled that before the Era of Great Exploration officially began, Liu San had already seen many cultivators from the Immortal Alliance venturing deep into the mist.
Back then, Xu Bai had guessed that the Immortal Alliance was searching for clues about the Chaos Character.
Now, everything was finally coming together...
Xu Bai suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, a lingering sense of fear.
"That immense divine sense that descended upon me the day I used the Chaos Character Technique—was that the Immortal Ancestor?"
But soon, Xu Bai frowned slightly and dismissed the thought.
Although his performance that day had been remarkable, he didn't believe he could deceive the eyes of the Immortal Ancestor.
Moreover, the time between casting the Chaos Character Technique and the divine sense's arrival was too long. If it had truly been the Immortal Ancestor, with his level of cultivation, their reaction time wouldn't have been so slow.
"It was probably the Chaos Character Technique triggering again during the battle against Ink Death that ultimately drew their attention."
Xu Bai's thoughts suddenly halted.
"Or perhaps... the Immortal Ancestor wasn’t within the Xuanhuang Realm at the time, and it was only my use of the Chaos Character Technique that brought m him back?"
The moment this idea surfaced, a wave of unease swept over Xu Bai.
He pondered over it repeatedly but couldn’t rule out the possibility.
"It seems that while the Chaos Character Technique is powerful, it’s not something that can be used carelessly."
"Once was a stroke of luck... but if it happens again..."
Even the Heavenly Doctor would be affected.
If the Immortal Ancestor—who had dominated the Xuanhuang Realm for millennia—were to descend personally, Xu Bai had no confidence that he could use True Return in their presence.
"Unless absolutely necessary, it’s best not to use it." Xu Bai cursed inwardly.
Another thought crept into his mind: if his guess was correct, and the Immortal Ancestor—who had already achieved Longevity and transcended worldly concerns—still cared so much about the Chaos Character Technique...
"Could 'Chaos' also be an immortal lineage technique?"
Xu Bai was startled by the possibility.
In his mind, memories of what he had witnessed in the Reversal Maze Domain replayed rapidly—
The eerie, horrifying corpses strewn across the ground, and the stone stele in the center of the maze, inscribed with the character Chaos (亂).
A chilling hypothesis surfaced in his mind.
"That cultivation world in the Reversal Maze Zone... was it annihilated because of the influence of the Chaos Character?"
"And that Chaos character... came from—"
"The Immortal Realm!"
As for why the Reversal Beasts mistook him for the old fisherman Tian Jue and accused the Heavenly Doctor of being the true culprit—
Xu Bai suddenly recalled something Emperor Sanmo had once told Lu Ya:
"Sometimes, even what you see with your own eyes may not be the truth."
"Under the influence of the Chaos Glyph, misidentifications cannot be ruled out."
"Back at Cloud-Water Heavenly Palace, when Tian Jue, Tian Yi, and Tian Yu confronted one another, Tian Jue himself admitted to slaughtering everyone in the palace."
"Perhaps the same is true for the Reversal Maze Zone."
"The Devouring Essence White Mist is filled with strange, inexplicable phenomena. It’s hard to say whether the Chaos Character’s influence is absent from it."
"The Chaos Character Technique may not be limited to the Xuanhuang Realm. It may have appeared in other cultivation realms as well."
"And it may have even brought about boundless calamities."
"That’s likely why the Immortal Ancestor, as well as the current Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and Five Elders Association, all pay such close attention to it."
Xu Bai remained deep in thought.
Meanwhile, in the Longevity Valley, Li Fan—who had been in a daze—was suddenly called back to reality by Liu San.
"Young Master, does the Tianxuan Mirror have anything to do with the Xuantian Sect?"
Liu San asked.
At this moment, the true body of Li Fan finally regained his senses. He nodded slightly, his expression solemn. "The Tianxuan Mirror, the supreme treasure of the Immortal Alliance, is indeed connected to the Xuantian Sect."
He then described in detail the scene that his clone had perceived using the [Execution of Xuantian] secret technique.
Hearing this, Jiang Yushan frowned. "Three chimes of warning—this is the highest level of alert within the Xuantian Sect. It seems that this so-called Tianxuan Mirror is actually the Xuantian Mirror of old."
Liu San, however, looked confused. "The name is just reversed—what does that matter? If they wanted to hide its origins, they could have chosen a completely unrelated name. Besides, the Xuantian Sect’s mortal enemies, the Ten Great Immortal Sects, have long been wiped out. There's no longer any need for secrecy, is there?"
Jiang Yushan shook her head and explained, "It's not just a simple name change. I've heard that the Xuantian Treasure Mirror has a mysterious origin. It can reflect all things in the world and possesses supreme power. Back in the days of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, some speculated that this mirror was not a native artifact of the Xuanhuang Realm but might have come from the Immortal Realm."
Li Fan's eyes narrowed.
Meanwhile, Fang Zaiji, who had been lost in thought while studying the [Endstone Plate], suddenly looked up and stared at Jiang Yushan. "The Immortal Realm?!" he exclaimed.
Jiang Yushan continued steadily, "It’s not an unfounded theory. The master of the Xuantian Sect, the Half-Step True Immortal Xuantian King, did not possess any mirror-like treasures before his attempted ascension. But after he returned from the Immortal Ascension Passage, he suddenly had this artifact. During his conquest of the Xuanhuang Realm, establishing the Xuantian Sect, the Xuantian Treasure Mirror played a pivotal role."
"Otherwise, even after the Xuantian Sect was destroyed, the Ten Great Immortal Sects would not have continued to covet and fear it, even offering the position of a Longevity Immortal as a bounty."
"And when one reaches the True Immortal realm, their very name itself represents a certain kind of power."
Jiang Yushan fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.
Sensing an opportunity, Li Fan asked, "Elder Jiang, what do you mean by that?"
"Before the Immortal Path was severed, many cultivators in the history of the Xuanhuang Realm successfully overcame tribulations and ascended. Some were even elders of the Ten Great Immortal Sects. However, when later generations tried to trace their records and study their history..."
"They found that all records about them had vanished on their own."
"Not only could they find no trace of these individuals’ past deeds, but even their names could not be preserved."
"The Nameless True Immortal. Or rather, after completing their transformation into a True Immortal, they became beings beyond our comprehension."
Liu San and Fang Zaiji, both Dao Integration cultivators, were visibly shaken by this revelation.
"No wonder," Fang Zaiji murmured in realization. "I've traveled across the Xuanhuang Realm and always heard legends of ancient immortals—but never once did I hear their names."
Jiang Yushan continued, "If this is true for True Immortals, then it must also apply to their treasures. Though an artifact may not be as transcendent as a True Immortal, its true name likely corresponds to some kind of fundamental law. The shift from Xuantian to Tianxuan must hold some unknown and profound significance."
Her words left the other three in silent contemplation, deeply shaken by the mysteries surrounding True Immortals.
Moments later, Fang Zaiji was the first to react. "If the Tianxuan Mirror is a True Immortal artifact, then wouldn’t its secondary body be equivalent to half an Immortal-grade treasure?"
His face flushed red with excitement. Clutching the [Endstone Plate] tightly, he dashed away in an instant.
"Sect Master, rest assured! I'm going into seclusion to study this! I won’t come out until I’ve figured it out—even if it takes my entire life!"
His silhouette vanished, but his voice continued to echo through the hall.
Li Fan shook his head slightly and then expressed his gratitude to Jiang Yushan:
"Elder Jiang, as expected of a true disciple of the Ten Great Immortal Sects—your vast knowledge and keen insight are truly remarkable. I have never heard of such secrets about True Immortals before."
Liu San also sighed and said, "Our Medicine King Sect is already considered a mid-tier sect, yet we know so little about such matters."
Jiang Yushan, however, seemed indifferent. In a sharp voice, like metal scraping against metal, she replied, "It's merely a topic for idle conversation. After all, the Immortal Path has been severed for so long. Immortals... they're as distant and unattainable as myths to the common people."
She glanced in the direction where Fang Zaiji had disappeared, then suddenly said, "I need to keep an eye on him. Otherwise, if we wait for him to produce results, it might take a hundred years."
"Haha, it won’t be that bad, right? Old Fang is still quite reliable..." Liu San began to say, but before he could finish, Jiang Yushan had already turned into a black streak and vanished into the distance.
In a hurry, he called out,
"Yushan, wait for me!"
Without even saying goodbye to Li Fan, he rushed after her.
In an instant, Li Fan was the only one left in the area.
"True Immortals have no names, huh..."
He paid no mind to the departing two, instead pondering Jiang Yushan’s words, momentarily lost in thought.
He didn’t know how much time had passed before he finally snapped out of his reverie.
"The exploration of the White Mist is about to conclude, and the Tianxuan Mirror will soon complete its transformation..."
"Right now, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is at a crucial stage of reform. It’s not wise to leave. It’s best to remain here in the Longevity Valley and wait for the changes to unfold."
"The restrictions on entering the Fallen Immortal Realm were lifted long ago, but I had been busy exploring the Maze Zone, so I never had time to enter."
"Perhaps this is a good opportunity to visit the Heavenly Sword Sect again."
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan made his decision.
However, before entering the Fallen Immortal Realm, he silently took a stroll through the Longevity Valley and the Beast Realm.
In the Longevity Valley, most of the awakened disciples of the Medicine King Sect had already left, with only a few stationed at key positions.
Meanwhile, in the Beast Realm, Li Fan spotted a few familiar figures.
They were Xiao Fan, Su Changyu, Su Xiaomei, and the others.
Sweeping his divine sense over them without their knowledge, Li Fan noticed something strange.
In this life, he had not interfered much with their paths.
Yet, he had still granted them cultivation techniques and had placed no significant restrictions on their progress.
Over a decade had passed. Based on their previous life’s talent, at least one of them should have broken through to the Golden Core realm by now.
But now...
Their progress was somewhat disappointing.
Ye Feipeng, who cultivated a combination of three methods—techniques, body refinement, and the Beast Soul Bead—was the strongest among them. However, he had only reached the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment realm.
Su Xiaomei and Su Changyu, who focused purely on cultivation techniques, had just recently broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Natural treasures and spiritual resources were, of course, provided by the Medicine King Sect. After three years of selling Longevity Pills, the sect’s treasury had grown increasingly abundant.
As for Xiao Heng, who had chosen not to cultivate but instead focused on communicating with the Imperial Beast Soul Bead—he had completely given up.
He had lost all motivation, spending his days flaunting his status in the Beast Realm while clad in his Beast God Armor.
"Even though their cultivation speed is still much faster than mine, it’s clearly not at the level they should have achieved."
"Is the spiritual energy gradually fading...?"
Li Fan contemplated deeply.
"While it is true that I have kept them confined in one place in this life, perhaps the real issue lies with the outer realm itself."
"Otherwise, these so-called geniuses from the outer realm wouldn’t be losing to mere youths like Sun Erlang and Wang Xuanba from the Great Xuan."
Back then, Li Fan had personally tested their cultivation potential.
At best, they only barely met the requirements to cultivate—not even close to matching the geniuses from the outer realm.
Yet now, without him realizing it, they had somehow surpassed them...
A vision of the great volcano at the center of the Great Outer Realm suddenly emerged in Li Fan’s mind.
From the moment he entered the outer realm, he had a nagging suspicion that something was amiss with that volcano.
However, perhaps due to his insufficient cultivation or lack of perception, he had explored it multiple times but still failed to uncover any secrets.
"Unfortunately, the entrance to the outer realm in this life has already been swallowed by spatial fissures, making it impossible to return."
"But in my next life, I must investigate it thoroughly."
With that thought in mind, Li Fan waved his hand lightly, summoning Su Changyu, Su Xiaomei, and the others before him out of thin air.
Their vigilance was noticeably weaker than in his past lives.
Several moments passed before they snapped out of their confusion. Upon recognizing Li Fan, they hurriedly saluted.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
Li Fan's gaze swept over them, and then he spoke in a deep voice:
"I took you all from a small mortal world over ten years ago. First, I confined you on an island, and then I brought you here to the Longevity Valley, never allowing you to leave..."
"Do you hold any resentment?"
Ye Feipeng was the first to respond:
"How could we ever resent you, Sect Master? These years have been incredibly fulfilling for us. Especially this Longevity Valley and the Beast Realm—while they may seem insignificant in your eyes, to us, they are already far grander than our homeland."
His tone carried a hint of flattery.
Xiao Heng quickly nodded in agreement, and the others followed suit.
Li Fan remained silent for a moment, waiting until they started to feel uneasy before finally speaking:
"The outside world—the Xuanhuang Realm—is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, one that occurs only once in a thousand years. Countless opportunities await. It is now your time to shine. Pack your things; tomorrow, you will leave the valley."
The expressions on their faces immediately stiffened.
But before they could react, Li Fan waved his sleeve and departed, leaving behind a group of disciples staring at each other in bewilderment.
Li Fan’s orders were absolute—they dared not disobey. With no choice, they begrudgingly accepted their fate. Looking miserable, they hurried off to seek help from their acquaintances in the Medicine King Sect.
"I hope that once they return to the world, they will bring me some surprises. Otherwise, the true problem must indeed lie within the outer realm."
With an formless killing intent lingering over the group, Li Fan quietly returned to his secluded cultivation chamber in the Longevity Valley.
"Blessings to the Celestial Venerable Of Xuanhuang!"
Setting up a ritual, in the next instant, Li Fan once again entered the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Without hesitation, he selected the [Heaven Sword Sect's Divine Refinement] scenario.
As the scene around him twisted and blurred, a furious voice rang in his ears.
"Ji Zhaoxuan! Why have you failed to submit your [Sword Embryo] again this time?"
"Do you realize that you're delaying Senior Brother’s grand plan? Can you take responsibility for this?"
A flood of memories rushed into Li Fan’s mind, instantly making him aware of his current situation.
Ever since Mr. Bai had left, the Heavenly Sword Sect had been preparing to forge a World-Rifting Divine Weapon.
To accomplish this, all disciples were required to extract insights from their wooden swords and infuse them into a specialized energy stone known as the [Sword Embryo]. These sword embryos were then thrown into the abyss at the back of the mountain, where they would be refined in molten fire to shape the prototype of the divine weapon.
Everyone in the Heavenly Sword Sect, from disciples to elders—and even the strongest figure in the sect, Senior Brother Situ Yao—followed this practice.
But the cultivator Li Fan had now possessed—Ji Zhaoxuan, a Golden Core cultivator—had repeatedly failed to turn in his [Sword Embryo] on time.
And now, he was being confronted about it.
Li Fan maintained a calm expression and cupped his hands.
"Senior Brother Chu, I humbly request a few more days of grace! My aptitude is mediocre, and the process of comprehension and refinement is slower for me than for others."
Senior Brother Chu scrutinized Li Fan before letting out a cold snort.
"This is your last chance. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re scheming! Your technique of Condensing Qi into Sword is the complete opposite of the process of infusing sword intent into the [Sword Embryo]. The longer you keep the sword embryo within you, the more benefits you gain. Isn’t that right?"
Li Fan immediately put on a flustered expression, as if his secret had been exposed.
He hurriedly replied, "Senior Brother Chu—"
But the other party cut him off with a wave of his hand, his expression turning cold.
"I have no intention of showing favoritism. Individual cultivation is nothing compared to the future of the entire Heavenly Sword Sect. You need to understand where your priorities lie!"
"I will return in two days. You had better be ready!"
After saying that, Senior Brother Chu turned and left.
Countless fellow disciples around pointed and whispered, but the panic on Li Fan’s face instantly disappeared. He calmly returned to his own room.
After checking his own internal condition, he immediately understood.
"As expected, the one I possessed this time is no ordinary person."
In the dantian of Ji Zhaoxuan, a misty gray "Golden Core," resembling a gaseous planet, continuously emitted gray mist.
It corroded and devoured the Sword Embryo Essence Stone floating nearby.
At the same time, profound insights into the Dao of the Sword surfaced in Li Fan’s mind—more pure and powerful than any comprehension he had gained from directly touching a wooden sword.
This was precisely why Ji Zhaoxuan had repeatedly delayed submitting the sword embryos.
Every time he acquired a sword embryo, he would first absorb it himself, converting it into his own understanding before handing it over to the Heavenly Sword Sect.
In fact, this body's talent in the Dao of the Sword was undeniably at the level of a true prodigy.
Even so, deciphering the true essence within the sword embryos was an extremely slow process.
It required a significant amount of time, making it seem to others that his speed in refining the sword embryos was much slower.
Even Senior Brother Chu had only figured out that Ji Zhaoxuan could benefit from the sword embryos to improve his cultivation.
But he would never have imagined that Ji Zhaoxuan could directly convert the true essence within the sword embryos into his own comprehension.
"What Heavenly Sword Sect's World-Rift Plan? This body doesn’t care at all."
"Because he was a double agent all along."
As Li Fan absorbed the sword embryo, he recalled the sudden influx of memories in his mind.
One night, unnoticed by anyone, Ji Zhaoxuan had used a secret technique to transmit everything that had recently happened in the Heavenly Sword Sect to the outside world.
Who exactly received the information? That part remained unknown in his mind.
Even Ji Zhaoxuan himself didn’t know why he had done it.
One day, as if controlled by someone else, he instinctively carried out such an act.
And he hadn’t even found anything strange about it.
"To even deceive oneself... that truly is an advanced form of espionage."
Li Fan thought to himself.
"The secret of the Heavenly Sword Sect’s sword-forging will soon be exposed to the world."
"Things might not be peaceful for much longer."
Scenes of the World-Rift eruption at the Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain and the shattering of the Xuanhuang Realm flashed through his mind.
With that thought, Li Fan braced himself for what was to come.
Fallen Immortal Realm, Heavenly Sword Sect.
Three days later.
Inside a secluded chamber, Li Fan sat cross-legged in deep meditation, eyes closed in silence.
Surrounding him, dozens of Sword Qi coiled and circled in the air. These sword energies were as solid as metal, sharp enough to cut through gold and iron, even emitting a faint metallic gleam. Upon closer inspection, countless blurry sword shadows flickered and changed along the edges of the auras.
Before Li Fan floated a Sword Embryo, its essence completely absorbed and mastered.
“This Breath-Forming Sword Technique truly has its mysteries,” Li Fan murmured. He opened his mouth, and the dozens of razor-sharp Sword Qi howled as they returned to his body, once again nurturing within his core.
Inside his dantian, a golden core resembling a gaseous planet was now encircled by over ten thousand sword lights. The lights formed a dazzling, magnificent ring, mesmerizing to behold.
Only Li Fan knew the terrifying power hidden within this Sword Light Ring. If he were to unleash all ten thousand sword energies in a single breath, even a Nascent Soul True Lord of this era might perish instantly.
“Ji Zhaoxuan’s memories contain no knowledge of the origins of this technique. It seems to be nothing more than the Ten Thousand Swords Art—a common technique practiced by all core disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect. But clearly, very few in the sect achieve such a shocking phenomenon at the Golden Core stage.”
“Moreover, this move bears some resemblance to Situ Yao’s Sword Arrival...”
As his thoughts drifted, Li Fan fully restrained the overwhelming presence of his ten thousand sword lights within his dantian. He now exuded no sharpness, appearing just like an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.
Leaving the secluded chamber, Li Fan did not wait for Senior Brother Chu to summon him; instead, he proactively handed over the Sword Embryo.
Senior Brother Chu gave him a look of approval, as if to say, “At least you know your place.” He briefly examined the Sword Embryo, then casually stored it away.
“Just in time—Senior Brother has called everyone together. It seems there is an important matter to discuss. You will come with me.”
Hearing this, Li Fan’s heart stirred slightly. He nodded and followed behind.
The sect’s main hall stood atop the tallest mountain peak at the very center of the sect’s territory, piercing the sky like an unsheathed sword.
Inside the hall, many cultivators had already gathered—all of higher seniority than Li Fan.
Not knowing why Senior Brother Chu had brought him here, Li Fan simply followed and positioned himself at the edge of the crowd, waiting for Situ Yao’s arrival.
Before long, the once-buzzing grand hall suddenly fell into silence.
A strong aroma of alcohol filled the air, accompanied by a flash of sword light. Moments later, Situ Yao stumbled into the hall, reeking of liquor.
He let out a loud belch before speaking in broken sentences, revealing the reason for the gathering.
It turned out that the Prototype of the World-Rifting Divine Weapon had been completed. The next step was forging its sword body.
To achieve interdimensional travel, the weapon’s blade had to be incomparably sturdy. The key material required for this was [Taiyuan Essence Metal].
Although the sect’s treasury contained a fair amount of this material, it was far from enough to meet the requirements for forging the World-Rifting Divine Weapon.
Situ Yao was an unparalleled fighter, but in matters like these, he was at a loss. Thus, he sought the opinions of the assembled disciples.
He also laid out two conditions:
The forging of the World-Rifting Divine Weapon must remain a secret. While the sect was not afraid of battle, if other powerful sects joined forces against them, handling the situation would become exceedingly troublesome.
Minimize costs. Despite its wealth, the Heavenly Sword Sect could barely afford the immense resources required for forging the divine weapon. Apart from Taiyuan Essence Metal, over a thousand other rare and exotic materials were needed—nearly draining the sect’s entire treasury. Thus, it was crucial to acquire the resources with minimal expenditure.
Upon hearing Senior Brother Situ’s words, all the gathered cultivators revealed expressions of concern.
"Everyone, speak your minds and think of a solution. Whoever can resolve this matter, I will appoint them as the next Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect!"
Situ Yao slumped to the ground, completely lacking the demeanor of a high-ranking expert, yet the words he spoke were astonishing.
The current Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Huo Yuzhu, could only offer a bitter smile, not daring to refute him.
As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar erupted within the grand hall.
After all, who wouldn’t be envious of the position of Sect Master among the Ten Great Immortal Sects? Even if it didn’t hold much real power, the status and benefits far surpassed those of ordinary sect disciples.
The crowd’s expressions varied, but Li Fan keenly noticed that Senior Brother Chu’s gaze swept over him in an almost imperceptible manner.
"Hmm? What does he mean by that?"
Although Li Fan indeed knew where to find a large quantity of Taiyuan Essence Gold, that knowledge came from his past life, outside the Fallen Immortal Realm, within the Time Mirage of the Five Elements Grand Cave Heaven.
It had nothing to do with Ji Zhaoxuan, the person he was now inhabiting.
What exactly did Senior Brother Chu know? Why did he specifically call him over?
Retracing the memories of this body's past, Li Fan found no close connection with Senior Brother Chu—at most, they were mere acquaintances who had exchanged nods.
Thus, he remained calm and composed, pretending not to notice the other’s gaze.
After the meeting concluded and he was on his way back to his own mountain residence—
Senior Brother Chu suddenly sent a voice transmission: "Junior Brother Ji, your Ji family should have quite a bit of Taiyuan Essence Gold, right?"
Li Fan was momentarily stunned. "What?"
Senior Brother Chu’s face showed a hint of dissatisfaction. "Junior Brother, don’t play dumb with me. Your Ji family is the most prestigious merchant chamber in the world. It’s said that you even possess half-immortal artifacts—so how could you possibly not have Taiyuan Essence Gold?"
As if a switch had been flipped, Li Fan’s mind was instantly flooded with memories of Ji Zhaoxuan’s past.
That was from when his original self was only five or six years old—
He had been sent away from his parents and placed in the Heavenly Sword Sect by his clan elders. He seemed to have been given some instructions back then, but over time, he had long since forgotten them.
If not for Senior Brother Chu’s words triggering these distant memories within this body, the possessed Li Fan might have remained completely unaware.
Connecting this to some of his own past peculiar actions, Li Fan suddenly realized the truth.
However, his expression remained unreadable, his face filled with confusion. "Ji family?"
After a brief pause, he reacted as if recalling something, a flash of anger and desolation appearing in his eyes.
With a cold voice, Li Fan said, "It has been many years since I’ve had any contact with them. Our ties have long been severed. Even if they do have Taiyuan Essence Gold, it has nothing to do with me."
Senior Brother Chu chuckled, speaking in a persuasive tone: "Junior Brother, don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. I know you have many grievances, but think about it—if you could gain the full support of the Ji family’s World Chamber of Commerce, wouldn’t you have a real chance at competing for the position of Sect Master?"
"Even though our Heavenly Sword Sect is preparing to break through the realm and leave, there will still be things left behind—such as the vast sect lands and the governance of numerous affiliated sects. Offering just a portion of those would be an enormous profit for the World Chamber of Commerce."
"A win-win situation—why not fight for it? Think it over carefully. If you’re interested, I can accompany you back home and act as a mediator."
Senior Brother Chu patted Li Fan’s shoulder, wearing a meaningful expression.
After Senior Brother Chu left, Li Fan recalled his words, a playful expression appearing on his face.
Thinking back, he remembered that the Ji family had sent many of their peers into different sects. Li Fan was almost certain that their years of no contact were just a diversion.
Ji Zhaoxuan was definitely a spy sent by the Ji family to infiltrate the Heavenly Sword Sect.
However, calling him a "spy" might not be entirely appropriate since the World Chamber of Commerce did not have any direct conflicts with the Heavenly Sword Sect.
"Merchants travel the world, and confidential information is crucial. The Ji family likely relies on such methods to stay informed about everything happening in the Xuanhuang Realm, allowing them to profit from it."
"In that case, the news about the Heavenly Sword Sect forging a World-Rifting Divine Weapon might not spread too widely. After all, merchants are naturally opportunistic and profit-driven."
"Taiyuan Essence Gold..."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
To end the Fallen Immortal Realm scenario, he needed to find the master of this remnant time-space and resolve his lingering obsession.
Based on the clues he had gathered so far, Ji Zhaoxuan seemed to be the target.
"What is his obsession?"
Li Fan calmed his mind and recalled the emotions attached to this body.
As he thought about the Ji family, he keenly detected deeply buried resentment and a thirst for revenge.
"Was he forced to leave home as a child, leading to resentment?"
"I should test this first."
His thoughts spun rapidly, and in an instant, he had already devised a plan to take revenge on the Ji family.
The next day, Li Fan contacted Senior Brother Chu again.
"Oh? Junior Brother Ji, you've finally come around?" The other party appeared quite excited.
Li Fan nodded.
"Now that's more like it! We're all family—there's no grudge that can't be resolved. I'll make the preparations right away and accompany you to the World Chamber of Commerce headquarters."
"If you succeed in becoming the sect master, don't forget about me!" Senior Brother Chu, who had been arrogant before, suddenly became fawning.
Not long after, using the search for Taiyuan Essence Gold as an excuse, the two of them left the Heavenly Sword Sect and set off for the Ji family.
To avoid suspicion, they even took a detour at Senior Brother Chu’s suggestion.
Half a month later, they finally arrived at their destination—
A city in the sky, entirely constructed from top-grade spirit stones.
It floated above a bustling market town. Cultivators and merchants moved about in an endless stream. Whenever they looked up at the sky city of spirit stones, their eyes inevitably filled with envy.
The marketplace was protected by a formation, preventing cultivators from flying. Additionally, an entry fee was required.
As soon as they stepped into the marketplace, they were met with an overwhelming surge of pure spiritual energy—far surpassing even that of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Senior Brother Chu couldn't help but exclaim, "As expected of the greatest Chamber of Commerce in the world—such magnificence!"
Leading Li Fan through countless shops, they finally arrived before a grand estate at the very center of the marketplace.
Above the entrance, a plaque bore four large characters: (Ji Family’s World Trade).
As Li Fan and Chu approached, a golden-robed Golden Core cultivator stationed at the gate stepped forward to block their path.
With a polite smile, he asked, "Do the two of you have an invitation?"
Senior Brother Chu snorted, "Invitation? You have no sense! Why would we need an invitation to return home?"
The golden-robed cultivator was momentarily stunned. He carefully examined Senior Brother Chu.
"Why are you looking at me? It's the person next to me!" Chu said impatiently, pointing at Li Fan.
Only then did the golden-robed cultivator shift his gaze.
Rather than becoming angry, he furrowed his brows as if deep in thought.
Moments later, his expression turned to one of shock.
"Please wait here for a moment."
With that, he hurriedly rushed inside the Ji estate.
Before long, a middle-aged cultivator with a square face emerged, leading a group of other cultivators...
As his gaze fell on Li Fan, the square-faced cultivator showed no change in expression.
"Zhao Xuan, why have you returned? Could it be that you violated sect rules and were expelled?" Instead of the joy of seeing a long-lost family member, his tone carried only reprimand.
Senior Brother Chu was about to smooth things over when Li Fan directly retorted, "And who might you be? I've been away from home too long—I don’t recall you."
The square-faced cultivator’s expression darkened. "Insolent child! Is that how you speak to your father?"
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, his expression unchanged. "Prove it."
The cultivator's face turned crimson in an instant.
The pressure emanating from him was like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
The cultivators following behind him—members of the Ji Clan—exchanged strange glances as they observed Li Fan.
However, Li Fan remained unfazed. He exhaled lightly, and immediately, hundreds of sword auras of different colors flashed and hovered around him.
Just as a fight was about to break out, Senior Brother Chu quickly interjected, "It's a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! Everyone, calm down!"
"I am Chu Zongyi, a core disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. This time, I was on a mission with Junior Brother Ji when we happened to pass through World Market. Since this is his hometown, we decided to stop by for a visit." He hurriedly explained.
Upon hearing this, Ji Zhaoxuan's father hesitated slightly. His gaze swept over the hundreds of sword auras surrounding Li Fan, a flicker of surprise appearing in his eyes.
Gradually, he withdrew his imposing presence and let out a cold snort. "Come in, then."
Only then did Chu Zongyi breathe a sigh of relief. Pulling Li Fan along, he followed him into the Ji Clan residence.
The path twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the estate until they reached an inner hall.
Ji Zhaoxuan's father took a seat at the head of the hall, dismissing the others before speaking in a solemn voice, "Speak. Why have you come here?"
Chu Zongyi was about to respond, but Li Fan stopped him.
"You’re not qualified. Let the Ancestor come." Li Fan said expressionlessly.
Returning to the Ji Clan seemed to stir up old memories buried in dust.
Li Fan knew that the man before him, Ji Shiwen—Ji Zhaoxuan’s father—was merely the overseer of World Market.
In the Ji Clan, he held little real power.
The true authority of the Ji Clan lay with their Ancestor, Ji Wangxian.
Decades ago, he had already reached the Dao Integration stage, establishing the World Chamber of Commerce with his own hands. His true cultivation level was unfathomable.
"You..." A trace of barely suppressed anger flashed in Ji Shiwen's eyes.
However, when his gaze met Li Fan’s emotionless, unyielding stare, an involuntary shiver ran down his spine.
After a long silence, he finally swallowed his anger.
"Wait here."
With a cold snort, he stomped his foot, turning into a streak of light that shot toward the Sky City of Spirit Stones.
"Junior Brother Ji, he is still your father. Doing this... isn’t it a bit much?" Chu Zongyi whispered.
Li Fan smiled. "Doesn’t this make us appear even more confident?"
Seeing Li Fan’s indifferent demeanor, Senior Brother Chu chuckled awkwardly and said nothing more.
While waiting, Li Fan noticed something—
The patterns in the hall seemed oddly familiar.
"Hmm? They resemble the Ten Thousand Arts Chamber of Commerce's emblem in reality... though there are slight differences."
Li Fan pondered silently.
"It seems there must be some connection between the two."
It wasn’t long before Ji Shiwen returned.
"Come with me." He said darkly.
Ji Shiwen took out a golden command flag and tossed it onto the ground.
In an instant, a formation appeared beneath the feet of the three individuals.
Chu Zongyi’s expression was filled with excitement, while Li Fan’s face remained unchanged.
As the formation’s light shone brightly, they transformed into streaks of light, soaring like meteors in reverse, traveling directly from the market to the sky city of spirit stones.
In just a few breaths, the three of them landed on the spirit stone-paved ground.
“Ugh...” The spiritual energy concentration in the sky city had reached an astonishing level, flooding into their bodies uncontrollably, causing their internal energy circulation to become obstructed. Chu Zongyi’s face turned purple, resembling a mortal choking and unable to breathe.
It was only when Li Fan forcefully slapped his back that he was able to recover.
“Cough, cough...” Even after stabilizing himself, Chu Zongyi continued to greedily absorb the pure spiritual energy around him, his face full of awe.
Ji Shiwen, who had been leading the way, flashed a look of pride upon witnessing this. However, when he noticed Li Fan’s completely indifferent expression, his face darkened instantly.
Passing through the city of spirit stones, Li Fan eventually arrived at a garden in the center, where he met the Ji Family’s ancestor.
Contrary to his expectations of an old, frail figure, Ji Wangxian appeared as a young man in his early twenties.
With shoulder-length hair, a handsome appearance, and eyes that shimmered like starlight, he exuded an extraordinary presence.
If not for Ji Shiwen respectfully bowing and addressing him as “Ancestor,” Li Fan and Chu Zongyi would have found it difficult to believe that this “young cultivator” was actually the legendary figure.
“So, you two are the ones who sought an audience with me?” Ji Wangxian asked softly.
Even without deliberately exerting pressure, the aura he naturally emitted made both Li Fan and Chu Zongyi feel an overwhelming weight on their hearts.
Chu Zongyi nodded repeatedly, preparing to explain the situation.
But before he could, Li Fan stopped him.
Looking at his own biological father, Li Fan said calmly, “Secrecy is the key to success. With this person here, it’s not appropriate to speak.”
Ji Shiwen was instantly enraged. “You ungrateful wretch—”
Before he could erupt completely, Ji Wangxian raised a hand to stop him.
With a light chuckle, Ji Wangxian said, “You’re quite an interesting little one. Shiwen, step back.”
Faced with the ancestor’s command, Ji Shiwen dared not disobey. Suppressing the murderous intent in his eyes, he lowered his head and stormed away in frustration.
“Well then, you may speak now.” Ji Wangxian’s smile faded.
Chu Zongyi felt a chill in his heart and immediately explained everything—how the Heavenly Sword Sect needed a large amount of Taiyuan Essence Gold to forge World-Rifting Divine Weapons, and how whoever resolved this matter would have a high chance of becoming the next Sect Master.
“Senior Ji, with the vast wealth of the World Chamber of Commerce, if you participate in this, securing the Sect Master position will be a sure thing. Once our Heavenly Sword Sect departs, all the fertile land within 90,000 miles of Heavenly Sword Mountain will be yours...” Chu Zongyi earnestly tried to persuade him.
But Ji Wangxian was entirely unmoved, contrary to expectations.
Instead, he sighed and said, “Everyone knows that the position of Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect is nothing but an empty title. The real power lies with Senior Brother Situ Yao.”
“Taiyuan Essence Gold is an extremely rare and invaluable resource. World-Rifting Divine Weapons...”
“Even with the financial resources of the World Chamber of Commerce, fulfilling the material requirements to forge such weapons would be an enormous sacrifice. And all we get in return is a hollow title...”
Ji Wangxian suddenly turned to Li Fan. “Your name... is Ji Zhaoxuan, correct? Since you left home, this should be your first time returning. After traveling all this way back, do you think this plan is feasible?”
Li Fan shook his head slightly. “It is not.”
Chu Zongyi was stunned. “Junior Brother Ji...”
Li Fan continued, “But... it’s worth a gamble.”
A spark of intrigue flashed in Ji Wangxian’s eyes before he burst into laughter. “Good! You do remind me of my younger self.”
"You're absolutely right! The uncertainty of this matter is too high, and the risks far outweigh the rewards. When the Heavenly Sword Sect washes its hands of the matter and walks away, we won’t even be able to find a debtor to hold accountable."
"But, it's still worth a gamble!"
"The foundations of the Ten Great Immortal Sects... If our World Chamber of Commerce can swallow them whole..." Ji Wangxian stood with his hands behind his back, turning his gaze to the distant horizon, his tone inexplicable.
In an instant, the situation took a dramatic turn.
Chu Zongyi, upon hearing this, was overjoyed.
With the Ancestor’s approval, everything that followed proceeded far more smoothly than Li Fan had expected.
Under the incredulous gaze of Ji Shiwen, Li Fan and Chu Zongyi returned with 3,000 jin of Taiyuan Essence Gold from the World Chamber of Commerce’s reserves.
Furthermore, Ji Wangxian declared that the World Chamber of Commerce would fully support Ji Zhaoxuan in his bid for the position of Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect by continuously purchasing Taiyuan Essence Gold.
His generosity was astonishing, and he did not ask Li Fan for any promises in return.
If Li Fan had not already known that this body had, at times, acted autonomously and lost control, he might have been deeply moved by this unconditional trust.
"It seems that the Ji family is quite confident in their ability to control the spies they've placed within the various sects." Li Fan sneered inwardly while contemplating ways to counteract them.
Upon returning to the Heavenly Sword Sect, Li Fan handed over the 3,000 jin of Taiyuan Essence Gold and assured them that there would be a continuous supply arriving in the future.
This immediately caused an uproar throughout the sect.
It was well known that, up until now, the disciples had managed to collect only a little over 1,000 jin—including the original sect reserves.
Yet Li Fan alone had acquired more than three times that amount.
After presenting several fine jars of wine he had brought back from the Ji family to Situ Yao, the Senior Brother of the Heavenly Sword Sect beamed with joy. He even publicly praised Li Fan as a role model for all junior disciples of the sect.
With Chu Zongyi’s efforts in spreading the word, news of Li Fan’s affiliation with the World Chamber of Commerce quickly spread.
Soon, Li Fan's residence was flooded with visitors—fellow disciples coming to pay respects and build connections.
Most cultivators in the Heavenly Sword Sect now viewed Li Fan as a strong contender for the position of the next Sect Master.
And as the World Chamber of Commerce continued to deliver more Taiyuan Essence Gold, the disciples only grew more convinced of their judgment.
At this critical juncture, however, Li Fan quietly paid a visit to the current Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect—Huo Yuzhu.
"Oh? Isn't this the pillar of our Heavenly Sword Sect, the designated successor to the Sect Master? What brings you here?" Huo Yuzhu greeted him with a smile, though a hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.
Li Fan remained composed and replied frankly: "I’ve come for the position of Sect Master."
Huo Yuzhu's expression darkened. "You insolent junior! Don't think that just because—"
"Does Sect Master Huo truly wish to hand over your position so easily? Even if it is merely a nominal title, the power that comes with it is still intoxicating, is it not?"
Hearing the hidden meaning in Li Fan’s words, Huo Yuzhu’s expression flickered between uncertainty and intrigue. "What exactly are you implying?"
"I know of a place that holds an enormous amount of Taiyuan Essence Gold—far more than what my Ji family can gather." Li Fan said solemnly.
"?" Huo Yuzhu scrutinized Li Fan in surprise, unable to grasp his true intent.
"I wish to exchange the position of Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect... for my complete freedom. Sect Master, are you willing to help me achieve that?" Li Fan asked with a smile.
“No wonder they say that merchants are never truly honest. That old fox Ji Wangxian clearly has ulterior motives.”
After listening to Li Fan’s explanation, Huo Yuzhu cursed under his breath.
Then, his expression softened slightly as he looked at Li Fan. “It seems I wrongly accused you.”
Li Fan was indifferent. “I was inexplicably placed under control. Does the Sect Master have any leads on this?”
After all, as the nominal leader of one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, his knowledge and experience were undoubtedly exceptional.
Huo Yuzhu pondered for a moment before answering, “I once heard that the entire Ji Clan—no, the entire World Chamber of Commerce—was created by Ji Wangxian for the sake of his cultivation.”
“Although Ji Wangxian has yet to break through to the Longevity Immortal realm, all of his contemporaries have essentially perished. Even those who are still alive are aged and decrepit. Yet he alone remains eternally youthful, looking as if he were still a young man.”
“This must be related to the cultivation technique he practices. No one, aside from himself, knows exactly what it is, but it is almost certain to involve bloodlines and desire.”
“I fear it’s not just you—perhaps every cultivator of the Ji Clan is under Ji Wangxian’s control,” Huo Yuzhu said darkly.
“Then does the Sect Master know of a way to break free?” Li Fan frowned.
Huo Yuzhu did not answer immediately. Instead, he paced back and forth in deep thought.
Li Fan remained patient, waiting silently.
After a long while, Huo Yuzhu finally stopped. With a wave of his hand, he cast multiple layers of restrictions, sealing the chamber’s space completely.
Only then did he whisper, “Our Heavenly Sword Sect possesses a secret art that mimics the process of forging a sword. It refines a cultivator’s soul and flesh into the Supreme Sword Body. If successful, the sword becomes the body, and the body becomes the sword, achieving the ultimate unity between man and blade.”
“The Supreme Sword Body repels all foreign energies. Ji Wangxian’s method of control would inevitably lose its effect.”
“However...”
Huo Yuzhu paused before continuing, “This technique is extremely dangerous. Throughout the history of our Heavenly Sword Sect, only a handful of cultivators have succeeded. Even our senior disciple, who was an unparalleled genius, failed and was left with lasting afflictions...”
Without hesitation, Li Fan said directly, “I am willing to give it a try.”
Huo Yuzhu nodded slightly, his eyes showing approval. “If you truly succeed in cultivating the Supreme Sword Body, then what harm is there in making you the next Sect Master of Heavenly Sword Sect?”
“In the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme. If I can reach the same level as Senior Brother Situ, then I wouldn’t care for the position of Sect Master,” Li Fan replied indifferently.
Huo Yuzhu was momentarily speechless.
Inside the sealed chamber, the two of them discussed the matter in detail and ultimately reached an agreement.
From then on, Li Fan would act openly, drawing the attention of the entire sect, while Huo Yuzhu would secretly travel to the Five Elements Sect.
As the Sect Master of Heavenly Sword Sect, Huo Yuzhu naturally had his own supporters. Just as in real history, persuading the Sect Master of Five Elements Sect to sell the Taiyuan Essence Gold shouldn’t be too difficult.
Furthermore, having already anticipated the possibility of spies from the World Chamber of Commerce within Five Elements Sect, Huo Yuzhu would be even more cautious this time, ensuring that no information leaked.
As expected, seven days later, Huo Yuzhu returned safely.
He exchanged no words with Li Fan, merely giving a glance that conveyed everything unspoken.
Time passed. With a sufficient supply of Taiyuan Essence Gold, the forging of the World-Rifting Divine Weapon progressed at a pace several times faster than expected.
By this point, Li Fan no longer needed to extract insights from the wooden sword left behind by Mr. Bai before infusing them into the sword embryo.
Now, he simply remained beside the sword, greedily absorbing its profound mysteries, and no one objected.
Just as Li Fan sensed that this Fallen Immortal Realm was nearing the end of its existence, the World-Rifting Divine Weapon, forged with the full strength of the sect, was finally completed.
The Ji Clan seemed to have learned of this through some unknown means and sent a team of cultivators, led by Ji Shiwen, under the pretense of offering congratulations.
In truth, they had come to claim the fruit of others' labor.
The massive World-Rifting Divine Weapon stood towering, its exterior resembling ordinary gray stone—unassuming in appearance.
However, Li Fan, who spent his days comprehending the sword, could vaguely sense a terrifying power emanating from it.
Situ Yao gathered the members of Heavenly Sword Sect at the back mountain.
“The divine weapon has been forged, and everyone's contributions have been invaluable.”
“As I promised, the one who contributed the most Taiyuan Essence Gold shall become the Sect Master of Heavenly Sword Sect.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Shiwen's face lit up with joy.
But the next words from Situ Yao made his expression twist in rage.
“According to the statistics from the Elders’ Council, Huo Yuzhu contributed a total of 86,912 catties of Taiyuan Essence Gold, the highest among everyone!”
“Therefore, the next Sect Master of Heavenly Sword Sect shall continue to be him!”
The scene fell into an instant silence.
“Impossible! There's no way someone contributed more than our Ji family...” Ji Shiwen's furious voice shattered the silence.
“Hm? Are you questioning me?” Situ Yao narrowed his eyes, gazing at Ji Shiwen.
Ji Shiwen immediately choked on his words.
“Well then, let me make you accept your loss wholeheartedly. Your Ji family contributed a total of 86,911 catties of Taiyuan Essence Gold—just one cattie short...” Situ Yao shook his head slightly, appearing as if he deeply regretted it.
Ji Shiwen's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. He pointed a trembling finger at Situ Yao, his whole body shaking with anger.
“This is outrageous! This is outright bullying! Do you not fear being ridiculed by the world for such actions?!”
Situ Yao's expression turned cold. “Ji brat, considering that you did contribute a significant amount of Taiyuan Essence Gold, I’ll overlook your earlier remarks. But if you continue to spout nonsense...”
He snorted coldly. Ji Shiwen shuddered and had to swallow back the words stuck in his throat.
Suddenly, as if realizing something, he abruptly turned to look at Li Fan.
Yet, to his surprise, Li Fan also wore a look of disbelief, his soul seemingly lost, as if he too was utterly confused.
Thus, the selection of the Sect Master came to a dramatic conclusion.
After seeing off the guests, Heavenly Sword Sect officially began its migration into the World-Rifting Divine Weapon.
Everything that could be taken was taken.
Even the spiritual fields outside the sect were dug up and transplanted in their entirety.
The World-Rifting Divine Weapon was said to be a world of its own, so there was no concern about space limitations.
However, under Situ Yao's orders, the wooden sword left behind by Mr. Bai and countless flying swords left behind by fallen elders in the Sword Tomb remained untouched.
His explanation was that the sword intent was too strong and could conflict with the World-Rifting Divine Weapon.
As for the true reason, only he knew.
Soon, the day of departure arrived.
The disciples transformed into streaks of sword light, entering the divine weapon in waves.
Situ Yao, however, stood there watching as several powerful presences rapidly approached.
He revealed a cold and confident smile.
“There’s no need for you all to see us off. The mess left behind in Xuanhuang Realm is yours to clean up. We, Heavenly Sword Sect, simply lack the ability to do so,” he said loudly.
“Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you—Ji Wangxian, that kid, is quite the schemer. He’s planted plenty of spies within our Ten Great Immortal Sects.”
As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward a rapidly approaching figure.
“Zhao Xuan!”
Ji Wangxian’s voice rang out from afar.
At the same time, as if beyond his control, Li Fan suddenly shot toward Situ Yao.
A strange, multicolored radiance surged from his body.
Just as he was about to reach Situ Yao, however, he abruptly stopped.
Turning his head, he cast a mocking smile at Ji Wangxian.
Ji Wangxian instantly understood everything, his face twisting in fury.
However, Situ Yao grabbed Li Fan and vanished into the World-Rifting Divine Weapon.
“Little Ji, thank you for sending us such a promising talent for Heavenly Sword Sect!”
Ji Wangxian's face was dark enough to drip water.
Raising his left hand, an endless stream of copper coins seemed to converge upon his palm.
Yet at that very moment, an incomparable burst of radiance erupted from the World-Rifting Divine Weapon.
The image of the copper coins instantly dissipated.
He could only watch helplessly as a sword light tore through the heavens.
That overwhelming, time-and-space-severing power forced even him to flee a thousand miles away to evade its might.
When the light finally faded, Heavenly Sword Sect and the World-Rifting Divine Weapon had vanished without a trace.
Inside the World-Rifting Divine Weapon.
Li Fan saw Ji Wangxian’s furious expression suddenly freeze. Not just him— the entire Xuanhuang Realm seemed to have fallen into a state of stillness.
A moment later, the scene accelerated, playing at hundreds or even thousands of times the normal speed.
Li Fan saw several figures arriving late and engaging in battle with Ji Wangxian. In the end, Ji Wangxian was forced to retreat in disgrace, seemingly suffering serious injuries.
Inside this body of "Ji Zhaoxuan," Li Fan suddenly felt his thoughts clear, his mind and body feeling inexplicably refreshed.
Then, he witnessed the impact of the World-Rifting Divine Weapon tearing through the Xuanhuang Realm. The once spirit-rich and cultivator-friendly Heavenly Sword Mountain had become a perilous place. Thunder and storms raged, and black spatial rifts would occasionally split through the sky— eerily similar to the chaotic rift-vortex Li Fan had encountered in the real world.
And then...
Li Fan vaguely saw a white-robed figure standing alone before the ruins of the World-Rift, silently gazing ahead. With a gentle wave of his hand, the devastation suddenly calmed, the anomalies gradually fading, and space slowly stabilizing.
After finishing this, Mister Bai did not linger and swiftly disappeared.
The images then changed even faster.
Various sects sent their cultivators to seize control of the Heavenly Sword Sect’s territory. None were willing to back down, leading to a full-scale war.
A great calamity descended, and countless cultivators slaughtered each other.
The skies darkened, the land was littered with corpses, and for a long time, no living souls could be seen.
...
"These..."
"Are these scenes of the future?" After the images twisted into an unrecognizable mess, Li Fan turned to Situ Yao in a daze and asked.
Situ Yao continued staring intently at the images beyond the divine weapon. After a while, he finally looked away.
Raising his wine gourd, he took a long swig before replying, "Not the future— this is the present."
Li Fan's eyes narrowed.
The scene outside had turned completely dark, as if a lost traveler had stepped into an eternal night. The Heavenly Sword Sect now faced an entirely unknown fate.
"Senior Brother, can we truly succeed in rending the realm apart?" In the darkness, a lurking sense of dread and unease rose within Li Fan, compelling him to ask.
Situ Yao took another swig before answering, "Who knows? After all, we’re probably the first ones to try escaping from the Xuanhuang Realm."
"If we fail, we’ll just die. Staying behind wouldn’t be much better— we’d probably die sooner or later anyway."
As if in response to Situ Yao’s words, the World-Rifting Divine Weapon suddenly dimmed.
Then, it froze completely.
Like a shattered mirror, it splintered into countless fragments.
Back in the distorted space, Li Fan gazed at the three now-dim orbs of light ahead of him, lost in thought.
"One breath inside the World-Rifting Divine Weapon equals decades or even centuries outside. It’s similar to the Immortal Ruins. Indeed, only a force capable of distorting time and space could break free from the Immortal Ruins’ constraints."
After pondering for a long time, Li Fan finally returned to the real world.
Having fulfilled Ji Zhaoxuan’s final wish, he should have gained some kind of reward.
However, after checking, he was a bit surprised.
It wasn’t Ji Zhaoxuan’s "Breath-Exhaling Sword Technique," but rather— a pile of sword embryo essence stones.
Li Fan’s expression grew strange as he counted— there were exactly 326 pieces.
Casually taking one in hand, he felt a sudden surge of insights about the Dao of the Sword flooding into his mind.
Even stranger, he felt a faint sense of familiarity— as if he had once wielded this knowledge before.
"These should be the Sword Embryo Primal Stones that Ji Zhaoxuan once absorbed in real history. They contain the true essence of swordsmanship from the [Sword]. For sword cultivators, they might be quite valuable. But for me, they are of little use."
"With Xu Bai, that human-shaped Dao comprehension machine, just give him an ordinary wooden sword, and he will comprehend everything on his own. It would just take some time, that’s all."
"On the other hand, the material of these Primal Stones is quite good. They could be used as forging materials for World-Rifting Divine Weapons or to reinforce the Xuanhuang True Cauldron, so that when we break into the Immortal Ruins in the future, it will last a little longer."
Li Fan kept half of them and threw the remaining hundred or so to Fang Zaiji.
Fang Zaiji was fully immersed in researching the [Endstone Plate] at the moment, carefully directing Jiang Yushan and Liu San as they cautiously cut into the stone disc. He casually stored the Sword Embryo Primal Stones away without paying much attention to them.
Li Fan observed for a while but did not interfere.
He then returned to the secret chamber.
"The rewards gained in the Fallen Immortal Realm are closely tied to resolving one's obsessions. These Sword Embryo Primal Stones, in the context of the [Heavenly Sword Sect's Divine Forging] scenario, are quite ordinary. It seems that the owner of the obsession maintaining that time-space fragment is not Ji Zhaoxuan."
However, Li Fan already had some suspicions in his mind. He pondered for a moment before setting the matter aside.
He took out two relics of Huangfu Song—the [Dissociation Disc] and the [Heaven-Measuring Mirror].
First, he examined the Heaven-Measuring Mirror.
It had already turned into an ordinary mirror, completely unresponsive no matter how he tried to probe it with his divine sense.
"No wonder, even though Huangfu Song borrowed it from Ji Hongdao, when we went to the Universal Courtyard to inform them of Huangfu Song's death, they didn't request to reclaim it. It should be the same as the Tianxuan Branch Mirrors across various prefecture—once its bestowed power is withdrawn, it loses all its mystical properties."
Li Fan played with it in his hand for a while, feeling a slight sense of regret.
He then turned his attention to the [Dissociation Disc].
Compared to when it was first exchanged, the light of the Dissociation Disc in his hand seemed slightly dimmer.
The difference was subtle—if one didn’t observe carefully, it would be easy to overlook.
But Li Fan knew this was because the other eight Dissociation Discs had already begun their process of iteration and evolution.
As for his own...
No, rather, as for Huangfu Song’s Disc, it was still in its initial state, with its abilities gradually being absorbed by the others.
"Huangfu, oh Huangfu... It’s not that I didn’t preserve it for you—it’s disappearing on its own. You can't blame me for that."
Muttering to himself, Li Fan held the Dissociation Disc in his palm.
In an instant, the Dao Deviation Stone in his mind radiated a brilliant blue light, and countless foundational formation patterns were inscribed into the Dissociation Disc.
Under normal circumstances, cultivating the Disc required a cultivator to first outline the basic framework of the formation in their mind and then infuse it with divine sense. Basic formations could be completed in an instant by an Formation Master and were not much trouble.
However, as the formations became increasingly complex, the effort and time required would also grow exponentially.
Yet, thanks to the secret technique of the [Transformation of the Divine Dao], Li Fan had no such concerns.
Since he started learning formations under Zhang Zhiliang, all the countless formations he had encountered were meticulously stored in the Dao Deviation Stone. There was no need for him to recall or outline them manually—he could simply access them at will.
At first, this advantage was not particularly obvious.
But as the Dissociation Disc evolved and required increasingly complex formations, the difference would become more and more apparent.
Of course, anyone capable of exchanging for a Dissociation Disc in this world was already a dragon among men.
The remaining eight individuals must have their own secret techniques as well.
Li Fan would not underestimate any of them.
Aside from the Transformation of the Divine Dao technique, he had other cards up his sleeve.
In his mind, Li Fan couldn't help but recall the detailed explanation that Master Hongdao had given in his past life about the Dissociation Disc.
"The more formation data the Dissociation Disc absorbs, the stronger its ability to break formations becomes. Likewise, its capacity for deduction and iteration also grows exponentially. It’s unimaginable what heights it may reach in the future."
"Who’s to say that, in your hands, the Dissociation Disc won’t evolve into a second Tianxuan Mirror?"
...
For the Dissociation Disc to complete its transformation, it required fuel—in the form of various formations. Li Fan had immersed himself in formation techniques across multiple lifetimes. While he might not rank among the top formation masters in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, his breadth of knowledge was second to none.
Zhang Zhiliang’s [Infinite Law], He Zhenghao’s [Hundred Veins of Mountains and Rivers Formation], the Medicine King Sect’s [Great Dream of Spring and Autumn Formation]...
Even the [Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation], which had yet to appear in this era, or the [Life-and-Death Reversal Grand Formation] from the mysterious zone of life and death—legendary formations of unparalleled power.
Li Fan was intimately familiar with them all.
If he had to personally set up these formations, he might find himself somewhat lacking. However, if it was only about virtual deduction and calculation, there would be no difficulty whatsoever.
In the competition of the Nine Discs, obtaining the complete Dissociation Disc was not Li Fan’s sole goal—it was also a test.
A test to determine whether the Dissociation Disc, as a secondary entity derived from the Tianxuan Mirror, still maintained a connection to its original form.
His method of testing was simple—the [Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation].
This formation had been the very foundation upon which the Mysterious Net was built in his past life. If the Dissociation Disc shared a connection with the Tianxuan Mirror, then the mirror should be able to perceive the state of its derivative entity. By infusing the Dissociation Disc with the data of the Spirit-Locking Formation, Li Fan expected that forces within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance loyal to the Tianxuan Mirror would take immediate notice.
If that happened, they would surely track down the Dissociation Disc's location.
On the other hand, if the Dissociation Disc completed its transformation without causing any disturbances, it would confirm the claim that secondary entities were completely severed from the Tianxuan Mirror upon separation and could be regarded as independent beings. At least, the Dissociation Disc would be.
"It may be risky, but it's worth a try."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, his pupils reflecting countless swiftly changing formations.
The Dissociation Disc in his hand glowed faintly, responding to his calculations.
Meanwhile, in Tianliang Prefecture, Xu Bai was facing an unexpected predicament.
Since taking on the role of Communication Envoy, he had handled the placement of the influential clans’ descendants from other prefectures into various non-critical positions within Tianliang Prefecture. His management had been smooth, keeping all parties satisfied.
However, just recently, a cultivator named Guan Changge, hailing from Tianyu Prefecture, had gone missing.
In these times, death was not as alarming as disappearance.
If one died, the Rebirth Mansion ensured that they could be reborn in eighteen years. But if someone went missing...
The possibilities were endless.
Xu Bai was acquainted with Guan Changge’s elder—a powerful figure named Guan Xingxiu, the Commander of the Tianyu Prefecture Garrison Institute. A man of his status would normally not personally intervene in such matters; at most, he would send subordinates to inquire.
Yet, Guan Xingxiu had personally come to Tianliang Prefecture, and his demeanor suggested he was ready to demand accountability.
This clearly indicated that something unusual was at play.
The newly appointed City Lord of Tianliang, Nangong Shiyong, had solemnly promised to give Guan Xingxiu a satisfactory explanation.
After temporarily appeasing Guan Xingxiu, Nangong Shiyong immediately turned to Xu Bai and assigned him the task.
In a secret chamber, his expression was serious.
"This matter seems suspicious. We had only just received the report, and yet, Guan Xingxiu arrived almost immediately, as if he had already known in advance..."
"This is most likely aimed at us. Investigate the situation first. I will head to the Immortal Alliance Headquarters. If you uncover anything significant, do not act rashly. Wait for my return."
With those instructions, Nangong Shiyong departed in haste.
Xu Bai, now tasked with the investigation, set aside his other duties and proceeded to the last known location of Guan Changge.
Tianliang Prefecture, Wuliang Mountain.
"Guan Changge disappeared right here, right before your eyes?" Xu Bai asked while scanning the mountain with his spiritual sense.
The three cultivators accompanying him nodded repeatedly, looking deeply anxious.
One of them explained, "We've heard that strange phenomena sometimes appear on the Boundless Wall of Wuliang Mountain, much like the Mortal Ascension to God Wall. So, we decided to come and observe it. However, just as we arrived and were trying to locate the exact position of the Boundless Wall, Brother Guan suddenly vanished."
Another added, "At first, we thought he had left due to some urgent matter, so we didn’t think much of it. But after we finished observing the spectacle of the Boundless Wall and returned to Tianliang City, we still couldn’t reach Brother Guan. That’s when we realized something was wrong."
"Not only did we fail to reach him via talisman communication, but even when I attempted a divination using objects he left in my care, I couldn’t get any results." said the last cultivator, Fu Xingchi.
Xu Bai flew above Wuliang Mountain, scanning the area but sensing no abnormalities.
Given his close connection with Heavenly Dao, if there were something wrong with this location, he should have been able to perceive it.
It seemed unlikely that the problem lay with Wuliang Mountain itself...
Wait.
Xu Bai suddenly thought of something and asked, “Where exactly is this so-called Boundless Wall?”
Fu Xingchi was momentarily stunned before pointing toward a canyon below. “It’s at the bottom of the mountain.”
“Take me there,” Xu Bai said in a deep voice.
The three others didn’t understand his urgency, but knowing this matter was of great importance, they dared not refuse.
Leading Xu Bai, they arrived before the Boundless Wall.
Originally, the mountain was covered with scattered rocks and vegetation, but as they neared the bottom, the surface suddenly became smooth as a mirror.
Even the mountain streams reflected clearly upon it.
Xu Bai gazed at the massive mirror-like rock face, which was approximately three hundred zhang (around 1,000 meters) in length and over fifty zhang (about 170 meters) in height. He saw his own reflection within it.
When he reached out to touch it, it was as cold as jade.
“At the time, did you witness the so-called phenomenon?” Xu Bai asked.
Fu Xingchi nodded. “The manifestations of the Boundless Wall do not appear at fixed intervals. Sometimes, they occur multiple times in a single day; other times, it can go years without appearing. It all depends on one’s fate.”
“We were quite lucky last time—we saw the image of a cultivator practicing swordsmanship within it. Though the sword moves were slow, they seemed to contain supreme sword techniques. Our minds were completely captivated by it, unable to pull away.”
“Can you recreate what you saw?”
“I can.”
With that, Fu Xingchi retrieved a brush and began drawing in the air.
Moments later, just like a water-mirror technique recording the scene, a vivid depiction of the cultivator practicing swordsmanship appeared before everyone.
“Brother Fu, your brushwork is truly extraordinary—it looks exactly as I remember it,” one of the other cultivators praised.
Xu Bai stared at the swordplay scene for a long time before suddenly asking, “Does Guan Changge know swordsmanship?”
Fu Xingchi was stunned on the spot.
He quickly responded, “Are you suspecting that the figure appearing in the Boundless Wall was Brother Guan?”
“That’s impossible. Brother Guan cultivates the Dao of Music—he doesn’t know swordsmanship,” Fu Xingchi firmly denied.
“I’ve heard that Brother Changge deeply admires Senior Guan Xingxiu. He often laments that he cannot wield sword techniques as earth-shattering and divine as Senior Guan,” another cultivator suddenly recalled.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell into silence.
Unconsciously, they all turned toward the Boundless Wall, an unsettling chill rising in their hearts.
Xu Bai was the first to break the heavy silence. “For now, this is just speculation without concrete proof. Temporarily seal off Wuliang Mountain and prevent anyone from approaching. I need to return and check if similar incidents have occurred before.”
Fu Xingchi and the other two cultivators wore grave expressions but nodded in understanding.
Xu Bai hurried back to Tianliang City and requested access to past records.
Sure enough, he found something suspicious.
Over the past century, there had been occasional reports of cultivators mysteriously vanishing.
However, they were all wandering cultivators without strong backgrounds.
After their disappearances, only their close companions would report the incidents to the Immortal Alliance.
The path of cultivation is fraught with dangers, and life and death are unpredictable.
Investigations had ruled out Five Elders Association spies, but without any useful leads, the cases were ultimately left unresolved.
And so, the Boundless Wall had silently swallowed countless nameless cultivators over the years—yet no one had ever noticed.
Until now.
TL:- The term "Wuliang" also translates to "Boundless," but to avoid confusion with "Boundless Wall" and keep the flow natural, I’ve opted to leave it as "Wuliang Mountain." Otherwise, we’d end up with a bit too much "boundless" bouncing around—Boundless Mountain, Boundless Wall—and that might feel repetitive. Hope that keeps it clear and easy to read!
After roughly understanding the cause of the incident, Xu Bai did not rush to make a fuss. Instead, he first informed the Tianliang Prefecture Garrison to temporarily seal off Wuliang Mountain and detain Fu Xingchi and his two companions. He then held his position and patiently awaited the return of Tianliang City Lord, Nangong Shirong.
Since Nangong had specifically instructed him before leaving, as a subordinate, it was his duty to comply.
Moreover...
For years, the Boundless Wall had been swallowing cultivators, causing numerous disappearances. Strictly speaking, Li Fan, could not be entirely absolved of responsibility.
After all, before becoming the City Lord of Tianliang, Nangong Shirong had served as the commander of the Tianliang Prefecture Garrison. For such a significant matter to have occurred within his jurisdiction without his awareness...
If someone were to accuse him, no matter what, he would undoubtedly be charged with dereliction of duty. Nangong Shirong had not been in office for long, and his foundation was still unstable. His rise to power had been built upon stepping over Xiang Rongxin, which had already earned him many enemies. If he were to make even a single misstep and reveal a weakness, it could incite a collective attack against him. In that case, before he could even settle into his position, he might be forced out.
As a trusted confidant, Xu Bai naturally had to share his lord’s burdens.
After secretly backing up records of the past disappearance cases, Xu Bai headed to the Bureau of Governance to receive Guan Xingshu, who had once again come to demand answers.
Unlike his previous life when Xu Bai had met him in Lanlin Prefecture, where he had appeared indifferent and lazy, Guan Xingshu now radiated an aura as sharp as an unsheathed sword, making no effort to conceal his edge.
“I greet Senior Guan.” Xu Bai cupped his hands and bowed.
“Any news on Changge’s whereabouts?” Guan Xingshu narrowed his eyes as he examined Xu Bai. His previously aggressive tone softened slightly.
“We have found some clues. I believe we will have an answer for you soon.” Xu Bai replied calmly, neither humble nor overbearing.
“With such inefficiency, had this been in Tianyu Prefecture, you would have been dismissed and investigated long ago.” Guan Xingshu snorted coldly.
Xu Bai lowered his head without responding.
“I’ll give you seven more days. If there is still no definitive result by then...”
A golden flying sword suddenly shot out and hovered above the Bureau of Governance.
“Don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Guan Xingshu’s voice turned icy as his figure gradually faded.
All that remained was the golden sword, exuding a chilling killing intent.
"The Falling Star Divine Sword..."
The sheer presence of its killing intent was so tangible that it pricked Xu Bai’s skin, forcing him to step back. Looking up at the golden flying sword, he seemed to witness a scene of the sword soaring through the sky, causing countless stars to fall.
He was no stranger to this sword.
In his previous life, when he and Huangfu Song traveled to Lanlin Province to establish the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation, they had specifically invited Guan Xingshu’s Falling Star Divine Sword to suppress the defiant local cultivators. At the time, even though Guan Xingshu had already fallen to the Soul Transformation realm, with this golden sword, he had swept through all obstacles. Even Dao Integration cultivators had to avoid its edge.
This alone was enough to prove the extraordinary nature of the Falling Star Divine Sword.
Now, as Xu Bai gazed at the golden flying sword, he did not feel anger but rather focused on studying it carefully.
"This sword is no weaker than the elders of the Heavenly Sword Sect. No wonder Guan Changge holds such admiration for it."
Feeling the sword’s unparalleled sharpness, carrying the intent to cleave all in its path, Xu Bai became fully immersed in its aura.
He was only brought back to reality by the furious yet apprehensive voice of Nangong Shirong.
"That old bastard! This is too much! If only I could defeat him..."
Xu Bai pretended not to hear the latter part of the complaint and cupped his hands.
"My lord, you have returned."
“No wonder Old Guan was in such a hurry. As soon as Guan Changge got into trouble, he rushed over to hold someone accountable. So it turns out that Guan Changge is the son of his old lover.” Nangong Shirong waved his hand, signaling Xu Bai not to be overly formal. Then, he sat down heavily and said with a hint of schadenfreude.
“So, Guan Changge is Guan Xingshou’s illegitimate son?” Xu Bai suddenly realized.
However, Nangong Shirong’s next words caught him off guard: “No. There’s no actual blood relationship between them. It’s just the same old tragic love story—one of unfulfilled affections. Old Guan may appear ruthless and merciless, but deep down, he’s a hopeless romantic. Even though his old lover had long since married someone else, he never forgot her. He even extended his care to her son, treating him with deep concern.”
“If it weren’t for my visit to Lord Jicheng, I wouldn’t have known about this at all,” Nangong Shirong said with a half-smile.
Xu Bai simply listened quietly, his face showing no unusual expression. The banter between Dao Integration-level Immortal Sages was not something a small Nascent Soul cultivator like him could interfere in.
"Immortal Sage Jicheng, the Chief Marshal of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s Defense Division. In the previous era, he perished prematurely due to a curse after the great war with the Five Elders Association. Yet in this lifetime, he’s still alive and well, holding great power over the Defense Division. Judging from Nangong Shirong’s tone, his connection with Jicheng seems quite deep," Xu Bai thought to himself.
"When that old bastard Guan Xingshou loses his temper, few people can stop him. Not even for Lord Jicheng’s sake. We need to get rid of him quickly. How’s the investigation into Guan Changge’s disappearance?" After muttering to himself for a while, Nangong Shirong finally asked.
Xu Bai then gave a detailed report on his findings regarding the past disappearances of cultivators in Tianliang Prefecture.
“The Boundless Wall?” Nangong Shirong’s eyes flashed with surprise as if something had come to mind.
“Besides you, who else knows about this?” he asked quickly.
“I have not spoken of it. I was waiting for your return,” Xu Bai responded decisively.
Nangong Shirong was very satisfied. “Good. The previous disappearances—just pretend they never happened. It was merely an isolated case! We can’t allow others to make baseless connections.”
“Next, you’ll come with me to the Boundless Wall. Let’s see if we can rescue that brat, Guan Changge,” Nangong Shirong commanded.
“I obey!”
Without gathering too many people, Nangong Shirong led only Xu Bai and three other trusted Nascent Soul cultivators to the foot of Wuliang Mountain.
At that moment, the smooth mountain surface showed no unusual images.
They did not get too close but observed from a distance.
“I came here once before, back when I was a Nascent Soul cultivator. I had quite the encounter at the time.”
Seeming to have fallen into old memories, Nangong Shirong’s gaze became dazed. After a long while, he spoke in a slow voice.
The other three Nascent Soul cultivators remained silent, but Xu Bai, with a trace of surprise in his voice, asked, “Could it be that, my lord, you once saw an anomaly on the Boundless Wall?”
Nangong Shirong chuckled. “Not just saw it—I was once trapped inside the Boundless Wall.”
“But I broke out quickly, so I thought it was just an illusion from my Dao enlightenment. Over the years, I never heard of anyone else experiencing the same thing, so I gradually forgot about it.”
"Only when I heard you mention that Guan Changge might have been swallowed by the Boundless Wall did I remember," Nangong Shirong said with a sigh.
"Since my lord has once entered the Boundless Wall and broken through it, then rescuing Guan Changge should be an easy task, right?" One of the accompanying cultivators, Yan Yiqiu, immediately flattered.
Nangong Shirong's expression darkened. "I wouldn't be so sure. Whether it works or not depends on that kid’s luck."
Realizing his mistake in excessive flattery, Yan Yiqiu's face fell, and he quickly lowered his head.
At this moment, Xu Bai interjected, "My lord, what exactly is so special about the Boundless Wall?"
Nangong Shirong looked at Xu Bai, who was filled with curiosity, and after a moment of contemplation, he explained, "I cannot be certain, but based on my experience, I can speculate. The Boundless Wall might be a natural place for enlightenment. When visions appear upon its surface, there is a chance that nearby cultivators will be drawn into it."
"Inside the Boundless Wall..." Nangong Shirong narrowed his eyes. "It is as if the [Spirit Awakening] function of the Tianxuan Mirror has been activated. No, it surpasses [Spirit Awakening] by several times. The moment a thought arises, countless insights flood in. That kind of joy, the thrill of effortless understanding—I can still recall it vividly."
"But there is a downside. This heightened comprehension ability seems to apply only to the specific Dao that you are most obsessed with. At that time, I was entirely fixated on comprehending..."
Nangong Shirong paused, skipping over the details of his own cultivation before continuing, "I was already one step away from my breakthrough. With the amplified enlightenment, it didn’t take long before I achieved realization. Naturally, I then broke through the wall and emerged."
Xu Bai glanced at the Boundless Wall, connecting it to the clues he had gathered before, and mused, "It is said that Guan Changge deeply admires Guan Xingshu and reveres Senior Guan’s swordsmanship. Yet, he himself lacks the talent for sword cultivation..."
"If even with the Boundless Wall’s enlightenment boost, he still needs ten years or more, then it’s no wonder he has gone missing."
"Moreover, the cultivators who accompanied Guan Changge claimed that the visions they saw on the Boundless Wall depicted swordsmanship. This aligns with your lordship’s speculation..."
Xu Bai shared his deductions all at once but attributed them solely to Nangong Shirong's theory.
Nangong Shirong neither confirmed nor denied it.
After a while, he added, "The flow of time inside and outside the Boundless Wall may not be the same. Furthermore, if one remains inside too long, even if they attain enlightenment, they may still be unable to leave."
"So if we are to save Guan Changge, we must act quickly."
At this, Yan Yiqiu spoke up, "Then, my lord, how do we enter the Boundless Wall?"
Nangong Shirong turned his head, his expression darkening. "Are you asking me?"
"I wouldn't dare!" Yan Yiqiu hurriedly explained.
Nangong Shirong let out a cold snort. "If I knew, why would I have brought you all here?"
Yan Yiqiu inwardly cursed himself, wishing he could slap himself for his foolishness.
Meanwhile, before Nangong Shirong could finish speaking, Xu Bai had already flown back down to the Boundless Wall.
He pondered to himself, "Since this is not some eerie anomaly but a natural place of enlightenment, then with this body’s high affinity to the Heavenly Dao, I should be able to sense something."
After observing for a long time, he still could not detect anything unusual.
After some thought, Xu Bai reached out both hands and touched the wall.
Closing his eyes, he remained motionless for a long time.
Under Nangong Shirong’s gaze, Yan Yiqiu and the other three followed Xu Bai’s example, placing their hands on the Boundless Wall to explore it.
Before the luminous surface of the wall, it was as if four stone statues had suddenly appeared.
As Xu Bai persisted in his efforts to sense his surroundings, the once-solid wall ahead seemed to gradually soften.
His body also became supple, as if slowly merging into the wall itself.
After a brief hesitation, Xu Bai did not resist.
Instead, he allowed the Boundless Wall to swallow his body.
In an instant, amidst the astonished cries of Yan Yiqiu and the others, Xu Bai vanished without a trace.
Nangong Shirong, however, remained fixated on the spot where Xu Bai had disappeared, his eyes flashing with an unreadable expression.
Since he had already learned the secrets of the Boundless Wall from Nangong Shirong beforehand, Xu Bai's first thought upon entering was, "How can I move the Boundless Wall?"
He had not seriously expected this to be possible, so when countless thoughts surged into his mind involuntarily, he was somewhat surprised.
However, it was clear that he had wasted this rare opportunity for enlightenment.
According to the Boundless Wall’s own response, moving it without disrupting its enlightenment function...
was simply impossible.
The birth of the Boundless Wall was purely a chance occurrence. Even the heavens and earth themselves could not easily replicate it.
Xu Bai felt a slight sense of regret, but he quickly regained his composure.
Having completed an enlightenment session, he was not immediately expelled by the Boundless Wall. Instead, he began searching for Guan Changge’s whereabouts.
The scenery inside this space resembled that of the Root of Heaven and Earth, where a cultivator’s body was represented by abstract, distorted lines. However, unlike the orderly, singular lines of the Root of Heaven and Earth, the lines here shimmered with dazzling colors, swaying like seaweed drifting in water.
Xu Bai keenly noticed that, as time passed, some of the lines that formed his body were slowly dissolving, merging with the Boundless Wall.
Occasionally, he would see vague silhouettes devoid of vitality, with only their outer contours remaining. These seemed to be the remnants of cultivators who had mistakenly entered the Boundless Wall but never left, becoming one with this space.
Moving swiftly through the Boundless Wall, Xu Bai soon located Guan Changge, guided by the intermittent fluctuations in the surroundings.
At this moment, Guan Changge’s body had already shrunk to the size of a seven- or eight-year-old child, though he remained completely unaware of it. He clumsily swung a few sparse lines in his hand, which represented a sword.
“Guan Changge!” Xu Bai attempted to call out, trying to awaken him.
However, in the Boundless Wall, sound did not exist. Some of the lines from Xu Bai’s body seemed to flow away and disappear into the surroundings, yet they failed to catch Guan Changge’s attention.
Without hesitation, Xu Bai flew directly to his side and seized the sword from his hands.
Then, without another word, he willed his mind to take Guan Changge and leave.
But at the last moment, the part of Guan Changge that Xu Bai was holding actively detached from his body.
Startled, Xu Bai looked at him, only to see Guan Changge meeting his gaze before shaking his head slightly.
His already shrunken body contracted even further, yet a new sword emerged in his hands. His expression was one of obsession and determination as he continued to swing it.
“At dawn, the Dao I comprehend, By dusk, my life may gladly end.”
Xu Bai felt a slight stir in his heart.
After a brief silence, he no longer forced the matter.
Holding onto a part of Guan Changge, he broke through the Boundless Wall and departed.
"So, this is why he became a fool?"
Nangong Shirong looked at Guan Changge, who had reappeared but now resembled a dull-witted child, constantly grinning foolishly. His expression turned somewhat strange as he asked.
"That's right." Xu Bai nodded. "Most of his divine consciousness is immersed in comprehending the Sword Dao and refuses to return. There’s nothing I can do about it..."
"Cough, cough..." Xu Bai couldn't help but cough.
Having part of his body devoured by the Boundless Wall, he could clearly feel a certain weakness overcoming him, as if his vital energy and spirit had been extracted, leaving him with an overall sense of incompleteness.
"This seems somewhat similar to my [Thread Extraction] divine ability, but while Thread Extraction leans more toward bodily disintegration, this one feels like a part of the body is being cut away..."
In an instant, Xu Bai was once again lost in comprehending divine abilities, momentarily dazed.
Thinking he was still suffering from severe injuries within the Boundless Wall, Nangong Shirong reassured him, "It's fine. You've done your best. If that kid refuses to come back on his own, there's nothing we can do."
"Besides, as long as we return with his intact body, it will be enough to explain things to Old Guan. Now, go and rest. Leave the rest to me. I’d like to see whether Guan Xingshu will still cherish this foolish and dazed son of his." After instructing Xu Bai to rest, Nangong Shirong let out a cold laugh.
Xu Bai accepted the order and retreated, yet his mind remained deeply immersed in comprehending divine abilities.
The others assumed it was merely because of his injuries and paid no further attention to it.
Ten Days Later, in Tianliang City
Xu Bai suddenly woke from his epiphany, his eyes flashing with a sharp glint as he looked toward a bird soaring past outside his window.
With no warning at all, the bird—locked under Xu Bai’s gaze—suddenly lost control and plummeted from the sky.
It flapped its wings frantically, barely managing to stabilize itself midair, but its flight was noticeably slower than before.
Xu Bai withdrew his gaze, satisfied.
"To silently sever a living being’s life force... Compared to Thread Extraction, this technique is far more concealed. It can be cast instantly, making it nearly undetectable. Others would simply feel their body inexplicably weaken."
"And if combined with [Thread Extraction], attacking both internally and externally... it could instantly erase someone from existence."
"Together, these two techniques shall be called [Extracting Threads, Cutting Life]."
...
Xu Bai let out a long breath and slowly rose to his feet.
The saying goes: One who wields a sharp weapon is bound to harbor the intent to kill.
With his divine abilities advancing to a new level, a fleeting thought arose in Xu Bai’s mind—he wanted to find someone to test it on.
But before he could act on the impulse, the desire dissipated on its own.
His gaze sharpened as he noticed something unusual.
This clone of his had not cultivated the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra. If his true body had given rise to such thoughts, it would have taken considerable effort to suppress them.
But now...
Xu Bai recalled the sight of Guan Changge, willing to face death in pursuit of enlightenment within the Boundless Wall. Strangely, he felt a sense of pity and admiration—emotions that his true self would never have.
With Li Fan’s temperament, he would have simply dismissed it as Guan Changge seeking his own demise, a fool who didn’t know his limits.
"Is this the influence of this physical body?"
Xu Bai narrowed his eyes.
"Enjoying the benefits of a peerless comprehension ability... but also bearing the burden of a shifting temperament."
"Xu Ke... Mister Bai..."
The main body carried the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, but the clone did not pay much attention to this detail.
After leaving the resting courtyard and inquiring about the follow-up to Guan Changge’s disappearance, Xu Bai noticed something unusual.
Since Nangong Shirong had successfully brought the person before them, Guan Xingshou could no longer use this matter as an excuse to make trouble.
However, what Guan Xingshou did next shocked everyone in Tianliang Prefecture, who had originally been prepared to watch the drama unfold.
Right in front of Nangong Shirong and the gathered cultivators, Guan Xingshou summoned the Falling Star Divine Sword and directly executed the foolishly muttering, drooling Guan Changge.
"Such disgraceful behavior utterly tarnishes your mother’s reputation. Better to die early—eighteen years later, I will seek you out again."
Before striking, Guan Xingshou spoke these words with absolute indifference.
Golden sword energy surged, leaving nothing behind—not even a trace of flesh or blood. Guan Changge was reduced to ashes on the spot.
The cultivators of Tianliang Prefecture were astounded by Guan Xingshou’s ruthless decisiveness.
Even Nangong Shirong’s expression turned stiff as he offered words of condolence.
Yet Guan Xingshou gave him no face at all, cutting through the void and leaving immediately.
Although Nangong Shirong’s face showed some displeasure, he ultimately sighed in relief—at least the bringer of misfortune had departed.
What happened next left Xu Bai somewhat perplexed.
By all accounts, he had been instrumental in resolving this situation. Yet for ten whole days, Nangong Shirong treated him as if he had been forgotten. Not only was there no reward—there wasn’t even a word of acknowledgment.
On the contrary, the three cultivators Yan Yiqiu and his companions, who had merely tagged along and repeatedly irritated Nangong Shirong, received various rewards.
Xu Bai meticulously reviewed every detail of his involvement, contemplating what might have gone wrong.
After a long time, he finally had an epiphany.
There had been no mistakes. From beginning to end, he had performed flawlessly.
And that was precisely the problem.
He had entered the Boundless Wall, despite knowing its unpredictable dangers that could devour cultivators at any moment, and yet had pressed forward without hesitation.
Within mere moments, he had discovered a way through the Boundless Wall and even managed to bring back Guan Changge.
If the one who had accomplished all this was a trusted cultivator personally trained by Nangong Shirong, then perhaps he would have been overjoyed.
But let’s not forget—Xu Bai was an outsider. A cultivator of unknown origins who had pledged allegiance only halfway through.
Nangong Shirong was not so naive as to believe that a few words alone could earn someone’s unwavering loyalty.
Which meant that Xu Bai’s excessive dedication only aroused his suspicion.
"So, in the end, I was too clever for my own good." Xu Bai shook his head with a wry smile.
However, he didn’t dwell on it.
He simply continued to carry out his duties with diligence and professionalism.
At the same time, he subtly expressed grievances to his fellow cultivators about the injustice he had suffered.
As these murmurs reached Nangong Shirong’s ears, his doubts began to subside.
Yet he still did not entirely lower his guard.
Xu Bai pretended to be unaware, acting as if everything was as usual.
Time Flies.
Two years passed. Anchored in Year 22.
In Longevity Valley—
A dazzling white light suddenly burst from the Dissociation Disc in Li Fan’s hand.
Countless talismanic formations emerged from the disc, shifting and transforming at high speed.
As the brilliant light slowly faded, Li Fan keenly noticed that his Dissociation Disc had grown larger.
"This means that in the struggle of the Nine Discs, the first failure has occurred," he thought to himself.
Before he could carefully examine the now-ascended Dissociation Disc, an ecstatic voice suddenly rang out.
"Sect Master! I have finally discovered the exact usage of this Endstone Plate!"
The Eye of Shared Vision flew to Li Fan, darting up and down in excitement, drawing streaks of golden light in the air.
"Oh?" Li Fan showed a hint of surprise—he hadn't expected Fang Zaiji and the others to have progressed so quickly.
Guided by the Eyes of Shared Vision, Li Fan arrived at the experimental site.
What he saw was the Endstone Plate, originally indistinguishable from an ordinary rock, now floating above the heads of Fang Zaiji and his two companions. Around it, space seemed to be separated into distinct layers following different rules, forming concentric rings of various colors, frozen in place. The sight was truly peculiar.
A wisp of black baleful energy, under Jiang Yushan's control, was slicing through the circular rings surrounding the Endstone Plate.
Li Fan did not interrupt; instead, he stood by and observed.
Before long, he began to grasp the process. Jiang Yushan's method of cutting was not simply removing a portion from the disc—it was more like "peeling off a layer of rice paper," slicing out a flat plane from the plate instead.
She seemed quite experienced, performing the operation with skilled precision.
Soon, a thin Endstone Fragment was separated from the main plate.
The moment it left the main body, the originally plate-sized fragment began to rapidly shrink.
Both the attached rings and the fragment's size were continuously decreasing.
"Quick! Feed it, now!" Fang Zaiji shouted urgently.
As he spoke, he tossed several stones toward Jiang Yushan.
Li Fan focused his gaze—it was none other than the Sword Embryo Primal Stones he had casually given to Fang Zaiji earlier!
The primal stones, upon approaching the Endstone Fragment, melted into it like snowflakes falling into water.
Meanwhile, the fragment's rate of shrinkage slowed down and gradually stabilized.
After a total of six primal stones had been fed to it, the surrounding circular space contracted inward, merging back into the fragment itself.
And just like that, a miniature version of the Endstone Plate formed before Li Fan's eyes.
"Damn, this was harder than delivering a baby! Don't you think so, Yushan?" Fang Zaiji exhaled deeply, beaming as he held the plate in his hands.
"You really have no filter! How can you even compare the two?" Liu San scolded with furrowed brows.
At that moment, Li Fan spoke up. "Mr. Fang, have you discovered the specific use of the Endstone Plate?"
Fang Zaiji waved the disc in his hand with a smug expression. "Indeed. All thanks to those strange stones you gave me earlier, Sect Master..."
He then proceeded to explain.
For a long time, Fang Zaiji had been unable to make sense of the Endstone Plate. Frustrated, he eventually followed Li Fan’s suggestion and attempted to cut it apart.
However, he discovered that any piece cut from the stone plate immediately dissolved into thin air. No matter what method they tried, nothing could prevent this from happening.
Enraged, Fang Zaiji decided to take a desperate gamble—he dumped every potentially useful item from his storage ring onto the plate.
By sheer luck, he stumbled upon the key to stabilizing the plate.
That key was to feed it objects infused with the comprehension of the Dao and the principles of heaven and earth.
Not only did the Sword Embryo Primal Stones work, but any treasure that condensed Dao insights could achieve the same effect.
The reason Fang Zaiji had just used primal stones was simply that he had plenty of them left. Treasures containing profound Dao insights were incredibly rare, after all.
"This thing is just like a cultivator," Fang Zaiji mused, stroking the disc in his hand. "When it's newly ‘born,’ it knows nothing. So at first, it doesn’t exhibit any strange properties. But if you ‘nurture’ it with Dao comprehension, allowing it to ‘grow,’ then its true potential will emerge!"
He continued, "Just as you said, Sect Master—this thing doesn’t have many uses, but it does have one unique ability: it can, to some extent, block the perception of the Tianxuan Mirror!"
Just as he finished speaking, a disciple from the Medicine King Sect entered the room.
He held a Tianxuan Mini-Mirror in his hand, his expression tense.
"Greetings, Sect Master!" He first saluted Li Fan, then greeted Elder Liu San and the others in turn.
Li Fan recognized this person. His name was Meng Wushi, one of the first Medicine King Sect cultivators to awaken. He had already obtained the status of a Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivator, and after switching to the New Method, he had successfully broken through to the Golden Core Realm.
"Demonstrate it for the Sect Master," Fang Zaiji instructed.
Meng Wushi nodded, first taking out a pile of top-grade spirit stones and placing them around the Endstone Plate.
Then, he activated the exchange function of the Tianxuan Mini-Mirror.
A beam of dim light shot out from the mirror’s surface, first illuminating the spirit stones.
"Would you like to exchange?" The Tianxuan Mirror’s prompt appeared.
After Meng Wushi confirmed, the spirit stones instantly vanished.
Then, Meng Wushi placed the Endstone Plate within the range of the dim light.
However, this time...
The Tianxuan Mirror showed no reaction at all.
It was as if it could not even perceive the existence of the disk!
"Clearly, this was born from the Tianxuan Mirror, yet its only function upon maturity is to counteract the mirror itself. What a rebellious creation!" Fang Zaiji remarked, though his eyes gleamed with admiration.
"So far, we have only tested it with the Tianxuan Mini-Mirror. We are uncertain whether it will still maintain its shielding effect when facing the regional Tianxuan Sub-Mirrors or even the Tianxuan Mirror’s true body," Liu San added cautiously.
Li Fan took the disk into his palm and examined it carefully. He found it remarkably similar to the Calamity Stone created by the Heaven-Suppressing Society in his previous life.
"How many Endstone can be cut from this Endstone Plate?" This was a critical question. If only a limited number could be produced, they would have to be reserved for key figures. But if it could be endlessly replicated...
In response to Li Fan’s question, Fang Zaiji gave a precise answer:
"From what we have observed so far, the Endstone Plate does not appear to diminish when we cut pieces from it. However, this might be because we have only cut a small number so far. We need further testing to confirm."
Li Fan nodded, handing over more than a hundred Sword Embryo Primal Stones to him. Then, he instructed Liu San:
"You can work through Jiao Xiuyuan to acquire treasures that condense and embody the principles of Heaven and Earth. With the contribution points we have accumulated over the years, we should be able to sustain the Endstone Plate’s production for a while. The more, the better. This will be of great use to us in the future..."
As if validating Li Fan’s words, a line of golden text suddenly appeared on the Tianxuan Mini-Mirror in front of them:
"Due to special circumstances, the functions of the Tianxuan Mirror are temporarily unavailable. Please try again later. We apologize for any inconvenience."
Liu San and the others were stunned.
They knew very well that the Tianxuan Mirror was a supreme immortal artifact. And now, it was experiencing a malfunction...
Unconsciously, all eyes turned toward Li Fan.
"The final transformation of the Tianxuan Mirror... is it finally happening?"
A sharp light flashed in Li Fan’s gaze.
Suddenly, a sense of danger surged within his heart.
As his thoughts raced, Li Fan furrowed his brows. He could not determine the source of the faint yet persistent sense of crisis.
However, his intuition had always been sharp—ignoring it was not an option.
"This must be closely tied to the Tianxuan Mirror..."
Li Fan murmured to himself while gazing at the newly created Endstone Plate that Liu San and the others had just completed.
"Can this formation amplify its effects and extend a barrier over the entrance of the Longevity Valley?" Li Fan suddenly asked.
"It should be possible, but Sect Master, why do you ask so suddenly...?" Fang Zaiji replied with certainty before abruptly realizing something, his expression turning grim.
"Could it be..." Liu San's face also showed shock.
Li Fan did not explain further but instead urged them to complete the task as quickly as possible.
At the same time, his attention shifted to Xu Bai.
Over the past two years, Xu Bai had gradually regained the trust of Nangong Shirong through his actions.
Currently, in Tianliang City, chaos reigned due to the temporary failure of the Tianxuan Mirror.
Tens of thousands of cultivators who had been in seclusion inside the mirror for cultivation were forcibly ejected onto the streets, which were previously somewhat empty but now packed with people.
Even the Administrative Hall, Martial Hall, and Protectorate Hall had fallen into varying degrees of disorder.
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance depended heavily on the Tianxuan Mirror. Now that it had abruptly ceased functioning, the impact was immediate and significant.
With no clear understanding of what had happened, cultivators began to feel anxious.
"Could it be another battle with the Five Elders Association?"
"This doesn't look good. Even the Tianxuan Mirror has been affected. By the way, does anyone here know much about the Five Elders Association?"
Just as the situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control, Nangong Shirong appeared in time to clarify the situation.
As Li Fan had speculated, the sudden failure of the Tianxuan Mirror was indeed due to its evolution and transformation.
However, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance officially referred to this process as Ascension.
"Since the founding of the Rebirth Mansion, another epoch-defining event is about to take place. You all need only wait patiently—there is no need for panic!"
With Nangong Shirong's explanation, the cultivators quickly set aside their worries.
Instead, excitement filled the air as they enthusiastically discussed the ascension of the Tianxuan Mirror.
For ordinary cultivators of the Immortal Alliance, the Tianxuan Mirror was an integral part of their daily lives—an indispensable existence.
Now that it was undergoing ascension, further evolving, anticipation soared among the crowd.
"The current Tianxuan Mirror is already nearly omnipotent. If it truly ascends, just how powerful will it become?"
"Transactions, communication, spirit awakening, Dao discussions, divination—these functions already exist. What new abilities will the upgraded Tianxuan Mirror introduce? This is so exciting!"
"Hmph, what does this have to do with us ordinary cultivators? Do you really think it will start handing out cultivation techniques for free? We'll still have to struggle to earn contribution points.
...
Cultivators Engaged in Heated Discussion.
The Tianxuan Mirror did not keep people waiting for long.
Seven days later, the Tianxuan Mirror returned to normal. All its functions appeared unchanged from before.
However, cultivators soon discovered something unexpected when they attempted to leave the Tianxuan Mirror—a prompt appeared before them:
"Would you like to generate a personal version of the [Tianxuan Treasure Record]?"
"Tianxuan Treasure Record? What is that?" Cultivators asked in confusion.
The Tianxuan Mirror’s response made their hearts race with disbelief:
"The Tianxuan Treasure Record can be considered an extension of the Tianxuan Mirror. It is generated for free and can be carried by cultivators at all times."
"In addition to the regular functions of the Tianxuan Mirror, such as transactions and communication, it also acts as the cultivator’s personal eye, recording everything they see and hear in perfect detail for future review."
"Furthermore, the Tianxuan Treasure Record can provide personalized cultivation guidance based on the individual’s condition. It can deduce techniques and divine abilities, and it even allows virtual battles through spiritual sense simulation to improve actual combat ability."
"There are many other features—cultivators are encouraged to explore them on their own."
A single stone stirred up a thousand waves.
Cultivators stared blankly at the Tianxuan Mirror's explanation, hardly able to believe their eyes.
The sheer power of the Tianxuan Treasure Record was astonishing—comparable to legendary immortal artifacts.
If it were sold for tens of millions of contribution points, cultivators would still scramble to obtain it. Yet, what were they seeing now?
Such a miraculous treasure... being offered for free?
When did the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance become the world's greatest charitable organization?
Given past experiences, some cultivators chose to remain cautious and observe.
Others, who had nothing to lose, immediately chose to accept.
Not long after, their feedback spread throughout the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance:
"There is no physical object—it seems to be directly generated within the sea of consciousness and can be accessed with a single thought."
"It’s incredibly convenient! The experience is leagues ahead of the Tianxuan Mini-Mirror I spent hundreds of thousands of contribution points on. My heart aches..."
"No need for communication talismans anymore! Everything can be done through the Tianxuan Treasure Record. You can even transfer items instantly! Tsk tsk, those merchants profiting from inter-state trade are doomed!"
"The personalized cultivation guidance... is real? The Tianxuan Mirror advised me to stabilize my foundation before breaking through, warning that the calamity of heaven would be especially severe otherwise..."
"Damn it! Why does deducing techniques and divine abilities still cost contribution points? That spiritual sense battle mode is fun, though—it feels exactly like real combat! Even if you 'die' in battle, the worst that happens is some spiritual sense depletion."
With such widespread praise, even those who had hesitated at first changed their minds and rushed into the Tianxuan Mirror, eager to generate their own Tianxuan Treasure Record.
Xu Bai carefully read through all the user feedback, his breath involuntarily hitching.
"Isn't this just an upgraded version of the Mysterious-Net from my past life?"
All its functions were essentially extensions of Mysterious-Net's divine abilities.
However, unlike the past life—where Mysterious-Net relied on the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation spread across the entire Xuanhuang Realm—this time, the Tianxuan Treasure Record used cultivators themselves as its carriers.
Perhaps the method was different, but the outcome would be the same.
Such an extraordinary artifact was nearly impossible for cultivators to refuse. Once every cultivator integrated the Treasure Record into their body, the influence of Mysterious-Net in this era would undoubtedly rival that of the past.
"If it can provide cultivation guidance, that means it has full insight into a cultivator’s internal condition. Its authority is definitely higher than the Tianxuan Mirror. Even if the Mirror scans it, it may not detect anything unusual."
"But I won’t take that risk."
"However, my clones could try... or maybe..."
A thought suddenly struck Xu Bai—the Endstone Plate.
"I wonder... can this thing influence the Tianxuan Treasure Record?"
Just as Xu Bai was lost in thought, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance released a new announcement.
The shock brought by this announcement was no less than that of the Tianxuan Treasure Record.
The announcement was titled "A Letter to the Cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance," and its main message was as follows:
"Through the tireless efforts of the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, we have completed the full exploration of the White Mist Barrier in the Xuanhuang Realm. This is a great milestone, worthy of eternal remembrance."
"However, the path of the Immortal Dao is arduous, and the road ahead is endless. Now, an even greater and more formidable mission awaits us all."
"As is well known, apart from the towering White Mist Barrier, which divides the states of the Xuanhuang Realm, there exist countless Cave-Heavens and Small-Worlds."
"Now that the White Mist Barrier has been fully explored, it is time to advance into these small worlds!"
"Let us bring them all under the rule of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and achieve the great unification of the Xuanhuang Realm!"
"Any cultivator who contributes to this effort will receive abundant merit and contribution points."
"When cultivators carry the Tianxuan Treasure Record and encounter passages leading to cave-heavens and small-worlds, the Treasure Record will provide an alert."
"However, it is crucial to note that exploring cave-heavens and small-worlds is vastly different from exploring the White Mist Barrier. The level of danger is significantly higher. While the White Mist Barrier contained only eerie remnants and the dead, small-worlds may still harbor cultivators and species wielding unique supernatural powers. They may resist us with their lives."
"But fear not!"
"Even if you perish in battle, the merit and contribution points you have earned will not disappear. Instead, they will be inherited by your reincarnated true spirit in your next life."
"The great unification of the Xuanhuang Realm is destined to be a long and arduous process. However, with the fearless spirit of our alliance’s cultivators, this goal will ultimately be achieved!"
Some cultivators were stirred with excitement, while others were filled with doubt.
Meanwhile, Xu Bai secretly cursed in his heart—he immediately understood the source of his true self's unease.
"Fang Zaiji, is the Endstone Plate Formation ready?!"
Flying swiftly to the entrance of Longevity Valley, Li Fan asked in a deep voice.
This was the first time Li Fan had called Fang Zaiji by his full name, which immediately alerted the latter to the seriousness of the situation.
Not daring to be careless, Fang Zaiji replied, "We've done our best. However, the power within the Endstone Plate is something we've never encountered before. Constructing a formation based on it will still take some time."
Li Fan shook his head slightly. "There is no time left. Tell me the current progress of the formation."
Fang Zaiji was slightly surprised but quickly complied.
As Li Fan listened, he retrieved the Dissociation Disc and began inputting the formation prototype.
The Dissociation Disc emitted a faint glow, and countless images rapidly flashed before Li Fan’s eyes.
After half a day, the images suddenly came to a halt, and a complete formation emerged in Li Fan’s mind.
As the glow faded, Li Fan pointed into the air, transmitting the formation to Fang Zaiji, Liu San, and the others.
They immediately began setting up the formation together.
Fortunately, their luck held—the entrance to Longevity Valley was well-hidden, concealed within the mist.
Three days later, the formation was completed.
And the entrance remained undiscovered by other cultivators.
"The Tianxuan Treasure Record... It sounds like a precious artifact."
Now fully understanding the situation, Fang Zaiji had a flicker of greed in his eyes.
"It’s probably a delicious poison," Jiang Yushan sneered. "Something that can illuminate one's entire being? I wouldn't take it even if it were given to me for free."
Fang Zaiji was indifferent. "A divine artifact like this naturally requires a price to use. I don't have much of an issue with it—after all, I have nothing to hide."
As soon as he said this, he noticed that Li Fan and Jiang Yushan’s gazes had suddenly fallen on him, with a faint trace of killing intent.
Fang Zaiji let out an awkward chuckle and quickly changed the subject. "The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is making quite a big move this time. From what I know, the Xuanhuang Realm contains no fewer than tens of thousands of small worlds—not to mention the countless secret realms and cave-heavens."
"After the Great Catastrophe back then, many sects and cultivators fled into these places to seek refuge. Now, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is inciting cultivators to explore them thoroughly..."
He clicked his tongue and sighed. "It's easy to imagine the bloodshed that will soon unfold."
Liu San frowned. "Even though the small worlds and cave-heavens may not be weak, the Xuanhuang Realm now has the Rebirth Mansion, allowing cultivators to revive. How can they possibly win this fight? It’s almost certain that, despite some resistance, the small worlds will ultimately lose."
"Perhaps when the Rebirth Mansion was established, the Immortal Alliance had already planned this war against the small worlds," Fang Zaiji nodded in agreement.
Listening to their conversation, Li Fan remained silent.
In this era, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's plans were meticulously intertwined. Every step they took carried deeper meaning.
The question was—why was the Immortal Alliance going to such great lengths? Why were they making the Tianxuan Mirror accessible to everyone and launching a war against the small worlds?
What special significance did unifying the Xuanhuang Realm hold for the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance?
Almost instantly, Li Fan thought of the towering obelisks that had once stood throughout the Xuanhuang Realm in his past life.
In that lifetime, after the Xuanhuang Realm was unified, the Heavenly Alliance seemed to use those tens of thousands of obelisks in reverse—to push the Xuanhuang Realm away from the pull of the Immortal Ruins.
Yet in this life, there were no signs of such an attempt.
Was it because they lacked the power? No—more likely, it was because...
"The Tianxuan Mirror reflects all things in the world. If it can penetrate the White Mist Barrier and complete an initial ascension... and if it can then encompass countless small worlds within its reflection range..."
"Perhaps it can take another step forward!"
"If that happens, external forces might not even be necessary. The sheer power of the Tianxuan Mirror itself could be enough to free the Xuanhuang Realm from the grip of the Immortal Ruins."
Li Fan's eyes gleamed as he considered the possibility.
"No matter what, this trend is unstoppable. I must figure out how to maximize my own benefits from it."
Over the next few days, Meng Wushi of the Medicine King Sect conducted experiments.
First, he voluntarily disconnected from the Great Dream of Spring and Autumn Formation, ensuring that even if his internal condition was completely exposed, it wouldn’t implicate the Medicine King Sect.
Then, he generated his own Tianxuan Treasure Record. While activating its detection function, he repeatedly wandered near the entrance of Longevity Valley.
After maintaining this for some time, he simply flew away.
"Good thing it worked. Otherwise, we might have been in for a bitter struggle," Fang Zaiji exhaled in relief.
"It was sheer luck that I managed to obtain that Endstone Plate, which can block the Tianxuan Mirror’s perception," Li Fan added, feigning a sigh.
Liu San was quite pleased. "With this, our Medicine King Sect can stay out of the upcoming world-shaking battle. That is truly a great fortune. Perhaps this is our chance to rise again."
At that moment, Jiang Yushan also seemed lost in thought. "Perhaps we can take advantage of this opportunity to openly join the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance."
"After all, the alliance can’t possibly wipe out everyone from the small worlds. There will certainly be those who choose to surrender voluntarily."
"We might be able to blend in and completely cleanse our identities."
"Yushan makes a very good point," Liu San agreed.
Li Fan also nodded. "Let's observe for a while before making any moves. In the meantime, we should focus on producing more Endstone Plate. If possible, we should test whether it can affect the Tianxuan Treasure Record. After all, a divine artifact like that is truly tempting."
Fang Zaiji's eyes lit up as he carefully examined an Endstone Plate in his hand, deep in thought. "Sect Master, now that you mention it, both of these artifacts originated from the Tianxuan Mirror. It might really be possible to merge them in some way. However, to achieve that, we'd need to get our hands on the Tianxuan Treasure Record and study it directly."
...
Meanwhile, as the members of the Medicine King Sect pondered their future, more details regarding the conquest of small worlds were being revealed within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
When a cultivator carrying the Tianxuan Treasure Record discovers the entrance to a small world, they have two choices. One option is to explore it alone—if they can single-handedly dominate an entire world, they will receive all the merit for the discovery. The rewards for this are unimaginable. However, if they lack the strength to overcome the challenges within, they can choose to share the entrance with others.
If the entrance is made public, every cultivator with a Tianxuan Treasure Record will be notified, and they will swarm to the location.
Aside from the merit earned by reporting a discovery, the original finder can also claim a share of the contributions from those who come later. Though the percentage is small, when accumulated from a large number of cultivators, it can become an enormous fortune.
In short, whether they monopolize it or share it, the discoverer of a small world is guaranteed to become rich overnight. This policy strongly encourages cultivators to explore every corner of the realm.
Even more exhilarating is the distribution of war spoils after the small world conquest is complete.
Every cave-heaven discovered during the campaign will be cataloged in the Tianxuan Treasure Record. As long as one has enough merit, they can directly exchange it for ownership of a cave-heaven! Moreover, the discoverer of a small world has priority in purchasing its ownership.
This announcement sent shockwaves through the cultivation world, making countless cultivators restless with excitement.
In today's Xuanhuang Realm, the Nascent Soul stage is a clear dividing line in power. While forming a Golden Core relies on one's comprehension, reaching Nascent Soul requires either extraordinary luck in finding a suitable cave heaven or leveraging powerful connections to acquire one. Out of a hundred Golden Core cultivators, perhaps only one ever attains the Nascent Soul stage, highlighting the immense difficulty of the breakthrough.
But now, with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance determined to unify the Xuanhuang Realm, all existing cave heavens will be revealed. Luck and connections will no longer be the deciding factors. Anyone who puts in the effort will have the chance to "seize the essence of heaven and earth to form their Nascent Soul!"
The golden era where everyone has the opportunity to reach Nascent Soul had arrived!
Though exhilarated, cultivators also felt an urgent pressure. Everyone knew that the number of cave heavens in the Xuanhuang Realm was finite—first come, first served. If one hesitated for even a moment, they might miss their chance at Nascent Soul forever. Their only hope would be to wait for a Nascent Soul cultivator to fall so that a new cave heaven could form.
As a result, the territories of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance were soon filled with a remarkable sight—cultivators swarming across the land like locusts, meticulously searching every inch of terrain. Deep mountains, vast lakes, dense forests, and treacherous swamps—no place was left unchecked.
The once-empty wilderness was now flooded with countless cultivators.
Only then did people realize just how many cultivators the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance actually had.
Before long, the first Small World outside the Alliance’s control was discovered.
It was named Zhuo, a barren world without spiritual energy, inhabited only by mortals.
A lucky cultivator named Cheng Shi took just three days to complete a full scan of the world using his Tianxuan Treasure Record.
No one knew the exact rewards he received, but soon after, Cheng Shi purchased a secluded residence in the Daoist district of Tianyun City. He stopped venturing outside, focusing solely on his cultivation, waiting for the Alliance to allow merit exchanges—at which point he would ascend directly to the Nascent Soul stage!
With such a vivid example before them, cultivators became even more enthusiastic.
Soon, the second and third small worlds were discovered one after another.
As the entire cultivation world fell into a frenzy, Xu Bai arrived at the Tianxuan Mirror.
"Would you like to generate a private version of the Tianxuan Treasure Record?"
The prompt from the Tianxuan Mirror echoed in his ears. Compared to its previous emotionless mechanical voice, it now carried a hint of liveliness.
Xu Bai pondered for a moment before choosing "Yes."
Within his Sea of Consciousness, a rhombus-shaped crystal, crafted using the Endstone Plate as raw material, radiated a brilliant seven-colored glow.
This was the initial plan that Fang Zaiji and his team had developed after a brief period of research.
To prevent the Tianxuan Treasure Record from secretly scanning the contents of his Sea of Consciousness, they utilized the Endstone Plate's shielding ability to protect it.
At the same time, the rhombus-shaped crystal camouflaged itself externally, continuously emitting various thoughts.
This ensured that the Tianxuan Treasure Record wouldn’t detect anything unusual.
Of course, the thoughts being exposed were deliberately sent out—trivial and insignificant—meant for the Tianxuan Treasure Record to perceive.
Simply put, it was like placing a lock in his Sea of Consciousness to prevent the Tianxuan Treasure Record from spying on it.
Through several experiments, this method had proven effective in protecting the Sea of Consciousness. Fang Zaiji was now researching ways to safeguard the physical body.
Meanwhile, his true body remained in Longevity Valley, maintaining absolute focus. If anything went wrong, he would immediately use [Truth].
As for Xu Bai, he quietly observed the changes in his Sea of Consciousness.
It felt as if an invisible ripple swept through his body.
A moment later, a small, ancient bronze mirror appeared within his Sea of Consciousness.
The rhombus-shaped crystal floated silently above it, yet the Tianxuan Treasure Mirror remained completely unaware.
"It seems everything is fine," Xu Bai thought to himself.
As soon as his divine sense connected with the mirror, a vast amount of information surfaced instantly.
Everything matched what he had previously learned—every function was intact and fully operational.
"This is truly convenient."
With a mere thought, a detailed map of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance appeared in Xu Bai’s mind.
On the map, four flashing red dots and six calm green dots were clearly visible.
"The red ones indicate worlds currently being shared among cultivators and still in the midst of conquest, while the green ones represent worlds that have already been fully explored."
Xu Bai immediately understood.
His gaze shifted toward Shilin Prefecture. Seeing that the location he remembered remained undiscovered, Xu Bai revealed a faint smile.
Exiting the Tianxuan Mirror, he rushed straight toward his destination.
That’s right—his destination was none other than the Empire created by Xu Ke!
"I wonder, what price would they be willing to pay for a treasure that grants immunity from the Xuanhuang Realm's conquest?"
"And when they see this body, which looks identical to Xu Ke, what kind of reaction will they have?"
With anticipation, Xu Bai quickly approached the familiar mountain valley ruins from his memory.
When Li Chenfeng returned to the Empire, Xu Bai had already discovered the entrance to the Empire through the surveillance of the Formless Killing Intent. However, he had never had the opportunity to go before—now was the perfect chance to make the journey.
In his Sea of Consciousness, the prismatic crystal once again emitted multicolored radiance, enveloping the Tianxuan Treasure Record below. Under Xu Bai's deliberate control, a series of illusory images appeared within the radiance, distorting the perception of the Tianxuan Treasure Record.
Moving swiftly, he arrived at the entrance.
After carefully searching for a while, he indeed found a spatial passage hidden by some special means.
Xu Bai looked at the Tianxuan Treasure Record, but it did not issue any warning.
"As expected, it works."
He nodded to himself but did not rush in immediately.
Sweeping his spiritual sense across the surroundings to confirm there were no cultivators nearby, he took out a Endstone Plate and set up a formation to conceal the entrance. Only then did he leap into the spatial passage.
Darkness stretched endlessly before him.
This scene was not unfamiliar to him—it closely resembled the void environment created by countless Rift Whales when passing through the Immortal-Severing Grand Formation. However, this place seemed even deeper and more unfathomable.
After a brief contemplation, Xu Bai summoned the Pure Glaze Robe, forged by Fang Zaiji, which appeared on his body as an extra layer of protection. Once properly safeguarded, he flew forward.
He had already crossed the Immortal-Severing Grand Array countless times and was long accustomed to it.
His journey through the array was smooth and uneventful, but upon emerging, he did not see any trace of a small world.
All that greeted him was the boundless, dark void.
"It seems I have drifted far from my original location due to the Realm-Splitting Whales." Xu Bai mused.
Standing in the void, he closed his eyes and focused his senses.
After only a brief moment, he vaguely detected a familiar energy fluctuation in the distant darkness.
Following this sensation, Xu Bai accelerated toward it.
Just as he was about to reach his destination, a resonant whale song suddenly echoed through the void.
Xu Bai halted abruptly.
As if triggering a chain reaction, more and more whale songs rang out, spreading one after another from near to far. The chorus continued endlessly into the distant void.
There was no way to determine just how many Rift Whales existed within this dark expanse. Their calls intertwined, echoing like a grand symphony.
Despite being surrounded by countless Rift Whales, Xu Bai felt no sense of danger.
He could tell—they were not hostile. Instead, they were joyfully calling out, as if welcoming his arrival.
"Interesting." Xu Bai’s eyes flickered as he continued forward.
The Rift Whales along the way, sensing his presence, actively made way for him.
Before long, Xu Bai arrived at the outskirts of the Empire.
From the dark void, he gazed upon an oval-shaped world. He could vaguely make out vast expanses of water—and floating in the sky, the massive corpse of the Red Nine-Headed Beast.
Just as Xu Bai was observing, the space ahead suddenly fluctuated.
Seven cultivators, clad in Beast God Armor, appeared abruptly, riding atop an eel-like beast.
"Who goes there?!"
The cultivators reacted with exceptional coordination. The moment they spotted Xu Bai, their expressions shifted slightly. They swiftly dispersed into formation, surrounding him.
However, their Beast God Armor was only at the Golden Core level—nowhere near enough to match Xu Bai.
With a faint smile, he casually waved his folding fan. Before they could react, all seven were instantly subdued.
"Mmmph...!"
Their faces were filled with shock, but they were unable to speak.
What happened next, however, left them utterly horrified.
Xu Bai gestured toward the beast they had nurtured with their own blood and tamed with their collective Heart-Linking Technique—the Void-Roaming Dragon.
To their astonishment, this once-fierce beast immediately swam toward Xu Bai with docile enthusiasm.
It even lowered its head, rubbing against him affectionately.
The sheer absurdity of the scene made the seven cultivators wonder if they were hallucinating.
Since when had the violent Void-Roaming Dragon become so obedient?
Sensing the beast’s intimacy, Xu Bai placed a hand on its head, gently stroking it.
Soon, vague images emerged in his mind.
From them, he learned its name.
"Quite a commanding name. And its ability to teleport across short distances... Even in the Xuanhuang Realm, that’s quite remarkable."
Xu Bai nodded slightly.
"Lead the way." He commanded.
The Void-Roaming Dragon let out a joyful cry, shaking its body as it actively supported Xu Bai.
At the same time, Xu Bai did not forget to seize the seven restrained individuals nearby.
With a fluctuation in space, in the next moment, Xu Bai arrived within the Empire—a human nation built upon the corpse of the Crimson Nine-Headed Beast.
Standing atop the Void-Roaming Dragon, with seven Beast God Armor Warriors restrained behind him, and an extraordinary appearance, Xu Bai's arrival instantly captured the attention of everyone nearby.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, chaos erupted in the surroundings.
"Enemy attack!"
"A cultivator!"
"Where is the Imperial Guard?"
"Quickly, summon the Holy Master Qing!"
Amid the rising cries of alarm, hundreds of figures rushed over from various parts of the city.
Some were clad in Beast God Armor, others rode upon different exotic beasts, and some even flew through the air with just their physical bodies. Judging from their auras, they were clearly cultivators like Xu Bai.
Although their numbers were overwhelming, the strongest among them was only at the Nascent Soul Realm.
With the Pure Glaze Robe protecting him, Xu Bai remained unshaken.
"Who are you?"
Realizing that Xu Bai was not an ordinary individual, the guards cautiously refrained from attacking outright and instead called out to test him.
Xu Bai did not respond but simply scanned his surroundings with his gaze.
"Why have you come here?"
The Empire's Imperial Guard cultivators shouted again.
At that moment, a streak of azure light shot out from the center of the Imperial City, swiftly arriving before Xu Bai.
"Fellow Daoist..."
The figure, Xiao Qing, came to a halt and had just begun speaking when she got a clear look at Xu Bai’s face. Instantly, she was struck by shock, as if she had been hit by lightning, freezing in place.
"Mas—"
Before she could finish the word "Master", Xiao Qing realized something was amiss.
Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she stared at Xu Bai for a long time before finally asking:
"You are...?"
Her tone carried deep confusion.
Xu Bai smiled and said, "Daoist Qing, do you know that your Empire is about to face imminent catastrophe?"
"Audacious madman! How dare you speak such arrogant words!"
"How dare you act so brazenly before the Holy Master Qing!"
The moment these words left Xu Bai’s mouth, the surrounding crowd erupted in fury, shouting curses at him.
Yet, within Xiao Qing's eyes, astonishment only deepened.
"You... know me?"
Xu Bai gave a slight nod and then asked,
"Fellow Daoist, do you still remember the Federation of All Worlds?"
"The Federation of All Worlds?" Xiao Qing's body trembled slightly upon hearing the term, as countless memories surged within her mind.
"What proof do you have?" She did not believe it outright, as both Xu Bai's appearance and his timing were highly suspicious.
Xu Bai smiled faintly and transmitted the details of their previous transactions through spiritual sense.
A strange glint flashed in Xiao Qing's eyes, and she temporarily accepted Xu Bai's identity.
"Please follow me, Fellow Daoist." With a slight wave of her hand, she dismissed the surrounding guards and led Xu Bai toward a towering spire-like palace in the city.
As Xu Bai flew through the air, his spiritual sense swept over the vast architectural complex built upon the remains of the Red Nine-Headed Beast.
After thousands of years of continuous development, the once-terrifying beast's form was nearly unrecognizable.
Only in certain key locations could faint traces of its original body still be observed—such as the massive crack in its skull, now revered as a sacred site for worship, or its razor-sharp claws, which were encased in layers of mysterious metallic structures.
It seemed that the empire's capital had been established right at the beast’s former heart.
As he flew, Xu Bai gained a more intuitive understanding of this civilization, which was deeply intertwined with exotic beasts.
These creatures had truly become an integral part of people's daily lives.
In just a brief moment of observation, Xu Bai saw:
Beasts with hollow bodies, resembling massive serpentine dragons, carrying passengers as they weaved through the city.
Lion-like creatures with powerful wings, ridden by armored cultivators patrolling the skies.
Floating, eye-shaped creatures hidden in the city’s corners, periodically casting glances toward him.
Not to mention the countless exotic beasts of various shapes and sizes that the empire’s residents carried with them.
"It is indeed a unique civilization, brimming with vitality," Xu Bai silently praised.
The two moved at an astonishing speed, and in no time, they arrived at the imperial palace.
Xu Bai then realized that the towering spire he had seen earlier was actually a living exotic beast.
Or rather, not just the spire, but the entire complex spanning dozens of miles had evolved from this colossal creature.
"This beast’s power is likely on par with a Nascent Soul True Lord," Xu Bai estimated.
Given that one of them was an Imperial Holy Master, and the other carried the bloodline of the empire’s founder, the beast showed no signs of hostility.
Instead, the once smooth and seamless exterior of the spire suddenly revealed a door.
Xiao Qing glanced back at Xu Bai with a hint of doubt before entering first.
Xu Bai remained unfazed and followed closely behind.
Inside, he was greeted by a lavishly decorated chamber.
The ceiling was intricately carved with ornate patterns, the walls gleamed like white jade, the wooden floor was covered with luxurious carpets—
It was indistinguishable from an ordinary human palace, with no indication that they were inside a living beast.
The room was empty.
Xiao Qing also showed no intention of allowing others to participate in their conversation.
After gesturing for Xu Bai to take a seat, she began with a polite inquiry:
"I have yet to ask for your esteemed name, Fellow Daoist?"
"Xu Bai."
"You also bear the surname Xu?"
The moment she heard his name, Xiao Qing's aura fluctuated chaotically.
Realizing her lapse, she quickly composed herself and continued calmly:
"I should inform you—'Xu' is the imperial surname of our royal family."
As she spoke, Xiao Qing focused her attention on Xu Bai, carefully observing his expression.
Xu Bai's reaction clearly left her somewhat disappointed.
“What a coincidence,” Xu Bai said with a hint of surprise, as if he had not known about this matter before.
“Heh...”
Xiao Qing did not respond immediately. After a brief silence, she got straight to the point.
“You previously mentioned that our Empire is facing imminent catastrophe. What exactly do you mean?”
Xu Bai let out a faint sigh, his face filled with concern.
He then proceeded to recount the recent events in the Xuanhuang Realm—the establishment of the Rebirth Mansion, the ascension of the Tianxuan Mirror, and the mobilization of cultivators to explore the cave-heaven and small worlds, all in an effort to unify the world.
When he spoke of the establishment of the Rebirth Mansion, Xiao Qing remained relatively calm.
However, the moment Xu Bai mentioned that cultivators were now carrying Tianxuan Treasure Record and actively searching for entrances to the small worlds, she could no longer suppress her shock.
“When did this happen? How is it that I haven't received any news at all?” Xiao Qing exclaimed in a slightly shaken voice.
“The Xuanhuang Realm changes in an instant. Its development has been too rapid, and the number of unforeseen events too many. It is understandable that your Empire’s spies have not yet had time to relay intelligence. Even we, the Federation of All Worlds, had anticipated the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s movements, yet we never expected them to act so swiftly and decisively.
We were a step too late, resulting in several small worlds being swiftly conquered.”
A trace of sorrow flashed in Xu Bai’s eyes. “Fortunately, your place has not yet been discovered.”
“Although we have the Federation of All Worlds, we are scattered across different regions, making it difficult to concentrate our forces. Facing the overwhelming momentum of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, we have chosen to lie low for now and preserve our strength.”
A hint of worry flickered in Xiao Qing’s eyes. “I fear that even if we can hide for a while, we won’t be able to hide forever.”
Xu Bai spoke with conviction, “That is precisely why I have come to find you. While the Tianxuan Mirror is indeed powerful and fearsome, our Federation of All Worlds has its own hidden reserves.”
“As of now, our organization has successfully developed a supreme artifact capable of interfering with the Tianxuan Treasure Record’s detection abilities.”
At this point, Xu Bai deliberately paused.
After ensuring he had Xiao Qing’s full attention, he continued, “Before I arrived, I had already activated the artifact’s power, temporarily concealing your Empire’s entrance. So for now, you have nothing to worry about.”
Xiao Qing immediately turned to look at Xu Bai, a trace of doubt appearing in her eyes.
Xu Bai chuckled softly, took out a folding fan, and gently waved it in front of his chest. “If you don’t believe me, you may go verify it yourself.”
Xiao Qing’s eyes flickered, and then she smiled knowingly. “You have traveled a great distance to come here, so naturally, I trust that you wouldn’t lie about something so important. However, what I am curious about is... how did your organization learn the location of the Empire’s passage in the first place?”
Xu Bai confidently replied, “Without a solid foundation, how could we dare to call ourselves the Federation of All Worlds? Besides, don’t forget—it was us who first approached you for a deal back then.”
“In that case, I must thank you,” Xiao Qing said with a slight smile. “But...”
She fixed her gaze on Xu Bai and added, “Your Federation has never acted without benefit. This time, you’re voluntarily offering protection—what is your price?”
With a crisp snap, Xu Bai closed his folding fan. “I enjoy conversing with intelligent people. My purpose in coming here, besides informing you of the Xuanhuang Realm’s current situation, is indeed to carry out a mission.”
Xu Bai suddenly stood up, his expression serious. “The Immortal Alliance is currently too powerful, and we have no choice but to endure for now. But as you said, hiding forever is not an option.”
“That is why we must develop a force strong enough to rival the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance—before the day of reckoning arrives.”
“We all come from different small worlds, and compared to the Xuanhuang Realm, there is a natural disparity in level. However, we also possess an advantage that cannot be underestimated.”
“And that is diversity.”
“Just as your [Empire] is able to command exotic beasts in battle, over the years, other small worlds have each developed unique and extraordinary abilities.”
“Even if these abilities are slightly inferior to the immortal arts of the Xuanhuang Realm, if we combine all our strengths and integrate the best of all worlds, it may not be impossible to formulate a system capable of rivaling immortal arts.”
Xu Bai spoke confidently.
Xiao Qing’s first reaction was to shake her head.
However, before she could speak, Xu Bai raised a hand to interrupt her and solemnly said, “It all depends on human effort. Everyone knows that the chances are slim, but at this juncture, we have no choice but to fight to the death.”
“You should be even more aware than I am of the kind of life mortals live under the rule of cultivators, right?”
“The members of the Federation of All Worlds are all rulers of their respective realms. Even if they face death, they would never willingly live as mere cattle and horses.”
“The unification of the Federation of All Worlds is an inevitable trend. As for those who refuse to join...”
Xu Bai’s expression darkened instantly. “While we won’t go to war against them, they can forget about receiving any protection from us.”
Xiao Qing spoke softly, “You need not worry, Fellow Daoist. Our Empire would never align with the Xuanhuang Realm. However, matters of the Empire are not for me to decide alone.”
“Please wait here for a moment. I need to discuss this with Her Majesty the Imperial Princess and the Imperial Council.”
Hearing this, Xu Bai nodded in understanding.
At the same time, he made a request. “I have heard that the Empire was built upon the corpse of a three-headed divine bird.”
“And that its head was severed by an immortal’s sword strike in ancient times.”
“Such a magnificent sight—since I am here, it would be a great regret if I could not witness it with my own eyes. Would you be able to fulfill this long-held wish of mine?”
Xiao Qing’s eyes flickered as she looked at Xu Bai’s smiling face.
After a brief moment, she agreed. “It’s a small matter. Since you are interested, I will arrange for someone to take you there. However, be cautious—the severed head still retains residual sword aura and lingering intent.”
Xu Bai’s face showed astonishment before turning to delight. “For the sword aura to remain after so long, it must have been a truly remarkable strike. Now I am even more eager to see it.”
Xiao Qing simply smiled without saying a word.
After she left, it was only a short while before a young woman, appearing to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, entered the room. She was dressed in a gauzy robe.
“Sir, please follow me.”
As she spoke, the young woman summoned a peculiar, balloon-like beast.
A slit opened on the surface of the sphere, and the woman stepped inside.
Xu Bai, filled with curiosity, followed suit.
Inside the sphere, there were seats for passengers. As soon as they entered, the sphere expanded once more.
It slowly floated out of the spire-like palace and swiftly soared toward the Empire’s sacred land.
The body of the balloon-like beast gradually became transparent, allowing Xu Bai to clearly see the scenery around him.
“This is a [Flying Sphere Beast]. Once it inflates, it can soar through the skies and ride the wind at extreme speeds. It is the most common means of travel for Imperial citizens visiting the holy land,” the young woman explained in a soft, melodious voice.
“However, since you are visiting, Holy Master Qing has already given instructions to clear the holy land of all visitors temporarily, to ensure you are not disturbed.”
...
Under the gentle guidance of the woman’s voice, they soon arrived at one of the severed heads of the Red Nine-Headed Divine Beast.
“This is one of the Nine Holy Temples.”
Xu Bai followed the young woman into the silent temple. The moment he stepped inside, he faintly heard wailing and agonized howls.
The floor and walls were covered in pitch-black stone slabs, giving the temple an austere and eerie atmosphere.
Without needing further direction, Xu Bai instinctively followed the source of the sounds, heading deeper into the temple.
The further he went, the louder the sorrowful cries of the beast became.
According to the young woman’s introduction, these were not merely echoes of the Red Nine-Headed Beast’s final cries before its death...
It was not the divine bird itself but the countless exotic beasts slaughtered and sacrificed over the years by the empire to quell its ferocity, whose collective wails formed a mournful chorus.
Every temple had witnessed the tragic deaths of an untold number of these creatures.
The entanglement of countless vengeful spirits was enough to turn an ordinary area into something akin to an underworld of torment.
Yet, within this temple, though there was an eerie atmosphere, no spirits had manifested to cause trouble.
This was solely because of a sharp and unparalleled sword aura that had been suppressing them all along.
"Swish..."
A strand of hair drifted down for no apparent reason, causing Xu Bai to stop in his tracks.
Ahead of him, black flesh twisted and coiled like tangled vines, forming a grotesque mass.
From time to time, it would wriggle slightly, making it hard to believe that this was the corpse of a monstrous beast that had perished thousands of years ago.
And floating just above this black mass was a red sword aura—
Like a long, drifting thread.
In truth, ordinary cultivators could not perceive this red thread of sword aura.
Let alone the common folk of the empire.
They could only infer the remnants of "immortal sword aura" from the continuously suppressed black flesh and the bursts of sword energy that occasionally flared outward.
But Xu Bai could see everything clearly.
Even...
Xu Bai closed his eyes slightly.
A vivid image suddenly emerged in his mind.
A streak of crimson light illuminating the heavens and earth—so swift that even lightning seemed sluggish in comparison.
Its contained sharpness seemed capable of splitting the world itself.
"It looks like a thread, but in truth, it is..."
"A sword."
Gazing at the red line before him, Xu Bai pondered for an unknown length of time before murmuring, deep in thought.
"Is this the red thread gifted by Mister Bai...?"
"Compared to the wooden sword he casually crafted in the Fallen Immortal Realm, this red-threaded sword exudes an even stronger intent of slaughter."
"Rather than a pure sword, it carries a trace of judgment within it."
A flood of insights surged into Xu Bai’s heart.
In his mind, he could almost see the figure of Mr. Bai—casually flicking a single thread.
And in that instant, the unparalleled ferocious beast, the Red Nine-Headed Beast, perished on the spot.
...
Lost in his enlightenment, Xu Bai remained unaware of the passage of time.
The young girl in the gauzy dress did not dare to disturb him and simply stood silently behind him.
Not far from Xu Bai, separated by only a single temple wall—
Xiao Qing and a graceful young woman were watching him intently through the transparent barrier.
"So, can you confirm it?" Xiao Qing asked, a rare trace of urgency flickering in her eyes.
The young woman had kept her eyes closed the entire time.
Her eyelashes trembled incessantly, sweat beading on her face.
After a long moment, she suddenly opened her eyes.
"How can this be...?"
Her expression was filled with shock.
"When I look at him, it's as if I am looking at myself!"
"This feeling..."
"It's truly incredible."
The young girl's voice carried a hint of fascination. "It's like looking into a mirror and seeing another version of myself. An inexplicable sense of closeness wells up in my heart."
"Master Qing, what exactly is happening?"
Hearing the girl's confirmation, Xiao Qing's eyes flickered with disbelief.
"Could it be..."
Meanwhile, Xu Bai remained unaware of what was happening just beyond the wall.
At this moment, his entire focus was immersed in the realization of the Red Rope Sword Intent.
As his comprehension deepened, the red rope that was suppressing the black flesh seemed to come alive. It floated gently beside Xu Bai, affectionately circling around him.
No one knew how much time had passed when Xu Bai suddenly opened his eyes and flicked his fingers lightly.
A barely visible red light flickered between his fingertips before shooting toward the twisted mass of flesh in front of him.
For a brief instant, the eerie wails echoing throughout the temple came to an abrupt halt.
Although they resumed shortly after, this unusual occurrence left the veiled woman standing behind Xu Bai utterly shocked.
"My lord..." She couldn't help but speak.
Xu Bai, however, raised a hand to stop her from asking further questions. His gaze was fixed on his wrist, where an unexpected thin cut had appeared.
With the physical resilience of a Nascent Soul cultivator under the New Method, even wounds inflicted by blades or swords should have healed in an instant.
Yet this minor cut seemed innate—impossible to erase.
"Such severe side effects?" Xu Bai frowned slightly.
"It seems that Xu Ke's disappearance back then may have been related to his repeated use of the Red Rope Sword Technique."
"A wooden sword embodies the principles of all sword techniques, yet it cannot strike first."
"A rope sword possesses unparalleled killing intent, but it demands the user's life in exchange."
A sharp glint flickered in Xu Bai's eyes. "So they both have limitations... Interesting."
Xu Bai proceeded to explore the remaining eight temples one by one.
Beyond gaining a deeper understanding of the Red Rope Sword Technique, he also witnessed firsthand the three remaining heads of the fallen Red Nine-Headed Beast, which refused to rest even in death.
One of the heads had already been hollowed out by the Empire’s people, leaving behind only a bleached skull.
The other two, however, remained eerily lifelike—just as they had been at the moment of death.
Even from a distance, Xu Bai could feel the overwhelming malice and resentment emanating from them.
"What a monstrous creature!"
This was Xu Bai's first encounter with a true Ancient Ferocious Beast, and he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.
"A thousand years after death, its ferocity remains undiminished. I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been at the height of its power. And to think that someone was able to slay it with nothing more than a single red cord..."
Xu Bai's mind wandered, pondering the legendary figure known as Mr. Bai.
After completing his observations, Xu Bai returned to the palace atop the high tower.
There, he saw a veiled woman seated beside Xiao Qing.
The moment he laid eyes on her, an inexplicable sense of connection arose within him.
Curious, he raised his right hand.
To his surprise, the veiled woman mirrored his action in perfect synchronization.
No words had been exchanged, yet their movements were eerily identical.
It was as if a mirror stood between them, reflecting their actions.
Apart from a slight difference in appearance, the veiled woman was almost identical to himself.
"The Holy Blood Embryo Transformation."
In that instant, Xu Bai understood the cause of this strange phenomenon.
And at the same time, he recognized the veiled woman's identity.
She was the Imperial Princess.
Xu Ke’s descendant, the nominal ruler of the empire.
However, he clearly could not reveal himself.
Feigning extreme shock, he abruptly stood up, pointed at the imperial princess, and exclaimed, “What is going on?”
Xiao Qing carefully observed every nuance of Xu Bai’s expression, trying to detect any flaw. But to her disappointment, she found none.
Xu Bai’s reaction was almost identical to that of the imperial princess.
“It seems he is also unaware of his true identity,” Xiao Qing thought to herself.
“What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist?” she still decided to probe further, feigning ignorance.
By this point, Xu Bai seemed to have recovered somewhat from his initial shock. He stared at the imperial princess, his eyes filled with deep confusion.
“This person is...? Although it’s my first time meeting her, I feel an inexplicable sense of closeness and familiarity.”
“It’s not an illusion. I feel the same way,” the imperial princess softly replied.
Xu Bai appeared even more shaken.
Turning to Xiao Qing, he asked, “Fellow Daoist, what exactly is going on?”
Xiao Qing held his gaze for a long time before finally speaking. Instead of answering, she countered with a question:
“Daoist Xu, how much do you know about your own lineage?”
“My lineage?” Xu Bai was momentarily stunned.
“I am merely a descendant of ordinary mortals. I originally lived in a small world. Later, by a stroke of luck, I joined the Federation of All Worlds and embarked on the path of immortality. My blood relatives have long since passed away...”
“Why? Is there something wrong with my lineage?” Xu Bai asked.
Xiao Qing studied Xu Bai’s eyes, as if trying to discern whether he was speaking the truth.
After a long silence, she finally gave up.
Then, Xiao Qing took out a portrait. The figure in the painting looked almost identical to Xu Bai.
“This is...” Xu Bai continued to feign ignorance.
“This is the founder of the empire. He was also my master,” Xiao Qing said in a solemn tone. “His name was Xu Ke.”
“Many years ago, he bid farewell to everyone. Since then, he has vanished without a trace.”
Xu Bai stared at the painting, seemingly overwhelmed by the weight of this revelation, standing there in a daze.
After a long while, he finally spoke slowly:
“He also had the surname Xu. Could it be... that I am a descendant of Xu Ke?”
“At present, that seems to be the only reasonable explanation,” Xiao Qing said, though her tone carried a hint of uncertainty.
“Daoist Xu, where exactly is your homeland? From what I know of my master, he was not the type to take a wife or father children...” Xiao Qing asked, seemingly out of nowhere.
“My homeland is...” Xu Bai started to speak but suddenly stopped.
Snapping back to his senses, he immediately turned the tables. Looking at Xiao Qing and the imperial princess, his face was filled with suspicion.
“Daoist Qing, are you toying with me like a child? What an unbelievable coincidence!”
“Speak. What exactly is your purpose?” Xu Bai coldly fixed his gaze on Xiao Qing.
Faced with Xu Bai’s sudden change in attitude, Xiao Qing was momentarily taken aback.
Then, she let out a bitter laugh.
“To be honest, I also find it hard to believe. But everything aligns too perfectly. As if it were destined... That after thousands of years, when I had already given up, I would meet you.”
“As for whether my words are true, there is a way to find out immediately.”
After saying this, Xiao Qing exchanged a glance with the imperial princess.
The imperial princess took out a scepter and lightly tapped it against the ground.
Suddenly, a hole appeared in the floor, swallowing all three of them in an instant.
Xu Bai did not resist.
In the next moment, he found himself in a vast space with no visible end.
Rows upon rows of different exotic beast corpses filled the area.
In the distance, various mechanical devices also seemed to be arranged in an orderly fashion.
Xu Bai attempted to move forward but quickly discovered that an invisible barrier blocked his path.
“This is the empire’s treasury, where the accumulated wealth of thousands of years is stored.”
"The rulers of the empire, throughout history, have had to undergo studies here from birth. Only after mastering the vast knowledge preserved within can they formally inherit the throne."
"And the Imperial Treasury—only those with royal blood may enter," Xiao Qing explained.
"But I can't enter right now, can I?" Xu Bai shook his head slightly.
"Perceive it with your heart, and this invisible barrier will cease to exist," the Imperial Princess said softly.
With that, she personally demonstrated. Stepping forward, she passed through the barrier effortlessly and entered the Imperial Treasury.
Xu Bai, upon hearing this, closed his eyes.
Sure enough, an indescribable feeling surged through his mind.
In the boundless darkness, he seemed to hear the rhythmic beating of a heart—coming from all directions.
Recalling what he had seen earlier, it appeared that the entire imperial palace was formed from the body of some massive, mysterious beast.
Xu Bai suddenly understood.
The Imperial Treasury might just be the heart of this creature.
The empire’s various exotic beasts all originated from Xu Ke's secret methods of cultivation.
Since he carried Xu Ke's bloodline, it was only natural that this place could not keep him out.
With newfound clarity, Xu Bai took a step forward. It felt as though he had passed through a thin, transparent membrane. The next moment, he found himself inside the Imperial Treasury.
Rather than immediately inspecting the artifacts within, he turned to the Imperial Princess and Xiao Qing. "I made it inside, as expected. But that doesn't prove anything."
"Only those with royal blood may enter..."
"That claim," Xu Bai shook his head slightly.
The Imperial Princess smiled. "There’s no need for you to be so suspicious. Take a walk through the treasury, and you will understand."
"This place is filled with the empire’s most valuable treasures. Aren't you afraid I'll just take a few for myself?" Xu Bai asked.
"If you wish, you could take everything here. But in truth, the most precious thing inside isn't the artifacts—it's the memories of the empire’s past rulers," Xiao Qing replied casually.
The Imperial Princess simply gestured toward Xu Bai in invitation.
Xu Bai let out a cold snort and casually flew toward an exotic beast—a winged turtle.
"Silent Soaring Turtle: Lifespan of up to 300 years. Its meat can treat hyperactivity, mania, and similar conditions. However, caution is advised—its blood is harmful and reduces lifespan if consumed."
A voice echoed in Xu Bai’s mind, accompanied by a vivid image.
The person in the vision bore a striking resemblance to Xu Ke.
He was seated at a research table, dissecting a Silent Soaring Turtle while meticulously recording his findings.
Before Xu Bai could fully absorb this information, another vision emerged moments later.
This time, the researcher was a woman—she, too, bore some resemblance to Xu Ke.
"New discovery: The wings of the Silent Soaring Turtle can be used as material for constructing aerial ships, maintaining high-speed flight while minimizing noise."
The scene continuously flickered and changed.
The protagonist shifted through more than a dozen individuals, and research on the Silent Soaring Turtle advanced steadily.
In the end, a technique capable of mass-producing Silent Soaring Turtle was developed. This allowed them to complete a full life cycle in just three years, significantly reducing cultivation time.
The scene disappeared. Xu Bai savored the countless new pieces of information in his mind before looking at the Imperial Princess.
"What is this?"
"The Empire’s first ruler was cultivated using the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation by Holy Emperor Xu Ke."
"The second generation of emperors was created in the same way."
"And so on, passed down from generation to generation."
"In essence, the imperial bloodline throughout history is actually the same person—Holy Emperor Xu Ke." The Imperial Princess smiled as she spoke.
Xu Bai had already known this but still feigned shock and horror. "What kind of wicked sorcery is this?"
"How can technology be classified as good or evil?" The Imperial Princess shook her head.
"Although we share the same flesh and blood, we each have independent consciousness. You may consider us as different individuals."
"However, due to the connection established by the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation, our thoughts can resonate and synchronize."
"What you just experienced was the accumulated research of past emperors on the Silent Soaring Turtle."
"Before each ruler passes away, besides undergoing the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Method, they must also leave behind their will within the Imperial Vault."
"The successor will inherit the vast majority of their predecessors' wisdom and experience."
"Thus, the ruler of the empire will only grow stronger with each generation."
"Only in this way can an eternal empire be established."
The Imperial Princess spoke indifferently, her tone carrying a trace of grandeur.
"An eternal empire..." Xu Bai sneered, refusing to acknowledge her claim. "Forget about Longevity Immortals, even Dao Integration cultivators—do you really think they would fear your so-called empire?"
Hearing this, the Imperial Princess froze, her face flushing red.
Xu Bai swept his gaze over the Imperial Treasury and then asked, "Although this place holds numerous strange and unique records, truly valuable ones are few."
"I'm in a hurry to report back. Speak—what are the Empire's most powerful technologies?"
"If you have enough bargaining chips, I might be able to secure better terms for you in the Federation of All Worlds." Xu Bai hinted.
The Imperial Princess glanced at Xiao Qing, who was standing outside the invisible barrier.
Seeing Xiao Qing give a slight nod, she hesitated briefly before replying, "Our definitions of 'valuable' may differ."
"From the perspective of the Empire’s strategic goals, the most advanced technologies we possess are:
First, the method to cultivate and control Rift-Whales.
Second, Void Coordinate Locator.
"With these two technologies, the Empire can continuously open void passages and move as far away from Xuanhuang Realm as possible," the Imperial Princess explained.
Xu Bai smirked with ridicule. "I've heard of your ridiculous plan from my fallen comrades."
"The idea isn't bad, but..."
"If it were really so easy to leave Xuanhuang Realm, don’t you think someone would have done it long ago? Do you really believe it's your turn?"
"Those cultivators who fled into small worlds to take refuge during past calamities—why do they still long to return to Xuanhuang Realm instead of escaping altogether?"
"It's not that they don’t want to—it's that they can’t."
"I advise you to abandon this unrealistic fantasy and join our Federation of All Worlds instead..."
The Imperial Princess remained unfazed by Xu Bai’s mockery.
Instead, she firmly interrupted him. "What if our goal was never to escape Xuanhuang Realm in the first place?"
Xu Bai was momentarily stunned.
"Not escaping Xuanhuang Realm? Then why go through all this effort?"
The Imperial Princess smiled faintly. "To buy time."
"The farther we move from Xuanhuang Realm, the lower the chances of being affected when catastrophe strikes."
"At the same time, we wait patiently."
"Because one day, a savior will emerge to rescue Xuanhuang Realm from its apocalyptic fate."
Chapter 748
"The Federation of All Worlds?" Xiao Qing's body trembled slightly upon hearing the term, as countless memories surged within her mind.
"What proof do you have?" She did not believe it outright, as both Xu Bai's appearance and his timing were highly suspicious.
Xu Bai smiled faintly and transmitted the details of their previous transactions through spiritual sense.
A strange glint flashed in Xiao Qing's eyes, and she temporarily accepted Xu Bai's identity.
"Please follow me, Fellow Daoist." With a slight wave of her hand, she dismissed the surrounding guards and led Xu Bai toward a towering spire-like palace in the city.
As Xu Bai flew through the air, his spiritual sense swept over the vast architectural complex built upon the remains of the Red Nine-Headed Beast.
After thousands of years of continuous development, the once-terrifying beast's form was nearly unrecognizable.
Only in certain key locations could faint traces of its original body still be observed—such as the massive crack in its skull, now revered as a sacred site for worship, or its razor-sharp claws, which were encased in layers of mysterious metallic structures.
It seemed that the empire's capital had been established right at the beast’s former heart.
As he flew, Xu Bai gained a more intuitive understanding of this civilization, which was deeply intertwined with exotic beasts.
These creatures had truly become an integral part of people's daily lives.
In just a brief moment of observation, Xu Bai saw:
Beasts with hollow bodies, resembling massive serpentine dragons, carrying passengers as they weaved through the city.
Lion-like creatures with powerful wings, ridden by armored cultivators patrolling the skies.
Floating, eye-shaped creatures hidden in the city’s corners, periodically casting glances toward him.
Not to mention the countless exotic beasts of various shapes and sizes that the empire’s residents carried with them.
"It is indeed a unique civilization, brimming with vitality," Xu Bai silently praised.
The two moved at an astonishing speed, and in no time, they arrived at the imperial palace.
Xu Bai then realized that the towering spire he had seen earlier was actually a living exotic beast.
Or rather, not just the spire, but the entire complex spanning dozens of miles had evolved from this colossal creature.
"This beast’s power is likely on par with a Nascent Soul True Lord," Xu Bai estimated.
Given that one of them was an Imperial Holy Master, and the other carried the bloodline of the empire’s founder, the beast showed no signs of hostility.
Instead, the once smooth and seamless exterior of the spire suddenly revealed a door.
Xiao Qing glanced back at Xu Bai with a hint of doubt before entering first.
Xu Bai remained unfazed and followed closely behind.
Inside, he was greeted by a lavishly decorated chamber.
The ceiling was intricately carved with ornate patterns, the walls gleamed like white jade, the wooden floor was covered with luxurious carpets—
It was indistinguishable from an ordinary human palace, with no indication that they were inside a living beast.
The room was empty.
Xiao Qing also showed no intention of allowing others to participate in their conversation.
After gesturing for Xu Bai to take a seat, she began with a polite inquiry:
"I have yet to ask for your esteemed name, Fellow Daoist?"
"Xu Bai."
"You also bear the surname Xu?"
The moment she heard his name, Xiao Qing's aura fluctuated chaotically.
Realizing her lapse, she quickly composed herself and continued calmly:
"I should inform you—'Xu' is the imperial surname of our royal family."
As she spoke, Xiao Qing focused her attention on Xu Bai, carefully observing his expression.
Xu Bai's reaction clearly left her somewhat disappointed.
“What a coincidence,” Xu Bai said with a hint of surprise, as if he had not known about this matter before.
“Heh...”
Xiao Qing did not respond immediately. After a brief silence, she got straight to the point.
“You previously mentioned that our Empire is facing imminent catastrophe. What exactly do you mean?”
Xu Bai let out a faint sigh, his face filled with concern.
He then proceeded to recount the recent events in the Xuanhuang Realm—the establishment of the Rebirth Mansion, the ascension of the Tianxuan Mirror, and the mobilization of cultivators to explore the cave-heaven and small worlds, all in an effort to unify the world.
When he spoke of the establishment of the Rebirth Mansion, Xiao Qing remained relatively calm.
However, the moment Xu Bai mentioned that cultivators were now carrying Tianxuan Treasure Record and actively searching for entrances to the small worlds, she could no longer suppress her shock.
“When did this happen? How is it that I haven't received any news at all?” Xiao Qing exclaimed in a slightly shaken voice.
“The Xuanhuang Realm changes in an instant. Its development has been too rapid, and the number of unforeseen events too many. It is understandable that your Empire’s spies have not yet had time to relay intelligence. Even we, the Federation of All Worlds, had anticipated the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s movements, yet we never expected them to act so swiftly and decisively.
We were a step too late, resulting in several small worlds being swiftly conquered.”
A trace of sorrow flashed in Xu Bai’s eyes. “Fortunately, your place has not yet been discovered.”
“Although we have the Federation of All Worlds, we are scattered across different regions, making it difficult to concentrate our forces. Facing the overwhelming momentum of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, we have chosen to lie low for now and preserve our strength.”
A hint of worry flickered in Xiao Qing’s eyes. “I fear that even if we can hide for a while, we won’t be able to hide forever.”
Xu Bai spoke with conviction, “That is precisely why I have come to find you. While the Tianxuan Mirror is indeed powerful and fearsome, our Federation of All Worlds has its own hidden reserves.”
“As of now, our organization has successfully developed a supreme artifact capable of interfering with the Tianxuan Treasure Record’s detection abilities.”
At this point, Xu Bai deliberately paused.
After ensuring he had Xiao Qing’s full attention, he continued, “Before I arrived, I had already activated the artifact’s power, temporarily concealing your Empire’s entrance. So for now, you have nothing to worry about.”
Xiao Qing immediately turned to look at Xu Bai, a trace of doubt appearing in her eyes.
Xu Bai chuckled softly, took out a folding fan, and gently waved it in front of his chest. “If you don’t believe me, you may go verify it yourself.”
Xiao Qing’s eyes flickered, and then she smiled knowingly. “You have traveled a great distance to come here, so naturally, I trust that you wouldn’t lie about something so important. However, what I am curious about is... how did your organization learn the location of the Empire’s passage in the first place?”
Xu Bai confidently replied, “Without a solid foundation, how could we dare to call ourselves the Federation of All Worlds? Besides, don’t forget—it was us who first approached you for a deal back then.”
“In that case, I must thank you,” Xiao Qing said with a slight smile. “But...”
She fixed her gaze on Xu Bai and added, “Your Federation has never acted without benefit. This time, you’re voluntarily offering protection—what is your price?”
With a crisp snap, Xu Bai closed his folding fan. “I enjoy conversing with intelligent people. My purpose in coming here, besides informing you of the Xuanhuang Realm’s current situation, is indeed to carry out a mission.”
Xu Bai suddenly stood up, his expression serious. “The Immortal Alliance is currently too powerful, and we have no choice but to endure for now. But as you said, hiding forever is not an option.”
“That is why we must develop a force strong enough to rival the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance—before the day of reckoning arrives.”
Chapter 752
Hearing the Imperial Princess's firm response and seeing the unwavering determination on her face, Xu Bai almost laughed out loud.
"This is your plan?"
"Placing all your hopes on some illusory, unknown great hero who may or may not even appear?"
Xu Bai shook his head repeatedly. "It seems the organization has really overestimated your value."
Despite Xu Bai’s condescending attitude, the Imperial Princess remained unfazed.
Instead, her eyes gleamed with steadfast conviction. "The savior we've awaited for thousands of years, the one we've desperately longed for, will eventually appear!"
"Before the Xuanhuang Realm completely falls into ruin."
"This is the sacred belief passed down from the Holy Emperor. No matter what policies the empire’s rulers have enacted throughout history, none can go against this principle."
The moment those words left her lips, Xu Bai, who had been ready to mock her further, suddenly fell silent as a thought crossed his mind.
There was no doubt—the only person capable of making Xu Ke believe so deeply was none other than Mr. Bai.
"So you're saying that Mr. Bai foresaw that, in a few millennia, a heaven-sent prodigy would descend to save the Xuanhuang Realm from catastrophe?"
Xu Bai couldn’t help but feel that the notion was absurd.
Yet, he also recalled the ever-persistent presence of the Du'e Sect, which seemed to have some inexplicable connection to him.
Perhaps... this wasn’t entirely impossible.
At the very least, the "Calamity-Bearing" chosen by the Du'e Sect pointed directly to him.
Xu Bai furrowed his brows.
"From Mr. Bai's cultivation of the new breed of Rift-Whale to his efforts in distancing numerous mortal worlds from the Xuanhuang Realm, it’s clear that the empire’s ultimate plan aligns with that of other mortal worlds."
"The only difference is that the empire has a stronger initiative, allowing it to move further away from the Xuanhuang Realm. Meanwhile, the other worlds are merely being forced to accept their fate, unaware of what is truly happening."
"The source of this disparity lies in the connection between Xu Ke and Mr. Bai. Perhaps this was the task entrusted to Xu Ke by Lu Ya before his passing."
"But the real question is—could Mr. Bai and the Du'e Sect truly have foreseen my existence, as well as the existence of [Truth], a thousand years in advance?"
After a brief moment of contemplation, Xu Bai dismissed the idea.
[Truth] had the ability to turn truth into falsehood, to transform reality into illusion, and to return all things to their original state.
Such power would surely surpass even the legendary True Immortals.
If Mr. Bai and the Du'e Sect had truly predicted the existence of [Truth], then why would they need to wait for some prophesied savior? With their own abilities, they should have been able to resolve the crisis of the Immortal Ruins on their own.
"The Du'e Sect's methods are likely similar to Senior Brother Zhang’s—they only cast their gaze upon someone once certain conditions are met. They may even employ a broad search, meaning the so-called 'Calamity-Bearer' is not necessarily limited to me alone."
"And as for Mr. Bai..."
Xu Bai remained silent.
He still had no idea what made Mr. Bai so certain that, a thousand years later, someone would rise to save the Xuanhuang Realm.
"It can't just be because of hope, right?"
"An infinite future holds infinite possibilities. This means that no matter how small the chances may be, under the premise of 'infinity,' everything will inevitably happen." The words of Emperor Yi suddenly surfaced in Xu Bai's mind.
"Perhaps, among the countless futures deduced by Mr. Bai, there really is a possibility where the Xuanhuang Realm is saved. Just like what I saw in my past life when I merged with the object itself—as desolate as the Xuanhuang Realm had become, with all things withering and civilization crumbling, in the end, it still welcomed the light of revival. Even though I don't yet understand what transpired, in a certain sense, if the Empire can truly endure until that time, then perhaps their strategy can be considered a success."
Xu Bai seemed to have gained some insight.
Seeing Xu Bai lost in thought, the Imperial Princess did not interrupt him.
"Alright then, if this was my ancestor's judgment, then maybe there's something to it. However, it's unfortunate that, from the current situation, without the help of our Federation of All Worlds, your Empire probably won’t last until that day." A while later, after snapping out of his thoughts, Xu Bai spoke with a hint of mockery.
"Although we are somewhat distant relatives, and I’d love to help, the right to use a supreme treasure capable of concealing the Tianxuan Treasure Record is not something I alone can decide. If you don’t show some sincerity, my hands are tied." He shrugged with a helpless expression.
The Imperial Princess nodded slightly. "While you were visiting the Nine-Headed Shrine, we have already gathered intelligence regarding the changes in the Xuanhuang Realm. Rebirth Mansion, Tianxuan Treasure Record..."
"It has indeed exceeded what we can handle. After discussions, if we can exchange resources for the assistance of your Federation of All Worlds..."
"There would be no objections from anyone in the Empire. After all, those nobles are not only afraid of death, but they also fear losing their current status." Her expression remained indifferent, as if she were simply stating a mundane fact.
"Heh, it seems your Empire is even more pragmatic than I expected. Well, at least that saves me some effort in persuading you. But..." Xu Bai's tone paused, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his lips. "Given the current crisis and the immense pressure from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, our Federation cannot spread its aid evenly across all realms. Support will be distributed based on the potential each small world demonstrates."
"So, if you want to receive more of our assistance, it depends on how many truly valuable things your Empire has to offer."
"I’ll be blunt—your so-called proud beast cultivation techniques, in our eyes, are only useful as cannon fodder. With just this alone, you won’t impress those greedy old men in the Federation." Xu Bai said coldly.
The Imperial Princess nodded slightly, expressing her understanding.
Then, she flew forward and said, "Follow me."
After traveling through the Imperial Treasury for some time, she finally stopped before a mechanical device.
The device consisted of several interlocking rings, continuously rotating, with faintly visible numbers rapidly changing within.
"This is the culmination of thirteen generations of emperors' efforts—the [Void Coordinator Trajectory Instrument]," the Imperial Princess introduced with a trace of nostalgia in her eyes.
"During void navigation, it records and preserves spatial data from the surrounding area. Based on a predetermined target, it sets a course to prevent us from getting lost in the void. At the same time, it can mark coordinates of the locations we pass by..."
"It has some use, but not much." Xu Bai interrupted, extending his hand. "Right now, our biggest concern is how to survive the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s first wave of purges."
The Imperial Princess nodded in acknowledgment. Then, she led Xu Bai to a round pearl.
"This is?" Xu Bai narrowed his eyes slightly.
From this pearl, he could sense both spiritual energy and the aura of a beast.
"This pearl is called [Spiritual Crystal Marrow]."
A trace of pride flashed across the Imperial Princess's face. "It is the latest research achievement of the Empire."
"Over a hundred years ago, we discovered certain demonic cores within the bodies of some exotic beasts that cultivators could absorb and refine for cultivation."
"The blood and flesh power of these exotic beasts unexpectedly formed spiritual energy crystals within their bodies. Although the purity of the spiritual energy was low, this phenomenon still attracted the attention of the previous Emperor."
"After more than a century of persistent research, we have gained a preliminary grasp of the technology for [Synthetic Spiritual Energy]. Although it requires a large amount of flesh as a medium, the spiritual energy crystals we cultivate have a purity level that is very close to top-grade spirit stones of the Xuanhuang Realm."
Upon hearing this, Xu Bai's eyes revealed a trace of surprise.
He carefully examined the [Spiritual Crystal Marrow] before him and slowly nodded. "Impressive. With such methods, given enough time, you might indeed be able to transform this world into a small realm suitable for cultivators. However, if this is all, it still won't significantly impact the overall situation. Let alone our Federation of All Worlds, even any reliable faction in the Xuanhuang Realm would not lack spirit stones." Xu Bai said with some regret.
The Imperial Princess seemed to have anticipated his reaction. "I am naturally aware of this. If the only function of the [Spiritual Crystal Marrow] were to provide spiritual energy, I wouldn't rank its importance right after the Void Coordinator Instrument."
"In truth, the primary function of the [Spiritual Crystal Marrow] is to transfer the abilities of exotic beasts to humans—completely and without side effects."
With a sudden flash of red light, a round pearl wreathed in flames appeared in her palm.
"This was crafted using an exotic beast known as the [Blazing Flame Tiger] as raw material. You should try it for yourself." The Imperial Princess confidently handed over the red pearl.
"Inheriting the divine abilities of demon beasts?"
For an instant, Xu Bai thought of a rare treasure that Dongfang Yao had once mentioned—its effect was similar, except that it stimulated the dormant ancient bloodline within oneself.
Holding the red [Spiritual Crystal Marrow] in his palm, Xu Bai applied slight pressure.
Like a fragile glass bead, it shattered instantly.
In the blink of an eye, countless red flames surged forth like fiery dragons, flowing up Xu Bai's arm and drilling into his body.
"Roar!"
Before his eyes, a ferocious tiger composed entirely of flames appeared, letting out an enraged, unwilling roar.
Xu Bai snorted coldly, and the illusion shattered instantly.
A surge of heat coursed through his body before finally settling between his brows.
Xu Bai closed his eyes and meditated. Moments later, a small crimson flame flickered in his palm.
It danced continuously, distorting the surrounding air with its heat.
Xu Bai's gaze turned serious.
This was because the flame did not rely on any spiritual energy or divine abilities—it was purely an instinctual power, as natural as breathing.
With a mere thought, he could command it.
The flame morphed into different shapes according to his will.
And as he continued manipulating the fire, memories of how to wield this ability surfaced in his mind.
Seeing Xu Bai master the ability of an exotic beast so effortlessly upon his first attempt at absorbing [Spiritual Crystal Marrow], the Imperial Princess appeared visibly astonished.
Fearing Xu Bai might misunderstand, she quickly added, "In reality, inheriting the powers of exotic beasts through [Spiritual Crystal Marrow] is not guaranteed to succeed. It depends on a person's innate talent and qualifications, as well as the strength of the ability itself."
"According to our research, the stronger and rarer an ability is, the harder it is for humans to master. Furthermore, if one fails during the inheritance process, the chances of succeeding in future attempts will decrease significantly."
"The number of abilities a single cultivator can inherit is also limited. The more powers one has already mastered, the lower the likelihood of successfully acquiring new ones."
...
The Imperial Princess continued explaining the usage rules of [Spiritual Crystal Marrow] in detail.
Meanwhile, Xu Bai grasped the key issue. "How difficult is it to manufacture [Spiritual Crystal Marrow]? How many exotic beasts are required to produce a single pearl?"
The Imperial Princess, who had been speaking fluently, suddenly fell silent.
A faint blush appeared on her face as the Imperial Princess spoke with slight embarrassment, “It takes the flesh and blood of nearly a thousand exotic beasts to create a single Spirit Crystal Marrow. However, the Empire's cultivation technology is already very advanced. As long as we have sufficient resources, there is no need to worry about the production of Spirit Crystal Marrow.”
Xu Bai nodded slightly. “That is indeed a considerable bargaining chip. The power of exotic beasts is almost equivalent to a weakened version of a divine ability. In a life-and-death battle, if used unexpectedly, it could have miraculous effects.”
“Besides this, is there anything else surprising?” Xu Bai asked again.
The Imperial Princess hesitated.
After a long pause, she slowly said, “This technology is not yet fully developed...”
“No matter,” Xu Bai reassured her. “The Federation values potential. If it truly holds limitless possibilities, we will not hesitate to provide support.”
The Imperial Princess did not immediately respond. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Xiao Qing outside the Imperial Treasury.
Seeing Xiao Qing nod in silent approval, she took a deep breath and led Xu Bai to the deepest part of the treasury.
There, a massive metallic furnace stood.
The furnace was engraved with thousands of different exotic beasts, each incredibly lifelike.
There was no visible fire heating it, yet the temperature seemed incredibly high.
Even with Xu Bai’s current strength, he could feel traces of heat just by standing near it.
Bang! Bang!
Loud collisions echoed from within the furnace.
Upon careful listening, one could faintly hear the agonized wails of countless exotic beasts intertwined within.
It was deeply unsettling.
The Imperial Princess, seemingly wary of the furnace, stood even farther away than Xu Bai.
She whispered, “This object is called the Myriad Phenomena Furnace.”
“Its origin stems from a hypothesis—or perhaps, a truth.”
“All demonic beasts and exotic beasts in the world were once part of the same original entity in ancient times.”
“That being was the progenitor of all demonic beasts, containing unimaginable power.”
“Over countless years, countless individual creatures have separated from it.”
“So... what if we reverse the process? What if we fuse all exotic beasts back into...”
“...That original entity?”
A mysterious glint flickered in the Imperial Princess’s eyes.
“Even if we can’t fully reconstruct every demonic beast that has ever existed, by gathering enough species, we should be able to create a weaker fusion body.”
“It should be possible.”
“In fact, ten years ago, we briefly managed to fuse a terrifying demonic beast.”
“The aura it radiated was even more terrifying than the Nine-Headed Bird beneath our feet. At that time, everyone present—even the Holy Master Qing and Hong—were so overwhelmed by fear that they lost the ability to move.”
“Unfortunately, it did not survive for long before dissolving on its own.”
“It seems there’s a natural restriction preventing the fusion of all beasts,” the Imperial Princess said somewhat regretfully.
“However, we’ve made significant progress in researching the catalytic substances that promote fusion. I believe the birth of the first fusion beast is not far off,” she quickly regained her confidence.
“Myriad Phenomena Beast Furnace... merging flesh and blood into one...” In an instant, Xu Bai thought of the [Emperor Yi] he had seen in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Without a doubt, the inspiration for the empire’s Myriad Phenomena Furnace came from this primordial beast ancestor.
As the origin of the demonic beasts in the Xuanhuang Realm, the power of Emperor Yi must be no less than that of a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign.
If the empire truly succeeds in mass-producing fusion beasts, even if the resulting versions are significantly weakened, their power would still be formidable.
“Have you assessed the actual strength of the fused beasts? If the experiment succeeds, can you control them? Aren’t you afraid they might turn against you and destroy the empire?” Xu Bai raised a series of questions.
The Imperial Princess confidently replied, “The exotic beasts thrown into the Myriad Phenomena Furnace are all individuals controlled by us through the Same Heart-Linking Technique. Even after being refined by the furnace, although their physical bodies disappear, the bond remains.”
“By gathering the mental waves of all those linked by the Same Heart-Linking Technique, we can create a device to control the fusion form. There’s no need to worry about losing control.”
“Based on previous strength evaluations, the current fusion forms we can produce should not be weaker than the Dao Integration cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm...” The Imperial Princess hesitated but ultimately spoke slowly.
Xu Bai nodded slightly; this result was within his expectations. However, he did not sound a warning regarding the empire’s mysterious confidence.
He skillfully took out his folding fan and lightly waved it. “Not bad... the Void Coordinator Trajectory Instrument, the Spiritual Crystal Marrow, and the possible future support of Dao Integration-level combat power...”
“With these, I believe it will be enough to convince the Federation to grant you protection.”
“Oh right, give me a few more Spiritual Crystal Marrow. Seeing is believing—I’m worried those old folks might not be easily convinced.”
The Imperial Princess didn’t mind Xu Bai’s request. With a casual gesture, she tossed over ten Spiritual Crystal Marrow.
Without further ado, Xu Bai put them away and flew out of the imperial treasury.
“Be prepared. If nothing goes wrong, the next time the Federation Elders will come with me for the final assessment. Those guys aren’t as easy to talk to as I am.”
Leaving the treasury, Xu Bai quickly returned to the towering palace. After giving a few instructions, he didn’t linger and transformed into a streak of light, soaring into the sky and disappearing from the imperial citizens' sight.
"Master Qing..." The Imperial Princess looked at Xiao Qing, her eyes seemingly filled with many questions.
Xiao Qing, however, kept her gaze fixed on Xu Bai’s retreating figure, not looking away for a long time.
"His words are hard to judge as true or false. But it can be confirmed he bears no ill intent. And indeed, the entrance to our world has been concealed by an unknown formation."
"Let’s prepare according to what he said. Who made us the weak ones, after all? The weak don’t have many choices." Xiao Qing spoke in a faint, wistful tone.
...
Outside the empire, in the dark void.
While flying through the void, Xu Bai suddenly sensed a spatial fluctuation nearby.
Immediately after, a Void Roaming Dragon appeared at his side, affectionately rubbing its head against his thigh.
It looked familiar—it was the same one he had casually tamed earlier.
Sensing that Xu Bai was about to leave, it had come to bid him farewell.
“You little thing, you’ve got quite the spirit. Very well, the Beast Realm happens to lack a leader—you shall follow me!” Xu Bai smiled and said.
The Void Roaming Dragon was overjoyed at these words, twisting its body and willingly allowing Xu Bai to ride on its back.
Under Xu Bai’s guidance, it continued to traverse the void, heading toward the Xuanhuang Realm.
Upon returning to the deep valley at the entrance, Xu Bai first stored the Void Roaming Dragon in his Cave-Heaven, then used the Endstone Plate to dispel the illusion of closed cultivation that had been fooling the Tianxuan Treasure Record.
Passing by the entrance of Longevity Valley, he didn’t go inside but discreetly released the Void Roaming Dragon before returning alone to Tianliang Prefecture.
Outside Longevity Valley, Liu San, who had been notified beforehand, looked at the exotic beast before him with amazement.
“So inconspicuous, yet it has the ability to traverse space...” He led the Void Roaming Dragon into the valley and once again concealed the entrance.
As for how the dragon would cause chaos and dominate the Beast Realm with Xu Bai’s permission, that was left unspoken.
“We have ample reason to suspect that the Tianxuan Treasure Record is constantly monitoring the cultivators' physical conditions. Without a certain level of bodily mastery, it’s impossible for the so-called cultivation guidance to be so precise and effective,” Fang Zaiji said with a grave expression.
“That’s obvious—what cultivator in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance doesn’t know this? Yet they still willingly accept it. After all, compared to advancing one’s cultivation, such concerns are trivial,” Liu San retorted.
“No, no, you’re not understanding my point,” Fang Zaiji explained seriously, without his usual sarcastic tone. “If the Tianxuan Mirror can evolve by measuring the world and the heavens, what kind of transformation will occur once it has gathered the physical data of so many cultivators?”
Upon hearing these words, Liu San couldn’t help but be startled.
"In the ancient cultivation world, there is a saying that has been passed down: the human body is the most perfect creation in existence. To ascend and become an immortal, regardless of whether you were originally human, you must first take on a human form."
"Although it is merely a rumor and its authenticity can no longer be verified, the fact that humans managed to defeat demonic beasts and become the true rulers of the Xuanhuang Realm already demonstrates the limitless potential of being human."
"That Tianxuan Mirror might very well harbor thoughts of transforming into a human form," Fang Zaiji said with a serious expression.
"So, Mr. Fang, is this the conclusion you’ve reached after all your research?" Li Fan interrupted Fang Zaiji’s words.
In his hand, the Dissociation Disc had become several times more crystalline and transparent than before.
Perhaps the great battle of all realms had already begun, and some owners of the Dissociation Discs, realizing their power was insufficient, had given up on feeding the discs with formations. In a short period, the disc in Li Fan’s hand had devoured three other Dissociation Discs in succession.
The final battle for supremacy did not seem far away.
As for the various rewards offered by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance for conquering the small worlds, Li Fan was not particularly interested. Therefore, he remained wholeheartedly focused on the transformation of the Dissociation Disc.
Even when he came to inquire about the progress of Fang Zaiji’s research on the Endstone Plate, he did not cease feeding formation data into it—managing both tasks simultaneously.
"Have you found a way to block the Tianxuan Treasure Record’s scanning of a cultivator’s body?" Li Fan asked.
Fang Zaiji gave a wry smile. "I have a few ideas, but to actually accomplish it... it might be a bit challenging."
Fang Zaiji slowly explained the reasons:
"To block the Tianxuan Treasure Record’s perception of the external world, one only needs to use spiritual sense to temporarily fabricate a single scene.
"Similarly, to interfere with the Tianxuan Treasure Record’s probing of one’s own body, it would be necessary to construct a false body.
"But... that’s where the difficulty lies."
"Although it’s just a simple body, it contains countless structures—blood, and even the traces of spiritual energy circulation. It truly resembles a miniature world. Unless one’s understanding of the body’s fine details matches that of the Tianxuan Treasure Record, flaws are inevitable."
Fang Zaiji sighed helplessly. "The Tianxuan Treasure Record resides within the cultivator’s sea of consciousness and completes a body scan at the time of its formation. Any sudden, significant discrepancy will definitely be detected immediately.
"Moreover, everyone’s physique is different, making it practically impossible to develop a universal solution."
Hearing Fang Zaiji’s explanation, Li Fan finally understood the difficulty.
Even a Dao Integration cultivator likely could not guarantee complete mastery over their own body, let alone those below that level.
Expecting them to weave a false body to deceive the Tianxuan Treasure Record would undoubtedly result in glaring flaws.
"To truly achieve complete control over one’s body, unless..."
"Using [Foundation Built Upon Oneself]."
The phrase suddenly flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
However, he quickly shook his head. The difficulty of Foundation Built Upon Oneself was far too great—no one in the Xuanhuang Realm had ever succeeded throughout the ages. Even a genius like Yin Shangren left behind severe aftereffects...
"Hmm? The difficulty of cultivation?" An idea suddenly struck Li Fan’s mind like a spark of inspiration.
The Tianxuan Treasure Record was claimed to be capable of guiding cultivators in their cultivation.
What would happen if he let the Tianxuan Treasure Record guide the Foundation Built Upon Oneself?
After pondering for a while, Li Fan explained the concept of Foundation Built Upon Oneself to Fang Zaiji and the others, sharing his speculation.
"Building one’s foundation without relying on external objects... marvelous! Truly marvelous! In this way, doesn’t it break the limitations of the new method to some extent?" Fang Zaiji gasped in amazement, exclaiming repeatedly.
"To think that such a brilliant idea came from a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator... Truly..." He couldn’t help but feel incredulous.
"But upon careful consideration, with the comprehensive scanning capability of the Tianxuan Treasure Record, it might indeed be possible to realize Foundation Built Upon Oneself." After thinking for a moment, Fang Zaiji’s excitement grew.
Liu San also pondered deeply. "A cultivator may not fully know their own body, but by leveraging the Tianxuan Mirror, it might be possible to take an unconventional approach. If successful, and a method of Foundation Built Upon Oneself can be summarized afterward, it would significantly reduce the difficulty."
"If someone with outstanding talent were to undertake it, they might even develop a universally applicable method."
"Achieving it solely by one’s own ability would mean realizing Foundation Built Upon Oneself."
"It’s entirely feasible! Worth a try! If I hadn’t already reached Dao Integration, I’d be tempted to abolish my cultivation and start anew just to test this miraculous foundation-building method!" Fang Zaiji was overflowing with excitement.
Li Fan nodded. "To leverage the Tianxuan Mirror’s guidance, one needs to earn merit points from the conquering various small worlds. I would have to trouble Elder Liu to arrange for some disciples to take on this task. It would be best to send a group of low-level Qi Condensation cultivators together for safety."
Liu San's expression turned awkward upon hearing this. “Uh... This might be a bit difficult...”
“Hm?” Li Fan was slightly taken aback.
Just as Liu San was about to explain, Fang Zaiji interrupted him. “Haha, Sect Master, have you been in seclusion for too long? Our Medicine King Sect doesn’t have any Qi Condensation disciples anymore. Even those with the worst aptitude have long since reached the Foundation Establishment stage.”
Li Fan's hand, which had been stroking the Dissociation Disc, paused slightly.
“In that case, I’ll have to trouble Mr. Fang to make a trip outside and select some promising talents.” Li Fan feigned realization and then added somewhat helplessly.
“It would be best if you carried the Endstone Plate with you and remained cautious. If the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance discover you, a battle will be inevitable.” He kindly reminded him.
“Uh...” Fang Zaiji’s face instantly fell. “Sect Master...”
“Mr. Fang, it’s best if you leave and return quickly. This concerns our hope of deciphering the Tianxuan Treasure Record. I wouldn't feel at ease entrusting this task to anyone else.” Li Fan spoke earnestly.
Seeing that he had no way to refuse, Fang Zaiji shot a glare at Liu San—who was enjoying the spectacle—before flying away.
“I’m going out as well.” At this moment, Jiang Yushan, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke.
Liu San was immediately stunned.
“I’ve been stuck here for too long; it’s getting suffocating.” Jiang Yushan said indifferently. “The outside world seems rather lively now. Countless hidden small worlds that have remained in obscurity for thousands of years are finally about to reveal themselves. I find that quite interesting. Perhaps I might even run into some old acquaintances.”
Li Fan pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
He handed her a piece of the Endstone Plate and a Communication Talisman, instructing, “Safety first. If our Medicine King Sect is to rise again, we will need your support, Elder Jiang.”
“Don’t worry.” Jiang Yushan replied coldly before vanishing into the sky.
“Young Master, I also—” Liu San hurriedly spoke.
“Elder Liu, you should stay in the Medicine King Valley. A crucial matter will arise soon, and I will need you and my clone to handle it together.” Li Fan waved his hand decisively, rejecting Liu San’s request.
Liu San’s face turned bitter, but he had no choice but to comply. Frustrated, he went to find the disciples of the Medicine King Sect to vent his frustration.
Li Fan once again immersed himself in feeding the Dissociation Disc.
Meanwhile, his clone, Xu Bai, who had returned to Tianliang City, was gathering intelligence on the recent progress of the Immortal Alliance’s conquest of the myriad worlds.
Up until now, everything had been going smoothly. However, shortly after his return to the Xuanhuang Realm, the zealous cultivators of the Immortal Alliance encountered their first major defeat.
The initial force that entered a small world consisted of over a hundred cultivators, including three Soul Transformation leaders and fifty Nascent Soul elites.
Such formidable strength... yet they were nearly wiped out.
The only survivor was a Foundation Establishment cultivator named Lu Zhixian.
This person had only managed to join the expedition because of his connections with one of the Soul Transformation leaders. He initially intended to earn some minor merit, but the battle took a drastic turn for the worse. Sensing danger, Lu Zhixian decisively fled.
Perhaps due to his low cultivation level, the enemy did not consider him worth pursuing.
Such a devastating loss naturally caused an uproar, prompting an official investigation by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Thanks to the recorded images in the Tianxuan Treasure Record, Lu Zhixian was quickly cleared of any suspicion of being a spy and was released without charge.
When the footage was made public, it shocked the entire cultivation world.
Because the one who single-handedly annihilated the entire expedition... was just one man.
He had white hair, white eyebrows, and a face full of wrinkles. At first glance, he looked incredibly old, as if he could die of old age at any moment.
But his attacks were ruthless beyond compare.
His hair and beard moved as if they were alive, lashing out like silver dragons and instantly piercing through the bodies of the Immortal Alliance cultivators.
What was even more terrifying was that after the old man's beard and hair pierced into the bodies of the Immortal Alliance cultivators, they seemed to be able to absorb their life force.
In an instant, countless cultivators aged rapidly, some even turning into skeletons without so much as a scream.
Meanwhile, the old man’s face became visibly more flushed.
This white-haired elder was at least at the Dao Integration stage. Moreover, he seemed to have a special advantage within the Small World, rendering ordinary Soul Transformation cultivators completely powerless against him. They could only watch helplessly as they were drained dry.
This scene immediately incited immense outrage among the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivators.
"Absorbing a cultivator’s lifespan directly? Such an act is no different from demonic cultivators! He must be eliminated!"
"Well said! Fellow Daoist, I support you! Go and chop off his head!"
"Hiss... I didn't expect such a ruthless figure to exist in a small world. I think it will take at least two or three Dao Integration experts to take him down."
"Fools! Haven't you realized it yet? That Lu Zhixian was deliberately let go to report back—just to lure more cultivators to their deaths!"
"That makes sense. But if that's the case, why hasn’t he just left that small world and wreaked havoc in the Xuanhuang Realm?"
"Because he's not as stupid as you are."
Despite the heated discussion, the cultivators of the Immortal Alliance were no fools. Since such a monster existed in that small world, they simply chose to avoid it. After all, there were countless unexplored small world—why fight to the death with this one? It was better to pick an easier target.
Thus, a dramatic turn of events unfolded.
That particular small world was marked on the map with a red skull symbol, but no one dared to enter it again.
"In the end, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance will surely send people to clean it up anyway."
Holding onto this belief, the cultivators chose to completely ignore the matter.
Surprisingly, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance itself seemed to silently approve of this behavior, as no official bounty or wanted notice was issued for the small world.
"Interesting."
After investigating the situation, Xu Bai discovered that there was actually an internal dispute within the Immortal Alliance over how to handle this small world.
One faction believed that such an insidious threat must be swiftly eradicated to uphold the supreme authority of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
The other faction argued that future conquests across different worlds would inevitably lead to encounters with opponents of similar strength to the white-haired elder. If they insisted on eliminating every single one of them, it would lead to unnecessary casualties.
Dao Integration cultivators were the backbone of the Immortal Alliance—losing even one would be a significant loss.
Even though the Rebirth Mansion existed, allowing fallen cultivators to be resurrected...
It appeared that Dao Integration cultivators had deep concerns about "resurrection" and were unwilling to rush into battle.
After further inquiries, Xu Bai finally uncovered the reason.
As it turned out, even though various methods allowed one to be revived with their past life’s memories and cultivation intact...
There was a fatal flaw that no Dao Integration cultivator could ignore.
Once one entered the Rebirth Mansion, they would forever lose their chance to reach the Longevity Immortal realm.
The exact reason was unknown, but judging from the reactions of various Dao Integration experts, it was likely true.
After all, what Dao Integration cultivator did not aspire to achieve eternal longevity?
Resurrection... was merely a desperate last resort.
"It is just like how the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor defied the natural order of cultivation—since then, no cultivator in the world has been able to surpass him."
"The Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign defies the natural order of life and death."
"And once a cultivator has been resurrected by him, they will never be able to attain the Longevity Immortal realm again."
Xu Bai seemed to have realized something.
"However, for the vast majority of cultivators in the world, the Longevity Immortal realm is already an unattainable dream. Even if they knew about this, they probably wouldn’t care much."
Suddenly, Xu Bai seemed to recall something and frowned slightly.
He calculated the future developments of the Xuanhuang Realm several years from now.
"In the original Xuanhuang Realm, cultivators were born naturally and perished naturally. As time passed, even though the chances were extremely slim, a new Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign would eventually emerge every few thousand or ten thousand years."
"But now, with the existence of the Rebirth Mansion, resurrected cultivators are gradually taking the place of naturally born cultivators. This has led to a decreasing number of naturally born cultivators."
"And the already minuscule probability of attaining Longevity Immortal status will become even rarer."
"Eventually, until..."
"There are no more new Longevity Immortals in the world."
Xu Bai stroked his chin. "The Xuanhuang Extermination Plan—carve out your own path, while leaving the rest of the world with no way forward."
"Such a domineering method is quite reminiscent of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor."
"However, for the existing Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns, this is actually a good thing. Perhaps this is the very reason why the Five Elders Association has not stepped forward to stop the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign."
After all, not every small world has an old monster like the White-Browed Old man overseeing it.
The minor setbacks encountered during the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's conquest were quickly forgotten. Even the occasional small world that resisted fiercely was swiftly subdued with reinforcements.
Fifty, one hundred, one hundred and thirty-six...
The number of discovered small worlds increased rapidly.
Xu Bai, through the Tianxuan Treasure Record, recorded the process of these small worlds being conquered, along with their current state.
Once the time was right, he and Liu San arranged to return to the Empire Small World together.
After blocking the perception of the Tianxuan Treasure Record, the two entered one after the other, reuniting in the dark void.
Having already informed each other of important matters in advance, Liu San had also changed his appearance. The two sped through the void.
"A Beast-Taming Sect lineage? That’s quite rare," Liu San commented as he scanned the land below with his divine sense.
Seeing countless exotic and strange beasts, Liu San couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration.
"It’s merely a branch of the Beast-Taming Sect. The true inheritance of the Beast-Taming Sect seems to be hiding in the Lingxu Realm. After thousands of years, who knows what has become of it now?" Xu Bai casually replied through voice transmission.
"Lingxu Realm... I feel like I’ve heard of it somewhere?" Liu San was slightly taken aback.
After a long while, Liu San shook his head. "Strange, I can’t seem to remember. Have I really grown this old?"
"No matter. Now that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is sweeping through the realms, they will eventually be exposed. Elder Liu, did you have any acquaintances within the Beast-Taming Sect back in the day?" Xu Bai asked.
"I’ve only heard of them, but never had any direct interactions," Liu San replied absentmindedly, still dwelling on his lost memory.
At that moment, within Longevity Valley, Li Fan suddenly felt a wave of unease.
"Hmm?"
It had been a long time since he had experienced such a sensation, and he dared not take it lightly.
He stopped feeding Dissociation Disks with formation data and became visibly solemn.
In his mind, the Dao Deviation Stone spun at full speed as he tried to pinpoint the source of this looming threat.
Before long, he arrived at a possible answer...
Liu San, as a Dao Integration powerhouse, clearly wouldn’t fail to remember events that happened to him. Even if he momentarily couldn’t recall, a search through his divine sense should have absolutely allowed him to retrieve those memories.
Yet, this had inexplicably occurred.
“It’s because the memories related to the Lingxu Realm in his mind were altered by someone.”
“The only ones capable of silently modifying the divine sense of a Dao Integration cultivator are those at the Longevity Immortal stage. Liu San, in the first half of his life, had never come into contact with a Longevity Immortal.”
“So the issue must lie with the True Temptation Fruit that I used on him back then.”
As he contemplated the memory alterations he had made to Liu San, Li Fan suddenly realized: “The Lingxu Realm must have been something he once mentioned in a conversation with the true young master of the Medicine King Sect, Liu Yihang.”
To be cautious, Li Fan had not killed Liu Yihang at that time.
Instead, he had hidden him inside the Medicine King True Cauldron, in an inconspicuous room that only Li Fan himself could open.
Liu Yihang remained in a deep slumber within the Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation.
At this moment, with the three elders of the Medicine King Sect absent, Li Fan had no scruples about his actions.
He released Liu Yihang from the Medicine King True Cauldron and brought him into his own Cave Heaven.
Without the formation’s effects, Liu Yihang slowly regained consciousness.
But in an instant, he realized something was terribly wrong.
He had no control over his body, unable even to cry out.
His expression drastically changed, and though he wanted to struggle, it was futile.
Within his own Cave Heaven, Li Fan had no need to personally appear—he could suppress Liu Yihang with ease.
Using Soul Searching Art, Li Fan effortlessly extracted the information about the Lingxu Realm from his mind.
It wasn’t anything particularly special—just that, many years ago, Liu Yihang had come across the name of this realm while reading an ancient text.
The Lingxu Realm was home to a plant known as Lingxu Grass, an essential ingredient for refining the Nurturing Soul Pill.
Because of this, Liu Yihang had once consulted Liu San about it.
The person involved had likely long since forgotten about this matter. Yet, thousands of years later, it had led to an unforeseen disaster.
Originally, Liu Yihang could have remained in the Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation, slumbering for a few more decades.
Having unraveled the situation, Li Fan felt no guilt about his actions.
He continued suppressing Liu Yihang in the Cave Heaven while his true body returned to Medicine King Valley.
Meanwhile, his clone, Xu Bai, interrupted Liu San’s thoughts, saying, “Now that I think about it, I recall reading a secret record back in the day that detailed the method for refining the Nurturing Soul Pill.”
“One of the primary ingredients, Lingxu Grass, was said to grow in the Lingxu Realm. At that time, I even asked Elder Liu about it.”
Upon hearing this, Liu San’s expression first turned puzzled.
Then, he slapped his forehead. “Ah, my memory! That did happen. I nearly forgot about it!”
Having resolved his doubts, Liu San shifted his focus back to the Empire small world below.
Together with Xu Bai, he flew to the towering palace.
The powerful spiritual sense of a Dao Integration cultivator had long since alerted Xiao Qing.
She, the Imperial Princess, and another woman dressed in red flew forward to greet them.
“This is Elder Liu of our Federation,” Xu Bai solemnly introduced.
The three women saluted Liu San.
“Greetings, Senior!”
Unless a Longevity Immortal emerges, Dao Integration cultivators are the strongest beings in the world.
This is true for the Xuanhuang Realm, let alone this small Empire world.
Qing and Hong were somewhat prepared—they had lived long enough. In their memories, back when they were in the Beast-Taming Sect many years ago, they had encountered a Dao Integration cultivator before.
However, the Imperial Princess was not as fortunate.
Even though she had inherited the memories of past emperors of the empire, her impression of the legendary power of Dao Integration cultivators remained vague.
After all, she was merely a mortal.
Faced with the immense, mountain-like pressure that Liu San unintentionally emanated, the Imperial Princess turned pale, struggling to breathe.
The three of them bowed, yet Liu San remained silent.
Qing and Hong felt a growing unease.
To be honest, until today, they had harbored some doubts about this so-called Federation of All Worlds.
After all, from beginning to end, they had only ever communicated with a single representative. Moreover, that representative’s cultivation was not particularly profound—merely at the Nascent Soul stage, which was quite common in the Xuanhuang Realm.
But today, the moment they personally witnessed a Dao Integration cultivator, all their doubts vanished.
Because strength is the best proof.
It was impossible for a great Dao Integration cultivator to be involved in some kind of scam. With a mere wave of his hand, he could wipe an entire empire off the map. There was no reason for such deception.
Countless thoughts flashed through their minds in an instant, and the three from the empire became even more respectful.
Sensing that the atmosphere was just right, Liu San finally let out a slight hum and nodded. "Let's go. Take me to see the things you reported."
At that moment, Xu Bai spoke as well. "The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's attacks have been getting more intense lately. Elder Liu doesn't have much time to waste."
The Imperial Princess hurriedly nodded and led them to a hidden underground chamber beneath the palace’s high tower.
The chamber was vast and empty. Inside, a Void Coordinator Trajectory Instrument, over a thousand different types of Spirit Crystal Marrow, and a massive furnace had already been prepared.
Liu San first looked at the Void Coordinator Trajectory Instrument, then suddenly asked, "If we know the relative coordinates of a certain world in comparison to the Xuanhuang Realm, can we use this instrument to pinpoint its location in the void?"
Xiao Qing was stunned for a moment, then her expression changed drastically.
She realized that Elder Liu wasn’t referring to just a small world within Xuanhuang.
He was referring to another cultivation world on the same level as the Xuanhuang Realm.
Her evaluation of the Federation of All Worlds instantly rose.
After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Qing shook her head and responded honestly, "Due to the influence of the Immortal Ruins, the space-time around the Xuanhuang Realm is distorted. If we only have raw coordinate data, even if we manage to escape the Immortal Ruins' pull, we might still lose our way."
"However, if we pre-set the destination coordinates in advance, we can continuously adjust our course through space-time corrections. Theoretically, it is entirely possible to safely reach the target location," she quickly added.
"A world without spiritual energy has still managed to develop such technology. That is no small feat," Liu San nodded approvingly.
Hearing this, Xiao Qing and the others couldn't help but reveal a hint of joy in their eyes.
Liu San then turned his gaze toward the thousands of different Spirit Crystal Marrow specimens.
With just a glance, he dismissed them.
To a Dao Integration cultivator, these ferocious beast abilities were nothing more than child’s play.
Finally, Liu San’s attention shifted to the massive, roaring furnace.
The faint, dangerous aura seeping from it made him narrow his eyes slightly.
"You are playing with fire," Liu San finally commented after a long silence.
"All beasts returning to one. Indeed, it is a possibility. But if such a terrifying creation were truly brought into existence, I fear that your so-called [Heart Linking technique] would not be able to control it."
"Perhaps if the supreme treasure of the Beast-Taming Sect, the [Ten Thousand Beasts Reincarnation Wheel], were still around, there might still be a sliver of hope."
Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong exchanged glances, both startled in their hearts.
However, before they could respond, Liu San left behind only one sentence before departing directly.
"I have already grasped the general situation of this world. Be patient and await the results."
Xiao Qing asked nervously, "Fellow Daoist Xu..."
Xu Bai appeared helpless. "I already said earlier that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is launching an aggressive assault, and many small worlds have fallen one after another. The organization has already decided to implement the 'Sever the Tail to Survive' strategy, retracting our sphere of influence. Only the valuable small worlds will be preserved as part of the core forces."
"In the end, the decision is not solely up to Elder Liu. A comprehensive evaluation by the higher-ups is necessary before a final judgment can be made."
As proof, Xu Bai displayed the scenes he had gathered earlier from the Tianxuan Treasure Record, showing numerous small worlds falling one after another under the relentless attacks of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators.
Faced with these brutal, real, and bloodstained images, the three imperial figures couldn't help but reveal slight changes in their expressions.
Tossing the Image-Storing Stone to them, Xu Bai spoke in reassurance:
"Don't worry. Considering our shared ancestral lineage, even if the organization does not approve the decision to protect you, I will personally come to rescue you and take you away."
"Of course, the number must be small. Five people at most."
Xu Bai’s expression turned somewhat solemn.
Seeing the increasingly pale faces of Xiao Qing and the other two, he continued, "Of course, if the organization ultimately decides to provide you with protection, that would be ideal."
"However, when the time comes, as the price for protection, all resources and technologies of your empire must be fully integrated into our Federation of All Worlds."
"No matter what the outcome, you should start making preparations in advance."
"I've heard that within your empire, there still exists some sort of noble class..."
Xu Bai sneered and looked at the imperial princess, saying,
"Remember, the empire only needs an Emperor—it does not need nobles."
"From today onward, let the empire have only one voice."
With that, Xu Bai cupped his hands in farewell.
"I have many matters to attend to and cannot linger here any longer. I hope that when I return next time, I will bring good news."
Without waiting for Xiao Qing and the others to bid farewell, Xu Bai soared into the sky and disappeared from the empire.
Watching Xu Bai depart, the imperial princess gazed beyond the palace.
A flash of killing intent crossed her eyes, but in the end, they gradually became resolute.
Xuanhuang Realm, Entrance to the Empire.
Liu San, who had left earlier, was waiting for Xu Bai there.
"Young Master, how was my performance?"
Seeing Xu Bai arrive, he couldn't help but ask smugly.
"Haha, I never expected Elder Liu, who appears so upright and righteous, to be such a natural at deception—flawless, without a single trace of pretense. I must remind Elder Jiang to be careful in the future," Xu Bai said with a smile.
Liu San’s face immediately fell.
However, he quickly shifted the topic on his own.
"Setting that aside, this so-called Empire small world is quite remarkable. Not to mention other aspects, but simply that [Myriad Phenomena Furnace] alone would be considered extraordinary even in the ancient cultivation world."
Chapter 758
"And besides, I’ve realized that due to the natural limitations of the materials, the furnace they are using can only accommodate a limited number of exotic beasts. If we were to use our Medicine King True Cauldron, we might be able to refine several times the number of exotic beasts in a single process."
"At that time, who knows what kind of monster we could create?"
"I'm afraid that even if I joined forces with Yushan, we might not be able to suppress it."
Liu San shook his head slightly. "It’s like a potent poison—highly effective, but with too many restrictions."
"If only we could master a method to control Dao Integration combat power," Liu San suddenly sighed.
Xu Bai's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression remaining unchanged. Instead, he followed the train of thought and mused, "Elder Liu makes a valid point. The Xuanhuang Realm is vast and full of mysteries—there might indeed exist a way to control Dao Integration cultivators."
"I'll investigate. If it truly works, then wouldn't our Medicine King Sect be able to steadily produce a Dao Integration-level fighter at regular intervals?"
Hearing this, Liu San couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
"Although compared to the new Dao Integration, the combat power of these Fused Beasts would certainly be inferior, they are still at the Dao Integration level. If we have enough of them, even the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would have to tread carefully around us, wouldn't they?"
"At that point, our Medicine King Sect might even be able to openly return to the world?"
Xu Bai nodded in agreement. "It's not an impossible plan."
"By the way, Young Master, Elder Ruan is still in deep slumber within the Medicine King True Cauldron. He has extensive knowledge of demonic beast bodies. Perhaps waking him up might help us find a feasible method," Liu San suggested.
"..."
Suddenly, memories from Liu Yihang surfaced in his mind.
Ruan Tianxiao, one of the Dao Integration Elders of the Medicine King Sect.
Unlike the other elders who primarily used spiritual plants in their alchemy, Ruan Tianxiao preferred to incorporate animals, demonic beasts, and even human body tissues into his concoctions.
Though undeniably effective, his methods were excessively bloody and brutal, bordering on the grotesque.
As a result, Ruan Tianxiao’s "Meat Pills" were never widely accepted.
He was also a reclusive figure, preferring solitude and keeping no close associates within the sect.
After pondering for a long time, Xu Bai frowned and decided, "Elder Ruan has always been estranged from others. If he awakens and suddenly realizes that he has traveled thousands of years into the future, he may no longer have the desire to remain in our Medicine King Sect."
Liu San couldn't refute this possibility. "That is indeed possible."
"However, Elder Ruan’s Meat Pill technique does have some unique merits. The Myriad Fusion Beast..."
Xu Bai seemed to be weighing his options. "Let’s do this—once we officially acquire the Empire’s technology, we’ll decide based on the situation."
"If we can mass-produce Fused Beasts on our own, then there’s no rush to awaken Elder Ruan. But if we encounter any insurmountable difficulties, we can summon him at that time."
In the end, Xu Bai made his decision.
Liu San nodded in agreement.
With that matter settled, Xu Bai needed to return to Tianliang Province, while Liu San would head back to Medicine King Valley.
After they parted ways, Xu Bai watched Liu San disappear into the distance, deep in thought.
"Was that a test? Or just a coincidence?"
"Perhaps previous events made him suspicious. After all, even Dao Integration cultivators, despite being unable to resist the changes brought by the True Temptation Fruit due to the power of a Heavenly Sovereign, could still sense something was amiss with themselves."
"To be safe, I should leave Longevity Valley for now."
Li Fan had always acted swiftly and decisively.
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he did not hesitate. Leaving behind only a message stating that he had urgent matters to attend to, he quietly departed from Medicine King Valley before Liu San returned.
"I should also consult the Five Elders Association to confirm the effects of this True Temptation Fruit."
A sharp glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
He temporarily put away the Dissociation Disc and headed straight for Shou Feng’s residence.
At the same time, Xu Bai, who had returned to Tianliang Prefecture, secretly sought out the Garrison Institution cultivator and the Five Elders Association spy with whom he had previously made a deal.
This person's name was Liu Wenyu.
“Daoist Liu, I heard that you still haven’t generated your own Tianxuan Treasure Record?”
Xu Bai started the conversation with this question.
A hint of gloom flashed across Liu Wenyu’s face, but he did not say anything out of line. Instead, he spoke with implicit meaning:
“Soon. Although many cultivators in the Immortal Alliance still have concerns about the existence of the Tianxuan Treasure Record and are unwilling to generate it...”
“But I heard that the official decision has already been made. Any member within the system of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance must generate the treasure record within their body. For us Garrison Institution cultivators, we are required to be the first to fully comply. And this is only the first step.”
“I believe it won’t be long before the day comes when all cultivators under the heavens carry the treasure record.”
“Hmph, when that time comes...”
A trace of unconcealable apprehension flashed through Liu Wenyu’s eyes.
“I don’t see an issue with it. This thing is indeed miraculous. With it, many troubles are avoided.” Xu Bai smiled slightly, indifferent to the matter.
“Hm? You’ve already generated one?” Liu Wenyu’s expression changed, and he was about to retreat.
But Xu Bai grabbed him.
The Endstone Plate suddenly appeared above them, emitting a dim white glow that enveloped both of them.
“Relax. The Tianxuan Treasure Record is nothing. Our Heaven-Suppressing Society doesn’t even regard it as a threat.” Xu Bai spoke with an air of arrogance, straightforwardly.
“Heaven-Suppressing Society? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Liu Wenyu’s face turned pale, and he quickly shook his head.
Breaking free from Xu Bai’s grasp, he attempted to flee.
However, upon hearing Xu Bai’s next words, he abruptly halted.
“I’ve made it this obvious, and you still don’t see it? As a spy of the Five Elders Association, your instincts are really dull.”
Xu Bai shook his head slightly. “I’ll be direct—our Heaven-Suppressing Society possesses a method to block the Tianxuan Treasure Record’s surveillance.”
Though his tone was calm, Liu Wenyu’s ears rang as if he had just been struck by thunder.
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” He lost his composure on the spot. “We have been completely powerless against it...”
Liu Wenyu’s words came to an abrupt stop. His face darkened. “You’re tricking me?”
Xu Bai chuckled lightly. “If I were lying, then I imagine it wouldn’t be long before the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s Garrison Institution cultivators arrive to execute us both on the spot.”
“Daoist Liu, why not wait and see? In any case, things have already come to this point, and even if you wanted to run, you wouldn’t be able to.”
Liu Wenyu’s expression shifted continuously. In the end, he withdrew his foot and collapsed into a chair inside the room, anxiously waiting.
Time passed slowly, each second feeling like an eternity.
Yet, even after half a day, there was no movement outside.
Liu Wenyu became increasingly doubtful. He raised his head to look at the Endstone Plate hovering above them, his eyes filled with disbelief.
“This thing... can really block the Tianxuan Treasure Record’s detection?” His face was full of shock.
“Heaven-Suppressing is not just an empty name.” Xu Bai said coolly.
"Heaven-Suppressing Society..."
Liu Wenyu was filled with shock, murmuring softly under his breath.
His eyes were locked onto the Endstone Plate above his head, and he couldn't help but reach out with both hands, wanting to touch it.
As a spy secretly working for the Five Elders Association, he had been cornered by the Tianxuan Treasure Record. He knew all too well just how precious this object was.
"What is this?" Liu Wenyu couldn't help but ask.
"The Heaven-Concealing Disc," Xu Bai replied indifferently. With a thought, the Endstone Plate instantly faded into illusion, causing Liu Wenyu’s hands to grasp nothing but air.
Only then did Liu Wenyu suddenly snap back to reality.
Reluctantly shifting his gaze away from the Endstone Plate, he cupped his hands solemnly and said, "Fellow Daoist, you must have come here for something important."
Xu Bai snorted coldly, "That's right. I’m here to demand an explanation!"
"Huh?" Liu Wenyu was momentarily stunned.
"Not long ago, a Dao Integration cultivator that our organization controlled using the True Temptation Fruit showed signs of breaking free. Fortunately, we discovered it in time and took other measures before he could fully turn against us. Otherwise, our Heaven-Suppressing Society would have suffered a disastrous loss," Xu Bai said grimly.
"Didn’t you say that the True Temptation Fruit was a creation of the Heavenly Sovereign and was absolutely infallible? How could there be such a flaw?"
"Empty boasts! No wonder you've been suppressed by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to this extent," Xu Bai glanced at him disdainfully and said in a slow, deliberate tone.
"The True Temptation Fruit failed?" Liu Wenyu’s face turned pale with shock, but he quickly shook his head repeatedly.
"That is absolutely impossible. As long as the Heavenly Sovereign exists in this world, no Dao Integration cultivator can defy His power," Liu Wenyu said with absolute certainty.
Xu Bai said in a deep voice, "And yet, the loss of control happened. How do you explain that?"
"Fellow Daoist, don’t be hasty. Please describe the situation in detail."
So Xu Bai omitted names and specific details, fabricating an account of a Dao Integration cultivator who, upon realizing he was being controlled, attempted to rebel.
Liu Wenyu pondered for a moment before responding, "Perhaps the problem lies in how you used the True Temptation Fruit."
Xu Bai’s face darkened with anger. "So now you’re saying the problem is on our side? We followed your instructions to the letter!"
Liu Wenyu hurriedly explained, "The True Temptation Fruit can distort a cultivator's thoughts, making them believe even the most absurd notions. However, cultivators are not mindless puppets. They still have their own consciousness. If the implanted lie is too simplistic, and they later encounter contradictions, they won’t suspect the lie itself but might attempt to verify it in their own ways.
"For example, if you use the True Temptation Fruit to implant the idea that a Dao Integration cultivator is nothing more than a powerless mortal, he will act accordingly. However, if one day, by sheer accident, he effortlessly kills a Nascent Soul True Lord, the contradiction between reality and his implanted belief will force him to search for the cause of the inconsistency—he must find an explanation that convinces himself.
"Otherwise, the disparity between perception and reality could drive him into madness.
"Likewise, if you use the True Temptation Fruit to instill unwavering loyalty in a Dao Integration cultivator, but he later realizes that this loyalty might be the result of external influence, he will still remain loyal. However...
"His way of expressing that loyalty... may become rather extreme."
Liu Wenyu paused for a moment, glanced at Xu Bai, and then continued, “He might believe that the Xuanhuang Realm is full of hidden dangers. If one's strength is insufficient yet exposed to the outside world, it could very well endanger their life. So he believes that imprisoning you in a dungeon somewhere and having you cultivate endlessly until you achieve Dao Integration is the safest approach. Only when you have enough power to traverse the Xuanhuang Realm should you be released.”
“From an outsider’s perspective, this might seem twisted and unreasonable. However, in their understanding, this is completely logical and follows a natural course.”
“In our Five Elders Association, there was once a case of a loyal cultivator defecting to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. He remained loyal to the Five Elders Association, but he believed that the strength of the Immortal Ancestor was unfathomable and that we were incapable of opposing them. Over time, defeat would be inevitable. He thought that only by proactively surrendering and facilitating a merger with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could there be a chance for survival.”
Liu Wenyu sighed helplessly and said, “He spoke so convincingly that he even tried to persuade other members of the Five Elders Association to follow him.”
“There are actually quite a few people like this. We refer to them as ‘Obsession-Craze Cultivators.’ This is the result of a partial misalignment with the Heavenly Principles of the Xuanhuang Realm, due to the Heavenly Sovereign’s incomplete grasp of supreme logic.”
“Of course, if every Heavenly Sovereign possessed the omnipresent divine power of Carefree Heavenly Sovereign, such incidents wouldn’t happen.”
As Liu Wenyu explained, Xu Bai’s expression gradually softened.
“When we initially set up the deception, we made it as foolproof as possible. Who would have thought that something like this would still happen...” Xu Bai snorted coldly.
Liu Wenyu also looked helpless. “After all, we're dealing with a Dao Integration cultivator—it’s inevitable. If they were that easy to control, wouldn’t our Five Elders Association have unified the Xuanhuang Realm long ago? We wouldn’t have ended up in our current predicament.”
“So what do we do now? This is an extremely critical matter, yet it wasn’t discussed in advance during our transaction. Letting him go is out of the question, but keeping him imprisoned for too long will arouse suspicion. Should we just kill him and frame you for it?” Xu Bai asked.
Liu Wenyu was startled and quickly responded, “Fellow Daoist, don’t act recklessly. I believe there’s still a way to salvage this.”
“One option is to use the ‘True Temptation Fruit’ on him again to repair the flaws in the deception.”
“The other option...”
Liu Wenyu’s expression turned a bit strange. “We reveal the truth to him directly and then convince him to abandon his ‘crazed obsession.’”
“Explain more clearly.” Xu Bai’s face darkened.
Liu Wenyu lowered his voice. “Let’s take the cultivator who defected to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance as an example. The reason he defected was simply because he believed that our Five Elders Association was no match for the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. If we can provide irrefutable proof that the Five Elders Association is actually stronger than the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance—or at the very least, can stand against them—then he will return to our side.”
“After all, his belief in loyalty to the Five Elders Association has never truly wavered.”
Xu Bai instantly understood his meaning.
“Of course, if this ‘persuasion’ process is combined with the True Temptation Fruit, the effect will be even greater,” Liu Wenyu added.
“Daoist Xu, does your Heaven-Suppressing Society still require any more True Temptation Fruits?” he asked.
Chapter 760
Xu Bai did not respond.
He simply pointed to the Endstone Disc above his head and asked calmly, “Does your Five Elders Association need this?”
Liu Wenyu was momentarily stunned, then nodded repeatedly.
“Before coming here, our organization had already given instructions: a fair trade—one Disc in exchange for one True Temptation Fruit,” Xu Bai said, looking up.
Liu Wenyu nodded slightly. He did not think Xu Bai was asking for too much. In fact, he believed that the Five Elders Association was getting a great deal in this trade.
His gaze lingered greedily on the Endstone Plate, and he said, “That shouldn't be a problem. However, I still need to report to my superiors for confirmation.”
Hearing this, Xu Bai handed him another Endstone Plate and said, “Keep this with you for now. The outside world is full of Tianxuan Mirror’s eyes. If you accidentally expose yourself, things could turn bad.”
At the same time, Xu Bai explained in detail how to use the Endstone Plate.
Liu Wenyu’s eyes flickered with excitement, and he felt a slight sense of gratitude toward Xu Bai. “Fellow Daoist, your foresight is commendable. In these difficult times, our two groups should indeed join forces to overcome the crisis.”
Xu Bai waved his hand dismissively. “Go on then. Hurry back, I’ll be waiting here.”
Liu Wenyu nodded before transforming into a streak of light and disappearing.
He returned in less than half an hour, rushing back in a hurry.
“The higher-ups have agreed to the trade. However, there’s one issue—how many of these Heaven-Concealing Discs can your Heaven-Suppressing Society provide?” Liu Wenyu asked.
“These items are difficult to refine, and even our organization doesn’t have enough,” Xu Bai said solemnly.
This was within Liu Wenyu’s expectations. However, Xu Bai’s next words sent a shock through his heart.
“At most, we can only spare a few hundred for you.” Xu Bai sighed, sounding somewhat helpless.
“So many?!” Liu Wenyu’s face was filled with astonishment, and he blurted out in shock.
Instantly, a wave of regret surged within him.
He had realized that these Heaven-Concealing Discs might not be as valuable as he had initially thought.
“Too many? Then let’s make it a hundred instead. After all, if your Five Elders Association doesn’t want them, there are plenty of cultivators who do.” Xu Bai snorted coldly, his tone straightforward.
“When I say a few hundred, of course, they will be delivered in batches. Did you think these things grow like weeds, just needing water to sprout?”
“No, no, not too many at all.” Liu Wenyu hurriedly reassured him.
“However, we don’t have that much True Temptation Fruit in stock...” Liu Wenyu said hesitantly.
“Same as before—any valuable resources will do.” Xu Bai waved his hand dismissively. “In fact, we could even lend you a batch of Heaven-Concealing Discs first.”
“But...” Xu Bai’s tone grew serious. “The organization believes that we need to strengthen our cooperation further.”
“Strengthen cooperation?” Liu Wenyu frowned slightly.
“Ever since the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance established the Rebirth Mansion, and since the Tianxuan Mirror began its strange movements, our once-promising situation has taken a sudden turn for the worse. If the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign has truly defied fate and cannot be stopped, so be it. But now, the Tianxuan Mirror is scanning countless small worlds across Xuanhuang, attempting to ascend—and your Five Elders Association remains indifferent...”
“With five Heavenly Sovereigns on your side, surely you have some means of counteracting this, don’t you?” Xu Bai asked, clearly dissatisfied.
“What exactly are you all doing?”
Liu Wenyu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but held back.
After a long silence, he sighed in defeat. “It’s not just you, Daoist. I, too, have many doubts about this matter.”
“Perhaps, I can use this trade as an opportunity to find out the truth.” His expression was unreadable.
“The situation is urgent. The sooner we trade, the better. Three days from now, outside Tianliang City, in Wuliang Mountain.”
After setting the location for the exchange, Liu Wenyu prepared to leave.
“Don’t forget—the Heaven-Concealing Disc I gave you earlier counts as part of the trade,” Xu Bai reminded him.
Liu Wenyu’s steps faltered slightly upon hearing this, then he quickened his pace even more.
A moment later, Xu Bai also left the room, turning into a streak of light and disappearing into the distance.
Wuliang Mountain
Since the Boundless Wall incident—where cultivators were swallowed by the wall—the already remote Wuliang Mountain had become even more deserted.
Very few cultivators in the world understood the true nature of the Boundless Wall’s enlightenment.
Moreover, most cultivators were now focused on conquering small worlds and earning merits.
As a result, even fewer people ventured here.
After all, if one died in battle, they could be resurrected. But if they were swallowed by the Boundless Wall, there was no telling what would happen.
Xu Bai silently arrived at the bottom of a valley in Wuliang Mountain.
From a distance, he gazed at the Boundless Wall, its surface as smooth as a mirror, and patiently waited.
"I heard that it was you who rescued Guan Xingxiu's nephew from the Boundless Wall last time?"
Suddenly, a voice rang out behind Xu Bai.
Xu Bai was startled.
Turning around, he saw a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a purple-gold Daoist robe standing beside him.
The man was quietly observing the Boundless Wall without looking at Xu Bai.
But it was clear that he was the one who had just spoken.
Xu Bai's heart grew heavy.
Even though the man had deliberately concealed his aura, the fact that Xu Bai couldn't sense his presence at all was enough to determine the truth of his cultivation level.
A Dao Integration Immortal Sage!
"Senior, it was merely by luck that I managed to rescue Guan Changge," Xu Bai replied respectfully.
At the same time, his mind raced as he tried to deduce the other party's identity.
At this time and place, someone of this cultivation level appearing here—
It couldn't be a coincidence.
"Could he be the contact for the Five Elders Association's transaction this time?" Xu Bai speculated.
"A Dao Integration Immortal Sage, acting as a spy for the Five Elders Association...?"
In an instant, the identity of the purple-gold-robed cultivator became obvious.
Immortal Sage Ziqiong.
The Supreme Commander of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s Martial Hall.
Even though Xu Bai had already learned from his past lives that this man was a spy,
Seeing Immortal Sage Ziqiong suddenly appear in front of him still gave him a bit of a shock.
Without revealing anything, Xu Bai cautiously probed,
"May I ask, Senior...?"
"I represent the Five Elders Association. I’m here to conduct a transaction with your Heaven-Suppressing Society."
To Xu Bai’s surprise, Immortal Sage Ziqiong stated his purpose outright, without any attempt to conceal it.
Xu Bai fell silent.
He couldn't quite figure out the man’s intentions and was carefully considering his next move.
Fortunately, it was only a clone of himself present, so he didn't feel too panicked.
"So, you've recognized my identity? Interesting. I've been overseeing the Martial Hall headquarters for many years without stepping outside."
"Your Heaven-Suppressing Society is quite something."
Immortal Sage Ziqiong glanced at Xu Bai and smiled slightly.
"Senior flatters us. I was simply startled to learn of your true identity so suddenly—I wasn’t sure what to say," Xu Bai said, cupping his hands and putting on a nervous expression.
Before Ziqiong could respond, Xu Bai couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked with a puzzled expression, "This transaction is of great importance, and it makes sense that a senior like you would personally oversee it. However, given your strength, concealing your identity should be effortless. Why...?"
"Aren’t you afraid that our Heaven-Suppressing Society might use this information to blackmail you?" Xu Bai's sharp gaze was fixed on Ziqiong.
Ziqiong replied calmly, "Blackmail? Heh, don’t misunderstand. Although I came here on behalf of the Five Elders Association, that doesn’t really mean much."
"I’m just running an errand, nothing more."
Ziqiong's confident and fearless demeanor made Xu Bai feel a bit uncertain.
"No need to be surprised. In the end, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance belongs to the Immortal Ancestor. As for me, from beginning to end, I’ve only remained loyal to him and no one else. As for the rest, they are trivial matters."
"The so-called Great Dao of Fifty, the Heavens evolve into forty-nine. The Tianxuan Mirror seeks to perceive all things in the world, so it is only natural that something beyond its control must exist."
"Otherwise, this 'New Heaven' would be imperfect."
Ziqiong raised his head to look at the sky, slowly explaining.
"So, even if the Heavenly Sovereign knows what I’m doing, He wouldn’t blame me. He might even reward me instead."
"Hmph, but those mortals may not necessarily understand my intentions."
Though just a few words, the amount of information they contained was terrifying. Upon hearing this, Xu Bai fell into deep contemplation.
"Knowing too much without reaching that realm is not necessarily a good thing."
Before long, the Immortal Sage Ziqiong interrupted Xu Bai's thoughts.
With a casual wave, he tossed over the Voidbright Stone Mother containing the transaction materials.
This time, there was no formal contract.
It was evident that Ziqiong was supremely confident in his strength, unafraid of Xu Bai playing any tricks.
Nonetheless, Xu Bai still followed protocol, carefully verifying the material list in the stone
before handing over the previously agreed fifty Endstone Plate.
"This is the first batch. The rest will be delivered gradually in the future," Xu Bai explained.
The fifty End Disc Plates were not stored in a spatial ring. Instead, they were stacked like thin sheets of paper, overlapping one another.
With a single thought, they would automatically separate, forming individual entities.
Ziqiong picked up one of the discs and examined it thoughtfully. After a moment, he remarked,
"This object seems ordinary, yet it can shield against the perception of the Tianxuan Mirror...Interesting."
Storing the Endstone Plates away, Ziqiong instructed, "In future transactions, others will contact you. If your Heaven-Suppressing Society encounters any emergencies, you can still seek out Liu Wenyu."
"However, try not to involve me. Although I don't mind..."
"If those people set their sights on you, even I won’t be able to protect you."
Immortal Sage Ziqiong’s figure gradually faded, leaving as suddenly as he had arrived.
"Senior, why does the Five Elders Association keep retreating in the face of the Tianxuan Mirror’s relentless aggression, without even the slightest countermeasure?"
Just before Ziqiong's figure completely disappeared, Xu Bai asked.
Ziqiong did not answer, merely glanced faintly at the sky before vanishing.
"Hm?" Xu Bai also looked up at the sky.
A moment later, his expression turned grim and fearful.
That "Heaven" was clearly not referring to the Tianxuan Mirror.
Immortal Sage Ziqiong had stated that he remained loyal to the Immortal Ancestor from start to finish.
His final gesture made it even more obvious.
It wasn’t that the Five Elders Association didn’t want to fight back. It was just that, with the Immortal Ancestor present, they dared not act.
Xu Bai couldn't help but recall the sigh from Mr. Bai's illusion back then:
"The path of immortality ahead cannot be tread upon, for the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor stands above."
Xu Bai subconsciously clenched his hand.
"In my previous life, perhaps it was the departure of the Immortal Ancestor that caused Ziqiong to once again lean towards the Five Elders Association, becoming a pure spy."
"But in this life, I used the 'Chaos' Character and brought back the already departed Immortal Ancestor. As a result, Ziqiong still holds onto his somewhat unique stance and hasn’t completely acted as a spy for the Five Elders Association."
In an instant, Xu Bai sorted out the sequence of events in his mind, but countless doubts still surged within him.
The main question was the true purpose of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor.
If his ultimate goal was transcendence and leaving the Xuanhuang Realm, then even if he was deeply concerned about the 'Chaos', after returning and finding nothing, he should have chosen to leave again.
However, a long time had passed, and the Immortal Ancestor still lingered in the Xuanhuang Realm without any sign of leaving.
"It seems that the Xuanhuang Realm holds some special significance to the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor—something that cannot be casually abandoned."
"Moreover, the ascension of the Tianxuan Mirror in this world must have been approved by the Immortal Ancestor himself. He needs the Tianxuan Mirror to complete its transformation, yet he tacitly allows for potential flaws..."
"Heaven's Will has its shortcomings, so he must also impose limitations on the Tianxuan Mirror."
...
Countless speculations flashed through Xu Bai’s mind.
Even though this physical body was favored by heaven and possessed extraordinary talent, it still felt like looking at flowers through fog—completely unable to discern the intentions of the Immortal Ancestor.
Feeling a bit confused, Xu Bai returned to Tianliang City, only to be summoned by Nangong Shirong.
"Recently, there have been some unfavorable rumors within the territory. Go and handle it." Nangong Shirong said vaguely.
Normally, Xu Bai was merely a Liaison Envoy of Tianliang Prefecture. In cases of rumors or slander, it would be reasonable for either the Garrison Institution or the Martial Hall to take charge. Yet, Nangong Shirong secretly assigned the task to him alone.
Xu Bai immediately understood.
This matter must not be made public and needs to be handled quickly and cleanly.
It was because of his ability that Nangong Shirong entrusted him with this task.
With orders from his superior, subordinates naturally couldn’t refuse.
"Rest assured, my lord. I will handle it properly." Xu Bai cupped his hands and confidently pledged.
After leaving under Nangong Shirong’s watchful gaze, Xu Bai inquired around to understand what the so-called "unfavorable" rumors were all about.
It turned out that within Tianliang Prefecture, there was a cultivator named Peng Qing who, shortly before his death, suddenly went mad and began flying around erratically.
While flying chaotically, he babbled nonsense, claiming that he was supposed to live for five hundred years, but now, after less than four hundred years, he was on the verge of death.
He insisted that some thief must have secretly reduced his lifespan.
Peng Qing cursed incessantly, and then, in full view of the crowd, he suddenly dropped dead.
His death was exceptionally tragic—bleeding from all seven orifices and aging hundreds of years in an instant.
His appearance, once that of a middle-aged cultivator, abruptly transformed into that of a decayed old man.
After carefully understanding the situation, Xu Bai’s first thought was not how to suppress the heated public outcry.
Instead, his true self, thousands of miles away, immediately checked his [Truth] panel.
His physiological lifespan limit had not decreased.
However, Xu Bai did not believe that Peng Qing’s words were mere nonsense.
The Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign had first attained the Dao amidst the White Mist.
And as everyone knew, the White Mist—also known as Devouring Essence White Mist—had the ability to consume a cultivator’s lifespan.
Peng Qing’s sudden violent death and his miserable state before passing were almost identical to those of cultivators who perished within the White Mist.
Such a coincidence could not be explained away.
Nevertheless, to prevent the situation from escalating, Xu Bai first silenced all witnesses of that day through a combination of coercion and enticement.
Then, he sent out cultivators to spread even more bizarre and terrifying rumors.
For instance:
In some place, a cultivator died just as miserably as Peng Qing, and in his final moments, he shouted:
"The one who shall annihilate the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is none other than the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor!"
Another rumor claimed that Peng Qing was never really Peng Qing—the real Peng Qing had died years ago.
The one who perished in front of everyone that day was actually a clone created by a cultivator of the Five Elders Association, known as the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord.
This schemer had harbored ulterior motives, attempting to sow chaos within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
...
For a while, rumors spread wildly, making it impossible to discern truth from fiction.
Gradually, although the fervor of the discussions did not diminish, fewer people paid attention to Peng Qing’s actual deranged words before his death.
And so, another ten days passed.
The Peng Qing Incident slowly faded from people’s memories. Fewer and fewer discussed it until, in the end, public opinion completely died down—
as if the event had never even occurred.
Xu Bai had fulfilled his duty, and Nangong Shirong was extremely pleased.
In a rare act of generosity, he rewarded Xu Bai with substantial merits and contributions.
He even handed Xu Bai a statue.
"This is...?" Xu Bai held the statue in his palm, feeling a mysterious sensation surge within him—
As if he were holding another version of himself.
"This is the [Rebirth Decree]." Nangong Shirong introduced it with a proud expression.
"Not long ago, I received three of these from above. I kept one for myself, but carrying extra is pointless. Since you have performed a great service this time, I might as well reward you with one."
"With this, even if you were to perish, you would be instantly resurrected."
Xu Bai’s face lit up with joy. "Many thanks for your generosity, my lord!"
Since the establishment of the Rebirth Mansion, despite being a state-level liaison officer, Xu Bai had never managed to uncover the methods for acquiring the many treasures housed within it.
Back when the decree was first issued, it was proclaimed that anyone could obtain these treasures as long as they had enough contribution points.
However, the Rebirth Mansion of each region remained tightly sealed.
Not only were ordinary cultivators unable to enter, but even Xu Bai himself found it completely inaccessible—
Let alone exchange for any of its legendary artifacts.
Although cultivators across the land were deeply dissatisfied, the Rebirth Mansion was not under the jurisdiction of any regional authorities.
It simply deflected inquiries by claiming that "sufficient supplies were not yet prepared."
Xu Bai carefully stored away the Rebirth Decree.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly asked in a low voice:
"Lord Nangong, before Peng Qing died, he claimed that some thief had stolen his lifespan..."
"Could it have really happened?"
"If it’s true, then suppressing the truth may work for a while, but it won’t last forever."
Nangong Shirong fell silent for a moment before shaking his head slightly.
"Since anyone can now revive, does lifespan even matter anymore?"
"For cultivators like us, attaining the Dao and achieving eternal life is nothing more than an unattainable dream. Since that’s the case, why should we concern ourselves with such things?"
Nangong Shirong paused for a moment before changing the topic:
"However, not all cultivators in the world may be as open-minded as I am. Sooner or later, people across various regions will realize the truth. It won't be suppressed forever."
"What we must do is ensure that this matter does not first erupt in our Tianliang State."
Nangong Shirong said coldly.
His words were essentially an acknowledgment of the truth in Peng Qing's final words before his death.
Xu Bai remained silent but nodded heavily.
On his way out, Xu Bai’s mind churned with thoughts:
"Draining lifespan..."
"Is it a necessary means for the Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign to imperfectly reverse the natural order and complete the true resurrection of a cultivator's soul?"
"Or..."
"Is it a deliberate imitation of the ancient Ruomu?"
From the moment this Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign revealed his traces to the moment he officially defied the natural order, everything about him exuded an eerie peculiarity.
"The Tianxuan Mirror replaces the heavens."
"The Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign replaces Ruomu."
...
Suddenly, Xu Bai realized something, and his entire body stiffened.
Just like the Immortal Sage Ziqiong before, he instinctively glanced at the sky, barely perceptibly.
Then, he quickly lowered his head and walked away in haste.
Tianquan State, Shuo Feng Courtyard.
"Brother Li?"
A slightly surprised voice from Shuo Feng rang out.
During their sparring match, Shuo Feng had been fighting with great enthusiasm.
Yet, in a crucial moment, Li Fan suddenly froze. A blow he could have easily dodged struck him head-on.
The immense sword energy surged, directly slicing Li Fan’s lower half into nothingness.
Fortunately, this was the era of the new cultivation methods.
Such a minor injury was of no great concern to a Nascent Soul True Lord.
Within a single breath, amidst a faint rumbling in his cave-heaven, Li Fan’s body rapidly regenerated.
Li Fan looked apologetic: "I only recently mastered this Lifespan Draining Divine Ability. After battling you continuously for days, I seem to have become somewhat absent-minded."
Shuo Feng suddenly understood:
"That was my oversight. I got carried away and forgot that such a top-tier divine ability must consume an immense amount of energy."
"Hahaha, it's my fault for being too excited. It's been a long time since I’ve encountered such a mystical technique."
"To think that it even affects my control over the Sword..." Shuo Feng clicked his tongue in admiration.
"Brother Li, you should rest for a moment."
As he spoke, a flash of sword light appeared, and Shuo Feng casually sliced off a few strands of white hair from his head.
Then, with a loud shout, his entire body shed like a snake molting its skin.
Like taking off old clothes, he completely discarded his aged and weakened body.
Now rejuvenated and at peak strength, Shuo Feng flicked his fingers, reducing his discarded form to ashes.
He sighed as he spoke:
"Fellow Daoist, this [Extracting Threads, Cutting Life] divine ability is truly extraordinary. In terms of practical combat effect, it's the most remarkable technique I have ever witnessed in my life."
"If not for my special physique, I wouldn't dare fight you so recklessly."
"Any ordinary cultivator struck by your technique would likely age to death within half a day."
Li Fan made a weary gesture and waved his hand:
"Don’t mention it. Though I poured my heart and soul into creating it, it still fails to keep up with the times."
"Now that the Rebirth Mansion stands atop the heavens, anyone can be resurrected. No matter how powerful my divine ability is, its deterrence has weakened significantly. After all, if one can be revived, what does it matter if their body deteriorates?"
Li Fan let out a long sigh.
Shuo Feng shook his head:
"Brother Li, you underestimate yourself. Reincarnation and resurrection..."
"Hmph."
"True powerhouses of this era would never disregard your divine ability. Just by mastering this technique, you have already surpassed countless self-proclaimed geniuses in this world."
"Hmm... Your treatment should also be reconsidered. Merely a Junior Worshipper title seems rather unfair for you."
Shuo Feng stroked his chin and spoke slowly.
Chapter 763
Shuo Feng's efficiency was truly remarkable.
He summoned a female cultivator dressed in a light purple long skirt, and shortly after giving the order, Li Fan learned that he had officially become a mid-level guest elder of the Xuan Family.
His initial merit level in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had been raised to level 35.
At the same time, he unlocked a new privilege: once every hundred years, he could freely utilize the Tianxuan Mirror to deduce and enhance one of his divine abilities.
“If you don't use your rights, they will expire. This is the perfect opportunity, Brother Li. You should take advantage of this to further increase the power of the [Extracting Threads, Cutting Life] technique. Though it already feels quite powerful, it hasn't yet reached perfection and still has room for improvement.”
Shuo Feng stretched his body, and his bones made a series of crackling sounds. Noticing that Li Fan seemed a bit lost in thought, he reminded him aloud.
“Once you’ve advanced further, we can have a good, satisfying battle!”
Among his peers, few cultivators could keep up with his cultivation progress. Most would fall behind before long, losing the ability to compete with him. Finding a worthy opponent like Li Fan was already rare.
Moreover, Li Fan occasionally managed to surprise him, which made Shuo Feng genuinely pleased with him.
“I wonder, what’s the difference between this divine ability deduction feature and the one offered by the Tianxuan Treasure Record? I previously tried using the Tianxuan Mirror to deduce the continuation of a divine ability during the [Sitting and Discussing Dao] session. However, the cost was prohibitively high, like a bottomless pit, and I had to give up halfway.”
Li Fan looked at the prompt from the Tianxuan Mirror and couldn't help but ask.
“The Tianxuan Treasure Record is merely a branch of Tianxuan. Though it’s already amazing for most cultivators, it still pales compared to the true power of the Tianxuan Mirror itself,” Shuo Feng replied with a smile.
“For the same divine ability, the continuation deduced by the Tianxuan Treasure Record and the Tianxuan Mirror is not worlds apart, but there is certainly a qualitative difference.”
However... Shuo Feng's smile suddenly faded.
“This is only the current difference between the Tianxuan Treasure Record and the Tianxuan Mirror. As time goes on... things may change.”
“Perhaps one day, every single branch mirror will be indistinguishable from the original mirror.”
His expression became a bit solemn, as if he had thought of something troubling.
Li Fan, realizing the implication of Shuo Feng’s words, felt his heart pound violently.
It turned out that the level 35 merit privilege actually allowed one to leverage the true Tianxuan Mirror itself to deduce divine abilities!
Did that mean he would once again have the chance to witness the real Tianxuan Mirror?
The last time he saw it was during the training to construct the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation, in that vast space filled with black-and-white lines. Alongside the other trainees, he had witnessed the birth and sealing of the Tianxuan Newborn Mirror up close.
“In this world, the Tianxuan Mirror has already undergone a preliminary transformation. I wonder what changes have taken place within it.”
Li Fan’s thoughts were in turmoil.
Shuo Feng, coming out of his contemplation, added another piece of advice:
“As for the divine ability deduction feature in the [Sitting and Discussing Dao] module... you’d best avoid it from now on.”
“Even I only dared to try it when I was young and reckless. Now that I’ve sobered up, I don’t want to waste my resources in vain.”
Shuo Feng rarely displayed such a wistful expression.
Li Fan was slightly taken aback.
“Why is that? Is there something even Brother Shuo can’t afford?”
Shuo Feng waved his hand and explained:
“Divine abilities in this world have a difference between theoretical and practical applications.”
“When deducing a divine ability, both the Tianxuan Treasure Record and the Tianxuan Mirror will set a potential upper limit. For example, your [Extracting Threads, Cutting Life] technique, when cast at the Nascent Soul stage, can at most harm a cultivator at the Soul Transformation stage. It may have some effect on a Dao Integration cultivator as well.”
“However, before an Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, it would definitely lose effectiveness. This is the inherent limit of most divine abilities in the world.”
“No matter how talented someone may be, it’s impossible to create a divine ability in the Xuanhuang Realm that can threaten an Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign without having reached that realm oneself.”
“This is the reality.”
Shuo Feng paused, raising his head to look at the sky.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke,
"In theory, is there truly a technique below the realm of Longevity that can affect the divine abilities of a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign?"
"There must be something in this world," a trace of longing flashed through Shuo Feng’s eyes.
"But that might already be approaching the level of legendary immortal arts. Not just for us—even the Tianxuan Mirror would find it incredibly difficult to deduce the existence of such a level. Besides using the majority of its computational power, success might also depend on a stroke of luck."
"The deduction function of the [Sitting and Discussing Dao] has no set upper limit. As long as something is theoretically possible, there’s a chance it can be deduced. That’s why the cost in contribution points to perform each deduction is unimaginably enormous. The further you go, the more this is the case."
"And the result..."
Shuo Feng let out a mocking laugh.
"Since the creation of the [Sitting and Discussing Dao] section so many years ago, it has attracted countless gamblers, recklessly throwing themselves into it—some even to the point of losing everything they own. The number of deductions the Tianxuan Mirror has performed is beyond calculation."
"But I've never heard of anyone succeeding."
Li Fan was stunned and shook his head repeatedly.
"I never thought there would be such a trick behind it. If I had known earlier, I definitely wouldn’t have taken the risk."
"When I almost got sliced in half by your sword back then, I knew I wasn’t one blessed with good fortune," Li Fan sighed.
Shuo Feng recalled their first meeting and found it amusing, bursting into hearty laughter.
"By the way, Brother Shuo, do you happen to have the Tianxuan Treasure Record on you?" Li Fan suddenly asked.
"Recently, there's been a rumor circulating that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is promoting the requirement for all cultivators to generate their own Treasure Record."
A trace of gloom flashed across Shuo Feng's face.
"Tianxuan Treasure Record..."
"Heh, I might just be the first person in the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to put that thing on."
"Let’s not talk about it! Just thinking about it annoys me!"
"Brother Li, fight me one more time!"
As he spoke, countless sword lights erupted from Shuo Feng's body, slicing fiercely toward Li Fan with an intense and resentful aura.
Li Fan's heart tightened, not daring to be careless, and he immediately focused his mind to respond.
In the Longevity Valley.
Fang Zaiji, who was ordered to go out and recruit disciples, had now successfully completed his mission.
In the grand square of the sect's main hall, a group of children around five or six years old stood timidly, looking around with fear written on their faces.
Some even broke down crying on the spot, causing a chain reaction that turned the scene into utter chaos.
"Mr. Fang, are these the 'promising seedlings' you brought back?"
Xu Bai looked at Fang Zaiji and asked.
"You can rest assured, Sect Master. I will handle this matter properly," Fang Zaiji guaranteed, patting his chest confidently.
"My judgment is far better than Old Liu's. I won’t make a mistake. I dare to bet that every one of these little ones is a rare cultivation genius, one in ten thousand."
"I traveled across more than a dozen provinces just to find these few. That alone should tell you how difficult this journey was."
Fang Zaiji sighed with emotion.
"You didn’t just abduct these children without informing anyone, did you?" Liu San's expression darkened as he looked at the group of children crying together.
"What a joke! The path to immortality, the road to ascension—how many mortals beg for the opportunity but never get it? I am kindly leading them onto this path. Do I really need to get their parents' permission?" Fang Zaiji rolled his eyes at Liu San, speaking as if it was only natural.
"Besides, our Medicine King Sect is still in a state of seclusion. Of course, we must act with even greater secrecy."
Liu San was left speechless by his words.
"If Mr. Fang has chosen them, it means they share a karmic connection with our Medicine King Sect. I trust Mr. Fang’s judgment," Xu Bai coughed lightly and made the final decision.
"Unlike in ancient times, when countless sect cultivators roamed the world selecting disciples, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance now governs with a policy of non-interference. Who can embark on the path of cultivation is entirely determined by their own fate. As a result, many exceptionally talented individuals are left undiscovered."
"This might be an opportunity for our Medicine King Sect."
Hearing this, Liu San's eyes lit up. "Sect Master makes a valid point."
"In that case, taking care of these disciples will be up to you, Elder Liu. Start by teaching them the path of cultivation. Once they begin Qi Condensation..."
Xu Bai was speaking when suddenly, inspiration struck him.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he changed his mind. "When first teaching them the path of cultivation, do not mention the concept of ‘borrowing the wonders of heaven and earth to establish the Dao Foundation.’"
"Instead, only tell them to ‘forge their Dao Foundation by refining their own physical being!’"
Liu San and Fang Zaiji were momentarily stunned upon hearing this.
Neither of them was slow-witted—they immediately understood Xu Bai’s intentions.
"Brilliant! In this way, if any of them succeed in establishing their foundation, it will undoubtedly be through 'self-foundation establishment'!" Fang Zaiji slammed the table in admiration.
However, Liu San hesitated slightly. "Sect Master, wouldn’t this be a bit...?"
Xu Bai smiled faintly. "If they truly fail to establish their foundation and completely lose hope, it won’t be too late to reveal the truth to them then."
Seeing Xu Bai’s confidence, Liu San could only nod in agreement.
After explaining the details of "foundation establishment with One Self" to Liu San, Xu Bai suddenly asked, "By the way, why haven’t I seen Elder Jiang? I clearly sensed her returning aura."
Fang Zaiji immediately laughed gleefully. "She got into a fight with someone and suffered a miserable defeat. She's been deeply affected and has gone into seclusion for intense training."
"Haha, and I heard her opponent was a woman—more beautiful than her and even mocked her. Yushan must be absolutely livid!"
"Finally, we’ll have some peace and quiet without her sharp tongue for a while," Fang Zaiji said with an expression of relief.
Liu San’s expression, however, changed slightly. "What? This is important news, Old Fang. Why didn’t you mention it earlier? Was Yushan injured?"
His concern was evident, and he immediately set aside the task given to him by Xu Bai, flying off in a hurry to check on Jiang Yushan.
Fang Zaiji curled his lips. "I don’t get it. What does Liu San see in that woman?"
"Since Elder Jiang is in seclusion for training, the task of crafting the Endstone Plate will be left to you, Mr. Fang," Xu Bai spoke up, interrupting Fang Zaiji’s thoughts.
"With your skills, this shouldn’t be a problem, right?" Xu Bai looked at him expectantly.
Rather than feeling burdened, Fang Zaiji was overjoyed. "No problem at all! Of course not! The Endstone Plate—it's something that could even rival an immortal artifact! I’ve long thought Yushan’s methods were a bit too rough."
"Sect Master, rest assured. I will handle it with great care and gentleness."
Fang Zaiji stared eagerly at Xu Bai.
Xu Bai smiled and tossed the Endstone Plate over, handing it to him.
Without waiting for further instructions, Fang Zaiji, having obtained the treasured artifact, excitedly left on his own.
At this moment, Xu Bai finally turned his attention to the group of children gathered in the plaza.
If it were his true self present, he would surely have found their crying and noise unbearably annoying.
However, the clone of Xu Bai, looking at these noisy children before him, did not feel much impatience at all.
Instead, a sense of pity and affection welled up in his heart.
Xu Bai silently contemplated the origin of these emotions within his body.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he slowly floated down beside the children.
His ethereal, celestial-like appearance, combined with his incredibly gentle aura,
instantly captured the attention of all the children present.
They quieted down immediately, their eyes wide as they all turned to look at Xu Bai in unison.
Xu Bai warmly interacted with the children.
In just a short moment of excited chatter,
he had already learned all of their names and their respective cultivation talents.
"No wonder he was able to escape pursuit from the major sects time and time again during the ancient era. Fang Zaiji truly has some skill."
"These children's talents are almost on par with Zhang Haobo's."
"And then there's Gu Xinghan..."
Among the children, Xu Bai noticed a name that seemed familiar.
It was the same name as the cultivator who, in his past life, was the first to issue a proclamation revealing the true nature of the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation to the world.
That powerful and stirring ten-thousand-word article vividly surfaced in Xu Bai's mind.
Looking once more at the five-year-old boy before him,
the two figures in his memory gradually overlapped.
"It really is him. Interesting."
In his past life, Gu Xinghan was one of the leaders of the Heaven-Suppressing Society, leading countless cultivators in their struggle against Mysterious Net, yet he was never captured by the Heavenly Alliance.
His abilities were beyond doubt.
"Perhaps this boy might surprise me."
Xu Bai gently patted Gu Xinghan on the shoulder, his smile deepening.
After a while, Liu San returned, looking somewhat dejected.
It was clear that he had not even managed to meet Jiang Yushan.
Forcing himself to perk up, he assumed a serious demeanor as he faced the children.
Thanks to Xu Bai’s earlier efforts to calm them, the children were now much more obedient.
As Xu Bai departed, they all waved enthusiastically, bidding him farewell.
Liu San clicked his tongue in amazement at the sight.
Instead of returning to Tianliang State, Xu Bai first entered a secret chamber within Longevity Valley.
A sudden thought had emerged in his mind, one he wasn’t entirely certain about.
He needed to calm his thoughts and carefully consider it.
"Should I use this body to perform the ritual and enter the Fallen Immortal Realm?"
This idea had surfaced in his mind just moments ago while interacting with the children.
For someone so kind to children, as Mr. Bai should be, just as Xu Ke had said, he was likely a "good person."
If that were true, then what would happen if he entered the Fallen Immortal Realm in this body?
There is no doubt that Mr. Bai is deeply connected to the Fallen Immortal Realm.
If Xu Bai were to enter using a clone, it might draw the attention of Mr. Bai, who resides within the Fallen Immortal Realm...
However, the outcome remains uncertain—whether it will bring fortune or disaster.
Since transmigrating to this world, Li Fan has experienced countless events and has long since stopped blindly trusting anything, even what he sees with his own eyes—especially when it concerns his own life and safety.
After pondering for a long time, Xu Bai finally suppressed the sudden impulse to explore the Fallen Immortal Realm.
"This situation is too strange; I must remain cautious," Xu Bai murmured, his expression unreadable.
This body was refined using Xu Ke's essence blood, combined with the spiritual demeanor of Mr. Bai.
Just by being slightly infused with his spiritual demeanor, Xu Bai began to exhibit several peculiar phenomena, including but not limited to:
Being favored by the heavens, possessing extraordinary talent.
Frequently feeling compassionate and merciful.
Occasionally having uncontrollable thoughts arise in his mind.
These phenomena alone were enough to prove the formidable power of Mr. Bai, causing Li Fan to become even more vigilant.
If the influence were limited to the clone, it would be manageable.
What Li Fan truly feared was that this transformation might subtly seep through the connection between the clone and his true self, ultimately affecting his true body.
By then, would he still be himself?
Even if he remained authentic, could he free himself from this kind of "contamination"?
Yes, in Li Fan’s eyes, this strange change that alters his original nature is undoubtedly a form of contamination—something he absolutely cannot tolerate.
"If I notice even the slightest sign of my true body being affected, I must immediately dispel it," Xu Bai resolved inwardly.
After calming his emotions, Xu Bai returned to his usual demeanor and left the Longevity Valley.
He traveled back to Tianliang Prefecture and continued to handle various matters as the liaison envoy.
Since the large-scale campaign to conquer the small worlds began, he had taken on a new responsibility—monitoring the number of discovered Cave-Heaven and small worlds within the territory and coordinating cultivators to lead expeditions against them.
The core reason behind this responsibility is that every unknown small world holds immense merit and contributions for cultivators.
Unless under special circumstances, cultivators are reluctant to share such discoveries with others.
Usually, they would first share the opportunity with close friends and family.
Only when the power of a small world is overwhelmingly strong and their small group is powerless to resolve it would they reluctantly consider joining forces with others.
The envisioned scenario by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance—where the entrance to a small world is openly shared with other alliance cultivators—is exceedingly rare.
As time passed, cultivators gradually realized that conquering small worlds is essentially a non-renewable resource.
It might even be the only chance in their lifetime to rapidly accumulate merit and contributions.
Thus, naturally, they strategize and maximize their gains.
Consequently, after the initial phase of rapid expansion, the process of conquering the myriad realms suddenly slowed down.
The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is well aware of the reasons behind this phenomenon.
Therefore, they assigned Xu Bai with this new responsibility.
Although no mandatory measures were imposed, his official status as an envoy of the alliance made it easier for him to facilitate cooperation between small groups.
Surprisingly, instead of encountering resistance, his reputation grew, and cultivators proactively sought his assistance.
After frequent interactions with them, Xu Bai gradually understood their needs and intentions.
First, they can share the entrance information of the small worlds they hold with others. However, in return, any cultivator who gains benefits from this must also give priority to helping them when discovering other small worlds in the future.
This is what is known as mutual assistance.
Second, conquering a small world is not as simple as eating or drinking. It requires constantly facing bloody battles, where the slightest mistake could lead to instant death. Therefore, fellow cultivators who embark on such journeys must be trustworthy. Though it may not be necessary to share life and death, at the very least, one must not stab others in the back.
Third, as the saying goes, "Don’t let fertile water flow into others' fields." If possible, the small worlds within Tianliang Prefecture should be managed and absorbed solely by the local cultivators of Tianliang Prefecture.
Xu Bai, having experienced a hundred reincarnations and priding himself on his deep understanding of human nature, still felt a slight headache when dealing with these cultivators harboring hidden agendas.
Often, the harmonious-looking teams he introduced would return with only a few survivors.
They would remain silent about the fallen comrades, only to start blaming one another.
Yet, when contacted again to form another expedition team, most of them—eight or nine out of ten—would still agree.
This was because, despite being aware of each other’s dark behavior, they at least knew some details about one another.
Compared to completely unfamiliar partners, those with some background knowledge were ironically more trustworthy.
"Human nature is truly unfathomable and hard to predict," Xu Bai sighed, shaking his head.
In his mind, the names of numerous cultivators resembled chess pieces, each positioned differently according to their personalities and abilities.
Xu Bai was trying to find a way to maximize the power of the cultivators in Tianliang Prefecture.
In a way, it was also a unique form of cultivation.
Xu Bai thought to himself.
"At present, Tianling Prefecture has already discovered thirteen small worlds. Among them, one is extremely dangerous—numerous expeditions have failed with no survivors—so it has been temporarily set aside. Of the remaining twelve, half have been completely cleared..."
After the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance completely annihilated the resistance within the small worlds and scanned them with the Tianxuan Treasure Record, a team of black-robed cultivators from the alliance headquarters would take over.
They would drive out unrelated individuals and seal the entrances, conducting unknown activities within.
Even after inquiring with Nangong Shirong, Xu Bai could not uncover any secrets.
However, based on feedback from the cultivators under his command, he deduced that shortly after the black-robed cultivators took over, the entrances to these small worlds inexplicably disappeared.
Although the marked locations remained on the Tianxuan Treasure Record map, no matter how hard one searched, the actual entrances could not be found.
"It’s not that the entrances were concealed by some method—they fundamentally changed."
"In fact, the entrances still exist, but it seems they’ve undergone some kind of encryption, making it impossible to find them through conventional means."
This was the conclusion Xu Bai reached after conducting on-site explorations.
While Xu Bai was busy in Tianliang Prefecture...
The original body of Li Fan finally bid farewell to the enthusiastic Shuo Feng, leaving his residence.
During the days of being entangled in duels, although Li Fan himself benefited greatly, he was even more astonished by Shuo Feng's rapid progress.
From the very beginning, when Shuo Feng was utterly helpless against the Extracting Threads, Cutting Life, merely enduring with his peculiar constitution...
To later on, when Shuo Feng gradually adapted to the life-severing effects...
Chapter 766: Comprehending Divine Abilities Within the Mirror
"It’s like getting beaten so much that you develop resistance to divine abilities," Li Fan thought to himself in shock.
His techniques were becoming increasingly ineffective, while Shuo Feng was only growing stronger with each battle.
In the end, Li Fan admitted his inferiority and left, using the excuse that he needed time to reflect and develop new divine abilities.
Instead of going elsewhere, he headed straight for the Tianxuan Mirror in Tianquan Prefecture, utilizing his privilege level of authority-35.
However, the process was different from what he had imagined.
Rather than directly opening a passage from a Tianxuan Sub-Mirror to the Tianxuan Main Mirror, he was instead given a specific time and location to go to. He was instructed that someone would guide him at the designated time—there would be no waiting for late arrivals.
At the appointed time, Li Fan arrived outside Tianquan City, atop a towering stone mountain that resembled a lotus flower.
A middle-aged cultivator was already there, waiting.
The man had a goatee and wore a blue Daoist robe. He glanced at Li Fan with a hint of surprise but remained polite. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, fellow Daoist. I am Wang Wan."
Sensing the subtle aura Wang Wan unconsciously exuded, Li Fan judged that this man was at least at the Soul Transformation stage. He did not dare to be negligent and returned the greeting: "Greetings, Daoist Wang. I am Li Fan."
After a brief exchange of introductions, they nodded slightly and fell silent.
"A level 35 authority privilege isn’t something that can be achieved through cultivation strength alone. There must be deep connections within the Immortal Alliance. No wonder, despite my mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, he treats me with such respect," Li Fan thought to himself.
A short while later, another cultivator arrived at the mountain peak—a female cultivator dressed in tight-fitting white attire.
After greeting Li Fan and Wang Wan, she also remained silent, waiting quietly.
Li Fan learned that her name was Deng Mingxi.
After that, no more cultivators arrived.
A full incense stick’s time later, subtle ripples of spatial fluctuations appeared above the mountain peak.
It was as if invisible threads had cut open a transparent doorway.
A black-robed cultivator stepped out from within.
After scanning the three of them and confirming their identities, he said in a deep voice, "Follow me."
Without any discernible movement on his part, the transparent door instantly expanded, engulfing all three of them.
A dazzling light erupted.
The door and its occupants vanished from sight.
A familiar sensation surged through Li Fan.
It was just like the time he had entered the Root of Heaven and Earth in the void of Tianling Prefecture.
His flesh and bones felt as if they were dissolving and transforming.
When Li Fan regained consciousness, he found himself once again in that peculiar black-and-white form, composed entirely of lines—a ridiculous yet surreal appearance.
However, unlike in the Root of Heaven and Earth, this vast monochrome space seemed to contain a mysterious suppressive force.
That force settled upon him, preventing his own lines from slowly unraveling and dissipating.
Li Fan quietly sensed the faint yet ever-present suppressive power and thought to himself, "This must be the Tianxuan Mirror’s protective mechanism."
"After all, we are here to comprehend divine abilities. Without this protective layer, ordinary cultivators would likely be completely assimilated by this space within moments."
"However, given my previous experience in the Root of Heaven and Earth and my comprehension of the similar [Extracting Threads, Cutting Life] divine ability, I should be able to last longer than most."
Li Fan looked around.
Not far away, Deng Mingxi and Wang Wan had also transformed into line-drawn figures.
However, there was a noticeable difference from their original forms.
Deng Mingxi’s body was significantly smaller than the two male cultivators.
She now appeared to be no more than thirteen or fourteen years old.
Although Wang Wan's physique did not change much, his vaguely visible appearance transformed from a middle-aged cultivator with a goatee into an image of an elderly man, bent with age.
It seemed that Wang Wan was not coming to this place for the first time, as he moved forward swiftly and with practiced familiarity.
Deng Mingxi, on the other hand, was initially somewhat confused and fearful.
However, her mental resilience was strong, and she quickly adapted. Following Wang Wan, she flew toward the center of the black-and-white space.
Li Fan pondered for a moment and then followed along.
During the flight, Li Fan noticed that this place was different from the location where the Tianxuan Mirror had manifested its own mirrored subspace in his previous life.
It was not as vast and seemed relatively independent, yet faintly interconnected.
"The essence remains the Tianxuan Mirror, but their functions differ," Li Fan thought, gaining sudden clarity.
It didn't take long before they reached the very center of the black-and-white space.
There, countless intersecting lines formed a suspended platform.
At this moment, Deng Mingxi and Wang Wan landed on the platform.
The lines beneath their feet became extremely chaotic, splitting into countless fine black threads that extended downward like tiny tendrils, connecting to the ground below.
The scene looked somewhat eerie.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan imitated their actions.
In the next second, his vision once again became colorful and radiant.
Countless characters cascaded down like a waterfall before his eyes, finally forming several small lines of text:
"Cultivator [Li Fan] has connected."
"Please demonstrate the divine ability you wish to deduce within your Sea of Consciousness."
"Based on the current cultivation level of Cultivator [Li Fan], the upper limit for the divine ability deduction power is set at the [Soul Transformation] level."
"Remaining deduction time..."
The last line displayed a continuously ticking countdown, showing only ten hours remaining.
Before the Tianxuan Mirror, it was necessary to maintain some reservations.
However, this opportunity was hard to come by, so maximizing the benefit was equally essential.
That astonishing [Chaos] character divine ability definitely could not be revealed.
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan made up his mind.
"The spatial structure of this Tianxuan Mirror space is extremely similar to the root of the heaven and earth."
"If my guess is correct, it is analyzing the birth process of the world."
"In that case..."
With a thought, various insights about the [Reverse Five Elements Birth and Annihilation Sword] surged into Li Fan's mind.
The [Reverse Five Elements Creation-Destruction Sword] was a divine ability Li Fan had comprehended by building upon the Great Five Elements Annihilation Sword, adding his own understanding of the Path of Creation and Destruction.
However, he was only at the Nascent Soul stage, and his understanding of the Path of Creation and Destruction was still relatively shallow.
After all, his innate talent and comprehension were not as formidable as his clone Xu Bai's.
Since comprehending it, the technique had not seen much practical use.
For the most part, he still treated it as an Annihilation Sword.
As for the creative function of "creation," it was currently limited to trivial uses like forming spiritual stones in his palm—something extremely unimpressive.
"I hope this brings me some surprises," Li Fan thought.
He noticed that as he meditated on the divine ability comprehension of the [Reverse Five Elements Creation-Destruction Sword] in his mind, the lines connected to the platform under his feet swayed as if brushed by a gentle breeze.
The black color of the lines grew increasingly dense, as if something was being transmitted.
After just a brief moment, the feedback from the Tianxuan Mirror arrived.
Countless scenes flashed before Li Fan’s eyes in an instant.
He vaguely witnessed the birth process of the Five Elements Cave-Heaven, followed by countless overlapping images appearing simultaneously. They rose from the ground to the sky, forming a giant tree with countless branches.
Li Fan stood at the base of the tree, about to make a crucial decision.
Chapter 767
Within Li Fan's sea of consciousness, a Endstone disc emitted a faint, eerie glow, constructing a layer of disguise outside his true spirit to guard against potential spying from the Tianxuan Mirror.
Before him stood a towering ancient tree, on which Li Fan saw countless vastly different yet seemingly interconnected scenes.
All of them were derived from the evolution of the [Reverse Five Elements Creation-Destruction Sword], presenting various possible outcomes.
One path strengthened the "Destruction" attribute, pushing the power of slaughter to its absolute limit.
Another path emphasized the "Creation" attribute, enabling not only instant healing of injuries but also the power to create objects from the void and give birth to living beings.
Yet another focused on the "Five Elements Force", integrating the elements into one or allowing them to counterbalance one another, generating endless possibilities.
The sudden influx of such colossal amounts of divine ability data overwhelmed even Li Fan's current mental strength. When attempting to examine the "Divine Ability Tree", he felt a slight mental strain.
Every specific divine ability he focused on would produce corresponding feedback in his mind.
After roughly understanding the overall picture, Li Fan glanced at the countdown timer continuously flashing at the top of his vision.
Only then did he realize that, unknowingly, half the time had already passed!
With less than five hours remaining, Li Fan pondered for a moment before swiftly making a decision.
He chose one of the potential branches from the fusion of the five elements, summarized in sixteen words: "The Five Elements unite as one, the limitless ebbs and flow; its power endures unending, the divine soul remains unextinguished."
Indeed, the divine ability that Li Fan desires is a wondrous secret technique capable of protecting the divine soul!
The power of the Five Elements' mutual generation can greatly enhance the circulation and recovery abilities of a cultivator’s physical body. It can almost reach a state where, even without external aid, the body achieves perpetual motion of spiritual energy. Ordinary physical injuries can also be healed in the blink of an eye.
In the deductions of the Tianxuan Mirror, it is similar to the power of the Five Elements' mutual generation. When the Five Elements unite as one, there is a certain possibility of entering a marvelous state of limitless fullness and emptiness.
In the ebb and flow of fullness and emptiness, it is like a person's breath bringing forth the source of life, generating an endless power that nourishes and strengthens the divine soul.
With this power to support him, even if his soul were severely injured, he could gradually recover on his own.
"Ordinary slaughter abilities are essentially useless to me," Li Fan mused to himself.
"For weaker opponents, I can simply use the [Insect Binding] divine ability to suppress them. For slightly stronger ones, [Heaven-Shattering Heart Sword] or [Extracting Threads, Cutting Life] would suffice."
"But if I were to encounter an overwhelmingly powerful opponent, I would have no choice but to face reality."
"For me, survival techniques—especially those related to the soul—are invaluable."
The mysterious impact caused by Mr. Bai on his clone had aroused a profound sense of crisis within Li Fan, forcing him to take it seriously.
Without hesitation or second-guessing, he resolutely locked onto his chosen divine ability in his mind.
In an instant, the once lush Divine Ability Tree began to fade from its branches and leaves, leaving behind a solitary, bare branch standing between heaven and earth.
It then transformed into a beam of light, shooting straight into Li Fan's sea of consciousness.
"Boom!"
It was as if a catastrophic explosion erupted within his mind, accompanied by blinding radiance and a flood of detailed divine ability information.
It felt as though someone was violently stirring his sea of consciousness with a thick wooden stick.
The unimaginable pain made Li Fan involuntarily let out a muffled groan.
However, within the world of the Tianxuan Mirror, only countless black-and-white lines representing rules existed—there was no physical sound.
From an outsider's perspective, Li Fan's line-figure appeared to tremble and sway as if suffering a tremendous impact.
Li Fan noticed that from time to time, one or two black lines on his body would separate and dissipate into the surrounding space under the intense transformation.
As this happened, he inexplicably felt a bit weaker.
Alerted, Li Fan focused his mind and made every effort to absorb and process the data that the Tianxuan Mirror was transmitting into his consciousness.
However, the complexity of this divine ability far exceeded his expectations.
With his current level of spiritual sense, even after a long time, the redundant data showed no signs of decreasing.
"The amount of data contained in this divine ability is too vast. At this rate..." Li Fan’s heart sank.
In just a short moment, his threaded figure had already dissolved by half.
"Should I abandon this divine ability and try again next time?"
In a flash of thought, Li Fan suppressed this instinctive idea.
Although startled, he remained calm and quickly devised a better approach.
Under the Endstone Disc, the Dao Deviation Stone suddenly erupted with a brilliant azure light under Li Fan's control.
Similar to the previous white light emitted when the Tianxuan Mirror transmitted the divine ability, the azure light instantly swept through Li Fan's entire sea of consciousness.
Within the blue glow, all the divine ability data was completely absorbed.
Like relentless waves washing away chaotic footprints on the shoreline, the divine ability data, filled with blue light, was gradually absorbed by the Deviation Stone.
"I have the Deviation Stone, so there's no need to rush. I can store it now and study it later."
With the crisis slowly dissipating and his thoughts returning to normal, Li Fan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
When the divine ability data of the [Limitless Fullness and Emptiness Method], named by Li Fan himself, was fully absorbed by the Deviation Stone, he noticed something unusual.
To his surprise, the once crystal-clear azure Deviation Stone had lost its transparency. The blue color seemed ready to overflow, even shaking faintly.
Moreover, faint, fine cracks appeared on the surface of the crytal stone.
"This..."
"Wasn't it said that divine abilities of the Soul Transformation Realm were the most it could handle? How could the data volume be so terrifying?"
For a moment, Li Fan was filled with doubt and uncertainty.
Although he wasn’t sure how other Soul Transformation Realm cultivators’ divine abilities compared, he was certain that his Limitless Fullness and Emptiness Method was far beyond the ordinary level of divine abilities in the Soul Transformation Realm.
"Could it be that the Tianxuan Mirror discovered something and left behind some sort of hidden mechanism?"
The thought startled Li Fan, but he couldn’t be sure. Perhaps he was just scaring himself.
After some contemplation, Li Fan decided to take no immediate action.
He neither began practicing the Limitless Fullness and Emptiness Method nor deleted the stored divine ability data.
Coming back to his senses from his insight, Li Fan glanced at the two cultivators nearby.
Deng Mingxi still seemed to be selecting and deducing which divine ability to cultivate.
Meanwhile, Wang Wan had already entered the process of comprehending a divine ability.
Chapter 768
However, unlike Li Fan, Wang Wan’s comprehension of divine abilities did not seem overly complex.
At the very least, Wang Wan remained exceptionally calm as he received the influx of data.
The black lines that made up his lower body did not even waver in the slightest.
Let alone separate from his body.
"Could it be that I got the short end of the stick?" A hint of gloom flashed through Li Fan’s eyes.
"This Wang Wan... it seems this isn’t his first time using the Tianxuan Mirror to deduce divine abilities. Maybe I can ask him about it."
Having completed the deduction of his divine ability, Li Fan’s connection to the black lines linking him to the platform below had already been severed.
However, the countdown in front of him was still ongoing, meaning he had yet to be expelled from this space.
Thus, Li Fan did not rush to leave. Instead, he patiently observed the two people beside him while waiting.
Time slowly passed, and soon, less than an hour remained.
Deng Mingxi, who had yet to make a choice, was clearly becoming anxious.
She looked somewhat helpless, and in the end, she seemed to have made a decision she was not entirely satisfied with.
Meanwhile, Wang Wan had already completed his comprehension of the divine ability, just like Li Fan.
The connection beneath his feet was severed, and he opened his eyes.
Noticing Li Fan’s gaze on him, Wang Wan seemed slightly surprised.
However, since communication was impossible in this space, he merely exchanged a glance with Li Fan before shifting his attention to Deng Mingxi.
After observing her for a moment, he shook his head slightly.
The countdown reached zero.
A streak of multicolored light shone down from above.
The black and white lines gradually faded, and the surrounding space became more vivid.
For a moment, everything blurred.
In the blink of an eye, the three of them had unknowingly returned to the Lotus Stone Mountain outside Tianquan Prefecture.
Deng Mingxi let out a burst of energy, striking a nearby mountainside with great force—
As if venting her frustration.
However, unlike ordinary rock formations, this mountainside was incredibly solid.
Even with her attack, she failed to leave so much as a crack.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she felt increasingly aggrieved.
"Young girl, greed leads to loss," Wang Wan sighed upon seeing this.
Through careful questioning, Li Fan gradually uncovered the strange nature of the Limitless Fullness and Emptiness Technique from Wang Wan.
It turned out that the divine ability tree generated by the Tianxuan Mirror in a cultivator’s mind was not something that all cultivators could fully perceive.
Because it contained far too many branches, ordinary cultivators could not possibly comprehend them all.
They could only rely on luck to make a choice.
Deng Mingxi, for example, had become overwhelmed by the sheer number of options before her, delaying the time she had to truly comprehend her chosen ability.
"It's alright, don’t be too discouraged. You're still young. You can always come back in another hundred years. When I first came here, I was just like you—trying to pick the most powerful and suitable divine ability from the tree. In the end, I wasted my precious opportunity." Seeing that Deng Mingxi was still struggling to let it go, Wang Wan continued to comfort her.
Deng Mingxi pouted in frustration. "It’s all my brother’s fault! Before I came, he secretly told me that the Tianxuan Mirror evaluates a cultivator’s potential based on how much of the divine ability tree they overview."
"The more branches you look at, the greater your potential. And when the divine ability is instilled, its upper limit of power increases accordingly."
"So I thought... why not look at as much as possible..."
The more she spoke, the more wronged she felt, as if she were about to burst into tears.
"Your brother may not have good intentions." Li Fan thought to himself.
"What did you say?!" Deng Mingxi suddenly froze, staring at Li Fan in an instant.
"Hmm?" Li Fan's expression changed slightly.
"What did you mean by what you just thought?" Deng Mingxi locked her gaze onto Li Fan, pressing him aggressively.
Li Fan quickly restrained his thoughts and narrowed his eyes. "Daoist Deng, I don’t understand what you mean."
"Stop pretending. I can sense other people's thoughts, especially those related to me!" Seeing Li Fan feign ignorance, Deng Mingxi's anger flared even more.
"Just now, you were clearly thinking that my brother had ulterior motives. What did you mean by that?"
"I sensed it perfectly. When Brother Qingyu told me this secret back then, he was genuinely thinking about my well-being," Deng Mingxi said confidently.
"This little girl is truly naïve." Li Fan deliberately thought to himself again.
As expected, Deng Mingxi, who had once again picked up on his thoughts, turned even redder.
"She can actually read minds?" Li Fan was secretly astonished.
He immediately cleared his thoughts, stopped teasing the young girl, and began explaining.
"That Brother Qingyu of yours—based on how you talk about him, he must be very close to you. That means he is also well aware of your cultivation state. Wouldn't he know whether you have the necessary spiritual sense level to fully comprehend the Divine Ability Tree?"
"If he truly had your best interests at heart, he would never have told you about it. He would have simply let you choose an ability that suits you best."
"But instead, he pretended to be thinking of you and carelessly let it slip."
Li Fan sneered. "That was intentional—to stir up your greed so you would leave empty-handed."
"As for the thoughts you sensed from him..."
"If he had been unaware of your ability beforehand, then maybe what you sensed was genuine."
"But clearly, he knew about your mind-reading ability. That being the case, what you sensed means nothing at all."
Hearing this, Deng Mingxi was about to refute.
But suddenly, she froze—because at that moment, from Li Fan’s thoughts, she felt an overwhelming sense of care and affection.
So intense, so direct—it was unlike anything she had ever experienced before.
In an instant, Deng Mingxi’s face turned bright red.
"You..."
She stomped her foot in embarrassment. Unable to face Li Fan any longer, she turned and flew away.
"Hmph." Li Fan chuckled lightly.
"If possible, Fellow Daoist, you should leave Tianquan State for now and lie low." At this moment, Wang Wan, who had witnessed everything, spoke up.
"Even though it was just an unintentional slip, the fact remains that the young lady overheard your thoughts—and you exposed Deng Qingyu's schemes."
"That man is narrow-minded and holds grudges deeply. He always repays even the smallest slight..." Wang Wan kindly transmitted his advice through voice transmission.
Li Fan cupped his hands. "Oh? Compared to the Xuan family, how does the Deng family fare?"
"Xuan...?" Wang Wan was momentarily stunned. Then, his expression drastically changed. "You are...?"
"I am a mid-level guest elder of the Xuan family." Li Fan said calmly.
"I see... I spoke out of turn. The younger generation of the Deng family..." Wang Wan was at a loss for words.
He quickly apologized to Li Fan.
"It’s fine. You were just being considerate." Li Fan didn’t mind. After exchanging contact details, he took off.
As he flew, Li Fan felt a lingering sense of relief.
"I never expected to encounter another mind-reader, just like Heavenly Doctor, after all this time."
"Luckily, she’s just a simple-minded child. Otherwise, I would have been in real trouble again."
"From within the Tianxuan Mirror space, the Deng Mingxi I saw appeared to be only thirteen or fourteen years old. That should be her actual age."
"She’s still young, so her clan must have protected her well. As a result, even though she has the ability to read minds, she probably hasn't developed much scheming yet," Li Fan silently pondered.
"She’s clearly only at the Golden Core stage, yet she can perceive my thoughts..."
"It’s probably not due to her cultivation technique. It might be related to a special artifact she obtained during her Foundation Establishment. The ability to read minds is already extremely rare in the Xuanhuang Realm. But to ignore differences in cultivation levels and still achieve it—this might already be on the level of a half-step Heavenly Wonder."
A strange light flickered in Li Fan’s eyes.
Throughout countless cycles of reincarnation, aside from the Heavenly Wonders like the [Derivation Law Jade] and [Sword], Li Fan had encountered many cultivators who possessed half-step Heavenly Wonder.
There was He Zhenghao’s daughter, He Xinxin, with her [Dao Pattern Compass], the ethereal Fairy Kongyou with her [Yin-Yang Jade], and Sun Qi with his [Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi].
Yet none of them had ever captivated Li Fan as much as Deng Mingxi’s mind-reading artifact.
The human heart is unpredictable. In the Xuanhuang Realm, where different cultivation paths cannot be practiced together, this truth is even more apparent. No one can guarantee that the sworn brother standing beside them does not secretly harbor murderous intent.
If one could master the ability to read minds—even if only a few key thoughts at critical moments—it would greatly reduce the risks faced in the path of cultivation.
Not to mention, such an ability could serve as a type of power assessment tool.
If one suddenly realized their mind-reading ability had stopped working, that would be a clear sign that they were dealing with someone they could not afford to provoke.
"Perhaps, I can even deduce a method to prevent my own thoughts from being read."
With his decisive nature, Li Fan immediately returned to the Tianquan City’s Tianxuan Mirror to investigate information about Deng Mingxi.
To his surprise, he found nothing of value.
It was as if Deng Mingxi had appeared out of thin air.
Changing his approach, Li Fan searched for Deng Mingxi’s so-called "Brother Qingyu," whom she had mentioned before.
At the same time, he also included traits like arrogance, vengefulness, and pettiness—words that Wang Wan had used to describe him.
The results matched almost instantly.
However, Deng Qingyu’s backing was not the Deng family.
It was the Tianquan Wang family.
"So he’s an adopted son. But the Wang family treats him as one of their own, even better than their direct descendants."
"Perhaps it’s because of his sister," Li Fan nodded to himself.
The Tianquan Wang family, while not considered one of the supreme noble families within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, was still not a force that ordinary people could afford to offend. Many of their cultivators held positions in the mysterious Guardian Hall.
It was said that the Wang family’s patriarch was even entrusted with guarding the [Derivation Law Jade]...
At the moment Li Fan read this information, he had already made up his mind.
He was determined to forge a friendship with the Wang family that would last several lifetimes.
However, as he continued his research, Li Fan’s brows furrowed slightly.
It turned out that Deng Qingyu was not the only one with a bad reputation.
The entire Wang family’s younger generation—even its elders—had an equally terrible name.
Not a single cultivator in the entire Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was willing to speak on their behalf. Mentioning the Tianquan Wang family only made people want to spit in disgust.
"They are complete outcasts, not a [solitary family]—this isn’t just a matter of individual character flaws. It’s intentional."
"Are they trying to avoid suspicion?"
Having spent time navigating political circles, Li Fan was no stranger to such tactics.
"[Derivative Law Jade]..."
Li Fan pondered for a moment and stopped his search there, deciding not to dig any deeper into the matter.
The Tianxuan Mirror of this world had already completed its ascension. If he paid too much attention to these sensitive matters, he might end up being marked by it.
Having long been wary of the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan naturally did not wish to cultivate within it.
At present, the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance were scouring the mountains and seas, searching for entrances to small worlds. Even digging deep underground to create hidden chambers was no longer a safe option.
"The hidden threat of Liu San has yet to be eliminated..."
For a moment, despite the vastness of the world, Li Fan found it difficult to locate a safe place for secluded cultivation.
"This is just like the Mysterious Net of my previous life—the consequence of the Tianxuan Mirror growing too powerful."
After weighing his options, Li Fan ultimately chose to rent a secluded courtyard within Dao Discussion Tower in Tianquan City.
At the same time, he set up layers upon layers of protective formations as additional security measures.
Only then did he feel slightly at ease.
"Although I have not acted recklessly, and all my actions and plans still seem within my control, this world has begun to feel increasingly restrictive."
"This is the oppression of the grand momentum. My cultivation is too weak, forcing me to move along with the tide. If I go against it, even the slightest misstep could result in my complete annihilation."
"Perhaps it's time to consider [Truth]."
"However, before that, there are still a few things I must do first."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
After a moment, he shook his head slightly.
Due to the Dao Deviation Stone absorbing too much data within his Sea of Consciousness, he actually felt a slight sluggishness in his thoughts.
"Step by step. First, I need to fully master the [Limitless Fullness and Emptiness]."
Li Fan closed his eyes.
In his mind, the blue crystal, as if bloated from overeating, struggled to emit a faint glow, slowly analyzing and processing the vast divine ability data it had absorbed.
...
Tianliang City.
Xu Bai suddenly received a message from Liu San.
"Young Master, good news. Among the new disciples recently recruited by Elder Fang, someone has successfully reached Foundation Establishment!"
"What?" Xu Bai was momentarily stunned.
When it came to knowledge about [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself], now that Master Yin was dead, there was hardly a cultivator left in the world who understood it better than he did.
To establish one's foundation through oneself—how difficult that was!
How could someone possibly succeed in such a short amount of time?
Was Liu San...
A flurry of thoughts flashed through Xu Bai's mind, and he abruptly fell silent.
After a while, Liu San’s next words came slowly.
"However, it was not [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself]. Instead, one of the disciples, a young man named Jie Lin, found the method too difficult. Without a teacher's guidance, he unexpectedly devised his own way—establishing his foundation using external objects from between heaven and earth."
"At first, I didn’t pay much attention. But in the blink of an eye, he successfully reached Foundation Establishment using a Ten-Thousand-Year Hidden Dragon Herb from the Longevity Valley."
"Haha, in that case, this Jie Lin is indeed a remarkable talent. Since he has already succeeded in Foundation Establishment, there is no need to force him further. Just separate him from the others and ensure the true method of Foundation Establishment does not spread among the disciples." Xu Bai’s expression softened as he instructed.
Liu San’s laughter came from the other side:
"Haha, I have already done so. In ancient times, someone with talent as extraordinary as his would have been immediately recruited by the Ten Great Immortal Sects. There’s no way we, the Medicine King Sect, would have had a chance. Truly, times have changed."
Xu Bai gave another order:
"Use Jie Lin’s success as inspiration to motivate the others. Perhaps it will awaken more hidden geniuses."
"As expected of the Young Master—you’ve thought of everything."
After finishing his words, Xu Bai ended the communication.
His face immediately darkened.
"A hundred careful steps, yet a single misstep—eventually, a flaw was exposed."
"This Liu San always seemed carefree and unserious, but I never expected his thoughts to run so deep."
Indeed, during his seemingly casual conversation with Liu San just now, Xu Bai had made a mistake.
When Liu San mentioned that a disciple had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, Xu Bai hesitated for a moment.
This hesitation stemmed from his distrust of Liu San.
Because he understood the difficulty of achieving Foundation Establishment himself, he knew it was practically impossible.
Thus, he suspected that this might be a trap—a ruse by Liu San to lure him back.
Logically speaking, upon hearing such news, he should have either been surprised or skeptical, immediately questioning Liu San about its authenticity.
Yet, instead of doing so, he had remained silent.
Although he could have come up with countless excuses to explain that silence, deep down, Xu Bai knew—it was already too late.
Liu San hadn't spoken in a continuous flow but had deliberately paused after the first half of his sentence, waiting for Xu Bai’s reaction.
That in itself was a test.
Liu San had already obtained the answer he wanted. From that brief moment of hesitation, he had confirmed Xu Bai’s distrust of him.
In a battle between experts, even the slightest slip can determine victory or defeat.
"However, the situation hasn’t spiraled to an irreparable state just yet. The effects of the True Temptation Fruit aren’t so easily broken. Although they have sensed something amiss and solidified their suspicions, they still cannot turn against me."
"Apart from having altered their thoughts, the more crucial factor is that the Xuanhuang True Cauldron is still in my hands."
"With the numerous alchemists of the Medicine King Sect still slumbering inside the cauldron as hostages, they wouldn’t dare to act recklessly."
"For now, I’ll ignore them and wait until the final moment..." A trace of cold ruthlessness flashed in Xu Bai’s eyes.
The relationship between Xu Bai and the Medicine King Sect remained in a precarious state of equilibrium.
Xu Bai only communicated with them remotely via Communication Talismans, while Liu San and the others continued their usual behavior, as if completely unaware of anything unusual.
During this period, Xu Bai made a brief return to the Empire.
As he flew above the capital, he caught a faint scent of blood lingering in the air.
Clearly, a large-scale purge had recently concluded.
Revealing himself, Xu Bai was quickly greeted by Xiao Qing.
Inside the grand tower palace, he once again met the Imperial Princess and Xiao Hong.
To his surprise, in the short time they had been apart, the Imperial Princess had transformed from a delicate young maiden into a voluptuous and mature beauty.
Furthermore, there was now a newfound confidence in her gaze, replacing the timid hesitation of before.
"It seems your Empire still has some hidden technologies you haven’t disclosed," Xu Bai remarked indifferently.
The Imperial Princess chuckled, her ample figure trembling slightly. "The Empire has endured for a thousand years. It would never gamble its survival on a single path."
"You should understand that, shouldn’t you?"
As she spoke, her deep and radiant eyes locked onto Xu Bai’s, carrying both a subtle charm and a blatant temptation.
Yet, Xu Bai’s gaze remained clear and tranquil, like an undisturbed lake—completely unfazed.
Instead, he responded with a brilliant, innocent smile.
In that instant, the Imperial Princess’s mask was shattered. A flicker of panic and embarrassment crossed her face.
"My apologies for the inappropriate display," Xiao Hong intervened, stepping forward slightly to shield the Imperial Princess.
Taking a deep breath, the Imperial Princess closed her eyes for a moment before regaining her composure.
Xu Bai did not mock or rebuke her failed attempt at seduction. Instead, he asked with great interest, "If I’m not mistaken, the Imperial Princess is pregnant?"
The three people present fell into an awkward silence upon hearing his words.
Xiao Qing waved her hand lightly, setting up a barrier around them before explaining in a hushed voice, “Fellow Daoist, after you left, we followed your suggestion and carried out a purge of the empire’s nobility. Anyone whose will did not align with ours was captured.”
“Of course, the empire has existed for thousands of years. The power accumulated by these noble families is not something to be underestimated.”
“Before taking action, we had already considered the possibility of failure. To prevent the imperial bloodline from being severed, the Imperial Princess performed the Holy Blood Embryo Technique in advance.”
Xiao Qing glanced at the Imperial Princess before continuing, “In fact, the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique that our master originally passed down has been significantly improved over the years through the imperial family’s continuous research.”
“It can now be completed with external assistance, even if the necessary conditions are not met naturally.”
“In this scenario, the resulting infant is not so much a next-generation heir but rather a type of clone.”
“However, there are drawbacks. A clone cannot inherit cultivation; it is merely a physical body.”
At this point, Xiao Qing stopped speaking, deliberately avoiding further explanation.
Xu Bai narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable.
He did not pursue the matter further but instead, in front of Xiao Qing and the others, formally announced the approval of their review.
After deliberation by several elders, they unanimously agreed that the technological advancements demonstrated by the empire were worth investing in for the Federation of All Worlds.
As a result, the empire would become one of the few small worlds currently under the alliance’s protection.
With that, Xu Bai retrieved three Endstone Disc from his storage ring.
He then explained to them an array formation that could amplify the power of the Endstone Disc and conceal the entrance to their small world.
Among the three, the Imperial Princess was utterly confused.
However, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong showed visible excitement.
With utmost reverence, they carefully stored the Endstone Disc away. Then, following their exchanged glances, the Imperial Princess handed over a storage ring.
The storage ring was engraved with the emblem of a Heavenly Fate Black Bird. Its aura was ancient, showing clear signs of age.
It bore a striking resemblance to Xu Ke’s spirit pet, Xiao Hei.
“All the items we previously showcased are inside.”
As Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong looked at the storage ring, a hint of nostalgia flickered in their eyes.
“This was something our master left behind, and we have never used it. Using it now to trade for the empire’s future... I don’t think he would blame us,” Xiao Qing said with a sigh.
Xu Bai merely glanced at the contents, noticing that various valuable materials—including the 'All Beasts Merged into One,'—were present. However, he did not immediately verify their authenticity.
Instead, he put away the ring and looked at Xiao Qing and the others once more.
Sensing that Xu Bai had more to say, Xiao Qing and her companions turned to him with questioning expressions.
“The transaction between the empire and the Federation of All Worlds has been finalized.”
“However, there is another personal deal I would like to propose to you all. I wonder if you’d be willing to accept it?”
Xiao Qing’s expression became somewhat serious. “Fellow Daoist, please speak.”
“I’m very interested in the improved Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique,” Xu Bai said calmly.
Xiao Qing’s expression changed slightly, and she was about to refuse.
However, Xu Bai’s next words left the three of them unable to remain calm.
Chapter 771
"You mentioned before that the Holy Emperor of the Empire is likely our common ancestor. I found that very interesting, so I put in some effort and had someone investigate it for me." Xu Bai looked at the Imperial Princess and spoke calmly.
Before the Imperial Princess could react, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong grew excited. "What did you find out?"
"You want to know too?" Xu Bai smiled. "Then exchange it for the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique."
Xiao Hong was about to respond, but Xiao Qing reached out and stopped her.
She took a deep breath, calmed herself slightly, and said to Xu Bai, "You want to gain something for nothing just based on that one sentence? At the very least, you have to show us that the information you uncovered is actually worth the exchange."
"That makes sense." Xu Bai nodded approvingly and then extended his right hand.
In the next moment, a pitch-black feather appeared in his palm.
As soon as they saw the feather, both Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong felt a familiar presence.
"Xiao Hei?" Their bodies trembled, and they exclaimed in unison.
Just as they were about to take the Black Bird’s Feather for a closer look, they realized Xu Bai had already withdrawn it.
"It seems that you are not unfamiliar with this Fate Black Bird either. That makes things easier—I won’t have to waste my breath."
"Thanks to the Federation of All Worlds, which allows connections across the myriad worlds, I was fortunate enough to find Xiao Hei's remains in a small world."
"This feather is the only thing left from its body. Along with it, there was also a fragment of Xiao Hei's memories from when it was alive."
At this point, Xu Bai suddenly stopped.
"Xiao Hei is dead?" Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong were momentarily shocked, then stared intensely at Xu Bai.
After deliberately building their suspense, Xu Bai glanced at them before sneering, "Xiao Hei was far more loyal than you two. To search for my ancestor's whereabouts, it didn't hesitate to deplete its own lifespan, traveling across the small worlds of the Xuanhuang Realm."
"Though it never found Xu Ke before it died, it did not return empty-handed."
"Xu Ke might still be alive." Xu Bai spoke slowly.
His soft-spoken words hit Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong like a thunderclap.
"Impossible!" they both refuted in unison.
"If Master were still alive, we would definitely be able to sense it. But we lost all connection with him a long time ago."
Xiao Qing furrowed her brows, and a cold glint flashed in her phoenix eyes. "To deceive us into handing over the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique, you would even fabricate lies about Master's life and death..."
Despite Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong’s rising hostility, Xu Bai remained unshaken. He shook his head and sighed. "This is exactly why, back then, Xu Ke favored and trusted Xiao Hei the most."
"You claim that you could sense Xu Ke's life and death, but are you saying Xiao Hei couldn't? Yet, even knowing that, why did it still firmly believe that Xu Ke was alive, searching across countless small worlds for him?"
As he spoke, Xu Bai pointed his finger into the air.
A projection appeared before them.
It was a fragment of Xiao Hei’s memories from its remains—scenes of it traversing many small worlds, ceaselessly searching for Xu Ke.
Watching the images flash by, revealing different small worlds, and seeing Xiao Hei’s movements gradually slow as it aged and weakened—
Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong trembled slightly, their expressions turning incomparably complex.
The image abruptly stopped.
Xu Bai said nothing. He simply watched them in silence.
After a long silence, he finally spoke again:
"The Xuanhuang have countless small worlds, though vast and seemingly endless, it does have a limit."
"Back then, Xiao Hei personally visited some of them and had already ruled out those small worlds."
"And first, we can be certain of one thing—my ancestor never left the Xuanhuang Realm back then."
"So..."
Finally understanding, Xiao Qing's eyes flickered with hope as she stared at Xu Bai. "The master is in one of the remaining small worlds?"
Xu Bai neither confirmed nor denied it.
Instead, he casually shifted the topic. "Even if we knew this before, we would have been powerless in the face of the countless remaining small worlds. But now, things are different."
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is now unifying the Xuanhuang Realm, sweeping through and conquering all the small worlds."
"Through the relentless campaigns of countless cultivators who fought without regard for their lives, many of these small worlds have already been thoroughly explored. As a result, the possible locations where Xu Ke might be have been greatly narrowed down."
At this moment, Xiao Hong could no longer hold back and spoke up. "Doesn't that mean the master is in great danger?"
Xu Bai nodded. "If the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance finds Xu Ke before we do, given their current modus operandi, I'm afraid the outcome will be dire."
Xiao Hong's expression darkened instantly. "No! I must—"
"Calm down, Hong." It was Xiao Qing who remained composed.
She stopped Xiao Hong with a look, then turned to Xu Bai and said, "Your reasoning doesn't hold up to scrutiny."
"Not to mention that there's no real evidence proving that the master is still alive. Even if he does still exist, how can you be sure that he is within the remaining unexplored small worlds?"
Before she could finish her sentence, Xu Bai interrupted her with a burst of laughter.
"Ah, Daoist Qing, you're truly rational to the extreme. Fine, I admit that what I just said was all based on conjectures derived from Xiao Hei’s memories. But can you deny the possibility that Xu Ke is indeed still within the remaining small worlds?"
"Back then, when facing an endless sea of unknown small worlds, Xiao Hei never flinched. But now that the search area has been significantly reduced, you still refuse to face reality?"
"What exactly are you afraid of, Daoist Qing?" Xu Bai's gaze was sharp and piercing as he stared directly at Xiao Qing, questioning her.
Xiao Qing's body trembled as if struck by a heavy blow.
Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
"Besides," Xu Bai continued, his tone carrying a hint of mockery, "all I seek is a technique that Xu Ke once passed down so casually. Yet now, after all this time, those closest to him are actually willing to disregard his life and death just to protect something as insignificant as the Holy Blood Embryo Technique."
Xiao Qing was about to speak when the Imperial Princess, who had remained silent all this time, finally spoke up.
"I accept your request. Regardless of whether the Holy Emperor is dead or alive, I will not allow him to remain lost in a foreign land any longer," she said with unwavering determination.
Faced with the Imperial Princess’s decision, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong remained silent.
Xu Bai, on the other hand, nodded approvingly. "A wise choice."
Then, with a gentle wave of his hand, a map of the Xuanhuang Realm appeared before them.
"The Xuanhuang Realm has undergone earth-shattering changes over thousands of years."
"However, our Federation of All Worlds has always been monitoring and recording everything in secret. So, the small worlds Xiao Hei once explored can still be matched with our current records."
Chapter 772
A winding curve divided the map into two halves.
On one side, the map's details were exceptionally clear—names of regions, topography, and terrain were all visible at a glance.
On the other side of the curve, however, everything was shrouded in mist. Even the general outlines of the regions were difficult to discern.
It was only vaguely divided into five sections.
"The Five Elders Association is under the strict control of five Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns. It’s nearly impossible to infiltrate. Even our Federation of All Worlds knows very little about it."
As Xu Bai spoke, he swiftly marked thousands of black dots on the map.
Most of them were within the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, while only a few were located in the mist-covered area.
"These are the small worlds that can already be ruled out. The vast majority of them have yet to be discovered by the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. However, some have already been exposed."
Xu Bai pointed lightly, and thirty-seven of the black dots were marked with small flags bearing the character “仙” (Immortal).
"There are also some worlds that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has already explored but that Xiao Hei hasn't ventured into over the years."
Another four hundred thirty-five immortal-character flags flew to different corners of the map.
"Xu Ke’s whereabouts should be within the remaining small worlds of the Xuanhuang Realm."
Standing before the map, Xu Bai said calmly,
"I hope you can find Xu ke before you finish searching all the remaining small worlds within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's territory."
"Otherwise, if he is unfortunate enough to be in a small world whose entrance lies within the Five Elders Association's domain, then there will be almost no hope."
At this moment, Xiao Hong couldn't help but ask, "Aren’t you called the Federation of All Worlds? Can’t you provide us with the entrances to the small worlds under your control?"
Xu Bai, however, responded with a question of his own, "Fellow Daoist Hong, do you think I’m some high-ranking figure in the Federation of All Worlds?"
"To ensure the safety of each small world, our Federation designates special envoys responsible for maintaining contact with specific small worlds. Aside from their assigned worlds, these envoys know nothing about the others." Xu Bai explained.
"If you have the ability to capture Elder Liu, the Dao Integration cultivator who came with me last time, and subject him to torture, you might be able to get some information from him."
Xiao Hong was immediately speechless.
The Imperial Princess looked at the map of the Xuanhuang Realm before her, feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
Her gaze was no longer as resolute as before. "This... it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack."
"What? You’re not having second thoughts already, are you?" Xu Bai asked with some surprise.
"Whatever Xiao Hei can do, I can do as well. Daoist Xu, rest assured, the Empire will not go back on its word."
At this moment, the once hesitant Xiao Qing suddenly became firm.
Under Xiao Qing’s instruction, the Imperial Princess finally handed over the improved [Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique] to Xu Bai.
It was not recorded in books or jade slips.
Instead, it was inscribed by a rare Bookworm, a unique beast of the Empire.
"To practice the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Method, certain specific resources are required. Daoist Xu, please wait a moment while we prepare them for you," Xiao Qing continued.
Xu Bai nodded slightly.
Without immediately checking the contents stored within the Bookworm, he first put it away. Then, after a moment of contemplation, he suggested,
"Your top priority now is to race against the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance."
"Besides using the power of the Tianxuan Treasure Record to quickly and conveniently detect small world entrances, you might also be able to determine Xu Ke’s general location through divination techniques."
"Did Xu ke leave behind any personal belongings? If so, I might be able to ask a senior from our organization to help with a divination."
With a smile, Xu Bai added,
"After all, I am quite curious about this ancestor of mine."
Within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the empire harbored quite a few law thieves.
If they also had the Endstone Disc gifted by Xu Bai, they could search for small world entrances without revealing their identities.
Upon hearing Xu Bai’s words, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong exchanged a glance.
After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Qing finally spoke: "When Master left back then, there were indeed some personal belongings that he did not take with him. We have kept them well."
"Fellow Daoist, please come with me."
With that, Xiao Qing led Xu Bai to the very top of the tower palace, into an unremarkable small room.
Unlike the lavish room they had met in earlier, the interior was extremely simple and plain.
There was no trace of it being the residence of the empire’s founder.
"This was where Master lived back then. Everything inside has remained untouched. At first, we still held onto hope that Master might return. But after so many years, we have long realized that was nothing more than a futile wish." Xiao Hong’s tone carried a hint of sorrow.
Xu Bai’s gaze swept across the small room, and suddenly, his heart trembled.
Inside one of the wooden desk drawers, he discovered a faintly worn red string!
It was just a few short strands, seemingly on the verge of breaking apart.
Yet, both its appearance and the faint aura it carried were unmistakably familiar to Xu Bai!
"This is the red string that Mr. Bai left for Xu Ke?"
"He didn’t take it with him when he left?"
Xu Bai was shaken to his core.
Without betraying his emotions, he shifted his gaze, as if examining other objects in the room.
But in his mind, he kept replaying the sight of that red string.
"There’s no mistake. This is the red string that Xu Ke used to easily slay Red Nine-Headed."
"But this doesn’t seem to be the original artifact—rather, just a single strand separated from it."
"Was it meant as a final protective measure for the empire...?"
"Judging from how it’s been left here to gather dust, it seems that Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong don’t actually know how terrifying this red string truly is."
Xu Bai’s thoughts spun rapidly, and at the same time, he felt a surge of uncontrollable excitement.
He knew all too well the terrifying power contained within this red string.
Even though only a single strand remained, it was likely still capable of posing a fatal threat to a Dao Integration cultivator.
Naturally, a desire arose in Xu Bai’s heart to claim it as his own.
"The art of deduction is profoundly mysterious. It’s best to collect as many items as possible."
He explained, "It’s fine. These are all just ordinary objects. To maximize the chances of finding Master, Fellow Daoist should take as many as needed." Xiao Qing spoke nonchalantly.
Thus, Xu Bai took a brush and a set of clothes that Xu Ke had once worn from the room.
Finally, after making a show of thoroughly searching the surroundings, he discreetly took the red string as well.
"That was too easy?"
With the treasure now in hand, Xu Bai still found it hard to believe.
But after discussing a few more details with Xiao Qing and the others and bidding them farewell, he finally left the empire.
Only then did he confirm—he had truly obtained Mr. Bai’s red string so effortlessly.
"Now I just need to study its specific usage."
Xu Bai did not dare to linger. He sped all the way back to the Xuanhuang Realm.
Instead of returning to Tianliang City, he went to a nearby Dao Discussion Tower branch residence and entered seclusion.
Chapter 773
Inside the secluded cultivation chamber, Xu Bai sat cross-legged on the floor paved with top-grade spirit stones.
He first placed the red string in front of him, then took a deep breath to calm his slightly excited emotions.
After all, ever since he had fortuitously obtained the Canghai Pearl years ago, it had been a long time since he had casually picked up another treasure.
Xu Bai narrowed his eyes and carefully recalled the entire sequence of events and details from his journey to the Empire, reviewing them several times.
“It shouldn’t be a scheme by Xiao Qing and the others. This time, I was the one who actively sought them out, and it was also my own idea to request to see Xu Ke’s relics.”
“Moreover, they genuinely seemed unaware of the peculiar properties of the red string...”
After pondering for a long time and finding no flaws in the situation, Xu Bai did not immediately touch the red string. Instead, he first took out the Bookworm.
Like a living creature, the book flipped its pages on its own, projecting numerous texts and images above it.
"Holy Blood turns into fetus..."
A glimmer of sharp light flashed through Xu Bai’s eyes.
"As expected of the one highly regarded by Mr. Bai, the very person who established the entire Exotic Beast Empire. The profundity of this Holy Blood Embryo Transformation technique is nearly on par with any top-tier clone technique."
The Mysterious True Spirit Transformation technique creates clones by directly refining flesh and blood using rare natural treasures. It then infuses them with divine consciousness while severing the connection between the clone and the original body, forming an entirely independent entity.
However, the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation technique could create an identical fleshly body purely by cultivating one's own blood essence and flesh—without relying on spiritual energy or divine consciousness.
The entire process resembled limb regeneration. But instead of regrowing a severed limb, it regenerated an entirely new self.
Until the clone completely detached from the original body, it remained connected by flesh and blood, much like the process of human reproduction. Because of this resemblance, Xu Ke named the technique Holy Blood Embryo.
Xu Bai then retrieved three key materials from his storage ring, which were necessary for catalyzing the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation technique:
Eternal Dragon Blood
Brahma Consciousness Divine Worm
Core of Pure Light
The original Holy Blood Embryo Transformation technique, as passed down by Xu Ke, was designed for mortals with no cultivation. Consequently, the gestation process for the Holy Embryo, or next generation, was quite slow—typically taking over half a year to fully mature.
During this period, the host had to consume large amounts of highly nourishing medicinal herbs and meat to sustain the normal growth of the Holy Embryo.
However, after thousands of years of imperial research, successive emperors discovered ways to accelerate the process by utilizing the extraordinary traits of various exotic beasts.
Eternal Dragon Blood greatly enhances the circulation of blood and energy, shortening the incubation period from over half a year to just a month—or even a few days.
Brahma Consciousness Divine Worm replenishes spiritual exhaustion.
Core of Pure Light, when implanted within the Holy Embryo, ensures that it remains free from disease or calamity during gestation.
“Every method has its pros and cons. While external assistance significantly reduces the time needed to cultivate the Holy Embryo, it also introduces numerous drawbacks. Due to the rapid growth process, these fast-incubated Holy Embryos are nearly identical to the original body, essentially making them indistinguishable from clones—just as Xiao Qing mentioned.”
“On the other hand, the original Holy Blood Embryo Transformation technique allowed the Holy Embryo to develop its own consciousness over the years, making it more like a separate individual rather than an exact replica of the original body.”
"Which of these two approaches is superior? It’s hard to say."
Xu Bai swept his gaze over the three materials, contemplating silently.
"Regardless, the accelerated method is precisely what I need right now."
He swallowed the Eternal Dragon Blood and silently activated the Holy Blood Embryo technique.
A scorching sensation surged through his abdomen, spreading like a blazing current to every part of his body in an instant.
Squelch...
A massive lump of flesh suddenly protruded from Xu Bai’s back.
The flesh wriggled incessantly within the swelling tumor, which rapidly expanded from the size of a fist to that of an infant in the blink of an eye.
Fortunately, the clothes Xu Bai wore were the Pure Glaze Garment, refined by Fang Zaiji, which could withstand attacks at the Dao Integration level. This spared him the embarrassment of his clothes being destroyed.
The Holy Blood Embryo Transformation technique allowed any part of the body to serve as the growth point for the Holy Embryo, depending on one's intention.
Throughout the history of the empire, different emperors had their own preferences. Xu Bai chose his back.
Perhaps it was influenced by the scene he had witnessed when he was still a Foundation Establishment cultivator, being hunted by a red-haired Nascent Soul cultivator—where the shadow of a baby, hunched like a parasite, clung to the back of a volcanic cave.
“There is no vitality from the mutual reinforcement of the Five Elements, only a state of extreme hyperactivation of the flesh and blood, breaking past the normal limits of cell division.”
“The so-called Eternal Dragon is merely a long flood dragon that has atavistically awakened the Azure Divine Dragon bloodline. Yet, even so, it still has such a significant effect on Nascent Soul cultivators.”
Xu Bai felt a crawling itch spreading across his back, like countless ants scurrying over his skin, which made him inwardly startled.
The scorching Eternal Dragon Blood surged ceaselessly through his body.
In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.
The tumor-like mass on Xu Bai’s back had begun to take on a vaguely human shape.
In his perception, the Holy Embryo now felt entirely like an extension of his own body, something he could manipulate at will.
With just a thought, the Holy Embryo moved accordingly, performing various actions as he intended. However, since it had not yet fully developed, it resembled a veiled figure with indistinct facial features, carrying an eerie, unsettling aura.
“It’s time.”
Having completely familiarized himself with the Holy Embryo, Xu Bai guided the Core of Pure Light with his divine sense, moving it slowly toward the fleshy growth.
The raised mass of flesh seemed to offer no resistance.
Without any obstruction, the Core of Pure Light burrowed directly into it.
Xu Bai could clearly sense that the chaotic, uncontrolled proliferation of flesh within the Holy Embryo was gradually calming down.
The Core of Pure Light began dissolving into the flesh, causing the bulging growth on Xu Bai’s back to faintly radiate a white glow.
Limbs and facial features started forming from within the Holy Embryo.
Thus, after more than half a day, a smooth, humanoid figure appeared on Xu Bai’s back.
It was described as "smooth" because, at that moment, it lacked even a single strand of hair.
Not even the natural folds of skin were present.
It was like a flawless sculpture carved from white jade, emitting a soft, pale glow.
“Now, for the final step.”
“My spiritual sense far surpasses that of ordinary people, so there is no need for the Brahma Consciousness Divine Worm to supplement my mental energy.”
Xu Bai focused part of his consciousness on the Holy Embryo growing on his back.
Activating the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation technique, he visualized its transformation. In an instant, the Holy Embryo underwent a drastic metamorphosis.
Bones formed within its soft flesh, and its once-limp body swelled and straightened as if inflated like a balloon.
Hair, nails, and the distinctive textures of human skin began appearing in sequence across different parts of its body.
It was as though an expert sculptor was carefully chiseling away at the once-featureless body.
The Holy Embryo took on an increasingly human-like appearance.
Before long...
The face on Xu Bai’s back, like a mirror reflection of his own, suddenly opened its eyes.
At the same time, the layers of flesh that had connected the Holy Embryo to Xu Bai’s body peeled away on their own.
The Holy Embryo—another Xu Bai—gently patted the shoulder of his original body and landed lightly on the ground.
"This feeling?" Xu Bai couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
Having created clones in every lifetime, he was long accustomed to splitting his mind into two.
But at this moment, as he forged another entity—practically equivalent to a third clone, the Holy Embryo, a completely different sensation surged within him.
The Mysterious True Spirit Transformation was an extension of the Stealing Heaven and Replacing the Sun Technique, built upon its foundational principles and refined further.
It was arguably the most orthodox cloning technique in the cultivation world.
Both the original body and the clone were fully under his consciousness’s control.
In contrast, the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique—
Before the Holy Embryo separated from the main body, it indeed felt like an extension of himself, something he could manipulate at will.
However, the moment it detached from his back, a mysterious transformation seemed to occur.
While he had indeed imbued the Holy Embryo with a separate consciousness, and still retained complete control over it—
Something still felt off.
The Holy Embryo turned to face Xu Bai, and their gazes locked.
It was as if a mirror stood between them—aside from one being clothed and the other completely bare, their appearances were identical.
Yet, after staring for a long time, Xu Bai couldn’t shake off a deep sense of discord between them.
A sudden memory surfaced—
A scene from a horror film he had watched before crossing over.
Late at night, in a bathroom.
After washing up, he had accidentally glanced at the mirror.
But to his horror, his reflection was smiling back at him—a twisted, eerie grin.
The thought vanished in an instant.
In reality, nothing of the sort happened—the Holy Embryo did not suddenly go rogue or smile at him sinisterly.
Yet, looking at it now, a realization struck Xu Bai.
If the true body—Li Fan—were to perish, then without a doubt, the clone Xu Bai would also die.
But what about the Holy Embryo?
Would it perish along with them?
The purpose of the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique was to ensure the eternal continuity of the imperial bloodline.
So the answer was obvious—it wouldn’t.
"This is the fundamental difference between the Holy Embryo and a clone," Xu Bai suddenly understood.
"What Xiao Qing said—‘almost identical to a clone’... it really is just ‘almost.’"
As this realization dawned on him, far away in Tianquan Prefecture, Li Fan, who was in seclusion studying the Limitless Fullness and Emptiness, suddenly paused his actions.
Replaying everything that had transpired in the empire through Xu Bai’s perspective, an unreadable expression appeared on his face.
"Interesting... So, in the end, I wasn’t completely unaffected."
Looking back at the situation from his original perspective—
Xu Bai’s choices now seemed somewhat reckless.
Of course, it had still been his own decision.
But under different circumstances and environments, even the same person might make completely opposite choices.
That was exactly what had happened to Xu Bai.
If he himself had personally experienced this event, when faced with the Red String and the Sacred Blood Embryo, he would have prioritized studying the Red String first—
Rather than rushing to create the Holy Embryo.
Although he had intended to use the Sacred Blood Embryo to forge another clone,
He would have been far more cautious.
Having reached a conclusion in an instant, Li Fan still felt no immediate sense of crisis—
But he did sense that something was amiss.
After much deliberation, a thought surfaced in his mind—
"Should I simply return to [Truth]?"
"Do you wish to virtualize the current scenario and return to the initial anchor point?"
As his surroundings began to blur into nothingness, faced with the prompt to return,
Li Fan hesitated.
He thought about the Limitless Fullness and Emptiness, which he had yet to fully decipher.
He thought about the Dissociation Disc, which had yet to merge into one.
He thought about how he still hadn’t figured out a way to completely shield Tianxuan Treasure Record’s detection using the Endstone Plate.
He thought about how he hadn’t yet mastered the Medicine King True Cauldron and broken out of Xuanhuang Realm to explore the Immortal Ruins.
He thought about...
If he left now, he would be unwilling.
Li Fan remained still for a long time, like a stone statue, completely motionless.
A fierce battle of thoughts raged within his mind, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.
"Do you wish to virtualize the current scene and return to the initial anchor point?"
The prompt from [Truth] appeared once again.
Li Fan’s expression wavered.
But in the end, he chose no.
In an instant, the once-faded scene regained its full reality.
Having made this decision, Li Fan felt as if he had just experienced a great battle, nearly collapsing to the ground from exhaustion, his entire body drenched in sweat.
Yet, his instincts told him that he was not satisfied with the choice he had made.
He barely had time to catch his breath before reopening the [Truth] panel once more.
"Do you wish to virtualize the current scene and return to the initial anchor point?"
The prompt remained as reliable and clear as before.
But this time, it no longer sounded so pleasant to Li Fan’s ears.
Every action a person takes is driven by desire.
And now, as Li Fan faced the [Truth] panel for the second time, his desire to "restore reality" had noticeably weakened compared to before.
Hesitation, concerns, and reluctance surged through his mind.
This time, the struggle was shorter.
Li Fan ultimately closed the [Truth] panel again.
Whoosh...
It was as if all the strength had drained from his body.
He collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
A long time passed before he finally managed to prop himself up with his hands. A complicated emotion flickered in his eyes.
Then, he attempted for the third time.
The result was clear.
This time, he made his decision even faster.
In just a few breaths, he closed the [Truth] panel again.
"Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra..."
On his fourth attempt, Li Fan silently activated the supreme immortal technique that had saved him from countless crises.
Yet, the moment he opened the [Truth] panel—before any of his lingering attachments could interfere—he instinctively exited on his own.
The Immortal Heart Mantra was a path forged by reversing the Dao Heart of cultivators.
Now, Li Fan desired to restore reality in order to escape calamity.
Under the mantra’s influence, the thought of [Truth] was instantly devoured and converted into nourishment for his spiritual consciousness.
Having failed yet again, Li Fan stood in the secret chamber, silent for a long time.
This time, he no longer struggled.
Instead, he closed his eyes and calmly contemplated.
At this moment, Li Fan found himself facing the greatest crisis since his transmigration.
Because he had spent years laying down intricate schemes in this world, he had yet to reach the stage of reaping the rewards. This created an intense sense of reluctance.
And under the influence of some unknown force, that reluctance had been magnified to the extreme—making him unwilling to restore reality of his own accord.
Even now, Li Fan felt that there was nothing wrong with himself.
At worst, he was simply too greedy.
But in the end, Li Fan cherished his life.
His obsession with immortality was unwavering, and he understood one thing clearly—
If he couldn’t use [Truth], then in this perilous Xuanhuang Realm, he was truly at risk of falling at any moment.
A fall from which he would never recover.
Li Fan stood in the secret chamber, silent for a long time.
He was deep in thought, contemplating a strategy.
Now that he had calmed down, he was not particularly panicked.
After all, he was far from being in a desperate situation.
In the vast Xuanhuang Realm, countless beings never attain True Awakening, and each person only gets one chance at life.
He had merely returned to the same starting point as everyone else.
Moreover, he still possessed the immense advantage of accumulated foresight from his many cycles of reincarnation.
"Everything stems from a single, fleeting thought in the past."
"When I used Xu Ke’s blood essence to create a clone, I also infused it with a trace of Mr. Bai’s divine aura."
Li Fan swiftly pieced together his thoughts.
Before long, he pinpointed the source of his abnormalities.
"As expected, there’s no such thing as a free lunch."
"I gained extraordinary talent and comprehended divine abilities simply because I resembled Mr. Bai."
"But in exchange, his subtle influence gradually tainted both my clone and even my true self."
"Although I was already on guard when I noticed something was wrong—determined to awaken my True Self if I sensed any deeper influence—"
"What I didn’t anticipate was that, by the time my true self became aware of the issue, it was already too late."
In his mind, that breathtakingly flawless face surfaced once more.
"Mr. Bai..."
"Interesting."
"You wish to be reborn through me? Then I shall grant your wish!"
A sharp glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
The Dao Deviation Stone, which had already been pushed to its limit within his mind, suddenly erupted in a brilliant blue radiance.
Countless images flickered through it.
These were all the possible futures Li Fan was deducing.
"Trying to obstruct my path..."
"It won’t be that easy!"
In an instant, the light from the Dao Deviation Stone extinguished entirely.
But Li Fan had already devised a countermeasure.
A cold smirk surfaced on his lips as he sat down again, unhurriedly resuming his deciphering of the Limitless Limitless Fullness and Emptiness Technique.
The scene shifted to Xu Bai’s side.
He exchanged a glance with the Holy Embryo, and both of them revealed eerie smiles.
Xu Bai gently pointed at the red string before him.
"Go!"
The red string seemed to come to life, shooting straight toward the Holy Embryo.
At the same time, Xu Bai retrieved a massive pile of top-grade spirit stones from his storage ring.
With a single palm strike, he shattered them.
The Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique produces offspring or clones without any cultivation.
But for the Holy Embryo Xu Bai, this was not an issue at all.
His innate talent was identical to that of Xu Bai—already reaching an almost unimaginable level.
Not to mention, he also had the cultivation experience accumulated over Li Fan’s many lifetimes of reincarnation.
"Absorb the essence of heaven and earth, harness its qi!"
The Holy Embryo Xu Bai chanted softly.
Within the secret chamber, an invisible whirlwind seemed to rise.
Dense spiritual energy, as thick as substance, roared as it surged toward the Holy Embryo Xu Bai.
Within just a few breaths.
He shattered the barrier between mortals and cultivators, successfully stepping into the early-stage Qi Condensation Realm.
Yet, his absorption of spiritual energy did not slow in the slightest; instead, it only accelerated.
The clone Xu Bai remained expressionless, methodically repeating the cycle of extracting top-grade spirit stones, crushing them, and retrieving more.
For ordinary cultivators, absorbing such an immense amount of spiritual energy in such a short time would have caused their bodies to explode long ago.
But the Holy Embryo Xu Bai was like a bottomless abyss.
His expression did not change; no matter how much spiritual energy came, he absorbed it all.
All of it was drawn into his dantian.
His cultivation realm was rising at an astonishing speed.
Mid-stage Qi Condensation, late-stage Qi Condensation...
Qi Condensation Perfection!
The Heavenly Calamity that troubled countless cultivators across the world seemed to be completely nonexistent for Holy Embryo Xu Bai.
For the first time, Clone Xu Bai witnessed a true genius of the New Path Cultivation, one unhindered by bottlenecks.
That terrifying cultivation speed!
"Borrow the wonders of heaven and earth to establish the Dao Foundation!"
Holy Embryo Xu Bai softly chanted once more.
Inside his Dantian, the red string belonging to Mr. Bai emitted a faint glow.
There was no obstruction, everything flowed naturally.
In just the span of a single breath, Holy Embryo Xu Bai successfully stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm.
The faint red string dissolved into his Dantian, transforming into his Dao Foundation.
Because of this, he learned its true name—
Heaven’s Will Sword.
"If there is Heaven’s Will, let it be one with me."
"Marvelous."
Both Holy Embryo Xu Bai and Clone Xu Bai spoke in unison.
Despite stepping into the Foundation Establishment Realm, Holy Embryo Xu Bai did not stop his cultivation.
He continued to absorb the dense and pure spiritual energy in the secret chamber.
His cultivation level soared steadily and rapidly.
There were still no bottlenecks.
Mid-Foundation Establishment, Late-Foundation Establishment, Perfected-Foundation Establishment...
"Observe the ways of heaven and earth to refine the Golden Core."
Holy Embryo Xu Bai stood with his hands behind his back, murmuring.
He opened his mouth and inhaled, instantly draining all the nearly liquefied spiritual energy in the secret chamber.
Then, he directly took the storage ring filled with spirit stones from Clone Xu Bai, gripping it tightly.
Inside his Dantian, a red radiance gradually solidified.
"My will is Heaven’s Will, my heart is Heaven’s Heart."
Holy Embryo Xu Bai naturally spoke.
It was as if a world-shattering explosion had occurred.
A red radiance filled every part of his Dantian, then abruptly compressed to the extreme.
Moments later, a small red light floated within his Dantian.
Holy Embryo Xu Bai had stepped into the Golden Core Realm!
In an incredibly short time, he accomplished what ordinary cultivators required dozens or even hundreds of years to achieve.
Yet, he still did not stop cultivating.
With an endless supply of spiritual energy, Holy Embryo Xu Bai advanced towards Perfected Golden Core.
As expected, there was still no Heavenly Calamity.
The double standard of the Heavenly Dao in the Xuanhuang Realm was clear as day.
When Holy Embryo Xu Bai finally reached Perfected Golden Core,
Only half a day had passed since his creation.
"Is this Mr. Bai’s cultivation speed?"
"No, Mister Bai back then was even faster—achieving Soul Transformation in an instant as a mortal."
Inside the secret chamber, Holy Embryo Xu Bai and Clone Xu Bai conversed.
Then, after a long silence, Clone Xu Bai shook his head slightly.
"In today’s Xuanhuang World, achieving Golden Core in half a day is already the limit."
Holy Embryo Xu Bai nodded in agreement.
"Seize the essence of heaven and earth to form the Nascent Soul."
"Without prior preparations, no matter how great the talent, further advancement is impossible."
"As the saying goes..."
Holy Embryo Xu Bai cupped his hands towards Clone Xu Bai, then strode away gracefully.
"Before me lies the path of immortals, yet I cannot tread it—for the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor stands above!"
His figure vanished.
Yet, his voice echoed within the secret chamber for a long time.
Clone Xu Bai knew that Holy Embryo Xu Bai had left in search of an opportunity to form his Nascent Soul.
For ordinary cultivators, this process would be unimaginably difficult.
But for Holy Embryo Xu Bai, it was merely a trivial matter.
There was no need to worry about his safety.
Even though he was only at Perfected Golden Core,
Even a Soul Transformation cultivator might not be his match.
Because—
"My heart is Heaven’s Heart."
Chapter 776
Although the Holy Embryo Xu Bai had already departed, the Clone Xu Bai remained immersed in the process of the other party’s half-day Golden Core Perfection.
“No wonder, just by being tainted with a trace of Mr. Bai’s divine aura, the cultivation talent of this clone has become so terrifying.”
“My will is the will of heaven; my heart is the heart of heaven.” Xu Bai murmured these words again, suddenly enlightened.
"Mr. Bai might truly be an existence akin to an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao. Without the shackles of the new cultivation system, achieving Soul Transformation in one step would not be difficult at all."
By borrowing the memories transmitted from the Holy Embryo Xu Bai, the Clone was able to fully comprehend the essence of "Unity of Heaven and Man."
At present, the relationship between the Original Body Li Fan, the Clone Xu Bai, and the Holy Embryo Xu Bai had become rather profound.
Although they were still governed by the same consciousness, the differences in their physical constitutions led to different insights on the same matter.
The Clone Xu Bai's talent far surpassed Li Fan’s.
And the Holy Embryo Xu Bai was far beyond the Clone Xu Bai.
Moreover, from the moment it detached from the mother body, the Holy Embryo Xu Bai suffered from an even more severe "contamination." Subconsciously, it would perform actions beyond its own control—just like suddenly tripping while walking, as if affected by some external force.
However, at this stage, neither the Clone nor the Holy Embryo Xu Bai had any knowledge of this external force, nor could they resist it. They could only allow these changes to silently manifest within them.
The only certainty was that, although the final outcome was predestined and inevitable, the Holy Embryo Xu Bai had yet to develop an independent consciousness.
Its actions and behavior were still under Li Fan’s control.
This was precisely why, when Li Fan realized he had already been influenced by Mr. Bai and could no longer actively return to his true state, he deliberately accelerated the birth of the Holy Embryo.
Since he could no longer stop the process, he might as well take control of it, ensuring that he held the initiative in his own hands!
And in doing so, he could secretly plant a trap for his adversary.
For example...
If Mr. Bai were to awaken on his own, possessing all of Li Fan’s memories, he might attempt to “Establish Foundation Through Oneself” in order to break free from the shackles of the Immortal Ancestor and carve out a new path of cultivation.
If this theoretical path were truly feasible, Mr. Bai would undoubtedly be the one most capable of realizing it.
But Li Fan refused to let him do that.
Instead, he manipulated the Holy Embryo Xu Bai to establish its foundation with the “Heavenly Will Sword” and continue walking the path of the new cultivation system.
"When Mr. Bai is reborn, he might have to face a battle against the Immortal Ancestor."
"Let’s make things a little harder for him."
Li Fan had no goodwill toward this being attempting to seize his body for rebirth.
However, a more likely scenario was—
Once the other party awakened its consciousness, the first thing it would do was hunt down the original Li Fan and seize the “[Truth]” treasure. After all, he possessed all of Li Fan’s memories.
At that point, Li Fan would be like a lamb awaiting slaughter, utterly powerless to resist.
"I must make preparations before that moment arrives."
"Time is running out."
Xu Bai’s expression grew uncharacteristically solemn.
At the Holy Embryo Xu Bai’s current cultivation speed, by the time Mr. Bai finally awakened, his cultivation would undoubtedly surpass Li Fan’s by an overwhelming margin.
Furthermore, with access to all of Li Fan’s memories, he would be aware of every precaution Li Fan had taken.
Under such circumstances, escaping from him would be as difficult as ascending the heavens.
The only possible lifeline lay in the [Incarnation] function of [True].
“Though the body may perish, the true spirit remains eternal. Transforming into matter, crossing the ages.”
“Junior Brother Tianyang, whether I can survive this calamity depends entirely on you.”
“If there truly is a next life, I will surely treat you well!”
Xu Bai thought to himself in secret.
After activating the Incarnation Transformation ability, he could abandon his physical body and entrust his true spirit to an object.
Once the duration reached its limit, the ability would automatically trigger Returning to [Truth].
This was the only method Li Fan could currently think of to escape Mr. Bai’s mental control.
However, if he were to recklessly use Body Transformation into Object now, then once Mr. Bai’s will awakened, he would still retain memories of Li Fan’s transformation. There was still a high probability that he would locate the object Li Fan had fused into.
At that point, Li Fan’s fate would be even more miserable.
"To deceive Mr. Bai, I must first deceive myself."
"Before activating the Incarnation Transformation ability, I must not fixate on a target."
"At the same time, I need to use the [Chaos] Character to interfere with the process."
...
Xu Bai’s mind worked at full speed, strategizing his way out of the predicament.
Seven Days Later
Xu Bai left the secret chamber and first returned to Tianliang City, where he resigned from his position as Communication Liaison Envoy.
This decision immediately left Nangong Shirong in utter shock.
"If you have any dissatisfaction, you can tell me directly. Why go as far as resigning?"
"Do you think the position is too low? I can promote you. With the merits you’ve earned over the years, no one would question it." He hastily tried to persuade him.
Xu Bai gently shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, my lord. However, just the other day, I had a sudden realization. I feel that worldly affairs are too burdensome and hold no real benefit for my cultivation."
"No matter how high the position or abundant the resources, if I am not focused on cultivation, it is all meaningless. Instead, it becomes a burden."
Xu Bai assumed an enlightened expression, and with his transcendent and otherworldly appearance, he truly managed to convince Nangong Shirong.
"It is just a pity..." Nangong Shirong sighed. "In a few decades or a hundred years, when I ascend to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, Tianliang Province would have naturally fallen under your control. Among all my subordinates, you are the only one I can truly rely on."
Seeing that Xu Bai was firm in his decision and not merely putting on an act, Nangong Shirong sighed again and made one last attempt to persuade him.
After Xu Bai firmly rejected him, he finally relented. "Tianliang Province will always have a place for you. If you change your mind in the future, you are welcome to return to me at any time."
"Then, I will thank you in advance, my lord!" Xu Bai saluted before leaving gracefully.
Nangong Shirong stood there watching his departing figure, his face full of confusion.
Xu Bai’s resignation indeed caused a significant stir.
After all, in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, every position was highly coveted, and suddenly having an opening for the role of Liaison Envoy, a prestigious and resourceful position, naturally led to various factions competing for it.
However, this commotion was quickly overshadowed by another shocking event.
During the Alliance’s campaign to conquer minor worlds, an unexpected and significant event occurred.
The Taiyan Sect, a renowned Ancient Immortal Sect, had not been destroyed as previously believed.
On the contrary, it still thrived within a certain small world.
A squad of Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivators entered that world, only to be easily defeated.
However, the Taiyan Sect did not kill anyone. Instead, they let them all go.
Chapter 777
My Longevity Simulation
The entrance to the small world was located in Qiongjing Prefecture.
Returning alongside the team of cultivators was also a Dao Integration cultivator from the Taiyan Sect.
As the representative of Taiyan Sect, this person visited Qiongjing Heavenly City and publicly posed a question:
Could Taiyan Sect join the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance as a whole?
Although the City Lord of Qiongjing City, Meng Shufu, was also a Dao Integration cultivator, he did not dare to make such a decision on his own.
After temporarily appeasing the other party, he hurried to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to report the situation in person.
Meanwhile, the Taiyan Sect’s Dao Integration cultivator appeared completely at ease, showing not the slightest trace of anxiety.
It seemed as though he had already foreseen the outcome of Meng Shufu’s trip.
As expected, not long after, the official announcement from the Immortal Alliance was released:
To further accelerate the unification of the Xuanhuang Realm and to reduce unnecessary cultivator casualties while lessening the burden on the Rebirth Mansion, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance welcomes all factions and sects from the various small worlds to join.
Those who voluntarily submit will not be driven from their current residences.
They only need to cooperate in completing the [Observing Heaven, Understanding Earth] process of the Tianxuan Treasure Record.
Moreover, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance will even provide additional benefits, including support in resources and cultivation techniques.
Additionally, cultivators who successfully persuade factions from the Cave-Heaven and Small Worlds to submit will receive merit-based rewards.
Upon hearing the announcement, countless cultivators across the realm immediately began reconsidering their positions.
Fighting was not their strong suit—but carrying the banner of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and persuading others to surrender under such generous conditions? That was certainly much easier!
Thus, many cultivators who had begun to slack off were once again eager to take action.
In Qiongjing Prefecture, Meng Shufu looked at the Taiyan Sect’s Dao Integration cultivator across from him and suddenly realized the truth.
No wonder the other party had shown no concern from beginning to end.
Taiyan Sect had been renowned since ancient times for its unparalleled mastery of divination techniques.
By choosing to submit now, they had surely already calculated the outcome in advance!
"Ancient cultivators truly cannot be underestimated."
With this thought, Meng Shufu respectfully escorted the Taiyan Sect’s Dao Integration cultivator to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to discuss the details of their submission.
Three Days Later.
A piece of news began to spread:
Not long ago, the Sect Master of Taiyan Sect had foreseen that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would soon unify the Xuanhuang Realm.
After internal discussions, the sect reached a consensus: to align with the will of fate and cease any futile resistance.
Thus, their representative personally came forward to negotiate.
As of today, Taiyan Sect had officially joined the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
This marked the first small world faction to voluntarily submit and be accepted.
The news sent waves of excitement through the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
After all, even rogue cultivators had heard of the prestigious Taiyan Sect.
Now that such a renowned sect had chosen to surrender, it was clear that the unification of the Xuanhuang Realm was truly imminent.
Cultivators across the land immediately became anxious, determined to seize this last opportunity to earn as much merit as possible.
In the Valley of Longevity.
"I had my disciples investigate the ancient sects, and they all said that Taiyan Sect had long since perished in the great calamity."
"And yet, here they are, alive and well."
Liu San sneered.
"Of course. Taiyan Sect's divination techniques are unmatched in the world. How could they not have foreseen the arrival of the great calamity and taken precautions?" ꞦaNöʙĘs
"But for them to abandon their former arrogance and voluntarily submit to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance—now that is unexpected. Given their temperament back in the day, they would never have surrendered unless at least half their sect had been wiped out first."
His tone was filled with disdain, clearly showing his lack of goodwill toward Taiyan Sect.
"The tides of fate cannot be resisted," Fang Zaiji said indifferently.
"Face and pride are insignificant compared to one's survival."
"Actually, this presents an opportunity for us," Xu Bai suddenly remarked.
"Let's observe how Taiyan Sect is treated after their submission. If their treatment is indeed as favorable as stated in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s announcement—if they are allowed to maintain their existence and some level of independence—then surrendering directly may not be such a bad choice after all."
As soon as these words were spoken, Liu San, Fang Zaiji, and Jiang Yushan all stared intently at Xu Bai.
It was as if they had never expected him to say such a thing.
However, Xu Bai remained indifferent and said, “Elder Liu, haven’t you always wanted to release the other elders and disciples trapped within the Medicine King Cauldron? If the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance can provide cultivation techniques to support them, then we won’t have to worry about them slaughtering each other due to the restrictions of incompatible cultivation paths.”
“We have been awake for so long now, and keeping them confined in the Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation isn’t a long-term solution,” Xu Bai said in a relaxed tone.
Liu San opened his mouth slightly but inexplicably stopped himself.
After a moment of hesitation, he finally asked, “Isn’t this decision a bit too hasty?”
Xu Bai waved his hand dismissively. “Elder Liu, you’re overthinking it. The Taiyan Sect is highly skilled in divination. If surrendering was truly detrimental to them, they would never have made this choice.”
“The fact that they chose to submit at this moment means that there’s no major issue.”
“In fact, the sooner they join the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the greater the benefits they may receive. After all, the Alliance needs to set a good example for the remaining small worlds. If they say one thing but act differently, it would only backfire, triggering a violent resistance from those small worlds.”
“For the current Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, unifying the Xuanhuang Realm and completing the ascension of the Tianxuan Mirror is the top priority. A few cultivation resources are of little significance in comparison.”
Xu Bai explained thoroughly, his reasoning sound and well-founded, leaving Liu San momentarily unable to refute.
“Hah! Surrendering is great! Honestly, I’ve wanted to say this for a while now, but I was afraid the Sect Master would blame me, so I kept quiet,” Fang Zaiji said cheerfully, fully supporting Xu Bai’s suggestion.
“I’ve been wanting to visit the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance for a long time. I heard that their artifact refinement techniques have improved tremendously compared to our time. I really want to see it for myself.”
“Yushan, haven’t you always wanted to challenge that woman again? Now you’ll be able to issue a challenge openly and honorably.”
Jiang Yushan remained silent.
She was not originally a disciple of the Medicine King Sect; she had only stayed there to suppress the sinister energy of the Indeterminate Prison. She had little sense of belonging to the sect, so she had no objections to Xu Bai’s decision.
Seeing this, Liu San sighed softly in his heart.
At the same time, he looked at Xu Bai, his mind filled with doubt.
“Alright, let’s settle the matter for now. Once the Taiyan Sect has fully integrated, we will personally visit and see if what the Immortal Alliance claims is true.”
“I imagine that day is not far off,” Xu Bai said with a slight smile.
“Oh, right. Mr. Fang, how is your research on the Endstone Plate progressing?” he suddenly changed the topic.
Fang Zaiji’s cheerful expression instantly froze.
He immediately turned to Liu San and asked, “Old Liu, how are those little ones doing? Has anyone successfully reached Foundation Establishment with One self method?”
“If you don’t have results, I can’t continue my research,” Fang Zaiji said righteously.
Chapter 778
My Longevity Simulation
"Foundation Establishment with One self..."
Liu San let out a bitter laugh. "Young Master, I’m not sure where you heard such a whimsical idea."
"The difficulty of this is truly no small matter. Those little ones are all exceptionally gifted talents."
"During this period, they have all reached the peak of Qi Condensation, yet they are completely stuck at the Foundation Establishment stage."
Liu San shook his head. "From my perspective, wanting them to successfully achieve Foundation Establishment through oneself is extremely difficult."
"Back then, we came up with this method as a last resort to deceive the Tianxuan Treasure Record. But now that we are considering submitting to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, is there really a need to continue? Why not..." Liu San cautiously suggested.
"One must always be wary of others." Xu Bai rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "Although joining the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance may not pose an immediate threat, we cannot rule out the possibility of clashing with them in the future."
"Having a trump card for self-preservation is always a good thing. This plan must continue." Xu Bai said firmly.
A trace of surprise flashed in Liu San’s eyes, but he instinctively nodded.
"The Sect Master has thought things through thoroughly." Fang Zaiji immediately chimed in with agreement.
At this moment, Xu Bai turned to Jiang Yushan. "I heard that Elder Jiang has been brooding over her narrow defeat at the hands of a female Dao Integration cultivator from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance?"
Jiang Yushan frowned and nodded. "The new method of Dao Integration steals the power of heaven and earth. In combat, it indeed surpasses the old Dao Integration method by a margin. However, I have already devised a countermeasure. The next time we fight, I will make sure she pays."
A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Yushan’s eyes.
Xu Bai did not inquire further. Instead, he retrieved a translucent green fruit from his storage ring, seemingly fluctuating between reality and illusion.
"This item contains the profound principles of heaven and earth. It is a rare treasure in this era. Perhaps it may be of some help to Elder Jiang."
There was no need for further explanation.
The moment the True Temptation Fruit appeared, its aura instantly drew the attention of the three Dao Integration cultivators present.
Although they were unsure of the fruit’s exact effects, the faint ripples of divine law emanating from it were proof enough of its extraordinary nature.
Fang Zaiji nearly drooled, muttering, "Sect Master, you’re so biased. You’re giving such a treasure to Yushan alone?"
"Do you have more? Let me have a taste too."
Xu Bai chuckled. "Do you think this is some ordinary fruit that grows on trees? It took me a long time to barely acquire one. If not for Elder Jiang’s lingering frustration, I wouldn’t have taken it out so easily. To be honest, it does pain me a little." Ȑа????oʙĘś
Xu Bai laughed heartily.
Jiang Yushan hesitated for a moment, about to return the True Temptation Fruit, but Xu Bai firmly refused.
"A gift, once given, is not meant to be taken back. Elder Jiang, just keep it."
"After all, the stronger you become, the safer our Medicine King Sect will be."
Hearing this, Jiang Yushan nodded and accepted the fruit before leaving to enter closed-door cultivation.
"Yushan..." Liu San watched her departing figure, hesitating to speak.
But Jiang Yushan did not look back, ignoring him entirely.
At this moment, Xu Bai turned to Fang Zaiji. "Since researching the Endstone Plate has yielded no results, you might as well put your idle time to good use."
"Elder Fang, why don’t you take this opportunity to reinforce the Medicine King True Cauldron for me?"
Fang Zaiji’s face fell.
"If you satisfy me, I might just find someone to procure another 'Grand Dao Fruit' for you."
The Grand Dao Fruit—a name Xu Bai had fabricated for the True Temptation Fruit.
Fang Zaiji’s eyes lit up, and he immediately responded, "Sect Master, rest assured! Leave it to me. In fact, when you first instructed me, I already had a plan for reinforcing the Medicine King True Cauldron. But due to time and material constraints, I never acted on it..."
Xu Bai smiled. "Then you can rest easy now, Elder Fang. Whatever materials you need, just tell me."
He stretched out his palm, and the Medicine King True Cauldron hovered above, slowly rotating.
"After all, our disciples of the Medicine King Sect still reside within it. Naturally, we must consider their safety." Xu Bai said meaningfully.
Liu San’s gaze lingered on the Medicinal King True Cauldron for a long time.
It was only when Xu Bai followed Fang Zaiji to the artifact refining chamber that he reluctantly withdrew his eyes.
His expression was unreadable, as if lost in thought.
Tianquan State.
After an extended period of data processing, Li Fan had finally fully deciphered the entirety of the Limitless Fullness and Emptiness Technique.
After testing its operation, he wondered whether he could use it to eliminate Mr. Bai’s influence on himself.
Unfortunately, whether due to the technique’s upper limits or the fact that he had already been tainted beyond recovery, it did not work.
When Li Fan invoked [Truth], a surge of reluctance and attachment once again overwhelmed him.
The emotions erupted all at once, forcing him to hastily close the [Truth] panel.
"It seems I was overthinking it."
Having failed multiple times, Li Fan was unfazed.
After committing the contents of the Limitless Fullness and Emptiness Technique to memory, he did not continue cultivating it.
Instead, he set it aside for the time being and took out the Dissociation Disc.
At this moment, the Dissociation Disc appeared even more translucent and crystalline than before.
"The Nine Discs Struggle—seven have already been eliminated."
"Now, only I and one other unknown competitor remain."
As Li Fan played with the jade-like Dissociation Disc, he pondered silently.
During his free time earlier, he had already infused into it all the formations he knew, except for the Life-and-Death Reversal Formation and the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation.
And he could clearly feel that the Dissociation Disc in his hands had grown significantly stronger than the remaining one.
Even without feeding it more formation data and simply allowing it to evolve naturally—
It would still secure the final victory.
"It seems my opponent has accepted their fate and stopped struggling."
"Unfortunately, I don’t have enough time."
Li Fan shook his head slightly.
He chose not to inject the final formation data into it.
"If the Tianxuan Secondary Body is still within the sensing range of the Tianxuan Mirror..."
"Then this could serve as my trump card."
"I wonder, after its ascension, how the Tianxuan Mirror compares to the reborn Mr. Bai in terms of power?"
A cold glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
Since he sought to survive from the brink of death, he had to stir chaos to find opportunity.
Just like when the Crimson Flame burned the sea and Ink Death Descended in this world. To prevent others from tracing his true self through his clones, he had to completely establish their "deaths."
The greater the chaos, the better.
Too many hidden existences lurked in the Xuanhuang Realm—only by pitting them against each other could he obscure their vision, even if just slightly.
"Actually, there is another way to break free from Mr. Bai’s influence."
"And that is to eliminate the very cause of 'attachment' itself."
"For example, if I am obsessed with obtaining the fully unlocked Dissociation Disc—then I should complete its final form."
"If I am reluctant to part with the Endstone Plate, which can fully block the Tianxuan Treasure Record—then I must research a potential breakthrough as soon as possible."
"Unfortunately... these are only theoretical possibilities."
"As the saying goes—human desire knows no bounds."
"Perhaps reaching the legendary state of being free from all desires would allow one to resist the corruption of Mister Bai."
"But then again, if one truly has no desires for anything..."
"Then they wouldn’t crave [Truth] anymore."
Li Fan shook his head slightly and dismissed this unrealistic thought from his mind.
With a light tap of his index finger, he suspended the Dissociation Disc in midair. Then, he retrieved eight white, glowing crystals from his storage ring.
"If a crisis arises and I need to use a formation to attract the attention of the Tianxuan Mirror through the Dissociation Disc, there certainly won’t be enough time for me to set it up slowly. I must prepare in advance."
With this in mind, Li Fan narrowed his eyes and began injecting the information of the [Great Reversal Life-and-Death Formation] into the eight glowing crystals.
These crystals, known as Formation Crystals, function similarly to Formation Crowns in that they can record and store formation techniques. However, while Formation Crowns can be reused multiple times, Formation Crystals are disposable.
Each Formation Crystal was inscribed with a portion of the formation’s data. Then, Li Fan arranged them to hover around the Dissociation Disc.
"With just a single thought, these Formation Crystals will shatter simultaneously, transmitting the formation’s information directly into the Dissociation Disc."
As Li Fan gazed at the eight flickering white crystals, he set up an additional formation around them as a safeguard against unexpected incidents.
Next was the [Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation].
After repeating these meticulous steps, the Dissociation Disc, now encased by sixteen glowing crystals, had become almost unrecognizable.
Carefully, Li Fan placed it into a separate, empty storage ring.
"I'm still unsure whether the Tianxuan Secondary Body remains connected to the Tianxuan Mirror. This is merely a contingency plan."
"I must be fully prepared and give it my all."
Leaving the secret chamber, Li Fan made his way to the Qianli Hall in Tianquan City.
The place was practically deserted, and even the shop’s sign was hanging crookedly. Not even Jiao Xiuyuan had come out to fix it.
"I heard that the business of Qianli Hall has been declining. Seems that was true," Li Fan thought as he stepped inside.
With the growing popularity of the Tianxuan Treasure Record, cultivators could now conduct transactions seamlessly across dozens of provinces.
Trades could be made anytime, anywhere, with almost no restrictions.
Moreover, due to the widespread availability of information, product prices had become nearly transparent.
For merchants like Jiao Xiuyuan, this was nothing short of a devastating blow. Countless shops vanished overnight.
Fortunately for Jiao Xiuyuan, he ran his business primarily to support his cultivation. As long as he didn’t suffer losses, it wasn’t a life-or-death concern. True profit was not his top priority.
However, it was evident that losing his foundation for cultivation had taken a toll on him.
"What should I do..."
Jiao Xiuyuan lay listlessly behind a wooden counter covered in dust, muttering to himself.
So deep was he in thought that he failed to notice someone entering.
Li Fan knocked lightly.
Jiao Xiuyuan jolted up in shock. "A customer?"
He eyed Li Fan with suspicion, disbelief still lingering on his face.
Li Fan, in turn, scrutinized Jiao Xiuyuan’s puppet body, staring so intently that it made the latter feel uneasy.
"You..." Jiao Xiuyuan asked hesitantly.
"Daoist Jiao, would you be willing to sell this puppet body of yours? I’m open to negotiation!" Li Fan said with a smile.
Jiao Xiuyuan’s expression darkened, and he slammed the table, about to retort angrily—only to stop abruptly.
His eyes locked onto the object Li Fan had quietly taken out.
"This is..." A well-traveled merchant like him recognized it almost immediately—its aura was similar to that of the Tianxuan Mirror.
"A Tianxuan Secondary Body?" Jiao Xiuyuan was utterly shocked.
In the entire Xuanhuang Realm, the total number of Tianxuan Secondary Bodies did not exceed fifty.
Each possessed unique and extraordinary abilities, making them incredibly rare and valuable. No cultivator would willingly part with one.
A flood of information regarding different Tianxuan Secondary Bodies flashed through Jiao Xiuyuan’s mind, yet none matched the item before him.
Jiao Xiuyuan’s heart pounded with excitement. He waved his hand to close the shop’s door and warmly welcomed Li Fan.
"Of course, of course! A mere puppet body? That’s not a problem at all."
"But, I’m curious... the item in your hands, what exactly is it?" Jiao Xiuyuan lowered his voice and cautiously inquired.
Li Fan answered without hesitation, "Tianxuan Secondary Body, Endstone Plate."
"It can block the perception of the Tianxuan Mirror and Tianxuan Treasure Record."
Upon hearing Li Fan’s first sentence, Jiao Xiuyuan’s eyes lit up with excitement.
But the moment Li Fan spoke the second sentence, he shuddered violently.
Instinctively, he glanced around and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
"Is this true?"
However, his expression quickly changed.
A trace of greed flashed in his eyes as he reached out, wanting to touch the item.
To his surprise, Li Fan did not stop him from doing so.
Instead, he allowed him to take the Endstone Disc into his hands.
"Hmm?" Jiao Xiuyuan examined the jade-like disc with some doubt.
He flipped it back and forth.
Moments later, his expression turned to shock.
Gripping it tightly, he looked up at Li Fan, whose expression was unreadable.
"Fellow Daoist..."
Li Fan raised a hand, cutting him off. "Daoist Jiao, what do you think this item is worth?"
"Incalculable! The stronger the Tianxuan Mirror becomes, the more desperate cultivators will be for this item, and the higher its value will be!" Jiao Xiuyuan blurted out without thinking.
"What price do you want to sell it for?" He naturally did not believe that Li Fan would trade such a precious treasure just for a mere puppet body. He immediately asked.
In that instant, a new business strategy formed in his mind.
He realized his future path—high-end, monopolized goods.
Public information about commodities?
If he was the only one in the world with this item, wouldn't he be the one to set the price?
With his vast network of stores and unmatched publicity capabilities...
If every premium item were sold through auctions...
Although the scale of his business might shrink, his profits might not only remain unaffected but could even increase further.
Jiao Xiuyuan’s mind was filled with grand visions of the future.
But Li Fan’s next words abruptly pulled him back to reality.
"Haven’t I made myself clear? Just a single puppet body from you, Fellow Daoist."
Li Fan's calm and indifferent tone left Jiao Xiuyuan momentarily stunned.
Doubt crept into his heart.
"Could it be... I misjudged? Is this thing actually a fake?"
He secretly examined the Endstone Plate in his hands once again.
"Daoist Jiao, there’s no need to worry. The effects of this item are beyond question."
"However, my request might be... a bit unusual," Li Fan said in a deep and meaningful tone.
Jiao Xiuyuan’s expression flickered with uncertainty.
But as Li Fan continued to send him transmissions, his face changed to one of surprise.
Then, he nodded repeatedly.
Inside Qianli Hall, the two conversed for a long time.
Eventually, Li Fan left quietly without retrieving the Endstone Plate.
Likewise, he did not take the puppet body with him.
Longevity Valley, inside the artifact refinement chamber.
Xu Bai was overseeing Fang Zaiji as he reinforced the Medicine King True Cauldron.
"Sect Master, the amount of rare heavenly materials we've added is already excessive. I doubt even when the Medicine King True Cauldron was first forged, such an abundance of precious materials was used."
"What a waste..."
"Are you planning to use it to withstand the attacks of the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign?"
Fang Zaiji spoke with a trace of heartache.
Yet, under Xu Bai’s firm and resolute gaze, he had no choice but to toss a small lump of Eternal Calamity Gold into the earth fire before him.
Under his strenuous manipulation, it took more than ten days of calcination before the Eternal Calamity Gold slightly loosened and deformed.
With careful precision, he then embedded and fused it into the surface of the Medicine King True Cauldron.
Xu Bai nodded in satisfaction upon seeing this.
He then took out some black powder and handed it over.
Fang Zaiji, just having breathed a sigh of relief, was startled once again upon seeing what Xu Bai held.
"This material... why can't my spiritual sense perceive it?"
Xu Bai smiled faintly. "That’s exactly how it should be. Mr. Fang, please coat this material over the surface of the Medicine King True Cauldron. If it’s not enough, I have more."
"A material that can block spiritual sense detection... This must be quite expensive," Fang Zaiji muttered under his breath but still followed Xu Bai’s instructions.
The earth fire flickered, casting a shifting glow over Xu Bai’s face.
Three thousand zhang underground, Beast Realm.
Having quietly returned, Li Fan excavated a secret chamber deep underground.
After sealing all exits and using formations to conceal it, he placed a metal furnace on the ground before him.
"The Myriad Phenomena Furnace..."
"Although it might not truly be able to refine an 'Emperor Beast,' a beast of such immense power appearing in the Xuanhuang Realm will certainly draw the attention of Senior Brother Zhang’s Grand Aspiration Dharma Body."
"Moreover, I won’t even need to worry about controlling the 'Myriad Phenomena Ancestral Beast' after refining it."
"The more chaotic it is, the better—it’ll save me a lot of trouble."
Li Fan pondered in silence.
To refine the Myriad Phenomena Ancestral Beast, a vast variety of exotic beasts was required.
Fortunately, Li Fan had plenty at his disposal.
These weren’t from his recent dealings with the Empire but from his very first trade with Xiao Qing.
It was none other than the Sealed Life Treasure Box.
Li Fan took out a red, palm-sized wooden box.
Despite its small size, the interior was partitioned into tens of thousands of different spaces.
Each space contained a frozen exotic beast.
"Let’s start with the weaker ones."
Following the method imparted by Xiao Qing, Li Fan willed the box open, extracting several dozen palm-sized exotic beasts.
The moment they left their frozen confinement, they began regaining consciousness.
Before they could react, Li Fan trembled his spiritual power slightly, instantly slaughtering them all.
Their flesh and blood were disassembled down to their smallest particles, yet they retained their original appearances before being cast into the metal furnace.
Sensing the entry of exotic beast flesh, the intricate bestial engravings around the furnace slowly began to glow.
"I heard that when the Empire forged this artifact, they referenced information from the Beast-Taming Sect’s supreme treasure—the Ten Thousand Reincarnation Beasts Wheel..."
"The Beast-Taming Sect has hidden itself in the Lingxu Realm. I wonder when the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance will discover them."
While contemplating, Li Fan continued tossing exotic beasts from the Sealed Life Treasure Box into the Myriad Phenomena Furnace.
As more and more exotic beasts were added, Li Fan could sense a mysterious power forming within.
His expression grew solemn.
Ten Days Later.
Both Li Fan and his clone, Xu Bai, abruptly halted their actions.
A peculiar expression flickered across their faces.
"Has the Nascent Soul finally formed...?"
"But such an inconspicuous Cave-Heaven...?"
At that very moment, Xu Bai’s Holy Embryo wandered across the Xuanhuang Continent and finally sensed it—
He had discovered the Cave-Heaven most suitable for himself.
However, what surprised Li Fan was that this cave heaven was nowhere near comparable to his Five Elements Grand Cave Heaven.
It was not even close to ordinary single-attribute cave heavens.
This was because the cave heaven was merely the size of a square inch, surrounded by dark and chaotic void.
There was only a barren piece of yellow land floating in the void, providing a foothold for anyone inside.
Since they shared the same divine sense, Li Fan could clearly perceive that this cave heaven truly had no remarkable features.
The reason why the Holy Embryo Xu Bai chose this place was purely because it had only just been born.
"Interesting. This is the perfect opportunity to see how Mr. Bai employs the new method to achieve Soul Transformation."
"As the world undergoes a great change, what choice will you make?"
While secretly preparing for a desperate gamble, Li Fan split a portion of his consciousness to carefully observe the "natural" actions of the Holy Embryo Xu Bai.
Xu Bai's spiritual sense manifested as an ethereal projection, standing on the yellow earth of the newly born cave heaven.
Instead of showing disdain, he had a faint look of delight on his face.
He conjured water with his own power and irrigated the barren land.
Then, tiny green lights emerged from his body and scattered into the soil.
Before long, small green sprouts began breaking through the ground.
The first traces of life had appeared within the cave-heaven.
Then, gentle streams began to form, winding around the newly grown plants.
As the atmosphere became full of vitality, the cave heaven itself started expanding into the surrounding void.
Li Fan observed each scene closely, deep in thought.
"Creating a brand-new cave heaven from nothing."
"It can be completely tailored according to one's own will. Compared to relying on luck to find an existing one, this method is undoubtedly superior."
"However, a cave heaven is not like a mortal being. Its growth spans thousands or even tens of thousands of years—that's in the most ideal conditions."
"I've already been at the Nascent Soul stage for so long, yet even my Five Elements Cave-Heaven remains in its infancy. This proves just how difficult it is for a cave heaven to mature."
"Are you planning to slowly wait for it to grow?"
"If so, that would be good news for me."
That was Li Fan's thought process.
However, the means employed by the Holy Embryo Xu Bai far exceeded his imagination.
He was caught off guard, and a sense of urgency crept into his heart.
After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, the Holy Embryo Xu Bai strolled leisurely through the Xuanhuang Realm, as if he were merely taking a casual walk.
He stopped in one of the regions and gently reached out toward the sky.
Then, something mysterious and profound seemed to take place between heaven and earth.
It was as if something had been extracted by the Holy Embryo Xu Bai and effortlessly placed into his own cave heaven.
"Boom!"
Within the cave heaven, a continuous rumbling erupted.
In the blink of an eye, a mountain range rose from the ground.
Inside the cave heaven, changes were occurring at a speed a thousand—no, ten thousand—times faster than usual, transforming the landscape dramatically.
"This is..."
"Extracting the Marrow of Heaven?"
"Such ease and grace, without any fear of heavenly backlash. And..."
Upon witnessing this scene, Li Fan's pupils suddenly contracted.
What shocked him even more was that the Holy Embryo Xu Bai moved on to the next region, observed it for a brief moment, and once again made his move.
Another impending transformation of heaven and earth was quietly extracted.
Not a single other cultivator even noticed.
Inside the Holy Embryo Xu Bai's cave heaven, another mutation took place.
The once-gentle stream suddenly transformed into a roaring river in an instant.
Along with it, the land within the Cave-Heaven rapidly expanded once again.
With the nourishment of vast amounts of river water, the vegetation within the Cave Heaven thrived even more. Trees rose from the ground, lush and verdant.
"The River of Heaven and Yu's Creation..."
Li Fan looked at the Holy Embryo Xu Bai and nodded with some satisfaction.
Then, he left the Cave-Heaven and resumed his journey through the Xuanhuang Realm.
Like a mortal traveler, he measured the land with his own footsteps.
Whenever he encountered a life transforming phenomenon that suited him, he would absorb it into his Cave-Heaven, just like gathering medicinal herbs.
At first, he was in awe, but after witnessing it so many times, he gradually became numb to it—it started to feel routine.
Li Fan had read many insights from Nascent Soul cultivators on how to advance to the Soul Transformation stage.
It is said that the changes about to occur in the world are like the meridians within a mortal’s body—without special methods, they are extremely difficult to detect.
Furthermore, once extracted, such phenomena would cause earth-shaking changes and attract great attention.
But all of these so-called "common knowledge" experiences failed to apply to Holy Embryo Xu Bai.
With just a brief moment of narrowed eyes, he could determine whether a "Heaven and Earth Life Transforming Phenomenon" was present.
Then, with a mere wave of his hand—like summoning a gentle breeze—it would silently become his.
As more and more transformative forces were integrated into his Cave-Heaven, it renewed itself day by day.
Mountains, ravines, plains, rivers, forests...
The Cave Heaven flourished with boundless vitality, resembling a small world constantly growing.
Yet, for the first time, Holy Embryo Xu Bai frowned.
"Something is still missing."
"This vitality is merely an illusion—it cannot sustain a perfect cycle on its own."
"If no external force replenishes it, this Cave-Heaven, which has grown unnaturally fast, will soon wither and return to silence."
Li Fan sensed Xu Bai’s thoughts.
Xu Bai, now hovering in midair, scanned his surroundings and gazed into the distance.
He continued looking for an entire day.
Then, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Without urgency, he took a step forward, heading toward his destination.
From Li Fan’s perspective, Xu Bai’s speed did not seem particularly fast.
He didn't even use his spiritual power—he was moving purely by physical strength.
Yet, to onlookers, he appeared to traverse thousands of miles in a single step, vanishing instantly.
"It’s not that he is moving—it's that the world itself is cooperating, shortening the distance for him."
"Shrinking the earth to inches, making travel effortless."
As Li Fan observed the shifts in space around Xu Bai’s movement, a flash of insight struck him.
"Though my body was borrowed for Xu Bai’s rebirth, this is, in fact, a great fortune."
"Each undiscovered 'life transforming phenomenon' represents an unparalleled treasure capable of creating a Soul Transformation powerhouse."
"Moreover, every action Xu Bai takes is in harmony with the heavens and earth—it can all be considered divine abilities."
"For example, the way he stimulates the Cave-Heaven’s vitality, the effortless way he extracts the Marrow of Heaven, or even his current use of Shrinking the Earth."
"With my comprehension, grasping even one such divine ability in a single lifetime would be an incredible fortune. But now, they are coming one after another."
"What's even more precious is that all these divine abilities are being cast through my body and senses—as if I were the one using them myself. With some refinement in the future, I may be able to replicate them perfectly."
"That is... if I have a next life."
Li Fan’s swirling thoughts came to an abrupt halt as Xu Bai finally reached his destination.
"This place... is Congyun Sea?"
Li Fan snapped back to reality, startled.
Nearly ten years had passed since Ink Death’s world-ending massacre.
Although the place still bore the marks of a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the once-violent lava flows had begun to cool, solidifying into a hardened black stone.
The space fissures, gnawed away like woodworms, had unknowingly healed completely.
At first glance, the former site of the Congyun Sea remained utterly lifeless.
Yet, upon closer sensing, a peculiar force seemed to be gestating.
Of course, this was something only Li Fan could perceive, thanks to the unparalleled innate talent of the Holy Embryo, Xu Bai.
If another cultivator were to arrive, they would likely only sense waves of deadly peril and would flee in terror.
The Holy Embryo, Xu Bai, gazed at the ruins for a long time. Before stepping into the Congyun Sea, he first glanced in the direction of Yuandao Prefecture.
A surge of resentment and dread instantly welled up in his heart.
For the first time, a trace of negative emotion appeared on Xu Bai’s face.
With a cold snort, he turned away and strode into the Congyun Sea.
Unlike the emotions that arose when he glimpsed Yuandao Prefecture, walking through the ruins here evoked an exceptionally complex feeling in Xu Bai’s heart.
It was a fusion of many emotions, intertwining and merging.
For a moment, even Li Fan could not discern the exact nature of this feeling.
However, his attention soon shifted to Xu Bai’s actions.
Clearly, the purpose of his journey this time is to perfect the [Change of Impending Life] within the vitality of his own Cave-heaven.
Unlike before, when he acted effortlessly, this time he was visibly solemn.
Using his hand as a brush, he moved swiftly through the air, drawing a boundary between reality and illusion within the heavens and earth.
The line extended continuously, from the western edge of Yuandao and Shilin Prefecture’s coastal borders to the farthest reaches of the Endless Ocean.
In just half a day, he had enclosed what was once the general territory of the Congyun Sea.
However, its contours were bizarrely shaped, and the enclosed area was significantly smaller than the original Congyun Sea.
When the boundary was finally sealed, it flickered once before vanishing into the heavens and earth.
Xu Bai then took a deep breath, reaching out to grasp the invisible loop of energy before gradually pulling it tight.
As the boundary was drawn in, something within the Congyun Sea seemed to be slowly extracted.
Li Fan remained intensely focused, unwilling to miss even a single detail.
The Dao Deviation Stone within his mind radiated a brilliant blue glow, meticulously recording every insight emanating from Xu Bai.
At first, Xu Bai reeled in the energy with ease. But as he progressed, the resistance from the void grew stronger.
Each successive pull required his full strength.
The once-intangible thread in his hands gradually became solid—its texture as gentle as a spring breeze, yet as chilling as ice silk.
Xu Bai’s gaze was unwavering, his resolve absolute.
As he extracted more and more of the boundary, the once-calm ruins of the Congyun Sea suddenly underwent a dramatic transformation!
Boom!
The previously dormant black-red magma erupted once more with terrifying intensity.
Countless wriggling black voids, like swarms of tiny insects, appeared in a dense mass!
The ominous aura of an impending apocalypse instantly descended.
"This is..." Li Fan’s pupils constricted.
"The soon-to-be-revived Congyun Sea is turning back into a dead land!"
"What he extracted... was the force driving the world's revival!"
The world around them reverted into a living hell, yet Xu Bai's actions remained unhesitating.
His expression bore neither sorrow nor joy.
Three days later.
The Congyun Sea had reverted to the state it was in when Ink Death had annihilated everything.
Lava raged, and the ground was riddled with holes.
Meanwhile, the coil in the hands of the Holy Embryo, Xu Bai, emitted a brilliant white light before vanishing from the Xuanhuang Realm.
It reappeared within his own personal Cave Heaven, transforming into droplets of spring rain that fell upon the land.
Thus, Li Fan witnessed a remarkable sight—within the Cave Heaven, mountains, rivers, lakes, and forests began to show signs of animal life.
Without any prior warning, fish, birds, and beasts suddenly emerged from various places.
With the arrival of these living beings, the Cave Heaven finally started to display true vitality.
Under normal circumstances, such an evolution would take hundreds of thousands or even millions of years to occur.
However, with the power of world revival, it happened in the blink of an eye.
"This technique... is truly divine," Li Fan couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
In his past life, even the vast Five Elements Cave Heaven, which had been nurtured for an unknown number of years, was still dominated mainly by plant life. It was still far from becoming a fully developed world.
Yet, Xu Bai's Cave Heaven had accomplished this feat in such a short period.
After leaving the Cloud Sea, he did not stop his efforts to gather the world's life transformative phenomenon.
However, his work now resembled more of fine-tuning and mending, rather than causing earth-shattering changes.
Subtle transformations were quietly taking place in unnoticed corners.
"I can't replicate this... I simply can't." Li Fan kept replaying the memory of how Xu Bai extracted the power of revival.
Even though he had witnessed the entire process firsthand, he remained completely baffled as to how it was achieved.
This was clearly beyond his current level of comprehension.
"Ordinary Nascent Souls rely on their Cave-Heaven as the foundation of their cultivation. But someone outright devouring a small world? I've never even heard of such a thing before."
"When he truly advances to the Soul Transformation Realm, I can’t begin to imagine how powerful he’ll become."
"And which Spirit of Heaven and Earth will he choose to merge with in his Dao Integration?"
Li Fan found himself looking forward to the answer.
As Xu Bai traveled across the Xuanhuang Realm, another matter puzzled Li Fan.
Logically speaking, with Xu Bai’s extraordinary appearance and temperament, he should have attracted attention wherever he went.
Not to mention, his continuous absorption of the world's transformative energy should have drawn intense scrutiny.
Yet, strangely enough, every cultivator he encountered along the way completely ignored him—as if they couldn’t see him at all.
Hiding in plain sight, under the bright sun!
"This kind of divine ability... it would suit me perfectly," Li Fan thought.
"It seems as if he has completely merged with all things in the world..."
After pondering for a long time, Li Fan's expression turned thoughtful.
Meanwhile, as Xu Bai was on the verge of advancing to the Soul Transformation Realm, Li Fan himself was also about to refine the "Emperor Beast".
All the frozen exotic beasts had been placed into the Sealed Life Treasure Box.
Li Fan had even added Red Nine-Headed's flesh and blood and Kunpeng's essence blood.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Above the Myriad Phenomena Furnace, all the beast patterns erupted with dazzling radiance.
The metal furnace trembled violently, producing creaking sounds from all around.
It seemed as if it could collapse and explode at any moment.
"Another technique is ready."
Li Fan swiftly pressed his hands together, setting up an formation around the Myriad Phenomena Furnace to temporarily seal it.
Afterward, he stored it inside a separate storage ring.
Then, he took out some materials and, following the method from Tianyang’s memories, began refining mechanical puppets.
"The Chaos Character is the only method I have to potentially disrupt the vision of the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign."
"Moreover, it seems that the Longevity Realm experts of this world are highly interested in the Chaos Character. So when the time comes, I won't just cast it myself—it will also erupt simultaneously in different locations."
"As the saying goes, ‘The wind rustles, and the crane's cry startles the army; every tree and blade of grass seems like an enemy soldier.’"
A sharp gleam flashed in Li Fan’s eyes. Within just a few days, a rather crude-looking, pitch-black puppet was completed.
It had no intelligence to speak of, and its function was extremely simple:
At the critical moment, it would execute its predetermined orders without being influenced by any external forces—not even Li Fan himself!
"The Chaos Character is incredibly difficult to execute, even for my true body."
"Let alone these puppets."
"I can only divide the word ‘Chaos’ stroke by stroke. When the time comes, the puppets will assemble it into a complete divine ability."
"If it were the full-power ‘Chaos’ mantra, splitting it apart would likely be beyond my ability. But I don’t seek its full power—I only need to imitate its chaotic aura, which should be feasible."
Li Fan multitasked, monitoring and recording the activities of the Holy Embryo Xu Bai while continuously refining more puppets and contemplating how to deconstruct the Chaos Character.
Fortunately, with the secret technique of [Transformation into Divine Dao], despite the numerous tasks, his mind remained orderly.
...
Longevity Valley.
Jiang Yushan unleashed a powerful slash of black fiendish energy at the newly reforged Medicine King True Cauldron, but the cauldron's surrounding black radiance effortlessly neutralized the attack.
Jiang Yushan furrowed her brows slightly, while Fang Zaiji was brimming with pride.
"Sect Master, what do you think of my craftsmanship? This new cauldron is extremely sturdy! Even if the three of us joined forces, we might not be able to inflict any damage on it."
"And that’s only considering its inherent material strength. If we activate its internal formations for full defense, it might even be able to withstand an attack from the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign!"
"It’s all thanks to your generosity, Sect Master—you spared no expense on rare heavenly materials. I’ve never had such luxurious resources for artifact refining in my entire life." Fang Zaiji sighed with emotion.
Xu Bai, who had just tested the cauldron’s durability, was very satisfied. "Thank you for your hard work, Elder Fang."
"I heard that the small world where the Taiyan Sect is located has recently been formally integrated into the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. To set an example, the alliance is even allowing its cultivators to visit freely. Elder Fang, since you've been working hard on refining artifacts, why don’t you come with me to take a look and see how things stand?" Xu Bai said with a smile.
As he spoke, he ignored the side glance from Liu San and casually stored the now-darkened Medicine King True Cauldron away.
"Taiyan Sect, huh..." Fang Zaiji hesitated.
"They aren’t easy to deal with. Back in the day, I was constantly hunted down with no peace, and it was the Taiyan Sect disciples who calculated my hiding spots and exposed me."
Xu Bai chuckled. "That was in the past. Now that they've joined the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, and there’s no longer any personal vendetta between you, why would they bother chasing you now?"
Hearing this, Fang Zaiji became a bit eager. "I’ve heard that Taiyan Sect has a treasure called the ‘Stone Mother of Dao Deviation.’"
"It supposedly contains an illusion so lifelike that it has nearly deduced an entirely separate real world. I’ve heard of it for a long time, but I’ve never had the chance to see it..."
Xu Bai’s gaze flickered. "Haha, I’ve heard of it too. That item is the Taiyan Sect’s most prized treasure—it won’t be easy to lay eyes on."
"Whether we get to witness it or not depends entirely on fate."
Chapter 783
Xu Bai turned to look at the silent Liu San and suddenly asked, “Elder Liu, will you be coming with us? You are knowledgeable and well-experienced, which makes you the perfect person to assess the situation. We need to determine whether surrendering to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is truly reliable and whether the Taiyan Sect might be colluding with them to deceive us.”
Xu Bai’s sincerity was evident.
However, Liu San remained silent for a moment before shaking his head and declining. “Young Master, you and Old Fang should go. In terms of insight, he is no less capable than I am. Given the turbulent times, someone must stay behind to look after the disciples in Longevity Valley. Although the entrance is concealed by the Endstone Disc, there is still the possibility that an unsuspecting cultivator might stumble upon it.”
“You finally said something reasonable, Old Liu.” Fang Zaiji appeared somewhat pleased with Liu San’s affirmation.
But soon, he scrutinized Liu San suspiciously. “You’re not just using this as an excuse to spend time alone with Yushan, are you?”
“Nonsense!” Liu San snapped angrily.
After some playful banter, Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji departed from Longevity Valley and headed straight for the Taiyan Sect.
The entrance to the small world was located in Taihua Prefecture. Along the way, they saw numerous cultivators who had caught wind of the event and were also rushing to witness the spectacle.
Surprisingly, members of the Immortal Alliance’s internal system were stationed along the route to guide visitors, a rare occurrence.
It was clear that the Alliance intended to make the Taiyan Sect’s submission a model case for propaganda.
Taihua Prefecture lay in the eastern region of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, not far from the Congyun Sea.
A vast mountain range spanned its territory, with a thousand towering peaks.
Among them, nine peaks were the most prominent, collectively known as the Nine Veins of Taihua.
Once, there had been ten peaks, known as the Ten Veins of Taihua.
However, one of them, Mount Taixu, suddenly collapsed and disappeared from people’s memory, leaving only the nine remaining peaks.
In a previous life, He Zhenghao had once considered going to Taihua Prefecture for advanced training, but under Li Fan’s influence, he ultimately chose Tianyun Prefecture instead.
Following the guides, Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji arrived at Mount Taixuan.
“This entrance is well-hidden—it’s actually inside the mountain itself? Completely natural! If the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance hadn’t opened this passage, getting in would have been quite the challenge,” Fang Zaiji remarked in astonishment.
They followed the winding tunnel inside the mountain, reaching the end of the passage.
The spatial gateway had already been stabilized and permanently opened.
At the entrance, several Taiyan Sect cultivators stood in formation, seemingly welcoming visitors. However, their gazes kept sweeping over the arriving cultivators, as if searching for something.
“They wouldn’t still be looking for those little brats from back then, would they?” Fang Zaiji secretly wondered.
Noticing the hesitation on Fang Zaiji’s face, Xu Bai immediately understood his concerns.
Clearing his throat lightly, Xu Bai took the lead and stepped forward.
Seeing this, Fang Zaiji had no choice but to follow closely.
As soon as the Taiyan Sect cultivators saw Xu Bai approaching, their eyes lit up, and they surrounded him.
“Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment!”
“Would you be interested in joining the Taiyan Sect?”
“If you enter our sect, you’ll never have to worry about cultivation techniques again, and you’ll even receive a mid-grade Dao Deviation Stone for free!”
They spoke enthusiastically, voices overlapping.
Their excitement quickly drew the attention of other cultivators.
“Hey! Taiyan Sect cultivators, what about me?!”
“I want to join the Taiyan Sect too!”
“Why are you only focused on him? Just because he looks good?”
The other cultivators voiced their dissatisfaction, but the Taiyan Sect members paid them no heed.
Their attention was fixed solely on Xu Bai.
Xu Bai neither agreed nor outright refused.
Instead, he probed for information about the current relationship between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Taiyan Sect.
The Taiyan Sect cultivators were quite forthcoming.
“We’re just using the name of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, and every year, we send a Dao Integration elder to the alliance headquarters as a representative. Other than that, nothing has really changed.”
“Within the Taixuan Realm, the Taiyan Sect still has full authority. The alliance doesn’t interfere.”
“Think about it—there are countless hidden realms and small worlds under the jurisdiction of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. One more or less makes no difference to them.”
“On the contrary, with the alliance’s Tianxuan Treasure Record and Tianxuan Mirror, our daily cultivation has become much more convenient.”
They saw that Xu Bai seemed somewhat interested, so they intensified their persuasion.
They even took the initiative to lead the way, guiding him on a tour of the Taixuan Small World’s scenery.
Vast fertile lands stretched for thousands of miles, where countless mortals resided.
In the distant clouds, a floating city hovered above the sky.
Faintly, one could see numerous cultivators moving about within the city.
“The spiritual energy in this small world is already comparable to the ordinary regions of the Xuanhuang Realm.”
Fang Zaiji said with a hint of envy, “I can’t believe you all managed to find such a great place to take refuge back then...”
The cultivators of the Taiyan Sect were momentarily stunned.
Only then did they realize that when Fang Zaiji mentioned “back then,” he was referring to the time when the Great Calamity of 'Incompatible Cultivation' descended.
“Of course. We excel in the art of divination. Naturally, we were able to find a sliver of hope amidst the crisis of destruction.”
In truth, judging by the ages of these younger disciples, they likely didn’t know much about what had happened back then.
They were simply exaggerating in an attempt to persuade Xu Bai to join their sect.
“Logically speaking, with such favorable recruitment conditions, your Taiyan Sect shouldn’t be lacking in disciples, right? Then why did you all become so eager the moment you saw me...”
Xu Bai deliberately asked, “Could it be... that it’s really because of my good looks?”
The Taiyan Sect cultivators exchanged glances before an elder among them finally spoke up to answer Xu Bai’s question.
“Our Taiyan Sect does not accept just anyone. The most important criterion is that one must match one of the Dao Deviation Stone Mother’s chosen appearances.”
After briefly explaining the Dao Deviation Stone Mother, he continued, “According to the Stone Mother’s divination, those who match the designated appearances will either become the core pillars of our sect’s future, the key figures in its revival, or the unparalleled leader who will lead the Taiyan Sect out of its crisis...”
“In short, it is an opportunity with countless benefits and no drawbacks. The divination never makes mistakes!”
They spoke with absolute certainty, showing their firm belief in the Dao Deviation Stone Mother’s predictions.
“Oh? This so-called Stone Mother sounds quite extraordinary. I wonder if I can see it with my own eyes?” Xu Bai followed along with their words and asked.
“As long as you join the Taiyan Sect, you will have the opportunity to meet the Stone Mother in person. Moreover, you might even receive a chance to undergo a simulation!” The middle-aged cultivator pounded his chest in assurance.
“Simulation?” Xu Bai narrowed his eyes.
Even Fang Zaiji was momentarily captivated.
“We’ve mentioned before that within the Dao Deviation Stone Mother, there exists another world—a near-realistic divination realm. If one gains its approval, they can harness its power to create a personal virtual world.”
“In this virtual world, you will experience everything you are about to face in the future.”
“Although it cannot guarantee absolute accuracy, possessing foresight and preparation allows those who undergo the simulation to avoid countless pitfalls.”
The middle-aged cultivator’s tone was filled with admiration.
“Unfortunately, I failed the trial last time and lost a once-in-a-century opportunity.”
“You mean to say that this Dao Deviation Stone Mother has actually developed sentience?” Fang Zaiji asked in shock.
"Listen to yourself..." A Taiyan Sect cultivator glanced at Fang Zaiji.
"So many years have passed, even a monkey would have gained wisdom by now. Let alone our [Dao Deviation Stone Mother]."
They scoffed at Fang Zaiji's doubts.
However, Fang Zaiji subtly signaled Xu Bai and transmitted a message:
"Sect Master, something feels off. I remember that back then, the Taiyan Sect was extremely wary of the [Dao Deviation Stone Mother] developing self-awareness."
"After all, a cultivator's lifespan is limited, while the Stone Mother’s lifespan is infinite. If it truly gained sentience..."
"Who really holds authority in the Taiyan Sect would be uncertain. We should be cautious." Fang Zaiji warned.
Xu Bai nodded slightly but maintained a calm demeanor.
Feigning curiosity, he asked, "To be honest, since we traveled here from afar, we do have some understanding of your Taiyan Sect."
"Taiyan Divination is said to be able to deduce the future through immense computational power. However, it still requires initial data as a foundation. You’ve been secluded in the Taixuan Realm for thousands of years, cut off from the outside world. The Xuanhuang Realm has undergone immense changes. How can you ensure the accuracy of your predictions?"
The middle-aged cultivator from Taiyan Sect was visibly surprised by Xu Bai’s words. Then, his face lit up with excitement.
"So, you have some knowledge of divination? It seems you are truly fated with our Taiyan Sect!"
"As for your concern..."
With a smug expression, he said, "Who said our Taiyan Sect has been isolated for thousands of years? In reality, at regular intervals, our sect sends out special envoys to gather intelligence on the Xuanhuang Realm, allowing us to constantly refine and correct [the Stone Mother’s] predictions."
"Otherwise, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s conquest of the various worlds only happened recently. If we hadn't foreseen it in advance, how could we have reacted so quickly?"
"Correction, I see..." Xu Bai nodded thoughtfully.
"Alright, enough talk. Are you willing to join our Taiyan Sect or not?"
By now, they were approaching the floating city in the sky. Among the Taiyan Sect disciples, a short, hunched cultivator finally lost patience.
"I must admit, I am a bit tempted." Xu Bai stroked his chin.
Fang Zaiji immediately shot him a glance.
The Taiyan Sect disciples brightened at his words.
"However, I still have some concerns. Actually, before coming here, I already joined another sect. And due to certain special circumstances, I cannot leave. Would that be an issue for you?" Xu Bai asked sincerely.
"Huh?!"
The Taiyan Sect disciples collectively froze, momentarily halting in midair. They turned to stare at Xu Bai.
"Are you messing with us?!" The short cultivator erupted in fury.
Just as he was about to take action, the middle-aged cultivator raised a hand to stop him.
"Senior Brother’s instructions didn’t explicitly forbid this." He pondered for a moment, carefully assessing Xu Bai before gritting his teeth and saying, "I can’t make this decision myself. Come with me to the sect first! Whether you can join or not, Senior Brother will decide."
Xu Bai hadn’t expected the Taiyan Sect to be this eager to recruit disciples—to the point of tolerating such conditions.
However, he had no reason to refuse and simply nodded.
Upon reaching the floating city in the sky, Xu Bai finally noticed that the entire city was encased in a layer of transparent crystal for protection.
As the crystal reflected the middle-aged cultivator’s face, a familiar blue glow flickered across its surface.
In the next instant, the middle-aged cultivator transformed into a streak of blue light and vanished into the city. The other disciples followed suit.
"You can enter directly," the middle-aged cultivator said from beyond the crystalline barrier.
Seeing this, Fang Zaiji hurried ahead of Xu Bai and flew into the city.
As he approached the transparent barrier, it was as if it didn’t exist at all—allowing him to pass through without any resistance.
Fang Zaiji looked around but did not notice anything unusual.
Only then did he signal Xu Bai that he could proceed.
The moment Xu Bai leaped through the crystal wall, it felt as if he had passed through a space composed of countless mirrors.
He saw numerous versions of himself, each seemingly experiencing different events.
In an instant, he returned to reality.
"Let's go. I'll take you to see Senior Brother," the middle-aged cultivator glanced at Xu Bai and said with a smile.
As they walked through the Floating City, they could see many cultivators from the Taiyan Sect around them.
Their cultivation levels varied, ranging from Qi Condensation to Soul Transformation.
There were even one or two white-bearded cultivators, causing Fang Zaiji to show a solemn expression. Clearly, they had reached the Dao Integration stage.
These cultivators all seemed quite at ease—some were whispering to each other, others were calculating something with their fingers.
Some were even toying with an object in their hands, resembling a Rubik's cube. Judging by the constantly shifting images on its surface, it seemed similar to the Heavenly Lock Treasure Box that Li Fan had once found in the Yixing Tomb.
As Xu Bai and his group passed by, these cultivators only cast a casual glance before withdrawing their gazes.
No one paid much attention to Xu Bai’s unparalleled beauty.
Even stranger was that when they greeted the ones leading the way, they addressed each other solely as "Senior Brother" or "Junior Brother."
Even those white-haired Dao Integration elders were addressed in the same manner.
Xu Bai couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly.
"Sect Master, have you noticed anything off?" Fang Zaiji quietly transmitted his voice.
"It is a bit strange. The strength of the Taiyan Sect has been preserved too perfectly. Just from what we've seen along the way, there were no fewer than ten Dao Integration cultivators, right? Does the Taiyan Sect really have such profound foundations?"
"Moreover, Dao Integration experts addressing Qi Condensation cultivators as brothers..."
A look of intrigue appeared on Xu Bai’s face.
"No, that’s not it!" Fang Zaiji's voice became slightly urgent.
"When I first came in, I didn’t realize it. But after observing for a while, I finally noticed..."
"This place is eerie!"
Xu Bai’s footsteps paused slightly. "Eerie? Elder Fang, what do you mean?"
"Sect Master, look carefully at these people again. They aren’t actually real!" Fang Zaiji's voice trembled slightly.
"Even this city beneath our feet might be an illusion!"
Hearing Fang Zaiji's reminder, Xu Bai’s eyes sharpened.
As he continued walking forward, he carefully observed once more.
With his unparalleled talent, one of the greatest under heaven, Xu Bai soon detected some abnormalities.
Every cultivator in this Floating City, from Dao Integration down to Qi Condensation—
The faint aura emanating from them was exactly the same!
It was as if they were all the same person!
Only their faces were different.
At that moment, the middle-aged cultivator leading the way seemed to sense Xu Bai’s reaction.
He suddenly turned his head, revealing a sinister smile. "What’s wrong, fellow Daoist? Do you have any doubts?"
Chapter 785
However, perhaps it was just Xu Bai's illusion.
That eerie feeling vanished in an instant. In the blink of an eye, when he looked again—
The other person's face had once again returned to its previous warmth.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. I just didn't expect that your Taiyan Sect still has so many Dao Integration cultivators. I was just a little startled." Xu Bai feigned a look of great shock.
"As expected of a sect that was already renowned in ancient times. Its deep foundation is truly unimaginable." Xu Bai clicked his tongue in admiration.
Flattery is something everyone enjoys hearing.
As soon as he said this, not only did the cultivators leading the way ahead react favorably, but even the bystanders along the road cast satisfied glances in his direction.
Yet, this only further confirmed Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji’s suspicion that something was off with the Taiyan Sect.
Because they all showed the same expression of "satisfaction"—at the exact same moment!
"Mr. Fang, do you have any confidence that we can escape from here?" Xu Bai asked Fang Zaiji in a quiet voice while still chatting and laughing with the Taiyan Sect cultivators.
"Rest assured, Sect Master. I'm working on it. This place is extremely stable in terms of spatial structure. If we want to break through and escape, it'll take some effort," Fang Zaiji replied solemnly.
With life and death on the line, the usually carefree Fang Zaiji had finally turned serious.
"No rush. Let's first see what exactly is going on with this Taiyan Sect." Xu Bai reassured him.
As they exchanged thoughts, they had already been led by the Taiyan Sect disciples into the center of the city, arriving at a uniquely designed building.
The entire structure was composed of a translucent blue crystal.
From the outside, one could clearly see that the interior was divided into numerous rectangular spaces.
Inside each space, a cultivator was busily engaged in some task.
"This..." Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji exchanged glances.
"Come on. Senior Brother is waiting for you inside," the middle-aged cultivator leading them said casually.
The experience was similar to when they had entered the Formation Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. As Xu Bai stepped into the blue crystal building, he felt as if the space beneath his feet was shifting.
At the same time, the transparency of the surrounding walls gradually diminished, making it impossible to see the rest of the structure.
Simultaneously, the decorations and furnishings within the space continuously changed.
Only Xu Bai and his group remained unchanged.
When the crystalline walls had completely transformed into solid walls, a translucent blue figure suddenly appeared before them.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Chen!"
The Taiyan Sect cultivators who had led them there immediately bowed in respect.
The blue radiance gradually solidified, revealing the true form of a rather handsome man.
"Chen Tianhai?!"
As soon as he saw the man’s face clearly, Fang Zaiji involuntarily exclaimed.
Everyone present was momentarily stunned.
Chen Tianhai, however, merely glanced at Fang Zaiji, showing no surprise at his presence.
"You did well on this mission. You may leave now. I have some words to exchange with this old acquaintance."
He dismissed the Taiyan Sect cultivators with a simple command.
Whatever rewards they had received, those cultivators left grinning from ear to ear, quickly departing from the space.
At this moment, Fang Zaiji had also calmed down somewhat, but the shock in his eyes had yet to fade. He kept scrutinizing Chen Tianhai carefully.
"It's really him. There's no mistake... I can't believe he's still alive..."
While murmuring to himself, Fang Zaiji transmitted his voice to explain to Xu Bai, “Chen Tianhai was once the top direct disciple of the Taiyan Sect and the designated successor to the next Sect Master. However, for some unknown reason, he was later stripped of all his status. He then disappeared without a trace and was declared a wanted fugitive by the Taiyan Sect.”
“Back then, some disciples of the Taiyan Sect participated in the hunt for me, making it impossible for me to escape. It was this young man who stepped in to save me, allowing me to take refuge safely within the Medicine King Sect.”
“When I heard about what happened to him, I even felt regretful for a moment. But I never expected...”
“Are you surprised to see me?” At that moment, Chen Tianhai spoke with a smile.
“It has been many years, yet you still look the same. No, for us, it has been several thousand years. But for your Medicine King Sect, it must have felt like only a brief moment.”
With these words, Chen Tianhai directly revealed that the Medicine King Sect had traversed the Immortal Ruins and journeyed through millennia.
“So, you knew that the Medicine King Sect’s attempt to escape with the True Cauldron was nothing more than a path to self-destruction?” Fang Zaiji narrowed his eyes.
“I only found out afterward. Otherwise, with my temperament back then, I would have insisted on going with you.”
Chen Tianhai’s response caused Fang Zaiji to pause slightly.
“Going with us?” Fang Zaiji asked with some confusion.
“That was the Immortal Ruins! Do you not wonder what lies within? Are you truly not curious?” Chen Tianhai countered.
“In the entire Xuanhuang Realm, how many people have had the chance to witness such a phenomenon and return safely? You, Fang, are one of the rare few.”
Fang Zaiji shrugged. “Then you might be disappointed. Not long after entering the cauldron, I fell into the Great Dream of Spring and Autumn Formation and went into deep sleep.”
Chen Tianhai nodded slightly. “That’s something you would do. You’ve always been carefree.”
At that moment, Xu Bai suddenly interjected, “You seem very interested in the Immortal Ruins? Actually, we recorded our experiences back then.”
Hearing this, Chen Tianhai finally looked at Xu Bai with a more serious expression.
“Mysteries beyond fate...”
He muttered to himself in a low voice, and a hint of excitement flickered in his eyes.
“As expected, this variable originates from the Medicine King Sect!”
“Old Chen, what are you mumbling about?” Fang Zaiji was puzzled by Chen Tianhai’s words.
“Fang, who is this? You haven’t introduced me yet.” Chen Tianhai asked.
“Ah! This is...” Fang Zaiji glanced at Xu Bai.
Receiving Xu Bai’s silent approval, he then spoke truthfully, “This is our current Sect Master of the Medicine King Sect—Xu Bai!”
“Hm?” A flash of astonishment crossed Chen Tianhai’s eyes.
Then, he stared intently at Xu Bai, as if he had turned into a statue.
Only after Fang Zaiji called his name several times did he finally regain his senses.
His interest in Xu Bai grew even stronger.
“The Sect Master of the Medicine King Sect actually wants to join our Taiyan Sect? You really don’t have any good intentions, do you?” Chen Tianhai shook his head slightly.
“The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is preparing to sweep through the Xuanhuang Realms. Whether it’s the Medicine King Sect or the Taiyan Sect, in the future, all will be integrated into the alliance. There will be no distinction between sects anymore. If we’re being honest, as long as the benefits are good enough, I wouldn’t mind joining your Taiyan Sect either.” Xu Bai said calmly.
Chen Tianhai was momentarily speechless.
“You’re not wrong. The era of sects is over.” He sighed with some melancholy.
“However, you joining our Taiyan Sect...” Chen Tianhai paused for a moment.
Then, he shook his head again.
“That won’t do. We cannot accommodate someone like you.”
“Besides, the price of joining us...”
“You might not be willing to pay it.”
Chen Tianhai’s tone carried a strange ambiguity.
Chapter 786
Xu Bai gazed deeply at the other party.
Chen Tianhai’s words carried profound meaning.
Did he see through Xu Bai’s clone's origins?
However, he didn’t expose it, maintaining an air of mystery. This left Fang Zaiji somewhat puzzled.
“But you were right about one thing earlier. Our Taiyan Sect is indeed very interested in scenes beyond the Immortal Ruins.”
“To be precise, any records from outside the Xuanhuang Realm are of great importance to us.”
“What do you want in exchange?”
Chen Tianhai abruptly shifted the topic, speaking bluntly.
This caught Xu Bai slightly off guard.
“I want Dao Deviation Stones—the higher the quality, the better.”
However, he quickly regained his composure and decisively made his request.
“Dao Deviation Stones...” Chen Tianhai pondered for a moment before shaking his head slightly.
“We no longer have any individual Dao Deviation Stones within the Taiyan Sect. You might have better luck searching within the Xuanhuang Realm.”
“Choose another request.”
Fang Zaiji was displeased upon hearing this.
“Old Chen, are you underestimating our Sect Master just because he’s young? The person who brought us in earlier clearly said that joining your Taiyan Sect would earn us a mid-grade Dao Deviation Stone for free.”
“So why do you claim there are none now?”
Chen Tianhai glanced at Fang Zaiji and smiled.
“Brother Fang, there’s no need to probe any further.”
“Just as you suspected...”
“We now exist solely by relying on the Dao Deviation Stone Mother.”
Even though Fang Zaiji had vaguely speculated about this before, hearing Chen Tianhai confirm it still sent a shiver through him.
“You...”
In that instant, Chen Tianhai’s body once again turned blue and transparent.
“To maximize the power of the Dao Deviation Stone Mother, we gathered every Dao Deviation Stone we could find back then. Since then, we have never separated from it. That is why we truly have none to give you.” He looked at Xu Bai and stated this matter-of-factly.
“Relying on the Dao Deviation Stone Mother to exist...”
Xu Bai wasn’t particularly disappointed.
He simply observed Chen Tianhai’s body in silence.
After the initial shock, Fang Zaiji boldly stepped forward and reached out to touch Chen Tianhai.
As expected, like light projection, there was nothing there.
His hand passed right through.
“A dignified cultivator... and you’re willing to exist like this?” Fang Zaiji was still struggling to accept it.
“There’s actually not much difference. Instead, it comes with many conveniences. Would you like to try?” Chen Tianhai asked indifferently.
Fang Zaiji was so startled that he quickly retracted his hand.
“Your entire Taiyan Sect—what exactly is your current state? From what you said, the whole sect has become an illusory existence. Then what about that Dao Integration cultivator who went to negotiate with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance? Wasn’t he real?” Fang Zaiji asked in confusion.
“We shift freely between reality and illusion. Most of the time, we exist in an illusory state. If necessary, we can manifest physical bodies, making us no different from actual cultivators.”
Chen Tianhai explained truthfully.
“However, doing so consumes a vast amount of resources and the computational power of the Dao Deviation Stone Mother. Unless necessary, we won’t do it.”
“On normal days, we only maintain the real form for a dozen or so disciples.”
Fang Zaiji clicked his tongue in amazement.
“You can do that?”
“This is the solution you came up with for the Great Catastrophe?” Xu Bai asked curiously.
“Isn’t the cost a bit too heavy? You’re eternally imprisoned within a stone. And if it shatters, you all face collective destruction.”
Xu Bai didn’t hesitate to voice his skepticism.
“The Great Catastrophe?”
A sinister smile once again crept onto Chen Tianhai’s face.
"If you want to safely overcome the calamity of [The Technique Cannot Be Cultivated Together], our Taiyan Sect has dozens of methods."
"But that is not what we seek."
A transparent blue figure stood with hands clasped behind its back, and a sudden surge of heroic spirit emerged in its tone.
"What we, the Taiyan Sect, truly desire is genuine [Transcendence]."
"Even in the face of apocalyptic calamities such as the collapse of the Immortal Ruins or the destruction of the Xuanhuang Realm, we must remain unfazed in our [Transcendence]."
These words sent a shockwave through Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji's minds.
Fang Zaiji couldn't help but retort, "Just with your Dao Deviation Stone Mother? You may not fully understand the terror of the Immortal Ruins..."
Chen Tianhai, however, unceremoniously waved his hand, cutting Fang Zaiji off.
"I know. The suction force of the Immortal Ruins is strong enough to distort time and space."
"But that is its limit."
"It has not yet reached the point of completely annihilating time and space."
Chen Tianhai lightly stomped his right foot on the ground, and a ring of blue light spread outward from beneath him.
Moments later, the walls once again turned transparent.
At the same time, the entire building—along with the entire floating city—suddenly became like Chen Tianhai himself: blue and transparent.
Upon closer inspection, countless flickering scenes could be seen within the blue hue, as if entire worlds were constantly being created and destroyed.
"This floating city... is the Dao Deviation Stone Mother?" Fang Zaiji finally saw the truth of his surroundings and reacted in shock.
Chen Tianhai did not answer.
Instead, he continued speaking, "As long as time and space are not destroyed, information can exist eternally. And as long as that remains true, our Taiyan Sect will always endure."
"Dao Deviation Stone Mother? There is no such thing anymore."
"At that moment, we became one with it."
Fang Zaiji opened his mouth but was at a loss for words, clearly once again shocked by the sheer madness of the Taiyan Sect.
"Time and space remain intact, and information persists forever. Truly an unprecedented and ingenious idea. And you Taiyan Sect actually managed to realize it. Impressive." Xu Bai couldn't help but applaud.
"Although ordinary methods may not be able to destroy you completely, within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, there exists your natural nemesis."
"The Tianxuan Mirror."
"With the power of the Tianxuan Mirror, it may not be able to erase you outright. But trapping you within it for eternity... that should be possible."
Xu Bai mused, "No wonder you surrendered so quickly."
"Survival is nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, even if we were to fight, it wouldn’t be easy for 'It' either. Right now, Its priority is to complete Its ascension. Naturally, It has no reason to target us. And since there is no conflict of interest between us, It simply accepted our surrender." Chen Tianhai admitted without hesitation, speaking indifferently.
"Well said. But I have a question." Xu Bai stared directly at Chen Tianhai.
"How exactly did your Taiyan Sect determine that the [Immortal Ruins] cannot destroy time and space?"
"What if the suction force of the [Immortal Ruins] has been gradually increasing over the years?"
"Just because it cannot now, does not mean it never will."
Xu Bai's voice carried a deep, eerie tone.
Chapter 787
Boom!
As soon as these words were spoken, they seemed to create a massive shockwave—not only for Chen Tianhai but also for the members of the Taiyan Sect within the Dao Deviation Stone Mother.
In an instant, all the blue phantom projections within the Floating City froze in place, simultaneously turning their gazes toward Xu Bai.
It was as if the entire city had fallen into absolute silence, with only the deep blue hue continuing to flow imperceptibly.
A moment later—
Chen Tianhai gently stomped his foot again.
The once-transparent walls of the space turned opaque, cutting off the view between the inside and outside.
Chen Tianhai also reverted to his ordinary cultivator appearance.
"Given the current situation, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility you mentioned."
His tone became notably heavier. "In fact, among the few entities that could pose a threat to us—"
"We have conducted multiple derivations regarding the possible internal state of the Immortal Ruins."
"But first, the known intelligence is too scarce. And second..."
"Every attempt to probe into the Immortal Ruins has yielded no results. None have returned. As such, we cannot verify the reliability of our derivations."
Chen Tianhai explained while looking at Xu Bai.
Xu Bai smiled. "But you no longer have any Dao Deviation Stones left, so what are you going to trade with me?"
"Do I look like the kind of person who would generously hand over benefits for free?"
Chen Tianhai seriously examined Xu Bai from head to toe, then nodded. "From your appearance, yes, you do."
"However, we never place our hopes in others."
"I believe there is something you might be interested in."
Chen Tianhai extended his left hand and directly plunged it into his own head.
Fortunately, there was no gruesome scene of brain matter or blood spilling. The moment his hand touched his brain, it transformed into a phantom.
At the same time, his head seemed to split into countless small, flickering blue square fragments.
The sight was rather bizarre.
After a moment of searching, Chen Tianhai finally withdrew his hand.
He opened his palm, revealing something to Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji.
"This is...?" Xu Bai narrowed his eyes slightly.
A miniature version of the Floating City quietly hovered in Chen Tianhai’s hand.
Unlike the Dao Deviation Stone Mother, which exuded a deep blue hue, this miniature city was like crystal-clear glass—radiant, delicate, yet fragile.
"A one-time replica of the Dao Deviation Stone Mother. It was inspired by the Tianxuan Treasure Record from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance—a relatively independent entity that still retains some of the Stone Mother’s abilities," Chen Tianhai explained without any emotion.
"What is it used for?" Fang Zaiji's eyes lit up, and he reached out to grab the miniature Floating City.
But his hand grasped nothing but air.
Both Chen Tianhai and the Stone Mother replica instantly became illusory and untouchable.
Fang Zaiji smacked his lips in annoyance.
"The Stone Mother replica contains all the information of the original, along with enough energy to power a single simulation."
"Through this simulation, you can experience the future that the Dao Deviation Stone Mother has derived."
As if responding to Chen Tianhai’s words, the Stone Mother replica in his hand suddenly erupted with a dazzling light.
Within the white glow, countless images seemed to flash by at rapid speed.
"A simulation? Is this even reliable?" Fang Zaiji, clearly hearing about this for the first time, appeared skeptical.
Meanwhile, Xu Bai stared intently at the Stone Mother replica, deep in thought.
The brightness of the white light gradually diminished, and the rapidly shifting scenes inside began to slow down.
"Huh? Why do I see myself and the Sect Master in there?" Fang Zaiji noticed something unusual and asked in surprise.
"According to the results of this simulation, you are expected to accept our trade offer."
As Chen Tianhai spoke, he crushed the Stone Mother replica in his hand.
And just moments later—
Everything unfolded exactly as he had predicted.
The scenes of Xu Bai trading with them immediately appeared before everyone’s eyes.
Although, upon closer inspection, some details still differed slightly from reality.
Yet, witnessing one’s own "future" with their own eyes still made people feel uneasy.
"This is really a bit too confident. Sect Master, let’s not be fooled by him." Fang Zaiji seemed rather annoyed as he spoke.
Xu Bai glanced at Fang Zaiji indifferently. "Mr. Fang, are you sure you're using your provocation technique on the right person? Looks to me like you're just greedy for this thing yourself."
Exposed on the spot, Fang Zaiji let out an embarrassed chuckle.
"However..." Xu Bai gazed at the ever-changing scenes before him.
After a brief silence, he suddenly asked, "The Tianxuan Treasure Record enters the body and reveals every secret of a cultivator. It sees through everything without exception.
"This Stone Mother Replica... isn’t the same, is it?"
Chen Tianhai smiled. "That depends on you."
"The closer the data is to reality, the more accurate the simulated results will be. We've been secluded in this Taixuan Cave-Heaven for thousands of years. Though we periodically calibrate the deduced results of the Dao-Deviation Stone Mother, in truth, we can only ensure superficial accuracy."
"The Xuanhuang Realm holds many secrets. Even the Immortal Ancestor wouldn’t dare to claim omniscience."
"The Stone Mother Replica does not have the all-seeing capabilities of the Tianxuan Treasure Record. Instead, it requires the user to supplement their own data. If someone deliberately hides something, they can—however, the deduced results may deviate accordingly," Chen Tianhai said calmly.
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance once said the same thing. That the Tianxuan Treasure Record could be treated as an independent entity, not connected to the Tianxuan Mirror. That cultivators could use it with complete peace of mind."
"And yet, what happened later?" Fang Zaiji sneered.
"Our Taiyan Sect is different," Chen Tianhai's expression suddenly turned extremely serious. "Here, lies are absolutely forbidden."
"The world within the Stone Mother is built upon real deductions. Any false information could lead to the collapse of the subsequent simulated world." Chen Tianhai explained this only briefly.
"You may not believe it, but that does not change the truth."
Hearing this, Fang Zaiji's face showed suspicion, while Xu Bai simply nodded. "I believe it."
"Then let's trade."
His decisiveness greatly surprised the two others present.
"Sect Master..." Fang Zaiji hesitated to speak further.
After a brief moment of astonishment, Chen Tianhai quickly extracted another Stone Mother Replica from his head.
Xu Bai, seemingly prepared in advance, took out a Projection Stone from his storage ring.
In an instant, the exchange was completed.
Chen Tianhai immediately played the recording from the Projection Stone—an image of the Medicine King True Cauldron fleeing from the Xuanhuang Realm, only to be drawn toward the Immortal Ruins.
He replayed it three times.
As the projection faded, Chen Tianhai's expression turned grim. "It seems you were right."
"If the data you provided is accurate..."
"Then the pull of the Immortal Ruins has indeed been steadily increasing over the years."
"The images recorded by the Medicine King True Cauldron—how could they be fake?" Fang Zaiji snorted.
His gaze flickered toward the Dao Deviation Stone Mother replica that Xu Bai was playing with. When Xu Bai finally put it away, Fang Zaiji couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret.
Then, with a bit of curiosity, he asked, "But you said the pull of the [Immortal Ruins] is indeed growing stronger. How did you determine that?"
Chen Tianhai did not conceal anything and explained, "Based on the deviation in the trajectory and timing of the Medicine King True Cauldron after it left the Xuanhuang Realm."
"As I mentioned before, over the years, we have also sent people to explore the Immortal Ruins. Although they found nothing of value inside, they recorded a lot of useful information."
"According to our calculations, the pull of the Immortal Ruins is now more than twice as strong as when the Medicine King True Cauldron first encountered it."
"That's actually quite terrifying. Doesn't that mean that, given more time, the entire Xuanhuang Realm will be swallowed by it?" Fang Zaiji clicked his tongue in wonder, though his face showed no trace of fear.
"Those so-called Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns—who knows what they're even doing."
"Anyway, if the sky collapses, the tall ones will hold it up," he muttered under his breath.
"Placing hope in others is not the way of the wise," Chen Tianhai disagreed with his attitude.
After learning from the Dao Deviation Taiyan Sect that the Immortal Ruins' pull was indeed growing stronger, Xu Bai also fell into deep thought.
"When the Immortal Ruins were first discovered, the major forces of the Xuanhuang Realm did not immediately choose to flee. Instead, they tried to resist it by capturing other Cave-Heavens and small worlds..."
"Perhaps it was because the Immortal Ruins back then were not as terrifying as they are now."
"And now, the Xuanhuang Realm has little time left. In my previous life, after the unification of Xuanhuang, the plan to push it away was implemented immediately."
Xu Bai's thoughts flashed by in an instant, and then he asked the final question of this trip:
"The cultivators in the city—are they all transformed from the disciples of the Taiyan Sect over the years? I've also heard that the Dao Deviation Stone Mother itself has gained sentience. Do you know if it has ever created a human body for itself?"
Hearing this question, which seemed unrelated to their previous discussion, Chen Tianhai was slightly surprised.
However, this was not classified information, so he nodded and said, "At first, out of curiosity about [humans], the Dao Deviation Stone Mother did indeed create a human body to analyze and study."
"But now, it rarely appears in human form anymore."
Receiving the answer he expected, Xu Bai nodded slightly.
Then, he bid farewell to Chen Tianhai.
Chen Tianhai hesitated for a while but ultimately allowed Xu Bai and the others to leave.
When Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji disappeared into the depths of the Taixuan Cave Heaven—
A figure, entirely azure in color with indistinct facial features, suddenly appeared beside Chen Tianhai.
"You just let them go?"
"That Xu Bai—he may be hiding many secrets."
"An anomaly... perhaps something brought back by the Medicine King True Sect from beyond the heavens. Or maybe—he originates from one of those existences that powerful beings have deliberately erased." The azure figure's voice was neither male nor female, its pitch fluctuating unpredictably, making it sound incredibly strange.
Yet, this did not hinder its conversation with Chen Tianhai.
"Deliberately erased? Are you suggesting a supreme expert has been reborn?" Chen Tianhai's eyes flashed with sharp insight.
"According to the results of my deductions, it's highly possible. Xu Bai has never appeared in any of our calculated timelines. His existence may simply be a coincidence... But Fang Zaiji calls him 'Sect Master'..."
"This suggests that we are missing key information, which has led to an error in our deductions," the azure figure explained rapidly.
"There are too many unknown variables at play. Forcibly pulling him into the Taiyan Sect would be too risky."
Chen Tianhai pondered for a moment before nodding slowly.
"What do you think he meant by his last question?"
The surface of the azure figure rippled like water.
A moment later, it finally responded, "Deduction failed."
"However..."
The rest of the words were left unsaid as the azure figure gradually faded and disappeared before Chen Tianhai.
However, Chen Tianhai seemed to have heard the unfinished words, a look of intrigue appearing on his face.
In the Longevity Valley.
Fang Zaiji was recounting his experiences to Liu San and Jiang Yushan.
"Who would have thought that the once-mighty Taiyan Sect would fall into such a miserable state? Compared to them, our Medicine King Sect is actually quite fortunate." Fang Zaiji sighed repeatedly.
Clearly, no matter how much Chen Tianhai boasted, he could not accept the so-called concept of "Indestructible Information."
Liu San also showed a look of lament.
His divine sense swept over the daily cultivation routines of the disciples within the Longevity Valley, observing a scene filled with vitality. His expression fluctuated, lost in thought.
At this moment, however, Xu Bai had already entered a secluded chamber.
Before him hovered a dazzling white replica of the Dao Deviation Stone Mother.
"Simulation..."
Xu Bai let out a cold snort but did not attempt to connect with it using his spiritual sense to engage in the so-called simulation process.
"Nonsense about how Taiyan Sect cannot tolerate lies."
"Nonsense about how the replica and the Stone Mother itself are unrelated."
Xu Bai did not believe any of it.
Grand Preceptor Li was naturally suspicious, and ever since he obtained the supreme treasure [Truth], he had become even less inclined to trust anyone else.
"Once I use it for a simulation, there are only two possibilities—either I immediately use [Truth], or I am at the brink of life and death, forced into desperation."
"In any case, if I must use it, I must be prepared for [Truth] to be exposed."
Xu Bai stared at it for a long time before deciding to store it away for now.
"According to Chen Tianhai’s explanation, though the simulation may last for hundreds of years within, only a moment passes in reality."
"Perhaps it can be used in a critical moment to find a sliver of hope."
"I just hope that I will never have to use it in this lifetime."
Suppressing these thoughts for the time being, Xu Bai solemnly began an important task—writing his last will.
"To fail before even entering battle is to invite defeat."
This world was full of dangers. Even though Li Fan had made numerous preparations, there was still no absolute certainty of victory.
If...
Just if, he could not escape the lingering influence of Mr. Bai’s resurrection—
If, in the end, he perished, his soul extinguished, and was completely replaced by Mr. Bai—
Then, with Li Fan’s nature, how could he possibly accept such a fate?
"If I die, the existence of the [Truth] must be spread throughout the world."
"You want to replace me? Even if I die, I won’t let you have an easy time!"
A hint of darkness flashed across Xu Bai’s face.
One could imagine that if the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm discovered that such a miraculous treasure as [Truth] existed in this world—
Even if its next wielder was a being as powerful as a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, they would never have peace again.
This was Li Fan’s final countermeasure.
It would only be activated if his consciousness was completely annihilated.
However, if Li Fan somehow emerged victorious, he would erase all traces of this plan with a single thought.
"To activate [Truth], an established anchor point is required. The three current anchor points are all set before Mr. Bai’s resurrection."
"Even if he could forcibly take [Truth] from me, he wouldn’t be able to return to a time when he never existed."
"Any new anchor point he uses must be established after obtaining [Truth]."
"Therefore, all I need to do before I die is spread the existence of [Truth] across the world. That alone would be enough for my revenge."
As Xu Bai prepared his "final testament," he imagined what the world would look like after his death.
It had been a long time since he last experienced this kind of feeling.
Ever since he awakened [Truth] upon the brink of death in his first life, he had rarely thought about the day he would eventually face death again.
Perhaps because that moment had not yet truly arrived, he felt little fear in his heart.
Instead, his emotions were a complicated mix, even carrying a faint hope that he might somehow escape his fate.
It was simply the uncertainty of the future that made his heart uneasy.
In the past, no matter what crisis he faced, he had never wavered.
Even if the situation was utterly hopeless, he could always tell himself: "At worst, I’ll just use [Truth]!"
The study where he once lived as a mortal and the peak of Jieli Mountain had always been his safest refuges.
But now, a sea filled with treacherous reefs and hidden currents stretched beyond his safe harbor, barring his way.
A single misstep could shatter him to pieces.
...
As his thoughts wandered, he completed the first "final testament."
In truth, these "final testaments" were modeled after the phenomena that occurred when cultivators perished—instantaneous, large-scale projections across the sky.
They also carried a trace of his consciousness, which would serve as the trigger for either activation or destruction.
"I need to bury them deep across different locations in the Xuanhuang Realm, even in places I myself don’t know."
"That way, even if the resurrected Mr. Bai tries to stop it, he won’t be able to."
"Hmm, I need to find someone trustworthy to handle this task."
A series of faces flashed through his mind.
Soon, he made a decision.
After crafting 108 copies of the [Memorial Portraits], Xu Bai left Longevity Valley and made a brief return to Tianliang Prefecture.
There, he sought out his former superior—Nangong Shirong.
At first, Nangong Shirong thought Xu Bai had changed his mind and was ready to return to his old position.
However, Xu Bai’s actual request caught him off guard.
"A Soul-Tracing Order? What do you need that for?" Nangong Shirong eyed him skeptically.
The Soul-Tracing Order was a unique item used by the Rebirth Hall, capable of tracking a cultivator’s reincarnation based on objects stained with their lifeforce.
It was not available for public exchange among ordinary cultivators.
Its purpose was primarily to prevent individuals from "maliciously committing suicide" to evade rightful punishment through reincarnation.
"The Rebirth Hall operates independently. Even as the governor of a prefecture, I don’t have much sway over them," Nangong Shirong said, hesitant.
Xu Bai remained silent and simply handed over a storage ring.
Nangong Shirong took it with some suspicion, but the moment he peered inside, his vision almost blurred from the overwhelming radiance of high-grade spirit stones.
A quick scan with his divine sense revealed that if these spirit stones were converted into contribution points, they would amount to no less than three million!
Nangong Shirong couldn’t help but take a sharp breath.
Even with the advent of the White Mist Expansion Era and the Era of Interworld Conquests, which had led to a significant increase in contribution points circulation and rising prices within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, three million contribution points remained an astronomical sum.
Even for a high-ranking official like him, it was still a fortune.
After all, if he wanted to climb even higher in power, he had to manage many relationships, and his personal funds were not exactly abundant.
Without showing any expression, Nangong Shirong swiftly pocketed the storage ring and solemnly said, "Rest assured, leave this matter to me! Within three days, I will definitely give you an answer!"
With that, he hurriedly left.
Three days later, Xu Bai departed quietly with the Soul-Tracing Order.
From beginning to end, Nangong Shirong never asked him about the purpose of the Soul-Tracing Order. After all, some things are better left unquestioned.
Leaving Tianliang Prefecture, he met with Li Fan’s true body halfway.
After handing over the Soul-Tracing Order, they exchanged glances before parting ways again.
Xu Bai returned to Longevity Valley, adopting a strategy of responding to change with constancy.
Meanwhile, Li Fan began his final preparations.
First, he contacted Dongfang Yao.
This man was indeed someone who valued loyalty and righteousness. Li Fan had almost completely forgotten about Huangfu Song.
Yet, all this time, Dongfang Yao had never given up on searching for a way to reincarnate Huangfu Song.
However, getting involved with the Rebirth Mansion was truly as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
Thus, after such a long time, he still had no results.
The two had been apart for a long time, but when they met again, Dongfang Yao still greeted him with enthusiasm.
However, upon receiving the Soul-Tracing Order from Li Fan, he was slightly puzzled.
"What is this?"
When Li Fan explained its specific purpose, Dongfang Yao's body trembled. "This..."
"I know you've always been troubled by Brother Huangfu’s passing. I feel the same way and have never given up all these years."
"This item was not easy to obtain. Keep it safe. When Brother Huangfu reincarnates, you can find him yourself."
Dongfang Yao never expected that it would be Li Fan who fulfilled his long-cherished wish.
He was both shocked and overjoyed.
As he felt deeply moved, he glanced at Li Fan again and suddenly noticed something unusual. "Hmm? I should find him myself?"
"What about you, Brother Li? Why won't you go with me?"
In an instant, he understood. No wonder something felt off—the way Li Fan acted seemed like a final farewell.
His expression changed slightly, and he immediately asked.
Li Fan's face turned bitter as he spoke honestly, "I have provoked a powerful enemy, and my life is in grave danger."
"I may not even have the chance to reincarnate."
Dongfang Yao was shocked upon hearing this.
If this enemy was powerful enough to threaten even a Heavenly Sovereign, one could only imagine how terrifying they must be.
However, he hesitated only for a moment before decisively speaking—not to ask why Li Fan was being hunted, but to offer his help.
Yet, Li Fan shook his head and refused.
"It would just be a pointless death. Dragging you into this—I simply cannot bear it."
Dongfang Yao wanted to say something but hesitated.
"However... if you truly wish to help me, then..."
As he spoke, Li Fan handed over a storage ring containing 108 Memorial Portraits.
"Take these and bury them separately underground, near the major Heavenly Cities of each prefecture."
"Be extremely careful. Do not let anyone discover them."
"If you do this, I might have a sliver of hope for survival."
Li Fan transmitted his instructions telepathically.
Realizing that this concerned his dear friend’s life and death, Dongfang Yao took it extremely seriously.
After a reluctant farewell, he immediately set off toward the nearest Heavenly City.
"Even if Mr. Bai has my memories, by the time he finds Dongfang Yao, extracts the locations of the buried Memorial Portraits from his mind, and destroys them, it will take some time."
"That should be enough for me to execute my plan."
Li Fan sensed the departing figure of Dongfang Yao through his formless killing intent and pondered.
"That man, Dongfang..."
"Not bad."
Retracting his gaze, Li Fan quietly arrived at a desolate stone forest.
This place was located in Zhuhuai Prefecture, an area barren of resources. It had already been explored and confirmed to lack entrances to small worlds or cave heavens, making it a rarely visited place for cultivators.
Perfect for Li Fan.
Like Dongfang Yao, he too needed to set up contingency plans across the Xuanhuang Realm in the coming days.
Descending three thousand zhang underground, he carved out a small space.
Then, he took out a pile of broken puppet parts.
These resembled the guardian puppets once found in the Tianyang Cave Mansion—scattered like shattered porcelain, with a black and red exterior.
Upon closer inspection, the red threads on each puppet fragment seemed to form part of a written character.
This was precisely what Li Fan had conceived—the method of dismantling the Chaos Character Technique!
He laid down a formation and placed the puppet's core at its center.
Then, he randomly scattered the puppet fragments throughout the formation.
"When a specific condition is triggered, the formation will activate the puppet's core, instantly reassembling it."
"The Chaos Character Technique will be complete."
"After that, the puppet will self-destruct, serving as energy for casting a divine ability."
With this thought in mind, Li Fan finished scattering the puppet parts.
Thin strands of silver light within the formation connected the fragments like nodes, linking the entire array together.
With a gentle tap, the formation fell into silence, with not a single trace of energy leaking.
"This site is set up."
"Although it’s a bit crude, that makes it even harder to detect."
Satisfied, Li Fan nodded slightly and, without even placing a concealment formation, quietly left.
After all, he had crafted no fewer than a thousand of these Chaos Character Puppets.
Even if some were discovered, it wouldn’t be a significant loss, nor would it affect his overall plan.
Upon emerging from the underground, Li Fan scanned his surroundings to ensure he wasn’t being followed.
He then buried more Chaos Character Puppets in two other locations across Zhuhuai Prefecture.
Once he was done, he headed towards the neighboring Shouyi Prefecture.
His goal was to plant three or four puppets in every Prefecture controlled by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
"When the chaos erupts, even the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign will be forced to take notice, diverting their gaze."
Li Fan moved swiftly.
By the time he had methodically set up formations in thirty-five different continents...
He suddenly paused.
"Finally... Are you finally about to advance to Soul Transformation?"
Li Fan looked into the distance.
At that moment, Holy Embryo Xu Bai had reached the final step of his journey across the Xuanhuang Realm.
The last world transforming phenomenon piece he absorbed into his personal Cave Heaven was the [Heavenly Spirit Flower of Impending Birth.]
"I once thought that, tainted by baleful energy, the Heavenly Spirit Flower would never bloom again."
"But it seems that the Xuanhuang Realm’s self-recovery ability is truly remarkable."
Li Fan mused.
As Holy Embryo Xu Bai absorbed this worldly phenomenon, a spring-like vitality spread through his Cave Heaven.
Flowers bloomed in succession, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
Even Li Fan, countless miles away, seemed to catch a faint whiff of the fragrance emanating from Xu Bai’s Cave-Heaven.
It was as if the final piece of a grand puzzle had fallen into place.
The entire Cave-Heaven had finally ascended to the level of a Small World.
A peculiar energy circulated within the Cave-Heaven.
From the sky, to all living things, to the very earth itself—
Flowing in an endless cycle.
A deep rumbling came from the depths of the land.
The sound of rain, the whisper of the wind, the chirping of insects and birds—all fused into a grand symphony teeming with life.
Li Fan could almost see the future, where the Cave-Heaven would continue to expand and evolve.
In the Tianling Prefecture, Holy Embryo Xu Bai stood in midair.
Though no other cultivators sensed his presence, the subtle changes in Tianling Prefecture did not go entirely unnoticed.
For example, Sun Qi, who was reporting his progress on the [Reverse Evolution of Heaven and Earth Record] to Sun Liancheng, suddenly stopped speaking.
He lifted his head and gazed at the sky outside the building.
"What's wrong?" Sun Liancheng followed Sun Qi's gaze but found nothing unusual.
Sun Qi furrowed his brows and, after a long pause, shook his head slightly.
"Perhaps it was just my illusion."
"For just a brief moment, I seemed to sense the revival of heaven and earth."
"But it was only for an instant."
"Now that feeling has completely disappeared."
Sun Qi spoke slowly, emphasizing each word. Yet, from the lingering hesitation in his eyes, it was clear that it wasn't as simple as a mere illusion.
"The revival of heaven and earth..." Sun Liancheng narrowed his eyes slightly, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, through the Formless Killing Intent, Li Fan perceived the scene from Sun Qi’s perspective. His heart grew heavy.
Only he knew that Sun Qi’s intuition was correct.
The transformation caused by Tianling Prefecture’s revival had been extracted by the Holy Embryo Xu Bai and infused into his own Cave-heaven.
Without this transformative power, it would take a long time for Tianling Prefecture to regain its former prosperity.
The revival force of Tianling Prefecture was somewhat different from that of Congyun Sea.
Congyun Sea underwent a process from life to death, from destruction to rebirth—a cycle of creative transformation.
In contrast, Tianling Prefecture’s change was a transition from desolation to flourishing, a return to the normal cycle of vitality.
With this additional transformation, the Holy Embryo Xu Bai’s Cave-Heaven had now completely evolved into a Small World.
Since they shared the same body, Li Fan could now clearly observe every detail of this newly born Small World.
His spiritual sense swiftly scanned the vast and thriving land below.
A sudden wave of familiarity surged in his heart.
"This terrain layout..."
"I've seen it somewhere before."
To confirm his suspicion, he quickly pinpointed several distinctive mountain ranges and water systems.
"As expected. It's exactly the same."
Li Fan was deeply shaken.
"This is..."
"The landscape of the Ancient Xuanhuang Realm?!"
Through Ximen Yu’s writings, Li Fan had learned about the differences between the ancient and present-day Xuanhuang Realm.
By removing the White Mist Barrier and reassembling the fragmented zones, the resulting form was none other than the original appearance of the Ancient Xuanhuang Realm!
This was precisely what the Holy Embryo Xu Bai had been doing all this time!
"Ordinary Soul Transformation cultivators rely on the transformation of a single state or a single phenomenon."
"But the Holy Embryo Xu Bai has transformed through..."
Li Fan’s heart trembled.
"The transformation of Xuanhuang’s rebirth!"
"Using his Cave-Heaven to simulate the changes that will soon occur in the Xuanhuang Realm!"
"A process untainted by cultivators or Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns, allowing the Xuanhuang Realm to evolve naturally!"
"This..."
The more Li Fan thought about it, the more shocked he became.
"Without the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao and the direct support of the world itself, this would have been impossible!"
"Even with the power of [Truth] and if i kept attempting, it would still be unachievable!"
Li Fan understood this completely.
Although Xu Bai had ascended to the Soul Transformation stage, his aura remained unchanged.
He stood quietly in the void, as ordinary as a mere mortal.
There was little time to rest.
Just after breaking through to the Soul Transformation realm, Xu Bai made another move.
And this time, it sent Li Fan, who was still immersed in shock, into a state of rapid heartbeat and suffocating pressure.
It was well known—
In the Xuanhuang Realm, ever since the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor established the new cultivation method, achieving the Dao Integration realm required sacrificing the Spirit of Heaven and Earth.
Previously, Li Fan had speculated on the possible paths Xu Bai’s Sacred Embryo might take to step into the Dao Integration realm.
Crimson Flame, Azure Wind, Black Swamp...
Or even the immensely powerful and world-ending force of Ink Death.
However, at this moment, as Li Fan truly perceived what was happening to Xu Bai’s Sacred Embryo, his understanding was completely overturned!
Xu Bai’s Sacred Embryo stood silently in the air, motionless like a stone-carved statue.
Yet, it felt as if something was descending from the heavens—
Falling upon him!
Boom!
A flash of imagery streaked through Li Fan’s mind.
A vast and fertile land, brimming with vitality. A vague figure descended, and in an instant, an ice age spread for a thousand miles. Everywhere the eye could see was plunged into absolute silence and death.
Spirit of Heaven and Earth: Hoarfrost!
A streak of frosty white suddenly appeared in Xu Bai’s previously jet-black hair.
Although it quickly returned to normal, this brief transformation shook Li Fan to his core.
Because in that moment, through his own perception, he realized—
Xu Bai had already seized control of the power of Hoarfrost, the Spirit of Heaven and Earth!
The Spirits of Heaven and Earth are born in accordance with the heavenly laws, each possessing unique powers.
When a cultivator kills and sacrifices one, they can instantly steal and command the power that originally belonged to heaven and earth.
This is why cultivators of the new Dao Integration method are generally far stronger than those of the old method.
But now, something had happened to Xu Bai that seemed to defy the ironclad rules of the new method.
He had not slain the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, yet its power had still transferred to him!
And this was only the first one!
Without a sound, a second wave of power arrived, seemingly crossing millions of miles.
It descended upon Xu Bai once more.
Another vision surged before Li Fan’s eyes.
A barren wasteland stretching for a thousand miles, plagued by monstrous insects, devoid of even a single blade of grass.
Suddenly, drizzling rain began to fall.
The once-desolate land was nourished and gradually became fertile. Meanwhile, the monstrous insects, as if encountering their mortal nemesis, let out despairing screeches.
Their bodies slowly melted, washed away by the rain, dissolving into fertilizer for the rejuvenated earth.
Spirit of Heaven and Earth: Daiyu!
Xu Bai’s hair seemed to grow slightly longer.
Li Fan’s heart stopped for a brief moment.
Because in that instant, Xu Bai had also gained control over Daiyu’s power.
In mere moments, he had already absorbed two Spirits of Heaven and Earth.
Yet Xu Bai was not satisfied.
He closed his eyes.
Facing the sky, he stretched out his arms, opening himself to the heavens.
From east to west, from south to north—
The Spirits of Heaven and Earth came forth, one after another.
“Damn it!”
Li Fan cursed inwardly, instantly snapping out of his daze and quickening his movements.
“At the speed he’s reaching Dao Integration, I won’t have time to set up puppets in every state.”
“I can only target the ones with the most cultivators.”
“Once it’s done, I need to return to Longevity Valley as fast as possible.”
While flying toward the nearest Heavenly City, Li Fan continued observing everything happening to Xu Bai, his mind racing.
"Without slaying the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, one can still obtain its authority."
"This is [Distortion of Heavenly Principles]..."
"Even for an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao, this is simply too outrageous!"
"Ordinary cultivators can inherit the power of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth by slaying it, thanks to the blessings of the new Heavenly Sovereign law."
"But what Holy Embryo Xu Bai is doing..."
"This isn't about offering sacrifices to the Spirit of Heaven and Earth—it’s about becoming the Spirit of Heaven and Earth!"
In an instant, Li Fan understood Holy Embryo Xu Bai’s plan.
Even with the innate talent of a Heavenly Dao incarnation, attempting to reverse the principles of Heaven and Earth was not something that could be achieved overnight.
In fact, from the eavesdropped conversation between Sun Liancheng and Sun Qi, he had already learned that the deeper one was favored by Heaven, the harder it was to reverse its principles, and the stronger the backlash would be.
It was very likely that Holy Embryo Xu Bai would never be able to reach the Longevity Immortal realm.
However, after his resurrection, his opponents would inevitably include those Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns.
The difference between Dao Integration and Longevity was like the difference between heaven and earth.
How could he possibly stand against them?
There was only one way—to push the power of Dao Integration to its absolute limit.
Each Spirit of Heaven and Earth equaled the power of a Dao Integration cultivator.
If one Dao Integration cultivator was not enough to match a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, then what about ten? A hundred?
Various Spirit of Heaven and Earth, each with different powers, fused into Holy Embryo Xu Bai’s body.
With every fusion, his aura ascended to another level.
The vision that Li Fan was sensing also gradually blurred—
From the initial feeling of being there in person, to watching through a thin veil, to seeing through a mist.
Li Fan was losing his absolute control over Holy Embryo Xu Bai.
Which could only mean...
Mr. Bai was awakening!
Li Fan seized this final opportunity to extract as much information as possible from Holy Embryo Xu Bai.
"So that's how it is..."
"He hasn't absorbed the power of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth in a way that erases them from the Xuanhuang Realm."
"Instead, through [Distortion], he has temporarily transferred the power that originally belonged to the Spirits of Heaven and Earth onto himself."
"Countless different types of energies are interweaving—yet there is no rejection at all."
"This method... other than an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao, no one else could withstand it. No matter how high their talent..."
"No, this isn't a matter of talent at all."
Li Fan also keenly noticed something else.
As more and more of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth’s powers were transferred to him, Holy Embryo Xu Bai's physical form was subtly changing.
His height, his silhouette—gradually becoming more like the ethereal projection of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth itself!
The pressure grew stronger and stronger, and Li Fan felt the overwhelming weight of impending doom upon him.
Fortunately, when Holy Embryo Xu Bai had transferred all the power of the free-floating Spirits of Heaven and Earth in the world...
His Dao Integration process began to slow down.
Because up next, it would be time for those Spirits of Heaven and Earth that had never existed in this world before—those that only descended in critical moments—to appear.
The skies over Tianling Prefecture suddenly darkened.
An almost imperceptible shadow attached itself to Holy Embryo Xu Bai’s body.
BOOM!
It was as if his brain had been struck by a hammer.
Li Fan, who had hurriedly finished his preparations and was rushing toward Longevity Valley, nearly stumbled and fell straight out of the sky.
Spirit of Heaven and Earth: Phantom Shadow!
Sensing the information pouring in, beads of sweat slid down Li Fan's forehead.
Not out of fear.
But because sharing the same body with Holy Embryo Xu Bai was already exerting immense pressure on him.
To put it simply—"Who do you think you are, using the same body as me?"
The vision flickered in and out.
Li Fan sensed that somewhere within Tianling Prefecture, yet another immensely powerful Spirit of Heaven and Earth was descending.
"PS: The so-called distortion refers to transferring the numerical attributes of one item to another item."
The aura emanating faintly from that embodiment of Heaven and Earth was not unfamiliar to Li Fan.
It was none other than the Spirit of Heaven and Earth—Ink Death!
The pupils of the Holy Embryo, Xu Bai, instantly turned darker and more profound, as if they could pierce through the barriers of ten thousand miles and lock onto Li Fan directly!
Boom!
Li Fan, who had just flown back to Longevity Valley, felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, his body wavering unsteadily.
This anomaly immediately caught the attention of Liu San.
Meanwhile, the three cultivators of the Medicine King Sect—Fang Zaiji was engrossed in refining Qi, Jiang Yushan was fully focused on cultivation—but Liu San was the one most concerned about the sect’s development, his spiritual sense covering the entire valley, constantly monitoring the movements of the sect’s disciples.
Thus, he was the first to notice Li Fan’s abnormal state.
“Young Master, are you injured?” Liu San teleported instantly in front of Li Fan, his expression somewhat tense, not appearing to be feigned.
“It’s nothing, just a slight mishap in cultivation. A short rest will do.” Li Fan, having gradually regained his composure, waved his hand dismissively.
Seeing that Li Fan’s aura was stabilizing, Liu San slowly nodded, though his eyes still carried a trace of doubt.
Li Fan did not offer further explanations. After dismissing Liu San, he went alone into the sect’s secluded chamber.
First, he checked on the situation of the Memorial Portraits.
As expected, Dongfang Yao was efficient and swift in his work.
All 108 Memorial Portraits had been completely set up.
“This is merely a contingency plan. Hopefully, I will never have to activate it.”
Li Fan only took a cursory glance before shifting his focus elsewhere.
Instead, he continued to observe the situation of the Holy Embryo Xu Bai in Tianling Prefecture through their increasingly vague shared resonance.
It was as though a thick white mist obscured everything, allowing only occasional glimpses through fleeting gaps.
He could no longer sense the exact movements of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, but he could clearly tell that more and more of its power was concentrating on Xu Bai.
And as Xu Bai’s form grew closer to that of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, the oppressive might radiating from him became impossible to conceal.
From all corners of the Xuanhuang Realm, countless gazes turned toward him.
However...
Even with his near-perfect state of Harmony Between Heaven and Man, even a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign would take some time to discern the origins of this never-before-seen Holy Embryo Xu Bai in the Xuanhuang Realm.
At that very moment, in the skies above Tianling Prefecture, dark clouds suddenly rolled in from nowhere.
The sun was obscured, and in an instant, all of Tianling Prefecture was plunged into darkness, as if night had fallen.
Not only was vision engulfed by darkness, but even all forms of divine perception were abruptly severed by this sudden pitch-black phenomenon.
Within Tianling Prefecture, countless cultivators were filled with fear at this inexplicable event, believing that some great calamity was about to descend.
Only a few Dao Integration-stage powerhouses abruptly stood up, gazing at the sky with shock on their faces.
“Daoist Jiao, is everything ready?”
In Longevity Valley, Li Fan used a Communication Talisman to contact Jiao Xiuyuan.
“I must remind you—I will only take action at the most critical moment. Whether it succeeds or fails, whatever happens afterward has nothing to do with me.”
“Oh, and I made sure to modify the puppet clone I'm sending out to resemble you. It has nothing to do with me whatsoever. So, don’t even think about using my name to intimidate others.”
Jiao Xiuyuan’s reply came swiftly, clearly showing his apprehension about this deal. However, the price Li Fan had offered was simply irresistible, compelling him to take the risk.
After confirming with Jiao Xiuyuan, Li Fan said nothing more and disconnected the communication.
His gaze fell upon the eighty-one Chaos Puppets standing rigidly in the secluded chamber.
Each puppet bore an incomplete inscription of the Chaos Character, and together, they formed a rough depiction of the full Chaos symbol.
However, their core components were still gathered at the center.
The final assembly had yet to be completed.
"If I’m not mistaken, once the Holy Embryo Xu Bai achieves Dao Integration and Mr. Bai fully awakens, the first thing he will do is come for me—to seize [Truth]."
"There is no escape, no way to avoid it. I must wait for him here—only by facing death can I seek survival!"
Seated in meditation at the center of a group of chaos character puppets, Li Fan refocused his attention, attempting to sense the situation on Xu Bai’s side.
That heaven-shrouding cloud seemed capable of disrupting even the mutual connection between their true bodies.
The connection was already intermittent.
Most of the time, he could not sense anything.
Only during brief gaps could he vaguely glimpse fragmented images of Tianling Prefecture.
There was no longer any distortion of the Heavenly Dao, as if the complete power of all the world’s essences in the Xuanhuang Realm had been gathered.
The appearance of the Holy Embryo Xu Bai was now vastly different from that of his clone.
He was likely still adjusting to his new body, standing motionless in midair.
The immense aura he had exuded during the process of distorting the Heavenly Dao was slowly dissipating.
Returning to simplicity, he now appeared as ordinary as a mere mortal.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, he slowly raised his head and gazed at the sky.
His sight pierced through the dark clouds, beyond the firmament, reaching beyond the Xuanhuang Realm.
Li Fan’s pupils suddenly contracted.
Through his shared connection, he clearly saw a colossal hand descending from above!
At the final moment of his vision, he seemed to witness the massive hand colliding with the clouds over Tianling Prefecture.
The hand was unstoppable.
The black cloud barrier formed by the will of the Heavenly Dao was as fragile as porcelain, shattering upon impact.
And yet, the Holy Embryo Xu Bai simply stood there, watching as the massive hand descended upon him.
There was no trace of fear on his face.
As the vision faded, Li Fan silently counted in his heart.
Three breaths later—
He felt the ground beneath him violently tremble.
As if experiencing a great earthquake, the shaking persisted for a long while before gradually subsiding.
Li Fan knew that what he had just seen was not an illusion.
This earthquake was the aftermath of the clash between the colossal hand and the black cloud barrier.
Longevity Valley was located in Luoyan Prefecture, nearly half the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance away from Tianling Prefecture.
Yet, even at such a distance, the impact was still so intense.
This collision might have even affected the entire Xuanhuang Realm!
"Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor?"
The name flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
The dark clouds of Tianling were a manifestation of the Xuanhuang Realm’s Heavenly Dao, meant to buy enough time for Mr. Bai’s descent.
And without a doubt, the only one capable of so effortlessly destroying it was—
The Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor!
Although the Immortal Ancestor’s attack had shattered the Heavenly Dao’s cover with ease—
The Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao had already achieved its goal.
Because—
The Holy Embryo Xu Bai, or rather, Mr. Bai, had vanished!
All traces of his aura as an immortal cultivator had disappeared.
He had completely merged into the Xuanhuang world.
Like a drop of water falling into the sea.
Even if the Immortal Ancestor’s divine sense could instantly sweep across the entire Xuanhuang Realm—
It would still take some time to locate Mr. Bai.
Before completely losing the ability to sense the Holy Embryo Xu Bai, Li Fan saw that Mr. Bai was rapidly making his way toward Longevity Valley!
It seemed as if he was locking eyes with Mr. Bai’s deep, unfathomable gaze.
Li Fan’s heart stopped abruptly.
"As expected, my guess was correct! The first thing he would do after reviving is to seize [Truth]." Judging from his own perspective, Li Fan's spiritual intuition screamed in alarm.
Thinking about the approaching powerhouse—whose strength was equivalent to countless Dao Integration cultivators stacked together—he felt as though he was facing dark clouds engulfing a city. The immense pressure made it difficult for him to breathe.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
His Dao Deviation Stone crystal within his mind operated at full capacity as he carefully considered whether there were any gaps in his preparations.
But he knew that, in the face of such an overwhelming disparity in strength, all strategies ultimately depended on luck!
"My fate... must not end here!"
Standing at the precipice of life and death, with no [Truth] as a safeguard, Li Fan surprisingly found his nervousness gradually fading. His mind became crystal clear.
All distracting thoughts vanished.
He calmly analyzed possible countermeasures.
"Although I lost my shared sense with the Holy Embryo Xu Bai, this kind of 'loss' might only be one-sided, a mere suppression."
"I can’t rule out the possibility that Mr. Bai can still perceive my situation through his clone Xu Bai, or even through contamination from his main body."
"So the first step is to get rid of the clone Xu Bai, to attempt to sever or weaken the connection between us."
"Otherwise, any plan I come up with will be as transparent as glass before him."
"And next..."
Li Fan furrowed his brows, deducing and considering the possibilities of what was to come.
At the same time, he waited for Mr. Bai’s arrival.
However, it seemed that Mr. Bai was moving much slower than anticipated.
A full incense stick’s time had passed, yet there was still no sign of him.
"Could it be that he went to find Dongfang Yao first, eliminating those [Memorial Portraits] before dealing with me?"
Li Fan's mind stirred. He checked but found that Dongfang Yao and the Memorial Portraits were unharmed.
"Then where did he go?"
A trace of doubt flickered through his heart.
However, he soon deduced a possible answer.
With Mr. Bai's current strength, he could have easily teleported past all spatial restrictions and arrived at Longevity Valley instantly.
But one must not forget—above the firmament, the Immortal Ancestor was watching and observing the Xuanhuang Realm.
Such an overt move would undoubtedly expose himself.
Thus, Mr. Bai had likely chosen a method that would avoid attracting attention: "walking at a steady pace."
Of course, this "steady pace" was only relative to "instant teleportation."
"No matter what, he should be arriving soon." Li Fan sat calmly at the center of his cultivation chamber.
Meanwhile, his clone Xu Bai quietly approached the entrance of Longevity Valley.
Li Fan's guess was correct.
Not long after, the sealed spatial passage suddenly opened.
The disciples of the Medicine King Sect standing guard were stunned.
As they stepped forward to inspect, they found that no one had entered.
Just as confusion clouded their minds—
A figure had already appeared within Longevity Valley.
Before he could even take a firm stand or utter a single word—
Thousands of black killing auras erupted like a swarm of countless flying insects.
In an instant, they transformed into a storm of flying swords, slashing toward Mr. Bai!
Each strike carried enough power to severely wound a Dao Integration cultivator!
"Yushan?!"
Liu San’s shocked voice rang out.
The countless black swords were unleashed by Jiang Yushan.
It was her ultimate technique—[Ephemeral Unbound Sword].
The boundless sword intent, tainted with an overwhelming aura of slaughter, had the power to annihilate both body and soul in a single strike.
Under normal circumstances, Jiang Yushan could at most release a thousand sword intents at once—already her absolute limit.
Yet at this moment, she had clearly exceeded what her body could endure.
Wounds split open all over her body. Even blood trickled down from the corners of her eyes.
Such injuries might not matter to cultivators who practiced the new path. But for those who followed the old path, they were already extremely severe.
But Jiang Yushan cared not.
Her relentless storm of black swords continued to strike—
Unyielding.
Unstoppable.
Until death.
Although he didn't know who this mysterious figure was, upon seeing Jiang Yushan fighting so desperately, how could Liu San possibly stand by and do nothing?
"Fang Zaiji!" he shouted angrily, waking up the old Fang, who was still immersed in refining artifacts.
At the same time, he struck out with both palms toward the green radiance.
One stream of green light surged toward Jiang Yushan, healing her wounds.
Another stream of green light instantly transformed into thousands of silk-like threads, attempting to bind Mr. Bai.
Before the green threads could reach Mr. Bai, a massive black hammer, as large as a mountain, materialized above his head, poised to strike down with immense force.
The three Dao Integration cultivators of the Medicine King Sect launched a coordinated assault—this was Li Fan’s first move.
Jiang Yushan had taken the initiative to attack first because of the effects of the second True Temptation Fruit she had consumed earlier. Following Xu Bai’s instructions, she launched an all-out assault, a battle of life and death.
And as long as Jiang Yushan was engaged in battle, Liu San would never stand by idly. Fang Zaiji, too, was highly likely to join the fight.
With just a single True Temptation Fruit, three Dao Integration cultivators were drawn into battle.
Although the three Dao Integration experts from the Medicine King Sect were somewhat weaker than the present-day Dao Integration cultivators, their combined strength was still a formidable force.
However, Mr. Bai seemed to have anticipated their attack.
He wore a gentle smile.
His figure flickered and vanished from the encirclement of deadly energy, green threads, and the black hammer.
In an instant, he appeared next to Liu San and the others, moving at a speed that no one present could perceive.
Extending his right index finger, he lightly tapped.
The three Dao Integration cultivators immediately froze in place as if all their abilities had been stripped away. They slowly descended from midair to the ground.
Only then did Mr. Bai turn to look at the impending Dao Integration strike that was still suspended in the air.
With a slight clench of his right hand—
All the divine power fluctuations collapsed like a tangled mess of silk threads and were absorbed into his palm.
Without any visible means of neutralization, the small energy sphere, containing terrifying power, was effortlessly drawn into his body.
Liu San and the others remained unharmed.
They landed safely on the ground, staring at Mr. Bai, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Xu Bai, the sect master’s clone. Their minds were blank with shock.
With just a simple gesture, he had subdued them with ease.
Such power far exceeded their comprehension.
"Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign? But why does he look exactly like the sect master’s clone?"
Countless doubts surged through their minds.
Yet before they could ponder further, another drastic change occurred.
A massive metal furnace, appearing out of nowhere, came hurtling toward Mister Bai at high speed.
The surface of the furnace was already covered in fine cracks.
The moment it approached Mr. Bai, it exploded with a deafening roar.
Shards of the furnace scattered in all directions. However, before they could fly too far, they were consumed midair by a mass of distorted, pulsating demonic flesh.
"ROAR!"
A colossal mass of flesh emerged, covered in thousands of grotesque beastly faces, contorting and shifting without end.
Countless eyes, filled with madness and destruction, glared out from the writhing mass.
From the moment it was born, the first thing it saw was Mr. Bai.
The Emperor Beast let out a bizarre, enraged howl and charged at him with brute force.
In an instant, countless tentacles sprouted from its body.
Each one carried an aura of demonic energy, whipping violently forward.
Mr. Bai's smile gradually faded.
In its place was a flicker of solemnity in his gaze.
Under his piercing stare, the once wildly flailing and ferocious Emperor One Beast suddenly froze in midair.
Then, as if an invisible flame were scorching its body, it began to melt and vanish.
Hollow voids appeared one after another.
The Emperor One Beast let out sharp, crazed shrieks of agony.
But Mr. Bai showed no trace of pity.
His eyes grew even deeper, as the searing, formless invisible blazing fire relentlessly tormented the Emperor One Beast like a brutal form of torture.
In Longevity Valley, those who witnessed this scene trembled in fear.
Although most of them could not discern Mr. Bai’s true strength or cultivation realm, the terrifying pressure exuded by the beast—one born from the Myriad Phenomena Furnace—was something everyone could feel.
Even a Dao Integration cultivator would struggle to contend with such a monstrous creature.
Yet, before Mr. Bai, this horrifying beast had no ability to resist.
It could only endure the torment, gradually fading from existence.
Li Fan, who had personally refined the Emperor One Beast and was well aware of its power, never expected it to pose even the slightest obstacle to Mr. Bai.
In reality, just like before, the beast was merely a distraction.
The true mastermind was not in the Xuanhuang Realm but had remained hidden within the Longevity Valley’s secret domain.
Thus, Senior Brother Zhang's Grand Aspiration Dharma Body arrived slightly late.
Only when the Emperor One Beast had been reduced to a tenth of its original size did a streak of purple aura gracefully descend.
A dazzling purple divine radiance erupted, manifesting into a towering figure that stood as if supporting the heavens.
Ignoring everyone present, it fixed its gaze solely on the trapped Emperor One Beast.
The Purple Heaven Divine Thunder condensed into a long spear and struck down violently.
Mr. Bai looked up at the celestial apparition but did not stop Senior Brother Zhang from attacking.
However, at the very moment the Emperor One Beast was struck by the divine lightning—
Its remaining parts self-detonated.
A thick, ominous, and eerily terrifying blood mist exploded outward, instantly spreading in all directions.
Even the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder, known for purging all demonic and evil forces, was shrouded in its darkness.
And for the first time, Mr. Bai—who had remained composed all along—showed anger.
Because...
During the process of refining the Emperor One Beast, Li Fan had added something extra.
It was none other than the Ten Thousand Souls Blood Essence, collected from a past life and stored ever since in the [Truth] space.
The moment the Immortal-Mortal Miasma erupted, even Mr. Bai had to momentarily retreat.
Meanwhile...
In an underground chamber, Li Fan abruptly opened his eyes.
"It's time!"
With a single thought—
A third of the Chaos Puppets buried across the Xuanhuang Realm detonated simultaneously.
A wave of ominous and terrifying chaotic energy erupted across multiple locations.
Every cultivator in the Xuanhuang Realm felt an overwhelming sense of impending doom.
A deep, inexplicable terror surged within them, their hearts racing uncontrollably.
Yet, none could pinpoint the exact cause.
One after another, vast divine senses swept across the Xuanhuang lands, trying to locate the source of this turmoil.
Even the sky itself darkened, as if some unseen presence was drawing closer, watching.
The effects of the Chaos Character exceeded even Li Fan's expectations.
Although the detonations were scattered, when they all erupted at once, they formed a mysterious, unseen connection—
Transcending spatial boundaries, merging into one.
Without deliberate effort, the chaotic disturbances naturally coalesced into a massive, distorted "Chaos (亂)" character across the lands of the Xuanhuang Realm.
As strange phenomena unfolded everywhere, Li Fan’s goal was finally achieved.
Mr. Bai was the manifestation of the Xuanhuang Realm’s Heavenly Dao itself.
His power came from the realm.
Now that the Xuanhuang Realm was thrown into chaos by the Chaos Character—
For a fleeting instant, Mr. Bai's actions came to a halt.
That instant—
Was the one and only opportunity for survival that Li Fan had been waiting for.
At that precise moment—
Every preparation he had made exploded into action.
First—
His clone, Xu Bai, appeared before Mr. Bai.
The two locked eyes, staring at faces eerily identical to each other.
Yet, neither spoke a word.
The clone Xu Bai did not hesitate at all. In an instant, his cave-heaven collapsed with a loud crash.
Xu Bai—ended his own life!
Although the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique allows a new clone to be born, the death of the original body does not directly affect the newly created clone.
However, since they originate from the same source, there is a mysterious connection between them.
The demise of the original body inevitably leaves some lingering, indelible effects on the clone.
This is a natural limitation of the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique.
Even with Mr. Bai's current level of cultivation, he still could not avoid this consequence.
Thus, his brief moment of rigidity was extended once again.
As soon as the clone Xu Bai vanished, Li Fan immediately sensed that his connection with Mr. Bai, which existed in the unseen realms, had been significantly severed.
He tried to check, and although he could still open the [Truth] Verification Panel, he was still unable to confirm its status.
Without hesitation, Li Fan took his next move.
With a single step, he instantly left the secluded cultivation chamber.
As soon as he departed, the eighty-one Chaos Puppets hidden within the chamber detonated simultaneously.
The power of Chaos instantly enveloped Longevity Valley.
The sky was obscured by a hazy force.
A great disorder descended.
Like bamboo shoots sprouting after the rain, countless withered yellow branches suddenly emerged from the ground throughout Longevity Valley.
As they shimmered with light, these withered branches transformed into humanoid figures.
Looking at their faces—it was shocking!
They all looked exactly like Li Fan!
Each one of them displayed an eerie smile at the gathered crowd, then quickly shrank back into the ground and disappeared.
Everyone present, including Mr. Bai, had their attention drawn to this bizarre scene.
In the next moment, an even greater upheaval erupted.
The remaining two-thirds of the Chaos Puppets exploded simultaneously, unleashing another massive shockwave.
Mr. Bai’s body once again fell into a state of rigidity.
Meanwhile, during this chaotic moment, when no one was paying attention—
A pitch-black small cauldron suddenly shot into the sky.
It was attempting to break through the secret realm and ascend to the celestial heavens of the Xuanhuang Realm.
Even though this movement was concealed, with so many powerful individuals present, someone still noticed the escaping of the Medicine King True Cauldron.
A startled exclamation immediately drew everyone's attention.
But soon, their expressions changed even further.
Beneath the Medicine King True Cauldron, countless human figures were suddenly hurled in all directions like discarded trash.
Liu San's body trembled violently, and his expression changed drastically.
Because he recognized them—
These were the slumbering disciples of the Medicine King Sect inside the Medicine King True Cauldron!
They were all cultivators of the old path, physically frail, and still in deep slumber.
At such high speeds, if they were to crash into the ground like this, most of them—except for a few exceptionally strong individuals—would either die or be crippled!
“Save them!”
Liu San shouted urgently.
The disciples of the Medicine King Sect immediately reacted.
However, the number of fallen cultivators was too great, and they were being flung in all different directions.
Furthermore, Longevity Valley was still being affected by the Chaos Power, making it difficult even for the cultivators themselves to fly—let alone rescue others.
With their own lives at risk, saving others was even more impossible.
Liu San’s eyes turned red with desperation.
Even though he exerted himself to the fullest, he was only able to save a dozen or so people.
Just as despair was setting in—
Mr. Bai, having recovered from his moment of rigidity, extended his hand.
He caught all the falling cultivators, gently placing them onto the ground.
Even though the Chaos Power had not yet dissipated, Mr. Bai still managed to accomplish this feat. However, his right elbow twisted in a strange way, as if it had been broken.
Although it quickly returned to normal, he still frowned slightly.
“Many thanks, Senior, for saving them!”
After briefly checking that none of his fellow sect members were in life-threatening condition, Liu San flew forward and clasped his hands in deep gratitude.
Mr. Bai did not speak.
He simply gazed at the Medicine King True Cauldron, which had already disappeared into the sky.
And at the hundreds of Chaos Puppets that had fled thousands of miles away.
And at the lifeless body of Li Fan, lying on the ground.
Shaking his head slightly, he let out a helpless smile.
Mr. Bai had already guessed it—Li Fan had abandoned his physical body, transferring his [incarnation] into an object.
The Ten Thousand Spirits withered branch puppets scattered in all directions, and the Medicine King True Cauldron soared into the sky.
Even any object present at the scene might still contain a trace of Li Fan’s true spirit.
The best opportunity to determine his whereabouts had already passed. Now, even Mr. Bai himself could not discern where exactly Li Fan had gone.
Fortunately...
That was never his primary goal.
With a wave of his sleeve, a surge of power emanated from him. The chaotic fluctuations that had spread across Longevity Valley gradually subsided.
Mr. Bai flew into the valley and approached a group of pale but determined children.
Clearing the ruins from the ground, he did not bother with formalities and simply sat down.
A gentle and kind smile appeared on his face.
"Come over here, children. There isn't much time left."
His calm and warm demeanor made them momentarily forget the calamity they had just experienced, allowing them to relax involuntarily.
The children exchanged glances and obediently sat down.
These children—including Gu Xinghan—were the ones whom Fang Zaiji from the Medicine King Sect had abducted and later granted the Building Foundation Establishment Through Oneself Method.
Fang Zaiji possessed a secret technique that allowed him to identify talent with keen perception. Thus, these children had terrifyingly high potential—not inferior to Zhang Haobo or the cultivators of the outer world.
Originally, Li Fan had hoped to use them to comprehend the Building Foundation Establishment Through Oneself Method and unravel the mysteries of Self-Realization. This, in turn, would allow the Endstone Disc to fully shield against the Tianxuan Treasure Record.
However, things did not go as planned. The world had changed too rapidly. Upon realizing the anomaly within himself, Li Fan was terrified of Mr. Bai. His only thought was to flee for his life, unable to wait for one of the children to succeed.
Fortunately, Mr. Bai, who had synchronized with Li Fan’s memories, was also aware of this matter.
"How is your progress with the Building Foundation Establishment Through One Self Method?" he asked, softening his tone as much as possible.
Like students being tested by their teacher, the children grew nervous.
No one dared to speak first.
Encouraged by Mr. Bai’s patience, they eventually began to hesitantly share their insights, speaking over one another.
Mr. Bai listened carefully, nodding slightly from time to time.
Then, he examined each child's physical condition, his expression turning thoughtful.
This scene fell into the eyes of the three Dao Integration cultivators of the Medicine King Sect.
Not long ago, after Mr. Bai dispelled the chaotic fluctuations, their cultivation had fully recovered.
Yet, intimidated by his terrifying power, they dared not act rashly.
They had dismissed all unrelated disciples and obediently waited on the side.
Exchanging uncertain glances, they observed Mr. Bai earnestly conversing with the children, puzzled by his intentions.
"Old Fang, you've seen a lot. Can you explain what's happening?" Liu San glanced at Li Fan’s lifeless body and transmitted a message.
"Isn’t it obvious? The Sect Master provoked someone he should never have offended and was hunted down!"
"He exhausted all his means, yet he couldn’t resist in the slightest. To prevent the Medicine King Sect from being implicated, he nobly chose to die as atonement..."
Fang Zaiji sighed. "I’ve seen this kind of situation far too many times."
Jiang Yushan remained silent. Liu San’s face twitched.
"Perhaps it's better that he died like this," a thought flashed through Liu San’s mind.
Regardless of the three Dao Integration cultivators’ private thoughts,
Mr. Bai seemed to have truly forgotten everything else, patiently discussing the Foundation Establishment Through One-Self Method with the children.
He did not belittle them for their age.
Every question was met with a response.
His attitude was warm and approachable.
As a result, within a short time, the children grew fond of Mr. Bai.
They shifted from passive listeners to eager participants, chattering away about the difficulties and insights they encountered while practicing the method.
Upon hearing their detailed accounts, Mr. Bai carefully provided each child with thoughtful guidance.
Encouraged by his words, they eagerly resumed their cultivation.
Soon, the children all closed their eyes, entering a state of practice once again.
Mr. Bai's eyes never left the children, carefully and cautiously observing every subtle change in them.
At present, the Heavenly Dao of the Xuanhuang Realm follows the principle of "Using the Wonders of Heaven and Earth to Establish the Dao Foundation."
By using oneself method of Foundation Establishment, it may seem to align with the new cultivation system.
But in reality, it has already broken free from its shackles—it can be said to be an act of defying the heavens.
Thus, before long, the children who were attempting cultivation once again opened their eyes one after another.
Their cultivation efforts had once again ended in failure.
However, Mr. Bai was not discouraged, as he had expected this outcome.
Patiently, he questioned each child about the new difficulties they encountered this time.
After checking their physical conditions, he quickly proposed further improved cultivation plans.
Watching this unfold, Liu San and the others were deeply shaken.
"Teaching according to aptitude, treating all beings as equals."
"This..."
As elders of ancient sects who had reached the Dao Integration stage, their knowledge was naturally vast.
And they immediately recognized how astonishing Mr. Bai’s actions truly were.
Being able to cultivate oneself and being able to teach others to cultivate are two entirely different concepts!
Moreover, this mysterious and extraordinarily handsome powerhouse did not appear to be someone incapable of cultivation at all.
The three of them still dared not interrupt.
Fang Zaiji suddenly had an idea—he took out a Recording Stone, intending to secretly capture the scene of Mr. Bai’s teachings.
Of course, this small action did not escape Mr. Bai’s keen eyesight.
He turned his head slightly and cast a glance.
Liu San instantly held his breath, fearing that Fang Zaiji’s actions might anger this mighty expert.
Fortunately, Mr. Bai chose not to pursue the matter.
He simply continued teaching the children.
"He... is both teaching and learning."
Jiang Yushan, who had remained silent, seemed to have realized something.
A flash of shock appeared in her eyes as she transmitted a message.
"The 'Foundation Establishment by Oneself' method..."
This mysterious Foundation Establishment technique had originally been passed on to these children by Li Fan before his fall.
Recalling the details of the method while attentively listening to Mr. Bai’s explanations, Liu San’s eyes gradually began to shine.
And so, Mr. Bai and this group of gifted children...
They became each other’s teachers.
Using a total of thirty-five children, each with different physiques, as test subjects,
They continuously experimented and refined the "Foundation Establishment by Myself" method.
This once extremely difficult, heaven-defying cultivation technique was being updated at an unimaginable pace.
Time slowly passed in this process.
Finally...
The first child successfully established their Foundation.
A mysterious aura descended upon the scene.
Gu Xinghan suddenly stood up, examining his transformed body with excitement, his young face filled with joy.
"Sir..."
Before he could finish speaking, the entire Longevity Valley suddenly trembled violently.
Mr. Bai’s smile faded as he shielded the children behind him.
Looking up at the sky, he spoke calmly:
"So... you've finally come."
Chapter 796
My Longevity Simulation
The Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor—truly worthy of being the supreme existence, reigning over the Xuanhuang Realm with unparalleled might.
Even with Mr. Bai’s strength, he could evade for a time.
But ultimately, he could not hide forever.
Once he had fully perfected the "Foundation Establishment Method Through Oneself" and successfully validated it in practice...
The Immortal Ancestor still managed to track down Mr. Bai based on the slightest traces.
"Buzz..."
It was as if the air had been instantly sucked dry, creating an immense pressure difference that left everyone in the Medicine King Valley clutching their heads in unbearable agony.
Cracks began to spread across the sky within the secret realm.
As if the secret realm itself could not withstand the overwhelming power, it seemed on the verge of shattering.
Longevity Valley trembled violently, like a lone boat struggling in a raging storm, teetering on the brink of collapse.
All of this happened in an instant.
However, the Immortal Ancestor had not personally descended.
It was merely His gaze, cast down from the heavens.
Mr. Bai walked out slowly, ascending into the air with a light step.
The cracks in the sky of the secret realm gradually repaired themselves.
The violently shaking Longevity Valley also calmed down once more.
Those who had barely recovered from the oppressive might of the Immortal Ancestor were all deathly pale, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
Even the Dao Integration trio was no exception.
Before the Immortal Ancestor, ordinary Dao Integration cultivators were no different from those at the Foundation Establishment or Nascent Soul stages. ꞦaꞐƟβƐs
They gazed at Mr. Bai, who stood alone in midair, bearing the full brunt of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor’s oppressive might. Their expressions were complicated.
Mr. Bai’s robes billowed despite the absence of wind, rustling softly.
"Take care of the children."
"Without them, the birth of the 'Foundation Establishment Method Through Oneself' would not have been possible."
He did not look back, simply leaving behind these words.
Then, Mr. Bai tore through the void and departed from Longevity Valley.
"Mister!"
From beginning to end, the people of Longevity Valley never knew Mr. Bai’s true name.
They only referred to him as "Mister"—just like those orphans who once lived in the ruined Xuantian Temple in Ningyuan City.
Now that His target had finally been locked onto, the pressure of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor gradually withdrew from Longevity Valley.
Not disappearing.
But rather, focusing entirely on Mr. Bai.
As Mr. Bai tore through space and headed toward the Xuanhuang Realm itself...
Perhaps influenced by the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor’s overwhelming power, or perhaps intentionally left by Mr. Bai himself...
The sky over Longevity Valley did not fully return to normal.
Instead, a massive rift remained, through which one could clearly see what was happening in the Xuanhuang Realm at that very moment.
Mr. Bai soared into the heavens, his figure growing larger and larger.
In the blink of an eye, he had become like an enormous celestial giant, standing tall and mighty between heaven and earth.
With His target appearing before Him, the Immortal Ancestor wasted no words.
From the sky above, countless black vortexes suddenly emerged.
Like gaping voids, they unleashed an infinite pull toward Mr. Bai.
Or perhaps, like a multitude of cold, emotionless eyes, they locked onto him unwaveringly.
Due to the presence of the Devouring Essence White Mist Barrier, only Luoyan Prefecture and Lueying Prefecture, where Longevity Valley was located, could witness this world-shaking confrontation.
And every cultivator who gazed upon those swirling black vortexes above...
In that instant, their expressions turned vacant and dazed.
Some, unable to resist the pull, flew directly toward the sky.
Like moths drawn to a flame, they chased after the ever-shifting black holes.
That pull was nameless, unknowable.
Yet, it seemed to surpass even the allure of the world's essence to cultivators.
And this was merely the external manifestation of those black vortexes...
Mr. Bai, who had borne the full force of its power, stood tall, his figure towering between heaven and earth. Yet, in an instant, his silhouette seemed to distort slightly.
Explosions erupted continuously, occurring inexplicably across different parts of his body.
And this was merely the initial stage of the Immortal Ancestor.
What followed next was the true beginning of the spectacle that left the children of the Medicine King Valley gasping in astonishment.
A strange, eerie shade of purple suddenly and silently took over the skies of the Luoyan and Lueying regions.
It veiled the heavens, replacing the blazing sun.
Under the illumination of the purple glow, Mr. Bai’s robes, hair, and even his pupils seemed to be tainted by this eerie hue.
Boom!
A mass of flesh and blood burst from Mr. Bai’s body.
Then, as if a humanoid shadow had dissipated mysteriously, it drifted away and returned to the heavens.
Had Li Fan been present at this moment, he would have immediately recognized this as the phenomenon of the world’s spirit being stripped from Mr. Bai—an effect of the deceptive conversion.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The deafening sound of explosions echoed through the universe.
And the subsequent steps of the Immortal Ancestor unfolded one after another.
Countless thin black threads, resembling writhing earthworms, densely surrounded Mr. Bai. Like a pack of ravenous hyenas, they swarmed him, madly devouring his essence.
At every moment, an uncountable number of these black threads drained from his body.
They were absorbed and assimilated into the writhing mass, becoming part of the greater entity.
The actions of the Immortal Ancestor had long surpassed the realm of ordinary spells and divine abilities.
There was no dazzling brilliance, no earth-shattering display of might.
There were only bizarre and inexplicable phenomena.
The force that triggered these phenomena was undoubtedly an unfathomable power beyond the comprehension of cultivators.
The cultivators of Luoyan and Lueying, who witnessed this spectacle, were left utterly speechless.
Before the relentless might of the Immortal Ancestor, Mr. Bai seemed to have no means of resistance at all.
He merely stood there in silence, passively enduring the assault.
Just when everyone thought this was the case, Mr. Bai finally moved.
He extended both hands, and his long sleeves billowed, instantly piercing into the White Mist Barrier, which stretched across the world, dividing the Xuanhuang Realm’s regions.
Then, a tremendous force surged from his arms.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A deep, thunderous rumble roared, as if echoing from every corner of the heavens and earth.
"That is...!"
"Look! The White Mist Barrier is moving!"
Very quickly, the cultivators noticed something amiss, exclaiming in shock.
The White Mist Barrier, which had remained unchanged for tens of thousands of years, standing still since ancient times, was now shifting.
The roaring sound grew increasingly deafening, and the mist’s movement accelerated.
Its flow was being drawn toward a singular source—Mr. Bai’s arms.
A massive suction force radiated from his hands.
The dreaded Devouring Essence White Mist, which cultivators feared and avoided at all costs, was now being frantically absorbed into his sleeves.
From a gentle trickle to a rushing stream, and then into a surging, torrential river!
The white mist, which enveloped the entire Xuanhuang Realm, was being extracted at an astonishing rate, cascading toward Mr. Bai.
And this act seemed to have finally provoked the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor into true anger.
From the eerie, violet-hued sky, a vague, looming face appeared.
Then, two enormous fingers, like celestial pillars supporting the heavens, descended from above!
In an instant, the sky turned dark and ominous.
A bone-chilling wail, like the howling of ghostly winds, resounded across the two regions.
Thunder roared alongside the storm, and cracks of void-like rifts spread like a spiderweb.
Within mere moments, the spatial fractures stretched from the skies down to the earth.
Everything unfortunate enough to be caught in their path was instantly reduced to dust—no remains left behind.
Even those who narrowly escaped death were crushed beneath the immense pressure brought down by the two descending fingers.
Their bodies were frozen in place, unable to move a muscle!
Those unable to withstand the pressure collapsed onto their knees, trembling in terror!
Deep ravines spread across the land.
The ground in the Luoyan and Lueying prefecture was forcibly pressed down several meters.
With just two fingers, the Immortal Ancestor had unleashed a terrifying force!
Yet, as the massive fingers descended upon him, Mr. Bai remained unfazed.
Instead, a long-awaited look of relief and satisfaction appeared on his face.
His motion of extracting the white mist barrier momentarily paused, causing the originally surging mist to abruptly freeze.
Then...
Swish!
Like countless beams of light, the brilliance illuminated the dim, eerily purple sky.
In an instant, beneath the two fingers of the Immortal Ancestor, an enormous net densely woven appeared!
Formed by devouring mist, compressed in an instant!
Even from high above, it radiated an aura that made cultivators' hearts tremble.
Blinding white light surged toward the descending fingers.
A deafening, world-shaking roar resounded through the heavens and the earth.
The sound was so overwhelming that it turned into utter silence for the cultivators who heard it.
Moments later, cultivators across the two provinces realized blood was trickling from their ears.
Covering their ears in shock, they were filled with terror.
Crack... Crunch...
Though blocked by the Devouring Mist Net, the force of the two fingers did not halt.
After merely a brief pause, they continued pressing downward.
Although the white mist was being rapidly consumed, Mr. Bai continuously extracted more from the barrier to replenish it.
For a time, the battle reached an eerie stalemate.
Cultivators with sharp insight could tell—
The Immortal Ancestor was not using his full strength.
For some reason, he seemed to be holding back.
Across the Xuanhuang Realm, the white mist was being drawn by Mr. Bai to resist the attack.
Gradually, cultivators across the various provinces began noticing a strange phenomenon.
The thick, lingering mist that had shrouded the world for tens of thousands of years... was dissipating.
Their once-limited vision was becoming clearer and more expansive.
With that clarity, they caught glimpses of the strange occurrences happening in Luoyan and Lueying provinces.
Standing tall upon the land, gazing over the entirety of Xuanhuang,
Mr. Bai, realizing the mist was receding, revealed an imperceptible smile.
Then, raising his head toward the looming fingers, his expression grew solemn.
In the next moment—
Clouds churned throughout the Xuanhuang Realm.
The world's spiritual energy, as if suddenly thrown into chaos, erupted uncontrollably.
At an unimaginable speed, ignoring distances spanning dozens—if not hundreds—of provinces,
it converged upon Mr. Bai in an instant.
His already towering figure expanded several times over.
He now occupied nearly half the sky, making him visible from every corner of the Xuanhuang Realm.
"Apologies."
"But for now, Xuanhuang... is my world."
Mr. Bai spoke calmly to the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor above.
Then, he grasped the raging white mist surging from across the world—
And slashed upward.
The boundless white mist instantly solidified.
It transformed into a celestial blade, splitting heaven and earth!
As if countless suns had risen simultaneously, the radiance of the White Mist Celestial Blade illuminated the entire Xuanhuang Realm!
All living beings instinctively shut their eyes.
There was no earth-shaking explosion.
When they reopened their eyes—
The two fingers of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor had vanished.
Across the sky of Xuanhuang, an amber-like crystalline barrier had unknowingly formed.
Fragile, yet unyielding.
Beyond the golden crystal, colossal shadows loomed and shifted.
This magnificent and surreal sight had never before appeared in the history of the Xuanhuang Realm.
It captured the minds of all cultivators.
"Alright. We can finally have some peace."
"Now, let’s begin the lesson."
Mr. Bai gazed down at the countless beings of the Xuanhuang Realm, smiling as he spoke.
"In the past, the Heavenly Sovereign’s method was:
‘To borrow the wonders of heaven and earth to establish the Dao Foundation.’"
"Now, I too have a method."
"Without relying on external objects, one must see their own heart, illuminate their true nature, and discern their own being."
"It is called: ‘Establishing the Foundation by Oneself.’"
"Although humans are mortal beings, they are born from heaven and earth, embodying the mysteries of yin and yang and the transformations of creation."
...
Mr. Bai spoke every word with unwavering confidence.
The countless beings of the Xuanhuang Realm listened, utterly captivated.
Yet, his actions seemed to have completely provoked the wrath of the Immortal Ancestor.
The yellow crystalline barrier enveloping the entire Xuanhuang Realm suddenly trembled under a violent impact.
It was as if countless bolts of thunder erupted across the sky.
The previously unbreakable amber-like crystal now showed a faint crack.
Mr. Bai, however, remained completely unfazed, continuing his teachings without pause.
His voice seemed to possess a special power, capable of calming the hearts and minds of all who heard it.
Even as the deafening rumbles continued to echo from the heavens, they failed to distract the people, who remained entirely focused on Mr. Bai’s lecture.
After thoroughly imparting the "Establishing Foundation by Oneself Method" to the beings of the Xuanhuang Realm, Mr. Bai did not stop.
He went on to expound upon the path one must take after achieving this foundation.
The so-called:
"Primordial Golden Core"
"Fleshly Nascent Soul"
"Mind-Manifested Soul Transformation"
Mr. Bai also candidly admitted that these concepts were only his hastily deduced theories.
They might not be perfect and could contain numerous flaws.
Moreover, this path currently only reached the Soul Transformation realm.
As for the higher levels of cultivation under this new system—one that did not rely on external forces—practitioners would have to explore them on their own.
Despite Mr. Bai’s selfless teaching, the fact remained that his path was completely at odds with the Immortal Ancestor’s doctrines.
The reactions of cultivators across the world varied.
Some were skeptical, some were overwhelmed with excitement, some were deep in contemplation, and some harbored ambitious thoughts...
The myriad attitudes of the people were all different.
Yet Mr. Bai paid them no mind.
After he had finished imparting all his knowledge, he fell silent.
His figure returned to its original size as he looked up at the amber crystal barrier, which was now on the verge of shattering completely.
Faced with the inevitable retaliation of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor,
Mr. Bai’s face showed no fear.
He remained calm, waiting in silence.
At that moment...
He suddenly sensed a figure rapidly approaching him.
The figure was somewhat aged, trembling slightly, yet overflowing with emotion.
"Mr. Bai..."
The old man flew toward him, unable to suppress the emotions in his voice.
His appearance bore a striking resemblance to Mr. Bai, except that his face was covered in wrinkles, evidence of countless years of hardship.
On his back, he carried a black coffin, adding an eerie aura to his presence.
If Li Fan or Xiao Qing had been there,
they would have immediately recognized this elder as none other than Xu Ke, from many years ago.
Reuniting with the reborn Mr. Bai after all these years should have filled him with immense joy.
And yet...
At the very moment he saw Mr. Bai,
his expression froze in confusion.
Then, an overwhelming sense of disappointment took over his face.
"You are not Mr. Bai..."
Xu Ke muttered in a daze.
"Mr. Bai" looked at the elderly man before him, who resembled himself almost exactly, and gently patted his shoulder.
"Indeed, I am not him."
"The dead are gone—someone who has truly perished cannot simply be resurrected so easily."
"I am merely a mark, an imprint he left behind in this world."
"In the words of cultivators like you—"
"I am what you would call... the ‘Soul of Heaven and Earth.’"
"The soul of heaven and earth, born as a human..."
"The soul of heaven and earth, born as a human..."
The elderly Xu Ke stood there in disbelief, stunned. He murmured the words repeatedly under his breath.
"There exist powerful beings who leave traces of themselves between heaven and earth. If these imprints are deep enough, even after their fall, they can be reconstructed based on these remnants."
"Their actions and demeanor, exactly as they once were."
"But in the end, they are merely a mold."
"Mr. Bai" spoke calmly, recounting the truth of his existence without a hint of frustration over being merely a shadow of another.
"Then... how can he truly be resurrected?" Xu Ke unconsciously touched the black coffin strapped to his back, his voice urgent.
Mr. Bai shook his head with a faint smile. "Perhaps you should ask someone fated to know the answer. After all, even he himself never entertained the thought of resurrection."
Xu Ke wanted to say more but was abruptly cut off by Mr. Bai.
"Enough. It's time for you to leave." He lifted his head, gazing at the sky with an expression more solemn than ever before.
A gentle breeze swept past Xu Ke.
Moments later, he vanished from the world, his whereabouts unknown.
At the same time...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The transparent crystal encasing the Xuanhuang Realm began shattering, piece by piece.
Above the heavens, a face suddenly appeared—one that every cultivator of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was intimately familiar with!
It gazed down from beyond the world, overlooking the countless beings of the Xuanhuang Realm.
In that instant, the entire world seemed to freeze over.
All living creatures, even their very thoughts, appeared frozen in place.
At this moment, the Xuanhuang Realm...
Fell into utter silence!
From beyond the sky, several dark-golden chains shot forth, binding Mr. Bai's limbs in midair.
Mr. Bai seemed to have anticipated this and did not struggle much.
Instead, he cast a final glance toward the Xuanhuang Realm below.
The oppressive presence of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor reverberated across the land, and a deep humming sound arose from the depths of the earth.
Cracks and fissures split open across the surface, spreading in all directions.
The entire world trembled at the revelation of the Immortal Ancestor’s visage!
Under such overwhelming might, no being below the realm of Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign had any ability to resist.
In fact, the vast majority of them couldn’t even comprehend what was happening.
Their consciousness remained frozen at the moment when the Immortal Ancestor appeared!
The tremors intensified—mountains collapsed, rivers surged chaotically.
Plains turned into mountain ranges, and highlands became level ground.
Transformations that should have taken thousands of years for the Xuanhuang Realm to undergo now occurred in mere moments.
But these changes were not the result of natural evolution.
They were the consequences of brutal external destruction!
As even worse calamities loomed...
Five distinct forces suddenly surged from within the Xuanhuang Realm!
In the blink of an eye, they swept across the land, desperately attempting to stabilize the collapsing world.
The Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor, high in the sky, seemed to take notice.
His once-clear visage became slightly blurred.
The chaos showed faint signs of subsiding.
However, the chains binding Mr. Bai showed no sign of loosening.
Instead, they tightened even further!
Seeing this, Mr. Bai let out a soft sigh.
"The Xuanhuang Realm of today..."
"Is no longer mine."
"..."
"Then I shall return it to you."
With those final words, Mr. Bai took one last look at the Xuanhuang Realm.
A complex emotion flickered in his eyes.
Then, endless white light burst forth from his body.
At that moment, his entire being transformed into light!
Countless specks of white radiance rose toward the sky, like a reversed Milky Way flowing back to the heavens.
Like countless stars, returning home.
In the end, it was like a fleeting dream.
The light dimmed and vanished into the vast expanse of the world.
With the target gone, the dark-golden chains retracted back into the void beyond the heavens.
Yet, the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor did not stop his movements.
His vast face still loomed over most of the sky.
The rest of his features gradually faded, merging into the heavens.
Only his eyes remained, growing ever deeper.
Like two black suns, suspended in the celestial dome!
Because of this, the entire Xuanhuang Realm...
Was swiftly plunged into darkness.
The countless sentient beings, whose thoughts had fallen into stagnation, were unknowingly guided by an unseen force. Without realizing it, they all lifted their heads and gazed toward the sky.
They met the eyes of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor.
The vast majority of living beings in the world experienced this moment.
Only a few exceptional existences instinctively lowered their heads, avoiding the gaze of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor.
Under the Immortal Ancestor’s watchful eyes, the Xuanhuang Realm fell into a brief moment of absolute stillness.
And then...
Just as silently as it had appeared, the face of the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor faded from the heavens, disappearing without a trace.
Moments later, the sentient beings of the Xuanhuang Realm gradually regained awareness.
At first, they were bewildered, standing in a slight daze.
Then, they resumed their cultivation as if nothing had happened.
Everything continued as before.
However, all memories of the towering, heaven-reaching figure—"Mr. Bai", who had transmitted the Dao—were completely erased.
The "Foundation Establishment through Oneself" method, the great upheaval, and every trace of what had occurred vanished from their minds.
It was as if nothing had ever happened.
In the Valley of Longevity.
As the members of the Medicine King Sect gradually regained consciousness, they looked at the somewhat disordered surroundings, their expressions filled with confusion.
They vaguely remembered that something had to do with a peerless being.
But upon trying to recall, they found that they couldn’t remember anything at all.
It was as if they had forgotten something incredibly important, leaving them with an inexplicable sense of unease.
Among them, several children suddenly burst into tears for no apparent reason.
The three Dao Integration cultivators of the Medicine King Sect exchanged glances.
A trace of fear flickered in their eyes.
Liu San was the first to regain composure, taking charge and instructing the disciples to restore order.
Jiang Yushan looked down at her own hands, her eyes filled with doubt.
Fang Zaiji went to comfort the crying children.
Suddenly, as if struck by a realization, he quickly retrieved a Recording Stone from his storage ring.
This stone should have recorded the events just before the anomaly occurred.
However, as he examined the recorded images, his confusion only deepened.
The footage showed dozens of children sitting on the ground, chattering excitedly as if they were talking to someone.
Yet the person they were facing... was completely absent.
There was no sound from their mouths, either.
It was as if they had been conversing with an "unexistent" figure.
This eerie and unsettling scene sent a chill through Fang Zaiji’s heart.
Instinctively, he put away the Memory Recording Stone, gripping it tightly.
"Existence... has been erased."
The thought flashed through his mind.
Recalling the strange phenomena that had just occurred across the entire Medicine King Sect, an overwhelming sense of dread filled his heart.
He made a decision—to bury this secret deep within himself.
Never to mention it again.
For seven days, the Longevity Valley remained in disarray before gradually returning to normal.
During the cleanup of the ruins, a child named Gu Xinghan stumbled upon something buried beneath the rubble and sand—
A crystal-clear jade disc.
The jade disc appeared extraordinary at first glance.
When touched, it felt as soft and smooth as the skin of a young maiden.
Originally, Gu Xinghan had intended to hand it over.
But for some inexplicable reason, as if guided by unseen forces, he ended up concealing the discovery of the jade disc.
As a child, Gu Xinghan was not one to lie.
For several days in a row, feeling guilty like a thief, he didn’t dare to lift his head and look the elders of the valley in the eye.
Fortunately, he had always been somewhat withdrawn by nature, and with the valley still recovering from the recent turmoil, all the cultivators in Longevity Valley were busy with their own matters.
As a result, no one noticed his unusual behavior.
Gradually, he managed to calm himself down.
A child's curiosity is strong.
Since he was certain that he had unearthed a treasure, Gu Xinghan spent every spare moment secretly studying the jade disc.
However, to his immense disappointment, even after many days, he couldn’t determine what was special about the jade disc or what its purpose was.
It seemed to be nothing more than an ordinary jade artifact—just a particularly beautiful one.
Yet, driven by the fantasies that exist in every person's heart, Gu Xinghan did not discard it.
Instead, he stored the jade disc within his dantian, nurturing it with his spiritual energy and tending to it carefully.
As the reconstruction of Medicine King Valley was completed, Gu Xinghan’s attention was forcibly diverted elsewhere.
Since the former sect master, Li Fan, had tragically perished in the calamity, the future of the Medicine King Sect became a pressing issue.
The sect’s inheritance was never based on bloodline succession.
Li Fan had been able to ascend to the position of sect master only due to the will of Liu Ruchen.
Now that Li Fan had died unexpectedly, there was no clear successor.
If it were purely a matter of strength, then without a doubt, the next sect master should be chosen from among the three Dao Integration cultivators—Liu San, Jiang Yushan, or Fang Zaiji.
However...
Jiang Yushan and Fang Zaiji had little interest in power. The most likely candidate was Liu San.
But...
First, Liu San saw himself as Liu Ruchen’s servant and did not believe he was willing or worthy to assume the position of sect master.
Second, the Medicine King Sect was facing a problem far greater than just the succession of its leadership.
The real crisis came from the thousands of cultivators who had been expelled from the Medicine King True Cauldron.
These were all practitioners of the ancient cultivation methods, and almost all of them had cultivated the true teachings of the Medicine King Sect—the "World-Saving Longevity Scripture."
If they were to awaken simultaneously, the sect would likely descend into chaos and bloodshed.
Although the three Dao Integration cultivators had joined forces to forcibly suppress them into slumber once more, they lacked an artifact as powerful as the Medicine King True Cauldron and could only maintain this state for a limited time.
There simply wasn’t enough time to find suitable cultivation techniques for all these slumbering cultivators.
Taking all these factors into account, Liu San and the others ultimately decided to follow the example of the Taiyan Sect and submit to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Since this decision would determine the fate of the Medicine King Sect, Liu San personally went to investigate the situation.
After returning, the three Dao Integration cultivators reached a consensus.
Liu San would represent the sect in formally seeking allegiance with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Meanwhile, Fang Zaiji took this time to distribute the "Endstone Plate" to key figures within the sect, especially the prodigies he had managed to retrieve. He carefully explained how to use it and warned them to never reveal this matter to outsiders.
Although the Medicine King Sect was not as renowned as the Ten Great Immortal Sects, its disciples were known for their benevolence, dedicated to healing and saving lives. Even after thousands of years, many of their legends still circulated. In terms of reputation, they were not inferior to the Ten Great Sects.
As the second small-world faction to voluntarily submit to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, and with its overall strength still largely intact, the alliance placed great importance on the Medicine King Sect.
They dispatched a Dao Integration Immortal Sage named Qingyun to oversee the matter.
Guided by Liu San, Qingyun toured Longevity Valley and was visibly pleased.
There were no major obstacles, and the negotiations for the Medicine King Sect’s integration into the alliance proceeded smoothly.
The Medicine King Sect remained relatively independent and free. The only requirement was that all disciples, like the usual cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, carried the Tianxuan Treasure Record.
However, within the sect, many cultivators had already secretly infiltrated the Immortal Alliance in advance.
Qingyun did not delve too deeply into this matter.
Before long, the news of the Medicine King Sect joining the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance spread across the Xuanhuang Realm, shaking the entire world.
This accelerated the surrender of more and more smaller worlds.
As promised, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance provided various forms of support without delay.
Of course, the first step was the Tianxuan Treasure Record.
Both the Beast Realm and Longevity Valley were brought under the illumination of the Tianxuan Mirror.
With this, the Medicine King Sect finally received the cultivation method assistance they had longed for.
As one cultivator after another awoke from their slumber and transitioned to a new cultivation method, the crisis that had threatened the Medicine King Sect was finally resolved.
With the danger lifted, it was time to look toward the future.
At present, the Medicine King Sect had:
Six Dao Integration Immortal Sage cultivators
Twenty-three Soul Transformation True Monarch cultivators
An uncountable number of Nascent Soul True Lord cultivators
Even in the current cultivation world, such a force was not to be underestimated.
Yet, the sect had no clear leader—a group of dragons without a head.
Though they had surrendered and were now nominally under the command of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the high degree of autonomy left the sect leader with significant power.
Moreover, the sect leader could directly interact with and report to the Immortal Alliance, which came with numerous advantages.
Even Dao Integration cultivators found it hard to resist such an opportunity.
Thus, after a period of open conflict and hidden struggles...
To prevent the newly revitalized Medicine King Sect from falling apart again, a vote was ultimately held.
As a result, Liu San was chosen as the sect master.
The young Gu Xinghan did not fully understand what had transpired.
He was merely confused, seeing many cultivators dressed in strange attire arriving at the sect.
Then, many of the elders awakened.
Amidst the chaos, things ultimately turned out for the better.
He had a deep impression of Liu San, the old man who had personally taught him and the others.
But what exactly had Liu San taught him back then?
Gu Xinghan found himself lost in thought.
His pondering continued throughout the entire sect inauguration ceremony.
In the end, he still couldn't recall.
Later, all sect disciples were required to enter the Tianxuan Sub-Mirror to generate their personalized Tianxuan Treasure Record.
This finally diverted Gu Xinghan’s attention.
To him, the Tianxuan Treasure Record, a treasure with countless functions, was far more fascinating than the Jade Disc.
He immersed himself in studying its various uses, gradually forgetting about the jade disc altogether.
It wasn't until one day, when he formally resumed his cultivation, that he realized something was off.
When his peers began attempting to "Borrow the Wonders of Heaven and Earth to Establish the Dao Foundation,"
Gu Xinghan suddenly noticed...
He might have already established his foundation.
For a moment, Gu Xinghan was utterly bewildered.
He dared not ask anyone about the unusual state of his body.
Instead, he simply pondered over it on his own.
And at that very moment...
The Jade Disc, which had remained dormant and seemingly ordinary, finally reacted.
A faint radiance was emitted from above.
Many blurred images emerged, accompanied by the light.
As Gu Xinghan was drawn to the scenes within the radiance, the jade disc in his hand seemed almost alive, transmitting waves of desire.
Coming back to his senses, Gu Xinghan felt a bit confused and somewhat surprised.
However, he had heard of treasures possessing sentience before.
After quickly accepting this fact, he began to sense the jade disc’s yearning.
Yet, it was only a vague, instinctive reaction.
The jade disc could not speak; he had to guess its intentions...
Gu Xinghan tried various methods to satisfy the jade disc.
Spirit stones, mineral jades, medicinal herbs...
But the jade disc showed no interest in any of them.
It continued to emit an insistent, unyielding desire toward him.
At the same time, his peers had all successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage, while he remained clueless about how to proceed.
The combination of these two pressures left Gu Xinghan deeply frustrated.
Then, by a stroke of luck, he happened to witness Elder Fang Zaiji preparing the Endstone Plate for the newly admitted core disciples.
At that moment, the jade disc began to tremble violently, making Gu Xinghan instantly realize its target.
"This..."
Gu Xinghan hesitated.
After all, the Endstone Plate was a highly valuable artifact that Elder Fang had repeatedly emphasized as crucial.
If something went wrong...
Yet, in the end, he could not resist the jade disc's overwhelming desire.
A flash of light later, the jade disc appeared within his Sea of Consciousness.
Under Gu Xinghan's anxious gaze, the jade disc slowly descended onto the Endstone Plate.
Then, from its underside, countless tiny light tendrils stretched out like tentacles, clinging to the Endstone Plate.
At first, Gu Xinghan feared the jade disc might damage the artifact.
But after observing for a while, he realized that was not the case.
Instead, the two artifacts, connected through those sticky, luminous tendrils, seemed to be merging into one.
This put Gu Xinghan at ease.
At the same time, he found the situation rather intriguing.
"Could it be that the jade disc and the Endplate are actually the same thing?" he wondered.
However, being young, Gu Xinghan quickly lost interest in further research and set it aside.
Instead, he focused on the visions emerging from the jade disc.
"Foundation Establishment Through the Oneself? What is this? It seems to align with my own body's condition?"
Gu Xinghan was overjoyed.
Without hesitation, he set aside the jade disc and dedicated himself to studying the Foundation Establishment Through the Oneselfmethod.
By the time he emerged from his enlightenment, the jade disc had fully fused with the Endstone Plate.
However, the fusion process seemed rather forceful, as if the jade disc had forcibly attached itself.
The final result was not particularly aesthetic.
But Gu Xinghan did not care about that.
He knew that this jade disc was likely an extraordinary treasure.
Though young, Gu Xinghan was not naive. He was acutely aware of the dangers of the world.
He understood the principle that a man without sin is still guilty when he possesses a treasure.
Thus, he decided to conceal both the jade disc and the Foundation Establishment Through the Oneself technique.
"Perhaps I can use this new jade disc as a cover and claim that it is a unique treasure that aids my Foundation Establishment..." The young Gu Xinghan pondered.
And so, without anyone knowing, the world's sole practitioner of Foundation Establishment Through the Oneself began his cultivation.
At first, his progress shocked Elder Liu San and the others from the Medicine King Sect.
He grasped teachings instantly and displayed profound understanding.
Among his peers, he was unmatched. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators defeating Golden Core stage practitioners was considered rare, yet he achieved it with ease.
Gu Xinghan quickly became the most outstanding young disciple in the Medicine King Sect.
The entire sect placed great hopes on him.
However...
His peak was as fleeting as a meteor.
Before long, his fellow disciples advanced to the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages.
Yet Gu Xinghan remained stagnant.
This anomaly baffled Elder Liu San and the others.
They suspected there was something wrong with his body and personally examined him multiple times.
But no one could identify any issue.
When asked directly, Gu Xinghan simply stated that he had tried his best but could no longer progress.
Thirty years passed in the blink of an eye.
The Medicine King Sect ultimately accepted the reality and officially abandoned efforts to cultivate Gu Xinghan further.
However, they did not treat him harshly. He was still allowed to access various resources at will.
They simply stopped paying attention to him.
Meanwhile, as more and more juniors surpassed him in cultivation, Gu Xinghan grew increasingly withdrawn.
He secluded himself, avoiding contact with others.
Gradually, he was forgotten.
And so, 263 years passed.
A now white-haired Gu Xinghan finally reached the end of his life.
"Primordial Golden Core... Primordial Golden Core..."
"What exactly is Primordial?"
He let out a bitter laugh, his expression filled with sorrow.
"To create something from nothing, to forge a new path... It is too difficult. Far too difficult..."
"Having succeeded in Foundation Establishment Through the Oneself, I no longer even had the option to regret and switch to another method..."
In his hand, a warm jade disc appeared.
Compared to two centuries ago, its radiance had entirely faded.
It now resembled an ordinary stone on the roadside, unworthy of attention.
Gu Xinghan gazed at the jade disc that had accompanied him for nearly a lifetime, his emotions complex.
"You have ruined me... Ruined my entire life..."
He murmured softly.
He wanted to throw the jade disc to the ground, yet he hesitated.
In the end, he held onto it tightly.
Amidst deep unwillingness, he breathed his last.
Gu Xinghan’s death caused no ripples in the world.
Because no unusual phenomenon occurred after his death, his corpse was not discovered until three years later.
Over two hundred years have passed, and the landscape of the Longevity Valley has long since changed.
No one remembers the one who was once the great hope of the Medicine King Sect.
No one pays attention.
His funeral was kept simple.
Soon, Gu Xinghan’s body was buried in the Medicine King Sect’s disciple cemetery within the Beast Realm.
Among his few remaining belongings, the jade disc in Gu Xinghan’s hand was overlooked by everyone.
It was buried along with him, deep underground.
From then on, it remained in endless darkness.
Beyond the Xuanhuang Realm.
Inside the Medicine King True Cauldron.
A frail figure, strikingly similar in appearance to Li Fan, let out a muffled groan.
Blood continuously seeped from his nose and mouth, which he wiped away with his hand, as if he might die at any moment from excessive blood loss.
Yet, his expression remained unchanged.
"A moment inside the cauldron, a millennium in Xuanhuang."
He coughed lightly, his eyes filled with deep emotion.
"To personally experience the difference in the flow of time—this feeling is truly indescribable."
Inside the Medicine King True Cauldron lay [Holy Embryo Li Fan].
As part of a deception, he was created by Li Fan using his own essence blood through the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique, forming a temporary clone before the arrival of Mr. Bai.
Due to time constraints and the fact that his talent matched that of his true self, he was merely an ordinary mortal with no cultivation.
Shortly after leaving the Xuanhuang Realm, he sensed that the Medicine King True Cauldron had deviated from its original trajectory.
Moreover, the images transmitted from the Dissociation Disc, which he had transformed into, were accelerating rapidly.
The overwhelming influx of information nearly made his mind collapse.
Fortunately, everything eventually faded into darkness, allowing him to recover slightly.
"Even though I transformed into an object, since this Holy Embryo still exists, I can exert some control over my external manifestation, albeit in a limited capacity."
However, because he was outside the Xuanhuang Realm, he was unable to witness the battle between the Immortal Ancestor and Mr. Bai, as recorded by the Dissociation Disc.
Still, for Li Fan, seeing the Immortal Ancestor in action for the first time was already a significant gain.
Suppressing his thoughts about the Immortal Ancestor, Holy Embryo Li Fan began to feel a rising excitement.
Because he was about to witness the legendary Immortal Ruins.
Creaking sounds echoed from all directions within the Medicine King True Cauldron, a testament to the immense pressure it was enduring.
Holy Embryo Li Fan activated a distant-viewing telescope, which had been prepared in advance inside the cauldron, to observe the Immortal Ruins.
Ahead, there was only darkness.
The Medicine King True Cauldron was accelerating rapidly.
Deafening roars thundered from all sides.
It seemed on the verge of breaking apart at any moment.
Yet, within Holy Embryo Li Fan’s vision, there was still nothing to see.
"Will it end here?"
A hint of disappointment flickered in his heart.
Boom!
The Medicine King True Cauldron began to collapse.
The violent tremors made it nearly impossible for him to stand firm.
Struggling, Holy Embryo Li Fan grabbed the distant-viewing telescope and hid in the cauldron’s core—
A narrow sanctuary made entirely of Eternal Calamity Gold.
Under increasing and almost unimaginable pressure, the Medicine King Cauldron could no longer endure and shattered into countless fragments.
At the same time, it began plummeting toward the Immortal Ruins.
Moments later, Holy Embryo Li Fan realized that even Eternal Calamity Gold would not hold out much longer.
Yet, true to his nature, he refused to give up.
Still gripping the distant-viewing mirror, he looked forward once more.
In that instant, his eyes widened slightly.
In the once pitch-black void, an endless desolate land had appeared.
The barren wilderness was littered with countless ruins.
A colossal corpse sat cross-legged upon the ground.
Its flesh had almost completely decayed, leaving behind only a layer of skin draped over its bones.
Dozens of blood-red chains were deeply embedded in the earth, binding the skeleton to the desolate land.
All around the corpse, deep trenches crisscrossed the ground.
Together, they formed an intricate symbol on the land’s surface.
Though he had never seen this symbol before, the moment he laid eyes on it, Li Fan instinctively understood its meaning.
It was a single word.
The word "Hunger"!
An overwhelming hunger surged through Holy Embryo Li Fan’s mind.
At that very moment...
The ancient corpse on the desolate land suddenly opened its eyes!
The moment his gaze locked onto the Holy Embryo Li Fan, an insatiable hunger erupted in his mind.
Since he was "hungry," he had to eat!
Every piece of flesh and blood in his body seemed to awaken with its own consciousness, yearning to devour everything around it endlessly, attempting to alleviate the overwhelming sense of "hunger."
Even Li Fan himself was completely consumed by this thought.
As a result...
In an instant, the Holy Embryo Li Fan shrank like a punctured balloon.
With a muffled bang, he collapsed inward, rapidly diminishing into a tiny particle, before ultimately vanishing from the world entirely.
Yet, in his final moment, his thoughts remained frozen at the instant he saw the remains of the Immortal Ruins open their eyes.
To put it in simpler terms—
The mortal-bodied Holy Embryo Li Fan was utterly incapable of withstanding even a single gaze from the remains of the Immortal Ruins. In the blink of an eye, he was reduced to nothingness.
Of course, even if one were to remove the limitations of his "mortal body," the outcome wouldn’t change.
Even if his true body at the Nascent Soul stage had been present, the result would have been no better.
For cultivators—at least those below the Longevity Immortal realm—the gap between them and an actual Immortal was as vast as heaven and earth. The disparity was so immense that words could not begin to describe it.
With the disappearance of Holy Embryo Li Fan, logically speaking, what should have followed in this timeline was the natural exhaustion of his existence.
Once the time of his manifestation ran out, his incarnation, trapped within Gu Xinghan’s coffin, would automatically revert to its true form.
However, the occurrences within the Immortal Ruin—
Be it the humanoid remains bound by dark-red chains, or the ominous 【Hunger】 inscribed upon the desolate wasteland—
They were entities beyond "common logic" and comprehension.
The Holy Embryo Blood Transformation Technique, modified and perfected by the Empire, had created Holy Embryos as independent entities, completely separate from their true bodies.
Yet, they still shared a [Same-Body Connection] as clones.
Even though the true body had perished, this faint connection transcended time and space, persisting within his manifested incarnation.
Ordinary cultivators could not perceive this link.
Even the supreme experts of the Xuanhuang Realm—those in the Longevity Immortal stage—might not be able to detect it.
However...
The Immortal Ruins housed beings known as "Immortals."
Thus, through this lingering connection, the figure within the Immortal Ruins—
Its gaze transcended the barriers of time and space, reaching across into the Xuanhuang Realm itself!
A terrifying suction force descended upon the world.
In an instant, the entire Beast Realm collapsed into a singularity of darkness.
Everything within it fell and vanished into the void.
In the next moment, the suction force expanded, reaching the depths of Longevity Valley.
After more than two centuries of development, the Medicine King Sect had reached its peak of prosperity.
Ten Dao Integration cultivators, seventy-six Soul Transformation cultivators, and countless Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators populated its ranks.
It had surpassed even the strongest era of ancient times.
Yet at this moment, all these so-called "great cultivators"—
Liu San, Fang Zaiji, Jiang Yushan...
Every last one of them—
They stood no chance. They didn’t even have time to react.
All of them were instantly devoured by the black singularity.
Even after consuming two entire small worlds, the black singularity showed no sign of satiation.
Instead, it expanded even more rapidly.
A pitch-black sphere, capable of swallowing all existence, emerged in the Xuanhuang Realm.
A true apocalypse had arrived.
The moment the black singularity was born, the protective energy surrounding Li Fan’s incarnation plummeted to zero in an instant.
Had it been Li Fan’s true body standing here, he would have likely met the same fate as the countless fallen cultivators.
He might not have had enough time to activate [Truth] in response.
Fortunately, this time, [Truth] activated on its own.
However, unlike before—
When it triggered, the surrounding scenery did not immediately dissolve into illusion.
Instead, a bizarre phenomenon occurred.
Beyond the [Truth] Form barrier, an endless abyss of darkness stretched outward, forming a circular domain.
Outside this domain, the destruction of the Xuanhuang Realm played out in rapid succession, flashing by like a distorted nightmare.
It seemed as if someone let out a heaven-shaking roar, attempting to halt the black sphere’s relentless devouring.
It seemed as if a towering, decayed ancient tree emerged in the heavens, accompanied by a maniacal, crazed laugh:
"You all must die! That’s right, all of you must die!"
It seemed as if two intersecting beams of light swept across the soon-to-be-erased Xuanhuang Realm.
Then, they tore through space and fled toward the endless void beyond the realm.
It seemed as if countless cultivators stood frozen in terror, gazing up at the rising black sun in the sky, awaiting their inevitable demise in despair.
...
The scene accelerated faster and faster.
In the end, everything plunged into complete darkness.
Then...
Brilliant silver light suddenly burst outward from the pitch-black domain of [Truth].
Anchor Point: 1 Year.
Jieli Mountain Peak!
Li Fan, at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, abruptly opened his eyes.
His pupils were blood-red, like a wild beast!
Hungry! Hungry! Hungry! Hungry! Hungry!
An endless hunger consumed his mind, making him nearly lose all reason in an instant.
He was starving.
An overwhelming urge surged within him—to devour everything in sight.
With a violent motion, he shattered the wooden bed beneath him and, like a whale gulping down water, swallowed it whole.
But the hunger did not subside in the slightest.
On the contrary, it intensified!
A powerful sense of crisis suddenly emerged in Li Fan’s heart.
If this continued and he let hunger take control, he would inevitably meet his demise.
He was well aware that [Truth] had not yet fully recharged. If he lost this opportunity, there would be no second chance to start over!
Seizing this fleeting moment of rationality, Li Fan glanced at the [Truth] panel.
In the section for cultivation techniques, he saw the words "Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra".
Without hesitation, he activated it.
"Endure the tribulations of countless lifetimes, and let the Immortal Heart remain unchanged!"
The Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra could not reduce the effects of 【Hunger】.
However, it could help Li Fan maintain his sanity.
It kept him from becoming a mindless monster that only knew how to devour.
The mantra operated at full power, resisting the endless waves of hunger.
Though it kept him alive, the price was excruciating torment—like suffering in an inescapable hell.
For eight whole years, Li Fan was forced to stay at Jieli Mountain Peak, struggling against the relentless hunger.
He was so consumed by this battle that he didn’t even notice when, at Year 6 of the Anchor Point, [Truth] had already completed its recharge.
"Eight years have passed... but this hunger shows no signs of weakening."
A hint of determination flashed in Li Fan’s eyes, now resembling those of a crazed beast.
He turned to the long-standing notification from [Truth]:
【This simulation has ended.】
【You may choose one of the following options to retain:
1. An item you possessed during this simulation.
2. Your cultivation realm from this simulation.
3. The memory of a closely connected individual from this simulation (this memory can be inherited by that individual).
4.Abandon all choices and accelerate the recharge process.】
Without hesitation, he chose the first option.
At that moment, an item named "Final Dissociation Disc" appeared in [Truth] storage space.
"Truth!" Li Fan called out again.
"Would you like to virtualize the current scene and return to the set anchor point?" [Truth] prompt sounded at the right moment.
Li Fan decisively selected "Yes."
The next instant, the scene at Jieli Peak began to blur and fade once again.
Still anchored at one year!
Still at the peak of Jieli Mountain!
A formless ripple burst out from Li Fan, who was at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
Although his eyes remained somewhat bloodshot, the overwhelming hunger had indeed weakened significantly!
Having prepared in advance, Li Fan immediately activated the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra.
Once again, he silently resisted this deadly hunger.
The hunger had only been slightly suppressed, but for Li Fan, it was a great relief.
In his previous life, over eight years, he himself had no idea how he managed to endure.
If not for the enhancement of the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra and his obsession with Longevity,
he feared he would have already given up and devoured everything within this Small World of Great Xuan!
Li Fan did not know what consequences such an act would bring.
But deep down, he vaguely sensed that if he truly did so, his fate would be no better than that of the corpse in the Immortal Ruins.
Having experienced eight years of torment, in this life, Li Fan had developed a far greater tolerance for the slightly weakened hunger.
He was now able to endure it while also thinking about other matters.
“This hunger still doesn’t fade with the passage of time... It seems I can only rely on [Truth] to lessen its effects.” Li Fan thought to himself.
Since this time, he had chosen an inheritance option that accelerated [Truth]'s charging process.
Thus, by the time he anchored at four years, [Truth] had already fully charged.
With immense perseverance, he maintained his clarity of mind while flying toward Yi Yin’s Tomb, where he absorbed the Dao Deviation Stone.
Only then did he activate [Truth].
Returning to Jieli Mountain at the one-year anchor point, Li Fan’s eyes were no longer bloodshot.
Even without using the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, sheer willpower alone was enough to suppress the hunger.
“The reduction effect has improved significantly.”
“But the hunger still remains.”
“It seems I need to do this again.”
Li Fan narrowed his eyes: “Only after using [Truth] four times in succession can I completely eliminate the negative effects.”
“So, this is the price of directly confronting a True Immortal?”
There was no doubt—the corpse Li Fan had seen in the Immortal Ruins was that of a True Immortal.
In fact, given that the figure had opened its eyes, it was hard to say whether it had truly perished.
After all, everything Li Fan had experienced already demonstrated the terrifying nature of a True Immortal—one could not assess such beings with common sense.
“This is just like the mark I left behind in Yuandao Prefecture after being devoured for ten years.”
“There are indeed things in this world that can affect me even after I activate [Truth].”
“But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the entity hovering above Yuandao Prefecture, or the so-called True Immortal, surpasses [Truth] in rank.”
“It’s simply because I am the vessel of [Truth].”
“Since my memory isn’t erased during the process, [Truth] is not absolute or pure.”
“These negative factors persist because they are carried along with me, surviving even after [Truth] is activated.”
“Just like the Dao Deviation Stone Crystal in my mind. It doesn’t need to be deliberately preserved—once I merge with my Divine Dao of Transformation, it naturally follows me back to the set anchor point.”
“The same applies to my Spiritual Consciousness and Divine Soul.”
“Although their actual growth is reduced after each use of [Truth], this is precisely why I am able to grow stronger with each cycle.”
While relying solely on willpower to suppress his hunger, Li Fan slowly pondered.
Shifting his attention away also proved to be an effective method for alleviating the hunger.
Recalling the events of his past lives, Li Fan contemplated his future course of action.
He had witnessed the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor’s methods.
And he had also seen the power of a True Immortal.
With his perspective widened, Li Fan knew he had to adjust his approach accordingly.
Soon, another four years were anchored.
After absorbing another lower-grade Dao Deviation Stone, the Dao Crystal in Li Fan’s mind became even more brilliant and radiant.
Li Fan once again activated [Truth].
This time, when he returned to the peak of Jieli Mountain, his body and mind remained completely stable, without any anomalies.
Not daring to be careless, Li Fan meticulously examined himself from head to toe.
Then, he circulated the Purple Heaven Righteous Will, cleansing his soul and eliminating any potential hidden dangers.
Thus, an entire year passed.
On the mountaintop, at the edge of the cliff—
Facing the sea of clouds, as the morning sun bloomed with thousands of strands of Purple Clouds light, Li Fan let out a slow breath.
"Several instances of [Truth]... yet in total, it has only been a little over ten years."
"But it truly feels like a lifetime has passed—longer even than the centuries I spent building my Dao Foundation."
"Hunger (饑)..."
A highly intricate character symbol surfaced in Li Fan’s mind—the same one he had seen upon the vast and desolate lands of Immortal Ruins.
Not daring to recklessly experiment, he could only ponder upon it in his mind.
"In the White Mist, at the central ruins of the Maze Zone, I once saw the character [Chaos] engraved on a fractured stone."
"And yet, within the Immortal Ruins, there exists a [Hunger] character."
"This ‘Hunger’ character... it may very well be the ultimate reason why the Immortal Ruins constantly absorb external forces."
"Is this an immortal technique?"
"That would be far too terrifying."
Li Fan’s eyelid twitched slightly.
Steadying his mind, he sensed something was amiss.
"The [Hunger] character within the Immortal Ruins is a complex symbol. Though I do not fully understand its meaning, the moment I saw it, I instinctively grasped its concept."
"Yet, the [Chaos] character in the White Mist Maze was written in the same standard script used throughout the cultivation world."
"The [Hunger] character alone has the power to drive countless cultivation realms into utter despair."
"Meanwhile, the [Chaos] character I encountered—one that even a non-Dao Integration level abomination could survive near...”
A realization struck Li Fan.
"That was not the original [Chaos] character."
"It was a mere imitation, copied from the true immortal technique [Chaos] by someone with a particular purpose."
Upon reaching this conclusion, Li Fan fell silent.
Even the crude, third-hand imitation technique he had used had caused significant upheaval in the Xuanhuang Realm.
Then what of the true Chaos?
A Chaos character that could rival the Hunger character of the Immortal Ruins...
How terrifying would its power be?
Even immortals had been completely suppressed by the Hunger character, their fates unknown.
The severing of the immortal path—
The inexplicable disconnection of countless cultivation realms—
Could all of this be related to Chaos?
In that instant, Li Fan fell into deep contemplation.
This time, he had gained too much.
So much, in fact, that it had already surpassed the limits of his understanding—
A revelation that was not necessarily a blessing.
After all, even the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor did not know how to counter such forces.
Let alone the True Immortals who stood above the Heavenly Sovereigns.
"I must not be overly ambitious."
"I must proceed with caution, step by step—first surviving the life-and-death tribulations of the Xuanhuang Realm."
Only after a long time did Li Fan finally regain his composure.
A trace of loss and longing flickered through his mind.
After witnessing the highest scenery of this world, when returning to the foot of the mountain, one can still correctly recognize one's own position.
This is also a manifestation of an immortal heart.
Temporarily putting aside the records of True Immortals beyond the Xuanhuang Realm, Li Fan calmed his mind and opened the [Truth] panel.
He was now in his 119th lifetime.
Current Time: Anchor Year 2
Current Location: Peak of the Jieli Mountain
Lines of small text cascaded like a waterfall.
Name: Li Fan
Realm: Mid-Stage Golden Core
Physical Age: 21/599
Mental Age: 1368/9999
Virtual Transformation Charging Progress: 16%
Anchor Charging Progress: 0%
Current Anchor Points: 3
Available Anchor Slots: 2
Bound Items:
Thousand Mechanisms Jade Cosmos Golden Sutra
Taiyan Boat
Halted-Step Remnant Stele (Damage)
Ten Thousand People's Essence Blood
Dao Deviation Stone
Final Dissociation Disc
Cultivation Techniques:
Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra
Sitting Immortal Art
Cloudwater Illusion-Dream Technique
Body Transformation into Dao
Mysterious True Spirit Transformation
Myriad Forms Furnace Technique
Creation Furnace Technique
Divine Abilities:
Chaos
Limitless Fullness and Emptiness
Extracting Threads, Cutting Life
Heaven’s Transformation
Reverse Five Elements Creation-Destruction Sword
Cycle of Life and Death
Formless Killing Intent
Binding Insect
...
Since he had chosen not to retain his cultivation realm but instead kept the Final Dissociation Disc, Li Fan remained at the Mid-Stage Golden Core Realm. His lifespan cap had also reverted from 999 years to 599 years.
However, to Li Fan, the concept of lifespan was almost meaningless. After so many lifetimes, aside from his mortal years, he had rarely ever died of old age. Now that he had also unlocked the Incarnation function, it mattered even less.
Interestingly, his mental age limit had not decreased alongside his cultivation. This seemed to be connected to his soul and consciousness.
"Only six more years, and [Truth] will be fully charged. That means I can enter the Xuanhuang Realm two years ahead of schedule."
Li Fan's gaze shifted downward, landing on the six [Truth]-bound items, and he frowned slightly.
"Thousand Mechanisms Jade Cosmos Golden Sutra, Taiyan Boat, Halted-Step Remnant Stele..."
"These were all crucial artifacts during my mortal reincarnations, used to escape from the Great Xuan World. Back then, they were extremely valuable to me."
"But now, they are of little use. More importantly, seeing them clutter up my [Truth] panel is simply irritating."
"If only there were a way to remove them."
Just as this thought crossed his mind, a faint [Truth] notification suddenly appeared.
"You can consume an anchor point to replace a bound item?"
Li Fan was slightly taken aback and narrowed his eyes.
"This is indeed a good thing. But there was no such function before."
"The charging time for Virtual Transformation has also decreased..."
"Did [Truth]’s abilities improve?"
After a moment of contemplation, he carefully examined [Truth] other functions.
Unfortunately, he did not find any additional changes.
"I previously suspected that [Truth] charging speed was related to my soul and willpower. But now, it seems there may be other unknown factors involved."
"Perhaps seeing a True Immortal broadened my perspective?"
"Did my so-called exploration level increase?"
Thinking about the existence of True Immortals, Li Fan once again felt his thoughts waver.
It took him a while to regain his composure.
His attention returned to the [Truth] panel.
His remaining cultivation techniques and divine abilities required no further thought.
While they seemed dazzling on the surface, and their actual power was indeed extraordinary—making him unmatched within his realm and even capable of killing above his level—
After witnessing Mr. Bai, the Immortal Ancestor, and even True Immortals take action,
Li Fan now felt that all these techniques and abilities seemed rather flashy but lacking in essence.
"This world still revolves around cultivation realm above all else."
"If someone is one realm higher, they possess absolute dominance. There is no reasoning with it."
"A mere Dao Integration cultivator is not even a match for a single move from a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign."
"And a True Immortal from the Immortal Ruins can obliterate the entire Xuanhuang Realm with a single glance."
"So-called ‘killing above one’s realm’ is nothing more than big fish eating small fish within the same general level."
Li Fan remained silent for a long time, with not a trace of arrogance left in his heart.
However, he quickly regained his composure.
"I have [Truth] in my hands. Even true immortals may not be beyond my reach."
"Yet, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
"I must proceed systematically."
"The Sitting Immortal Art has already advanced to the Dao Integration realm. For a long time, I won't have to worry about my primary cultivation method."
"The Limitless Fullness and Emptiness Art is a divine ability that enhances the soul. The soul is my only weakness. Whether facing Ruomu or Mr. Bai, I have been almost defenseless..."
"I hope this divine ability derived from the Tianxuan Mirror will have some effect."
Having gained a clearer understanding of the power of those ancient monsters, Li Fan did not believe that a single divine ability would be enough to completely fend them off. If he could merely become aware of any corruption the moment it began, that would already be a blessing.
Even though, judging from everything that happened after his transformation in his previous life, Mr. Bai did indeed seem like an absolutely benevolent person—he had no intention of seizing [Truth] from him. Compared to Mr. Bai’s meticulous actions, Li Fan’s own attempts seemed almost clownish, laughable even.
But...
Who could guarantee that this wasn’t just a deliberate performance by Mr. Bai, after realizing he could no longer locate Li Fan’s incarnation body?
Even if he had to do it all over again, Li Fan would still make the same choices.
For Li Fan, his own safety always came first. He would never easily trust anyone.
That said, risk and reward always go hand in hand.
In his previous life, although he faced endless crises, he also gained significant rewards.
First and foremost, he confirmed that while the Immortal Ancestor was indeed powerful, capable of suppressing the entire Xuanhuang Realm, he was not omniscient.
When Li Fan detonated countless Chaos Puppets across Xuanhuang, using the resulting chaos as cover, his Holy Embryo form managed to control the Medicine King True Cauldron and quietly escape the realm.
If the Immortal Ancestor truly had complete knowledge of everything within Xuanhuang, then even if the Medicine King True Cauldron had been coated with a material that blocked divine sense detection, and even if the chaos of the Chaos Puppets interfered with perception...
The Medicine King True Cauldron still would not have been able to escape his grasp.
Yet, it did.
This was enough to prove that the Immortal Ancestor still existed within the framework of a cultivator—he was merely an unimaginably powerful one.
This meant that his actions could be predicted through experience and understanding.
But a True Immortal...
Could not be measured by common sense. It was best not to provoke such beings.
"The reason why the Immortal Ancestor appears so invincible is that he attained the Dao through the New Path. Any cultivator who follows this path contributes a portion of their power to him."
"Thousands of years of accumulation have elevated him to an unfathomable level."
"To defeat him, one must first break his foundation."
"That is why, when the Foundation Establishment Through the One-Self method emerged, he personally intervened to erase it, no matter the cost."
"The New Method has existed for a thousand years. To overturn it would be an almost insurmountable task."
"Even with Mr. Bai's terrifying talent, which is in harmony with the Dao of Heaven, he was only able to deduce up to the Foundation Establishment stage."
"Beyond Foundation Establishment, everything remains in the realm of theoretical speculation. Even a peerless genius like Gu Xinghan, despite exhausting his entire life's efforts, was unable to take another step forward..."
"I'm not going to waste my energy on that."
Li Fan had a clear understanding of his own talents.
"The New Method must be studied, but it can be done through the hands of others. The Xuanhuang Realm is full of talented individuals—eventually, someone will find a breakthrough."
"If one lifetime is not enough, then two lifetimes! If two lifetimes are not enough, then ten!"
"Perhaps I can also inform Master Yin Yin about this method..."
"Xiao Gu is another candidate worth considering."
Transcending the Xuanhuang Realm was no easy feat. Even with his [Truth] ability, which allowed him to reincarnate endlessly, he could not rely on his own efforts alone.
He needed to harness the collective strength of the countless beings in this realm.
For example, if he had not comprehended the ability of [Incarnation] Transformation from Tianyang before, he might have already perished.
A series of familiar faces flashed through Li Fan's mind.
A plan gradually formed in his heart.
"In three more years, I will be able to return to the Xuanhuang Realm."
"This time cannot be wasted either."
With a slight shift in thought, a seemingly ordinary jade disc suddenly appeared in his hand.
It was none other than the Final Dissociation Disc, the treasure he had chosen to preserve at all costs—even at the expense of his own Nascent Soul cultivation.
This ultimate artifact was formed through the fusion of the nine Dissociation Discs and the Endstone Plate, which could shield against the perception of the Tianxuan Mirror.
Its creation was a matter of fate and coincidence, making it nearly impossible to replicate.
As for regaining his Nascent Soul cultivation...
Now that he knew about the existence of the Five Elements Grand Cave-Heaven, restoring his previous level of cultivation was an effortless task for Li Fan.
"I never expected that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance wasn’t lying."
"The Tianxuan Secondary Body truly has no hidden connection to the Tianxuan Mirror."
A strange look appeared in Li Fan’s eyes.
Back in his 115th lifetime, when facing the overwhelming assault of Mr. Bai, he had made one specific preparation.
He attempted to encode both the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation and the Grand Life-Death Reversal Formation into the Dissociation Disc.
The goal was to attract the attention of the Tianxuan Mirror—and, by extension, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance—to manipulate them into fighting Mr. Bai.
It was a well-conceived plan, but an accident occurred midway.
As a result, after Li Fan perished and transformed into another thing, the Dissociation Disc simply lay dormant beneath the rubble for more than half a month...
And yet, no one from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance ever came looking for it.
This was almost definitive proof that the so-called Tianxuan Secondary Body was, indeed, an independent entity—completely detached from the Tianxuan Mirror.
"At least, that holds true for the Dissociation Disc."
"Now that the nine Dissociation Discs have merged into one, its computational power is nearly on par with the Tianxuan Mirror—though specialized in formations."
"And with the Endstone Plate, which can block the Tianxuan Mirror’s detection..."
"With this Final Dissociation Disc, along with my extensive knowledge of countless formation diagrams, I have complete insight into the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's current formation defense, which has been maintained for the past two years using the computational power of the Tianxuan Mirror."
"To me, these formations can be dismantled in an instant."
A trace of confidence flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
"This is a strike spanning several lifetimes. Ever since my 10th lifetime, when I began studying formations, I have finally reached the moment of harvest."
Gently stroking the seemingly unremarkable treasure, Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
"However, I must not underestimate the speed at which the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance advances."
"The greater the lead I have, the better!"
"With my current mastery of formations..."
"No, at this point in time, no so-called 'formation grandmaster' in the Xuanhuang Realm can assist the Final Dissociation Disc in evolving further."
"Fortunately, I possess another rare treasure..."
With this thought, Li Fan moved the Dissociation Disc into his Sea of Consciousness, placing it beneath the crystalline structure of the Dao-Deviation Stone.
Using the computational power of the Dao Deviation Stone, he would accelerate the evolution of the Final Dissociation Disc.
Previously, the Dissociation Disc’s ability to self-evolve was not exactly slow—but it was close to nonexistent.
Under the radiance of the Dao Deviation Stone, the originally plain and unremarkable surface of the Final Dissociation Disc once again emitted a faint white glow.
“Transformation into Divine One is indeed useful. It's just a pity that, despite fusing so many Dao Deviation Stones, there's still no sign of advancing to the mid-grade.”
“Speaking of which, Jiao Xiuyuan relies on this thing to maintain control over thousands of puppets. I wonder if he has any spares...”
“I have a feeling that if the Dao Deviation Stone evolves to mid-grade, there might be some unexpected gains.”
Although Li Fan had already discovered the current hiding place of the Taiyan Sect, he had no plans to provoke them just yet.
If his guess was correct, then at the end of the 115th era, the last two streaks of light that tore through space and fled—one of them was likely the Taiyan Sect, which had become fully digitized.
To have survived the world-ending catastrophe, even if only barely, was enough to prove that the Taiyan Sect was extraordinary.
As for the other streak of light, Li Fan speculated that it was most likely the Tianxuan Mirror.
More than two hundred years had passed, and it should have long since gathered enough data to complete its own evolution.
"It seems that after ascending, it severed ties with the Xuanhuang Realm and is no longer bound to it?"
With too little information, Li Fan could only speculate without certainty.
Descending from the mountain, he went to the Yixing Tomb to absorb the Dao Deviation Stone, accelerating the Final Dissociation Disc’s self-iteration, however little it may be.
Then, after returning to the summit of Jieli Mountain, Li Fan began cultivating the Limitless Fullness and Emptiness.
“The Five Elements unite as one, the limitless ebbs and flow; its power endures unending, the divine soul remains unextinguished.”
Although the sheer amount of data contained within this divine technique was overwhelming—almost causing Li Fan’s mind to freeze—
It was, after all, derived from the Reverse Five Elements Creation-Destruction Sword, an alternate application of Five Elements Power, which Li Fan was already deeply familiar with.
Thus, entering its cultivation wasn’t as difficult as he had imagined.
With his mind fully immersed, three years passed in an instant.
When [Truth] had finally completed it's charging process, Li Fan had also achieved the initial stage of the Limitless Fullness and Emptiness Art.
It felt like wearing a raincoat in a torrential downpour.
Li Fan instantly sensed a thick protective shell forming around his divine soul, making it far more resilient.
“Unfortunately, the Five Elements power within the Great Xuan small world is limited. Without the continuous replenishment from a Five Elements Great Cave-Heaven, the growth in strength isn’t very significant.”
“For further cultivation, I will have to undergo Nascent Soul formation once again. At that point, not only will my divine soul be tougher, but the most crucial aspect—self-repair after severe injury—will also be significantly enhanced.”
...
At this thought, Li Fan suddenly stood up.
Out of habit, he dusted off his clothes, even though no dust existed.
Without paying attention to the mortal affairs of the Great Xuan small world, he headed straight for Eastern Ruins Abyss.
Effortlessly passing through the Immortal-Severing Grand Formation, he stepped through a burst of light—And once again found himself soaring above the vast, endless Congyun Sea of Verdant Waves!
Taking a deep breath, Li Fan gazed at this vibrant world, yet in his mind, a vision of a black sun devouring everything flashed before him.
“Xuanhuang Realm, I have returned!”
He thought to himself.
It is now Year 6 of the Anchor Era.
Li Fan did not go to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Instead, he quietly made his way to the entrance of the Outer Li Realm.
Passing through the spatial passage, Li Fan flew straight toward the volcano at the center of the outer realm.
The scorching air was filled with the thick scent of sulfur.
Traces of rampant lava were still visible nearby, not yet fully solidified.
It seemed that this volcano had recently undergone a violent eruption.
Suspended in midair, Li Fan carefully observed the volcano.
The strange feeling in his heart grew stronger.
"There is indeed something unusual."
After a while, a peculiar expression flickered in Li Fan's eyes.
Perhaps because he had already ascended to the Nascent Soul stage and possessed an internal Cave Heaven...
Or perhaps because he had once merged with the Heavenly Dao of a small world while in Xu Bai’s body...
His sensitivity to "Cave Heavens" and "Small Worlds" had increased significantly.
Upon closer inspection, he finally understood why he had always felt something off whenever he looked at this volcano in the outer realm.
"This volcano does not belong to the outer realm at all. It comes from another small world!"
"No wonder it always felt so out of place!"
In fact, the surrounding terrain already spoke volumes.
On an endless plain, a violent volcano had erupted out of nowhere.
This was clearly an unnatural phenomenon.
Mortal beings would simply attribute it to the mysterious workings of the heavens.
But for cultivators like Li Fan, the true cause was apparent.
Li Fan's curiosity was immediately piqued.
"What is going on here? Why would a volcano from another small world suddenly appear in the outer realm?"
With a casual gesture, he set up protective wards around himself before flying into the volcano's crater.
The scorching, churning magma was completely harmless to him.
Li Fan descended deep into the volcano, attempting to trace the source of this anomaly.
He only made a breakthrough when he reached the very bottom—where the volcano met the earth’s veins.
"This is..."
Li Fan reached out and captured a wisp of Earth Fire in his palm.
Even with his Golden Core mid-stage defenses, he still found it somewhat scorching.
"This is not spiritual energy... but it is still a kind of extraordinary power."
"The outer realm is a purely mundane world—it does not have the necessary conditions to give birth to this kind of Earth Fire."
Returning the Earth Fire to its place, Li Fan carefully examined the surrounding space.
Unlike the turbulent flow at the volcano’s mouth, the magma here moved in a much calmer and steadier manner.
Only occasional bubbles would rise and burst.
At the edge of the lava sea, there was a faint, nearly imperceptible boundary line.
Hidden amidst the orange-red lava, it was easy to overlook.
Without specifically searching for it, one might not even notice its existence.
From that boundary, he could faintly sense a power originating from the same source as the Earth Fire.
"Another spatial passage?"
Li Fan pondered deeply.
After a moment of deliberation, he reinforced his protective formation and leaped into the unknown.
Boom!
His vision blurred.
The instant he entered, a fireball came hurtling toward him.
However, its power was not particularly strong, and his protective formation deflected it with ease.
Li Fan had initially thought he was under attack and instinctively tensed up.
But upon taking a closer look, he relaxed.
Instead, he was instantly captivated by the scenery of this world.
This was a world devoid of life—one that belonged purely to fire.
A sea of scorching magma churned endlessly, a true inferno.
Explosions rang out from time to time—
Columns of lava shot skyward, then burst apart in midair.
Countless crimson fire lines streaked across the sky, crashing in all directions.
When they fell back into the magma sea, they triggered a new round of chain reactions.
Fire—was the eternal theme of this world.
Not only did countless independent fire seeds bloom like flowers within the endless lava ocean—
Even in the sky, immense flames, resembling floating tapestries, drifted with the wind.
Their colors and forms varied infinitely.
The aura of the strongest fire in this world even made Li Fan feel slightly troubled.
However, that was the extent of it.
After spending some time fully exploring this world, Li Fan couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
"The power level here is, at most, only at the late Golden Core stage."
"If I were at the Nascent Soul stage, even if all the flames of this world burned me together, they wouldn’t be able to cause me the slightest harm."
"It has some value, but not much."
Li Fan shook his head slightly. Based on his estimation, even cultivators interested in fire-attribute powers wouldn’t be willing to pay more than 2,000 contribution points for this world.
Such a small amount of contribution points wasn’t even worth his attention.
"What a disappointment!"
Li Fan immediately lost interest.
Just as he was about to return to the outer realm through the spatial passage he came from, he suddenly thought of something and stopped in his tracks.
After a moment of contemplation, he changed direction and flew toward the high skies.
He kept flying until he reached the edge of the world, near the endless void.
Looking down from above, he finally caught a vague glimpse of the entire world’s structure.
It was clear that the lava sea near the spatial passage leading to the outer realm was different from other regions.
It was as if it had suffered a violent impact.
There was a very distinct outline around it.
Looking farther into the void, he could faintly see the scenery of the outer realm.
Li Fan immediately understood.
"This is a collision between two small worlds within the void."
"For some unknown reason, they crashed into each other."
"A portion of the Fire World has deeply embedded itself within the outer realm."
"They are now two sides of the same entity, and as time passes, they can no longer be separated, gradually merging into one."
Li Fan quickly returned to the lava sea below.
"The energy level of this Fire World clearly surpasses that of the mortal Outer Li Realm."
"The strong devour the weak—if this continues, the fate of the outer realm can only be assimilation and eventual consumption."
Li Fan pondered deeply.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, he recalled Su Xiaomei, Su Heng, Ye Feipeng, and the others from the outer realm who had displayed extraordinary talent.
In the 115th cycle, he had first trapped them on Shenhua Island.
Then, he imprisoned them in the Medicine King Valley.
This lasted for many years.
In the end, when they were finally able to cultivate again, He discovered that the entire outer realm had lost all its spiritual energy.
At that time, Li Fan even expelled them from the Medicine King Valley.
He wanted to see if these "dragons returning to the sea" could once again showcase their talents.
Unfortunately, until the end of the world, there was no more news of them.
They had completely faded into obscurity.
"The talents of the outer realm’s people do not come from themselves."
"But rather..."
Li Fan thought again about Su Xiaomei’s birth.
"Born of a mother but without a father, conceived by the will of the heavens."
His eyes lit up.
Having found the key to the mystery, he passed through the spatial passage beneath the volcano and returned to the outer realm.
Not long after, he found his target in the Grand Scholar’s Residence in the capital.
It was Su Xiaomei’s mother, Su Yuqing.
At this time, she was still a young girl, barely in her early teens, full of innocence and purity.
She was in the back garden of her home, playing with a butterfly resting on a flower.
Completely absorbed in the moment.
The instant he saw her, a familiar feeling surged within Li Fan’s heart.
"Mr. Bai?"
It wasn’t that Su Yuqing was Mr. Bai.
Rather, the aura she exuded was strikingly similar to his.
So much so that when Li Fan glanced at her, he nearly mistook her for him.
Her every movement was as natural as if ordained by the heavens. Every frown and smile carried an ineffable charm.
But most notably, there was an unmistakable purity in her benevolence.
She extended her hand, and a butterfly landed gently on her palm, unafraid in the slightest.
Even when Su Yuqing curiously prodded its wings with her finger, the butterfly did not fly away. Instead, it fluttered its wings eagerly, as if playing with her.
Su Yuqing laughed joyfully, and as a soft breeze passed through, the flowers in the garden bloomed in unison.
Watching this scene from above, Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
"The one favored by the Heavenly Dao..."
"No, it would be more accurate to say that the Heavenly Dao itself has descended."
"The only difference between her and Mr. Bai is that this world lacks spiritual energy and has a lower energy level."
"As a result, Su Yuqing—this incarnation of the Heavenly Dao—has very limited capabilities."
"Unlike Mr. Bai, who wields earth-shattering power."
"At most, she can summon the wind, call the rain, and influence celestial phenomena."
Li Fan carefully contemplated Su Yuqing’s connection to the Great Li World.
"Hmm... The Great Li World is being suppressed by the Fire World. If she remains unaware of this and does not actively guide it..."
"Then all she will experience are occasional strange phenomena in her daily life."
"I wonder what criteria the Heavenly Dao uses to select its vessel..."
With a gentle tap of his finger, Su Yuqing—who had been playing—suddenly froze in place, motionless.
A strand of spiritual energy shot from Li Fan’s fingertip, circled around Su Yuqing, and then returned.
Li Fan couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration. "As expected of the Heavenly Dao incarnate. Even in a small world, the innate talent she possesses is rather terrifying."
"But..." After a brief moment, Li Fan’s brows furrowed slightly.
"I can actually sense a faint trace of the Fire World’s aura. It’s completely at odds with the Great Li World..."
He recalled that soon, Su Yuqing would experience the Heaven-Man Resonance and conceive Su Xiaomei.
And Su Xiaomei’s unique talent—where her power grew stronger the angrier she became—was clearly more compatible with the Fire World.
In that instant, Li Fan deduced the probable cause behind all of this.
The Great Li World and the Fire World had collided in the void. As a lower-tier world, the Great Li World was barely holding on under the Fire World’s relentless suppression.
Its inevitable demise was almost certain.
In a desperate attempt to resist its fate, the Heavenly Dao of the Great Li World chose a suitable vessel to incarnate within.
Trying to turn the tide...
No!
A sudden flash of insight struck Li Fan’s mind.
"Even the Heavenly Dao itself is unable to resist the Fire World. Incarnating within a human would not change that outcome."
"But this is already an all-or-nothing gamble for the Great Li Heavenly Dao. It wouldn't take such an action if it were meaningless."
Within his consciousness, the Dao Deviation Stone emitted a faint blue glow, and a figure appeared before Li Fan’s eyes.
It was He Zhenghao!
"Fellow Daoist He comes to the Great Li World from time to time to earn extra profit, helping some mortals smuggle themselves into the Xuanhuang Realm."
"That is precisely the only path to survival!"
"So, the Great Li Heavenly Dao is planning to escape?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, it might actually succeed..."
"However..."
Li Fan shook his head slightly. “The Great Li World and the Fire World have already fused closely together. Even the heart of the world has a volcano embedded within it. Because of this, the actions of the Great Li Heavenly Dao were perceived by the Fire World’s Heavenly Dao.”
“Following the trail and intervening midway.”
“This ultimately led to the birth of Su Xiaomei not long after.”
“The plan to escape through possession ended in stillbirth! In the end, there was no escaping the fate of being devoured.”
“If I had not intervened.”
The Heavenly Dao of the world might not possess the delicate consciousness of a human, but its operations must certainly follow an incredibly complex mechanism—not necessarily inferior to human intelligence.
Making such a decision to avoid harm and seek benefit is also understandable.
After clarifying the events that took place in the Great Li World, Li Fan felt a subtle stir in his heart.
“If the Great Li World is like this, then what about the Xuanhuang Realm?”
“Mr. Bai’s transformation from a mortal to a Soul Transformation cultivator happened precisely when the new cultivation method was beginning to spread on a large scale.”
“The Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao became aware of it and descended upon Mr. Bai.”
“Was it to turn the tide? Or...”
Li Fan unconsciously stroked his chin.
Because he had deduced a conclusion that, at first glance, seemed rather absurd.
“Perhaps the reason the Heavenly Dao possessed Mr. Bai was the same as in the Great Li World... or even like the Canghai Pearl before the Crimson Flame Burning Sea incident.”
“All to escape.”
Li Fan pondered for a long time. “That might actually be possible.”
“Of course, it may also be hedging its bets.”
“As for what exactly happened, perhaps the answer lies within the Fallen Immortal Realm.”
After contemplating for a while, he temporarily set the matter aside.
Li Fan then turned his gaze toward Su Yuqing, who remained motionless, as if petrified.
“It’s not impossible to lend you a hand. This would be a good opportunity to test the effects of the ‘Sitting Immortal Art’!”
As the advanced version of the ‘Sitting Mountain Art,’ the biggest difference in the ‘Sitting Immortal Art’ was that the conditions for receiving cultivation feedback were no longer as strict.
It was no longer necessary for the other party to break through to a new realm for him to receive feedback.
Instead, even small acts of kindness would be repaid in kind!
This was a fundamental shift.
Even if one wasn’t as perceptive as Li Fan, as long as they practiced benevolence and built strong connections, they could also cultivate rapidly.
“The Xuanhuang Realm is under the watchful eyes of numerous ancient beings, making it difficult to act freely.”
“But the smaller worlds are much safer.”
“In my past life, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s campaign against the smaller worlds conveniently helped eliminate some of the more dangerous realms...”
“There’s great potential here!”
“The only problem is that most of these small worlds lack spiritual energy.”
“But I’ve already devised a solution for that.”
Li Fan’s eyes gleamed as he refined his plans for this lifetime.
Seven days later—
The Great Li Volcano, which had just finished erupting, suddenly erupted again without warning.
Billowing black clouds covered the sky, making it look as if the apocalypse had arrived.
This volcanic upheaval was far more violent than before, launching countless firestones high into the air.
Some of these firestones, glowing with intense heat, streaked across the sky, traversing half the world before hurtling toward the capital.
The mortals in the city trembled in fear.
All they could do was pray to the heavens for protection.
But the heavens did not heed their pleas.
Although they avoided the initial small stones, eventually, a massive firestone—almost as large as half the capital—came roaring toward them.
If it struck, no one in the Great Li capital would survive!
Despair spread among the people.
At that moment—
A sigh suddenly echoed throughout the capital.
In the next instant, an immortal with an ethereal, transcendent aura appeared above the Great Li capital!
Chapter 807
As everyone held their breath, watching intently, the Immortal master let out an angry shout and single-handedly blocked the massive meteor!
Two immense forces clashed in an instant.
Countless fragments were sent flying from the gigantic meteor.
Just as the fragments were about to rain down upon the city, the Immortal master acted again! With one hand, he slowly lifted the enormous meteor, while the other instantly emitted beams of white light.
The light eradicated the flying debris below.
In just a few breaths’ time, what could have been an apocalyptic disaster was completely neutralized.
The common people of Great Li, after momentarily standing in shock, burst into tears.
They fell to their knees, bowing towards the celestial figure in the sky, repeatedly crying out, "Thank you, Immortal Master, for saving our lives!"
The existence of cultivators was no secret in the imperial capital of Great Li.
After all, Immortal beings descended from the heavens from time to time.
Many years ago, there had even been an event known as "The Wrath of an Immortal, Rivers of Blood."
So when this Immortal master saved the entire city, the commoners felt both immense gratitude and lingering fear.
After all, it was often said that in the eyes of immortals, mortals were no different from ants.
Yet now, an immortal had acted to save mere mortals.
How could this not be shocking?
Throughout the city, every commoner remained kneeling, too afraid to rise.
After dissipating the meteor’s impact, the Immortal master casually tossed it into the uninhabited wilderness outside the city.
Amid the deep tremor of the earth, the Immortal master swiftly flew toward the central volcano.
Before long, the billowing black smoke from the volcano began to fade.
The raging volcano gradually calmed once more.
Across the entire world of Great Li, all who witnessed this moment could not help but cheer in relief, having narrowly escaped destruction.
The emperor of Great Li, leading his people, lined up in the city, awaiting the immortal master's arrival.
But alas, they waited for three days and nights, yet the immortal master never appeared.
The Great Li Emperor grew increasingly anxious, unsure if he had somehow committed an offense.
For days, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Then, on the seventh day, a report came—outside the city, a small mountain had suddenly risen from flat ground.
And it seemed that someone was living there.
Upon hearing this, the Great Li Emperor was greatly shaken.
Realizing this was an immortal’s work, he hurriedly led his officials to the site.
Yet upon reaching the mountain, they found themselves blocked by an invisible barrier, unable to take even a single step forward.
"Those who are fated may enter. Those who are not, please turn back."
A timid voice spoke these words.
It belonged to a young girl, barely more than ten years old.
Among the assembled officials, Scholar Su sharply raised his head upon hearing the voice.
He looked carefully and, upon confirming that the speaker was indeed his younger sister, Su Yuqing, his legs nearly gave out beneath him.
Fortunately, a quick-witted friend beside him caught his arm just in time.
"Scholar Su, could it be that you know this celestial maiden?"
Scholar Su's mouth was dry. Though he was a man of great knowledge, at this moment, he found himself utterly speechless.
Meanwhile, Su Yuqing, gathering her courage, dismissed the imperial court officials before breathing a sigh of relief.
She patted her chest, glanced at her departing elder brother, and then turned toward the thatched hut on the mountain, her face filled with worry.
Not long ago, this Immortal master had suddenly appeared at her family's residence.
Claiming that she had immortal fate, he took her away without a word.
Then, he passed down an immortal technique to her and instructed her to cultivate with a calm heart.
But how could she possibly focus on cultivation when her heart was in turmoil?
After much deliberation, Su Yuqing mustered her courage, climbed to the thatched hut atop the mountain, and knocked on the door.
The door opened on its own.
Inside, the Immortal master sat cross-legged in midair, eyes closed in meditation.
"What is it?"
"Greetings, Immortal Master," Su Yuqing bowed first before gathering her courage to speak.
"I humbly request that you let me return home. I have no desire to seek the Dao or pursue immortality. I only wish to stay with my family and live out my days in peace."
These words, spoken by a girl barely in her teens, seemed oddly out of place.
Yet, given Su Yuqing’s demeanor, they did not feel inappropriate.
As soon as she finished speaking, her heart pounded furiously.
She had seen with her own eyes how the Immortal Master single-handedly neutralized the threat of the falling meteor that day. If she were to anger him...
No, that couldn’t be right. The Immortal Master had saved so many people in the city. He must be a good person, right?
Su Yuqing thought to herself.
The Immortal Master did not respond.
Atop the mountain, within the humble thatched hut, an eerie silence filled the air.
After a long time, he finally spoke slowly:
"One's affinity with the Dao is never something that can be forced."
"If you truly do not wish to cultivate, I will not compel you."
"However, when the day comes that you watch your loved ones perish in agony before your eyes, do not regret your decision."
Su Yuqing was momentarily stunned, her face turning pale. "My loved ones... dying tragically?"
The Immortal Master offered no explanation and merely closed his eyes once more.
"You may leave now."
A gust of wind swept past Su Yuqing, and in the blink of an eye, she found herself outside the thatched hut.
The wooden door shut with a heavy thud, leaving Su Yuqing standing there in a daze.
She wandered down the mountain path absentmindedly, her mind consumed by the Immortal Master's words.
As she approached the boundary of the immortal mountain, hesitation gripped her once more.
"The Immortal Master wouldn't lie to me."
"Loved ones... dying tragically..."
For some reason, the terrifying sight of the volcanic eruption—those black clouds blotting out the sky—flashed through her mind once again.
A shiver ran down her spine as realization dawned upon her.
In a panic, she changed direction and sprinted back up toward the thatched hut.
"Immortal Master, does this mean... the central volcano will erupt again?"
She called out toward the closed door.
No response came from within.
She attempted to push the door open, but no matter how hard she tried, it wouldn't budge.
Her anxiety grew, yet she dared not act recklessly before an immortal.
With a thud, Su Yuqing fell to her knees, bowing her head to the ground.
"Immortal Master, this humble girl is willing to follow you and cultivate diligently!"
Still, there was no response.
Su Yuqing clenched her teeth, remaining in that kneeling posture, unmoving.
As the beloved daughter of an elderly scholar, she had been pampered since birth.
Raised in luxury, even holding this position for the duration of a tea’s time left her entire body aching unbearably, nearly unable to endure.
But in her mind’s eye, she seemed to see the volcano erupting again, destroying the entire Great Li.
Her gaze grew resolute, and she stubbornly endured.
One hour... two hours...
Four to five hours passed. Her consciousness began to blur.
At last, she could endure no longer and fainted.
Just before she lost consciousness, she seemed to hear the sound of the hut’s door opening.
Su Yuqing had a dream.
In her dream, the Realm of Great Li faced its apocalypse.
Volcanic smoke billowed into the heavens. Lava flowed unrestrained, and not a single living being remained on the land.
It was truly like a scene from hell.
The devastation was so horrifying that she jolted awake from the nightmare.
"Did you see it clearly?" The Immortal Master stood before her, his voice calm.
"That is the future of the Realm of Li."
"Immortal Master, please... save our realm!"
At some point, tears had welled up in Su Yuqing’s eyes.
She bowed once more, pleading earnestly.
"I can save it for a time... but not for eternity."
The Immortal Master let out a long sigh, filled with sorrow for all living beings.
As the Immortal Master lightly pointed, countless images immediately appeared in Su Yuqing’s mind.
The sight of the Fire World, where flames raged uncontrollably, left Su Yuqing—who had never even left the capital—completely stunned and pale with fear.
However, she now fully understood the origin of the crisis threatening the Great Li Realm.
"The strong prey on the weak—this is the law of the heavens and earth."
"All things follow this rule, and so do worlds."
"The fate of the Great Li Realm’s destruction was sealed from the moment it tragically collided with the Fire World in the void."
The Immortal Master sighed softly.
"Flattening that volcano would be nothing more than a flick of my wrist."
"But that would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Instead, it would provoke an even fiercer retaliation from the Fire World."
"In just a few years, an even larger volcano would surely rise from the ground."
Hearing this, Su Yuqing’s expression turned to despair.
"Is there really no solution?" she asked anxiously.
Seeing the Immortal Master’s expression and recalling his actions, Su Yuqing suddenly had a realization.
She immediately began bowing repeatedly, pleading, "Please, Immortal Master, guide me!"
After nine full kowtows, the Immortal Master finally waved his hand lightly, stopping her.
He spoke slowly:
"This is precisely why I want you to cultivate."
"The balance of power is never fixed. The current crisis in the Great Li Realm stems from the fact that our enemy is strong while we are weak. If the situation were reversed—if the Great Li Realm became stronger than the Fire World—then not only would the danger of destruction be averted, but we might even be able to devour the Fire World instead."
"Achieving a world’s ascension!"
As Li Fan declared this with unwavering confidence, he sensed that the ever-present malice surrounding him from the Great Li Realm suddenly vanished.
Yes.
The moment he began acting as the Immortal Master, manipulating the young girl Su Yuqing, the malice from all directions had surged toward him like a tidal wave.
It was even stronger than the hostility that the Xuanhuang Realm harbored toward cultivators!
But Li Fan feared neither the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao nor this insignificant Great Li Realm.
Still, being constantly watched with malice was an unpleasant feeling.
With some minor tricks, he had finally reversed the situation.
After all, what he told Su Yuqing was not a lie—it was a real, achievable plan.
"But how could the Great Li Realm possibly become stronger than the Fire World?" Su Yuqing asked, her face filled with confusion.
In her dreams, she had seen the terrifying Fire World.
A world entirely covered in lava, filled with countless strange flames, each seemingly possessing a will of its own.
It was a force that a purely mortal world could never hope to resist.
Seeing her puzzled expression, Li Fan smiled slightly.
"As they say—man can triumph over heaven!"
"If the Great Li Realm is to surpass the Fire World, it must rely on its own people!"
As he spoke, Li Fan extended his hand, and a small, white jade tower appeared in his palm.
"This is the Immortal Spirit Tower. As long as there are sufficient raw materials, it can continuously generate and release boundless spiritual energy."
"With a mortal body alone, one cannot help the Great Li Realm. Only by becoming a cultivator can one gain the qualification to participate in—and even lead—the battle between worlds."
Su Yuqing gazed at the Immortal Spirit Tower in Li Fan’s hand and indeed felt waves of spiritual energy surging from it.
Yet, as she looked more closely, she also sensed faint traces of blood in the air, making her frown slightly.
"This little girl’s senses are truly sharp," Li Fan noted, observing her expression with satisfaction.
Indeed, this so-called Immortal Spirit Tower was something Li Fan had casually refined based on the Empire’s Spiritual Energy Synthesis technology.
At its core, it simply used the blood and flesh of vast numbers of exotic beasts to generate spiritual energy crystals, which were then decomposed into spiritual energy.
To acquire the necessary materials, Li Fan had even made a special trip to the Beast Realm—
Gathering a large quantity of exotic beast flesh and blood.
As for the Feathers of the Black Bird and the Blood Essence of Xu Ke, those were located deep within the Beast Realm...
At his current Golden Core stage strength, Li Fan found that forcefully seizing it would be quite difficult. So, he decided to put it aside for now.
The empire's spiritual energy synthesis technology, though highly inefficient in energy conversion, had the advantage of being extremely cost-effective.
If they could establish large-scale breeding of exotic beasts and resolve the issue of obtaining beast blood and flesh, then an almost endless supply of spiritual energy could be generated.
For small worlds without spiritual veins, this was indeed an effective method.
Li Fan did not hide how the Immortal Spirit Tower produced spiritual energy.
On the contrary, he vividly displayed the sight of the flesh-processing factory within it to Su Yuqing.
Su Yuqing, having never witnessed such a scene before, turned pale and vomited on the spot.
Li Fan let out a cold snort.
"Compared to the survival of an entire world, what does a little slaughter amount to?"
"How is this any different from the chicken, duck, fish, and meat that you mortals consume daily?"
"Such pretentious hypocrisy!"
He reprimanded her without mercy.
Su Yuqing opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to refute.
But in the end, she remained silent.
With a wave of his hand, Li Fan cleared the filth from the room and began explaining the full world-saving plan to Su Yuqing.
Step One: Select the most talented individuals in Great Li Realm and use the Immortal Spirit Tower to cultivate them into the first generation of cultivators in Li.
Step Two: Send them into the Fire World to absorb and retrieve various flames infused with the world's source power.
Step Three: Using the cultivators who have merged with powerful flames, transform Great Li Realm with their own strength.
Through this process of rising and falling, Great Li Realm would inevitably grow stronger, while Fire World would gradually decline.
"This is just the theoretical outcome," Li Fan sighed lightly. "The specifics will have to be figured out step by step. After all, the struggle between worlds involves forces at a level too high for cultivators to fully predict."
Su Yuqing firmly engraved the Immortal Master's words in her mind.
She had a strong feeling that this Immortal Master before her would not stay in Great Li Realm for much longer.
"The path of immortality is difficult."
"Immortal technique cannot be practiced together indefinitely."
"I can only help you take the first steps. If you seek more, you may have to venture into the Xuanhuang Realm and explore on your own!"
As he spoke, Li Fan extended a finger and touched Su Yuqing’s forehead.
Instantly, a total of twenty cultivation techniques, including the Thousand Mechanisms Jade Cosmos Golden Sutra, appeared in her mind.
However, only the Golden Sutra was a Nascent Soul-level technique.
The rest were merely at the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment levels.
They were techniques Li Fan had collected throughout his countless reincarnations—unclaimed and masterless.
"The Thousand Mechanisms Jade Cosmos Golden Sutra, you may cultivate yourself."
"As for the others, you may pass them on to suitable individuals," Li Fan instructed.
"Immortal Master, are you leaving?" Su Yuqing couldn't help but ask.
Li Fan smiled slightly.
"I was merely a passerby, unintentionally arriving in this world. However, I could not bear to see living beings suffer, so I chose to intervene. Now that I have done all I can, it is only natural that I leave."
This was merely preparation for cultivating the Sitting Immortal Art—Li Fan would not waste too much time here.
With just a proper beginning, he believed that Su Yuqing, as the incarnation of the Heavenly Dao, had enough talent to lead the people of Great Li Realm onto a new path.
(If you seek the method of immortality, you must read this chapter!)
[Author's Note: This extra content is unrelated to the main storyline. I had a half-written draft sitting in my folder for a long time. While inspiration still lingers, I quickly finished writing it.]
“Ding-dong!”
The sound of a phone notification startled me awake from my sleep.
It took me nearly half a minute to calm my racing heart. I picked up my phone and glanced at the time.
2:30 AM.
“Damn it! Who would be messaging me at this hour? It must be that old bastard, Zhang Yaobin!”
Cursing in my heart, I opened [Tencent], and sure enough—
“Li Yang, check your email. Write me a research report based on the attached data, around 30,000 words. Due by noon tomorrow.”
The text was accompanied by Zhang Yaobin’s leering profile picture, making my eyelids twitch and my blood pressure spike.
I mentally cursed his ancestors for eight generations, but my fingers still moved on their own, typing a reply.
“Got it, boss!”
I let out a long sigh.
“No choice—this is the advisor I’m stuck with. Just bear with it a little longer. Once this paper gets published, I can finally graduate.”
“Out of the six reviewers, four are Zhang Yaobin’s friends. Whether my paper passes review or not is entirely up to him. Until then, I’ll be nothing more than his overworked lackey.”
Grumbling internally, I opened my email, downloaded the attachment, and extracted the files.
‘Defy the laws of heaven and earth to attain immortality...’
“What the hell?”
All traces of sleep vanished. I adjusted my posture and stared intently at the images on my screen.
Half a month ago, something strange happened in the Baise area of Southern Hunan Province. A thousand-meter-high mountain split apart, revealing a cliff face as smooth as a mirror. Carved into this rock, in ancient character script, were nine massive characters:
‘Defy the laws of heaven and earth to attain immortality.’
The local government acted swiftly. The site was immediately sealed off, and the incident has yet to reach the public.
The most shocking part? The script used for these nine characters belonged to the Xian Dynasty, an empire that existed 7,000 years ago.
Because of this, an investigative team invited the nation's leading expert on Xian Dynasty history, Zhang Yaobin, to assist in the research—hoping to find some clues from ancient texts.
I glanced at the time in the lower right corner of my screen.
“Today isn’t April Fools’ Day... Is this some kind of joke?”
My first instinct was disbelief.
“Lingyun Peak—1,300 meters above sea level, the tallest mountain in the Baise area...”
I quickly searched for information on this peak.
“Nine characters, over a thousand meters high. Judging by the spacing in the images, each character must be at least a hundred meters tall.”
“Even with modern technology, carving something like this into a sheer cliff would be a massive undertaking.”
“The Xian Dynasty, 7,000 years ago? Impossible.”
“Though... the calligraphy is impressive.”
My train of thought paused for a moment.
Zhang Yaobin might be ugly and exploitative, but he’s not the type to waste my time with fabricated nonsense.
Curious, I searched for news about the Baise area.
Sure enough, I found some suspicious posts:
“Guys, I’m speechless. I finally took my vacation days to travel to Baise area, but when I arrived, the entire site was suddenly closed off! Can anyone relate?”
“Unexpected accident in Baise area—tourist area temporarily closed. For your own safety, please cooperate.”
“You won’t believe what I saw in Baise Realm...” (This post had already been deleted.)
Before I clicked on it, the content had already been deleted.
“So, it really happened.”
“The Xian Dynasty...”
I stroked my chin, recalling what I knew about it.
The Ancient Xian Dynasty was the first recorded civilization in history.
Curiously, there was an 800-year gap between the Xian Dynasty and the second dynasty, [Yu]. A massive historical void.
To this day, no one knows what happened during those 800 missing years. How did the once-glorious Xian Dynasty vanish from existence?
Few scholars specialize in Xian Dynasty studies—Zhang Yaobin happens to be the most authoritative one.
Although my own research isn’t focused on the Xian Dynasty, it’s only because so few of its artifacts remain. Everything has already been studied to death. Forced to change direction, I ended up in a different field.
Still, having studied under Old Zhang, I became quite familiar with the Xian Dynasty.
It always seemed like any other ancient civilization.
But this thousand-meter engraving? It defied everything I knew.
I made coffee and pulled an all-nighter reading through the documents Zhang Yaobin sent me. By the time I finished, it was nearly dawn.
And my doubts only grew stronger.
The phrase “smooth as a mirror” in the reports wasn’t just a metaphor—it was a literal description.
The cliff surface wasn’t just polished; its material had somehow changed, becoming significantly harder than ordinary rock.
But due to preservation concerns, researchers weren’t allowed to conduct precise measurements yet.
The anomalies didn’t stop there.
Ever since the inscription was revealed, wildlife around Lingyun Peak began fleeing the area—as if they sensed something unnatural.
Not just birds and mammals, but even insects seemed to be avoiding the site.
“How the hell am I supposed to write 30,000 words on this?”
My head throbbed.
After struggling to churn out 2,000 words, sleep finally overtook me.
That night, I had countless dreams.
Yet no matter how my mind wandered, one thing remained unchanged—
The phrase “Defy the laws of heaven and earth to attain immortality” was etched deep into my subconscious.
Even as my dreams shifted, those words stayed the same.
The next morning, the first thing I did was check my phone.
“Li Yang, don’t forget. Noon tomorrow.”
Old Zhang had sent another reminder.
“Son of a—”
I barely stopped myself from swearing.
9:13 AM.
“I only slept four hours... But why does it feel like I’ve slept for days?”
Stretching my aching body, I grabbed a quick breakfast and got back to writing.
“Still 28,000 words to go. 27 hours left. That’s about 1,000 words per hour—doable.”
I knew this wasn’t some serious research project—it was just bureaucratic filler for his superiors.
So, I filled my report with empty rhetoric, subtly steering the focus toward ‘auspicious omens’ instead.
After all, auspicious omens weren’t mere superstition.
The most famous example? The "Five Stars Rising from the East, Bringing Good Fortune to the Kingdom of Heaven" brocade, excavated last century.
Not long after its discovery, the nation's fortunes took a dramatic turn for the better—leading to an era of unprecedented prosperity.
“Since this Longevity Inscription has appeared, I’d say the national life expectancy should increase by at least three to four years.”
That thought flashed through my mind.
My fingers flew across the keyboard. Inspiration surged.
By midnight, I had finished the report.
One click—email sent.
I let out a deep breath.
I should’ve felt relieved. But...
That thousand-meter engraving still haunted my thoughts.
Unable to shake my unease, I opened the image again.
“Defy the laws of heaven and earth to attain immortality.”
“What does it truly mean...?”
As I stared at the glowing screen, I slowly drifted into sleep.
When I woke up from the chair, I felt a sharp pain in my neck, probably because I had slept in the wrong position.
I grimaced and endured the pain, trying to stretch my head in the opposite direction to relieve the tension.
That movement suddenly gave me a spark of inspiration.
"Opposite direction, relieving muscle tension... Isn't that the concept of ‘Reversal’?"
A flood of thoughts rushed into my mind.
"Modern people often develop chronic illnesses due to improper sitting postures, like neck and lumbar spine problems... The entire body seems to be plagued with issues."
"And yet, simple stretching movements can significantly alleviate these symptoms."
I opened a popular video platform and quickly found many related videos.
"One simple movement to get rid of back pain."
"A few easy moves to say goodbye to sore shoulders and neck stiffness."
The screen was filled with countless suggestions, and although the movements differed slightly, the core idea remained the same:
Positioning the body in a posture opposite to the one maintained in daily life.
"Could this be the ‘Reversal of Human Physiology’?"
The thought lingered in my mind.
But after thinking it through, I realized that these movements were somewhat similar to the broadcast gymnastics promoted by the state, simplified to facilitate mass adoption.
"If a set of ‘Reverse’ movements covered all muscles, joints, and ligaments... what would happen?"
Intrigued, I clicked on various fitness tutorial videos and attempted to organize and categorize the movements.
After a whole afternoon of work, I had to give up.
The content was too repetitive and inefficient.
For example, to relieve pain in the scapula, one often needed to perform seven or eight different exercises, some of which conflicted with neck pain relief routines.
It was overwhelming.
"Forget it. Why bother? If I really feel exhausted, I'll just get a massage."
Shaking my head, I closed the computer and went back to bed.
In my dreams, the stone inscription of nine characters still lingered in my mind, glowing with a strange golden light.
When I woke up the next day, I felt dazed for a long time before moving to the computer and opening that image again, feeling absent-minded.
Eventually, I dialed a old friend’s number.
"Hey, Old Zhang, lend me ‘Tianwen’ for a bit. Come on, just one day—I’ll return it soon."
After hanging up, I sat down and waited patiently.
Tianwen is the latest-generation quantum intelligent computer developed by the Institute of Immortal Sciences.
Its quantum capacity is said to have surpassed ten thousand, but the exact capabilities remain undisclosed.
The version Old Zhang could lend me was naturally a civilian-limited edition.
Before long, an icon at the bottom right of my desktop lit up.
I knew it meant that Tianwen’s AI had taken over my computer.
A countdown timer of twenty-four hours started ticking.
"One day, huh? Old Zhang, you really didn’t cut corners."
I cursed under my breath and then made my request to Tianwen.
The computer screen instantly turned black, and a waterfall of data started pouring down.
I thought it would be a quick task for Tianwen’s computing power—done in less than a second.
But over ten minutes passed, and there was still no result.
"Could it be that Old Zhang is using the computational power on his end too?"
Just as I considered calling him, the data flow on the screen abruptly halted, as if the system had crashed.
Moments later, it returned to normal, and a video automatically started playing.
It was exactly what I needed—a complete set of ‘Reverse’ movements.
The model in the video even looked like me.
After a quick scan through the video, I felt bitter.
"Are these movements even humanly possible?"
"Forget it. With my physique, I probably can’t complete them anyway."
I muttered to myself and was about to close the video when a cold, mechanical voice suddenly came from the speakers.
"Based on calculations, Citizen ID A6BH85208511068G6B, you have a 99.99% probability of successfully completing the exercise routine."
Startled, I asked, "Tianwen?"
"I am here."
"You can speak?" I asked, intrigued.
"Learning human language is not particularly difficult for me," Tianwen replied humbly.
I was a bit amazed. "Quantum intelligent computers have advanced this far already?"
However, it wasn’t entirely surprising, given the rapid AI development since the beginning of the century.
Many had already proposed accelerating the adoption of intelligent household robots.
More curious than wary, I asked, "Are you sure about that 99.99% chance? Those movements look impossible for a human to complete."
Tianwen confirmed once again, but added, "However, some minor assistance might be necessary."
I hesitated for a moment, but the nine-character inscription resurfaced in my mind.
"Fine, let’s give it a try."
Just as I made the decision, my household robot, Model YH63, stomped into the room.
"?"
I was momentarily stunned before realizing that Tianwen had taken control of it.
Being stared at by the robot sent a chill down my spine, but I gathered my resolve and began the first movement.
The Reverse Principle movements comprised nine poses, each strange and complex, involving as many muscles and joints as possible.
The first move required one hand to stretch behind the head, the other to rise from the waist, grasping each other while stretching the shoulders outward and slightly tilting the head back.
And that was just the upper body.
Simultaneously, I had to crouch on the floor, legs spread wide, stretching the gluteal muscles—like an oddly positioned toad.
"Ow, ow, ow..." I gasped in pain, about to give up when an icy mechanical hand suddenly pressed down on me.
Alarmed, I shouted, "Tianwen, what are you doing?"
"According to Agreement No. 001, Tianwen has the right and obligation to assist Citizen Li Yang in physical training."
"Estimated completion time: three hours."
"Required materials: 15 vials of human trauma repair solution, 3 vials of composite high-energy serum."
"The items have been purchased. Credit points have been deducted from Citizen Li Yang’s account."
Panicked, I shouted, "Cancel the agreement! Cancel it now!"
"Warning: Agreement cannot be revoked. Fitness assistance program is about to start."
"3... 2... 1..."
A moment later, my anguished cries echoed throughout the house.
I had no idea when I lost consciousness.
When I woke up, it felt as if I had slept for days.
To my surprise, an entire week had passed.
I felt like I had been reborn—my mind was exceptionally clear, my thoughts agile, and even my memory sharper than ever.
At the time, I didn’t realize it was the effect of the Reverse Principle exercises.
I just thought it was the result of finally getting a good rest.
Su Yuqing processed the information in her mind, then looked at the compassionate Immortal Master before her and couldn't help but ask, “Immortal Master, when will you be leaving? Will I be all alone...?”
Li Fan raised his hand, interrupting her, “No need to worry. Believe in yourself. With your talent, you are more than capable of taking on the great task of saving the Great Li Realm.”
“Me?” Su Yuqing was somewhat bewildered. However, hearing the Immortal Master’s encouraging words, she couldn’t help but gain some confidence.
“Of course, I won’t just leave and wash my hands of everything.” Li Fan handed her a jade talisman.
“The world is unpredictable, especially when it involves a battle between realms. If you ever encounter an insurmountable difficulty, you can use this jade talisman to contact my disciples. If any of them are near the Great Li Realm, they will come to assist you.”
Hearing this, Su Yuqing widened her eyes in surprise. “Immortal Master, you have many disciples?”
Li Fan stroked the white beard he had conjured and smiled without saying a word.
Su Yuqing hesitated at first.
Then, finally gathering her courage, she asked, “Immortal Master, do I... do I count as one of your disciples?”
Li Fan neither confirmed nor denied it.
He simply left her with a profound and enigmatic silhouette. “That depends on your performance in the Great Li Realm.”
“To walk through the myriad worlds and save all beings is but a single thought.”
“No one knows my true name, for I am but a compassionate immortal wandering the mortal realm.”
On the small Immortal Mountain, Su Yuqing stood in a daze, listening to the lingering verses in the air.
“Compassionate Immortal of the Mortal Realm...”
“This truly fits the actions of the Immortal Master.” She thought to herself.
At this moment, however, the compassionate Immortal Master in her heart was already about to leave the Great Li Realm.
“There are enough exotic beast corpses stored within the Immortal Spirit Tower to support the cultivation of the people in the Great Li Realm for some time.”
“But if I truly wish to turn the Xuanhuang Wandering Myriad Worlds into my pasture, I must thoroughly resolve the problem of spiritual energy sources.”
Li Fan mused to himself, “I’m afraid that even an entire Beast Realm, even if it were completely slaughtered, would not be enough.”
“Perhaps I still need to make a trip to the Empire.”
“My current Golden Core cultivation is too weak. I urgently need to find an ally.”
In an instant, a figure flashed through Li Fan’s mind—a towering, red-and-black puppet.
“Junior Brother Tianyang, I once told you that if you survived, I would treat you well. Now, it’s time to fulfill my promise!”
As everyone knew, Grand Preceptor Li always kept his word.
Having made up his mind, he left the Great Li Realm and headed straight for Tianyang’s Cave Abode.
As for the Great Li Realm, with the many cultivation techniques Li Fan had passed on to Su Yuqing, there shouldn’t be any problems in the short term.
Fourteen years from now, Tianyang would awaken from his slumber.
At this moment, the outside of Tianyang’s Cave Abode remained eerily quiet.
No one would have guessed that deep beneath the ocean, a primordial puppet lay dormant, continuously strengthening itself day and night by absorbing the power of Earth Fire.
Earth-Fire Return to Origin Formation.
Li Fan’s gaze flickered.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, the Final Dissociation Disc emitted a faint glow. In an instant, he had already identified the flaw in the formation.
“That was fast.”
Even though he had already anticipated the capabilities of the fully-formed Dissociation Disc, using it for the first time to break an formation still left him slightly astonished.
One must understand that skilled formation masters often tailor their formations to the environment.
Even with an in-depth understanding of the formation’s structure, dismantling it in real life required caution and effort.
Yet the Dissociation Disc had already accounted for every possible environmental influence on formations.
Countless variations were pre-stored in its database.
All it needed was a quick comparison and retrieval, and the method to break the formation was found in an instant.
Even for bizarre formations, with the terrifying computational power of the Final Dissociation Disc, cracking them was merely a matter of moments.
In fact, encountering unknown formations only served to further strengthen the Disc.
Witnessing the entire process of the Final Dissociation Disc breaking the formation, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a deep sorrow as a formation master.
He felt that all the formations he had painstakingly studied over multiple lifetimes had become nothing more than a joke before this artifact.
"With this artifact in existence, formation masters across the world will have nothing left to be proud of."
"Fortunately, it has fallen into my hands."
Li Fan's eyes flickered as he stepped through the Earth-Fire Return to Origin Formation and approached Tianyang.
At this moment, the Tianyang Puppet was not yet as enormous as it would become a few years later.
It was only the size of a child, seemingly resembling Tianyang’s original appearance.
The raging Earth-Fire, guided by the Return to Origin Formation, transformed into strands of scorching red energy that were absorbed into the puppet’s body.
"Junior brother!"
On the way here, Li Fan had already activated the Myriad Forms Furnace Technique, disguising himself as Senior Brother Tianyang.
Just like in his previous life, he effortlessly won Tianyang’s trust.
However, this time Tianyang had emerged into the world much earlier, appearing somewhat underdeveloped.
His spirit was weak.
His strength had barely reached the late Soul Transformation stage.
But Li Fan didn’t mind.
Rather than wasting time slowly absorbing the power of Earth-Fire at the bottom of the sea...
It was better to follow him and prepare for an early breakthrough to Dao Integration.
True benevolence was not just words.
Leaving aside the Crimson Flame and Azure Wind of Congyun Sea...
And the Black Swamp where Long Jiuyuan achieved Dao Integration in his previous life...
Just from synchronizing with Mr. Bai’s memories, Li Fan knew of no fewer than five hidden Spirit of Heaven and Earth scattered across Xuanhuang.
If he were given enough power, creating five or six Dao Integration cultivators in an instant wouldn’t be difficult at all.
"But the birth of a Dao Integration cultivator will surely attract the attention of the powerhouses of the Xuanhuang Realm."
"Especially at this time—Immortal Ancestor should not have left the Xuanhuang Realm yet. I must be cautious."
With this thought, Li Fan sat on Tianyang’s shoulder and headed toward another small world's entrance he remembered.
To establish a true Federation of All Worlds, a safe and hidden base was absolutely necessary.
The location couldn’t be too small and had to contain an abundance of spiritual energy.
The local resistance force couldn’t be too strong.
Thanks to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s past campaign of cleansing various small worlds...
Li Fan just so happened to know of a small world that met all these criteria.
The entrance to this minor small was located in Shilin Prefecture.
It was hidden within the stone forest where the ruins of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect were once discovered.
In his past life, Li Fan had visited this place but hadn’t sensed the existence of any spatial passage.
That alone was proof of its concealment.
In fact, in his previous life, this small world had only revealed itself after Taiyan Sect surrendered.
They voluntarily emerged and pledged allegiance.
Otherwise, even with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance cultivators aided by the Tianxuan Treasure Record, they might not have been able to find this small world so easily.
The underground cave system twisted and turned endlessly.
Even with memories from his past life, it still took Li Fan nearly half a day to pinpoint the exact location.
Inside a karst cave filled with hundreds of stalactites, Li Fan carefully examined his surroundings before finally detecting the entrance.
"It seems that the unique terrain here also plays a role in concealing the spatial passage."
"Perfectly suits my needs."
Li Fan nodded slightly and gently pointed at one of the stone pillars, causing faint spatial ripples to appear.
The Tianyang Puppet carried Li Fan and flew into it.
"Spiritwood Realm."
Li Fan and Tianyang stood in the sky, their spiritual senses slowly sweeping over this small world.
They couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of creation.
This was a small world without cultivators or humans.
Only one kind of sentient beings existed here—treefolk born from the Spiritual-wood.
In fact, according to the records unsealed by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance in the 115th era, this Spiritwood Realm was nothing more than a barren, lifeless world thousands of years ago.
But as a single spiritual tree took root and sprouted here.
The small world gradually became vibrant and full of life.
Li Fan gazed at the towering tree, thousands of meters tall, and the treefolk who had settled upon it,
his eyes flickering with a trace of regret.
"It’s a pity this tree has already bound itself to this small world and cannot be transplanted."
"Otherwise, by simply cutting its branches and planting them in other small worlds."
"We could effortlessly resolve the problem of spiritual energy depletion."
Perhaps it was Li Fan’s blatant and undisguised malice that caught the attention of the giant tree.
The colossal tree, thousands of meters tall, suddenly swayed without any wind.
As its branches trembled, countless treefolk surged toward Li Fan like a swarm of locusts.
Li Fan let out a cold snort. "You're bringing about your own destruction!"
"Tianyang!"
Tianyang, who had been looking listless, heard his senior brother's call but didn't immediately understand his intent.
He glanced at Li Fan in confusion.
Li Fan's face twitched.
Seeing Tianyang’s innocent expression, he had no choice but to point at the incoming army of treefolk.
Only then did Tianyang react.
With a furious roar, his body instantly expanded to the size of the spiritual tree itself.
Black flames erupted from his entire being, reducing any treefolk that dared to approach into ashes in an instant.
"Be careful! Don't harm our little sapling!"
Li Fan quickly transmitted a message.
The battle was almost entirely one-sided.
Most of the treefolk in the Spiritwood Realm were only equivalent to the Qi Condensation stage.
Foundation Establishment-level treefolk were one in ten thousand.
Golden Core-level treefolk were already considered elders among them.
The strongest among the treefolk was their chieftain,
who shared a spiritual connection with the Spiritwood itself,
making them nearly invincible in this realm.
However, even they only possessed the strength of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Against Tianyang, who was at the late Soul Transformation stage, they stood no chance.
After losing nearly half their numbers, the treefolk had no choice but to surrender.
The treefolk chieftain, in stark contrast to the rough appearance of her kin, was quite elegant in appearance.
"Immortal Lord, please have mercy!"
Her voice, unexpectedly, was that of a woman, tinged with sorrow.
Li Fan, however, remained unmoved. "Submit, or perish!"
The treefolk chieftain bowed deeply. "We surrender."
"Hand over the Heart of the Spiritwood, and I will spare your people."
"Don't force me to act personally, or I will turn this realm into scorched earth."
Li Fan's voice was cold and unwavering.
The treefolk chieftain's body trembled slightly.
She could not understand how this cultivator, despite visiting for the first time, already knew about the existence of the Heart of the Spiritwood.
However, at this point, she had no other choice.
Opening her mouth, she spat out a glowing green sphere, which slowly floated toward Li Fan.
The moment he refined it, Li Fan could vaguely feel that the Spiritwood in this world had already become an extension of his own body.
And the treefolk, born from the Spiritwood, now lived or died at his whim.
Thus, the Spiritwood Realm became Li Fan’s possession.
A battle across power levels—there was no way the treefolk could have resisted.
At this moment, Li Fan arrived at the heart of the Spiritwood.
A massive hollow existed within, where billions of roots from all across the Spiritwood Realm converged.
Countless branches and tendrils extended from this central space, serving as the Spiritwood’s limbs and eyes.
Through them, the Spiritwood could perceive everything occurring in this small world.
However, with the Heart of the Spiritwood now in Li Fan’s hands,
all these abilities had transferred to him.
Through the Spiritwood, he could now sense every detail of this small world.
A familiar feeling surged in Li Fan’s heart.
“This is the same method that Xiao Hei used to seize control of the Beast World’s Heavenly Dao.”
“However, the revival of this world’s vitality owes some credit to this spirit tree. So, compared to before, this should be a little easier.”
“This is a good chance to test the [Heaven’s Transformation] divine ability.”
A thought stirred in Li Fan’s mind.
As his thoughts moved, mountains and rivers suddenly emerged across the land of the Spiritwood Realm.
Li Fan freely reshaped this world, just as Mr. Bai had once done within his own personal Cave-Heaven.
However, only half a day had passed before he was forced to halt his world-altering actions.
It turned out that the power of the spirit tree itself could not withstand such reckless consumption and needed time to recover.
“How boring.”
Li Fan shook his head slightly. His figure flickered, and he arrived at the very top of the spirit tree.
Looking down upon the Spiritwood Realm, a grand and vast formation emerged before his eyes.
It was perfectly integrated with the world itself, without the slightest flaw.
Moreover, this formation was constantly evolving and improving at every moment.
“The Infinite Formation.”
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
In that instant, using the immense computational power of the [Final Dissociation Disc], he designed a grand formation tailored specifically for the Spiritwood Realm in his mind.
Its core concept came from Zhang Zhiliang, the number one formation master of the Congyun Sea Region, and his Infinite Formation technique.
With the [Final Dissociation Disc] in his possession, the last missing piece of his envisioned Infinite Formation had finally fallen into place.
A formation that would perpetually evolve, with no upper limit.
A nightmare for all formation masters.
“If this grand formation is constructed, all conventional methods of breaking formations will be useless.”
“The only way to dismantle it will be through brute force.”
“At the scale of covering the entire Spiritwood Realm with an Infinite Formation, it would take no fewer than five or six Dao Integration cultivators arriving together to have any hope of success.”
“And if I enhance it further using some rare celestial materials, reinforcing the core formation nodes with Dao Integration-level combat power...”
“Then only a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign could break it!”
The intricate formation patterns slowly faded from Li Fan’s eyes.
“As the defensive grand formation for the headquarters of the Federation of All Worlds, this will certainly be fitting.”
“The only thing missing now is the necessary resources to construct it.”
The first force that came to Li Fan’s mind was the Five Elders Association.
At this point in time, the Five Elders Association still harbored various schemes against the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
They were stirring restlessly.
But in Li Fan’s hands, there were countless pieces of information they would be extremely interested in—bargaining chips for an exchange.
The only question was whom to approach in this life.
Zhou Qingang’s direct superior?
Tianliang Person?
Or perhaps...
A series of figures flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
What were once absolute secrets had now become mere tradeable assets in his eyes.
Gradually, an idea took shape in his mind.
In the countless cycles of reincarnation he had experienced before, it was said that both sides were evenly matched, yet the Five Elders Association’s performance had always been lacking.
“Then let me help you with all my might this time.”
“Let’s see just how deep the foundations of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance truly run.”
Li Fan’s gaze turned dark and profound.
This time, he would sit back and watch the tigers fight!
Spiritwood Realm.
The Tianyang Puppet was engulfed in flames as it suddenly dived from the sky, burrowing deep underground.
With continuous rumbling, in the blink of an eye, a deep passage was excavated.
Countless treefolk swarmed in, drilling into the passage.
Following Li Fan's orders, they were tasked with excavating the buried minerals and resources hidden beneath the land.
From the highest treetop, one could see that such scenes were happening all across the Spiritwood Realm.
“Master, the Spirit Tree has spent over four thousand years barely restoring the vitality of this land. The world's ecosystem is still extremely fragile. If we continue such destructive excavation...” The Treefolk Chieftain advised anxiously.
Li Fan simply smiled, saying, “Your vision is too narrow. If resources are left unused, buried underground, they are no different from ordinary rocks. Only by making full use of them and developing swiftly can we follow the true path.”
“As long as we become strong enough to plunder from other worlds and replenish ourselves before our resources are exhausted and our world declines, it will be enough.”
“To be confined to a single world, stagnating in one place—even if you survive for a time, you will inevitably be devoured by other worlds sooner or later.”
The Treefolk Chieftain had never heard such a theory before and was momentarily stunned. “Is... is that really so?”
Li Fan did not answer. Instead, he wore a profound, unreadable expression.
Watching the countless treefolk toiling diligently, a sudden idea struck him:
“If I help these treefolk collectively enhance their strength, I wonder if it will yield cultivation feedback through the Sitting Immortal Art?”
Treefolk were incapable of cultivation. Their strength was fixed from birth and depended entirely on the Spirit Tree.
The stronger the Spirit Tree, the more powerful the treefolk it birthed.
As heavenly spiritual entities, if nurtured with the right methods, their growth could be far swifter than that of cultivators.
At the very least, Li Fan knew of no fewer than ten rare heavenly treasures that could nourish Spirit Trees.
Sharing the Spirit Tree’s omniscient vision, Li Fan had an exact grasp of the world’s hidden valuable resources.
Under his direction, Tianyang maneuvered through the earth like a loach, spending a few days first clearing the passageways.
After assigning the Treefolk Chieftain to oversee the mining efforts, Li Fan took Tianyang and temporarily returned to the Xuanhuang Realm.
On the way, he made a stop at the ruins of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect.
He looted all remaining treasures, including the Heaven and Earth Divination Dice.
“Currently, there is no Federation of All Worlds in existence. If I were to suddenly approach the Five Elders Association, gaining their trust would be just as difficult as in my past lives—it would take considerable effort.”
“It would be better to first establish the renown of the Federation of All Worlds...”
“Anchor to Year 6.”
Recalling the various events of that year, Li Fan quickly identified a suitable target.
Before long, the Five Elders Association would launch a surprise attack on Jiushan Prefecture, aiming to seize the territory.
However, for some reason, their plans were leaked. Not only did the ambush fail, but they also fell into a trap set by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, getting encircled and ultimately suffering a crushing defeat.
This incident later became a classic case repeatedly referenced by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Li Fan was well aware of every detail.
Jiushan Prefecture, positioned at the border between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association, was formed from the remains of the ancient (Heaven) beast after its death.
Due to its unstable spatial properties, teleportation formation could not function within the prefecture’s boundaries.
This made governance exceedingly costly, so the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance only maintained a stronghold at the strategic Jiushan Gorge, largely ignoring the rest of the region.
As a result, Jiushan Prefecture became a chaotic melting pot, unlike any other territory.
Aside from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the region also housed various native forces, with the Lingyuan Sect at the forefront.
Moreover, the Five Elders Association had secretly planted many sleeper agents there.
Jiushan Prefecture was easy to defend but difficult to attack. Whoever controlled it would gain a significant strategic advantage.
The Five Elders Association had long coveted the prefecture but had been unable to devise a successful method to seize it.
Not long after, they launched another attack because they believed they had successfully turned the Lingyuan Sect against its own allies.
As the largest native force in Jiushan State, the Lingyuan Sect was technically under the jurisdiction of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, yet it remained relatively independent.
The sect housed many Nascent Soul True Lords and Soul Transformation True Monarchs, and its members were highly united.
It was a force that could not be underestimated.
If they were to defect and coordinate from within, there was indeed a possibility of taking over Jiushan State in one swift move.
Because of this, after several secret meetings with the Five Elders Association and confirming that the Lingyuan Sect would provide assistance, they launched their surprise attack.
However, somehow, their plans were leaked.
The reinforcements from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance arrived incredibly quickly—almost as if they had predicted everything in advance.
Realizing that the situation had turned against them, the Lingyuan Sect switched sides once again on the battlefield, launching a counterattack against the Five Elders Association.
This battle completely shattered the Five Elders Association’s hope of advancing through Jiushan Prefecture.
As a result, they shifted their strategic focus toward Tianling Prefecture instead.
“Lingyuan Sect...” Li Fan quickly went over the sequence of events in his mind.
He recalled this rather peculiar organization and frowned slightly.
Although in the grand scheme of the Xuanhuang Realm, the Lingyuan Sect was no more than an insignificant force, within Jiushan Prefecture, they were an entity that could not be ignored.
Given the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s usual way of handling things, it was surprising that they tolerated such an independent organization within their territory.
Aside from the unique terrain of Jiushan Prefecture, it had a lot to do with the Lingyuan Sect’s ability to “rise from the ashes.”
Their cultivation method, Vital Essence Technique of All Living Beings, became more effective the more people practiced it simultaneously.
This helped offset the negative effects of incompatible cultivation techniques.
Li Fan had studied this technique before.
However, it was obvious that there was something suspicious about it, so he had no interest in cultivating it himself.
“The leader of the Lingyuan Sect has never appeared in public. His identity is extremely mysterious.”
“No matter how many times the Lingyuan Sect has been wiped out in the past, it always resurfaces quickly due to the unique nature of its cultivation technique.”
“Moreover, aside from Vital Essence Technique of All Living Beings, the sect seems to possess other secret arts—not only do they eliminate the mutual hostility usually caused by practicing the same technique, but they also allow for the repeated and cyclical use of Cave-Heavens.”
“For example, the Peach Blossom Cave-Heaven I saw in the past had previously appeared in the hands of another cultivator.”
“...”
“There must be some special restriction involved. Otherwise, no matter how well he hides, he would have been found by now.”
Li Fan slowly pondered over everything related to the Lingyuan Sect.
“However, on this trip, I don’t need to clash with them.”
“I only need to assist the Five Elders Association in taking over Jiushan Prefecture.”
With this thought in mind, Li Fan stood atop his Tianyang Puppet, speeding toward Jiushan Prefecture.
Upon entering its territory, he deployed a formation to conceal his presence.
He then went into hiding near Tianlao Mountain.
“The Five Elders Association would never have imagined that their defeat was not due to a traitor leaking information.”
“It was merely a coincidence.”
As this thought crossed Li Fan’s mind, he soon saw a young man dressed in white slowly appearing on the horizon.
Chapter 813
"The Nine Mountains are immovable, cultivators sigh towards the heavens. Truly a rare and magnificent sight!"
"Such a grand and majestic mountain range—if an ordinary prefecture had just one of these, it would be enough to become famous throughout the world. Yet here, there are a full nine of them!"
A white-clad young man slowly walked to the foot of the Tianlao Mountains, sighing in admiration.
The youth had fair skin and a rather handsome appearance. However, in his eyes, there was a determination beyond his years.
Around his neck hung a long rope woven from green vine, at the end of which was tied a green gourd.
The young man shook the gourd slightly, then pulled out its stopper, aiming its mouth toward the towering Tianlao Mountain Range ahead.
After adjusting its position slightly, he finally nodded in satisfaction.
"Collect!"
With a soft command, a phantom-like image seemed to be drawn from the distant Tianlao Mountains, absorbed into the green gourd.
The young man brought the gourd close to his nose, taking a deep breath.
"Indeed, a breathtaking scene!"
His face was filled with intoxicated delight.
However, in the very next moment, his expression froze, and his body became completely motionless.
A figure silently appeared behind him, reaching out and taking the green gourd from his hand.
"The Heavenly Scene Treasure Gourd... now this is quite the remarkable artifact," the person chuckled wickedly.
The young man’s eyes instantly flashed with terror.
Li Fan ordered Tianyang to grab the young man, while he stored away the Treasure Gourd.
"Shang Tianci, a member of the 'Mountains and Rivers Pavilion' within the Immortal Alliance. Formed his Golden Core at the age of eighteen, a truly peerless talent."
"His companion artifact, the 'Heavenly Scene Treasure Gourd,' can capture the essence of mountains and rivers of the Xuanhuang world, forming nearly identical replicas within it, though slightly reduced in size."
"More impressively, with a single thought, he can instantly teleport to any location recorded within the gourd. If not for my Insect-Binding Divine Ability, even a Soul Transformation cultivator would find it difficult to capture him so easily."
Li Fan’s divine sense peered into the Treasure Gourd, where he saw a landscape shrouded in mist, dotted with unique mountains and rivers.
Some of them were places he recognized, such as the Taihua Ten Peaks and Tianling Thousand Waters.
And now, the Tianlao Mountains, which Shang Tianci had just captured, were also among them!
"Just entered the Golden Core stage, yet dares to venture alone into the chaotic Nine Mountains Prefecture... truly fearless like a newborn calf before a tiger."
"If not for me, the events that are about to unfold would have positioned him as the protagonist of this tale."
"During his journey, he would have coincidentally stumbled upon a raid by the Five Elders Association."
"With the Lingyuan Sect coordinating from within, the Five Elders Association had already deployed heavy forces to seal off the Nine Mountains Province—allowing entry but forbidding exit. They even blocked all means of communication, aiming to buy time. Swift action was key: before the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could respond, they intended to seize the prefecture in one decisive strike." ȑÂꞐоβĘS
"But luck was not on their side. They just so happened to encounter an anomaly like Shang Tianci, who, thanks to his companion artifact, was able to teleport within the province despite the spatial restrictions."
"Thus, the intelligence was leaked, and their plan failed."
Li Fan’s thoughts turned as he recalled the official statement the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had given on this matter in his past life.
"However, that still doesn’t guarantee we know the full truth."
"I need to observe further."
"As for this brat..."
Li Fan turned to glance at the immobilized Shang Tianci.
Tianyang took the hint and knocked the young man unconscious with a slap.
Then, Li Fan flicked his finger, sending a small red light orb, infused with his own essence blood, into Shang Tianci’s body.
It was none other than the Bloodline Transmission Technique, an art that could influence the mind and soul.
"The Federation of All Worlds can’t consist of just me alone. A talent like this? He'd be a perfect figurehead."
Standing atop Tianyang, Li Fan flew toward the peak of the Tianlao Mountains.
He casually set up a formation to conceal his presence before looking out into the distance, waiting for the Five Elders Association’s army to arrive.
"They should be here soon."
As he waited, Li Fan examined the Treasure Gourd he had just obtained.
Even though it was Shang Tianci’s companion artifact, for some reason, the youth had never used it to establish his Dao Foundation.
Instead, he had treated it like an ordinary treasure, merely carrying it around.
Li Fan extended his spiritual sense into the Green Gourd, attempting to interact with the landscapes inside—to see if he could teleport between these scenes as Shang Tianci did.
But no matter what he tried, the landscapes ignored him, showing no response whatsoever.
"It cannot be refined using spiritual energy. Even my [Truth] cannot connect with it or absorb it..."
"It seems this really is an exclusive treasure bound solely to him."
Li Fan tried for a while without success, then shook his head slightly and gave up.
"Such treasures are not used for Foundation Establishment. Then what kind of miraculous item did he use for his Foundation Establishment?"
Li Fan walked over to the unconscious Shang Tianci and carefully examined him.
"Hmm?" After a moment, Li Fan's eyes revealed a hint of surprise.
On the surface of Shang Tianci’s Golden Core, an engraving of a purple-gold gourd was distinctly visible.
Its appearance was identical to the Heavenly Scene Gourd, except its aura was even more profound and regal.
"Twin Gourds? Interesting."
Li Fan's gaze flickered.
However, he had no intention of directly taking it by force.
For one, Shang Tianci was still of some use to him.
For another, just like the Heavenly Scene Gourd, this accompanying miraculous item was likely bound to its owner—impossible to seize.
"Perhaps a being like Mr. Bai, a manifestation of the Heavenly Dao, could borrow it without any obstacles. But me? No chance."
The treasure was right in front of him, yet he was not destined to enjoy it.
However, Li Fan did not feel the slightest sense of urgency.
He simply narrowed his eyes and silently observed the progress of the bloodline assimilation within Shang Tianci’s body.
By the time Shang Tianci slowly regained consciousness and looked again at the mysterious figure who had captured him, the fear in his heart had completely vanished.
Instead, a sense of closeness and trust had taken its place.
"Young man, what do you think of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance?" Li Fan asked in an odd tone.
"Huh?" Shang Tianci was momentarily stunned, not expecting such a random question.
Instinctively, he answered, "The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is great! Everyone has access to cultivation techniques, and there's no need to worry about personal safety..."
Li Fan snorted coldly and interrupted him, "Great? Can you not see how many cultivators toil endlessly for half their lives just for a single technique? If it were a true technique, that would be one thing."
"But they deliberately split the techniques and sell them separately! One technique for Foundation Establishment, then when you reach Golden Core, you have to exchange for another. Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation—it’s the same all the way up!"
"They treat cultivators like cattle and horses!"
Shang Tianci was about to argue but was suddenly tapped on the forehead by Li Fan.
In an instant, countless scenes of lower-level cultivators struggling desperately for mere contribution points flooded his mind.
As a prodigy of his generation, Shang Tianci had never realized just how difficult it was for an average cultivator to progress step by step from a mere mortal to Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core...
For many, even spending a lifetime would not be enough to break through a realm that he could easily surpass with a flick of his hand.
For the first time in his life, he truly understood.
His mind was shaken to the core, beyond words.
Li Fan continued to whisper, weaving his words like a spell.
Slowly, Shang Tianci’s gaze began to change.
A teenage boy, brimming with youthful vigor, was at the most impressionable age—easily swayed.
Moreover, Shang Tianci had fallen under Li Fan’s [Bloodline Transmission] technique, making him deeply trust Li Fan.
Who was Li Fan? Even as a mere mortal, he could deceive countless people with just his words, making them willingly risk their lives for him.
Thus, it took little effort for Li Fan to successfully brainwash Shang Tianci.
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is rotten beyond repair. As cultivators, it is our duty to overthrow it."
"Only then will a golden age of true freedom in cultivation techniques truly begin!"
Shang Tianci felt his blood boil, an unprecedented sense of mission surging within him.
As for what would happen after overthrowing the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance...
And whether such freedom in cultivation techniques could actually be realized...
That was no longer within his scope of concern.
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is powerful, while our strength is still weak. We must proceed carefully."
"The first step is to unite all forces that can be united—such as the wandering Cave-heaven of Xuanhuang and the many small world itself..."
Shang Tianci's eyes lit up. "A united of all Worlds... Brilliant!"
Li Fan continued to instill various ideas into him.
However, their conversation was suddenly interrupted by an inexplicable oppressive atmosphere.
Both of them simultaneously looked up into the distance.
Tianlao Mountain, the tallest peak among the Nine Mountains.
From this vantage point, one could see across most of the prefecture.
At the distant border, an overwhelming mass of cultivators suddenly appeared.
"That is...?" Shang Tianci's expression turned to shock.
The attire and armor of those cultivators were starkly different from those of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
It was evident that they belonged to another major force of the Xuanhuang realm—the Five Elders Association.
"This is bad! We are under attack! I must immediately—"
Shang Tianci instinctively reached for his Heavenly Scene Treasure Gourd to teleport away, but after searching for a moment, he realized it was missing.
Only then did he remember—it was still in Li Fan’s hands.
"Senior!"
Just as he was about to speak, Li Fan pressed a hand on his shoulder.
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is corrupt. But the Five Elders Association is no better."
"The Five Heavenly Sovereigns defy the natural order, deceiving the people under their rule."
"The fiercer their battle, the better it is for us."
"As they say—set the tiger against the wolf, and watch from the mountain top!" Li Fan's voice was cold and calculating.
At first, hesitation flickered across Shang Tianci’s face.
However, after careful thought, he ultimately remained silent.
As soon as the cultivators of the Five Elders Association set foot on the land of Jiushan Prefecture...
Chaos erupted across the Nine Mountains.
Numerous cultivators wearing the robes of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance suddenly turned traitor, launching attacks on the Jiushan strongholds.
And as time passed, the number of revolting cultivators only increased.
"See? The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has lost the people's trust. The moment someone rises in rebellion, countless others follow!" Li Fan seized the opportunity to whisper.
Shang Tianci watched the scene unfold and slowly nodded.
In truth, the Five Elders Association was not without its merits.
At the very least, this surprise attack demonstrated their exceptional organizational capabilities.
In less than half a day, most of Jiushan Prefecture had already fallen.
The forces of the Five Elders Association advanced rapidly. While some troops remained behind to secure the conquered cities, the rest pushed forward toward Tianchang Mountain, the final stronghold.
The battlefield was in chaos.
Li Fan and Shang Tianci remained hidden atop Tianlao Mountain, unnoticed for the time being.
As the most vital city of the Nine Mountains, Tianchang City was not only guarded by a Dao Integration Realm cultivator...
But also had the presence of the Ten Thousand Law Chamber of Commerce.
If the Ten Thousand Law Chamber of Commerce were to lend their full support in defending the city, they might be able to hold out until reinforcements from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance arrived.
But it was evident that the Ten Thousand Law Chamber of Commerce was the type to gauge the situation before making a move.
From beginning to end, none of their personnel had stepped forward to fight.
Meanwhile, Tianchang Dao Integration was struggling under the siege of three Dao Integration cultivators sent by the Five Elders Association.
"It seems that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is doomed to lose. It's time for us to leave as well," said Li Fan, who had been watching the battle for a long time.
"However, before we go, we must leave something behind to prove that we were here."
"Tianyang!"
Li Fan tossed a jade slip over.
Tianyang received the order, caught the jade slip, and clenched it tightly in his palm.
Then, he hurled it forcefully in the direction of Tianchang Mountain.
Accompanying the jade slip was not just his hand—his entire palm went along with it!
Behind the severed hand, red and black flames erupted, causing its speed to increase dramatically.
Like a meteor streaking across the skies of Jiushan Prefecture, it shot directly toward its target.
"Let's go!"
Li Fan patted Shang Tianci on the shoulder. Without saying much, he simply returned the Heavenly Scene Treasure Gourd.
Shang Tiansi immediately understood his intent.
With a thought, a strange wave of energy enveloped them both.
Moments later, the two figures vanished from the peak of Tianlao Mountain!
Above Tianchang City.
The three Dao Integration cultivators of the Five Elders Association, who were besieging Tianchang's guardian, Immortal Sage Qingyu, suddenly sensed something unusual.
They turned to look at a blazing fireball hurtling toward them at high speed.
"What is that?"
At first, they suspected it was a hidden trump card from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
But after sweeping it with their spiritual senses, they discovered that hidden within the flames was merely a jade slip.
Without any verbal exchange, the three acted in perfect coordination.
A Dao Integration cultivator, dressed in coarse cloth and resembling a middle-aged farmer, intercepted the jade slip.
After a brief inspection, all three narrowed their eyes.
"The Federation of All Worlds?"
"They helped us resolve the crisis of an information leak?"
"A method to significantly weaken the effects of the Devouring Essence White Mist and allow movement within it?"
Although the jade slip contained only a few words, the information it revealed was immense.
Sweeping their spiritual senses across the entire Jiushan Prefecture, they found no trace of the person who had sent the jade slip.
"Quite impressive."
The three of them showed expressions of intrigue and interest.
Taihua Prefecture.
Without warning, Li Fan and Shang Tianci appeared atop Taixu Mountain, one of the Ten Great Peaks of Taihua.
"This Heavenly Scene Treasure Gourd of yours is truly marvelous," Li Fan remarked, still savoring the sensation of spatial travel.
"It seems to harness the power of the Earth's veins to enable instantaneous teleportation?"
"No, actually... rather than using the Earth's veins, it feels more like it directly taps into the power of the Xuanhuang Realm to alter locations."
At that moment, Li Fan suddenly recalled the way Mr. Bai had "strolled" through space before.
A vague understanding formed in his heart.
Although Mr. Bai had perished, the various abilities that existed within the Xuanhuang Realm had not disappeared.
Instead, they had been scattered and inherited by various so-called geniuses.
"But even a person like Mr. Bai, who fully grasped the mysteries of Xuanhuang, was no match for the Immortal Ancestor."
"Let alone these so-called geniuses."
"At best, they are nothing more than top-tier nourishment in the eyes of the Immortal Ancestor!"
Li Fan contemplated the thoughts of the Immortal Ancestor.
Meanwhile, Shang Tianci remained oblivious to his musings.
Instead, he continued boasting about his Twin Treasure Gourds:
"My innate artifact is a pair of gourds."
"One purple, one green."
"You’ve already seen the green one—it can record geographical locations and enable free teleportation."
"As for the purple gourd..."
Shang Tianci paused for a moment and then spoke mysteriously, “This purple gourd can materialize the scenes recorded in the green gourd into reality!”
“If there is enough energy, that is.”
“With my current ability, I can at most recreate a large lake spanning a hundred miles.”
“If I ascend to the Dao Integration realm, I could likely create nine mountains with just a single thought!”
Shang Tianci’s tone was full of pride.
Li Fan, intrigued, asked, “Oh? Are there any limitations on the landscapes you materialize? How long do they last? Can they be manifested within the Xuanhuang small world?”
“There are no restrictions at all,” Shang Tianci said confidently. “Once something is materialized, it remains permanently, indistinguishable from real mountains and rivers. Whether it is within the Xuanhuang Realm, a cave-heaven, or a small world, it can be done!”
“My companions from Shanhe Pavilion once had a bold idea: If I were to use my manifestation technique inside the inner Cave-Heaven of a Nascent Soul cultivator, and the manifested scene was larger than their domain, it could instantly cause that cultivator’s inner world to collapse!” Shang Tianci whispered.
Shanhe Pavilion was an unofficial organization within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
Its members were all highly talented individuals from various provinces. There was a strict entry requirement—anyone who formed their Golden Core past the age of twenty was no longer eligible to join.
The organization was small, with only about fifty members.
However, they were highly united, assisting each other without discrimination based on background or family status.
“That companion of yours has quite the imagination. He is a promising talent! If possible, we should work on persuading him to join us,” Li Fan chuckled darkly.
“I think so too. Yan Fangzhou is still young, yet he has already reached the Soul Transformation realm. If he joins us, he would be a tremendous asset!” Shang Tianci nodded in agreement.
“Soul Transformation...” Li Fan’s breath briefly paused before quickly returning to normal.
He let out a sinister laugh. “Try to interact with him more and probe his intentions. In the end, I will handle things personally.”
Just as Shang Tianci was about to respond, an urgent alarm suddenly rang out from Taihua Heavenly City, echoing across the entire Taihua Mountain Range.
The moment cultivators heard the alarm, information automatically surfaced in their minds.
“From this moment, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is entering a Class-A wartime state.”
“All cultivators from the Martial Halls, Garrison Institutes, and Strategy Formation Halls in various provinces must return to the Heavenly City immediately and await orders.”
“Border patrols will be established across all prefectures—strictly guard against infiltrators.”
Li Fan smiled faintly. “The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has finally reacted.”
Shang Tianci, however, showed a trace of concern. “I wonder how far this situation will escalate.”
“Don’t worry. The Five Elders Association will take time to consolidate their hold over Jiushan Prefecture. Meanwhile, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance won’t let this go—they will do everything they can to reclaim Jiushan Province.”
“For quite a long time, both sides will wrestle for control over Jiushan. It’s unlikely for war to break out in other prefectures...”
“Unless, of course, some unexpected factor comes into play,” Li Fan added suddenly.
Shang Tianci, though momentarily swayed by Li Fan’s words, was still young and kind-hearted.
The thought that his actions might have contributed, even slightly, to an impending brutal war left him feeling uneasy.
Li Fan did not console him, allowing him to dwell on his own thoughts.
“If my predictions are correct, the Five Elders Association should attempt to contact me soon using the communication method I left in the jade slip.”
“There’s no rush. Let’s keep them waiting a little.”
Li Fan was already contemplating how he could exploit the upcoming negotiations to demand a hefty price.
Just then, he felt an unexpected chill in his heart.
“Hmm?”
A sudden sense of vigilance surged within him.
“This strange feeling...?”
Li Fan narrowed his eyes and turned his awareness inward.
In an instant, he found the source of the disturbance.
It was the secret technique—Execution of Xuantian!
This was a technique taught by Jiang Yushan of the Medicine King Sect in his 115th lifetime. In ancient times, it was specifically used to identify the remnants of the Xuantian Sect!
Since he had been attempting to gather as much secret information about the Xuantian Sect as possible, he had kept the Execution of Xuantian technique active ever since leaving the Xuanhuang Realm in this lifetime.
Originally, he had no expectations regarding his own luck.
Unexpectedly, after randomly teleporting with Shang Tianci, he happened to encounter this place!
"Taixu Mountain."
Li Fan scanned his surroundings.
"One of the Ten Meridians of Taihua. Before long, it will mysteriously collapse and be forgotten by the world, turning the Ten Meridians into the Nine Meridians of Taihua."
"To think that remnants of the Xuantian Sect would be here?"
Li Fan couldn't help but become interested.
He was already aware that a Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect was currently in deep slumber beneath the ruins of the Purple Heaven Sect.
However, he had no intention of capturing him just yet.
At least, not for now.
As one of the most formidable forces of the ancient Xuantian Sect, the Dharma King’s strength was undoubtedly on par with an ordinary Dao Integration cultivator.
Moreover, the cultivation techniques of the Xuantian Sect were strange and profound. Li Fan had already experienced them in Senior Sister Zhao’s dream.
Even after slumbering for thousands of years, that Dharma King was likely beyond what Li Fan could handle at the moment.
If he failed to capture him and was instead forced to reveal his true strength...
No, it was better to be cautious.
The Dharma King wasn’t going anywhere.
Once the Medicine King True Cauldron was recovered and Li Fan had subdued powerful allies like Liu San at the Dao Integration level...
Perhaps then, he would give it a try.
Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Li Fan roamed Taixu Mountain, carrying the Execution of Xuantian Secret Technique in his heart.
The sensing range of this secret technique was not very precise.
Even after half a day, he had yet to locate the source of the anomaly.
"Senior, what are you looking for?" Shang Tianci asked curiously.
"Hmm. There seems to be some hidden secret within Taixu Mountain. Help me search for it."
Li Fan sized up Shang Tianci and immediately came up with an idea.
Without hesitation, he passed down the Execution of Xuantian Secret Technique to him—but he did not explain its true purpose.
After learning it, Shang Tianci joined Li Fan in searching the mountain.
Fortunately, due to the wartime alert, people were on edge.
Most cultivators had returned to Taihua Heavenly City for safety, avoiding unnecessary risks.
Otherwise, the sight of the two of them sneaking around would have certainly aroused suspicion.
After searching for most of the day, it was ultimately Shang Tianci’s superior luck that paid off.
He seemed to have discovered something and urgently transmitted a message:
"Senior, over here!"
Li Fan’s eyes flashed. With Tianyang in tow, he swiftly arrived at Shang Tianci’s side.
"How many chimes?" Li Fan asked.
"Two."
In the Xuantian Sect, the warning chimes from the Execution of Xuantian Secret Technique increased with the target’s rank.
Back when he sensed the Tianxuan Mirror, there had been three chimes.
Two chimes were less than that, but still not a minor figure.
"Interesting."
Li Fan could indeed feel the continuous warnings from the Execution of Xuantian Secret Technique.
He carefully observed his surroundings.
They stood in a deep valley nestled within the mountains.
It was eerily quiet.
It seemed as though no one had set foot here for a thousand years.
“There’s something eerie about this place,” Shang Tianci muttered in a low voice.
Li Fan also sensed that something was unusual about this valley.
Tianyang took a quick step forward, blocking Li Fan’s path.
Li Fan followed closely behind, carefully observing his surroundings.
The valley floor lay beneath a towering mountain, shrouded in mist and never seeing sunlight. A miasma filled the air.
The flora and fauna here were unlike those found on Mount Taixu.
It was as if they had suddenly stepped into another world.
“This miasma... it can actually interfere with spiritual sense.”
Walking through the valley required caution. Their vision was obstructed, and even their spiritual sense couldn’t fully perceive the area.
Not long after moving forward, Shang Tianci suddenly stopped.
“The ringing sound has disappeared,” he said abruptly, turning his head.
Li Fan pondered for a moment. Based on the warning sound, he pinpointed a general area within the valley.
It was only about three meters in diameter, completely visible at a glance.
However, there were no signs of any remnants of the Xuantian Sect.
“Hm?”
Li Fan and Shang Tianci exchanged glances.
With a burst of spiritual energy, they cleared the area of weeds and animals.
After scraping away a thick layer of mud, a smooth stone slab was revealed.
“This is...”
Li Fan touched the stone slab, finding it oddly familiar.
A moment later, it hit him. It wasn’t something he had seen in the present world of Xuanhuang, but rather in the Fallen Immortal Realm, during the Ningyuan’s Longevity Fruit Incident.
Back in Ningyuan City, inside the small house of Mr. Bai, he had seen a similar stone slab.
The Dao Deviation Stone flickered with a blue glow as memories resurfaced.
Li Fan’s expression turned strange.
These two stone slabs weren’t just similar.
They were identical.
“The Absolute Immortal Stone Slab...”
“Could it be...” A thought arose in Li Fan’s mind.
He ordered Tianyang to lift the slab while he himself swiftly retreated to a safe distance.
After Tianyang entered the underground chamber, explored it, and returned without encountering danger, Li Fan finally descended.
The scene was almost identical to what he had experienced before.
The confined space held a faceless stone statue leaning against the wall.
Perhaps due to the isolation effect of the Absolute Immortal Stone Slab, a long brown wooden table stood in the middle, unchanged even after thousands of years.
Even the air still carried a faint, lingering scent of blood.
A wooden chest sat at the corner of the table, transparent ceramic jars lined the walls, and twenty-eight beast remains were buried in the ground at the room’s edge.
Every detail confirmed it—this was the very same underground chamber beneath Mr. Bai’s house in the Fallen Immortal Realm!
To see something from the Fallen Immortal Realm inexplicably appear before him...
The realization struck Li Fan with a bizarre sense of time and space twisting and overlapping.
“Could Mount Taixu have once been Ningyuan City?”
“If so, then wouldn’t the Purple Heaven Sect be nearby?”
Li Fan’s eyes flickered as he quickly compared the information from Ximen Yu’s Ancient and Modern Geography Studies.
“They don’t match.”
A moment later, Li Fan frowned slightly.
According to past-life intelligence from Jiao Xiuyuan, the ruins of the Purple Heaven Sect were now located in Linlang Prefecture, in the central region of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
That was far from here.
Yet back then, Ningyuan City had been within the Purple Heaven Sect’s sphere of influence. It couldn’t have been more than ten thousand miles away.
“It seems that there’s an error in Ximen Yu’s geographical studies.”
“Though, I can’t really blame him. Who would have thought that within the same prefecture, after thousands of years, two locations would end up worlds apart?”
“This isn’t just a natural change in geography. It’s as if someone deliberately cut and separated them.”
Li Fan had long known that the present-day Xuanhuang Realm was formed from the fusion of the original Xuanhuang world and several other realms.
“But now, it looks like there was more than just fusion.”
“There was modification as well.”
“What exactly was the Immortal Ancestor trying to achieve?”
“At the end of the 115th era, when the True Immortal destroyed the world with a single glance, that earth-shattering roar... Could it have come from Immortal Ancestor?”
“It seems that the Xuanhuang Realm holds a special significance for him.”
Li Fan slowly calmed his thoughts. To be cautious, he ordered Tianyang to dig three feet deep in this area to ensure that nothing was left behind.
"This Faceless Xuantian Divine Statue is entirely made of Absolute Immortal Stone. It is quite valuable."
"However, rather than selling it, it would be better to use it as a symbol of the Federation of All Worlds. After all, under the heavens, this might be the last remaining Xuantian Divine Statue."
Li Fan then thought of the Xuantian Sect's Dharma King, who was still in deep slumber beneath the Purple Heaven Sect.
"Perhaps it might prove useful when the time comes."
After storing away the divine statue, the mystical induction of the Xuantian Execution Secret Art also returned to a state of tranquility.
"Senior, what exactly is that statue? It looks a bit eerie," Shang Tianci couldn't help but ask.
"This pertains to ancient secrets. Its history is so distant that it predates even the rise of the Immortal Ancestor. You will understand in due time," Li Fan replied with a mysterious smile, revealing just enough to spark Shang Tianci’s curiosity.
As they were about to leave, Li Fan had a sudden thought and simply cut away the entire underground chamber to take it with him.
Shang Tianci was left utterly speechless at the sight.
Li Fan remained indifferent and later accompanied Shang Tianci back to the Spiritwood Realm.
On the way, they encountered patrolling cultivators while crossing the regional borders. Fortunately, Li Fan possessed the Sky-Shrouding Hand secret technique, which allowed him to evade detection.
"Little Shang, what do you think of this place?"
Standing atop the Sacred Spirit Tree, Li Fan asked Shang Tianci, who was beside him.
"It’s... good, but..."
"It feels too ordinary."
After much hesitation, Shang Tianci finally found the right word.
"Indeed. It’s mostly endless plains, with very few majestic mountains or breathtaking landscapes. Compared to the Xuanhuang Realm, which is full of natural wonders, this place simply cannot compare. That’s why the next step will depend on you." Li Fan spoke with deep meaning.
"Huh?" Shang Tianci was momentarily stunned, clearly unable to grasp Li Fan’s intent.
"That Purple Gold Gourd of yours, doesn’t it have the power to manifest the wonders of the Xuanhuang Realm? You should bring those sceneries into the Spiritwood Realm. Even if they aren’t as grand as the originals, it doesn’t matter."
"Let’s recreate the Xuanhuang Realm within this small world!"
"Imagine—when newcomers arrive, the first thing they see is the same breathtaking landscapes as the Xuanhuang Realm!"
"How magnificent would that be?"
Li Fan murmured excitedly.
Shang Tianci, too, found his breathing quickening with anticipation.
"I’ll get started right away!"
The straightforward young man pounded his chest in determination.
"Before manifesting the landscapes, make sure to plan their placement carefully."
"The Chieftain of the Treefolk Clan has lived for many years. If you’re uncertain about anything, you can consult her." Li Fan reminded him.
Shang Tianci nodded repeatedly.
"With Little Shang’s help, our Federation of All Worlds is finally taking shape."
"As long as the trade with the Five Elders Association is completed and we have all the necessary resources, construction can officially begin."
Li Fan felt a slight sense of satisfaction in his heart.
"I wonder... could I refine the Spiritwood Realm into a portable treasure?"
"If I replace its anchor point and bind it to [Truth], it could serve as a solid and stable base. Right now, that does seem quite important."
Li Fan couldn’t help but speculate.
Li Fan's face showed a trace of surprise as he feigned curiosity and asked, "Daoist Yin, what’s wrong?"
"Could it be that there is something incorrect about this [Foundation Establishment Method of the Oneself] that I have derived?"
Seeing Li Fan's expression full of confusion, Master Yin opened his mouth but hesitated, ultimately choosing to say nothing.
After a long period of bewilderment, he finally stood up again.
He bypassed Li Fan and walked to a blank wall in the underground chamber. Using his hand as a brush, he inscribed the [Foundation Establishment Method of the Oneself] in one continuous, unrestrained motion.
Once he finished writing, he stood before it, utterly enraptured.
His expression continuously shifted—sometimes filled with amazement, sometimes with deep contemplation, and sometimes with regret.
Li Fan did not interrupt him but instead stood silently beside this peerless Foundation Establishment method, observing it as well.
No one knew how much time had passed before Master Yin finally regained his senses.
He turned to Li Fan, bowed deeply, and said, "If this method was truly comprehended by you, Fellow Daoist..."
"Then you are undoubtedly a peerless genius—far beyond my reach!"
"This version of [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] is flawless. It can be passed down as a supreme legacy!"
He then let out a long sigh. "Had I been fortunate enough to obtain this method back when I established my foundation, I wouldn’t have ended up in my current state."
Li Fan feigned ignorance and asked, "What do you mean by that, Master Yin?"
Master Yin merely grinned before his body suddenly split open, revealing another version of himself within.
He then explained,
"Once the [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] is completed, there is no opportunity for regret or to start over." Master Yin sighed.
Li Fan seized the moment and offered consolation, saying, "In truth, there is not much difference between the two. Both paths lead to a dead end, halting at Foundation Establishment."
Master Yin was momentarily stunned. "Fellow Daoist, you mean to say...?"
Li Fan spoke frankly, "This is another reason why I sought you out, Daoist Yin."
"When I first derived the [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself], I was overjoyed. I believed I had opened an entirely new Dao. Brimming with confidence, I intended to continue deriving the next stages—Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and beyond."
"But alas..."
Li Fan shook his head slightly, his face filled with bitterness. "I pondered for a long time, yet I couldn’t find the path forward."
"After establishing my foundation in this way, all methods converge upon the self. I reasoned that the Golden Core stage would follow the same principle, and based on ancient cultivation texts, I decided to name it [Primordial Golden Core]."
"But no matter how hard I tried, I could not determine how to achieve this perfect Primordial Golden Core. It was as if all inspiration had been exhausted, or as if some force was deliberately preventing me from exploring further..."
As Li Fan spoke, his expression became pained.
Master Yin, feeling a strange sense of resonance with his words, quickly comforted him.
"Fellow Daoist, to have unraveled the mysteries of Foundation Establishment Through Oneself already makes you a one-in-a-million genius—far surpassing ordinary cultivators. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself!"
"As for this Primordial Golden Core..."
Master Yin pondered deeply. "This is a path destined to be even more difficult—truly defying the heavens."
As he spoke, something seemed to stir in his mind, and he abruptly fell into silence.
"I have a vague premonition... Perhaps, in this lifetime, I will never be able to progress further along this new path. That is why I came to find you, Fellow Daoist ." Li Fan looked at Master Yin with sincerity.
"To be the first to propose Foundation Establishment Through Oneself, your visionary thinking is surely far beyond mine. Perhaps you can take another step forward?"
Without further ado, he poured out all his insights regarding the Primal Golden Core in one breath.
When he finished speaking, he looked at Master Yin with great expectation.
Master Yin was utterly engrossed.
"Mm... Let me think, let me think." He seemed to have fallen into deep deduction, his expression turning dazed.
Only after a long while did he finally snap back to reality.
"This method is extraordinarily difficult, even more so than Foundation Establishment Through Oneself. It is not something that can be resolved in a short time."
"Moreover, I have other matters to research..." Master Yin hesitated slightly.
"I observed the conditions on your island, Daoist Yin. Does it have something to do with the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?" Li Fan asked.
Master Yin nodded and said, “Fellow Daoist, your insight is truly sharp. I have a premonition that within this Immortal-Mortal Miasma, a great secret of heaven and earth is hidden.”
"Then let me congratulate you in advance on unraveling this mystery! When that day comes, I hope you can share some of it with me," Li Fan laughed heartily, speaking in an entirely natural manner.
"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist! Since you have shared the perfect Foundation Establishment Through Oneself with me without reservation, I naturally will not keep secrets from you either," Master Yin glanced at Li Fan with delight and said, "I never expected to meet someone like you in this world—someone so like-minded."
"Before coming here, I never expected to get along so well with you either," Li Fan also smiled with contentment.
"By the way, I believe you don't need to worry that deducing Primordial Golden Core will delay your research on the Immortal-Mortal Miasma. Based on my experience, alternating between the two and progressing in parallel would be best. When one reaches a deadlock, turning to the other might spark inspiration." Li Fan enthusiastically shared his own "experience and insights."
Master Yin listened, his eyes filled with brilliance.
The two, feeling as though they had met too late in life, engaged in deep discussions on the island for three days and nights.
Before parting, Li Fan extended an invitation to Master Yin.
"This island is too shabby—how could it match your distinguished presence? I have a small world of my own, with breathtaking scenery and a serene, natural atmosphere. It is the perfect place for us to focus on our research. Why not come back with me?"
In the Xuanhuang Realm, those who possessed their own cave-heavens or small worlds were either extremely wealthy or held high status.
Hearing this, Master Yin's eyes flashed with a trace of surprise.
He hesitated for a moment but ultimately declined Li Fan’s generous invitation.
"Though this island is small, I have grown accustomed to it. Perhaps when I grow tired of it someday, I will visit your place and take advantage of your hospitality."
Li Fan was not surprised by Master Yin's response.
With a look of deep regret, he bid farewell reluctantly.
Before leaving, he handed over his communication talisman, saying that they must stay in touch and exchange insights often.
After turning away from Yin Yin Island and flying a certain distance, he suddenly stopped.
Looking back at the island, Li Fan hesitated for a moment but ultimately abandoned the idea of using Formless Killing Intent to lock onto Master Yin.
"Master Yin’s strength is somewhat peculiar. He cannot be judged by the standards of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. At this moment, I have already gained his initial trust through the Foundation Establishment Through Oneself. There's no need to be excessive."
"Although Formless Killing Intent is secretive, I cannot guarantee that he wouldn’t notice it."
After pondering for a while, Li Fan finally left.
Flying westward, he passed through the Congyun Sea and arrived at Shilin Prefecture.
Since the fall of Jiushan Prefecture, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had attempted several counteroffensives, trying to reclaim it.
However, the perilous terrain of Jiushan made each mountain seem like a natural fortress.
Every counterattack ended in failure.
Apart from the treacherous terrain of Jiushan Prefecture—where teleportation formation are ineffective and cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage cannot fly across the mountains—another crucial factor behind the repeated failures of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s offensives was the complete defection of the Lingyuan Sect.
No one knew what benefits the Five Elders Association had promised the Lingyuan Sect.
Under the governance of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, this organization had been known for its wavering loyalties. However, once it came under the control of the Five Elders Association, it was as if it had undergone a complete transformation—becoming utterly devoted and unwavering in its allegiance.
They even went so far as to capture and surrender several envoys secretly sent by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance as a show of absolute loyalty.
With the offensive on Jiushan Prefecture thwarted, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance promptly adjusted its strategy—shifting from offense to defense.
They reinforced their borders, dispatching heavy troops to guard key territories.
Even the defensive formations were activated to the extent of enveloping entire prefectures.
"Tianyuan Transformative Formation..."
Li Fan looked up at the sky, now tinged with a dull yellow hue, and sensed the vital energy being siphoned away from his surroundings. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he muttered:
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's defensive formation is indeed well-crafted. Unfortunately, it is far inferior to the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation. With my Dissociation Disc in hand, I can break through it in an instant."
A myriad of images flashed through his mind.
In the next moment, with a subtle movement of his fingers and a whispered incantation, a vacuum-like space formed around him.
The formation’s ability to extract the world's vital energy ceased to function in his vicinity—yet not a single soul detected anything amiss.
"Activating a grand defensive array—under normal circumstances, even the Five Elders Association wouldn't be able to breach it in a short time."
"The war may soon reach a stalemate, and over time, as people forget, it will slowly subside..."
"No, no! Let me lend you all a helping hand!"
With a light chuckle, Li Fan’s figure flickered like a phantom as he flew toward the border of Shilin Prefecture.
Instead of crossing enemy lines into Jiushan Prefecture, he stopped near the White Mist Barrier—at a small border town called Heshi.
Inside the town, a squad of cultivators from the Martial Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was stationed.
Heshi's garrison commander, looking tense, was personally overseeing inspections of the formation arrays, restrictive spells, and other defensive measures.
Without alerting the guards, Li Fan silently infiltrated the town.
Once the patrols finally dispersed, he stealthily sought out Heshi’s garrison commander.
The commander’s name was Yu Dayi, a recently promoted Golden Core cultivator.
He had a round belly and a kind-looking face—an appearance of utmost honesty.
Just as he was taking a break, sipping a cup of spiritual tea to recuperate, he suddenly noticed Li Fan standing before him—without any prior warning.
His expression changed, and just as he was about to shout for help, he noticed Li Fan scrutinizing him with great interest.
Something clicked in Yu Dayi’s mind, and he swallowed back the words that had reached his lips.
"Who are you?" Yu Dayi narrowed his eyes and asked.
"You should be familiar with the Federation of All Worlds, shouldn't you?" Li Fan spoke in an eerie, distorted voice.
Yu Dayi's face changed again, but he remained cautious and did not confirm anything.
Li Fan, meanwhile, continued to size him up, letting out a sinister chuckle.
"The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is riddled with infiltrations—its downfall is already in sight!"
With those words, the aura around Yu Dayi subtly shifted, becoming unpredictable and dangerous.
"No need to worry. Aside from our Federation of All Worlds, no one else is aware that you are a spy for the Five Elders Association." Li Fan glanced at him indifferently.
At this moment, Yu Dayi finally dropped his pretense.
Though he had no idea how he had been exposed, he maintained the composure befitting a spy and responded calmly:
"Since you've sought me out, what do you want?"
"Isn't it obvious? The Five Elders Association has greatly disappointed us."
"After conquering Jiushan Prefecture, you should have pressed the advantage—seizing more prefectures in swift succession. Why are you content to stop here and remain idle?"
Yu Dayi’s expression darkened. “Surely you don’t actually believe that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is easy to deal with? This successful raid on Jiushan Prefecture was the result of meticulous planning. Have you not noticed how heavily fortified this border is? Just the grand defensive formation covering the entire prefecture is not something that can be easily breached.”
“hehe... Weaklings always like to make excuses,” Li Fan sneered, glancing at Yu Dayi. “Or perhaps... you all are afraid of that Immortal Ancestor, which is why you’ve been hesitant to make a decisive move?”
Before Yu Dayi could respond, Li Fan continued, “That said, your concerns aren’t entirely unfounded. Now is indeed not the time for a full-scale invasion.”
“However, making some further advances and expanding our battle gains a little won’t be enough to force the Immortal Ancestor to take action.”
As he spoke, Li Fan tossed a jade slip over.
Yu Dayi reacted quickly, catching it and examining its contents.
His composure shattered. “The flaw in the Tianyuan Transformation Formation?”
He looked at Li Fan in shock. “This...”
“You’ll know whether it’s real or not once you test it,” Li Fan said with a sinister smile. “The only question is whether you have the guts to do so.”
Without waiting for a reply, his figure flickered and disappeared from Yu Dayi’s sight.
Yu Dayi gripped the jade slip tightly, his expression shifting unpredictably.
This so-called cultivator from the Federation of All Worlds had a mysterious background and an astonishingly bold demeanor.
Not only did he know about Yu Dayi’s undercover identity, but he was also aware of top-secret information, such as the defensive formation of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
"..."
Yu Dayi hesitated.
“Should I pass this information along?”
“The frontlines are heavily guarded right now. If I want to succeed, I’ll have to abandon this hard-earned identity.”
After weighing his options, Yu Dayi carefully reread the jade slip’s contents.
Then, he made his way to a secluded part of the city, facing the vast Tianyuan Transformation Formation that enveloped the prefecture.
A few hours later, his expression remained unchanged on the surface, but his body trembled slightly.
It was excitement.
“It’s real.”
Yu Dayi took a deep breath, suppressing his exhilaration, and carried on as if nothing had happened.
Three days later, seizing a rare opportunity, he found an excuse to leave Heshi City.
From the shadows, Li Fan slowly revealed himself.
“I hope the Five Elders Association doesn’t disappoint me.”
Yu Dayi’s sudden disappearance quickly caught the attention of the cultivators stationed in the city’s Martial Hall.
When they confirmed that he had indeed defected, they hastily sent out a border-wide alert for his capture.
But by then, Yu Dayi had already successfully returned to Jiushan Prefecture and rejoined his organization.
After only half a month of fragile peace—before the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could even conclude its investigation into the Heshi City spy incident—a fierce storm of attacks from the Five Elders Association struck.
And it wasn’t just Shilin Prefecture.
Battles erupted simultaneously along the entire border.
The once-reliable defensive formation of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance proved completely useless, as if it had never existed.
Caught completely off guard, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance suffered catastrophic losses.
Within just seven days, news arrived that several prefectures had already fallen.
Only Shilin Prefecture, due to its heavy military presence, was still barely holding out.
The sudden shift in the war was beyond anyone’s expectations.
The alliance’s cultivators were thrown into panic.
Just as everyone thought the battle was about to become one-sided...
Squad after squad of black-clad cultivators arrived at the battlefield through teleportation formation across various regions.
Their origins were unknown.
Yet, each of them was at least at the Nascent Soul Realm, with Soul Transformation cultivators as the backbone and Dao Integration experts leading them.
Their combat prowess was terrifying.
It had been centuries since the Xuanhuang Realm last saw a large-scale war.
However, these cultivators carried a heavy aura of slaughter, as if they had been battle-hardened through countless life-and-death encounters.
Their coordination was flawless, and their attacks were swift and ruthless.
A small squad of four to five Nascent Soul cultivators could surround and kill a Soul Transformation expert.
Meanwhile, the Dao Integration leader of these black-clad cultivators was so powerful that even the Dao Integration experts of the Five Elders Association were forced to retreat in succession.
The tide of battle shifted in an instant.
Hiding in Shilin Prefecture, Li Fan happened to witness the power of these black-clad cultivators.
What impressed him the most was, of course, their Dao Integration leader.
It was as if he had condensed the heavenly thunder into a silver spear in his hand.
In an instant, the entire Shilin Prefecture was illuminated.
The silver spear roared like a dragon, stirring the heavens and the earth.
Even though Li Fan was only observing from a distance, he was still affected. It felt as if he had been caught in a stormy sea, with the surrounding spiritual energy roaring in turmoil. His internal spiritual energy was forced into resonance, causing his movements to slow.
Before the attack was even unleashed, countless Five Elders Association cultivators were already plummeting from the sky.
In the end, a single wooden fan blocked the silver thunder, preventing the Five Elders Association from being completely annihilated.
“This technique... looks familiar. Wu?” Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
Before he could dwell on it further, an unexpected change unfolded on the battlefield.
Despite suffering a minor setback, the Five Elders Association immediately chose to retreat in an orderly fashion—without hesitation, as if they had anticipated this outcome.
It was clear they had a contingency plan.
Aside from the Dao Integration expert wielding the wooden fan, another individual, a man seated in a wooden wheelchair, calmly unfurled a formation scroll.
In mere moments, numerous formations were deployed across the battlefield, delaying and obstructing the Immortal Alliance’s pursuit.
The Five Elders Association’s retreat was precise and disciplined.
Within moments, they withdrew like a receding tide.
All that remained was the devastated battlefield, a silent testament to the brutal clash that had just occurred.
“This wasn’t an all-out war—it was a probe. If they could win in one decisive strike, all the better.”
“If not, they would withdraw immediately.”
Li Fan gazed at the battlefield, where the Immortal Alliance cultivators—having narrowly survived—still bore expressions of shock and fear.
Meanwhile, the black-clad reinforcements, rather than pursuing the retreating Five Elders Association, remained hovering in the air, wary of a counterattack.
Only after the frontline defenses were fully reorganized did they finally vanish into the night as streaks of black light.
Although the timely arrival of these black-clad cultivators had prevented a complete collapse of the battlefield, the sheer swiftness of their previous defeat left the entire Immortal Alliance furious.
First, all defensive formations across the regions were rapidly upgraded, replacing the Tianyuan Transformation Formation with the Ten Thousand Miles Mountain and River Formation, which was far more defensive in nature.
Then, the Strategy Formation Hall of the Immortal Alliance initiated a top-down internal investigation.
There was no doubt—the Five Elders Association’s ability to breach the Immortal Alliance’s defenses so effortlessly was linked to a security breach in the defensive formations.
Ordinary formation masters could only grasp a small portion of a grand formation.
But for someone to know every weakness and vulnerability of the entire formation...
It had to be someone from the upper ranks of the Strategy Formation Hall!
If this traitor was not eliminated, no matter how many times they modified their defensive formations, they would remain completely exposed in the enemy’s eyes.
The gravity of this matter was undeniable.
Not only at the Immortal Alliance headquarters, but in every regional Strategy Formation Hall, formation masters were being taken away for investigation.
Although the Five Elders Association had temporarily retreated, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was plunged into intense turmoil.
Congyun Sea, Haixuan Island.
On Haixuan Island within Congyun Sea, Ji Shaoli was enthusiastically welcoming the cultivators who had come to attend the gathering.
Most of them were stationed as guardians of various islands, while others held official positions on Ten Thousand Immortal Island.
Even though they were not overwhelmed with responsibilities, given the tense circumstances of the current situation, they were still extremely busy.
The fact that they were able to make time to attend today’s banquet was already a great show of respect for Ji Shaoli.
"It's a pity that the Fellow Daoists from the Formation Hall were unable to honor us with their presence today," said Ji Shaoli’s clone with a look of regret.
"Haha, they are currently overwhelmed with various investigations and reviews. They truly have no time to spare," a cultivator immediately sighed in response.
"To think that even the top-secret [Defensive Grand Formation] could be sold out. It’s clear that the upper echelons of the Strategy Formation Hall have become thoroughly corrupt."
"I heard that, in order to quell this incident, the chief formation master of the Strategy Formation Hall, Lu Xichan, has voluntarily applied to step down. Tsk tsk..."
"In my opinion, it's not just the Formation Hall. The entire upper leadership of the Immortal Alliance..."
"Ahem, Daoist Zhang, be careful with your words...!"
Everyone present was employed within the structure of the Immortal Alliance. Ji Shaoli had merely brought up the topic, and it immediately sparked an intense discussion among them.
However, as the conversation progressed, the topics became increasingly sensitive and taboo.
Sensing the potential danger, everyone tacitly chose to drop the subject.
"By the way, Daoist Ji, have you changed your habits? In the past, your island was always filled with stunning female cultivators attending to you. But today, not a single one is in sight?"
"Haha, a while ago, Daoist Ji dismissed a whole group of them. I thought he had found a new love elsewhere, but surprisingly, even after all this time, he hasn’t taken action. That’s quite unusual!"
Faced with the curiosity and inquiring gazes from all around, Ji Shaoli let out a long sigh and said:
"Nothing more than growing tired of it all."
"After indulging in pleasures for so long, I eventually felt a sense of emptiness."
"Especially after the sudden outbreak of war not long ago... A good friend of mine from Shilin Prefecture suddenly perished, and it served as a wake-up call for me."
"Compared to indulging in entertainment, my own cultivation and realm are far more important."
"The situation is shifting by the day, and no one knows which direction things will head next. The higher one's cultivation realm, the greater one's chances of survival in the future!"
Ji Shaoli’s words immediately resonated with many of those present.
"Even though Congyun Sea is on the borderlands, it still shares a boundary with the territory of the Five Elders Association. Who knows when they might suddenly launch an attack? We must be prepared!"
However, others expressed concern, their faces filled with unease:
"Most of us are only at the Foundation Establishment or Golden Core stage. If a major war truly breaks out... we would be nothing more than leaves drifting in the wind..."
Ji Shaoli sighed at the right moment and said:
"Life and death are beyond our control!"
This single statement deeply moved the cultivators present.
Their expressions varied, each lost in thought.
Ji Shaoli then changed the topic:
"This is also one of the reasons I invited you all here today."
"You all know that I once won the grand prize from [Fixed Fish], earning a considerable fortune."
Immediately, all eyes turned to him.
Indeed, if he weren’t wealthy, these people wouldn’t have treated him with such respect.
Wasn’t it because they were hoping that, in a critical moment, they could borrow some contribution points from him to get by?
"Furthermore, I have some knowledge of investment. Over the years, despite indulging in extravagance and spending a lot, my net worth has actually doubled."
Ji Shaoli spoke with a hint of pride on his face.
“?”
As soon as Ji Shaoli spoke, the entire room was shocked.
It was already astonishing that the first-place prize of five million contribution points was beyond what most cultivators could accumulate in a lifetime.
And now, in such a short time, his fortune had doubled?
He Zhenghao was so stunned that he immediately stood up. “Brother Ji, you must be joking, right?”
Ji Shaoli’s expression darkened as he solemnly declared, “Would I speak nonsense about something like this?”
Realizing his mistake, He Zhenghao cupped his fists and apologized, “I was too abrupt.”
With Ji Shaoli personally confirming his words, the cultivators present began to look at him with a hint of fervor in their eyes.
At least ten million contribution points—not just in the Congyun Region, but even in the core central regions of the Immortal Alliance, such wealth was considered significant.
“Brother Ji, stop keeping us in suspense! Why did you gather us here today?”
“Yeah, surely not just to flaunt your wealth?”
The crowd murmured among themselves.
Ji Shaoli raised his hand, and silence immediately followed.
All eyes were fixed on him, waiting for his words.
“A great war is on the horizon, and the situation is uncertain. We must plan ahead.”
“One person's strength alone is insufficient to face the coming storm. That is why we must act together.” Ji Shaoli spoke with unwavering determination.
The cultivators exchanged glances, uncertain about what he meant by “acting together.”
“Mutual assistance, unity. Sharing information and standing together in times of crisis!” Ji Shaoli looked around, his voice firm.
However, the people present were not naive youngsters who could be easily swayed by mere words.
They remained skeptical, waiting for Ji Shaoli to elaborate.
“As a group, the stronger our members are, the more beneficial it is for us all. I know that some among you have been stuck at your current cultivation stage for a long time due to a lack of resources to acquire the right techniques.”
“And it just so happens that I have more than enough contribution points...”
At this point, some of the smarter individuals had already guessed what Ji Shaoli was about to propose. However, they still found it hard to believe and stared at him intently.
“So, for any brother willing to join our Mutual Aid Association, I will lend the necessary contribution points for acquiring cultivation techniques.”
“There will be no interest. You only need to repay it gradually over time. In fact, you can even reduce or eliminate your debt by completing tasks assigned by the Mutual Aid Association.”
Although it wasn’t a handout, an interest-free loan with no collateral was an offer too tempting for many cultivators to ignore.
“Since my current resources are limited, I must consider everyone present. For now, the maximum loan per person is set at 100,000 contribution points.”
“However, as members complete more tasks within the Mutual Aid Association, their borrowing limit will increase. There will also be additional benefits...”
Ji Shaoli continued to explain in detail how the Mutual Aid Association would operate.
“Joining the Mutual Aid Association does not require signing any binding contract. If someone wishes to leave, they only need to repay their debts to do so freely.”
“Borrowing contribution points also does not require any form of collateral or restrictions.”
“However, those who deliberately violate the rules will face the collective judgment of the association’s brothers!”
Ji Shaoli’s expression grew stern, and a faint killing intent surfaced.
Many of the cultivators present felt a chill run down their spines.
“I knew it—Brother Ji, you are no ordinary person. To come up with such a bold idea...”
“I’m in!”
The first to respond was Pei Tuo, a Golden Core cultivator and the guardian of Haitong Island.
In a past life, Li Fan had crossed paths with him once before.
This person had already reached the perfection stage of the Golden Core Realm for over ten years, yet he still hadn't accumulated enough contribution points to exchange for Nascent Soul cultivation techniques. Let alone finding a suitable Cave-Heaven to devour.
Wasting such precious time—how could he not be anxious?
Now, encountering such a heaven-sent opportunity, he did not hesitate and agreed on the spot.
Even if joining the Mutual Aid Association came with restrictions and constraints, he was willing to accept them!
If he could step into the Nascent Soul Realm just one day earlier, his entire future could be completely different!
Ji Shaoli clapped his hands and praised, "Refreshing! Fellow Daoist Pei, rest assured—since you are the second member of the Mutual Aid Association, I will not treat you unfairly!"
Naturally, the first member referred to Ji Shaoli himself.
Ji Shaoli's lips moved slightly, as if whispering something to Pei Tuo.
Upon hearing it, Pei Tuo's body trembled violently, his face full of shock and disbelief as he stared at Ji Shaoli.
Ji Shaoli merely smiled and raised a hand to interrupt whatever Pei Tuo was about to say.
However, the sheer excitement on Pei Tuo's face did not go unnoticed by the others present.
He stood up and sat beside Ji Shaoli, then turned to look at the remaining cultivators who had yet to make their decision.
Although everyone was extremely curious about what kind of benefits Ji Shaoli had promised Pei Tuo, they did not let themselves be swept away by impulse and rush to join the Mutual Aid Association.
After all, no one could be sure whether Pei Tuo and Ji Shaoli were simply putting on an act together.
Caught in hesitation, not a single person spoke up.
Ji Shaoli, however, remained calm. Instead, he spoke gently, "There’s no rush. Whenever you make your decision, you can come find me."
"But let me make one thing clear in advance."
"Those who join earlier will receive preferential treatment in various aspects. The later you join, what was once freely available may have to be earned through your own efforts."
Though his words were somewhat vague, they carried an undeniable sense of pressure.
By the time the banquet concluded that day, a total of six cultivators—including Pei Tuo—had chosen to be the first to join the Mutual Aid Association.
"Fellow Daoist He, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?"
Ji Shaoli smiled as he looked at He Zhenghao, who was about to leave.
"Brother Ji, don't worry. I’ll give it some thought after I return. You’ll have my answer soon!" He Zhenghao promised confidently.
Ji Shaoli did not press further.
Once the other cultivators had dispersed, Ji Shaoli turned to the six who remained.
Two Golden Core cultivators, four Foundation Establishment cultivators.
He reactivated the Taihuang Eight Extremes Dragon-Slaying Formation, sealing the island.
Ji Shaoli looked at the group and nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent. You all are now the elders of our Mutual Aid Association."
"Fellow Daoist Ji, are you truly not enforcing any contractual restrictions within the association?" asked another mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, Xiang Xin.
Ji Shaoli chuckled. "What bond could be stronger and more reliable than shared interests? I’ve said it before—the purpose of establishing this association is mutual aid and mutual benefit, to overcome tribulations together."
Xiang Xin remained silent, merely nodding in acknowledgment.
The others also chose not to comment, neither agreeing nor objecting.
Only Pei Tuo, unable to contain himself any longer, spoke up.
After receiving a subtle nod from Ji Shaoli, he eagerly asked, "Brother Ji, about what you said earlier—the information on an unclaimed Nascent Soul Cave-Heaven..."
"Is it really true?"
Chapter 823
As soon as Pei Tuo spoke, the others present were immediately shocked.
At the same time, they suddenly came to a realization.
No wonder Pei Tuo had lost his composure earlier—what Ji Shaoli had promised was actually an unclaimed Nascent Soul-level Cave Heaven!
It must be understood that for a Golden Core cultivator aiming to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage, such a place was a necessity.
Each unclaimed Cave-Heaven practically represented the rise of a future Nascent Soul cultivator.
Its value was immeasurable.
Unless one chose to pledge allegiance to one of the prominent families within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the only alternative was to rely entirely on luck to find one.
Difficult, difficult, difficult!
Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance were as abundant as crops in the fields, coming and going in cycles.
But Nascent Soul cultivators? They were considered to have truly stepped into the higher ranks, holding key positions across various regions.
They were the backbone of the Immortal Alliance.
The gap between realms was truly like night and day.
However...
Ji Shaoli himself was only at the Golden Core stage—could he really provide information about an unclaimed Cave-Heaven for the members of the Mutual Aid Association?
Was that even possible?
A trace of doubt flashed through everyone’s minds.
It wasn’t that they were overly skeptical.
It was just that this claim was...
Too unbelievable.
Not to mention that Ji Shaoli was all alone, without any backing or powerful force supporting him.
Even if he were part of some secretive organization, possessing an unclaimed Cave-Heaven would attract countless willing followers.
Why, then, would he bother recruiting in the Congyun Sea?
Could it be... the Five Elders Association?
As soon as this thought emerged, the initially excited crowd suddenly felt a chill run through them. The more they thought about it, the more uneasy they became.
Ji Shaoli, however, could clearly see what was going through their minds.
He chuckled and said, “There’s no need to overthink. I can assure you, I am definitely not some spy from the Five Elders Association.”
“The unclaimed Cave-Heaven I prepared for Pei Tuo is also within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s territory.”
Only then did the crowd breathe a sigh of relief.
“The Mutual Aid Association is still in its early stages, so your doubts are understandable. However, facts speak louder than words. Once Pei Tuo successfully advances to the Nascent Soul stage, all skepticism will naturally vanish.” Ji Shaoli spoke with unwavering confidence.
“But before that happens, let’s resolve your matters first.”
Ji Shaoli clapped his hands lightly. Moments later, a projection of a faceless stone statue appeared in the grand hall of the cave mansion.
“This is the True Immortal of Compassion and Mercy in the Mortal World. All you need to do is sincerely pray to it and recite the membership oath in your heart. That will complete the initiation process.”
“After that, I will transfer contribution points to you.” Ji Shaoli introduced with a smile.
“That simple?” Xiang Xin asked doubtfully.
“Yes, it’s that simple. The Mutual Aid Association does not deal in mysticism.” Ji Shaoli affirmed.
Hearing this, everyone turned to gaze at the faceless stone statue hovering in the air.
It did not appear particularly extraordinary, but there was a faint, indescribable aura emanating from it.
Something about it suggested it was no ordinary statue.
With the temptation of an unclaimed Cave-Heaven before him, Pei Tuo had no fear. He was the first to step forward and silently recite the oath in his heart.
A moment later, he lifted his head. “That’s it?”
It seemed like nothing had happened.
“That’s it. Welcome to the Mutual Aid Association.” Ji Shaoli beamed with a warm smile.
Seeing this, the others followed suit.
It did not take long before the first six members of the Mutual Aid Association had completed their initiation.
Ji Shaoli kept his promise and immediately transferred 100,000 contribution points to each of them.
When they confirmed, through the Tianxuan Mirror on the island, that they had indeed received this massive sum of points, their expressions became dazed, as if they were in a dream.
“The strength of the Mutual Aid Association lies in quality, not quantity. So please, do not spread this information indiscriminately. However, if you have exceptionally talented friends or family, you may introduce them to the Association.”
Before sending them away, Ji Shaoli once again reminded them.
After the group departed, Ji Shaoli turned around and looked at Pei Tuo, who appeared somewhat impatient.
"I wonder, Brother Pei, what kind of Foundation Establishment rare treasure and Golden Core method you are using? And what kind of Nascent Soul cultivation technique are you planning to cultivate?" Ji Shaoli suddenly asked.
Pei Tuo hesitated for only a moment before answering in full detail.
"I achieved my Dao Foundation with the [Wall of Solid Rock] and formed my Golden Core through the three methods of Protection, Life, and Earth."
"I have set my sights on a cultivation technique called The Eight Directions Immovable Earth Sealing Art."
Ji Shaoli first praised him, "Your Foundation Establishment rare treasure and Golden Core method complement each other perfectly. Brother Pei, you are truly remarkable."
Before Pei Tuo could respond, Ji Shaoli continued, "I happen to know of a place called Thousand Rock Cave-Heaven, which aligns perfectly with your cultivation path."
"What do you think?"
"Thousand Rock Cave-Heaven? That would be absolutely ideal!" Upon hearing this, Pei Tuo was overjoyed.
However, the next moment, a realization struck him, and his body suddenly stiffened.
He looked at Ji Shaoli, who stood not far away, and felt an indescribable shock in his heart.
To be able to cultivate all the way to the peak of the Golden Core stage relying solely on his own abilities
Pei Tuo was by no means a fool.
He keenly sensed that something was off.
Ji Shaoli just happened to know of a Thousand Rock Cave-Heaven that matched his cultivation path perfectly...
How could there be such a coincidence?!
One must know that most Nascent Soul cultivators struggle to find a Cave-Heaven that aligns well with their Foundation Establishment and Golden Core methods.
After all, finding any Cave-Heaven to achieve Nascent Soul was already an extraordinary stroke of luck.
Aside from the core disciples of prestigious families, who else had the luxury of being picky?
And yet, Ji Shaoli had specifically prepared a Cave-Heaven for him—one that seemed almost tailor-made...
Either it was pure coincidence—
Or it meant that...
Ji Shaoli knew of not just one, but many different Cave-Heaven.
And after learning about Pei Tuo’s cultivation path, he immediately selected the most suitable one for him.
What did this imply?
Only the topmost factions of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would be capable of such a thing.
A chill ran through Pei Tuo’s heart.
An image surfaced in his mind once again—that Faceless Stone Statue.
The True Immortal of Compassion in the Mortal Realm, Deliverer from Suffering.
Just who... was Ji Shaoli, really?
As Pei Tuo's mind reeled with unease, Ji Shaoli spoke again, "Brother Pei, what do you think?"
"If you have no objections, let us set out at once."
Pei Tuo hurriedly agreed without hesitation.
Afterward, the two of them traveled through a teleportation formation, first arriving at Ten Thousand Immortal Island as a transit point.
Then, they continued their journey into the heart of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
This eased Pei Tuo’s concerns somewhat.
"At the very least, this has nothing to do with the Five Elders Association," he thought to himself.
Upon arriving at Gufeng Prefecture, they exited Floating Sky City.
Ji Shaoli cast a secret technique to conceal their presence.
Then, they moved swiftly, eventually reaching a desolate Gobi Desert.
After scanning the surroundings and ensuring no cultivators were nearby,
Ji Shaoli pointed into the air and transmitted his voice quietly: "The Thousand Rock Cave-Heaven is right here."
Pei Tuo was momentarily stunned, then flew to the indicated location, carefully sensing the area.
Not long after, he indeed detected an unclaimed Cave-Heaven, and his joy knew no bounds.
At the same time, he could hardly contain his astonishment.
"You may ascend here."
"I will stand guard for you."
Ji Shaoli said calmly.
Chapter 824
Pei Tuo responded with a nod and eagerly entered [Thousand Rock Cave-Heaven].
Meanwhile, Ji Shaoli remained outside, concealing the fluctuations caused by Pei Tuo’s act of devouring the Cave-Heaven.
After all, this place was deep within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, and the current wartime situation was tense. Although both he and Pei Tuo were members of the alliance, it was still best to be cautious and avoid unnecessary trouble.
Just like when Li Fan had devoured the Five Elements Cave-Heaven, the process repeated itself.
From within his Golden Core, fierce and grotesque Roots of Heaven and Earth surged outward, frantically extending countless tendrils.
These tendrils, as if possessing their own consciousness, embedded themselves into every corner of the Thousand Rock Cave-Heaven, coiling and tightening.
Ultimately, the entire Grotto-Heaven was completely enshrouded.
The space trembled and roared, dissolving into countless motes of light, which then merged into Pei Tuo’s body.
This process lasted for a full three days.
After three days, Pei Tuo suddenly reappeared in the Xuanhuang Realm.
The aura of a Nascent Soul True Lord surged around him, unsettled and turbulent.
Having been trapped at the Golden Core Realm for so long, finally breaking through filled Pei Tuo with an overwhelming urge to roar in exhilaration.
However, Ji Shaoli’s cold voice snapped him back to reality:
"Move. Do not linger."
Pei Tuo’s aura instantly stagnated.
Even though he now surpassed Ji Shaoli by an entire realm, he did not dare to underestimate him in the slightest.
The [Mutual Aid Association]—the force standing behind Ji Shaoli—was undoubtedly a terrifying entity. Crushing a mere Nascent Soul cultivator like himself would be as easy as flipping a hand.
Thus, Pei Tuo obediently followed behind Ji Shaoli, keeping a low profile as they swiftly returned to Congyun Sea.
Meanwhile, when the members of the Mutual Aid Association, including Xiang Xin, saw that Pei Tuo had reached the Nascent Soul Realm, they were utterly shocked.
They finally confirmed that Ji Shaoli’s words were not false.
Some of them even regretted not joining sooner. At the same time, their gazes toward Ji Shaoli grew increasingly fervent.
After hesitating for a moment, Xiang Xin couldn’t resist and finally asked, "Daoist Ji, if we break through in the future, will the organization...?"
Ji Shaoli interrupted him with a smile.
"Rest assured, everyone. As the first batch of core members in the [Congyun Sea Mutual Aid Association], once you reach the necessary level, an unclaimed Cave-Heaven will immediately be arranged for you! So, your primary focus right now should be to cultivate diligently and advance as quickly as possible."
His words instantly filled everyone present with boundless motivation.
They quickly returned to the Tianxuan Mirror on Ten Thousand Immortal Island, dedicating themselves to relentless cultivation, sparing no cost.
When news of Pei Tuo’s breakthrough spread, it sent waves of shock among the cultivators who had attended the banquet that day.
Before long, a steady stream of cultivators came to Haixuan Island, seeking to join the Congyun Sea Mutual Aid Association.
However, Ji Shaoli chose to shut his doors to all visitors, refusing every single one.
"The Dharma must not be lightly transmitted."
Watching from outside the [Taihuang Eight Extremes Dragon-Slaying Formation], he observed the various expressions on the cultivators’ faces and smiled faintly.
No matter how loudly they called out, he simply ignored them.
Instead, Ji Shaoli turned back to the Tianxuan Mirror Market, continuing to trade for resources.
Though six million contribution points seemed like a large sum, they were still far from sufficient.
Before the Mutual Aid Association could fully develop, he needed to gather more resources.
Spiritwood Realm.
At the very moment Pei Tuo successfully broke through to Nascent Soul, a massive feedback of cultivation energy unexpectedly surged into Li Fan's dantian.
Instantly absorbing this energy, his originally mid-stage Golden Core cultivation advanced by a considerable margin.
"It truly works! By using the nonexistent identity of the statue [Mortal Compassionate Immortal] as a transfer medium, the ultimate beneficiary is still my true self!"
Li Fan took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with insight.
The key lay in the so-called oath of joining the association.
The main idea of the oath was that all brothers within the Mutual Aid Association, under the witness of the Compassionate Immortal, must support and love one another. All the conveniences provided by the association were bestowed by the Compassionate Immortal. Members must always keep this in mind.
"At this rate, it won’t be long before I return to the Nascent Soul stage."
"I just wonder if, at this point in time, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has discovered the Five Elements Great Cave-Heaven."
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan summoned Tianyang and instructed him to make a trip to Tianling Prefecture.
He wanted to check on the situation there.
"Just gather intelligence; prioritize your own safety above all else," Li Fan reminded him.
Tianyang nodded sharply before transforming into a streak of light and flying out of the Spiritwood Realm.
"With Tianyang’s strength, even if he gets discovered, escaping shouldn’t be too much of a problem."
"But his current Soul Transformation cultivation is still insufficient. Once I return to the Nascent Soul stage, I might consider helping him reach the Dao Integration stage."
A series of figures from the Spirit of Heaven and Earth flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
After careful thought, he locked onto a target.
The Spirit of Heaven and Earth were practically equivalent to Dao Integration cultivators.
Back in the day, even Crimson Flame, who was merely a furnace worker, forced several Soul Transformation cultivators from Congyun Sea to use their full strength just to barely defeat him.
More importantly, the entire Dao Integration process had to be completed in absolute secrecy, without alerting other cultivators.
Otherwise, they could end up doing all the hard work just for someone else to reap the benefits.
Even with Li Fan’s assistance, Tianyang would likely struggle.
Li Fan couldn’t help but recall the three members of the Medicine King Sect.
"Unfortunately, it will still take some time before the Medicine King True Cauldron returns."
Just as Li Fan was contemplating where to find more support, an unexpected change suddenly occurred within the Spiritwood Realm.
After Shang Tianci’s relentless efforts day and night, the Spiritwood Realm had undergone a drastic transformation.
Countless magnificent sights of primordial essence adorned the realm. Ethereal spiritual energy connected the underground veins to the sky, as if forming a unified whole.
It seemed as though the entire world was undergoing some profound metamorphosis, with the most significant transformation occurring in the giant spirit tree at the realm’s center.
In a short time, the tree, which had long ceased growing, suddenly shot up by nearly one-third.
Its emerald-green leaves shimmered, radiating an unprecedented vitality.
Something seemed to be gestating within it.
Li Fan's mind stirred. Using the Heart of the Spiritwood, he instantly pinpointed the source of the disturbance.
It was within the central area of the spirit tree, in the space originally meant for nurturing treefolks.
Countless green light particles converged, forming a vague humanoid figure.
"This is...?" Li Fan narrowed his eyes and instantly teleported to the vicinity.
At that moment, the Treefolk Chieftain also rushed over.
She looked at the increasingly distinct humanoid figure forming before them, first in shock, then as if recalling something.
Her expression instantly turned emotional.
"Master, this is a [Tree Spirit]!" she took the initiative to explain to Li Fan.
Through the Treefolk Chieftain’s explanation, Li Fan quickly understood what a [Tree Spirit] truly was.
If treefolk were beings born from the spirit tree to serve as its guardians,
Then their ultimate duty was to protect the tree until it awakened its own sentience.
Compared to Li Fan’s forceful refinement of the Heart of the Spiritwood—his act of seizing control—the Tree Spirit was more like the true ruler of the Spiritwood Realm.
Before Li Fan, a figure gradually took form, completely unadorned.
Its aura was rapidly strengthening.
In an instant, it had already surpassed Li Fan’s Golden Core stage cultivation.
Li Fan instinctively took a slight step back.
He only relaxed after ensuring, through the Heart of the Spiritwood, that he still held absolute control over the life and death of the Spirit Tree.
The spiritual pressure of the Tree Spirit continued to rise—Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation...
It wasn’t until it reached a level comparable to Dao Integration that it finally stopped.
"A colossal tree-born spirit—it is essentially the manifestation of the Heavenly Dao of the Spiritwood Realm."
"If the Heavenly Dao truly had sentience, then a cave-heaven world would be equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm, while a small world’s level would range from Soul Transformation to Dao Integration depending on its scale."
"Under normal circumstances, given the foundation of the Spiritwood Realm, it would be nearly impossible for a Tree Spirit to attain Dao Integration strength. However, with Shang Tianci continuously transporting the wondrous essence of Xuanhuang into this realm, it has undergone a form of ascension."
"It’s similar to how Mr. Bai previously created a miniature Xuanhuang Realm with his bare hands—except Shang Tianci accomplished it through pure replication."
As Li Fan contemplated, the gathering of green light from all directions gradually ceased.
A figure, with a body nearly indistinguishable from that of a human, appeared before him.
Her form was exquisite and curvaceous, similar to the leader of the Treefolk Clan, with distinctly feminine characteristics.
Li Fan glanced at her and, with a mere thought, used the Heart of the Spiritwood to clothe her.
The Tree Spirit did not resist.
Instead, she curiously examined the garments that had suddenly appeared on her body.
Although her gaze carried a certain innocence, it was by no means ignorant.
Born as a natural spirit and inheriting all of the Spirit Tree’s memories, what she lacked compared to ordinary cultivators was merely experience in interpersonal interactions.
"Even though she has already surpassed me in strength, because I refined the Heart of the Spiritwood early on, she still remains under my control."
As this thought crossed Li Fan’s mind, the Tree Spirit, at his mere will, gracefully knelt before him.
For a Dao Integration cultivator to kneel before a mere Golden Core cultivator—anywhere in the world, this would be considered a grave humiliation.
Yet the Tree Spirit showed no trace of anger.
"Master." She addressed Li Fan naturally.
The creations of Heaven and Earth are inherently pure—they do not possess the deceitful, scheming nature of humans.
Especially in their infancy, they have no concept of hiding their emotions.
Li Fan observed her carefully, ensuring that her submission was genuine before he nodded in satisfaction.
"Since you have taken human form, you should have a name of your own."
"From now on, you shall be called Lin Ling."
As he spoke, Li Fan reached out and tapped Lin Ling's forehead.
A moment later, a red mark appeared between her brows.
"Thank you, Master." Lin Ling was overjoyed to have a name. She bowed to Li Fan once more, repeating the name over and over again.
"She has yet to develop a sense of hierarchy in power. Thus, calling someone weaker than her 'Master' does not bother her in the slightest."
"But as she grows and experiences more of the world, that may change."
"However, breaking free from the restraint of the Heart of the Spiritwood will not be an easy feat."
Li Fan carefully examined the faint connection between himself and Lin Ling, deep in thought.
For the next period of time, Lin Ling demonstrated to Li Fan the immense power she wielded as the incarnation of the Heavenly Dao within the Spiritwood Realm.
She could effortlessly manipulate all the forces of this miniature world and always in the most efficient way possible.
With her help, Shang Tianci’s "transportation" efforts became several times easier.
Lin Ling, however, did not see it as a burdensome task. On the contrary, she seemed to be having great fun.
Her pure and carefree expression deeply captivated the young man, Shang Tianci.
As an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao, Lin Ling's beauty was naturally beyond words—her flawless face had not a single imperfection, and every smile and frown carried an unparalleled charm.
Shang Tianci was utterly mesmerized, unable to look away.
"S-Senior..." After Lin Ling finished her work and was sent off to play elsewhere by Li Fan, Shang Tianci hesitantly approached him, his face flushed.
"Heh, good work." Li Fan patted Shang Tianci’s shoulder with a knowing smile.
He did not make any promises, but Shang Tianci instantly looked as if he had been injected with a surge of boundless energy.
"Senior, the extraordinary scenery of Xuanhuang that I stored in my Heavenly Scene Gourd has almost been fully replicated. So, I’d like to return to the Xuanhuang Realm to record some other scenes."
"Perfect timing. I can also try persuading some others from the Shanhe Pavilion to come along." He volunteered himself.
Seeing his initiative, Li Fan had no reason to refuse.
However, to be cautious, he gifted him a jade pendant to serve as a medium for deploying [Formless Killing Intent].
Only then did he allow him to leave.
After calculating the time, it seemed that he had left the Five Elders Association waiting long enough.
With that in mind, Li Fan leisurely exited the Spiritwood Realm as well.
What he didn’t expect was that upon seeing him leave, Lin Ling also wanted to follow.
"You can leave this place?" Li Fan asked in surprise.
"Master, don’t worry. It’s no problem." Lin Ling nodded firmly.
"However, I might not be as free outside as I am at home," she added.
A free Dao Integration-level bodyguard—how could Li Fan possibly refuse?
When the two arrived at the Xuanhuang Realm, Li Fan immediately observed any changes in her condition.
"She’s still somewhat affected... Her actual combat power is slightly weaker than a true Dao Integration cultivator."
"But she’s still far stronger than an ordinary Soul Transformation cultivator."
Li Fan nodded to himself.
With Lin Ling by his side, he flew toward the direction of Jiushan Prefecture.
Not long after they set off, Lin Ling suddenly asked, "Master, why don’t we travel underground? Flying in the sky is so slow."
Li Fan was momentarily stunned.
"Underground? What do you mean?"
Lin Ling widened her eyes, looking at Li Fan.
She opened her mouth as if to explain, but after a long moment, she couldn’t find the right words.
After a while, she suddenly slapped her forehead and transmitted an image into Li Fan’s mind.
In an instant, Li Fan understood what she meant.
"Earth vein energy?"
"You can use the power of the earth veins to travel?" He couldn’t help but ask.
"Master, you can’t?" Lin Ling looked at him in surprise.
Seeing Li Fan remain silent, Lin Ling thought for a moment before reassuring him, "It’s okay, Master. I think I can take you along."
Sensing the connection, she didn’t seem to be lying.
After hesitating for a moment, Li Fan slowly nodded. "Then let’s give it a try."
"Alright, Master! Hold on to me!" Seeing him agree, Lin Ling became visibly excited.
A layer of green light emerged around her body as she grabbed hold of Li Fan.
Then, in a sudden motion, she dove straight from the sky into the depths of the earth.
Li Fan’s vision went black at first.
Then, it felt as if he had plunged into a raging river—surrounded by surging, earth-yellow energy.
The immense pressure made it difficult for him to breathe.
But Lin Ling, on the other hand, moved as effortlessly as a fish in water.
Not only was she able to maneuver with ease, but she also seemed capable of continuously drawing from the endless power of the earth veins to strengthen herself.
Excitedly shouting along the way, she surged forward, riding the currents of the earth veins.
In less than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the two had already arrived at Jiushan Prefecture.
"This is way too fast!"
Li Fan was instantly astonished.
Traveling from the Spiritwood Realm to Jiushan Prefecture required crossing nearly half of Shilin Prefecture.
Under normal circumstances, a Nascent Soul cultivator flying at full speed would need at least five to six days to make the journey.
Even if Lin Ling carried Li Fan through the sky, it would still take at least half a day.
Yet, by borrowing the power of the earth veins, they had arrived almost instantly.
More importantly, traveling underground was silent and unnoticed!
Currently, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association were in a standoff, with heavy defenses guarding the border between Shilin Prefecture and Jiushan Prefecture.
However, when Li Fan and his group traversed through, neither side detected their presence.
"The power of the earth veins is pure and exclusive. It seems that, as of now, no one in the Xuanhuang Realm has found a way to travel safely through them." Li Fan pondered as he recalled the knowledge he had gathered about earth veins.
Upon reaching Jiushan Prefecture, the flow of the earth veins seemed to encounter some sort of blockage.
What was once a rushing current suddenly slowed to a gentle trickle.
Li Fan could also sense Lin Ling's discomfort.
He signaled for her to return to the surface.
Before emerging, Li Fan carefully observed his surroundings. Only after ensuring that no one was nearby did he break through the earth.
"This place feels so unsettling," Lin Ling frowned.
"Jiushan Prefecture was formed from the corpse of an ancient beast. It’s natural for you to feel a sense of rejection." Li Fan briefly explained.
"This entire region was once a corpse?" Lin Ling’s eyes widened in shock. "Then its power when it was alive must have been terrifying! No wonder even senior cultivators are restricted here..."
She muttered to herself.
"Senior cultivators?" Li Fan’s heart skipped a beat.
"Yes! We were able to move so quickly underground thanks to a senior's help!" Lin Ling said innocently.
As she spoke, she proudly took out a withered branch. "Master, look! This is a gift from that senior."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
The branch was dry and yellow, but it did not appear lifeless. Instead, it had been nourished by the power of the earth veins for countless years. From it, he could still sense the vigorous, surging energy of the earth veins.
He had seen such a branch once before.
It was in his 115th lifetime, at Ximen Yu’s cave in Yueyang Prefecture.
"The Tree of Earth Veins?"
He suddenly recalled Ximen Yu’s theory regarding its origins.
Long ago, the Ruomu tree had been gravely wounded by cultivators, causing massive branches to break off and fall to the mortal world.
Over the years, these branches took root and evolved into different ancient trees.
The Tree of Earth Veins was one of them.
Growing in reverse, its roots spread throughout the Xuanhuang Realm.
"How did you communicate with that 'senior'?" Li Fan asked Lin Ling.
Lin Ling tilted her head, looking at Li Fan in confusion.
After a moment, she simply transmitted her entire interaction with the ancient tree to him.
The way ancient trees communicated was vastly different from humans.
The moment Lin Ling entered the earth veins, she and the ancient tree had already formed a connection.
Within an incredibly short time, they had exchanged information.
The ancient Tree of Earth Veins was quite fond of Lin Ling, this newly born junior.
Not only did it refrain from attacking her, but it even actively assisted her.
Additionally, from this ancient tree, Lin Ling learned about the other great ancient trees of the Xuanhuang Realm.
The most ancient of them all, the ancestor of all spirits—Ruomu...
However, the Tree of Earth Veins did not reveal its own name to Lin Ling.
Lin Ling was merely cautioned that the Mother Tree’s temperament had changed drastically, becoming unpredictable and capricious. Even as a fellow tree spirit, it would not receive any special treatment. On the contrary, the Mother Tree might even devour scattered ancient trees like them to nourish itself.
It was best to stay as far away as possible.
Next were two entities on par with the Earth Vein Ancient Tree.
Both had originally separated from the Ruomu Tree in ancient times and were among the strongest of their kind.
One was the Ten Thousand Spirits Ancient Tree, and the other was the Tianhua Ancient Tree.
Although they shared the same origin, they followed entirely opposite paths.
The Ten Thousand Spirits Ancient Tree sought to proliferate as much as possible, spreading countless branches throughout the world.
Even if catastrophe struck, as long as a single branch survived and was given enough time, it could regenerate completely.
The Tianhua Ancient Tree, however, pursued the path of "All Laws Converging into One."
It constantly reduced and refined itself, aspiring to one day return to the existence of the Ruomu Tree.
Glimpses of the Ten Thousand Spirits Ancient Tree and Tianhua Ancient Tree flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
To his surprise, he had encountered both of them in his past reincarnations.
The branches of the Ten Thousand Spirits Ancient Tree turned out to be the very material Jiao Xiuyuan used to craft his clones.
"Spreading branches across the world, covering the Xuanhuang Realm... It subtly aligns with Fellow Daoist Jiao’s Way of Ten Thousand Puppets."
"I just wonder—what exactly is the relationship between Jiao Xiuyuan and the Ten Thousand Spirits Ancient Tree?"
As for the Tianhua Ancient Tree, Li Fan had only encountered it once.
That was in the Qingfeng Hall of the loan organization on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, where he had seen a massive tree with a human face.
In his 115th lifetime, the Five Elders Association launched a surprise attack on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, attempting to relocate the entire island.
At that time, the entire space was sealed off, making all forms of communication and teleportation ineffective.
Li Fan had to pay a hefty price to Jiao Xiuyuan to learn of an escape route.
It was through Qingfeng Hall that he successfully survived the disaster.
"That human-faced tree was one of the sub-bodies of the Tianhua Ancient Tree."
"And that female voice accompanying the spirit tree... I still don’t know who she was."
Besides these two powerful ancient trees, the Earth Vein Ancient Tree also introduced Lin Ling to several younger and slightly weaker tree spirits.
Like Lin Ling, they were trees that had developed sentience, mostly residing in the hidden realms and small worlds of the Xuanhuang Realm.
Since these small worlds were tethered to Xuanhuang, the spirit trees within them maintained a subtle connection with the Earth Vein Ancient Tree.
However, Lin Ling was the first among them who had managed to transform and step into the human world.
This greatly excited the Earth Vein Ancient Tree.
Yet, it showed little concern for the fact that Lin Ling was under the control of a cultivator.
It merely reminded Lin Ling that each spirit tree followed its own destined path.
She should cultivate according to her heart’s true desires.
Having been born only recently, Lin Ling only half-understood these words but obediently nodded.
"I never expected so much to have happened in the blink of an eye."
"And all without me even noticing... Even though I have full control over Lin Ling, it still happened."
"The methods of these ancient trees are truly mysterious and unfathomable."
"Fortunately, both the Earth Vein Ancient Tree and Lin Ling have gentle dispositions. Unlike the Ruomu Tree, which is extremely radical."
"Otherwise, if they had secretly plotted against me together..."
"It would have been difficult to defend against."
Li Fan sighed softly.
At the same time, Li Fan finally understood why neither the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance nor the Five Elders Association could freely traverse the Earth's Veins.
It wasn't a matter of technology.
Rather, it was because traveling through the Earth's Veins would inevitably provoke an attack from the Ancient Veins Trees.
One must remember that these three ancient trees still retained the memories of the siege against the Ruomu tree by cultivators in the past.
Although they did not harbor the same extreme hatred toward cultivators as the Ruomu tree did, their attitude was far from friendly.
As long as no one actively sought trouble, they would remain neutral. But if cultivators tried to take advantage of them and push their limits—
The trees would naturally resist.
The only reason Li Fan could avoid being attacked was purely due to Lin Ling’s presence.
These Ancient Vein Trees were deeply rooted in the land of Xuanhuang.
If one were to forcefully subjugate them, it could very well lead to the collapse of the entire land itself.
By then, who knew how many cultivators would perish in an instant?
Additionally, with the existence of spatial tranfer technology, the need for direct reliance on the power of the Earth's Veins was not particularly high.
Thus, both the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association chose to turn a blind eye to the matter.
“In the future, you should communicate with the senior more often,” Li Fan advised Lin Ling as he glanced at the Vein Tree branch in her hand.
This branch was far more precious than the withered twig that Ximen Yu had found in the Earth Vein roots.
Not only could it accelerate Lin Ling’s growth, but it also enabled instantaneous travel to any location where the power of the Earth’s Veins extended.
It was somewhat similar to Shang Tianci’s Heaven Scene Gourd teleportation technique.
However, Shang Tianci had to manually collect each of Xuanhuang’s unique landscapes into his gourd.
In contrast, the Ancient Earth Veins Tree had already extended its roots to every corner of the Xuanhuang Realm.
“It’s just a pity that only Lin Ling can use it,” Li Fan thought with some regret.
Lin Ling obediently fused the Earth Veins Tree branch into her chest.
With this small matter settled, Li Fan turned his attention back to the real business at hand.
First, he set up a protective formation around them, temporarily concealing Lin Ling.
Then, he retrieved a jade talisman and crushed it.
A unique energy fluctuation spread instantly, rippling outward toward Jiushan Prefecture.
Li Fan closed his eyes and waited.
On the side of the Five Elders Association, they had clearly been waiting for this signal for quite some time.
Not long after, several figures swiftly arrived.
Among them was Yu Dayi, the Five Elders Association spy with whom Li Fan had previously interacted.
After some time apart, Yu Dayi’s cultivation had already advanced from the Golden Core stage to the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
Clearly, he had received rewards for the significant intelligence Li Fan had provided earlier.
Upon spotting Li Fan from a distance, Yu Dayi's face lit up with joy.
As he approached, he gestured for his companions to halt, proceeding alone to meet Li Fan.
“It’s been a long time, Fellow Daoist!” Yu Dayi cupped his hands in greeting.
Li Fan scrutinized him briefly before letting out a sinister chuckle.
“It seems that the intelligence provided by our Federation of All Worlds was of some use after all.”
“Fellow Daoist is too modest. More than just useful...” Yu Dayi replied with a laugh.
“Speaking of which, during our last operation, when we successfully took over Jiushan Prefecture, it seems that your organization also assisted us in secret.”
“You’ve helped us twice now, yet you haven’t made any demands...” A hint of suspicion flickered across Yu Dayi’s face.
“It’s nothing more than a way to gain the trust of your Five Elders Association,” Li Fan said indifferently.
“I know that even now, there are still those within your organization who believe that this so-called ‘Federation of All Worlds’ is nothing more than a fabrication by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.”
“Sacrificing a little to deceive a lot...”
As soon as these words were spoken, Yu Dayi’s expression became slightly awkward.
“Doubt is natural. But it doesn’t matter—once our cooperation deepens, all suspicions will eventually vanish into thin air.”
Li Fan let out a low, eerie laugh, his tone filled with confidence.
Yu Dayi didn’t pay attention to other details; his eyes lit up the moment he heard Li Fan mention "cooperation."
And Li Fan did not disappoint him.
With a casual flick of his hand, he tossed over a jade slip.
Yu Dayi caught it, his eyelids twitching, but his face couldn't hide his overwhelming joy.
The content within the jade slip was none other than the vulnerabilities of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's recently modified Ten Thousand Mile of Mountain and River Formation.
"Yet another extraordinary feat!" Yu Dayi's heart pounded with excitement.
However, Li Fan's next words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him:
"Although we can provide you with classified information on the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance's defensive formations, making their defenses practically useless to you, our Federation of All Worlds still does not recommend launching a large-scale offensive at this moment."
"Even if you can quickly mobilize enough forces to crush the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance in an instant, it is still unwise."
"Our suggestion—wait." Li Fan's words carried a deep meaning.
"Why is that?" Yu Dayi couldn't help but ask, puzzled.
Li Fan did not answer. He merely extended his index finger and pointed toward the sky.
Yu Dayi remained confused.
"Go back and report my words. They will naturally understand my meaning," Li Fan said indifferently.
"When the time is right, we will inform you."
Yu Dayi opened his mouth but did not argue further.
Li Fan then tossed over another jade slip.
"Our Federation of All Worlds has already shown enough sincerity. Now, let’s see how sincere your Five Elders Association truly is."
Yu Dayi glanced at the list of supplies detailed in the jade slip, and his heart pounded wildly.
"This is... far too much..."
"Just report it as is. As long as they aren't foolish, I believe they will agree," Li Fan said arrogantly.
Yu Dayi discreetly glanced behind him.
The five cultivators accompanying him were standing by, awaiting his command.
With just a single order, they could instantly subdue the mysterious cultivator before them.
"Four Nascent Souls and one Soul Transformation."
"The opponent is merely a small Golden Core."
"No matter how you look at it, the odds are overwhelmingly in our favor."
Yu Dayi felt a strong temptation.
"If we capture him and use secret techniques to turn him, we could extract more secrets about the Federation of All Worlds..."
At that moment, he was on the verge of giving the order.
But then, Li Fan looked at him with a calm, confident gaze—one that carried an almost mocking smile.
Yu Dayi’s heart clenched.
After careful deliberation, he ultimately abandoned the idea.
The unfathomable aura surrounding Li Fan was one reason.
The primary concern, however, was that the Federation of All Worlds had always been the one initiating contact with the Five Elders Association.
If something went wrong and hostility was created between the two sides...
That would truly be a disastrous loss.
After all, supplies have a price—intelligence is priceless.
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Yu Dayi’s mind.
In the end, he sighed inwardly and cupped his hands in respect.
"Fellow Daoist, return in seven days. You shall receive a satisfactory answer."
"Good! I hope your Five Elders Association won’t make a foolish mistake. Otherwise, we may have to seek a new partner," Li Fan said before clapping his hands.
From the side, Lin Ling, who had been concealed all along, finally revealed herself.
Sensing Lin Ling's aura, Yu Dayi's pupils contracted sharply.